Celebrating ideas

The 14th edition of the D. D. Kosambi Festival of Ideas is all set to be held from February 24 to 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kala Academy, Panaji.

Announcing the festival, minister for art and culture Govind Gaude said, “Damodar Dharmanand Kosambi- the prestigious Indian historian, statistician and polymath, who brings pride to Goans, and, who played multiple roles for India, has been recognised by the Government of Goa since 2008, by organising this festival, and we are carrying forward this vision.”

A flagship programme of the Directorate of Art and Culture, the festival has previously witnessed illustrious speakers like former President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, scientist Raghunath Mashelkar, IPS Dr. Kiran Bedi, co-founder of Infosys, Narayan Murthy and Sudha Murthy, and the Dalai Lama.

This year’s key note speakers were selected by a panel which constituted of various editors, ex-IAS, and directors under the chairmanship of the minister.

“We’ve selected this list of speakers from a large number of names and after much research into their works in the field. I would like to extend a welcome to students and curious minds from across Goa, to attend this festival in large numbers. We strive to promote intellectuals thoughts through conversation. And to realise the importance of valuable discussions, we put forth the D. D. Kosambi Festival of Ideas to everybody,” said Gaude.

Every day, each speaker will be accompanied by a Goan moderator. After the 45-50 minutes talk, the audience will have time to ask questions. This year will also include a special attraction- a daily live painting by artist Ravi Kiran Parmeshwar. The festival will be inaugurated on February 24, 4.30 p.m. at the hands of the Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, Gaude, secretary of art and culture Suneel Anchipaka IAS, and others.

FESTIVAL TALK SCHEDULE

 February 24: ‘Relationships and Life’ by monk, life coach and motivational speaker, Gaur Gopal Das

 February 25: ‘And it says, Save me from Suicide’ by novelist and Hindi author Alka Saraogi

 February 26: ‘7 Life lessons from Everest’ by entrepreneur, adventurer, author, and photographer Aditya Gupta

 February 27: ‘The relevance of the message of Swami Vivekanand’ by Jeevan Vrati (life worker) and All India vice president of Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari, Padma Shri Nivedita Bhide

 February 28: ‘Sailing around the world’ by Commander, Naval officer and aviator, Abhilash Tomy