Nainital: A three-day photo book festival was started on the theme of ‘Women in the Himalayas’ to women empowerment in Mukteshwar (Nainital) on Friday. This event ‘The Kitab – India’s first photobook festival’ was organized by 'The Kitab', an organization working on creative photography.In this program the photo-books of world famous photographers were exhibited at the office of Kilmora, an organisation working with the local women on cottage industries in Kumaon."Even though women are the life-line of the mountain villages yet they face poverty, low literacy levels and unemployment. With this event, we are trying to explored how photography can empower and inspire and be an important tool for social-change amongst the women in the mountain villages." Manik Katyal, one of the founders of 'The Kitab' told TOI."We have included powerful photography books from over 30 countries which will provides much needed global exposure to the communities. We completely believe that meaningful photography fosters empowerment through individual reflection, self-esteem and identity formation as well as a sense of community." Katyal said.“I found my favourite book is No homosexuals in Iran by Laurence Rasti which is about presenting a different side of a conservative society and this book celebrates how human connection are more important than sexual ones.” Anita Arya, a resident of Mukteshwar said."Kitab was an exceptional experience for the women artisans at Kilmora, not just because it was something they had never seen before but also because it opened the world to them." - Srishti Singh, Kilmora Marketing head told TOI.This three-day exhibition will be held in Jageshwar and Kasardevi (Almora) for the next two days.

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