2nd Amity International Literary Festival 2020 begins at Amity University  

The 2nd edition of the three-day long Amity International Literature Festival (AILF) 2020 kickstarted at Amity University. The aim of the Event is to work in line with National Education Policy (NEP) that gives importance to other skills and interests of students besides academics to enable their holistic growth. The festival has been designed to keep students intellectually and creatively engaged while opening doors to students from across the globe.   
 
Addressing the guests and students, Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh said that literature is the foundation of any country and community that promotes the development of human values. She averred that Amity University is committed to the development of students and efforts are being made to develop cultural understanding by organizing the literature festival. She added that using the technological platform, a platform has been provided to the students to meet industry experts, artists and creative stalwarts through the online mode.   
 
The 2nd AILF 2020 was launched by Dr. Arun Tiwari, Indian Missile Scientist, Author of “Wings of Fire”- An Autobiography of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President of India along with Mr. Alan Pulverness Senior Consultant at NILE, UK; Associated with British Council in Central and Eastern Europe and in Russia; Mr. Piyush Goel, Mirror Image Man of India, Writer of 16 Mirror Image Books, World Record Holder and Dr. Balvinder Shukla. 
 
The inaugural programme was conducted by Dr. Alpana Kakkar, Deputy Dean (Student Welfare), Amity University. More than 4000 students from all over the world have participated in various 15 competitions held under this festival.  
 
Addressing the students, Mr. Alan Pulverness said that in this uncertain time, the technology-assisted Literature Fest by Amity has encouraged everyone. He called for focusing on the democratic ideas of literature and added that the appeal of literature should reach the reader directly without any special education. He encouraged students to read extensively and enjoy that experience.   
 
Eminent writer and creator of 16 Mirror Image Books, Mr. Piyush Goel shared his experiences about how one of his friends gave him Bhagwad Gita to read post an accident which brought about an unprecedented change in his life. He further added that the main task of an author is to encourage people from their literature.  
 
Dr. Arun Tiwari spoke about the time he had spent with former President of India. He added how Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam used to say that children are the future of the country and to enable & develop the nation, the young brain must be nurtured and guided. Dr. Tiwari stated that a reader should also write so that he can express his views and a writer can never become a writer without reading. He told the students that literature is a master key that opens new doors of success and they must learn the new common in literature also.  
 
A Panel Discussion “From Greek Theatre and Natyashastra to Sholay” was also organized as part of the festival proceedings. The discussion was conducted by Mr. Anjum Rajabali, Film Screenwriter; Mr. Swanand Kirkire, National Award-Winning Lyricist and Filmmaker Aarti Yadav.   
 
Stimulating the creative juices, the festival will witness 15 Inter-University Literary, Music, Dance, Art, Debate and Quiz Competitions, 6 Panel Discussions with globally recognized experts on board and 7 enriching Workshops. Over 40 International and National Writers, Professors, Authors. Journalists, Mass Communication Experts, Poets and Celebrities would be gracing the festival during various events.