At Sahityam (National Literature Festival,Chandigarh)2026, Anish Kanjilal Explores the Convergence of Literature, Leadership and Change
3rd February, Mohali:
“It is said that books do not merely narrate stories; they create stories within us.” With this resonant observation, author and speaker Anish Kanjilal inaugurated an atmosphere of reflection and intellectual vigor at Sahityam 2026, hosted by CGC University, Mohali. Widely regarded as one of India’s largest literature festivals, Sahityam emerged as a dynamic confluence of ideas, scholarship, and the enduring influence of the written word.
The university campus, transformed into a vibrant literary arena, welcomed thousands of books and an equally enthusiastic gathering of readers, scholars, and students. Day One unfolded as a compelling exchange between celebrated voices and inquisitive young minds, united by a shared curiosity about literature’s role in shaping contemporary thought.
A Confluence of Distinguished Voices
The opening day featured an eclectic panel of distinguished personalities, including author and speaker Anish Kanjilal, actress Pankhuri Gidwani, journalist Navjot Randhawa, and Olympian Ashish Kumar Chaudhary. The discussions traversed an expansive intellectual terrain—literature, leadership, language, and the evolving aspirations of Generation Z.
Reflecting on his session, Kanjilal observed that the dialogue flowed organically “from literature to leadership,” underscoring a central premise: books are not confined to shelves; they shape ideologies, movements, and nations.
Language in the Age of Gen Z
One of the most engaging moments emerged during a light-hearted yet perceptive exchange on linguistic evolution. Addressing a predominantly Gen Z audience, Kanjilal humorously juxtaposed traditional expressions such as “alright” and “okay” with today’s minimalist “K.”
Beneath the humor lay a deeper philosophical reflection. Language, he asserted, is in perpetual evolution. “Change is the greatest constant,” he remarked, describing language not as a static construct but as an ongoing progression.
Drawing from both philosophy and science, he invoked the concept of “progression” articulated by Swami Vivekananda, and alluded to notions resembling “time bending” long before they entered mainstream scientific discourse. His larger argument was unmistakable: literature, philosophy, and science do not exist in isolation; they intersect and inform one another in profound ways.
The Transformative Power of Words
Kanjilal reminded the audience that language has repeatedly altered the course of history. Citing Winston Churchill, who famously “mobilised the English language and sent it into battle,” he highlighted how Churchill’s wartime speeches during World War II rekindled national resolve at a moment of existential crisis.
Language, therefore, is not passive expression; it is an instrument of resilience and transformation.
At the same time, he encouraged students to preserve the dignity and richness of language even amid its evolution. A robust vocabulary, he argued, fosters confidence and clarity of thought. Words imbued with nuance—such as “bewitching”—or idiomatic expressions like “boil down to” enhance not merely communication but cognition itself.
Literature as the Architect of Leadership
The discourse expanded beyond language to examine literature’s profound influence on leadership and social transformation.
Kanjilal referenced Leo Tolstoy to illustrate how storytelling carries deep moral and philosophical resonance. Tolstoy’s reflections on greed, morality, and human responsibility profoundly influenced Mahatma Gandhi, particularly in shaping his philosophy of non-violence and Satyagraha. Gandhi’s intellectual formation was further enriched by thinkers such as John Ruskin—clear testimony to how books quietly shape world-altering leaders.
The conversation then turned to political philosophy. Karl Marx’s intellectual journey—from philosophical inquiry to political economy following the “theft of wood” debates of 1842—culminated in seminal works such as The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. Regardless of ideological alignment, Kanjilal noted, the global impact of Marx’s writings is indisputable. They reshaped geopolitics, influenced revolutions, and contributed significantly to the balance of power in the modern world.
“Imagine a world without communism,” he reflected—not as advocacy, but as recognition of literature’s far-reaching consequences.
From Tolstoy to Marx, from Gandhi to global superpowers, the underlying message was unequivocal: ideas inscribed in books possess the power to transform societies.
The Contemporary Challenge of Teaching and Oratory
The festival also addressed the challenges confronting educators and public speakers in an era marked by shrinking attention spans and digital distractions. Teaching and effective oratory, participants acknowledged, demand renewed adaptability. Yet the remedy, Kanjilal suggested, remains timeless: reading.
A disciplined reading habit cultivates depth, patience, and intellectual rigor. Confidence, he emphasised, is born of knowledge. A well-read mind, he asserted, can command silence even in a restless crowd.
He encapsulated his message in a single imperative: “Read”—perhaps, he suggested, the most powerful word in the English language.
A Call to Intellectual Commitment
Concluding the day’s deliberations, Kanjilal invoked a Scottish proverb: “Many a mickle makes a muckle,” underscoring that incremental intellectual efforts accumulate into transformative change. Literature, he reiterated, intertwines with politics, economics, science, and leadership in ways both subtle and monumental.
In an age defined by rapid linguistic, technological, and ideological evolution, Sahityam 2026 stands as a reminder that books remain humanity’s most steadfast companions. They challenge, refine, and prepare us—often quietly—for leadership and responsibility.
At CGC University, Mohali, Sahityam is not merely a festival. It is a reaffirmation that stories do not conclude on the final page—they begin within us.
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