MUMBAI: Lit O Fest Mumbai made its creative presence internationally with the successful accomplishment of its London Chapter during the weekend. Wife of Maharashta CM Devendra Fadnavis, Amruta Fadnavis graced the event.

Lord Diljit Rana, (Member House of Lords), Ms Smita GLK Parikh, Founder Director of Lit O Fest, Anup Jalota, Shri Mahendra Singh Jadeja also attended Day 1 of the event

It witnessed quite an encouraging response from the audience of the Indian diaspora. The festival committed to the young potential in the field of literature, art, music and culture took place in Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, London was presented by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

The focus of Lit O Fest this year was to spread awareness around the ‘Village Adoption Campaign’ in India to shelter the underprivileged children below poverty line and take care of their health, education and develop skills for the livelihood. The chief sponsor of the London Chapter of Lit O Fest was MTDC, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation which was gracefully represented by the versatile Minister of Tourism Mr. Jay Kumar Rawal and the Secretary Vijay Kumar Gautam who invited the eminent members of the Indian Diaspora to visit the cultural heritage of Maharashtra.

Smita Parikh, the Founder-Director described the modest journey of the festival along with its clear vision she intends to actualize in the years to come. The festival had sessions that widely covered a wide range of subjects including literature for Indian diaspora, Indian culture, impact of social media, diminishing physical divide and around also the trending pattern of literature and so on and so forth.

Besides, Lit O Fest London Chapter also organized its first ‘Global Innoventure Award’ in the House of Lords, British Parliament, London, UK that was chaired by Lord Diljit Rana, Member of the House of Lord (Britain’s Upper House) and Baroness Sandip Rana, Member.

‘Global Innoventure Award’ has been conferred to the eminent personalities from India and the UK who have not only made a mark in their respective fields like literature, entrepreneurship, tourism, business, skill development and socio- cultural activism but also to those who have shown distinct potential to bring about positive social changes in the times to come.

The ‘Global Innoventue Award’ was given to Ms Amruta Fadnavis for her exemplary contribution in the field of Social Work, Anup Jalota for Music, Zara Adams (Actor Hollywood) for Performing Art, Pankaj Dubey for Literature and Storytelling, Ekta Sodha  Gajendra singh Ragasudha Vinjamuri divya Mathur , Dr. Radha Krishnan Pillai and many eminent personalities .

Lit O Fest plans to take its cultural expedition to all the continents across the world in the years to come informed Smita Parikh, the heart behind the wonderful initiative.

In his speech during inauguration principal secretary Vijay Kumar Gautam mentioned - It is my privilege to associate with Lit-O-Fest 2018 London edition. This is a perfect platform to celebrate our rich literature, art, music and culture. Lit-O Fest, is a prestigious festival which draws writers, artists, academics, scholars, publishers all across the nation and showcase vibrancy of rich culture and heritage

At the British Parliament Shri Jaykumar Rawal elaborated about the legacy of Marathi literature and culture and how Festival like Lit O Fest are the right platform to promote literature and culture to attract the international tourist to our state. While Mrs Amruta Fadnavis highlighted on why she has so much faith in Lit O Fest because of the great cause they are associated with, she also highlighted how Mumbai is the safest city for the solo women traveller and invited global tourists to the vibrant Maharashtra.