Stage is all set for the three-day Military Literature Festival (MLF) 2019 with the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurating the gala event on December 13 at the Lake Club of the City Beautiful.Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who has spearheded the Festival to facilitate value and appeal of a military career and lifestyle to youth, would preside over the closing ceremony and honour the descendants and units of Victoria Cross winners of the Burma Campaign of the second World War. Disclosing this here during the Festival Announcement Ceremony at Punjab Bhawan here in a packed media hall, Senior Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergill stated that the prestigious event to be held from December 13 to 15 would present an international level forum to foster and preserve exchange of knowledge related to military literature and associated works besides acquainting the youth with our glorious military heritage. MLF, the joint initiative of the distinguished military historian and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore in collaboration with Western Command has steadily earned brand presence in the region by successfully encompassing all aspects of defence literary works, arts, crafts, music and displays welded around the central theme to encourage youngsters to take up defence forces as career. Over 50,000 visitors witnessed the Fest last year registering whopping 500 percent increase in attendence. Sculpted with a view to initiate stimulating discussions on topical and historical issues of military and national significance during the invigorating 22 panel discussions, the present essay would commemorate indian participation in the Burma Campaign in the second World War, the 75th anniversary of which falls next year.
Divulging further, General Shergill said that the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, himself an acclaimed military historian, would lead a pack of eminent media experts, intellectuals and defence strategists including Mark Tully, Ravish Kumar, former Army Chief General VP Malik, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Nandini Sundar, besides Oliver Everett, Kishwar Desai, Vivek Katju, and Prof Irfan Habib amongst others in reverberating the minds of visitors and audiences. Balakot strikes, Revocation of Article 370 and Taliban resurgence make up an engaging starting point for triggering deliberations enough to set the stage alive. More than ten books of noted defence and literary authors would also be released on the occasion, he added. Reaffirming the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh's avowed aim to inculcate military qualities amongst youth, General Shergill also disclosed that this time a dedicated Army Information Corner would be setup for facilitating aspiring youth about various Army examinations and entry procedures. Clarion Call, an AV Auditorium projecting short films on real wars and battles fought by the Indian Army during its eventful journey spanning since independence, besides a national food court and martial dances, would be the another set of star attractions during MLF.Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Staff Western Command Lt. Gen. Gurpal Singh Sangha termed it as a noble initiative and expressed confidence that the Fest would germinate seeds of literary pursuits amongst youth besides forging a strong bond between the defence forces and general public. Kicking off with the Shotgun Competition at Patiala earlier this month, the MLF has garnered massive anticipation with a spree of exciting precursors including Kids Green Run and Golf Invitational Tourney held in the city in the run up to the Main Event beginning December 13. Continuing with the spirit of festivities, a Polo Tournament would be held at Patiala tomorrow followed by the highly anticipated Military Carnival, an extravaganza consisting of the Equitation Tattoo, 4x4 Jeep Off-Roading Display and the display of military equipment by Western Command. 7th December will see the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Chandigarh War Memorial to pay homage to martyrs of free India’s wars. This will be followed by the Bravehearts Motorcycle Ride paying tribute to those who fought to preserve our freedom. Prominent amongst others who were present during the ceremony included Director YPS Major General T P S Waraich, Director Cultural Affairs Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Festival Executives Mandeep Bajwa, Major R S Virk, Col. Tejinder Dhaliwal, besides OSD to Senior Advisor Karanveer Singh, and FCS Cultural Affairs KL Malhotra.