Celebrating Family-Centric Storytelling: A Seminar and Awards Ceremony in New Delhi

The All India Literary Council and the Hindi Academy, Delhi, jointly hosted a seminar focused on family-centered storytelling and an awards ceremony on Thursday at the Malviya Smriti Bhawan in New Delhi. Manoj Kumar, the National Co-Organization Minister of the All India Literary Council, was the keynote speaker. He emphasized that the Ramayana and Mahabharata are among the most widely read books globally, embodying essential life values. He encouraged writers to explore new styles across all languages. He described the Mahabharata as the world's largest story, reflecting the dynamics of family unity and disintegration. Kumar asserted that literature's purpose is to convey India's discourse on humanity to the world, likening India to a storyteller that connects nations. He noted that storytelling not only entertains but also conveys Indian values, emotions, and thoughts.

Dr. Vinod Babbar, Executive President of Indraprastha Sahitya Bharati, spoke as a distinguished guest, highlighting that family is the cornerstone of Indian culture and a vital medium for preserving it. He pointed out that love, tolerance, virtues, and ethics are cultivated within families. Rakesh Kumar, a state minister, shared initial concerns about the participation of young storytellers, given the perception that today's children, engrossed in smartphones, might lack interest in writing. However, the competition proved otherwise, yielding a substantial number of quality submissions from young authors.

Sanjay Kumar Garg, Secretary of the Hindi Academy, Delhi, emphasized that family structures are central to culture and values. The event was chaired by Professor Avnijesh Awasthi, President of Indraprastha Sahitya Bharati, who stated that families are crucial for a developed India, serving as the foundational unit for nation-building. The All India Literary Council, in collaboration with Indraprastha Sahitya Bharati, organized a family-centric storytelling competition in April-May, receiving 157 entries across four categories. Awards included cash prizes and certificates for the top three stories in each category, along with consolation prizes for five additional participants.

In the first category (students from grades 8 to 12), Pihu Yadav won the second prize for her story 'Chhoti Bahu,' while Gorakshi from Maharaja Agrasen International School received the third prize for 'Apnon Ki Chhaon.' Five young storytellers were awarded consolation prizes. In the second category (college and university students), Ravi Kumar Jha from Jamia Millia Islamia won first prize for 'Kevalpur Ka Suraj,' with Apurva Chaumal and Amrita Chauhan receiving second and third prizes, respectively. Five additional young authors also received consolation awards.

In the third category (participants aged 35 and under), Surmya Sharma from S&P Global received the first prize for 'Sabse Bada Sukh.' The fourth category featured renowned authors over 35, with Ravi Sharma 'Madhup' winning first prize for 'Simatte Sambandh.' Ranjana Kishore and Anu Kumari received second and third prizes, respectively, with several others honored with consolation awards. The event commenced with a lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by Saraswati Vandana and the Council song. Guests were welcomed with gifts, and the program concluded with a collective rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram.

The event saw the presence of several distinguished figures, including former Vice President of the Central Hindi Institute Anil Joshi, former President of the Indraprastha Literary Council Dr. Ramsharan Gaur, and many other literary enthusiasts and authors.