The seventh edition of the Military Literature Festival is slated to be held in Chandigarh on December 2-3. This year’s theme is ‘world in turmoil’. Eminent veterans from the military in addition to experts from various fields including politics and military history will attend the event.
The pre-event functions will begin on November 19 with a rally by 1,000 bikers of the Tricity. The rally would be preceded with the wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial at Sector 1, Chandigarh. Both these events would be presided over by Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
Panel discussions will be held on various subjects including China, its modernisation plans, followed by a debate on the brutal methods adopted by its emperor Ying Zheng during his reign from 247 to 221 BC and the blind faith of the present leadership in his methods and the frightening signals it sends to Asia and the world. The ongoing
Israel-Hamas conflict will also feature in the festival panel discussions.
Crisis in Ukraine would be the subject for another discussion as would he Pakistan, which continues to be in the news for wrong reasons. A discussion on the legacy and relevance of Alexander the Great and a five decade later Ashoka the Great is also slated along with one on big battalions versus small units.
Lahore Durbar and its geo political fall outs is also on the cards along with a session on martial poetry. Among the guests expected to attend are Lok Sabha Congress MP Manish Tewari, historian Claude Arpi, Professor Indu Banga, senior journalist Praveen Swami, author William Dalrymple, Kesawan Veluthat, RK Kaushik, former diplomat Ajay Bisaria, Manpreet Mehnaaz, Surjit Patar and Sagat Shaunik.
Veteran diplomat and author Mani Shanker Aiyer is expected to join a discussion through Zoom from Saudi Arabia.
Some noted military historians and experts expected to be on stage include retired personnel like Lt Gen Prakash Menon, Lt Gen SL Narasimhan, Lt Gen VG Khandare and Maj Gen Harvijay Singh among others.
The ‘Clarion Call theatre’ will feature curated movies and audio visuals depicting the courage , valor, spirit of sacrifice , adventure and transformation of Indian soldier down the ages. A special movie on National security Guards will be showcased and the mid air rescue of stranded tourists on a cable car at timber trail resort near chandigarh during 1992 will be retold through the horses’ mouth.
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Battle of Dograi forms one of the campaign movies and so does 100 years of Sikh Regimental centre and its contribution to shape a Sikh soldier. Movies made on fallen soldiers, disabled but not disheartened will pay solemn tributes to the Indian Armed forces.
The three living Param Vir Chakras and a number of other gallantary award winners will interact with young minds of the region to motivate them with a spirit of bravery, sacrifice and patriotism.
In addition the festival will have military equipment display, martial dances, photo exhibition and food court. A special attraction would be two stalls for military cuisine by professional chefs with regional Himachali and Kashmiri fare. The MLF is open to all with a free entry.