Pen is key to open doors to prosperity, trust: Dr Darda

 Media Coverage  |  09-09-2024

‘Write Circle’ prog organised by Lokmat-Dr Prabha Khaitan Foundation

Lokmat News Network

Nagpur

Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda lamented here on Sunday that people have stopped reading books and the new generation has preferred to keep books on their shelves.

Dr Vijay Darda was speaking as a chief guest during the ‘Write Circle’ programme organised by Lokmat Media Group and Dr Prabha Khaitan Foundation at Hotel Radisson Blu. On this occasion, he further said if writing work is not done on a perpetual basis and people lose faith in books, the society cannot become healthy and prosperous.

“The key to open doors to prosperity, trust and civilisation is a pen”, he maintained. Well-known author Kiran Manral, Dr Prabha Khaitan Foundation’s ‘Ehsaas Woman of Nagpur’ Monica Bhagwagar, Parveen Tuli, Priyanka Kothari, Jyoti Kapoor and others were prominently present on this occasion.

Dr Darda further asserted that English medium schools should also give space to literature in their curriculum. Many temples have been constructed in the country and now the time has come to attract the new generation towards literature by organisations which are working in the field, he said adding that this message should be effectively conveyed through this programme. He also prayed for peace, happiness and prosperity in the life of every citizen and awakening of kindness and perseverance in every living being on the occasion of ‘Paryushan Mahaparva’ which is a period of self-cleansing, penance and patience.

Monica Bhagwagar conducted the programme. A large number of people from literary field were present on the occasion. ‘Ti Cha Ganpati’ dedicated to women

Dr Darda on this occasion said Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak enlightened the masses about independence for India through public festivities of Ganeshotsav in Pune. Lokmat Media Group, with a view to honouring women started ‘Ti Cha Ganpati’ from Pune. Now, ‘Ti Cha Ganpati’ has become a movement in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, he maintained. Learning journalism helped me become a writer: Manral

During interaction, Ahsaas-Woman of Nagpur Jyoti Kapoor asked well-known author Kiran Manral several questions related to her life and writing work. In response to these, Kiran Manral said that in her childhood she was a normal girl.  She used to read fairy tales and biographies. Sometimes she also tried to write poetry. After completing her schooling, she studied journalism.  Then she got married and after having a child, she started journalism independently.  Meanwhile, in December 2011, she wrote her first book ‘Reluctant Detective’. It was successful and this caravan of writing kept moving forward.  She said, she has been influenced by the writing styles of many writers of various genres including Rabindranath Tagore, Surendra Mohan Tripathi and others. One gets to learn something or the other from everyone, she said and added that she likes to write on humor and horror. Mysterious stories are very close to her heart. Kiran Manral also said that it is because of the skills she acquired while doing journalism that she has learned to write in all genres. She said that there comes a time in every writer’s life when he or she thinks of quitting writing. But, professional writers cannot stop their work. They definitely struggle with such problems for some time, but then get back to writing. It is similar to when a surgeon cannot think of stopping surgery.  Kiran Manral, author of the book ‘Kitty Party Murder’, said that she has also written a blog called ‘Karmik Kid’ on parenting and it has also gone viral. She said if the reaction is appropriate then she happily accepts the criticism made in it because it is for good.  Being a mother and a woman, Kiran Manral said that senior writers Mahasweta Devi, Kamala Das, Anita Desai did excellent writing while fulfilling their family and social responsibilities. She also maintains a balance between writing and domestic responsibilities.

Author Kiran Manral presenting a book to Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda while Parveen Tuli, Priyanka Kothari, Jyoti Kapoor, Monica Bhagwagar and Manoj Bali look on.

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