Pondy Lit Fest begins

Bedi inaugurates event; this year’s theme is ‘Bharat Shakti’

A good start: Delegates welcoming Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi at the inauguration of Pondy Lit Fest on Friday.

The second edition of the Pondy Lit Fest 2019, with the theme ‘Bharat Shakti,’ began here on Friday.

Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi inaugurated the three-day event at Hotel Shenbaga convention centre.

Ms. Bedi recalled the religious and cultural importance of the Union Territory. She spoke about the ancient history of Pondicherry and the origin of its name.

Around 80 historians, writers, artists and journalists would participate in the three-day event.

Topics of discussion

Some of the topics included are “Nationalism: Just who is an anti-national,” Jammu and Kashmir: Erasing a blot on history,” Hindutva: Way of Life or rebranded Hinduism, “India in the world,” “Economy: Is $5trillion a mirage and “Fake News: Agenda or Technology to blame.”

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Health and Public Works Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav are the main speakers on the last day of the event.