Pampore, July 25, 2025: Birla Open Minds International School, Pampore, today hosted a vibrant Interactive Literary Session under the theme “Unfolding Stories, Igniting Minds.” The event, held for students of Grades 9th and 10th , aimed to foster storytelling, creativity, and a deeper engagement with literature.
The highlight of the programme was the participation of the Jammu & Kashmir Fiction Writers Guild, whose delegation included the resource persons Er. Shafi Ahmad (President), Mr. Showkat Shafi (Vice President,) Dr. Shahzada Saleem, and Ms. Hina Khan, famous witers and members of the guild .
The Guild members interacted with students, offering insights into the world of fiction writing and encouraging them to express their thoughts through the art of storytelling.
The event commenced with a Welcome Address by ,Ms. Mir Mushkeen who stressed the importance of literary exploration in a student’s academic and personal growth.
Ms. Hina Khan, writer and Guild member, delivered a Special Address on “Why Stories Matter: The Power of Personal Narratives.” She inspired students to find stories in their everyday lives and turn their experiences into creative expression.
In another Special Address, Dr. Shahzada Saleem, author and story coach, spoke on “From Spark to Story: How to Discover and Develop Story Ideas.” He outlined practical strategies to help students move from an idea to a full-fledged narrative.
This was followed by the Keynote Address delivered by Mr. Showkat Shafi, academic and columnist, on the theme “Telling Our Stories: A Journey from Imagination to Expression.” He spoke passionately about how storytelling enables individuals to reflect on life, and build empathy. Showkat talked about the importance of context, dialouge and use of language in short stories.
A one-hour Student Interaction Session followed, during which students eagerly engaged with the authors, shared their thoughts, and asked questions related to writing and creativity.
Guild President, Er. Shafi Ahmad, who reflected on the Guild’s mission to promote a culture of reading and writing among the youth. He also shared his observations on the literary potential evident among the students.
The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Ms. Shaista (Manager and Member of Management) , who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Guild and emphasized the school’s continued commitment to nurturing literary talent.
She also gave away momentos to the resource persons as a token of respect.
Today’s event proved to be a meaningful exchange of ideas and inspiration leaving young minds ignited with imagination and a new found love for storytelling.
Ms. Saiqa Tariq from Birla open minds school brilliantly anchored the proceedings of the event, Zubair Qureshi, Media Coordinator(JKFRG) said in statement
