The three-day Journalists' Literature Festival, held at the Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27, concluded with a series of engaging sessions that captivated literary enthusiasts from across the region.
Spearheaded and supported by News Arena India, the festival provided a platform for dynamic interactions between aspiring journalists and seasoned professionals, bridging the gap between literature enthusiasts and the guardians of democracy.
Kicking off the session, commencing with a thought-provoking session on fiction writing, esteemed authors Chetna Keer, Aditya Kant, Sanjay Versain, and senior journalist Aruti Nayyar delved into the theme of "Mirroring social concern and changes through fiction."
Keer’s book ‘Garnets Under My Gulmohar’ addresses climate change, Kant’s ‘High on Kasol’ sheds light on drug trafficking, and Versain’s ‘Pee For Protest’ explores the anatomy of protest.
Reflecting on their works, Kant expressed, “I write for myself and do not expect my writing to bring a sea change. However, my novel and the issue of missing persons in the Parvati Valley has resonated with many people."
Similarly, Keer emphasised her role as a storyteller, stating, “As journalists, your narratives are rooted in reality. For instance, my book mirrors climate change and the shifting landscape after the pandemic.”
Versain reiterated the sentiment, asserting, “Journalism is a medium of change. It is meant to inform, enlighten, and bring about change. If someone wants to write, they should simply start writing.”
The second session of the day ignited engaging dialogue on the topic of 'Sports in India: Cricket vs Others', featuring seasoned hockey writer Prabhjot Singh, cricket journalist Vijay Lokapally, television presenter Vikrant Gupta,
Moderated by Umesh Sharma, the discussion delved into nuanced insights about the sporting landscape in the country.
Prabhjot Singh, highlighting the historical significance of the Chandigarh Press Club as the pioneer in hosting a national seminar on hockey, shed light on the societal dynamics shaped by sports.
He remarked, "The introduction of hockey, cricket, and golf by the British delineated class divides, with hockey finding favour among the lower-middle class, cricket among the middle and upper-middle class, and golf among the elites."
Later in the day, a fervent debate on India-US relations captivated attendees, with renowned journalists Ramesh Vinayak, Varghese K George, Rahul Singh, and Jayant Jacob dissecting the nuances of this pivotal partnership and its implications for the 21st century.
Amidst the discourse, Vinayak brought attention to the controversial Gurpatwant Singh Pannun assassination attempt, sparking reflections on the perceived lack of trust in the US's response. George emphasised the need for clarity, stating, "The full picture remains shrouded in mystery."
The festival continued with a stimulating discussion on ‘Alternative Media: Strengths and Concerns’, featuring prominent journalists Jupinderjit Singh, Yadwinder Singh, Shamsher Chandel, and Rajinder Kaur.
Reflecting on the evolving landscape of journalism in the digital age, Chandel remarked, “Today, any person who has a camera can be a reporter.”
Jupinderjit Singh highlighted the increasing influence of social media, noting, “These days, many stories that appear in print are based on social media. In fact, I, too, depend on social media for the amplification of news.”
Yadwinder Singh emphasised the shift towards decentralization of media power, stating, “This democratisation of media has brought about decentralisation of power.”
The day progressed with a session on cricket and society titled "The objectivity challenge: Cricket, society, and journalism," where seasoned cricket writers Pradeep Magazine, Sharda Ugra, and Rohit Mahajan addressed various issues, including match-fixing and the Indian Premier League.
Ugra shared her experience as a woman sports journalist, stating, “It was quite easy to interact with officials and cricketers, who were curious about a woman journalist.”
She added that magazines reflect on the challenges faced by journalists in accessing players and information, lamenting the lack of representation of Dalits in Indian national teams.
The festival concluded with a session centred around ‘Women's issues through the lens of journalism’, featuring esteemed journalists and authors Nirupama Dutt, Veenu Sandhu, and Chandigarh Press Club president Saurabh Duggal.
Dutt recalled historical challenges faced by women journalists, while Sandhu underscored the importance of women's representation in Parliament.
Duggal highlighted the obstacles faced by sportswomen and the societal pressures placed upon them.
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