Khushwant Singh Literature Festival Opens in Kasauli with the Theme ‘Voices of Tomorrow’

The serene hill town of Kasauli came alive as the Khushwant Singh Literature Festival (KSLF) opened with the theme “Voices of Tomorrow: A Journey into the Future through Words.”

In a fitting start, Renee Singh, a close associate of the late Khushwant Singh, paid a heartfelt lyrical tribute to the legendary writer who penned many of his celebrated works in this charming mountain retreat.

As the cool winter breeze began to sweep through Kasauli, writers, cultural icons, and notable personalities — including Bachi Karkaria, Renee Singh, Santosh Desai, Sangeeta Waldron, Paul Waters, Anup Soni, and Adhirath Singh — gathered at the historic Kasauli Club to exchange ideas and engage in thought-provoking discussions. The festival has been organized by Khushwant Singh’s son, Rahul Singh.

Columnist and author Santosh Desai delivered an engaging session titled “Memes for Mummyji – Understanding India in the Age of Mobile Phones.” He spoke passionately about his fascination with “the little things” and explored how technology, while empowering even the unlettered, has deeply impacted mental health — with the mobile phone as both a tool of liberation and a source of anxiety.

Desai also reflected on shifting cultural patterns, criticizing the erosion of healthy work culture among Generation Z. He observed that “romantic relationships today have transformed from spaces of affection to zones of pressure, where partners often play the role of co-therapists.” He added, “It’s not relationships that have changed, but circumstances — and politeness today often feels like a softer form of dishonesty, exposing a quiet kind of hypocrisy.”

Touching upon everyday inequalities, he questioned why the powerful are often exempt from ordinary rules, citing an instance where a large signboard near Sanwara listed several dignitaries who were waived from paying the nominal ₹60 toll on their way to Kasauli.

In a lighter vein, Desai lauded Chandigarh, describing it as a “vibrant, disciplined city — a place where anyone would want to live life to its fullest.”

The KSLF continues to celebrate literature, dialogue, and the human spirit — echoing the wit, curiosity, and boldness that defined Khushwant Singh’s legacy.