The vibrant Chandigarh Literature Festival, known as CLF Literati, reached its magnificent conclusion on November 23, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India's literary calendar. Organized by the Chandigarh Literary Society, the festival's final day was packed with enriching literary discussions and the prestigious CLF Literati Book Awards ceremony.
A New Chapter for Chandigarh's Literary Scene
Dr Sumita Misra expressed immense pride during the event, highlighting the establishment of Chandigarh's very own national-level book awards. "Today is a moment of pride for all of us as now Chandigarh has its very own national-level book awards," she announced enthusiastically. She confirmed that these awards would become an annual tradition during CLF Literati, solidifying the city's position on India's literary map.
Diverse Literary Sessions Captivate Audiences
The festival's concluding day featured multiple engaging sessions that spanned various literary genres and themes. The spiritual journey began with 'Spiritual Chords: Stories of Change and Choice', where Shalini Modi, author of 'Rasas in Divine Relationships and Immortality: A Boon or a Curse', joined spiritual mentor Krishnapad Das Krishna from The Akshaya Patra Foundation. They engaged in a meaningful dialogue with Annurani Sharma, a bilingual poet, writer, and devotional singer.
Following this spiritual exploration, the festival transitioned to practical wellness with 'Roots and Recipes: A Wellness Conversation'. This session featured India's leading nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar in conversation with author Urvi Sharma, offering valuable insights into health and nutrition.
Real Heroes and Groundbreaking Stories
One of the most anticipated sessions, 'Bihar Diaries and Ground Zero: Real Heroes, Real Stories', presented IPS officer Amit Lodha, renowned for his three bestselling works – 'Bihar Diaries', 'Life in the Uniform', and 'Police Affairs'. Notably, 'Bihar Diaries' was adapted into a popular OTT series, bringing his real-life experiences to a wider audience.
Joining him was Veena Raman, a former national hockey player and wife of the late IPS officer Vijay Raman. The discussion also covered his memoir, 'Did I Really Do All This?', co-authored by Veena. Both distinguished guests engaged in a compelling conversation with IPS officer and author Arsh Verma, creating a powerful narrative about real-life heroes and their extraordinary experiences.
Celebrating Literary Excellence: The CLF Literati Awards
The grand finale featured the presentation of the CLF Literati Book Awards, honoring outstanding literary works across different genres. The prestigious awards were presented to:
- 'The Undying Light: A Personal History of Independent India' by Gopalkrishna Gandhi (Aleph Book Company)
- 'The Ayodhya Alliance: Bharat Collection 8' by Ashwin Sanghi (Harper Collins)
- 'Shubh Din' by Balram (Rajkamal Prakashan)
The festival successfully brought together authors, artists, IPS officers, and literary enthusiasts, creating an unforgettable celebration of literature that promises to grow stronger with each passing year. The establishment of these national-level book awards positions Chandigarh as a significant hub for literary recognition and cultural exchange in India.
