The March edition of ‘Afternoons with an Author’ brings renowned author and scholar Dr. Nand Kishore Hatwal discussing his latest book, ‘जमन दास ढोली’. Dr. Hatwal has devoted over four decades to writing and research, producing numerous literary and theatrical works. His oeuvre spans poetry collections, folk dramas, short stories, and analytical pieces on Uttarakhand’s rich cultural and social fabric. ‘जमन दास ढोली’ exemplifies Dr. Hatwal’s immersive dramatic style, weaving together history, memory, and profound emotion. Through vivid dialogue and poetic imagery, the play explores timeless themes of love, duty, and human connection, reflecting his deep engagement with Uttarakhand’s cultural tapestry. The author will be in discussion with Lead Discussant Girish Sundriyal, a renowned writer and dramatist from Uttarakhand who has authored works like Janwar (Poetry), Gaur (Musical Drama), and Sankalp (Play). His writings, rooted in Uttarakhand’s folk traditions, have earned him numerous honors. The session will be moderated by Sachin Chauhan. Hindi Coordinator at Valley of Words and the translator of Dr. Sanjeev Chopra’s book Hum Bharat Ke Rajyo Ke Log, published by Rajkamal, Sachin is Senior Content Writer at LSCINFRATECH Ltd. Join us as we celebrate the power of the written word, the art of storytelling, and an enriching conversation on ‘जमन दास ढोली’ and beyond!

On May 19th, 2023, the Valley of Words, Literature, and Arts Festival partnered with Shourya India, a Marketing and Communications Agency, to host a captivating book discussion event at the VoW Cafe - Library-Studio-Gallery. The event centered around 'The Rise of the BJP,' a book written by the Hon'ble Union Minister Bhupender Yadav. This insightful discussion shed light on the remarkable journey and accomplishments of one of India's most influential political parties. Attendees were immersed in an engaging dialogue that explored the party's internal workings, decision-making processes, implementation strategies, and policy execution. Bhupender Yadav, a distinguished Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Member of Parliament from Rajasthan provided meticulous research and analysis, delving into the BJP's struggles against rival ideologies and political challenges that ultimately propelled it to the forefront of national politics. Celebrate the Word — and beyond! To learn more about the annual Valley of Words Literature and Arts Festival based in Dehradun, visit www.valleyofwords.org #ValleyOfWords #LiteratureAndArtsFestival #BookDiscussion #TheRiseOfBJP #BhupenderYadav #IndianPolitics #EngagingDialogue

ABOUT THE EVENT This month’s edition of ‘Afternoons with an Author’ brings to us the fascinating story of a simple village boy who works as a diamond cutter to support his family and then goes on to be a leading tycoon in the global diamond industry, author Govind Dholakia. Govind Dholakia’s biography 'Diamonds are Forever, So are Morals' has been published by Penguin Random House India. Written in a storytelling style it gives the reader an unique insight into the author’s success story from rags to riches, the unseen force and valuable experience. The book is an insightful journey into the world of diamonds and how moral ethics in business led the author to build and lead a multi-billion empire. With a brilliant foreword by Lord Bhiku Parekh and endorsements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and others, the book serves as a source of inspiration for all who aspire to grow with trust and ethics. Our Lead Discussant Lipika Bhushan is an award-winning publishing professional. Lipika is the founder of MarketMyBook, a leading publicity and digital marketing agency for writers and publishers. In the last 16 years, Bhushan has worked with almost all the leading writers, politicians, business heads, sportsmen not just in India but the across the world. A published author and poet Lipika is at present writing a short story in Hindi and a chapter book on a historical hero, for children. The session was moderated by Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Festival Director of Valley of Words.