Solan, June 10
The Belletristic Literature Society of the Department of English at Shoolini University organised a poetry session with Prof. Alka Kansra from MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh.
Prof. Alka Kansra retired as Head of the Chemistry Department from MCM DAV College for Women in Chandigarh and began creative writing once she was free of her academic duties. She now works as a freelance writer and counsellor in various schools and institutions. Prof. Alka is a member of several literary organisations in Chandigarh, including Abhivyakti, the city’s oldest literary organisation, and the Chandigarh Literary Society.
In 2019, she published her debut poetry collection, “Pidhiyon k kshitiz.” And “Zindagi Kavita ho Gayi,” the second poetry collection, was published in October 2021. ‘Blue Eyed Ocean,’ a translation of Nirmal Jaswal’s book Samander Nili Aankhon ka, was published and premiered in April 2022. She is now releasing a book of poems in English.
Dr. Alka Kansra spoke with Belletristic about her transformation from academician to creative writer, the encouragement she received from her family and friends, and the inspiration she gained from her peer group. She read some of her Hindi and English poems, which were well received.
Prof. Alka’s topics are diverse. She writes with ease about women’s issues, the need for widening horizons, and also about the political turmoil in the world. The poet’s outstanding achievement is a collection of poetry released in collaboration with her octogenarian mother and young daughter. As a result, three generations of women in the family collaborated to create a single collection, a rare feat indeed.
Prof. Manju Jaidka, Dean of Liberal Arts of Shoolini University, moderated the session. Prof Tejnath Dhar, Purnima Bali, Neeraj Pizar, Prakash Chand, Sakshi Sundaram, and other university faculty members participated in the lively and engaged conversation as well.
