Dehradun, Sept. 22 -- Every festival has a story that unfolds on stage, through the panels, conversations, music, and applause. But every great festival also has another story, one that rarely makes the headlines. It is the story of those who work tirelessly in the background, ensuring that the lights don't flicker, the microphones don't fail, and the audience experiences seamless magic. At Valley of Words (VoW), Dehradun's own internationally recognised literature and arts festival, this story belongs to its volunteers.

For Valley of Words, volunteers do not simply fill in a checklist of duties; they are the heartbeat of the festival. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. They welcome guests, carry books, author kits, mana...