7-Day Multi Lingual Festival: Hindi, Gogri Writers present short stories on Day 2&3

The Second and third day of the 7-Day Multi Lingual Short Story Festival organised at JKAACL premises witnessed presentation of enchanting short stories by Hindi and Gojri writers. It is for the first time that such a big festival of short stories is being organised by JKAACL.

In this 7 Day Festival writers of Dogri, Hindi, Punjabi, Gojri, Pahari and Kashmiri languages will present their short stories.

The festival will feature senior writers along with young budding writers of J&K. Besides this an exhibition of various publications of JKAACL in all languages was also displayed during the festival.

On the second day, a total of nine Hindi stories were read by prominent authors including young budding writers of Hindi. In The first session Hardeep Singh Deep read his story Shuraat followed by Kalpana Jasrotia’s Mashq, while Maharaj Krishan Santoshi read his story ‘Hrin Mukt’ narrating deep desire of an elderly Kashmiri pandit to return back to his hometown and free his son from the debts of mortal rituals.

Dr Om Goswami’s story ‘Antim Garib’ about the changing scenario of lower strata people according to the changing political scenario was much appreciated. Prof R L Shant read out his story after giving his remarks on the stories read suggesting major aspects of story writing.

This session was chaired by Sahitya Academy awardee Prof R.L. Shant, Dr Om Goswami and Sh Maharaj Krishan Santoshi

In the second session the stories read included Rajinder Kumar Narang’s Status Symbol, Kalpana Khajuria’s Lal Chudian, Prof Kiran Bakshi’s story Gaon Ki dehleez par Sheher depicting change brought about in villages due to modernisation was much appreciated.

Veteran writer Prof Ramkumar’s story on mocking interview scheme ‘Kali billi, kala chashma’ was the highlight of the session.

The second session was chaired by Naresh Kumar udaas and Prof Ashok Kumar. Both sessions were conducted by Ms.Bindya Raina Tikku. Ms. Reeta Khadyal, Asstt. Editor, JKAACL presented the vote of thanks.

Third day of the festival featured Gojri short stories. The first session was chaired by Dr. M.K. Waqar, Ghulam Sawar Chouhan and Dr. Baljeet Singh Raina. The writers who presented their stories included Mohamad Aslam khatana “Adhuro Ilam”, Mukhtar Ahmad presented story “Na Ghare Na Ghratey”, Zahida Kausar presented story “Khanabadoshi’, Shazia Choudhary presented story “Nyaz ko Bakro”, Ishteyak Ahmad Misbah presented story “Ruyso” and Tayoub Raza presented story “Mero Khwab”.

In the second session the writers who presented short stories were Dr. M.K. Waqar, Ghulam Sawar Chouhan and Manzoor Hussain. This session was chaired by Prof Lalit Mangotra, Prof Qaudoos Javaid and Prof. Maharaj Krishan.

Both sessions were conducted by Naseem Akhtar Choudhary. Dr. Shahnawaz, Editor Cum Cultural officer, Gojri presented the vote of thanks.

The festival started on 17th August and will continue till 23rd August, 2023 daily from 10.30 a.m onwards and is open to all. Tomorrow on 20th August, 2023 writers of Punjabi Language will present their short stories.