Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
India’s premier literary body, the Sahitya Akademi, which gives huge awards, prizes to several writers every years and spends lakhs of rupees on holding literary conferences, seminars and exhibitions across India, has asked Rs 500/ (in cash) as registration fee from children who want to participate in a 5 day workshop meant for them.
Sahitya Akademi is organising ‘Kissa-O-Kalam: The Speaking Pen, a workshop for children (9 to 16 years) on creative writing in Hindi and English from May 20 to 24.
Those children want to participate in the workshop must have to pay Rs 500/ in cash as registration fee along with a small write up.
Mere registration does not guarantee participation in the seminar. Only their write up will decide entry into the seminar.
“Please submit the form along with the write-up and registration fee of Rs. 500/- (nonrefundable) in cash at the Sahitya Akademi office” read the registration form on the Sahitya Akademi web site.
http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/pdf/Registration_kissa-o-kalam_20-24-may-2019.pdf
Selection through write-up which shows the literary talent of the children is okay but demanding a fee from kids not acceptable, says a noted writer from Delhi.
According to Akademi, the workshop is a step forward to encourage and involve children, budding authors and thinkers of tomorrow, to participate and enjoy in the world of books and in the creative areas of reading and writing.
This 5-day session is planned with a special focus to help children have fun with reading and writing, to play with language, and to use it creatively as a first step towards the creation of books.
This workshop is designed specially to get the children to interact as a team as well as individuals and create something new, on their own, at the end of the 5 days.
Filling of Registration Form (last date 15 May 2019, Wednesday);
A final list of selected children for the workshop will be announced on the Sahitya Akademi website by 5 pm on 17 May 2019, Friday.