Chitkara LIT Fest 2025

20th Feb, 2025
Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh

Program Schedule

Emcee: Madonna Tixeira

11:00 am – 11:40 am

Beyond the Headlines: The Quiet Legacy of Ratan Tata
Dr. Thomas Mathew in conversation with Maj. Gen. Neeraj Bali
(Dr. Thomas Mathew delves into the untold stories of a visionary leader.)

Dr. Thomas Mathew
Corporate Strategist, Defence Analyst and author of ‘Ratan N. Tata: A Life’

Maj. Gen. Neeraj Bali
Army veteran, Strategist and author of ‘The Winning Culture’

11:40 am – 12:20 pm

Storybaazi: Kahaniyon Ka Karwaan
Divya Prakash Dubey in conversation with Dr. Neelam Verma
(A journey through stories that connect hearts, cultures, and emotions with Divya Prakash Dubey.)

Divya Prakash Dubey
Founder – ‘Storybaazi’ and author of ‘Masala Chai,’ ‘Musafir Café,’ ‘October Junction’ etc.

Dr. Neelam Verma
Poet, Literature Enthusiast, Educator

12:20 pm – 01:20 pm

Moko Kahan Dhunde Re Bande: Seeking Kabir in the Modern World
Vipul Rikhi in conversation with Saumya Kulshreshtha
(Vipul Rikhi decodes Kabir’s timeless wisdom, exploring its meaning and relevance in today’s world.)

Vipul Rikhi
Poet, Singer, Translator and author of ‘One Palace,’ ‘A Thousand Doorways,’ ‘Bleed’ etc.

Saumya Kulshreshtha
Poet | Educator | Communications Professional | Owner - Terra Poetica (Boutique Resort)

1:20 pm – 2:00 pm

Lunch Break

2:20 pm — 3:20 pm

Dil Se Dil Tak: Kuchh Qisse, Kuchh Nazmein with Priya Malik
(Priya Malik blends poetry with music and emotions in an unforgettable performance.)

Priya Malik
Poet, Performer, Storyteller and TEDx Speaker

3:20 pm — 3:50 pm

Words, Verse and Everything In-Between Harinder Cheema in conversation with Saumya Kulshreshtha
(Harinder Cheema explores the art of poetry, storytelling, and the emotions they evoke.)

Harinder Cheema
Award-Winning Poet

Saumya Kulshreshtha
Poet | Educator | Communications Professional | Owner - Terra Poetica (Boutique Resort)

3:50 pm — 4:20 pm

Strings & Stanzas: Arjan Singh Unplugged
(A musical interlude by an architect-turned-singer taking you on a soulful musical escape.)

Arjan Singh
Singer and Songwriter - known for blending music with storytelling

21st Feb, 2025
Chitkara University, Rajpura

Program Schedule

Emcee: Madonna Tixeira

11:00 am - 12:00 noon

Behind the Ranks: Untold Stories from the Army
Lt. Gen. K.J.S. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon (Retd) in conversation with Sumeer Walia
(Lt. Gen. K.J.S. Dhillon brings raw, riveting, and real stories from the battlefield.)

Lt. Gen. K.J.S. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon
Army veteran and author of ‘Kitne Ghazi Aaye Kitne Ghazi Gaye’

Sumeer Walia
Brand Strategist | Former Media Professional | Entrepreneurship Coach

12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

Piecing Together Love, Life and the Unspoken
Book launch of Sandhya Mridul’s debut poetry collection
(Sandhya Mridul unveils her deeply personal book, where love and resilience intertwine, in conversation with Kena Shree.)

Sandhya Mridul
Actress and author of ‘Untamed’

Kena Shree
Award-winning Storyteller, Spoken Word Artist and a TEDx Speaker

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Baaton Baaton Mein: Neelesh Misra on Stories That Stay
in conversation with Manju Ramanan
(A master storyteller traces his journey, exploring how words, voices and memories come alive to create lasting connections.)

Neelesh Misra
Storyteller, Journalist, host of ‘Yaadon Ka IdiotBox’ and co-founder & editor of ‘Gaon Connection’, a rural newspaper

Manju Ramanan
Editor, Film Journalist and author of ‘I Did It My Way’

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Shah Rukh Khan: Legend, Icon, Star Mohar Basu
in conversation with Amit Bapna
(A captivating discussion on SRK’s journey from dreamer to global superstar.)

Mohar Basu
Film Journalist and author of ‘Shah Rukh Khan: Legend, Icon, Star’

Amit Bapna
Journalist and Writer at ‘The Drum’

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Lunch Break

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Jazbaat: Raw & Unfiltered with Nidhi Narwal
(A solo performance by Nidhi Narwal as she brings poetry alive with emotions that linger long after the words fade.)

Nidhi Narwal
Spoken Word Artist and Storyteller extraordinaire

5:00 pm - 5:20 pm

Happiness is Love
A talk by Jyotika Bedi, author of ‘Trapped in Overthinking – Break Free with Self Love’
(Jyotika Bedi redefines happiness through love, mindfulness, and mental well-being.)

Jyotika Bedi
Psychologist, Parenting Coach, Author and founder of ‘Happiness is Love’

5:20 pm - 6:00 pm

Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain Tere: Poetry of Protest and Power by Kena Shree
(Kena Shree takes the stage with verses that challenge, inspire, and ignite change.)

Kena Shree
Award-winning Storyteller, Spoken Word Artist and a TEDx Speaker

22nd Feb, 2025
Chitkara International School, Chandigarh

Program Schedule

Emcee: Madonna Tixeira

2:00pm-3:00pm

Lisa Ray: Beyond the Spotlight – A Story of Strength and Reinvention Lisa Ray
in conversation with Sumeer Walia
(A fearless conversation on life, literature, and overcoming adversity with Lisa Ray.)

Lisa Ray
Actress, cancer survivor and author of ‘Close to the Bone’.

Sumeer Walia
Brand Strategist | Former Media Professional | Entrepreneurship Coach

3:00pm-4:00pm

Speaking the Unspeakable: Kalki Koechlin on Motherhood, Identity and Stories That Stay
In conversation with Ankita Mukherjee
(A candid exploration of womanhood, art and storytelling.)

Kalki Koechlin:
Actress, Activist and author of ‘Elephant in the Womb.’

Ankita Mukherjee
Acclaimed Journalist and Anchor

4:00pm-5:00pm

Unapologetically Shobhaa: Writing, Reinventing and Redefining Narratives
Shobhaa De in conversation with Manju Ramanan
(Shobhaa De on breaking stereotypes, writing fearlessly and owning her truth.)

Shobhaa De
Film Journalist, Columnist and author of ‘Socialite Evenings,’ ‘Starry Nights,’ ‘Speedpost’ etc.

Manju Ramanan
Editor, Film Journalist and author of ‘I Did It My Way’

20th Feb, 2025 Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh

Program Schedule

Emcee: Madonna Tixeira

21st Feb, 2025 Chitkara University, Rajpura

Program Schedule

Emcee: Madonna Tixeira

22nd Feb, 2025 Chitkara International School, Chandigarh

Program Schedule

Emcee: Madonna Tixeira

20th Feb, 2025
Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh

21st Feb, 2025
Chitkara University, Rajpura

22nd Feb, 2025
Chitkara International School, Chandigarh