Kasauli, October 24: At the 15th Khushwant Singh Lit Fest in Kasauli, former Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.), in conversation with Kishalay Bhattacharjee, said abolishing AFSPA alone would not resolve conflict; addressing its root causes was essential.
Highlighting changing civil-military relations, he noted that people in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, who once fled at the sight of military vehicles, now approach soldiers to greet them—reflecting growing trust in the Army.
Naravane also discussed his books, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries and The Cantonment Conspiracy, and his forthcoming sequel.
Educationist and Wife of Sonam Wangchuk Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo accused the Centre of giving Ladakh “step-motherly treatment,” warning that political neglect was fuelling unchecked mining and land mafias, threatening the region’s fragile ecology. In conversation with Sunetra Choudhury during The Art of Disagreement session, Angmo said that while she and Sonam Wangchuk remained in touch with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), meaningful change required broader social and education reforms, not just a minister’s resignation. Criticising the political use of religion, she said Sanatan Dharma’s principles of tolerance and compassion had been misrepresented. Questioning India’s claim to be a Vishwaguru, she called for greater public accountability and an end to divisive politics. She added that Gen Z was increasingly moving beyond caste and religious divides, prioritising humanity, inclusivity and compassion.
Innovator Sonam Wangchuk who joined the session online said “Saving Ladakh is saving India.” Environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra and former bureaucrat Avay Shukla warned of the Himalayas’ worsening ecological crisis during the session. They flagged unchecked mining, excessive construction and climate change, calling for ecologically sensitive development and greater local participation.
Former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat described ‘Dhurandhar’ as propaganda during a session titled A General and a Spy: The Kashmir Files. In conversation with journalist Sunetra Choudhury, Dulat and Maj. Gen. Ranjan Mahajan discussed Kashmir’s political realities and prospects for peace. Dulat stressed dialogue with Kashmiris over Pakistan, while both speakers emphasised that force alone cannot resolve the issue and that lasting peace requires equality and dialogue.
Veena Naravane and General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.) engaged with students at the KSLF 2026, discussing grief, resilience and personal growth. Veena highlighted how children’s stories help young readers process loss, while General Naravane urged students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and cultivate discipline and self-belief.
In a session titled Dystopia in an AI World, Mandira Shah encouraged students to reflect on AI’s impact on creativity, privacy and independent thinking. The discussion highlighted the need to balance technological progress with human values.
Environmental journalist Bahar Dutt and author Nikhita Singh highlighted sustainable living, responsible tourism and conservation at KSLF 2026. Dutt stressed the need for ecologically sensitive development in mountain regions, while Singh discussed how folk narratives and traditional art can inspire environmental awareness and protect cultural heritage.
Author Pooja Poddar Marwah, in conversation with Shinie Antony, explored parent-teen conflicts in a session titled It’s Teen Time, Bro. Drawing on everyday family disagreements, she stressed empathy, open communication and mutual respect as keys to bridging generational divides.
Rajeev Budhiraja and Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.) discussed governance reforms and India’s growth potential during India Unplugged: Governance for Growth at KSLF 2026. Budhiraja highlighted institutional bottlenecks and the need for accountable leadership, while Shukla called for defence modernisation, investment in AI and deep technology, and stronger indigenous capabilities.
Other notable sessions included The Founder’s Office, featuring Sarthak Ahuja in conversation with Sam Tully; Me & Maa, with actress Divya Dutta; and Manipur: Stories the Fire Could Not Burn, featuring Hoihnu Hauzel in conversation with Preeti Gill. Gillian Wright, Sam Tully and Hartosh Singh Bal also interacted with Rekha Khanna during a session titled No Full Stops.
