Blamed on Sikh separatists seeking revenge for the infamous Operation Bluestar and 1984 anti-Sikh violence across India, the Air India conspiracy was hatched in Vancouver that culminated in a mid-air blast over the Irish Sea. The investigation has resulted in one conviction and two acquittals.

Inderjit Singh Rayat, the bombmaker, is serving his time for perjury and lying under oath. He tried to conceal the identity of one of the unidentified suspects who came to be known as Mr X during the trial.

Authored by Renee Sarojini Saklikar, “Children of Air India: Un/authorized exhibits and interjections’’, is a collection of poems dedicated to 82 children who died in the tragedy. Most of these children were headed for summer vacations in India.

Renee lost her aunt Zebunisa and uncle Umar Jethva in the tragedy. The couple was visiting Vancouver that year and died on way back to India leaving behind their 10-year-old son Irfan. Irfan later became a victim of the anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat in 2002. His shop was burned down by a mob.

Married to a Caucasian politician Adrian Dix, outgoing leader of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia, Renee read out selected poems from her book. Dix was also present at the event.

Two non-English poets, Balkaran Singh and Elodie Jacquet, joined her in reading out translations in Punjabi and French, respectively.