GGDSD College Hosts Creative Writing & Haiku Workshop to Foster Literary Expression
The Postgraduate Department of English at Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma (GGDSD) College, located in Sector 32, Chandigarh, recently organized a six-day Creative Writing and Haiku Workshop. This initiative was specifically designed to nurture literary expression and strengthen the creative skills of students, providing them with a platform to explore diverse forms of poetic and reflective writing.
Blending Theory with Hands-On Practice
The workshop brought together a distinguished group of eminent academicians, poets, and writers who skillfully blended theoretical knowledge with hands-on creative practice. This approach allowed participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of literary techniques while actively engaging in writing exercises.
Principal Dr. Ajay Sharma delivered a warm welcome address, commending the Department of English for its sustained academic and creative initiatives. The inaugural sessions featured prominent figures such as Prof. Deepti Gupta from the Department of English and Cultural Studies at Panjab University, and Neena Singh, a noted poet, author, and social activist from Chandigarh.
Insights from Esteemed Speakers
Prof. Deepti Gupta, a Fulbright Fellow with over 36 years of academic experience, shared valuable insights drawn from her extensive work in teaching, research supervision, curriculum development, and university administration. Her expertise provided a solid foundation for the workshop's theoretical components.
Neena Singh, a banker-turned-poet, spoke passionately about haiku as a powerful form of expression. Drawing from her experience as a published poet and founder of a non-profit organization dedicated to educating underprivileged children, she highlighted the simplicity and depth of this poetic form.
Engaging Sessions and Interactive Exercises
Subsequent sessions were conducted by Dr. Urvi Sharma, an Assistant Professor of English at Amity University, Mohali, who is an acclaimed author and scholar published by international presses such as Bloomsbury and Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Her contributions enriched the workshop with advanced literary perspectives.
The workshop also benefitted from engaging sessions led by Harender Kumar, Dr. Poorva Trikha, Dr. Mandeep Sanehi, and Balpreet Singh. These experts guided students on various aspects of creative writing, including:
- Narrative techniques and storytelling methods
- Reflective writing and personal expression
- Poetic experimentation and form exploration
- Editing processes and publication pathways
The interactive exercises enabled students to experiment with multiple genres, refine their individual voices, and gain confidence in their creative abilities. This hands-on approach ensured that participants could apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios.
Conclusion and Acknowledgments
The programme concluded with Pooja Sarin, the head of the Department of English, proposing a vote of thanks. The workshop was convened by Harender Kumar and Dr. Poorva Trikha, who played key roles in organizing and facilitating the event.
This workshop not only provided a valuable learning experience for students but also reinforced GGDSD College's commitment to promoting literary arts and creative expression in the academic community.
