{"id":37879,"date":"2025-09-27T07:07:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T07:07:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/?p=37879"},"modified":"2025-09-27T07:42:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T07:42:37","slug":"celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Literature Still Wins Over Digital Noise: A Celebration of Art, Culture, and Human Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/11th-global-literary-festival-2025-noida\/\">11th Global Literary Festival Noida 2025<\/a><\/strong> began on September 24 at AAFT with a vibrant celebration of the written world. The theme this year, <em>\u201cLove, Peace &amp; Unity through Art &amp; Culture\u201d<\/em>, set the perfect tone for a festival that reminded us all that, even in a world buzzing with quick scrolls and fleeting likes, literature still has the power to connect us in ways nothing else can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/#A_Grand_Start_with_Global_Voices\" >A Grand Start with Global Voices<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/#Writing_with_Heart_Not_Just_Skill\" >Writing with Heart, Not Just Skill<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/#Books_vs_Social_Media_Why_Stories_Still_Matter\" >Books vs. Social Media: Why Stories Still Matter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/#Poetry_That_Breathed_Life_into_the_Evening\" >Poetry That Breathed Life into the Evening<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/#Music_Memories_and_Modern_Touches\" >Music, Memories, and Modern Touches<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/#Handcrafted_Stories_Beyond_Pages\" >Handcrafted Stories Beyond Pages<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/news\/celebration-of-art-culture-and-human-connection\/#The_Bigger_Picture\" >The Bigger Picture<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Grand_Start_with_Global_Voices\"><\/span><strong>A Grand Start with Global Voices<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The opening ceremony was a sight to behold. Ambassadors from Cuba, Palestine, Panama, and Spain joined the event, giving it a truly international spirit. Their presence highlighted exactly what literature does best: breaking barriers and building bridges across cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1345\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"37886\" src=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Dr.-Sandeep-Marwah.png\" alt=\"Dr. Sandeep Marwah,\" class=\"wp-image-37886\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/about-us\/from-the-presidents-desk\">Dr. Sandeep Marwah<\/a><\/strong>, Chancellor of AAFT and a man with an incredible 10 world records to his name, lit up the stage with his words. He also launched four books across London, Dublin, Dubai, and Delhi, all within just 12 days, an achievement recognised by the World Book of Records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Writing_with_Heart_Not_Just_Skill\"><\/span><strong>Writing with Heart, Not Just Skill<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The day opened with a workshop by bestselling author <strong>Astha Gill<\/strong>, who spoke about writing in a way that hit straight to heart. For her, true writing is about <em>\u201cLove, Rebel, Therapy, and Confession.\u201d<\/em> She reminded everyone that vulnerability is not weakness, it\u2019s power.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"581\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-2.png\" alt=\"Astha Gill\" class=\"wp-image-37894\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>She drew on examples we all know: J.K. Rowling pushing past rejection, Taylor Swift turning heartbreak into music, and Bhagat Singh writing letters in prison that still inspire generations. The takeaway? The best writing doesn\u2019t just tell a story, it shares a piece of your soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Books_vs_Social_Media_Why_Stories_Still_Matter\"><\/span><strong>Books vs. Social Media: Why Stories Still Matter<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the day\u2019s most engaging discussions centered on the question: <em>\u201cWhy do books still matter when social media dominates our lives?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"724\" src=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AAFT-1.png\" alt=\"Abha Iyengar\" class=\"wp-image-37893\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Author <strong>Abha Iyengar<\/strong> described books as the ultimate \u201cdigital detox,\u201d offering the focus and depth that endless scrolling can never give. After all, the average online reader barely spends a minute on a piece of content, hardly enough time to really feel or learn anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hindi author <strong>Narendra Nagdev<\/strong> brought in moving stories about how literature heals, sharing how Hemingway\u2019s <em>The Old Man and the Sea<\/em> helped someone he knew overcome depression. His words echoed Hemingway\u2019s famous thought: \u201cThere is no friend as loyal as a book.