This festival celebrates the man who wrote his own epitaph

Kasauli became synonymous with literature due to noted and maverick author Khushwant Singh. Eight years after he passed away, a literary festival in his name continues to keep his ethos alive. KS wielded the sharpest sarcasm and wit, quite effortlessly, and his lasting message to journalists and authors is one of deep scholarship and light-hearted irreverence.

LIVE STREAMING OF KHUSHWANT SINGH LITERARY FESTIVAL

The best of writers and authors from across the globe participate in this lit fest to celebrate the man who spared none, not even himself. Only a maverick like him could write his own epitaph which read: “Here lies one who spared neither man nor God. Waste not your tears on him, he was a sod. Writing nasty things he regarded as great fun. Thank the Lord he is dead, this son of a gun.“

The ambience, energy, and bonhomie among avid readers and writers is the USP of this literature fest. This year’s star attraction would be Booker-winner Geetanjali Shree. Her novel written in Hindi, Ret Samadhi, and translated into English as ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Daisy Rockwell, won the International Booker Prize this year.

Jnanpith awardee Amitav Ghosh, MP Mahua Moitra, singer extraordinaire Usha Uthup, and veteran journalist Bachi Karkaria will be there. World-renowned flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia, classical dancer Mallika Sarabhai, author and editor Sathya Saran, and celebrity guests such as Tusshar Kapoor, Divya Dutta, Gul Panag, Raza Murad and Muzaffar Ali will be a part of the fest.

KSLF takes place at the famous Kasauli Club in October every year, and this year’s dates are Oct 14-16. This year’s theme is Climate of Change: Still sprightly @75.

For the unversed, Khushawant Singh’s literary works include A History of the Sikhs, Train to Pakistan, Delhi: A Novel, Ranjit Singh: Maharaja of the Punjab and an autobiography Truth, Love and a Little Malice, among many others.

Chandigarh: With two years without elections, the wait for the announcement of Panjab University campus students council is finally over. The UT Administration has given its nod to conduct elections to Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) and its affiliate colleges for 2022-23 on October 18.

A lot of fun-filled and competitive election fervour will be visible on the campus with over 10 political groups in the fray.

As a precautionary measure, the UT Administration has ordered restriction on entry of outsiders inside the PU campus during the elections. “The university will be held responsible for any kind of violence, created by outsiders, who are not bona fide students of the university,” read an order.

The UT administration has asked the authorities to get the non-functional CCTV cameras repaired and installed at various gates. The police has already planned surprise checks in hostels and a march past in the campus.

Student leaders from various political forums from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh are expected to reach here to address students and garner support for their respective candidates.

While the number of voters in the 2019 elections was around 16,000, the university is tallying the numbers. This exercise is expected to be completed by October 14.

Chandigarh: Preparations are underway with full gusto and enthusiasm at the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh to celebrate the 90th Indian Air Force Day falling on October 8. This year’s celebration is historic and a matter of great pride for the Tricity denizens. It is the first time the event is not being hosted at the Hindon air base located in the National Capital Region on the outskirts of Delhi, but in our own City Beautiful.

The novelty in the air show this time around is the participation of the first batch of indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCH) ‘Prachand’ inducted into the force just a few days ago.

The parade will be held in the morning at the Indian Air Force station in Chandigarh. Besides, the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari will unveil the newly designed combat uniform for the air force personnel.

Around 80 aircraft will take part in the flypast putting up a dazzling show of vivid and varying formations.

Aircraft like Rafale, Prachand, Mi-35, Su-30, Jaguar, Mi-17, Chinook, Apache, Howard and Dakota will display different formations at the flypast in the breathtaking spectacle.

The formations include Akashganga, Ensign, Eklavya, Trishul, Mehar, Shamsher, Vajra, Sarang, Suryakiran, among others.

Haryana is renowned for its diversity. It is a glorious state with beautiful districts with great prominence on tradition and modernity.

You can explore such a blend in the dynamic upcoming event- Hisar Utsav 2022, organized by Haryana Tourism!

Why Should You Explore Grand Hisar Utsav?

It’s the festive season and you can’t be a couch potato. You should have an itinerary of vibrant events to explore before 2022 ends. And Hisar Utsav is bringing this opportunity for you on 7 October 2022 to 9 October 2022 at Flamingo Resort, Hisar.

Here are fun-filled activities to enjoy in Utsav for free and sufficient enough to attend it.

• Marathon: Applicable for 10 years and above, show your active participation in a lively race. It can be your energetic way to accomplish your fitness goal this festive season.
• Cyclothon: For all the ten years and above champs, ride your way to the beautiful path and enjoy scenic views. Have a unique cycling experience!
• Haryanvi Turban Making Competition: Let your partner look iconic with your turban style. You can be the master of it. Participate and enjoy! It is for the age group 13-18.
• Singing Competition for University Students: The mic is all yours! Engage the audience with your melodious voice and win an exciting prize. Hisar Utsav is enticed to see your talent.
• Mr. and Mrs. Haryana Fashion Show (Age 18 and above): Glam up your grace on the ramp with that confident look! If you think you can be the next fab pageant, this event is for you.
• Dance Competition for University Students: Show your dance moves and win a chance to grab exciting prizes! Why wait? The stage is yours!
• Competition for Junior (Age 6-12) & Senior (Age 13-18):  Drawing competition, Rangoli Competition, Acting Competition, Face Competition, Extempore Competition, Singing Competition, Clay making Competition and Dance Competition.

There are more events to explore! You can participate in drawings, rangoli, acting, extempore, and face competition. Every competition has an age category. Registrations are open and you can book the event at CityWoofer, an online platform to explore the city and your passion.

And that’s not the End- Don’t Miss the Free-entry Star Night at Flamingo Resort, Hisar!

Three Nights, full of stars! You can’t stop yourself from tapping on your place. 

Join Hisar Utsav 2022 to Dive into the aura of dazzling performances of prominent group dancers! Attend heart-throbbing live music performances of incredible singers. Why wait? Make your weekend memorable like never before!

Chandigarh: The much-awaited Air Force Show is all set to daze spectators at the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh from October 6 to 8. Completely free, the tickets for the show are available on Chandigarh Tourism’s mobile app from October 3 onwards. This app can be downloaded from Google Playstore.

The Chandigarh Administration has uploaded a message on the app to be aware of fake websites claiming to sell entry passes. People have been specifically told that the airshow passes are available only on Chandigarh Tourism’s mobile app.
There will be an air show from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. The passes can be downloaded till 1.30 pm, October 6.
Food items are not allowed at the show as they may attract birds which are dangerous for the air shows.

The Indian Air Force personnel have been rehearsing over Sukhna Lake for the stupendous event. A practice session for the final day was held on Monday, October 3. They will perform acrobatic feats on different aircraft like Surya Kiran, Rafale, Chinook, and MiG 21. A similar Air Force Show was held last year too at the Sukhna Lake on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26).