India's First Writers' Village Opens in Thano

Project Overview and Location

First-of-its-kind Writers' Village was inaugurated in Thano village, 24km from Dehradun.

• The brainchild of former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank

• Spread across 25 acres of lush green landscape

• Inspired by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's concern about writers' recognition

• Aims to provide creative space and respect for literary figures

Facilities and Infrastructure

Writers' cottages (Lekhan Kutir) for residential stays

Comprehensive amenities include:

• Library and art gallery

• Yoga and meditation center

• Discussion and auditorium spaces

• Himalayan and Ganga Museum

• Traditional Uttarakhandi restaurant

• Features Sanjeevani Vatika, Nakshatra, and Navgrah Vatika

• Built-in traditional Pahadi architectural style with deodar wood doors

• Stone slabs reflecting local hill architecture

Inaugural Event and Participation

Inaugurated by former President Ram Nath Kovind

Distinguished attendees included:

Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami

• CBFC Chairman Prasoon Joshi

Hosting 'Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav-2024':

• Three-day International Literature, Culture, and Art Festival

• Participation from 65 countries (40 in-person, 25 virtual)The firstt work 'Ram in the Himalayas' by Nishank released

• Features 30 diverse sessions on writing and culture

Final Thoughts

The inauguration of the Writers’ Village in Thano marks a significant milestone in India's cultural and literary landscape. Designed to honor and nurture the creative spirit, this one-of-a-kind project offers an enriching space where writers, artists, and thinkers can find both inspiration and recognition.

With its traditional architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, and global literary engagement through events like Sparsh Himalaya Mahotsav, the Writers’ Village is set to become a vibrant hub for artistic expression and cultural dialogue, not just for Uttarakhand but for the world.