What makes JLF click!

22 January, 2017, Jaipur: We must give credit to JLF for spreading the culture of literature festivals across India. Many cities big and small seem to have taken a leaf out of the success of JLF and started on their own. Even the book fairs in Delhi and Kolkata have started literature festivals on the sidelines of the main fair.

Many people have asked who is actually responsible for making JLF click.

Is it the Jaipur Virasat Foundation that gave birth to the concept of Jaipur Literature Festival. Or is it Teamwork, the company that has put things in order to work out a successful formula. Or is it Sanjoy Roy, the producer of JLF and the man behind Teamwork, or Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple.

Others consider the fact that Ram Prakash Singh Diggi and Thakurani Jyoti Kumari Diggi have made it possible for JLF to grow in stature and prestige. Some even feel that the credit of the Litfest's success should go to the Jaipurites who have come out in increasing numbers to make the Litfest what it is now.

Another fact is that, given the scale and size of the Litfest event, it is impossible to pull off an event of such scale without the active support of the Government administration, police, civic bodies etc.

As we observe the completion of the historic 10-year celebrations of the Jaipur Literature Festival, volunteers can be seen as an integral part of the festival. The festival is well-known for transforming and bringing together people from across social and economic divides. Volunteers are the ‘eyes’ of the festival and more so in terms of security. Each volunteer is specially trained before the festival begins, ready to face any eventuality.

This year the Festival welcomes more than 280 volunteers all divided into various departments such as logistics, venue management, technical, social media, registrations, and others. Each department has its own manager, whom the volunteers report to for carrying out their daily duties. JLF volunteering encourages its undertakers to not only be the watchdogs of the festival but also enjoy the event, bonding with their group members. The volunteers are well-versed in maintaining their cool and remaining focused and centered when dealing with disrespectful guests.

Volunteers have come from all over the country and some even from abroad. The majority of them are from Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi. Each volunteer is an advocate of the values of the festival, receiving all guests with a respectful namaste and grace.

The volunteers are equally focused on keeping the Diggi Palace clean despite the huge footfalls. These volunteers are the unsung heroes working behind the scenes to make this prominent event a success.

I have myself seen the team of Sheuli Sethi work tirelessly for 24 hours without even attending the gala dinners or lunch. Their team of volunteers works round the clock to make things happen. Often surviving on tea-kachoris and sandwiches. Let us all salute these unsung volunteers who put service above self to ensure that the Litfest takes place smoothly.

ess bee