University of Jammu and Voice of Dogras Celebrate Regional Storytelling Through One-Day Writing Workshop

The University of Jammu, in collaboration with Voice of Dogras hosted a dynamic one-day writing workshop that brought together students and faculty members to explore and celebrate our rich storytelling traditions. Organized by the Department of Journalism and Media Studies in partnership with the Translation Club and Utsaah-Club Consortium, the cultural initiative “Writing Our Jammu: From Culture to Creativity, Jammu Di Kahaani, Jammu Di Zubani” focused on empowering young writers to express authentic narratives in native languages.

The workshop was designed to inspire participants to craft stories rooted in personal experiences, local traditions, and the historical contexts of the Jammu region, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage through creative expression.

The event featured chief guests Sh. Pradeep Dutta and Sh. Naveen Nawaz, who offered valuable insights on regional storytelling techniques. The initiative was conceptualized under the visionary leadership of Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu, as part of efforts to strengthen cultural narratives and linguistic diversity.

Acclaimed author Sh. Vikram Singh, a banker-turned-author, and Colonel Ajay K. Raina, an Indian Army veteran, military historian, and prolific author who has written 30 books, served as resource persons. Their contributions provided participants with essential perspectives on authentic storytelling and cultural preservation strategies, drawing from their deep understanding of Jammu’s social and cultural fabric.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Garima Gupta, Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, emphasized the importance of articulating regional stories in multiple languages and engaging experts from diverse backgrounds to expand student perspectives.

Pradeep Dutta highlighted the power of authentic storytelling drawn from genuine human experiences, cautioning students against over-reliance on artificial intelligence tools for creative writing. “AI lacks the emotional depth, appropriate vocabulary, and human sensitivity required for respectful storytelling,” he noted.

Naveen Nawaz stressed the value of conceptualizing ideas in local languages to establish meaningful connections with audiences, encouraging participants to engage with regional literature and research Dogra history to strengthen their cultural understanding.

Manu Khajuria, Founder of Voice of Dogras, emphasized the importance of honest narrative construction and the risks of presenting limited perspectives about any culture or community. She commended the university’s initiative for promoting creative and responsible storytelling among younger generations.

She, along with Sahil Verma and Rahul Dogra, representing Voice of Dogras, participated throughout the program to ensure comprehensive engagement and inclusivity.

Prof. Dushyant Kumar Rai discussed storytelling’s capacity to represent emotions, memories, and cultural connections across communities, acknowledging the innovative concepts and compelling narratives shared by resource persons and participants.

Prof. Meena Sharma, Chairperson of the Utsaah Club Consortium, expressed satisfaction with the collaborative spirit displayed by students and faculty in supporting linguistic diversity and cultural understanding. She recognized Prof. Garima Gupta, Coordinator of the Translation Club, for her instrumental role in organizing the event.

The workshop witnessed active participation from faculty members including Dr. Pardeep Singh Bali, Dr. Ramiyan Bhardwaj, Dr. Ravia Gupta, and Dr. Kumerjit Chajgotra, who contributed to the collaborative learning atmosphere.

The event successfully demonstrated the University of Jammu’s commitment to preserving regional heritage while empowering the next generation of storytellers to document and share the narratives of Jammu in authentic ways.