OUR SPEAKERS
Aditya Sondhi is a senior advocate practising before the Supreme Court of India. He holds a PhD from the University of Mysore and his thesis was entitled ‘The Interface between the Army and Democracy: India and Pakistan Compared (1947-2008)’. He has previously published two books of non-fiction with Penguin (India): Unfinished Symphony and The Order of the Crest. Aditya has been a winner at the Deccan Herald Short Story Competition, and his debut play Famagusta was shortlisted for the Sultan Pad
Managing Trustee, Vani Foundation Aditi Maheshwari Goyal heads the Department of Copyrights and Translation at Vani Prakashan and is the Managing Trustee at Vani Foundation. She teaches Publishing and Editing at the University of Delhi. She is on the advisory panel of Jaipur BookMark. She is the Festival Director of Hindi Mahotsav and Secretariat Manager of Vani Foundation Distinguished Translator Award.
Ajanta Deo is a writer and poet. Born in Jodhpur in a Bengali family, she is trained in Indian classical music and Kathak. She holds a master’s degree in Hindi literature from Rajasthan University. While still a student, she developed an interest in poetry and writing. She was also an active member of progressive writer's association. After completing her education, she joined Dharmayuga as an editor. She has been active in Hindi literature for the past 40 years. She has published 4 books...
Alka Kaushik is a distinguished Indian travel writer and journalist who writes primarily in Hindi. With over two decades of experience, she has made significant contributions to developing Hindi travel literature and journalism in India, reaching millions of vernacular readers in the heart of the country with her vivid stories that bring the unknown, hidden, and unique experiences to life. Her first book, Ghumakkadi Dil Se (Travelling from the Heart)...
Named one of Forbes India's 30 under 30 in 2017, Angellica Aribam has been working on issues of gender, race, and the democratisation of politics for over a decade. She was a National General Secretary of the students’ wing of the Indian National Congress for half a decade. She is the founder of Femme First Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to amplify women’s leadership in Indian politics. Her work has been featured widely by both national and international media. She has spoken at..
20 जून 1986 में उत्तराखण्ड के सीमान्त जनपद पिथौरागढ़ के पूर्वी राम गंगा के किनारे बसे पीपलतड़ (मुवानी) गाँव में जन्म। कहानी संकलन 'भ्यास कथा तथा अन्य कहानियाँ' (2015), कविता संकलन 'उदास बखतों का रमोलिया' (2015), 'एक तारो दूर चलक्यो' (गुमनाम कुमाऊँनी लोकगायक भानुराम सुकोटी की रचनाओं का संकलन व संपादन) 2016 में प्रकाशित। 'धार का गिदार' कहानी संग्रह (2016), 'लोक पहरुवे' (उत्तराखण्डी लोक कलाकारों पर लिखे गये महत्वपूर्ण लेखों का संपादन) 2016, कविता संकलन 'पलायन से पहले' (2018)...
Dr. Anil K. Joshi, born in Almora in 1957, is a highly respected academic with a remarkable teaching career spanning over 43 years. His early education began at St. Maria Gorreti School in Bareilly, followed by Christ Church School in Lucknow and Government Intermediate College in Bareilly, laying a strong foundation for his future academic endeavors. He pursued higher education at the prestigious Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, and DSB College, Nainital, where he developed...
Anubhav Kandpal is a writer, consultant, public speaker, and former chef whose career has taken him to many places as he pursues his interests. He is the author of the philosophical book called We Get to Live, where he explores different facets of modern society and makes us question our assumptions.
Aparna Vaidik is Professor of History at Ashoka University. She studied at St. Stephen’s College, Cambridge University and JNU. She has received grants from British Academy, Andrew Mellon Foundation, ICHR, and Charles Wallace Trust. She has authored Imperial Andamans, My Son's Inheritance, Waiting for Swaraj and Revolutionaries on Trial.
Arghya Sengupta is the Founder and Research Director of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi. He has authored three acclaimed books, including most recently The Colonial Constitution (Juggernaut, 2023) on the origins of the Constitution of India.
