carpe diem : the world fest
by Megha Shrimali
Worldfest 2014: Confluence of Art, Culture & Music
Passing through stretches of greenery and a few small villages, 190 km from Mumbai is the first
planned city of India, Lavasa. Surrounded by rolling hills, clouds, natural beauty; it is a definite
getaway for those living in Mumbai or Pune.
After repeated failed plans to visit Lavasa, I finally got a chance to admire this beautiful city in
December’14 on the occasion of Worldfest India. An internationally acclaimed festival, known to
bring the world at one stage. The Worldfest India started in 2011, for anyone who wishes to
travel the globe. This fest embraces art, culture, food, handicraft and interactions from various
countries. A celebration of life, colour, music and language; that’s Worldfest India for you!
A four hour road journey from Mumbai,
Lavasa is an apt choice to celebrate the
idea of traveling and global friendship. The
city opened its gate to travellers like me to
take a trip around the world, free of cost (not
literally!). The festival was my virtual
passport to the world, a one-stop
destination to the life outside India. Fun
loving and culturally enriched like-minded
crowd from the countries viz. Brazil, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Israel, Lithuania, Maldives, Nigeria,
Poland, Slovenia, Sri Lanka and Thailand
were a part of the fest which offered an
opportunity for first hand interactions and
learn more about them.
Aware of the heart wrenching tragedy in
Peshawar (Pakistan), Worldfest 2014 was
started by observing silence and praying for
the souls of the school children who lost
their precious lives.