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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (September 13, 2025 - September 19, 2025) September 19, 2025 16 Community Gujarati Literary Academy Of North America Hosts Successful 13th Biennial Convention T he Gujarati Literary Academy of North America (GLAONA) hosted its 13th Biennial Convention starting Friday, September 5, and ending September 7, at the Sheraton Edison Hotel. The three-day event brought together hundreds of community members, writers, artists, and dignitaries who celebrated Gujarati literature and culture in the diaspora, a press release from organizers said. The convention commenced Sep- tember 5, with a prayer by Darshana Zala, followed by a warm welcome from President of GLAONA Ashish Desai, and Gini Malavia, and a guest introduction by Babu Suthar. The inaugural session featured an inspiring keynote address by Chief Guest Dr. Khevana Desai fromMumbai. An awards ceremony was also held the same day conducted by Apexa Dave, where: The Shri Chunilal Velji Mehta Award 2025 was conferred upon Kishor Desai, The Shri Ramesh Parekh Award 2025 was presented to Navin Shah, and The very first Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 was bestowed upon eminent diaspora poet Panna Naik. The concluding session attended by some 175 people was “An Evening with Poet, Speaker, Storyteller, multitalented Shri Dr. Raeesh Maniar,” moderated by Gini Malavia. Saturday began with a thought-pro- voking session “Hu ane Maru Sarjan” (Me and My Creation), moderated by Natwar Gandhi, featuring diaspora and Gujarat- based authors including Madhu “Rye” Thaker, Dr. Nimitt Oza, Jayesh Bhogayata, Nilesh Rana, Ashok Vidvas, and Suchi Vyas. This was followed by a Granth Vi- mochan (Book Release) session, led by Gini Malavia, with contributions from Manilal H. Patel, Panna Naik, Madhu Rye, Prarthana Jha, Rekha Sindhal, Jayshree Merchant, Arvind Amin, along with the announcement of numerous other dias- pora authors’ recent publications. In the afternoon, the convention hosted “21st Century Challenges in Lit- erature,” chaired by Dr. Khevana Desai, with speakers including Dr. Nimitt Oza, Jayesh Bhogayata, Babu Suthar, Arpan Yagnik, and Manilal H. Patel. The poetry session “Mari Kavita, Mari Olakh” (My Poetry, My Identity), was moderated by Jayesh Bhogayata, and featured recitations by Raeesh Maniar, Krushna Dave, Anil Chavda, Jayshree Merchant, Asharaf Dabawala, and Mad- humati Mehta. The evening concluded with Va- chikam (dramatic readings), coordi- nated by Prarthana Jha Bhatt, including “Chatushkon” (an adaptation of A. R. Gurney’s play by Madhu Rye) performed by Vijay Thakkar and Durga Bhatt, and “Clean Bold” written and performed by Dr. Khevana Desai. On Sunday, the final day, began with a Reflections session, moderated by Babu Suthar, with insightful contribu- tions from Rambhai and Bhanuben Gadhavi, Manilal H. Patel, Dr. Nimitt Oza, Jayesh Bhogayata, Raeesh Maniar, Krushna Dave, and Durga Bhatt. This was followed by a lively Diaspora Poetry Reading, led by Raeesh Maniar, featuring Mona Nayak, Anil Chavda, Prarthana Jha, Asharaf Dabawala, Jayshree Merchant, Nilesh Rana, and Madhumati Mehta. CULTURAL & COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS In addition to literary sessions, the convention also showcased Gujarati Su- gam Sangeet performances by Krushanu and Diti Majmundar fromWashington, D.C. Attendees praised the convention for its diverse programming, warm hospital- ity, and seamless organization, the press release said. “This convention is not just about literature—it’s about celebrating our roots, building bridges across gen- erations, and keeping Gujarati alive in our hearts,” said Ashish Desai, President of GLAONA. GLAONA extended its gratitude to all partners, including ITV Gold (Parikh Worldwide Media), sponsors, volunteers, authors, poets, and community who together made the 13th Convention a success. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:GLAONA PHOTO:ANI From left, Manilal Patel, Madhu Rai, Jayesh Bhogayata, Dr. Raeesh Maniar, Dr. Nimitt Oza, Krushna Dave, Anil Chavda, poets and authors on stage at the Gujarati Literary Academy of North America’s 13th Biennial Convention held in Edison, NJ. Dr. Nimitt Oza, right, a poet who spoke at the event. Ashish Desai, president of the Gujarati Literary Academy of North America. Harper Collins India To Publish Chetan Bhagat’s New Romance H arperCollins India is publish- ing a new novel by Chetan Bhagat, a love story that marks his return to romance after the stunning success of his previous books. Written in his signature style, it has hu- mour, heart and hope in equal measure. The book is available on preorder and will release on 1st October 2025. Talking about the book, Chetan Bhagat says, “After more than 10 years, following the success of 2 States and Half-Girlfriend, I have written a love story. 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story is extremely close to my heart and is one of my best books — if not the best book I have written so far. It’s funny, emotional, thought-provoking, anda whole lot more. At its core, it tries to answer a timeless question: How do you know if the special someone in your life is ‘the one’?” Poulomi Chatterjee, Executive Pub- lisher – HarperCollins India, says, “In book after book, Chetan has captured the hearts of millions of Indian readers with stories that resonate closely with their lives. I’m delighted that his new novel, 12 Years: My Messed-up Love Story, brings him back to writing about the trials of love. In Chetan’s inimitable style, the story is as tender as it is passionate, and as laugh-out-loud funnyas it is sharply observed. We at HarperCollins are so glad to be bringing it to readers everywhere — this book is guaranteed to entertain and keep them hooked, and that’s a promise!” About 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story He’s 33. She’s 21. He’s a struggling stand-up comic. She’s a rising star in private equity. He’s divorced. She’s never had a boy- friend. He’s Punjabi. She’s from a conservative Jain family. They shouldn’t be together. But they can’t stay apart. Welcome to 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story. Saket and Payal couldn’t be more different–age, background, beliefs. Yet, they’re drawn to each other in ways they can’t explain. Is it just chemistry, or some- thing deeper? Is it madness and lust, or is it love? -ANI Book jacket of Chetan Bhagat’s latest novel.