Date: 12th October 2025
Venue: The Reading Room, Dumigaon, South Sikkim
Organized by: DG Reading Room Resource and Education Foundation in collaboration with the Education Department of Sikkim
Students from Sikkim Government College, Kamrang were invited to participate in a two-day literary meet titled “Words Across Mountains: Literature, Community and Futures” held at The Reading Room, Dumigaon, on the 11th and 12th of October 2025. On the second day, a Short Story Writing Workshop was organized, which was attended by three students from the English Department — Nissiel Rai, Mona Lisa Rai, and Neshant Nawbag — and two students from the Nepali Department — Dinesh Sharma and Pranisha Sharma.
The workshop was conducted by two acclaimed literary figures from the hills, Chetan Raj Shrestha and Dhurba Hazarika, who guided the participants through the essentials of story writing. Chetan Sir explained that every story is built upon three fundamental elements — plot, theme, and character — none of which holds precedence over the other. He further highlighted that the effectiveness of a story lies not only in its structure but also in its presentation, which may take the form of a narrative style or a dialogue format.
He emphasized that although stories are concise compared to novels and more accessible than poetry, story writing is not an easy craft. The process requires patience, clarity, and above all, the art of rewriting and refining. Sharing an example of a story that was rewritten eighteen times, he illustrated the importance of revision in achieving literary perfection.
Dhurba Hazarika Sir stressed that a good writer must first be a voracious reader, drawing a parallel to how a musician must first listen to music. He reminded participants that reading deeply and widely is the foundation upon which the skill of writing is built.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion on selected short stories chosen by the facilitators, analyzing their themes and techniques. The workshop provided students with invaluable insights into the creative process, leaving them inspired and motivated to pursue their own literary aspirations.
