U’khand Governor Gurmit Singh to inaugurate Valley of Words 2025 on Oct 25

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) will inaugurate the ninth edition of the Valley of Words (VoW) Art and Literature Festival on October 25 at Hotel Madhuban in Dehradun. The two-day event will feature writers, artists, scholars, and readers from across India.

The festival is directed by Sanjeev Chopra, one of Uttarakhand’s most respected intellectuals and authors. Known for his deep engagement with history and governance, Chopra has written acclaimed works such as We, the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India’s Internal Boundaries and The Great Conciliator: Lal Bahadur Shastri and the Transformation of India. His scholarship and mentorship have helped establish VoW as one of the country’s most thoughtful and inclusive literary platforms.The festival will host a series of panel discussions, book readings, workshops, and art exhibitions. Sessions will cover themes such as contemporary fiction, poetry, translation, sustainability, military history, and media discourse.

The VoW Book Awards will recognise excellence in English and Hindi literature, translations, and children’s writing. The event will also feature declamation contests by school students envisioning Uttarakhand@2047, highlighting youth perspectives on the state’s future.

Complementing the literary sessions will be art showcases, handicraft stalls, and cultural performances. Evenings will feature music and theatre that blend classical and contemporary forms.The 2025 edition underscores inclusivity, sustainability, and community engagement — reaffirming Dehradun’s growing stature as a centre for cultural and intellectual exchange.