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1373\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AAFT-Noida.png\" alt=\"Dr. Sushil Bharti,\" class=\"wp-image-37889\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Dr. Sushil Bharti, Festival Director, tied it all together beautifully, showing how human history itself is built on stories, from cave walls to printing presses to the narratives that shape even the biggest corporations today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Poetry_That_Breathed_Life_into_the_Evening\"><\/span><strong>Poetry That Breathed Life into the Evening<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the day wound down, the <strong>Kavi Sammelan<\/strong> (poetry session) filled the hall with rhythm, laughter, and deep reflection. Dr. Marwah opened with a thoughtful question: \u201cDo you remember your ancestors\u2019 names?\u201d, a gentle reminder of the stories we carry within us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The event saw the launch of <em>The Moon is Also Alone<\/em> by alumnus <strong>Somil Pande<\/strong>, followed by performances that kept the audience hooked. <strong>Nisha Bhargav<\/strong>\u2019s witty lines had everyone laughing, while <strong>Pratibha Johri<\/strong> grounded her poetry in both truth and beauty. <strong>Dr. Manoj Bhargav<\/strong> surprised all with his satirical edge, proving that poetry doesn\u2019t belong only to poets, it belongs to anyone with something to say.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"909\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NEWSLETTER-5.png\" alt=\"Dr. Awadhesh Tiwari \" class=\"wp-image-37890\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>With lively moderation by <strong>Dr. Awadhesh Tiwari<\/strong> and heartfelt verses by poets like Sankalp Jain, Dr. Gitaka Chaturvedi, Upendra Arpan, and Dr. Usha Shrivastav, the session reminded us how poetry makes words breathe and emotions dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Music_Memories_and_Modern_Touches\"><\/span><strong>Music, Memories, and Modern Touches<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The evening wasn\u2019t just about words, it was about music, too. AAFT students lit up the stage with timeless melodies like \u201c<em>Chahunga Mein Tujhe Saath Samundar Paar\u201d<\/em> and \u201c<em>Kya Hua Tera Wada\u201d<\/em>, instantly taking the audience back to the golden days of Indian cinema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And then came a forward-looking twist: the launch of <em>Convertible Pixels Game Design E-Magazine<\/em> by the School of Animation, a reminder that storytelling is constantly evolving, embracing both tradition and technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Handcrafted_Stories_Beyond_Pages\"><\/span><strong>Handcrafted Stories Beyond Pages<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the most touching sight of the day was the marketplace outside the festival halls. More than just stalls, these were living stories told through human hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Aurobindo Roy<\/strong> from Howrah showcased three decades of jewellery-making mastery. His work is so fine that once, thieves mistook his creations for real diamonds!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jaysraj Varma<\/strong> from Amethi brought 40 years of clothing design expertise, confidently declaring that he can bring <em>any<\/em> vision to life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agami Bhattacharyya<\/strong>, founder of Women\u2019s Moksha NGO, represented 5,000 artisans, keeping alive the spirit of \u201cVocal for Local\u201d while preserving traditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/NEWSLETTER-6.png\" alt=\"Handcrafts AAFT\" class=\"wp-image-37891\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>These artisans reminded everyone that literature isn\u2019t the only form of storytelling; art, craft, and handmade creations are stories, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bigger_Picture\"><\/span><strong>The Bigger Picture<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Day 1 of the 11th Global Literary Festival wasn\u2019t just a celebration of books, it was a celebration of life, culture, and creativity in every form. From powerful workshops to moving poetry, from nostalgic songs to innovative new launches, from international voices to local artisans, it showed one truth again and again: stories are everywhere, and they are what make us human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As <strong>Abha Iyengar<\/strong> so perfectly put it: <em>\u201cLeave your mobile for a while and look for a book with a smile.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that, perhaps, is the most important reminder this festival has to offer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 11th Global Literary Festival Noida 2025 began on September 24 at AAFT with a vibrant celebration of the written world. The theme this year, \u201cLove, Peace &amp; Unity through Art &amp; Culture\u201d, set the perfect tone for a festival that reminded us all that, even in a world buzzing with quick scrolls and fleeting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37880,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[246],"tags":[1333,1334,1335],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37879"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37879"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37895,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37879\/revisions\/37895"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}