अरुण देव (16 फ़रवरी, 1972. कुशीनगर) के कविता संग्रह 'क्या तो समय, 'कोई तो जगह हो तथा 'उत्तर पैग़म्बर' (राजकमल प्रकाशन) प्रकाशित हैं। उन्हें 2013 का 'राष्ट्रकवि मैथिलीशरण गुप्त राष्ट्रीय सम्मान' तथा 2022 का 'देवेन्द्र कुमार कविता सम्मान' मिला है। उनकी कविताओं के अनुवाद असमी, कन्नड़, तमिल, मराठी, नेपाली, अंग्रेज़ी आदि भाषाओं में हुए हैं। पाँच संपादित किताबें प्रकाशित हैं। अरुण देव 15 वर्षों से साहित्य, कला और विचार की वेव पत्रिका 'समालोचन' का संपादन कर रहे हैं
भारती दीक्षित एक प्रसिद्ध स्टोरीटेलर और चित्रकार हैं, जो "सुनें...कहानी भारत की" अभियान के तहत भारतीय इतिहास और संस्कृति की कहानियां प्रस्तुत करती हैं। उन्होंने इंदौर लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल, मांडू महोत्सव,चंदेरी महोत्सव,उदयपुर इंटरनेशनल स्टोरी टेलिंग फेस्टिवल सहित कई आयोजनों में भाग लिया है और देश-विदेश में अपनी कला का प्रदर्शन किया है। भारती दीक्षित: स्टोरीटेलर और चित्रकार भारती दीक्षित एक प्रसिद्ध स्टोरीटेलर और चित्रकार हैं, जो भारतीय इतिहास, साहित्य, और संस्कृति से अपने गहरे लगाव के लिए जानी...
Published Books: Hindi Poetry Collections (Kaavya Sangrah): Mrigtrishna, Parinda, Vasundhara Short Story Collections (Kahani Sangrah): Pallav Total 19 Hindi and Kumaoni Poetry and Prose collections Under Publication: Hindi Kaavya Sangrah Gagan, Kumaoni Kaavya Sangrah Myar Gaun Felicitations: Honoured with many awards by various organisations time to time for special contribution towards Hindi literature, Awarded with Bahadur Singh Banuala Smriti Sahitya Sevi Samman 2023 for Kumaoni literature...
Author, poet and translator, Deepa Agarwal writes for both children and adults and has over 60 books published. A frequent contributor to magazines and journals in India and abroad, she has edited and compiled several anthologies. Among other awards, she received the N.C.E.R.T. National Award for Children’s Literature in 1993 for her picture book Ashok’s New Friends, while her historical fiction Caravan to Tibet was on the IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Honour List 2008.
Deepak Karki is also a poet from Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand and a performer based in Delhi. With a passion for storytelling and self-expression, he weaves words into poetry and music, captivating audiences with his soulful voice and heartfelt performances.
डॉ. देव सिंह पोखरिया हिंदी विभाग, कुमाऊँ विश्वविद्यालय, एसएसजे परिसर, अल्मोड़ा में कार्यरत रहे। डॉ. पोखरिया ने वर्ष 2019 में सेवानिवृत्ति प्राप्त की और वर्तमान में उनका स्थायी निवास उत्तराखंड में है। उन्होंने अपने प्रशासनिक कार्यकाल में अध्यक्ष, अधिकारी, सहायक परीक्षा नियंत्रक, सहायक प्रॉक्टर, सहायक अधिकारी छात्र कल्याण, निवास अधिकारी, और संयोजक शिक्षा संकाय जैसे अनेक महत्वपूर्ण पदों पर कार्य किया। इसके अतिरिक्त, उन्होंने विश्वविद्यालय की परीक्षा, सेवा नियमावलियों एवं उत्तराखंड सरकार की शिक्षा..
