The Fourth SAARC Writers Conference, organized by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature, the SAARC literary wing of the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature, was held in the aesthetically conducive ambience of India International Centre in New Delhi. It was spread over three days - 13, 14 and 15 December 2001 - and divided into nine Working Sessions, in addition to the Inaugural Session and the Closing Session.

The deliberations at the Conference were structured along thematic lines. There were in all four broad themes and all the discussions and readings from writers' works were based on the given theme. In general, while one session was devoted to a discussion of the theme, the next session was used for readings from the creative works of the writers, especially poetry. Impromptu poetry readings, however, continued till midnight over dinners and in informal meetings among writers. And fiction reading too.

The Academy believes that sharing of such creative expressions in both formal and informal settings and discussing common problems, responses, predilections, exchanges of personal viewpoints about the complexities in the SAARC region and contradictions of the world as perceived from a creative person's vision adds sensitivity to the perceptions and awareness. This is what makes such literary events relevant and meaningful.

This Anthology of Ideas, Poetry and Fiction, along with a brief report of the Conference, aims at sharing the unique, multi-layered perceptions and concerns of the writers and intellectuals of the Region.