Doon Lit Fest Brings Together Literature, Cinema, History, Leadership and Technology in Dehradun

Doon Lit Fest 2026, organised by the National Book Trust, India, features sessions on literature, cinema, history, spirituality, defence, science and technology. Day by day discussions include Bhagat Singh's pistol, Modi's leadership, 1857 stories, space travel, and regional poetry, with upcoming talks on Bose, naval history, and AI.

The ongoing Doon Book Festival 2026, organised by the National Book Trust, India under the Ministry of Education, is hosting the dynamic Doon Lit Fest, which has emerged as a powerful platform for the exchange of ideas across diverse themes. Bringing together readers, thinkers and storytellers, the festival is engaging audiences through sessions on literature, cinema, history, spirituality, defence, science and technology.

Over the past few days, the Lit Fest has witnessed insightful discussions on a wide range of subjects. On Day 1, investigative journalist Jupinder Singh shared his research journey that led to the discovery of Bhagat Singh's lost pistol. Author and screenwriter Advaita Kala, during her session "Between the Lines and Lens: Stories of Independent India," explored the evolving concept of the independent woman while sharing experiences from her work in novels, films and television.

On Day 2, lawyer and author Brijesh Desai, speaking on his book "Modi's Mission," reflected on the early life, education and leadership journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Novelist Kulpreet Yadav revisited lesser-known stories of the 1857 uprising and highlighted the bravery of Rao Tula Ram. Spiritual teacher Acharya Prashant, in his session "Truth Without Apology," engaged the audience with discussions on truth, relationships and the meaning of a fulfilling life.

On Day 3, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali shared insights into cinema and storytelling, speaking about his early fascination with films, his experience of shooting "Rockstar" in Kashmir and the changing preferences of theatre audiences.

The festival has also placed strong emphasis on regional literary traditions. A special poetry session featuring poets Ruchi Bahuguna Uniyal, Archana Jha and Buddhinath Mishra offered a glimpse into Uttarakhand's rich poetic heritage. Another session on translated works in Kumaoni and Garhwali saw speakers including Kamla Pant, Chandrashekhar Tiwari, Shashibhushan Badoni, Beena Banchwal, Neeta Kukreti and Ramakant Banchwal discuss the cultural importance and challenges of regional translations.

The Lit Fest has also featured inspiring real-life experiences. Astronaut and Indian Air Force fighter pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, in conversation with Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, shared insights into space travel and interacted with students. In another session, Lt General Satish Dua, speaking with Neeraj Rajput, discussed leadership, decision-making and modern security challenges.

Upcoming sessions promise to maintain the same depth and diversity. Discussions on Subhas Chandra Bose's life after death, the 1946 Naval Uprising, and themes like "Reading India: History through its Literature" and "Patriotism & Revolution: Stories from India's Past" will offer fresh perspectives on history and national identity. Adding a contemporary dimension, Nitin Seth's session "Smarter Machines, Wiser Humans" will explore the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence.

By bringing together a wide spectrum of voices and subjects, the Doon Lit Fest is creating a space where history is re-examined, ideas are challenged and knowledge is shared across generations, making it a rich and engaging experience for all.