Devendra Mewari is a senior writer, traveller and storyteller born in 1944 in Uttarakhand. He has authored 30 books, including autobiographies such as Meri Yadon Ka Pahaad and Chhuta Peeche Pahaad, and travel memoirs like Katha Kaho Yayavar. His popular science books include Meri Priya Vigyan Kahaniyan and Vigyan Nama. Mewari has shared his stories with over 100,000 children and has received numerous awards, including the Central Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar. He has also represented...
Published book- Pawan Rakhi, Jyoti Nibandh Mala, 5000 Years calender, 22500 Years calender (Isvi san, Vikram Samvat, Bangla Samvat, V rashtriya Shak Samvat), Samayalok sudarshani, Abhinav Chintan, Antyakshari Digdarshan, Sumadhur Geet Manjari, Shri Binsar Chalisa, Shri RamCharit Chalisa, Bal Geet Madhuri, Bhav Gunjan, Geet Gaurav, Ma Mamta aur Mati, kusumanjali, Anterchetna, Bharat ke Shaurya Geet, Miithaas (kumauni), Bhishma Pratigya, Vibhishika, etc 20 se adhik pustaken prakashit AVN prakashna
Dinesh Kandpal has been active in electronic media for the last 24 years. Currently working as Senior Editor in India TV. Before that he had served in News Express, S-1 and ETV. In the initial days of his career, he was an announcer and translator in All India Radio's Yuvvani and Foreign Broadcasting Service. During his career in journalism, from working as an anchor, reporter to making programs, he kept a close eye on defense related matters. Book writing - Parakram The book Parakram..
मूल निवास बेरीनाग प्रारम्भिक शिक्षा जी.जी.आई.सी. बेरीनाग दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय से हिंदी ऑनर्स, पोस्ट ग्रेजुएशन कुमाऊँ विश्वविद्यालय, एम.फिल. बनस्थली विद्यापीठ, तथा वर्तमान में बतौर हिंदी की सहायक प्राध्यापक राजकीय स्नातकोत्तर महाविद्यालय, कपकोट में कार्यरत। रंगमंच एवं साहित्य से गहरा जुड़ाव। श्री जहूर आलम के निर्देशन में साहित्यकार शेखर जोशी की कहानी ‘गोपुली बूबू’ का कई बार मंचन हो चुका है। IGNCA के सहयोग से दिल्ली में एकल मंचन। नैनीताल, देहरादून, हल्द्वानी, द्वाराहाट, रुद्रपुर आदि जगहों...
डॉक्टर दिवा भट्ट ने एम.ए. और पीएच.डी. की शिक्षा प्राप्त की है। वह कुमाऊं विश्वविद्यालय नैनीताल (अल्मोड़ा परिसर) की सेवानिवृत्त प्रोफेसर हैं। चौंतीस वर्षों के सेवा काल में उन्होंने शैक्षिक कार्यों के साथ-साथ स्नातकोत्तर और पीएच.डी. के 30 से अधिक शोध छात्रों का निर्देशन किया है। साथ ही, हिंदी परिषद की संयोजक, सहायक अधिष्ठाता छात्र कल्याण परिषद, और राष्ट्रीय सेवा योजना की छात्रा प्रभारी के रूप में शिक्षणेतर कार्यों में भी सक्रिय रही हैं। साहित्यिक संगठन 'छंचर सभा' अल्मोड़ा की संस्थापक सदस्य के...
Gautam Bhatia is an Indian speculative fiction writer, reviewer, and editor, based in New Delhi, India. He is the author of the SF duology, The Wall (2020) and The Horizon (2021), published by HarperCollins India. Both books were on Locus Magazine’s annual recommended reading list, and earned critical praise in Locus, Interzone, Vector, and in mainstream Indian newspapers. He was also long-listed for the Astounding Award for Best New Writer at both the 2021 and the 2022 World Science Fiction...
