Department Activities: 'READING RESOLUTION MAHARASHTRA' 1st January 2025 to 15th January 2025

POONA COLLEGE ORGANIZED VARIOUS ACTIVITIES UNDER

'READING RESOLUTION MAHARASHTRA'

1st January 2025 to 15th January 2025

The development of reading culture helps in nurturing the personality of the youth and also in social enlightenment. However, in recent times, it is found that the youth of the country has been moving away from reading culture. Therefore, there is a need to attract young readers towards reading books. In that regard, it was considered to launch an initiative to increase the reading culture of students through the Universities, Colleges and Public Libraries from 1^st January to 15^th January 2025. The above objectives were expressed by the Higher and Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra through its circular/notification issued on 20^th December 2024.

Under the initiative “Reading Resolution of Maharashtra” a reading fortnight is being implemented from 1st January to 25th January. The following programs are being organized as suggested in the notification;

1. Book Exhibition and Open Reading Day from 1^st January to 3^rd January 2025:

One of the key programs organized under this initiative was the Book Exhibition and Open Reading Day, which took place from January 1st to 3rd, 2025. The event saw an impressive turnout of 866 students and faculty members, who visited the library and spent time reading from the special collection displayed.

2. Institution Level Workshop for students on 3^rd January 2025 on the topic 'Reading and Writing Keys to Lifelong Learning Skills'

A comprehensive workshop was organized at the institutional level to enhance the reading and writing skills of students. The event featured three esteemed resource persons, each delivering a talk on a different language: English, Hindi, and Urdu.

The keynote speakers included:

1. Mrs. Kajal Chhatija, Director of United International School, Pune, spoke on "Narrative for Growth - Teaching Life Skills Through Reading and Writing."

2. Dr. Ubale Prerna, a renowned Hindi writer and poetess, delivered a talk on "Hindi Bhasha Vachan Aur Lekhan Kaushalliya" (Hindi Language Reading and Writing Skills).

3. Mrs. Kausar Jahan Sundke, an acclaimed Urdu writer and poetess, spoke on "Mutaliya Aur Takhliqee Salahit Ka Farig" (The Importance of Reading and Creative Writing).

Throughout the workshop, the resource persons emphasized the necessity of developing daily reading and writing habits. They highlighted the transformative power of reading, which enhances cognitive abilities, memory, vocabulary, and communication skills while fostering critical thinking, personal growth, and stress reduction. The students responded enthusiastically to the sessions, and the workshop was deemed a resounding success.

The event began with the recitation of the Quran by Mr. Javed Khan. Vice Principal Dr. Amjad Sheikh while welcoming the guests, he asked the students to adopt the art of reading and writing skills. He also made them aware of the consequences of mobile. Dr. Muhammad Zuber, the Programme Coordinator, explained the workshop's theme, while Dr. Baba Shaikh extended the vote of thanks at the end.

3. Book Review Competition held on 18^th January 2025

The Book Review Competition was held on January 18, 2025, with students participating enthusiastically. The key highlights were:

1. Students were provided with computers to type their book reviews.

2. Participants were instructed to write reviews on books of their choice, within the 500-1000 word limit.

3. Reviews were collected and emailed to the esteemed jury members for evaluation.

4. The jury members comprised:

Dr. Abrar Ahmad (Urdu language)

Ms. Zeenat Merchant (English language)

Dr. Baba Shaikh (Hindi language)

5. Additionally, reviews on Computer Science and Mathematics books were evaluated by Dr. Shaikh Shabana and Dr. Shaikh Amjad.

6. The top three winners were announced based on the maximum points scored, as awarded by the jury members.

The competition aimed to encourage critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective communication among students, while fostering a love for reading and literature.

4. Storytelling Competition on 20^th January 2025

The Storytelling Competition was held on January 20, 2025, in the reading hall of the library, with students participating enthusiastically. The programme commenced with a warm welcome by Dr. Muhammad Zuber, Director of the Knowledge Resource Centre and Programme Coordinator. He extended a gracious greeting to the esteemed jury members and provided clear instructions to the participating students. He elaborated on the evaluation criteria, emphasizing the importance of clearly stating the name, title of the story, and language used. This ensured that students understood the assessment parameters and could tailor their presentations accordingly.

Dr. Muhammad Zuber also expressed his sincere gratitude to the AKI Management for their generous sponsorship of the event. Their financial contribution of Rs. 25,000 facilitated the successful organization of the competition, and their support was greatly appreciated.

