MasterChef Matt Preston in Exclusive Podcast with Akhilesh Sheoran
The Friend of the Festival Lounge at Vedanta Presents Jaipur Literature Festival in association with Maruti Suzuki, powered by Vida 2025 is set to host an exclusive podcast session featuring renowned MasterChef judge Matt Preston in conversation with Akhilesh Sheoran, Brand Ambassador for Craft Spirits, Diageo India, on January 31, 2025, from 5 PM onwards. This invite-only event will explore the intersection of gastronomy, culture, and fine spirits, offering exclusive insights from two industry experts. Following the session, guests will enjoy a specially guided sensory exploration of Godawan 01 and Godawan 02, highlighting the craftsmanship and unique profiles of these exceptional spirits.
Godawan at Vedanta Presents Jaipur Literature Festival in association with Maruti Suzuki, powered by Vida 2025
Vedanta Presents Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 in Association with Maruti Suzuki, powered by Vida, a prestigious literary and cultural gathering this year places a special emphasis on conservation and the environment. As a brand deeply committed to sustainability and heritage, Godawan aligns with the festival’s vision of fostering dialogue on ecological preservation.
Among the Festival’s notable sessions today, The First Eco-Warriors: The Extraordinary Stories of the Bishnoi brings to light the legendary conservation efforts of the Bishnoi community. Featuring Martin Goodman and Narendra Budhnagar Bishnoi in conversation with Prakash Dan Detha, with an introduction by Akhilesh Sheoran, this session explores the rich legacy of the Bishnoi people in safeguarding wildlife and their environment. My Head For A Tree, by Martin Goodman, tells the inspiring story of the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, who, for over 600 years, have defended nature with extraordinary dedication, often at great personal cost. From shielding trees against loggers to protecting wildlife from poachers, the Bishnoi way of life exemplifies indigenous activism. As climate change accelerates environmental degradation, Goodman reveals how the Bishnoi’s practices offer a powerful model for sustainable living and resilience.
Conservation & Sustainability: Preserving Heritage and Crafting a Greener Future
The Great Indian Bustard, a majestic bird and the inspiration behind Godawan, symbolizes the brand’s commitment to conservation. Once found across India, this critically endangered species now survives only in Rajasthan, with fewer than 150 remaining. In partnership with Gramodaya Samajik Sansthan (GSS), the Forest Department, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Godawan has been actively restoring habitats through safe enclosures, water provision, and native grassland development. Every bottle sold contributes to these conservation efforts, ensuring a thriving ecosystem for the bird’s survival.
Godawan’s commitment extends to sustainability at its distillery in the Aravali Hills, which operates using locally sourced ingredients and is Asia’s first spirit distillery with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Core Certification. It employs hydro panels to extract moisture from the air for blending and bottling and runs on 55% solar energy through a 406 KWP rooftop system. By supporting local barley farmers and implementing water-efficient practices, Godawan integrates heritage, conservation, and sustainability into every bottle it crafts.
Preeta Singh, President, Teamwork Arts, said, “With Godawan, we are proud to partner with a brand that offers a refined sensory experience while staying committed to environmental responsibility. Each year, we strive to further reduce our carbon footprint at the Festival, aiming for net zero in the coming years. As a literature festival, we have consistently prioritized environmental themes in our programming and will continue to do so.”
The European Union Back as Jaipur Literature Festival Partner
Jaipur, 30 January 2025: The European Union (EU) is set to partner again with the Jaipur Literature Festival for the upcoming edition from 30 January to 3 February in the Pink City. This partnership celebrates the vibrant cultural and literary ties between the EU and India, showcasing the rich diversity of European literature and its unique cultural and linguistic heritage at the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’. Bringing together leading voices from literature, politics, science, and the arts, the festival is a forum for meaningful exchange.
The festival will feature an impressive cohort of over 15 EU authors, including Gabriela Ruivo, the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) 2024 nominee. Cheyenne Olivier, Philippe Claudel and Ira Mukhoty from France; Cauvery Madhavan, Jessica Traynor and Jane Ohlmeyer from Ireland; David Hernández de la Fuente, Santiago Íñiguez de Onzoño, Francesc Miralles and Santiago Roncagliolo from Spain; Bruno Maçães from Portugal; Daniil Tolstoy from Sweden; Yaroslav Trofimov and Livia Manera Sambuy from Italy; Kader Abdolah from the Netherlands; Tonio Schachinger from Austria; Zygmunt Miłoszewski from Poland; and Mark Mobius, Jenny Erpenbeck and Michael Hofmann from Germany will participate in a variety of sessions bringing stories and experiences that reflect Europe’s diversity and creativity. In addition, EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin and Irish Ambassador Kevin Kelly will also join as panellists.
As part of the partnership, the EU Delegation to India will also co-host the festival’s inaugural reception, spotlighting the rich confluence of European and Indian literary traditions. This collaboration further strengthens the EU’s longstanding relationship with India, emphasizing the importance of literary and cultural connections in fostering global partnerships.
At the Festival, H.E. Hervé Delphin, European Union Ambassador to India, will join the EU authors in engaging audiences through thought-provoking discussions for the session “Books, Ideas, and Digital Ecosystem” on 30th January, along with Brian Murray, CEO of HarperCollins, and academic and writer Mukulika Banerjee, moderated by Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts.
Talking about the long-standing partnership with the Jaipur Literature Festival, Ambassador Delphin said, “For the EU, partnering with the Jaipur Literature Festival is not only about celebrating a shared love of literature with India – it’s about sparking conversations that impact society, fostering creativity, and strengthening our cultural ties. By bringing together Indian and European voices, we’re creating a unique moment that showcases the richness of our combined storytelling traditions.” He added, “Our strong EU-India bilateral strategic partnership needs to be nurtured by people-to-people interaction. Culture is part of that canvas and literature is a powerful medium for building understanding and affinities. Over 15 European authors will be in Jaipur to share fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and stories that connect. This year, as we look forward to elevating our partnership with India, we’re also taking our partnership with the Festival to new heights.”
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, said: “We are delighted to partner with the European Union at the 18th Jaipur Literature Festival. With over 35 writers coming from across Europe, this collaboration is about discovering Europe through the lens of literature. It’s an honour to host the European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) and feature their 2024 nominee, Gabriela Ruivo, as part of this literary celebration.”
EUPL Nominee 2024 Gabriela Ruivo is an acclaimed Portuguese writer, and the winner of several literary awards. Celebrated for her exploration of themes such as identity, memory, and the human experience, Gabriela’s works have resonated with readers worldwide. She will discuss her journey across genres and borders at the Festival at the session, ‘The Portrait of Life’ along with Tonio Schachinger and Swati Chopra. Expressing her thoughts, she said: “I am excited to participate in the Jaipur Literature Festival, a space where the world comes together through literature. I look forward to engaging in meaningful conversations with fellow authors and readers, publishers and translators, exploring how literature can inspire creativity and change.”
The Jaipur Literature Festival, held annually in the vibrant city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, will take place from 30 January to 3 February 2025. Drawing thousands of literary enthusiasts, authors, and cultural leaders from across the globe, the Festival is a hub for global conversations on literature, arts, and culture.