Alva inaugurates Mussoorie writers'' festival

Dehra Dun, Oct 6 (PTI) Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva inaugurated the third Mussoorie International Writers' Festival at Woodstock School in Mussoorie. After inaugurating the festival, being organised at the school, last evening, Alva said Mussoorie had a rich heritage of writing and was home to many distinguished authors who have drawn comfort from the salubrious climate amid sylvan surroundings of the hill resort."Mussoorie has a long tradition of learning. With more than 25 schools located in the town, the close connection between literature and education distinguishes Mussoorie as one of Uttarakhand's renowned centres of learning and culture," she said, according to a release from Raj Bhavan. The theme of this year's three-day festival is mountain literature.In this regard, the Governor said the grandeur of mountain ranges such as the Himalayas challenges writers to push the limits of prose and poetry in an effort to capture their overpowering elevation and isolation. "In view of the perpetual conflict between nature and development, there is an impending need for the preservation and protection of the natural environment of the Himalayas which provides the much required energy to writers and serves as their subject matter of inspiration,"she told participants. Alva said that books provide the treasure of experience, knowledge and information to those who read them."Great writers read books all the time and never stop learning from other authors around them. Outstanding authors know how to turn their experience into knowledge. Remembering to learn from previous experiences is an important trait for writers to carry with them at all times," she said. The Governor said she hoped the festival would act as a bridge between writers from the country and abroad.Congratulating Woodstock School, one of the oldest international schools in Asia, for organising the writers' festival, Alva said it was the most wonderful event to bring great writers together from around the world and provide them an appropriate forum to interact and focus on common problems of the mountains and their people. Alva also released a book titled "Mussoorie Nama", by noted writer Surendra Pundir. The book is a compilation of articles by 18 writers from Mussoorie. Internationally acclaimed writer Ruskin Bond, who lives in Mussoorie, read out some portions of his book "Route to Badrinath" to those present at the occasion.Famous writer Stephen Alter, the main driving force behind the festival, said more than 25 writers from six countries are participating in the festival.

PTI