Kolkata — Writers, poets, and journalists from across the country will gather in Sambalpur for a two-day national literary festival scheduled to be held on July 12 and 13, 2025, at the Gangadhar Meher University Auditorium. The event is being organised by AJIR KABITA (Guwahati, Assam) in collaboration with KALAM (Sambalpur, Odisha).
The inaugural session will begin on Saturday at 4:00 PM with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Prof. Sushanta Kumar Dash, Vice-Chancellor of Gangadhar Meher University. The welcome address will be delivered by Md. Tafizul Hussain, President of KALAM, Odisha. Other key speakers include Sri Binay Chaliha, Editor of AJIR KABITA, and Kumar Deepak Das, former MP and noted author from Assam. Prof. Umacharan Patra, Deputy Registrar of the university, will chair the session. The inaugural will also be graced by Prof. Harichandan Behra, former professor at Fakir Mohan University, along with other scholars and writers from the region.
According to the organisers, the festival aims to encourage dialogue among literary voices from different regions and languages. “We welcome all poetry lovers, writers, and readers to attend the event and share their work. This festival is a platform to connect, celebrate, and reflect on the literary traditions of India,” the organisers said in a joint statement.
On Sunday, July 13, the programme will begin with a multilingual Kavi Sanmelan (poets’ meet) at 9:30 AM. The session will be inaugurated by Kerala-based poet P.T. Sugathan, with Dr. Dils Lakshmindara Singha, President of All Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, lighting the ceremonial lamp. It will be chaired by Dr. Bhabesh Das, Chief Editor of AJIR KABITA, and anchored by lyricist and All India Radio broadcaster Md. Abdul Malik.
Participants include prominent editors and journalists such as Arun K. Barman (Pragya Mail, New Delhi), Ratnajyoti Dutta (International Journalists, New Delhi), Barnali Biswas (News Mania, Kolkata), and Amaresh Biswal (Bhubaneswar), among others. Poets and educators from across Assam, Odisha, and other states will also be present.
The post-lunch session will feature a book release and award ceremony, followed by a cultural programme showcasing traditional performances from Assam and Odisha. The festival will conclude with a vote of thanks from the organisers.
Organisers said they expect the event to foster meaningful literary exchange and provide an inclusive space for writers from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
