Jaipur (has become) synonymous with JLF: Diya Kumari
The Deputy CM said that she feels “privileged to have been a part of it since its inception in 2006. The organisers have put Jaipur on the world map with JLF. The contribution of the Literature festival to the city of Jaipur in terms of tourism in just 5 days is more than what the Department of Tourism does in an entire year.”
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Jaipur: Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari during the inaugural session of Jaipur Literature Festival, in Jaipur, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (PTI Photo)The 17th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) began Thursday with Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari saying that Jaipur has become synonymous with JLF.
The Deputy CM said that she feels “privileged to have been a part of it since its inception in 2006. The organisers have put Jaipur on the world map with JLF. The contribution of the Literature festival to the city of Jaipur in terms of tourism in just 5 days is more than what the Department of Tourism does in an entire year.”
She said the festival not only boosts the economy to a great extent but also provides invaluable support to literary tourism in India and that visitors from around the world now plan their trips to coincide with the festival, recognising it as an opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant cultural scene of Jaipur while engaging with the global literary community.
JLF co-founder Sanjoy K Roy, co-directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple; MD, Clarks Group of Hotels, Apurv Kumar; Senior Vice President, Samsung India, Raju Pullan; MD and CEO AU bank, Sanjay Agarwal were also present on the occasion.
The inaugural ceremony began at Clarks Amer with Sanjoy K Roy reminiscing the 17 years of the journey of the JLF. He recalled the growth of the JLF from Diggi Palace to Clarks Amer and across the globe to the US, thanking all the people that have participated in the festival since its inception. Roy also emphasised the green initiative the festival has taken in its 17th edition, hoping that this model of organising a festival is emulated by others in Jaipur and across the world. William Darymple asked, “It is an interesting question why literary festivals work the way they do in India. Today it is all around in Sri Lanka, Bhutan…. Bangladesh. It all started here. But why?”
Namita Gokhale introduced the various sessions at JLF 2023, noting at the literary, geographic and linguistic diversity that the festival is able to weave together across just five days. The inaugural session also included tributes to people who had been an active part of the previous editions of JLF but passed away, including Patrick French and BN Goswami. Spread over five days, the JLF 2024 ends on February 5.
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