Jaipur, fondly known as the Pink City, once again plays host to the grand celebration of literature, art, and culture: the Jaipur Literature Festival. This year, Former British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and Infosys' Narayana Murthy participated in a session with Sudha Murthy. Here, influential personalities from various fields gather to share their experiences, weaving a tapestry of knowledge and insight. Amid the discussions, Sunak was spotted smiling as his wife, Akshata, and mother-in-law, Sudha Murthy, exchanged insights.
Akshata Talks About Rishi Sunak
Akshata Murthy shared her affection for a book that tells a love story of a couple who met in college, drawing parallels to her meeting with Rishi Sunak. She emphasized her love for stories with happy endings. Sudha Murthy, reflecting on her life, mentioned, at 74, she remains idealistic, teaching children the importance of being good individuals with a clean heart. 'Speak and act only what you believe in for a fulfilling life,' she advised.
'Do Your Duty, Worry Not About the Result'
JLF attracts personalities from diverse fields who share their journeys. Akshata and Sudha Murthy engaged in a dialogue about life's important lessons. Sudha reminded attendees, life isn't a three-hour movie; it's an ongoing responsibility.
Akshata reflected on being taught to donate her saved party money during her birthdays, initially finding it hard, but eventually understanding its value in shaping her. This was a time when CSR was neither mandatory nor trendy, yet it was practiced and taught to them. Akshata learned from Sudha, 'Perform your duty, and let go of the outcome.' This wisdom played a significant role in her upbringing. Sudha light-heartedly added, 'But I did give you Fruity and samosas.'
Akshata stated, 'We all read in the Gita: Karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana, which means do your work without worrying about the results.'
'Reading Books Since I Was Young'
JLF participant Prajakta Mali said she has been reading since a young age, but it wasn't until three years ago, at 28, that she read her first romance novel. She picked up Amy Lee's 'Set On You' at the airport during a long wait. Since then, her interest in romance novels has blossomed, having read 227 books to date. Prior to reading, she aspired to write about romance.
Theater Is My Temple
On the second day of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Ila Arun's passion was palpable when she stated, 'Theater is my temple.' She candidly discussed her book 'Behind the Curtain,' infusing the session with drama alongside literature.
Kailash Kher Remembers His Father
Padma Shri awardee Kailash Kher, attending JLF, recalled his father's singing as a soulful experience. His early inclination leaned more towards spiritual songs rather than film music, leading to the idea of writing about the stories behind songs, encouraged by others a decade ago. He launched his book 'Teri Deewani' during the festival, sharing untold aspects of his life's journey.
Deep Discussions on Various Topics
The Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 hosted profound discussions, panel discussions, and interviews with authors, focusing on literature, history, poetry, novels, drama, and contemporary issues. Renowned Nobel laureates to emerging writers shared their insights and experiences on this platform. Attendees engaged directly with their favorite authors, gaining valuable perspectives on literature.
