Meghalaya’s biggest literary gathering opened its fifth edition on November 20 with a clear message: the stories of the state must travel far beyond its hills.

The Shillong Literary Festival returned to the banks of Ward’s Lake, now ringed with cherry blossoms, drawing writers from across India and abroad. The setting offered a striking backdrop for three days of discussions on literature, identity and the role of regional voices in a changing cultural landscape.

The state’s tourism department said the festival has grown into a space that fuels engagement among students and young writers. One official noted that the event has encouraged “a whole movement of engagement in colleges, schools, and institutions,” and urged visiting authors to “take our stories to the world.”

Booker Internati

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