The students took turns sharing their stories, and the jury members assessed their performances based on the predefined criteria. The jury members provided constructive feedback, highlighting areas of improvement and offering valuable guidance. The competition concluded with the announcement of the top three winners, selected based on the points scored.

A notable highlight of the event was a captivating storytelling session by Dr. Abrar Ahmed, (I/C Urdu, Arabic and Persian Department) who shared an engaging story that kept the students enthralled. He emphasized the importance of maintaining audience engagement, creating suspense, and conveying a meaningful moral.

Dr. Baba Shaikh (Assistant Professor Hindi Department) encouraged the students to tap into their everyday experiences and craft compelling stories from them. He urged them to publish these stories, emphasizing the numerous benefits of doing so:

1. Fostering a love for literature: By writing about their daily life incidents, students will develop a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling and the world of literature.

2. Providing sustainable means: Publishing their stories can offer students a potential source of income, enabling them to sustain themselves while pursuing their passion for writing.

Dr. Shaikh's advice aimed to inspire students to explore their creative potential, cultivate a love for storytelling, and potentially turn their passion into a viable career path.

Ms. Zeenat Merchant (Head, Department of English and Postgraduate Centre) also shared some valuable tips on how to tell an interesting story:

1. Start with a hook: Grab the audience's attention with an intriguing question, a surprising statistic, or a thought-provoking quote.

2. Use descriptive language: Paint a vivid picture with your words, using sensory details to transport your audience into the story.

3. Create suspense and tension: Use pacing, cliffhangers, and unexpected twists to keep your audience engaged and curious.

4. Make it relatable: Use universal themes and emotions to connect with your audience and make the story more relatable.

5. Use storytelling techniques: Employ techniques like foreshadowing, symbolism, and imagery to add depth and complexity to your story.

6. Practice your delivery: Rehearse your storytelling to ensure a smooth, confident, and engaging delivery.

The Storytelling Competition aimed to foster creativity, confidence, and effective communication skills among students, while promoting a love for storytelling and literature.

The success of the Storytelling Competition was made possible by the tireless efforts of several individuals. Dr. Deepina Kininge, Head Department of Business Administration deserves special mention for encouraging students to participate, as many were initially hesitant to present their stories.

Miss. Zenia Kuwaise, Assistant Professor from the Department of Business Administration, played a crucial role in facilitating student registration through a Google Form. Her persistence and follow-up efforts ensured maximum participation.

The programme was attended by staff members, including I/C Registrar Mr. Sayyed Ismail. Dr. Iqbal Shaikh, the Principal, motivated the students to utilize the college's resources, including its rich library collection and experienced staff, who are always willing to support students' academic and personal growth.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks presented by Mr. Kahsif Shaikh, Assistant Professor, Department of Business Administration. The college community is grateful for the collective efforts that made this event a success. A total of 866 students and teachers were involved during this fifteen-day programme.

5. Prize Distribution Ceremony on 26^th January 2025

As per the instructions of the Joint Director of Higher Education, Pune Region, the Prize Distribution Ceremony was held on January 26, 2025. The event was a grand celebration of the students' literary talents. Mr. Musharraf Hussain, I/C Head and Chairman of the Gymkhana Department, announced the names of the winners, who were awarded cash prizes, certificates, and mementoes in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

The prizes were distributed by Principal Dr. Shaikh Iqbal and Vice-Principal Dr. Shaikh Amjad, in the presence of teaching and non-teaching staff, NCC cadets, and NSS volunteers.

Notably, all participants received certificates of participation, acknowledging their enthusiasm and involvement in the literary competition. The ceremony was a fitting conclusion to the storytelling competition, inspiring students to continue nurturing their creative talents. The names of the winners are;

SN	Student Name	Author and Title of the Book Reviewed	Prize	Prize Amt	Remark
1.	Ulde Ayesha Mehboob	Rhonda Byrne: The Secret	First	2000.00	Memento and Certificate
2.	Shaikh Saba Md. Usman	Abrar Ahmad: Intezar Hussain Ki Afsana Nigari	Second	1500.00	Memento and Certificate
3.	Banekar Arkan Salim	Subir Chowdhury: The Power of Six Sigma	Third	1000.00	Memento and Certificate
SN	Student Name	Title of the Story	Prize	Prize Amt	Remark
1.	Sayyed Azra Shahanawaz	People's President: Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam	First	2000.00	Memento and Certificate
2.	Shaikh Saba Md. Usman	Yaqeen Ka Safar	Second	1500.00	Memento and Certificate
3.	Santosh Babu Khandekar	Soch	Third	1000.00	Memento and Certificate