The 8th National Children’s Literary Festival 2022 of KiiT International School kicked off here on Saturday in the presence of actor and director Nandita Das, storyteller Jeeva Raghunath and author Ravinder Singh.

Raghunath made a colourful and vibrant beginning to the festival by sharing a story artfully and imitating different sounds, which was well appreciated by students who joined her during her brief storytelling session.

Calcutta-born author Ravinder Singh, who was raised in Odisha and worked as a software engineer at a firm in Bhubaneswar before moving on, shared his ecstasy at coming back to his home town and participating in the festival.

“I am proud of the fact that my stories are based out of Bhubaneswar. Odisha has been my karmabhoomi for so long. Every time I come to the city, I witness the changes around me and enjoy the street food,” he said.

Das wished the festival all the best.

KiiT International School chairperson Dr Mona Lisa Bal said the festival was conceived by Ruskin Bond who would join in through virtual mode as he was not keeping well.