KATHA Utsav National Writers’ Workshop – Regional Round (North) in Delhi on 29 and 30 November was a celebration of writing and storytelling. The workshops weren’t just about honing writing skills—they created an environment where children felt that they were seen, heard, and included. At the end of the two days children, parents, teachers, and mentors were asked to share their experience of the workshops. Here is a snippet of what they wrote.
Paridhi Jotwani, aged 13, from Nagpur who was a part of Swetcha Pershad’s workshop wrote, “…She taught us not like a teacher but a friend. The games that we played were super fun and we couldn’t know when time went by. It was a great experience.”
Tanvi Sharma who was a part of Usha Chhabra’s workshop wrote, “This is the best experience of my life. The most thing I like here is the support of my mentor. I liked the way she explained how to write a story in Hindi.”
Children from Vandana Bist’s workshop also had wonderful thoughts to share. Aranya Bedi wrote, “The KATHA workshop was amazing and helped us realise how anybody can write. I also realised that it’s best if an author gives elements names and places from their birthplace. This was a workshop that helped boost my creativity in every way.”
Anvesha, aged 8, in Deepa Kiran’s workshop shared, “The experience was very good, excellent in fact. I made new friends, new memories, and a new experience that will last forever.”
Children in Kapil Pandey’s workshop were also excited to share their thoughts. Diya, in the group wrote, “It has really broadened my horizons in a positive way. Some tips and tricks that I learnt were very informative and were great solutions to some of the problems that I face while writing.”
Manya Soni, a participant in Anupama Jain’s workshop reflected, “It was a pleasure to meet so many like-minded people from different corners of the country, who treat stories and words with the same reverence I have.”
Savie Sarin from Sangeeta Pisharoty’s group reflected, “She shared such great insights from her career which boldened my interest in journalism and literature. Even after achieving so much, she remained our friend throughout.”
Feedback from the children is invaluable to KATHA. It enables us to learn, adapt, and enhance our programs, ensuring that each event is tailored to the needs of the young minds. Their insights guide us in creating enriching experiences that cultivate a love for storytelling and creativity.
