The 11th Kafla writer’s festival was inaugurated amidst enthusiasm and vibrancy of writers, scholars and literature lovers from 9 countries and 20 states of India. The festival was organised under the aegis of Dept of English, MLSU, Udaipur.

The nine countries included Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

The inaugural session began with lighting of the lamp by Kuljeet. Dr Dev Bhardwaj, Director, India Intercontinental Cultural Association welcomed the guests in his mother tongue, Punjabi. He insisted on the beauty and revered image of mother and mother tongue. He also traced the foundation history of Kafla.

Prof Seema Malik, Head, Department of English and co-organiser and convener of the meet said that literature not only ignites the mind but also purifies the soul. Prof Malik also highlighted the symbiotic relationship of literature and world peace.

Padma Shri, Prof Sitanshu Yashaschandra Mehta, eminent Gujarati writer remember Maharana Pratap, who fought battles for independence of Mewar. He quoted Wallace Steven’s famous lines that the greatest poverty is not to be in the physical reality and so poetry and literature transcens us into the metaphysical world.

Idea that literature will give hope, happiness and serenity to life, echoed throughout the speeches.

In the cultural evening, an enactment on contemporary women’s issue was performed by the students of Seedling Modern Public School, Udaipur.