Alliance University hosted the Alliance Literary Festival (ALF) 2026 alongside Alliance ONE 2026 at its Central Campus in Anekal from 19 to 21 February 2026. The fifth edition of the literary festival was themed "HerStory: Celebrating Naari Shakti", while Alliance ONE, the University’s flagship inter-college techno-cultural and sports festival, focused on "Solving for Bengaluru". Together, the events brought students, scholars, artists, public leaders and participants from across institutions onto a shared platform for dialogue and engagement.

The festival opened with actor Vidya Balan inaugurating ALF 2026. In a conversation with Shreya Sanjeev, she reflected on her journey in the film industry and spoke about resilience, authenticity and creative courage. The inaugural ceremony began with an all-women Chendamelam procession, reflecting the spirit of HerStory. In his address, Pro-Chancellor, Abhay G. Chebbi reiterated his vision of strengthening Alliance University as a space for art, culture and intellectual exchange. The opening day also featured a dance-drama performance by Kalki Subramaniam & troupe, conveying a message of inclusion and dignity.

Alliance ONE 2026 was centred on the ideals of equity, excellence and empowerment. The three-day event witnessed participation from over 5,000 attendees and featured more than 200 speakers and judges. A distinctive aspect of this edition was the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into each competition. Several problem statements were based on issues affecting local communities in Bengaluru, reflecting the University’s commitment to socially responsible innovation and civic engagement.

As the festival progressed, discussions explored themes such as gender, governance, literature, cinema and public policy. Veteran parliamentarian and former Governor Margaret Alva engaged in a conversation with Pro-Chancellor Abhay G. Chebbi. She reflected on her years in public service, her experience as one of the youngest women Members of Parliament in the country, and her later roles as Governor of multiple states. She spoke about the importance of constitutional values and the need for moral clarity in public life. Referring to her dissenting note on the Shah Bano judgment and her criticism of internal party decisions, she stated that dissent should not be equated with disloyalty. During the session, she also presented the Ismat Chughtai Award to Pramiti Digra, recognised as the Best Student Writer in the MA Creative Writing program at Alliance University.

Day Two of the Alliance Literary Festival continued with panel discussions on compassionate leadership, women in positions of authority, writing across languages and Kannada literature as cultural memory. Conversations also examined women’s representation in Indian cinema, the relationship between research and the public good, and the gendered dimensions of care work. In association with the festival, the Inter-City Intangible Culture Cooperation Network Annual Conference 2026 was hosted on campus, bringing together mayors, scholars and artists from more than ten countries. Workshops on filmmaking, comics storytelling and haiku writing enabled students to engage in creative practice alongside academic dialogue.

A significant initiative during the festival was the ‘Nari Shakti Riders Meet’, organised to promote cancer awareness. The rally began at Cubbon Park and concluded at the Alliance University campus, with over 90 riders participating. Actor and social advocate Gul Panag flagged off the rally and rode alongside the participants. Following the rally, she took part in a fireside conversation and an interactive riders’ panel discussion. The discussions focused on women’s empowerment, responsible riding culture, road safety and the role of collective action in raising awareness about health concerns. Student initiatives, including She for Society and other campus clubs, contributed to the event.

Cultural performances formed an integral part of the three-day programme. Evenings featured classical dance recitals in Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Kuchipudi, including a performance by danseuse Shobana and her ensemble. Stand-up comedy and live music performances were also organised. International artists from Nepal, Russia, Germany and Brazil presented cross-cultural performances, adding to the diversity of the programme.

Running concurrently, Alliance ONE 2026 hosted sporting events in football, basketball, cricket, volleyball, tennis and powerlifting. Intellectual and entrepreneurial competitions such as the Mindspark Quiz, Agora Debate and Pitch-Off tested analytical and strategic thinking. Business and management competitions, along with technology-driven contests including coding and e-sports, reflected the varied interests of participating students. Cultural competitions in dance, music and theatre further contributed to the interdisciplinary character of the event.

Across three days, the Alliance Literary Festival 2026 and Alliance ONE 2026 created a shared space for conversation, competition and cultural exchange. Through discussions on public life, creative expression, civic responsibility and student innovation, Alliance University continued to foster an environment where academic inquiry and social engagement coexist in meaningful and structured ways.