The Jaipur Literature Festival kicked off on January 30, 2025, at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur. The event will conclude on February 3, bringing together notable personalities from literature, politics, science, and art. The festival remains a key cultural platform for discussions on current affairs, literature, and art.
As the event commenced, the audience applauded as Rishi Sunak's presence was announced. In a video that is now going viral, Sunak's mother asks him to not just wave at the audience but to greet them with the Indian gesture, 'Namaste'. This moment seems to be winning hearts over the internet.
#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan: Rishi Sunak, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Infosys founder NR Narayan Murthy attend Jaipur Literature Festival pic.twitter.com/H7sh3DZfve
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025
Rishi Sunak's Academic Ventures
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who served until 2024, attended the festival. He currently serves as the Member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton in Yorkshire. Beyond politics, Sunak has embraced academic roles at his alma maters, the University of Oxford and Stanford University.
At Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government, he is a Distinguished Fellow and part of the World Leaders Circle. Additionally, at Stanford's Hoover Institution, he holds the position of William C. Edwards Distinguished Visiting Fellow.
At the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025, an animated discussion takes place between an iconic mother and her daughter, where the two women share insights into their lives, the choices they make, and the paths they take. A dialogue showcases their intelligence, charm, and iron… pic.twitter.com/YituDpV92t
— jaipurlitfest (@JaipurLitFest) February 1, 2025
Family Reflections on Stage
Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, and her mother, Sudha Murty, shared personal stories during a session titled “My Mother, Myself.” They reflected on their personal and professional journeys, adding a heartfelt dimension to the festival.
Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy also graced the festival, adding to the list of influential attendees. The Jaipur Literature Festival continues to attract global leaders from diverse fields, fostering rich dialogues and cultural exchange.
Death remains the most enduring truth of life. Nobel laureate and structural biologist Venki Ramakrishnan’s new book, ‘Why We Die’, examines the human fascination and fear of death. At the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025, spanning across the frontiers of biology and scientific… pic.twitter.com/ndQkX0OXlS
— jaipurlitfest (@JaipurLitFest) February 1, 2025
Jaipur Literature Fetsival
The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival began on January 30, 2025, at Hotel Clarks Amer in the Pink City. This vibrant event runs until February 3 and brings together top voices from literature, politics, science, and the arts.
This year’s festival features over 300 notable participants, including Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, journalists, policymakers, and acclaimed authors. Distinguished attendees include Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo, Amol Palekar, Amitabh Kant, Eric Garcetti, Kailash Satyarthi, Javed Akhtar, Rahul Bose, Yuvan Aves, Shahu Patole, and Kallol Bhattacharjee. Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy is also part of this diverse gathering. The Jaipur Literature Festival continues to be a hub for inspiring dialogues and cultural exchange.