Persistent rain and overcast skies failed to deter book lovers as the second day of the Chinar Book Festival witnessed a strong turnout at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake on Sunday.
Families, students, teachers and literature enthusiasts thronged the festival venue, where the day featured thought-provoking literary discussions, interactive children’s workshops and cultural performances celebrating Kashmir’s rich artistic heritage.
The literary sessions at the Authors’ Corner opened with a panel discussion titled “Beyond the Headlines: Journalism as Storytelling,” offering students an insight into the changing landscape of journalism. Moderated by senior journalist Javaid Malik, the session featured Sanjeev Gupta of Dainik Jagran, Naresh Kaushik of PTI, Prashant Asthana of Navbharat Times and Nayanika Sengupta of Hindustan Times.
The panellists discussed the evolution of print, television and digital journalism, the growing influence of social media and the responsibilities that come with reporting in the digital age. Students from BHSS Mujgund, Sultan-ul-Arifeen School, Kashmir Harvard Educational Institute, Blue Bells School, GHSS Rainawari, Government Polytechnic College Bemina and Government Degree College Kulgam actively participated, raising questions on newsroom ethics, career opportunities, reporting skills and the future of journalism. The speakers encouraged aspiring journalists to uphold curiosity, integrity and a strong commitment to factual reporting.
Another major attraction at the Authors Corner was a session titled “Urdu, Kashmiriyat and the Rich Tapestry of Shared Cultural Tradition.” Moderated by Dr Hafeezur Rahman, Convenor of the Khusro Foundation, New Delhi, the discussion featured Prof Mufti Mudassir Farooqui, Head of the Department of English at the University of Kashmir, and educationist Asiya Qadir, Academic Head of Birla Open Minds International School.
Prof Farooqui highlighted the close relationship between Kashmir’s Sufi and Rishi traditions, describing them as the foundation of the Valley’s culture of coexistence and communal harmony. Asiya Qadir underscored the importance of multilingual learning, saying languages help broaden perspectives and strengthen social and cultural bonds.
Festival organisers said more than 4,000 students from schools, colleges and universities across Srinagar and adjoining districts participated in various activities on the second day. Of them, over 2,500 children attended interactive sessions at the Children’s Corner.
Young participants engaged in an “Art Safari” paper craft workshop organised by the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, where they created colourful paper butterflies while learning creative craft techniques. Students were also introduced to the Ministry of Education’s digital library, which offers free access to more than 7,000 e-books in 23 languages.
The Children’s Corner also hosted a Book Cover Design Workshop conducted by the National Centre for Children’s Literature (NCCL), followed by “Harf-o-Hunar: English Calligraphy Workshop” led by Malik Mukhtar, where students explored the art of elegant lettering.
The festival’s cultural programme showcased Kashmir’s vibrant folk traditions through performances by Raja Art and Culture, Dilshad Cultural Forum, Kalidas Theatre Group and Pompoush Folk Theatre. The evening concluded with musical performances by Dr Shazia Hameed, Rashida Akhter and Abid Ali, adding a festive atmosphere despite the rainy weather.
