A fresh and ambitious initiative began on Sunday in the Doon valley with the first meeting of authors of the valley to discuss this initiative called Writers’ Combine started by well-known journalist and writer Raj Kanwar. Dehradun has always been a place where writers have liked to make their home. It has a long tradition of writing and thus needs a platform where all writers, young and old, established and new, can gather and work towards strengthening this tradition.
Renowned writer Nayantara Sahgal was present at the preliminary meeting and expressed her views. She said, “Each writer has his or her own voice and must discover it. Each writer’s voice is different from the other’s. Writers must go where their imagination takes them and we all know that imagination has no borders or nationality.” She also said that writers and other artists must be in touch with the world around them. “They cannot be in ivory towers.”The idea of Writers’ Combine is the brainchild of Raj Kanwar and has the objective of spreading the cult of reading and writing among the younger generation. He said on the occasion that reading and writing go hand in hand. “It is difficult to be a good writer without being a good reader.”
He said the well-known writers in Mussoorie and Dehradun are a great source of inspiration to the youngsters who have the dream to become a writer. Writers’ Combine will be a collective of both published and aspiring writers, he added. Present at the meeting were authors Pradeep Singh, director general (Law and Order) Ashok Kumar, Arvinder Singh, former chief secretary SK Das, retired IPS officer Aloke B Lal, Anjali Nauriyal, Ratna Manucha, Divya Negi, brigadier (retd) KG Behl, Nadir Billimoria, Indu Singh, Doon Library and Research Centre director BK Joshi, noted painter Monika Talukdar, young lawyer Abhijay Negi, painter and singer Maanas Lal and many other eminent persons of the valley. The initiative was welcomed by all. The Writers’ Combine aims to be a composite entity bringing together under its umbrella writers, publishers, reviewers, editors, printers, book distributors and retailers. Various people at the meet gave their views and ideas about the initiative and a committee was formed which will take things further.
On Sunday, a brainstorming session saw discussion on the many possibilities that could be looked into by the venture. The problem faced by most writers in finding a publisher was discussed at length and it was agreed upon that Writers’ Combine should work towards facilitating this process. The details are yet to be worked out but it is quite obvious that this initiative will prove to be a great platform for writers, readers, book lovers and academics of this region.
It will specially encourage writers of Dehradun and Mussoorie. Literary events which will keep their interests at heart will be organised by it. Meetings will be held regularly and there will be frequent exchanges of ideas and expressions.Workshops in schools will also be held by the combine to give direction to budding writers. The concept is being explored for the first time in Dehradun and will open up a new world of possibilities for writers here.
It will become a unique forum for the written word which is required greatly in the region. It will be a guiding light and provide guidance and encouragement to young, upcoming authors. Raj Kanwar said that soon, another meeting would be held to chalk out further plans for the combine.
