“Gen Z is an unguided missile, and it's our responsibility to fuel it with the right literature, cinema, and music to ensure it soars in the right direction,” remarked Piyush Mishra, the celebrated actor, lyricist, author, and theatre maestro of Bollywood.
His words set the tone for Lovely Professional University’s (LPU) three-day literary festival, Kitab Utsav – A Festival of Stories, organized by The School of Liberal & Creative Arts (Social Sciences and Languages) in collaboration with Rajkamal Prakashan Samuh.
The event, themed #KitabDost, brought together literary pioneers, renowned authors, and creative visionaries to inspire and engage students. Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder Chancellor of LPU, along with Col. Dr.Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor of LPU, warmly welcomed notable guests.
Dr. Ashok Mittal stated, “Reading is the foundation of personal growth and academic excellence”. LPU’s central library, with its extensive collection of books, reflects our dedication to cultivating a culture of learning and knowledge.
Piyush Mishra’s session captivated the audience as he shared his journey from theatre to cinema, shedding light on his creative process and personal struggles. Discussing his autobiography “TumhariAukaat Kya Hai”, he described it as a candid portrayal of his life, addressing triumphs, and flaws.
It addresses social issues like alcoholism, which I’ve battled personally, and I urge the youth to avoid this life-ruining path.” In a heartfelt tribute, he encouraged students to draw inspiration from historical figures like Bhagat Singh, urging them to take pride in being from his land."
Encouraging a balanced life, he added, “Work hard, enjoy these days, and live passionately—this is the essence of life.” His electrifying performances of popular songs “IkBagal” and “Arambh Hai Prachand” received thunderous applause.
He also shared that his band, formed in 2016, includes Jayant Patnaik, an LPU alumnus. In an engaging Q&A session, students drew inspiration from his wisdom and humor. He further stated, “I will not die soon so I will keep coming to LPU”.
In his session Sarbpreet Singh a renowned author also spoke to the students and shared the story behind his novel “The Sufi’s Nightingale”. He delved into the life of Shah Hussain, a renowned Sufi poet, whose tale inspired his work.
He also performed a soulful rendition of Shah Hussain's song, immersing the audience in the mystical and poetic world of the Sufi tradition. Anuradha Beniwal, National Chess Champion and author shared her journey at Kitab Utsav 2024, drawing from her book Azadi Mera Brand.
She emphasized freedom, quoting, “Freedom is not when you are allowed to do something, but when you don’t need permission from anyone.” Anuradha also led a chess workshop for students, inspiring them with her strategies and mindset.
Vineet Kumar author discussed the need for a digital detox in an age of rising screen time. "Disconnecting is essential for clarity and creativity," he said, adding that excessive digital consumption can be mentally unhealthy, urging students to focus on real-life experiences.
The event saw an overwhelming response from students, with exciting competitions such as calligraphy, bookmark-making, handwriting, essay writing, and a drama/one-act play contest, in which students enthusiastically participated.
The event also featured a diverse book fair, showcasing genres from fiction and non-fiction to history, poetry, cinema, and autobiographies.