Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral
Day 4 at the Goa Book Festival 2026 offered a rich and reflective journey through literature, philosophy, technology, law, history and creative engagement, bringing together some of the country’s most insightful voices. The DB Bandodkar Grounds buzzed with activity as families browsed bookstalls, tourists explored the festival out of curiosity, schoolchildren engaged enthusiastically with learning spaces, and college students participated in intellectually stimulating sessions.
At the Author’s Corner, the session “Stories of the Soul: Life, Death, and What Endures” featured author Medha Khasgiwale in conversation with Sanjay Chakrane. The discussion examined humanity’s fear of death and the misconception of identifying the self solely with the physical body. Drawing from philosophical and spiritual traditions, Khasgiwale spoke about the physical, subtle and conscious dimensions of human existence, presenting death as a transition rather than an end.
This was followed by “Moving Towards Digital Library”, led by Dr Sushant Tandel, Curator, Goa Central Library. Addressing librarians, he discussed evolving reading habits and the urgent need for libraries to adapt in the digital age. While acknowledging the vast availability of online information, he emphasised the role of librarians in verification, curation and authenticity. The session outlined digital library infrastructure and highlighted benefits such as wider access and round-the-clock availability.
The session “Translation & Accessibility: Making Literature Inclusive” explored how translation and emerging technologies, including AI, can expand literary access. In conversation with Purnanand Chari, Gopinath Vishnu Gawas stressed the importance of ethical and thoughtful use of technology to preserve originality and cultural nuance while bridging linguistic divides.
A Publishers’ Meet, organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) under the Ministry of Education, brought together 35–40 publishers from across India. Held in the presence of Shri Kiran Thakur, Chief Patron, Goa Book Festival; Shri N Sampath, Assistant Director (Exhibitions); and Shri Ashok Dhankar, Project Officer, the meet focused on ISBN facilitation, publisher support systems, visibility, and professional capacity building. Publishers offered suggestions to streamline processes and strengthen the national publishing ecosystem.
In “A Discussion on After Me, Chaos: Astrology in the Mughal Empire”, journalist M J Akbar, in conversation with Vedanta Agarwal, examined astrology’s role in Mughal administration. Drawing from historical sources, he explained how astrology influenced governance, military campaigns, succession and daily imperial life, positioning it as an institutional and rational decision-making tool rather than superstition.
Lawyer and author Sumant Batra discussed his book “The Life and Legacy of Arun Jaitley” with Vedanta Agrawal. The conversation highlighted Jaitley’s ability to build political consensus, his formative experiences during Partition, and his career as a lawyer and policymaker, offering insights into the values that shaped his leadership and public life.
At the Children’s Corner, creativity and learning continued to flourish as over 2,500 students participated in interactive sessions. Activities included “Let’s Design a Mascot” by Team NCCL, “Tell a Tale” by storyteller Akanksha Datta, and a Cartoon Making Workshop by cartoonist Ajit Narayan, introducing young minds to storytelling, problem-solving and visual expression.
The day concluded with ‘Shivpratap’, a powerful musical-theatrical production that poetically traced the life and vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Narrated through symbolic voices of nature, the performance brought history alive, capturing the journey from birth and mentorship under Rajamata Jijabai to the founding of Swarajya.
