Akshar Bharati LitFest – Pune 2026
Igniting Minds for Viksit Bharat
18–19 April · Pune
Join students, teachers, volunteers, parents and leaders from across Pune for two days of ideas, inspiration and action for building a Viksit Bharat.
Festival Begins In
🎯 Akshar Bharati Pune Literary Festival Tracks
Six thoughtfully curated tracks designed to inspire students, families, educators, professionals, and citizens.
Young Minds, Bright Futures
Conversations on education, reading culture, storytelling, and nurturing curiosity among children and young learners.
Science, Nature & Innovation
Exploring science, technology, sustainability, AI, innovation, and our responsibility towards the environment.
Healthy Living, Happy Life
Discussions on nutrition, preventive healthcare, mental wellbeing, yoga, and building healthy habits.
Building India Together
Dialogues on governance, economy, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and responsible citizenship.
Inspiring Heroes
Stories of courage, service, and integrity from teachers, soldiers, sportspersons, and social leaders.
Our Roots & Our Stories
Reflections on history, literature, art, culture, and how our heritage shapes modern identity.
🎤 Speakers & Guests
Meet the inspiring voices shaping conversations at LitFest 2026
Dr. Omendra Ratnu
ENT Surgeon, Historian
Uday Deshpande
Mallakhamb Grandmaster
Mallakhamb: A Traditional Indian Sport
Col. Ashish Karnik
Kargil War Veteran
Hidden Stories of Courage
Ashok Rupner
Scientist, IISER Pune
Fun with Science & Maths
Pushpendra Kulshrestha
Veteran Journalist
Igniting Minds for Viksit Bharat
Deepali Patwadkar
Author & Artist
Environmental Lessons from IKS
Pallavi Kadadi
Ashtavadhana Foundation
Indian Knowledge Tradition
Dr. Preetam Selmokar
NEP Coordinator
NEP & Life Skills
Prof. Ashok Sonvalkar
Educator
Understanding Human DNA
Soudamini Productions
Performing Arts
Geet Ramayan Bharatanatyam
Dr. Viswanathan Iyer
Neurosurgeon
Brain & Spine Health
Vyanjana Deshpande
Yoga Instructor
Yoga & Meditation
Aparna Agarwal
Inclusion Leader
The Hero with Many Faces
Jayashree Katikar
Language Educator
Marathi Bhasha Vikas
Sunil & Priya Bhide
Waste Management Experts
Grow Your Own Food
Festival schedule
Day 1 & Day 2 programme — Main Auditorium and Small Auditorium (Day 1).
AB LitFest Schedule — 2026
Pune · 18 & 19 April 2026
Day 1 schedule
Day 1Saturday · 18 April 2026Main + Small Auditorium
9:00 am – 9:45 am
Main Auditorium
Registration & Breakfast
10:00 am – 10:45 am
Main Auditorium
Inauguration by Chief Guest & AB journey by Anurag Agarwal (Founder of Akshar Bharati)
10:45 am – 11:30 am
Main Auditorium
Mallakhamb: A Traditional Indian Sport and Its Importance — Padmashri Uday ji Deshpande
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Main Auditorium
The Hero with Many Faces — Mr. Aniket Sharma / Mrs. Aparna Agarwal
Small Auditorium
National Education Policy and Life Skills — Mrs. Preetam Selomkar
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm
Main Auditorium
“Kargil: Hidden Stories of Courage” — Col Ashish Karnik
Small Auditorium
Marathi Bhasha Vikasathi Varg Prakalp Tantra — Mrs. Jayashree Katikar
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch Break
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Main Auditorium
Fun with Hands-on Science & Maths — Mr. Ashok Rupnar, IISER Pune
Small Auditorium
Yoga & Meditation Activity — Mrs. Vyajana Deshpande
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm
Main Auditorium
“Grow Your Own Food, Reduce Your Waste” — Mr. Sunil Bhide & Mrs. Priya Bhide
Small Auditorium
Indian Knowledge Tradition: Rediscovery from Oblivion — Mrs. Pallavi Kadadi
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Main Auditorium
Environmental Lessons from IKS (Indian Knowledge Systems) — Mrs. Deepali Patwadkar
Small Auditorium
“Understanding Human DNA” — Mr. Ashok Solvankar
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Tea Break
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Main Auditorium
Soudamini Productions — Geet Ramayan Bharatanatyam nrutyanubhav — Mrs. Kalpana Balaji & Team
| # | Time | Main Auditorium | Small Auditorium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:00 am – 9:45 am | Registration & Breakfast | — |
