Lit fest on ways to empower marginalized communities

Lucknow: A ‘Bhagidari Sahitya Utsav’ to discuss ways to empower marginalized communities and integrate them with the mainstream society will be held at Bhagidari Bhawan in Gomtinagar on Sunday. It is being organized by Metaphor Lucknow Lit Fest and UP social work department.The event will begin at 11am with a panel discussion on ‘Contemporary Dalit literature and its impact’. Hari Om, Sheoraj Singh Bechain and Sharan Kumar Limbale will be part of the panel. It will be followed by a talk by Sagar and Atul Tewari on the ‘Depiction of people from the marginalised communities in cinema’. Next will be a panel discussion on the ‘Rights of marginalised communities’ by Prof Sanghmitra Acharya, Prof Kaushal Panwar and Shazia Ilmi.A discussion on ‘Bringing social acceptance for transgenders’ will also be held. Social welfare minister Asim Arun, the man behind the fest, told TOI the aim is to look at how our inclusiveness and diversity have improved over the years. ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ is the foundation of our policy and this is the first such lit fest to be held in the state, he said.“We plan to organise this fest every year so that we can relish and recall the rich cultural heritage and literary contributions of the marginalised sections,” he said, adding,“It will provide a forum to engage in meaningful discussions on social justice, equality and inclusivity.” TNN