Harry, Colonel HS Sahi, author of Nanda Devi: The Daughter of the Himalayas, is a retired infantry officer from the Gorkha Regiment. An outdoor enthusiast, he has a passion for mountaineering, culminating in leading the Army expedition to Mt. Kamet, the third-highest peak in India. His interests also include skiing, cave exploration, reading, traveling, and nature and bird photography.
A former chemical engineer and a poet with a mind as expansive as the horizons. Harsh Kafar is not just a poet—he is a keen observer of life’s intricate dance, a comedian with wit as sharp as a blade, and a wanderer whose travels echo in every line of his verse. With the heart of a philosopher and the mind of a scientist, Harsh has an extraordinary gift—he can distill the most mundane situations into poetic marvels, weaving together complex scientific analogies with the simplicity of everyday...
The band Himali Mou has been referred to as “a revelation” of a little-known musical oeuvre, ‘pahaadi’ or the folk music of Kumaon. Their music, with sonorous melodies of the bansuri (bamboo flute), rhythmic pulses of the dholak, hand drums and claps, exemplifies the beauty and complexity of pahadi music that is firmly anchored in the rich cultural heritage of the mountains. Himali Mou from Haldwani in Uttarakhand showcases a diverse array of musical styles from the region, including Jhora,...
Hina Gujral is an established Indian food blogger and content creator with 1 million+ followers on social media. She is the author of the international recipe cookbook - The 100 Best Curries published by Page Street Publishing in the USA, Canada, Europe, and India. She is a two-time TEDx speaker with many other accolades to her name. She is an advocate of healthy eating and sustainable and wholesome recipes. Her journey from banker to blogger in the last 10 years is been filled with many...
Hridayesh Joshi writes on environment, energy, climate change and sustainability. He worked in a prestigious organisation NDTV for 15 years as an environment reporter and then left his job in 2018, to settle as a full-time writer and researcher. He writes in Hind and English and his work is published in many prestigious environmental websites like Mongabay India, NewsLaundry, Carboncopy, The Quint and Outlook Magazine. He has written and translated books in past. He is author of Rage of the...
Through decade-long consummate industry experience in marketing, storytelling, and voiceover artistry, Ila has crafted impactful narratives that resonate with many audiences. As the founder of IJA Films, Ila aspires to curate world-class concepts and content that will represent the new face of Indian storytelling on the global stage. Her deep knowledge of regional cultures and content consumption trends allows her to bring out authentic Indian stories in her work. Through meticulously curated...
Jagdish Chandra Pant, a retired Additional Secretary from the Cabinet Secretariat, served 34 years in government (1980-2014). His career spanned rural development in Gujarat, key roles in the Cabinet Secretariat, and diplomatic postings in Dhaka, Norway, and Egypt. He enjoys playing golf and now resides in Pant Kotuli, Almora.
जन्म: 13 मई 1965, भिलाई, छत्तीसगढ़ शिक्षा: एम कॉम, डिप्लोमा इन जर्नलिज्म भाषा: जन्म से तमिल, कर्म और शौक से हिंदी प्रोफेशन: पत्रकारिता, पॉडकास्टर, लेखन एवं संपादन अनुभव: मुंबई में धर्मयुग, सोनी एंटरटैनमेंट टेलिविजन, दिल्ली में वनिता ( लॉन्चिंग संपादक), अमर उजाला (फीचर एडिटर)और पिछले तेरह सालों से दैनिक हिंदुस्तान में एक्जीक्यूटिव एडिटर एवं बच्चों की पत्रिका नंदन की संपादक प्रकाशित उपन्यास: आसपास से गुजरते हुए (राजकमल), औरतें रोती नहीं(पेंगुइन/यात्रा), खानाबदोश ख्वाहिशें (सामयिक प्रकाशन), एफ ओ..
Prof. J.S.Rawat is Hon. Advisor (GIS), Uttarakhand State Council of Science and Technology, Dehradun; and Visiting Professor at the Centre of Excellence for NRDMS in Urratakhand,SSJ University,Almora. He has been Former National Geospatial Chair Professor, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; Professor and Head of the Department of Geography, Kumaun University, Nainital; and Advisor of the Kosi River Rejuvenation Programme of the Government of Uttarakhand.
