National, December 22, 2025: The inaugural edition of the Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) 2025 commenced today in the historic city of Rajgir, at Rajgir Convention Centre, promising a vibrant confluence of literature, culture, and heritage. The festival opened with a grand inaugural ceremony, bringing together scholars, authors, and literary enthusiasts to mark the launch of this landmark event.
Eminent dignitaries, scholars, writers, and academicians attended the inaugural ceremony. The Hon’ble Governor of Bihar, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, along with Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and writer; Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh; Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India; Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University; and Prof. Siddharth Singh, Vice Chancellor, Nava Nalanda Mahavira University, were felicitated by Shri Ganga Kumar during the ceremony, marking a dignified and ceremonial opening to the festival.
Delivering the formal welcome address, Ms. D. Aaliya greeted the distinguished guests and participants, underscoring the festival’s vision of fostering meaningful literary and cultural conversations.
Addressing the audience, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, Hon’ble Governor of Bihar, said, “Literature brings us closer to the supreme truth; that is its true purpose. I express my gratitude to the organising committee for inviting me to be part of this meaningful festival.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and writer, reflected on literature’s inclusive power, saying, “Nalanda has long served as a place of literature and knowledge. This festival celebrates linguistic plurality, embracing languages such as Maithili, Bajjika, and Angika, including my own language, Malayalam, and many others. For me, literature has always been deeply personal. Ideas here are exchanged, not consumed, creating an inclusive platform that carries Nalanda’s legacy forward.”
Renowned cultural icon Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh welcomed the gathering, remarking, “Fresh ideas waft in from every direction when literature comes alive. Literature opens the mind and creates space for new thoughts and perspectives. Nalanda is a land of knowledge, and our literature must reflect the richness of all nine rasas. This festival has begun beautifully, and I look forward to many more successful editions in the years to come.”
Presenting the theme of the Nalanda Literature Festival, Shri Ganga Kumar said, “Our objective is to present literature as a modern science: constantly evolving, questioning, and expanding the boundaries of knowledge. The festival aims to position literature as a living discipline that continues to shape societies, cultures, and critical thinking.”
Looking ahead, the next four days of the festival will feature a series of engaging literary sessions, panel discussions, author interactions, and workshops. Participants can look forward to thought-provoking conversations, performances, and immersive experiences that celebrate both contemporary and classical literary traditions, further enriching the vibrant cultural tapestry of Nalanda.
