Mee Lekhak Honarach !
Mee Lekhak Honarach!
A Writer’s Journey and My Experience Covering It
Writing is more than just putting words on paper; it is a powerful tool for storytelling, self-expression, and change. As a student of Journalism and Mass Communication, I was assigned to cover the Mee Lekhak Honarach workshop, a four-day event organized by the National Book Trust (NBT), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), and Samarth Yuva Foundation. This workshop was not just an event, it was an immersive literary experience that gave me firsthand exposure to the craft of writing.
A Workshop Designed for Aspiring Writers
Held from March 15 to 18, 2025, the workshop aimed to train and inspire aspiring writers by covering various forms of writing, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, journalism, research-based writing, and screenplay writing. The sessions were conducted by renowned authors, journalists, and literary scholars, offering both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training. The inaugural session featured Yuvraj Malik, who introduced the 10:1:1 formula, a disciplined approach to developing a writing habit that encourages reading ten pages, writing one page, and reflecting for one minute daily. This simple yet effective method resonated with many participants, including me.
What Made This Workshop Unique
Each day was filled with thought-provoking sessions covering storytelling techniques, narrative structuring, fact-based journalism, and creative experimentation.
Diving into the World of Storytelling
One of the most impactful sessions was Rajendra Kher’s workshop on novel writing, where he broke down the fundamentals of plot structuring, character development, and pacing. His insights on world-building and creating immersive narratives helped participants understand how successful novels keep readers engaged.
For those interested in research-based writing, Dr. Sadanand More’s session was an eye-opener. He discussed the importance of credible sources, logical argumentation, and fact-checking, emphasizing how strong research is the backbone of impactful writing.
The Power of Editing and Refinement
One major takeaway from the workshop was that writing is not just about creating but also about refining. Sessions by Shripad Brahme, Abhijit Pendharkar, and Madhav Gokhale focused on editing techniques, self-proofreading, and eliminating redundancy. I realized that editing is where the real magic happens. Turning a rough draft into a polished masterpiece.
Genre-Based Workshops: A Hands-On Experience
One of the highlights of the workshop was the genre-based breakout sessions, where participants specialized in different forms of writing. I closely observed Nitin Thorat’s session on short story writing, which emphasized the importance of impactful openings, well-developed characters, and powerful conclusions.
Through hands-on exercises, I saw how small tweaks in sentence structure and pacing could make a short story more compelling. This session made me appreciate the art of brevity and how short stories can be as powerful as full-length novels when written effectively.
Beyond Writing
The workshop went beyond technical writing skills by incorporating cultural and historical storytelling. The Heritage Walk around Pune University was a unique experience, encouraging writers to find inspiration in history, architecture, and local traditions. The Gappa Pangat discussion further emphasized how literature can preserve history and challenge societal norms, reinforcing the idea that writers play a crucial role in shaping discourse.
A Journalist’s Perspective
Covering this workshop as a journalism student was an eye-opening experience. It was not just about writing reports but about understanding how writing influences public opinion, preserves history, and sparks change. I found myself absorbing knowledge, analyzing perspectives, and reflecting on how journalism intersects with creative writing.
This experience also strengthened my observational skills and analytical thinking, essential tools for any journalist. More importantly, it reaffirmed my belief in the power of words and storytelling. Whether through literature or journalism, writing has the potential to make an impact, inspire readers, and bring about change.
Final Thoughts: A Transformative Experience
The Mee Lekhak Honarach workshop was not just a gathering of aspiring writers, it was a transformative journey for everyone involved. It reinforced that writing is both an art and a responsibility. For me, this event was more than an assignment; it was an opportunity to immerse myself in the world of storytelling, refine my skills, and gain invaluable insights from literary professionals.
Whether you are a journalist, novelist, poet, or researcher, the ability to write with clarity, authenticity, and purpose is one of the most valuable skills one can possess. This workshop was a reminder that writing is not just about self-expression but about making a difference, one word at a time.
Would you be interested in attending a writing workshop like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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