| 2 | 10:00 am – 10:45 am | Inauguration by Chief Guest & AB journey by Anurag Agarwal (Founder of Akshar Bharati) | — |
| 3 | 10:45 am – 11:30 am | Mallakhamb: A Traditional Indian Sport and Its Importance — Padmashri Uday ji Deshpande | — |
| 4 | 11:30 am – 12:15 pm | The Hero with Many Faces — Mr. Aniket Sharma / Mrs. Aparna Agarwal | National Education Policy and Life Skills — Mrs. Preetam Selomkar |
| 5 | 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | “Kargil: Hidden Stories of Courage” — Col Ashish Karnik | Marathi Bhasha Vikasathi Varg Prakalp Tantra — Mrs. Jayashree Katikar |
| 6 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch Break | Lunch Break |
| 7 | 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Fun with Hands-on Science & Maths — Mr. Ashok Rupnar, IISER Pune | Yoga & Meditation Activity — Mrs. Vyajana Deshpande |
| 8 | 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm | “Grow Your Own Food, Reduce Your Waste” — Mr. Sunil Bhide & Mrs. Priya Bhide | Indian Knowledge Tradition: Rediscovery from Oblivion — Mrs. Pallavi Kadadi |
| 9 | 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm | Environmental Lessons from IKS (Indian Knowledge Systems) — Mrs. Deepali Patwadkar | “Understanding Human DNA” — Mr. Ashok Solvankar |
| 10 | 4:15 pm – 4:30 pm | Tea Break | Tea Break |
| 11 | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Soudamini Productions — Geet Ramayan Bharatanatyam nrutyanubhav — Mrs. Kalpana Balaji & Team | — |
Day 2 schedule
Day 2Sunday · 19 April 2026Main Auditorium
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Registration & Breakfast
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Health (Brain and Spine) — Dr. Vishwanath Iyer
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Dr. Omendra ji Ratnu, ENT surgeon (Founder of Nimittekam, an NGO)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Panel discussion — Host Mr. Anurag Agarwal, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mrs. Yogita Apte (CSR Manager, Persistent), Mrs. Vidya Durai / Shanice Fernandes (CSR, BNY), Mrs. Madhurima Komaravolu (CSR, Dell)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch Break
2:00 pm – 2:40 pm
Panel discussion — Host Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mr. Ajay Shirke (CSR, Quick Heal), Mr. Sandip Kshirsagar (CSR, Cummins)
2:40 pm – 3:15 pm
How to Choose Good Books to Read — Mr. Milind Paranjape
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm
Educated vs Truly Knowledgeable — Mr. Madhav Khare
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Tea Break
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Igniting Minds for Viksit Bharat — Mr. Pushpendra Kulshrestha (Veteran Journalist)
5:15 pm – 5:30 pm
Vote of Thanks / Closing — Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati
| # | Time | Main Auditorium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:00 am – 10:00 am | Registration & Breakfast |
| 2 | 10:00 am – 11:00 am | Health (Brain and Spine) — Dr. Vishwanath Iyer |
| 3 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Dr. Omendra ji Ratnu, ENT surgeon (Founder of Nimittekam, an NGO) |
| 4 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Panel discussion — Host Mr. Anurag Agarwal, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mrs. Yogita Apte (CSR Manager, Persistent), Mrs. Vidya Durai / Shanice Fernandes (CSR, BNY), Mrs. Madhurima Komaravolu (CSR, Dell) |
| 5 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 6 | 2:00 pm – 2:40 pm | Panel discussion — Host Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mr. Ajay Shirke (CSR, Quick Heal), Mr. Sandip Kshirsagar (CSR, Cummins) |
| 7 | 2:40 pm – 3:15 pm | How to Choose Good Books to Read — Mr. Milind Paranjape |
| 8 | 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm | Educated vs Truly Knowledgeable — Mr. Madhav Khare |
| 9 | 4:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Tea Break |
| 10 | 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm | Igniting Minds for Viksit Bharat — Mr. Pushpendra Kulshrestha (Veteran Journalist) |
| 11 | 5:15 pm – 5:30 pm | Vote of Thanks / Closing — Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati |
Festival schedule
Day 1 & Day 2 programme — Main Auditorium and Small Auditorium (Day 1).
