Festival DirectorFestival Director

<p style="font-weight: 400;">Umashanker Yadav is a multifaceted Indian professional known for his contributions to literature, cinema, and entrepreneurship. He served in the Indian Air Force from 1985 to 2001 and later founded several companies, including Ikon Barcode Solutions, Ikon Label Industries, Serene Publishers, Ikon Education Foundation, and Serene Films. As a writer and poet, he authored the book "Beyond Dreamz." He is also the founder and managing director of the Ahmedabad International Literature Festival (AILF) an initiative of his charitable trust Ikon Education Foundation. AILF is a platform promoting literary discourse and cultural exchange. His films, such as "Heer & Ranjha" and "Sukhnath Mogra Ni Varta," showcase his storytelling abilities. Umashanker Yadav was a brilliant student since his child hood. After scoring 1st position in his college in the High School, he joined mechanical engineering through UP Polytechnic entrance Exam but he left it midway in the second year and joined Indian Air Force. Thus, his journey began in the Indian Air Force, where he served from 1985 to 2001 in the electronics stream. This period instilled in him discipline, sharp skills, and dedication, laying a strong foundation for his future endeavors. His background in the Air Force significantly influenced his approach to life and career, shaping him into a multifaceted professional. Umashanker’ s ambitious Hindi feature film Drop Out as a writer, producer and actor is under production process and is expected to be released in September 2025. He is a fitness enthusiast and proponent of healthy and civil habits in the society.</p>