Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 20 BOOKS May 29, 2026 Yakub Mathew’s “Seeking The Infinite” Conferred Creative Book Of The Year Award At Canada Literature Festival T he Canada Literature Festival 2026 has recognized Indian-American author Yakub Mathew for his thought-provoking book, Seeking the Infinite: MahaKumbh 2025 about faith, philosophy and the inner journey, bestowing it the prestigious Cre- ative Book of the Year Award. The accolade was presented on May 14, 2026 during the festival held in Brampton, Ontario, highlighting the work’s profound contribution to contemporary global literature and spiritual discourse. At its core, the award reflects Canada Literature Festival (CLF)’s broader mission of celebrating storytell- ing that transcends geographic and cultural boundaries. According to the festival’s narrative, “stories travel. They cross borders, languages, and generations, shaping how we see the world and each other.” This ethos is embodied in NewYork-based Mathew’s work, which merges per- sonal experience with universal philosophical inquiry. A WORK ROOTED IN SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE Seeking the Infinite draws inspiration from the Maha Kumbh Mela of 2025 held in Prayag (Allahabad)—an event widely regarded as one of the largest spiritual gatherings in human history. The book is not merely a travelogue, but rather a reflective chronicle combining narrative, photography, and philosophical insights. It “chronicles a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey” and transforms that experience into a broader meditation on existence, consciousness, and faith. The work stands out because of its interdisciplinary and interfaith approach. It includes contributions and reflections from diverse thinkers representing various traditions, creating a tapestry of voices that collectively explore humanity’s enduring questions. As described in the festival literature, the book moves beyond conven- tional categories, presenting itself as a “meditation on faith, humanity, and the eternal questions that define us.” This approach aligns closely with the contemporary shift in global literature toward hybrid narratives that blend memoir, philosophy, and cultural observation. Yakub Mathew’s journey to the Maha Kumbh in India was spontaneous yet transformative. As he explains, the journey led him and his companions to confront life’s most fundamental questions: “Who am I?What is the na- ture of consciousness?What is the purpose of existence?” These questions form the backbone of the narrative, transforming a travel experience into a universal explora- tion of meaning. The CLF, organized by Indo-Canada Arts Council founded in 2014, recognized Mathew’s book not only for its artistic merit but also for its ability to foster dialogue across cultures. Seeking the Infinite resonates with global audiences because it addresses universal themes—iden- tity, belonging, spirituality, and meaning—while situating them in a vividly experienced cultural context. THE AUTHOR BEHIND THE WORK Yakub Mathew’s background adds another compelling dimension to the narrative. A global financial profes- sional with decades of experience and now Managing Director ofWells Fargo Advisors, NewYork, Mathew de- scribes himself as an “accidental author,” whose journey into writing was inspired by deeply personal experiences. His transition from finance to literature reflects a broader trend in which professionals from diverse fields bring new perspectives into creative writing. His engagement with the Maha Kumbh—a once-in-144-years event—served as the catalyst for the book. The experience, shared with a group of friends from different religious and cultural backgrounds, evolved into a collaborative exploration of spirituality. This collective dimension is central to the book’s identity and partly explains its recognition at an international forum such as CLF. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AWARD The Creative Book of the Year Award is an acknowledg- ment of both literary innovation and cultural impact. By honoring Mathew’s work, CLF highlights the growing importance of literature that bridges traditions and fos- ters mutual understanding. The recognition also reflects the increasing visibility of Indian diaspora voices in the global literary landscape. By Parveen Chopra, Special to Desi Talk PHOTOS:ORGANIZERS Yakub Mathew with the Panel – Prof. Prabhu Guptara, Cambridge University, Moderator; Kalpesh Joshi, Chairman, Vastu Vision; Lama Aria Drolma; Consul General of India in Toronto, Shri Mahaveer Singhvi, Yakub Mathew, Author; Indian High Commissioner to Canada Shri Dinesh K. Patnaik; Ajaay Modi, Director, Canada Literature Festival; Haji Salman Chishty; Harry Mann; and Rakesh Kaul. Yakub Mathew with Ajaay Modi, Director, Canada Literature Festival. A s enterprises accelerate investments in artificial intelligence, two newly released books by author and Technoidentity founder Venkat Chitturi, Du- rable Agents and Built to Endure, examine one of the defining challenges in modern technology: why intelligent systems succeed in controlled environments but fail under real-world operational conditions. Published by BlueRose Publishers, the books present a systems-first perspective on enterprise AI, operational resilience, and long-term scalability at a time when organizations across industries are struggling to move AI initiatives from experimentation to dependable produc- tion deployment. The books were officially launched at Replay 2026, alongside Samar Abbas, CEO of Temporal Technologies, reflecting growing industry focus on durable orches- tration, production reliability, and enterprise-scale AI infrastructure. At the center of both books is Durable Product Engineering™, Technoidentity’s systems-first ap- proach to building resilient, observable, adaptable, and production-grade technology platforms. The framework examines how operational fragility, hidden technical debt, workflow breakdowns, and governance gaps create systems that appear successful in demonstrations but fail under real-world conditions. Built to Endure explores how modern organizations can create long-term competitive advantage through operational resilience, disciplined execution, scalable systems design, and dependable product architecture in Why AI Pilots Succeed, But Enterprise Deployments Fail: Two New Books From Venkat Chitturi Make The Case For Durable Product Engineering - Continued On Page 22