15th Jaipur Literature Festival: Here are the Prime Attractions of Day 6

On the sixth day of the 15th Jaipur Literature Festival, people will get to witness serious discussions around geopolitics, international conflicts, data journalism and more on Thursday at the literary extravaganza.

Leading global advisor on geopolitics and technology Bruno Maçães will have a conversation with former diplomat and author Navtej Sarna over the future of the world's political landscape. They will also discuss his book Geopolitics for the End Time: From the Pandemic to the Climate Crisis, which is a sharp study of an emerging world order that is competitive and driven by the need to adapt and survive in increasingly hostile natural environments.

Data-journalism pioneer Rukmini S and former Indian diplomat, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and former Deputy Executive Director of UN Women Lakshmi Puri will be having a conversation with economist Shailendra Raj Mehta.

Rukmini S presents nearly two decades of on-ground reporting experience in her book Whole Numbers and Half Truths: What Data Can and Cannot Tell Us About Modern India to challenge some of the most deeply-held notions of politics and society in India, the half-truths that data and numbers tell, and signal the need for increased and improved qualitative research.

Lakshmi Puri is an advocate for human rights, sustainable development, environmentalism, gender equality, peace and security, and supports multilateral discourse and action.

Musician Remo Fernandes will be discussing about his life in pursuit of his greatest loves: music, art, writing and his homeland, Goa, with Sanjoy K. Roy on the sixth day of the 15th edition Jaipur Literary Festival. They will be talking about his biography Remo: The Autobiography of Remo Fernandes which offers a window to the musician's exhilarating life and compelling story and throws light at his personal-professional triumphs and tragedies.

A debut novel possesses a world of potential - new voices, fresh perspectives, and a spark. What is the weight of a literary debut? How does it come into being? Lindsay Pereira, Rijula Das, Shabir Ahmad Mir and Daribha Lyndem discuss the experiences of first-time authors.

In the light of severe international developments, and fiercer-than-ever debate surrounding conflict, human rights and the instrument of war, the possibilities of either peaceful or predatory societies are at a fraught crossroads. How do we cultivate the mindset of peace amidst the paradoxes of war and the world today? Can we ever dream of peace, or is aggression instinct inescapable? A necessary session featuring prominent voices in the discourse of state, society and self.

Day 5 Round Up:

On Wednesday, a session featured Indian pop singer Usha Uthup, journalist Srishti Jha and musician Vidya Shah for a discussion on "The Queen of Pop-The Authorized Biography". When asked by Shah about how Uthup felt seeing her journey captured in a book which was translated by Jha in English to which she said, it felt really overwhelming.

While talking about Shri Vikas Kumar Jha's Ullas Ki Nav, Usha Uthup noted that it was celebrated at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2 years ago. "I can't even imagine that it has been 2 years already and here we are together...it's always wonderful to be with JLF. The first time I ever heard of a lit fest was because of JLF and I think it is just fantastic for me to be a part of this", said Usha. Later in the conversation, Vidya Shah said, "JLF has this seamless way of making these connections - between music, between culture, between literature - and I think that's what makes it so special!"

At another session, academic Indrajit Roy, author Harsh Mander and filmmaker, columnist and author Natasha Badhwar altogether explored the politics of hope amidst growing anxieties, and questions for the future of democratic citizenship in India. The panel talked about the realism of hope in turbulent times - they responded to the crisis that has been so apparent in the last few years, worldwide. While talking about instrinsity of goodness in human nature Mander said, "The arch of history may be long but in the end it bends towards justice...I am convinced about that."

British writer Monica Ali's debut novel, Brick Lane, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, was an international phenomenon. She returns with her first new book in a decade, Love Marriage- a story about two very different families thrown together by a whirlwind engagement. It is a social comedy but also a gripping tale of the social and cultural strains of love and the institution of marriage. In conversation with Bee Rowlatt, Ali discusses "who we are and how we love in today's Britain".

For registrations and more info visit Jaipur Literature Festival Website