A journalist, a writer, a director, an entrepreneur, and a dreamer- Kanchan embarked on her professional journey as a journalist with NDTV in the year 2006. Transitioning into the realm of writing in early 2012. With one feature film, one short film, over 300 stories, 2 published books, and a documentary series on her name, Kanchan has carved her own niche. She has been the creative head of India’s most popular storytelling show ‘Yaadon ka Idiot Box’ (Big FM), Kahani Express (Saavn) and Quisson.
Karan Joshi is a talented folk musician specializing in indie folk, dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich musical heritage of Uttarakhand. He has covered numerous renowned folk artists from the region, including Girish Tiwari ‘Girda,’ Sherda Anpadh, Kabootari Devi, Gopal Babu Goswami, and many others. Through his YouTube channel, Kedarnad—which translates to “Voice of the Hills”—Karan exemplifies the spirit of his title by actively working to revive and bring attention to the folk...
कवि-गद्यकार कृष्ण कल्पित का जन्म 30 अक्टूबर, 1957 को शेखावाटी के एक कस्बे फतेहपुर-शेखावाटी में हुआ। राजस्थान विश्वविद्यालय, जयपुर से हिन्दी-साहित्य में प्रथम स्थान से एम.ए., फिल्म और टेलीविजन संस्थान, पुणे से फिल्म-निर्माण का अध्ययन। अध्यापन और पत्रकारिता के बाद भारतीय प्रसारण सेवा में प्रवेश। आकाशवाणी और दूरदर्शन के विभिन्न केंद्रों पर कार्य करने के बाद 2017 में दूरदर्शन महानिदेशालय से अपर महानिदेशक (नीति) पद से सेवानिवृत्त। कविता की सात किताबें प्रकाशित हैं- 'भीड़ से गुज़रते हुए' (1980),...
Dr. Lalit Pande received his schooling at the Doon School, Dehradun and then a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Delhi in 1970. He subsequently received his Master’s degree from MIT, Cambridge, USA in 1972 and Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1982. He is presently the Director, Uttarakhand Seva Nidhi Paryavaran Shiksha Sansthan (USNPSS), Almora. After graduating with distinction from IIT Delhi in 1970, Dr. Lalit Pande headed to the USA for graduate study...
Lalit Tulera writer, co-editor- Pahru (Kumauni Magzine)Lalit Tulera Working for the development of Kumauni language for the last decade. Currently co-editor of the famous Kumauni magazine 'Paharu'. 4 books have been published.
Lokesh Ohri is an author, film maker and Anthropologist based in the Himalayas. His book, Till Kingdom Come, deals with the rituals of Mahasu Devta of Jaunsar-Bawar. His two volumes on the Ganga, Samakshata and Samagrata, present the first comprehensive documentation of the sacred river from a people's perspective, from Gaumukh to Gangasagar. He has established a slow tourism movement called Been There Doon That, a growing community of responsible travellers supporting village communities in the
Mahesh Darpan, born on July 1, 1956, began his academic journey at G.I.C., Almora, completing both high school and intermediate studies before moving to Delhi. Over the course of four decades, he built a distinguished career in journalism, contributing to esteemed platforms such as Sarika, Dinman, Soorya, Sandhya Times, and Navbharat Times. Today, he is devoted to independent writing. A versatile artist, editor, and critic, Darpan has penned nine short story collections, a novel, 5 biographies..
Adv. Mamta Bisht, born on 5th August 1997 in Bageshwar, pursued her law degree from Manipal University, Jaipur. Having lived in various cities due to her father's army background, she developed a versatile perspective. A seasoned public speaker, she has chaired competitions in prestigious institutions like IIT Delhi and NMIMS Indore. In addition to her legal career, she is a passionate writer, poet, and literature enthusiast.