AB LitFest Schedule — 2026
Pune · 18 & 19 April 2026
Day 1 schedule
Day 1Saturday · 18 April 2026Main + Small Auditorium
9:00 am – 9:45 am
Main Auditorium
Registration & Breakfast
10:00 am – 10:45 am
Main Auditorium
Inauguration by Chief Guest & AB journey by Anurag Agarwal (Founder of Akshar Bharati)
10:45 am – 11:30 am
Main Auditorium
Mallakhamb: A Traditional Indian Sport and Its Importance — Padmashri Uday ji Deshpande
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Main Auditorium
The Hero with Many Faces — Mr. Aniket Sharma / Mrs. Aparna Agarwal
Small Auditorium
National Education Policy and Life Skills — Mrs. Preetam Selomkar
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm
Main Auditorium
“Kargil: Hidden Stories of Courage” — Col Ashish Karnik
Small Auditorium
Marathi Bhasha Vikasathi Varg Prakalp Tantra — Mrs. Jayashree Katikar
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch Break
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Main Auditorium
Fun with Hands-on Science & Maths — Mr. Ashok Rupnar, IISER Pune
Small Auditorium
Yoga & Meditation Activity — Mrs. Vyajana Deshpande
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm
Main Auditorium
“Grow Your Own Food, Reduce Your Waste” — Mr. Sunil Bhide & Mrs. Priya Bhide
Small Auditorium
Indian Knowledge Tradition: Rediscovery from Oblivion — Mrs. Pallavi Kadadi
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Main Auditorium
Environmental Lessons from IKS (Indian Knowledge Systems) — Mrs. Deepali Patwadkar
Small Auditorium
“Understanding Human DNA” — Mr. Ashok Solvankar
4:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Tea Break
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Main Auditorium
Soudamini Productions — Geet Ramayan Bharatanatyam nrutyanubhav — Mrs. Kalpana Balaji & Team
| # | Time | Main Auditorium | Small Auditorium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:00 am – 9:45 am | Registration & Breakfast | — |
| 2 | 10:00 am – 10:45 am | Inauguration by Chief Guest & AB journey by Anurag Agarwal (Founder of Akshar Bharati) | — |
| 3 | 10:45 am – 11:30 am | Mallakhamb: A Traditional Indian Sport and Its Importance — Padmashri Uday ji Deshpande | — |
| 4 | 11:30 am – 12:15 pm | The Hero with Many Faces — Mr. Aniket Sharma / Mrs. Aparna Agarwal | National Education Policy and Life Skills — Mrs. Preetam Selomkar |
| 5 | 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | “Kargil: Hidden Stories of Courage” — Col Ashish Karnik | Marathi Bhasha Vikasathi Varg Prakalp Tantra — Mrs. Jayashree Katikar |
| 6 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch Break | Lunch Break |
| 7 | 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Fun with Hands-on Science & Maths — Mr. Ashok Rupnar, IISER Pune | Yoga & Meditation Activity — Mrs. Vyajana Deshpande |
| 8 | 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm | “Grow Your Own Food, Reduce Your Waste” — Mr. Sunil Bhide & Mrs. Priya Bhide | Indian Knowledge Tradition: Rediscovery from Oblivion — Mrs. Pallavi Kadadi |
| 9 | 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm | Environmental Lessons from IKS (Indian Knowledge Systems) — Mrs. Deepali Patwadkar | “Understanding Human DNA” — Mr. Ashok Solvankar |
| 10 | 4:15 pm – 4:30 pm | Tea Break | Tea Break |
| 11 | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Soudamini Productions — Geet Ramayan Bharatanatyam nrutyanubhav — Mrs. Kalpana Balaji & Team | — |
Day 2 schedule
Day 2Sunday · 19 April 2026Main Auditorium
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Registration & Breakfast
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Health (Brain and Spine) — Dr. Vishwanath Iyer
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Dr. Omendra ji Ratnu, ENT surgeon (Founder of Nimittekam, an NGO)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Panel discussion — Host Mr. Anurag Agarwal, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mrs. Yogita Apte (CSR Manager, Persistent), Mrs. Vidya Durai / Shanice Fernandes (CSR, BNY), Mrs. Madhurima Komaravolu (CSR, Dell)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch Break
2:00 pm – 2:40 pm
Panel discussion — Host Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mr. Ajay Shirke (CSR, Quick Heal), Mr. Sandip Kshirsagar (CSR, Cummins)
2:40 pm – 3:15 pm
How to Choose Good Books to Read — Mr. Milind Paranjape
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm
Educated vs Truly Knowledgeable — Mr. Madhav Khare
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Tea Break
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Igniting Minds for Viksit Bharat — Mr. Pushpendra Kulshrestha (Veteran Journalist)
5:15 pm – 5:30 pm
Vote of Thanks / Closing — Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati
| # | Time | Main Auditorium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:00 am – 10:00 am | Registration & Breakfast |
| 2 | 10:00 am – 11:00 am | Health (Brain and Spine) — Dr. Vishwanath Iyer |
| 3 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Dr. Omendra ji Ratnu, ENT surgeon (Founder of Nimittekam, an NGO) |
| 4 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Panel discussion — Host Mr. Anurag Agarwal, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mrs. Yogita Apte (CSR Manager, Persistent), Mrs. Vidya Durai / Shanice Fernandes (CSR, BNY), Mrs. Madhurima Komaravolu (CSR, Dell) |
| 5 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 6 | 2:00 pm – 2:40 pm | Panel discussion — Host Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati (topic). Guests: Mr. Ajay Shirke (CSR, Quick Heal), Mr. Sandip Kshirsagar (CSR, Cummins) |
| 7 | 2:40 pm – 3:15 pm | How to Choose Good Books to Read — Mr. Milind Paranjape |
| 8 | 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm | Educated vs Truly Knowledgeable — Mr. Madhav Khare |
| 9 | 4:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Tea Break |
| 10 | 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm | Igniting Minds for Viksit Bharat — Mr. Pushpendra Kulshrestha (Veteran Journalist) |
| 11 | 5:15 pm – 5:30 pm | Vote of Thanks / Closing — Mr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Founder of Akshar Bharati |
📝 Register for Akshar Bharati Pune Literary Festival
Join us on 18–19 April 2026 in Pune