66th SAARC Literature festival.

The festival began today without Pakistan. The four-day festival in New Delhi will see a mix of poetry, fiction and academic papers featuring celebrated voices from South Asia.

Pak writers barred till terrorism stops

The literature festival, organised by Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL), is hosting writers and scholars from all SAARC countries except Pakistan. Its participation is a "political issue" and the organisers "cannot invite Pakistani writers till terrorism stops".

Cross-border cultural exchanges

* The festival began with an inaugural session by Sahitya Akademi president , scholar Ashis Nandy and       the diplomats of the seven countries that are participating in this year's event.

* Established in 1996, FOSWAL has organised cross-border cultural exchanges through conferences,

   festivals and youth outreach fetes.

The festival will come to a close on 12 Nov.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, switched on the hymns on the home theatre, lit up the puja room lamp and opened up the house for the day.

Heard 'Rangoli' on television.

Walked on the road in front of our house and recited my prayers.

A heavy lunch of 'aloo paranthas', dahi and pickle; ate myself silly.

The evening's dinner was a delectable soup!