DII News

Attending the Inaugural Jaipur Literature Festival in North Carolina

Duke India Initiative offers students free participation

-By Rohini Thakkar

October 22, 2024

Duke students with Indian Parliamentarian and author Shashi Tharoor (Photo credit: Ashutosh Shimpi)

The iconic Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), often referred to as the “greatest literary show on Earth,” debuted in North Carolina in September 2024.Hosted at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, this inaugural JLF-North Carolina celebrated Indian literature, culture and intellectual traditions.

JLF-North Carolina is the latest addition to the prestigious JLF USA series, which has previously hosted festivals in Boulder, Houston, New York City and Seattle. The event fostered a unique platform for cultural exchange and intellectual engagement, featuring a diverse array of renowned speakers, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri, Indian Parliamentarian and author Shashi Tharoor and journalist Suketu Mehta, among others.

With the support of the Duke India Initiative (DII) and the Office of Global Affairs (OGA), 25 Duke students received free tickets to attend the festival, an opportunity that many described as transformative.

Rohini Thakkar, DII Program Coordinator, OGA, emphasized the value of such experiences: “I am delighted that we were able to offer 25 free tickets to the prestigious Jaipur Literature Festival. It’s truly inspiring to see such renowned speakers and intellectuals visit right here in our backyard, allowing Duke students to engage with global thought leaders firsthand. We are deeply committed to providing these transformative and enriching opportunities that expand our students’ horizons and foster a deeper connection to global cultures and ideas.”

“We are deeply committed to providing these transformative and enriching opportunities that expand our students’ horizons and foster a deeper connection to global cultures and ideas.”

The students who attended JLF-North Carolina expressed their gratitude and shared reflections on their experiences:

Anvita Kulshrestha, a Duke student, remarked, “I wanted to thank the DII and OGA for providing us with tickets to JLF. I’m glad I was able to attend the entire program and experience an incredible day of literary exploration and cultural exchange. Shashi Tharoor’s session especially stood out to me as he discussed the importance of historical context in understanding contemporary issues. His insights into India’s political dynamics were both thought-provoking and enlightening. Overall, it was a great experience listening to stories and anecdotes from notable literary experts and learning from their journeys.”

Yash Shah, another student attendee, added, “For me, JLF was a refreshing experience, offering a blend of cultural performances and thought-provoking dialogues that deeply resonated with the experiences of Indians living in the United States. I would definitely go again next year!”

For Ashutosh Shimpi, the festival was not only about intellectual stimulation but also a chance to explore the region: “It was a great event. We were able to gain valuable insights into improvements that can be made in the current environment of the nation. We also had the chance to explore the UNC campus and Chapel Hill, which added to the experience.”

The inaugural JLF-North Carolina marked a significant cultural event in the region, and with the continued support of the Duke India Initiative, students can look forward to more such opportunities that enrich their global perspectives in the future.