Jaypee, Siyahi & Tourism of Rajasthan partner with 7th Mountain Echoes Lit Fest in Bhutan
The opening address by Festival Director Siok Sian Dorji set off a trail of vibrant discussions, starting with author Amitav Ghosh, who gave a candid opinion on climate change and its grim future. Guru Padmasambhava’s deep philosophical teachings were explored by His eminence Gyalwa Dokhampa Jigme Pema Nyinjadh, with his characteristic touch of humor. The New Romantics, a session on love and marriage, focused on the changing trends in romantic attachment , by Ira Trivedi, Monu Tamang and Meenakshi Reddy. The mobile library project in Myanmar was demonstrated as an example of the goal to create libraries as community spaces. New media was represented by Network News: an Online Buzz , in which Odd Herald Hauge, Malavika Jayaram, Bharat Bhushan and Jairaj Singh put forward the advantages and drawbacks of online journalism .
The beauty of Bhutan in terms of scenary, pride,passion, and heritage was portrayed in Brand Bhutan, by Piyush Pandey and Debarshi Dasgupta, to herald tourism industry in Bhutan.
The Honourable Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vasundhara Raje, spoke on how politics was about caring for people, and how that philosophy guided her to formulate
policies for the people. Interactive workshops, meanwhile, were in full flow in Tarayana. It included How to Write a Story by Sonam Wangmo Jhalani, the evolution of Calligraphy in Bhutan by Yeshi Lhendhup , and a guide to relaxation by Ira Trivedi through the art of Yoga.
The evening saw a gala dinner ceremony hosted by Honourable Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vasundhara Raje, at Taj Tashi, which was graced by Her Majesty the Queen, members of the royal family, Ambassador of India to the Royal Government of Bhutan His Excellency Ambassador Joydeep Sarkar, and other dignitaries.
The second day , in the Royal University of Bhutan, held insightful interactions on national and personal identity, or as globetrotter Pico Iyer said, the objective to create a common space of identity. In Zhabdrung: A Beacon from Four Centuries, the founder of the nation-state of
Bhutan, was lauded through an exploration of his spiritual, political and historical sides. It emerged that identity is closely developed with folklores and music. The workshops for the second day delved into fashion photography with Maneesh Mandanna, and the intricacies of a successful advertising campaign with Piyush Pandey. Performances by Yangchem and the Able and Indian Ocean gave a musical ending to the day.
The third day’s inaugural speech was graced by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, who talked about her love for books and illustrated the art of creative visualization to children.
Films claimed their place in the literary festival as a discussion with Pavan K. Verma, Former Ambassador of India to Bhutan,on the upcoming film adaptation of his book Loss is Gain , was followed by a tete-a-tete between Indian actress Tabu and Bhutan’s own Kelly Dorji, on the changing roles of women in films.
To fulfill a global appetite, a session on Food and Aesthetics by Amita Bombawaal enumerated the art of dinner décor as an instrument to the pleasure of the taste buds.
After a journey through Bhutan’s trekking trails and tantalizing possibilities for the tourism industry, everyone unwinded in an after party at Mojo Park. A Nature Quiz and an interactive story-creating session, provided a delightful experience to the young participants.
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