Workshop on Travel Writing in Amity University

After two months of meetings, continuous revision of the presentation, and brainstorming on what’s the ideal content, the big day finally came on 16 Jan 2014. Students of masters in Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, English Literature and Business Administration had come together to be in the workshop on Travel Writing, Travel Photography, Transformational Listening, Storytelling and Responsible Rural Travel.

It is amazing to see how the skills of a Travel Writer, like Listening and Storytelling can impact the students of Business and English Literature and help them go to the next level in their areas of study. Here are some moments from the workshop –

We started with the lamp lighting ceremony in the presence of Dr. Manohar Sajnani (Dean, AITT – Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism) and Mr. Anil Mathur (Veteran correspondent at Hindustan Times). The event started with the chanting of ‘Gayatri Mantra’ by teachers and students.

Dr. Manohar Sajnani addressed the students in the presence of Mr. Anil Mathur and Dr. Balvinder Shukla (Acting Vice Chancellor – Amity University).

Mr. Anil Mathur spoke to the students and shared his immense wealth of knowledge from Travel and Tourism industry with all of us. It is an honor to learn from someone who is not only experienced but passionate about his job.

We indulged in conversation with the students. It was a learning experience to speak with a diverse group of students and answer their varied questions. In my experience, the students were mature, willing to participate and learn from a practical experience. This workshop was the first of its kind which gave the students practical experience of Travel Writing industry.

The students participated in a guided meditation based listening exercise where they had opportunity to alter their listening on an experiential level. The students were then asked to write their experiences as a story. We wanted the students to be as self expressed as they can without the pressure of being in a competition. It was wonderful to read the stories they came up with. The intention was to really jolt up their imagination. The stories, which were from their own lives, were oozing with authenticity and simplicity.

The students whose stories were the best were: (click to read the stories):

1. Sakshi Goyal

2. Jayant Nair

3. Aastha Arya

It was a fulfilling experience to see the expression of peace and contentment on their faces after the guided meditation. It was even more fulfilling when some of them said that it was the best experience of their lives that influenced them to transform the way they interacted with humans and objects around them.

We managed to get a group photo, even though the students were rushing out to catch their cabs. It is a privilege to have become a part of a new family now.