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Kalorex Literary Festival Sparks Creativity

Kalorex Literary Festival Unleashes Emotional Word Waves!

Delhi Public School-Bopal, Ahmedabad, hosted the Kalorex Literary Festival in association with the Kalinga Literary Festival on 29 November 2025, providing a dynamic platform dedicated to language and literary excellence. The Kalinga Literary Festival, started in 2014 in Bhubaneswar, has grown into a big event that draws writers from India and abroad to share ideas and honour books each year. Kalorex schools often hold such events to spark joy in reading among kids and teachers alike.

The inaugural session offered a rich tapestry of perspectives from eminent educators, authors, journalists, and dignitaries. These gatherings bring top minds together to talk about books in simple ways that excite young listeners and help them see stories as fun adventures. The mix of guests made the start feel warm and full of promise for all who came.

Mr. Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO and Patron of the Kalinga Literary Festival, reflected on the pivotal role of such gatherings in nurturing meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange, and creative growth. As a former government officer with deep roots in Odisha, he has helped grow the festival into a mirror of society, blending old tales with new voices from places like Nepal and Sri Lanka. His words always push for reading clubs in schools to keep kids hooked on stories.

Mr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder and President of the Kalinga Literary Festival, reiterated the festival’s vision of building inclusive literary spaces that bring together diverse voices, languages, and ideas, thereby strengthening the literary ecosystem. This media expert from Odisha started the event to lift local writers and now runs awards that cheer on fresh books in many tongues. His work links books to real life, making everyone feel part of the story.

Adding to this perspective, Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff, Managing Director & CEO of the Kalorex Group, Edupreneur and author, emphasised the need for a thoughtful integration of technology with core literary values so that digital innovation enhances, rather than eclipses, the study and appreciation of language and literature. From a royal family in Odisha, she leads over 40 schools across India and writes to show how tech can make learning poems and tales even more lively for children. Her group’s focus on fun tools that mix screens with real books.

Celebrated poet and translator Mrs. Deepa Agarwal highlighted the transformative role of imagination in shaping young minds and called for a culture in which reading is celebrated as a gateway to creativity. With over 60 books for kids and grown-ups, her tales have won big prizes and reached many lands in different languages. She loves to show how dreams in stories help children grow bold and kind.

Author and former journalist Ms. Savie Karnel emphasised the importance of relatable, contemporary narratives that resonate with today’s generation, while literary critic and festival advisor Mr. Jatindra Kumar Nayak addressed the enduring influence of storytelling traditions on cultural identity. Savie’s books, like one about a brave spy girl from freedom days, mix true facts with fun to teach kids about heroes. Jatindra, an Oxford scholar from Odisha, translates old Odia works to share their wisdom worldwide and has won top awards for it.

The presence of distinguished guests, including Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Senior Scientist (Gujarat Science City), Advisor and Member Secretary, GUJCOST; Mr. Prashant Raval, writer, director, and stage actor; Mr. Ratnaraj Sheth, Managing Director, R.R. Sheth & Co. Pvt. Ltd.; Ms. Ragini Bharadwaj, author and life coach; and Ms. Arti Mishra, Director of Academics at the Kalorex Group, further enriched the festival, lending literary insight, professional expertise, and inspiring perspectives to the event. Guests like these add science, stage fun, and life tips to book talks, helping kids link stories to daily joys.

The event unfolded with an inspiring address by the Principal, Ms. Sabina Sawhney, who emphasised the school’s deep-rooted commitment towards fostering reading culture, literary appreciation, and expressive language skills among students. School heads like her plan book weeks and story clubs to make reading a happy habit that lasts forever. Her school often hosts magic-themed lit fests to draw kids into worlds of wonder.

Her remarks reiterated the need for innovative and flexible pedagogical approaches to nurture a lifelong love for literature and critical inquiry in a rapidly changing educational landscape. New ways, like group reads and play-based lessons, help children ask questions and love books in busy times.

The Panel discussions explored contemporary issues shaping creativity, education and literary engagement. Talks covered how apps and online tales change how we learn words, with tips to keep hearts in the stories. Experts shared easy steps for teachers to spark fun in class reads.

Educational experts examined the impact of digital tools on language learning and the evolution of literature in the digital era, calling for mindful media use and adaptable, student-centred literary pedagogy. Smart use of screens lets kids create their own e-stories while holding tight to paper books. This balance grows thinkers who love both old poems and new tech tales.

A dedicated session on children’s literature and creativity shared classroom strategies for developing a vibrant reading culture and fostering creative storytelling through engaging language activities. Fun games with words and group tales help little ones dream big and share their own yarns.

The Interactive workshops further enriched the festival, offering practical training in creative writing, publishing, and narrative composition. Hands-on fun taught kids to pen their first books and learn print tricks from pros.

Innovative sessions highlighted the role of artificial intelligence as a partner in literary creativity, demonstrating how technology can augment, rather than replace, human imagination and linguistic expression! AI tools helped weave quick rhymes, showing kids machines aid, but hearts make the magic.

The festival also honoured regional languages, multilingualism, and the diverse literary heritage of India. Talks praised tongues like Odia and Gujarati for keeping old myths alive in new homes.

Sessions celebrating linguistic diversity emphasised the capacity of literature to enhance cultural identity and mutual respect through the sharing of stories across languages. Sharing tales in many tongues builds friends and pride in our many roots.

A broad range of stalls contributed significantly to the vibrancy of the festival. Bright spots sold fresh reads and chatted with authors face-to-face.

Books published by Kalorex Publications, works by emerging and established authors, and curated offerings from the Yali store were all prominently displayed. Kalorex prints fun kids’ books that match school lessons and spark home reads.

Attendees were actively engaged by the Counselling Department through the Career Compass, Wellness Circle, and Page Mates initiatives, which offered guidance on a wide range of queries. These spots gave tips on jobs, calm minds, and book buddies to guide young hearts.

Among the various attractions, the stall titled “Ateet ke Jharokhe Se” by the school’s Heritage Club was a highlight, where students set up traditional food and refreshment counters featuring age-old favourites, along with handmade items for sale. Kids shared grandma’s sweets and crafts to taste history and feel close to roots.

The festival’s closing segment, featuring a formal Vote of Thanks by the school’s Vice Head Boy and Vice Head Girl followed by the National Anthem, gracefully encapsulated the spirit of literary celebration and scholarly exchange. Young leaders’ kind words wrapped the day in thanks and pride.

Throughout the event, participants embraced the transformative power of language and literature to inspire creative expression and reinforce cultural identity. Stories touched souls, linking past heroes to future dreams.

Students left with renewed enthusiasm for reading and literary engagement, while educators gained valuable insights to enrich language instruction and foster a lasting appreciation for literature within the school community. Teachers took home fresh ideas to light up classrooms with book love.

The success of the Kalorex Literary Festival reaffirmed the importance of such gatherings in cultivating literary talent and invigorating intellectual discourse in education! Days like this plant seeds for lifelong book fans and bold thinkers.