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It's a celebration of poetry and the sister arts. Kritya 2008, an International Festival of Poetry being held in the city from November 14th to 16th will see verses flowing and poetry taking centre stage.

At Kritya 2008, an International Festival of Poetry, poets from around the country 038; abroad will share their thoughts 038; feelings

It8217;s a celebration of poetry and the sister arts. Kritya 2008, an International Festival of Poetry being held in the city from November 14th to 16th will see verses flowing and poetry taking centre stage. To be held in collaboration with Punjab Arts Council, Rati Saxena is upbeat about the fourth such festival, which she believes will have ideas flowing and a dialogue happening between poets who have different styles, sensibilities, thought processes, ideas, inspirations, ideologies8230;8221;fiction is all that we hear of and poetry is neglected. This is our endeavour to get people to lend an ear to a selection of the best that is available in terms of contemporary world poetry,8217;8217; explains Rati Saxena, a poet, Vedic expert and director of the poetry festival, here from Kerala . The word kritya means shabad shakti or the power of words and Rati says that dreams, like words, have been her constant companions. 8220;Kritya, my web journal is a manifestation of my obsession with the word and the idea behind the launch is that I love poetry, second, the world of poetry is shrinking and dividing into various groups, especially in India and third, a web journal can reach out to a wider spectrum of readers without much expenditure as compared to a print journal,8217;8217; smiles Rati. From modern poets to masters, Rati has translated them all, though she rues the fact that 40 per cent of poetry is lost in translations. 8220;Listening to poetry is so much more meaningful and such poetry festivals get us close to other poets and poets and connects us to artists, understand their ideology,8217;8217; Rati introduces you to Daniel, a painter, who will sketch the entire festival. Kritya 2008 will be held at the Punjab Arts Council from November 14 onwards. There will also be an exhibition of contemporary paintings by young artists from India.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More