REC-VoW announces its Shortlist for 2026

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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REC-VoW

Dateline Dehradun: In sync with tradition, the Valley of Words Literature and Arts Festival announced the Shortlist for the REC-VoW Book Awards 2026 to coincide with the PN Panicker National Reading Day and Digital Reading Month i.e. 19th June to 18th July.

The VoW Jury which finalizes the Shortlist comprised of previous year winners’ which included Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri for English Fiction, Soni Pande in Hindi Fiction, Sudhir Vidhyarthi for the Hindi Non-Fiction, Sulabha Kore for Hindi Anuvaad,  Kripa for Young Adult Literature, Karan Madhok for English Non-Fiction, Banibrata Mahanta for English Translation and Neil Flory for Children’s Writings/Picture Books.

The rigorous selection procedure started in February, 2026.  Over 600 books in Hindi and English were nominated to the Festival from over seventy leading publishing houses across the country. The books were read and reviewed extensively in Dehradun and then selected by our esteemed resource persons and the Jury before announcing the Shortlist of five books in each of the 8 categories.

Festival Director Dr Sanjeev Chopra stated, “The shortlist this year has been special – in terms of diversity of themes, the treatment of subjects, the forthright views on conventional subjects, and the exploration of the new. The illustrations in the Young Adult and Children Literature section embellish the text.” He further thanked the Jury stating, “We at VoW are extremely grateful to our Jury members for having read all the books so meticulously.”

The REC-VoW Book Awards are conferred upon the ‘Best Author’ across eight categories and is a major highlight of the annual VoW festival. All 8 winners will be felicitated at the Signature event being held in Dehradun on the 28th-29th November, 2026.

One-of-a-kind, not-for-profit and volunteer-driven initiative of the Valley of Words Foundation Trust, VoW | Shabdavali has over the course of a decade become a pan-Indian celebration of Indian writing and artistry. With each passing year the event reaffirms its mission and continues to spotlight new talent across and beyonds boundaries to inspire and enrich India’s literary landscape.

For latest updates click: http://valleyofwords.org

 

SDM Rahul Anand @ Mussoorie Samvaad

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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SDM Rahul Anand at 2nd Edition of Mussoorie Samwaad the MPC

Dateline Mussoorie: Sub-divisional Magistrate Rahul Anand was a special invitee at the 2nd Edition of Mussoorie Samvaad, organized by the Mussoorie Press Club today.

Addressing a packed gathering, Rahul Anand — IAS batch of 2022 and Mussoorie’s Sub-divisional Magistrate for close to a year — took centre stage to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of the Queen of Hills as an administrator.

SDM Rahul Anand with members of the Mussoorie Press Club

Speaking candidly during the hour long interaction, Anand acknowledged that amongst the many challenges Mussoorie faced ‘Traffic’ was the number one problem. “Instead of looking at bandaged solutions to ease out traffic in Mussoorie, I believe we have to work out a holistic solution.” He further suggested, “A complete tourist circuit with a definite entry and exit point is something that should be worked upon so that we can ease out the traffic in-flow at major landmarks such as Picture Palace, Library Point, Zero Point et al.” He also suggested to reroute Chardham Yatra via Vikas Nagar and Prem Nagar instead of Mussoorie during peak season to ease out the inflow of into town.

Responding to questions from media personnel the SDM highlighted several pressing issues concerning Mussoorie and its citizens. Questions ranged from illegal construction, change of land use, noise pollution, lack of doctors in the Civil Hospital, leakage in the Yamuna Water Project, the delay in Mussoorie being notified as a Tehsil since 2023 and removing the last few hawkers who had encroached upon View Points along the Mall Road.

He also said that his tenure as Assistant Commissioner in Nainital enabled him to replicate the same model on Mussoorie’s Mall Road, successfully removing hawkers who had encroached upon it—a move that earned him widespread appreciation. The SDM urged the town’s residents to support and commit themselves to implementing stern measures to resolve routine issues so that the town could regain much of its lost glory.

Mussoorie Samvaad, an initiative by the Mussoorie Press Club, is conceived as a monthly interactive forum bringing together distinguished personalities from Mussoorie for engaging in  conversations with the local media. Through these sessions, the platform seeks to promote meaningful dialogue and provide insights into the work ethics, challenges, work ethic, and contribution towards Mussoorie’s development.

Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems: A little book of Happiness

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems

Dateline Dehradun: Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems is a delightful collection of 44 poems whose title aptly captures the spirit of the book. Much like the French vegetable stew ratatouille, each poem contributes its own distinct flavour, creating a rich and satisfying medley of observations, emotions, and experiences for its readers.

The collection traverses a wide range of themes. Nature blossoms through poems such as Red Gladioli, Jasmine in My Garden, Poppies, and Sunflower – The National Flower of Ukraine. The changing moods of the seasons find expression in poems on autumn and the monsoon, while love unfolds in Don’t Feign Love, Signalling Love, and One More Time. Family relationships are portrayed with warmth and sensitivity in First Light Verse, My Father’s Son, and My Mother’s Health. The collection also reflects on the harsh realities of conflict through poignant poems such as Prisoners of War and Small Light Coffin. Whether exploring emotions, home, or humanity, the poems present thoughtful observations in varied forms, including rhyme, free verse, and slant rhyme, with each evocative piece inviting readers into a world of words and quiet reflection.

Dehradun-born lawyer, poet, and short story writer Ajay Jugraan is professionally based in Delhi. Writing in both Hindi and English, Jugraan has the ability to transform everyday moments into engaging poetic experiences. His accessible style encourages readers to slow down, savour each line, and discover meaning in the seemingly ordinary.

Jugraan is the author of the Hindi poetry collection Antarang Satrang, the English short story collection The Bridge on the River Song, and the haiku collection Haiku no Hanataba. With its blend of lyrical simplicity, emotional depth, and universal themes, Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems is an ideal companion for a cosy, rainy afternoon and a rewarding read for poetry lovers across borders.

Ratatouille & Potpourri Poems Verses on Vines

Bookleaf Publishing, 2026

9789375275916

82 pages

 ‘The Unbecoming’ in Dehradun

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Unveiling 'The Unbecoming'

Dateline Dehradun: Conversations on identity, purpose, the stories we tell ourselves about success, and authentic living took centre stage in Dehradun as a like-minded group of readers, writers, and members of the town’s literary community gathered for the book reading session of The Unbecoming: Let Life Reveal Its Purpose by Kartikeya Vajpai.

Pic Courtesy: Shailendra Kant
Author Vajpai and Discussant Dr Chopra

Held in collaboration with the Valley of Words (VoW) International Literature & Arts Festival the event featured an engaging conversation between the author and Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Festival Director of Valley of Words.

Speaking at the event, author, lawyer and former state-level cricketer Kartikeya Vajpai  felt honoured to be in Dehradun and thanked all those who had made the event possible. Speaking about the book, the author stated, “ the book does not seek to provide definitive answers, but it encourages readers to embrace uncertainty. The unbecoming is a philosophy, you are born complete but you suffer from the fear of being incomplete.” He further added, “Fear and Greed are complimentary, which are the true weapons of Maya.”

The Unbecoming

Featuring forewords by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Swami Sarvapriyananda, The Unbecoming is a fiction book that explores the emotional and philosophical dimensions of modern life through the story of Siddharth, a celebrated cricketer, and Ajay, his mentor. Speaking at the event, the author expressed how when it came to give messages to the masses, every religion took to story-telling. He called the book his guru as it took him through different dimensions and concepts while writing The Unbecoming.

The hour-long interactive discussion examined how the universal themes of identity, fear, ambition, and the burden of expectations resonate in contemporary life. Dr. Sanjeev Chopra expressed his happiness at the author for choosing Dehradun, a city known for its tradition of  knowledge for a discussion around his maiden debut. He asked all those present to delve deeper into the book to take away life lessons, irrespective of their age.

The event concluded with an audience interaction, book-signing session, along with a short melodious rendition by singer Bobby Cash and a presentation of the 30th Edition of Garhwal Post by Actor-Editor Satish Sharma to the author and discussant.

Blooming Mussoorie this Harela

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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The wild padam in bloom in Mussoorie

Dateline Mussoorie: Mussoorie is set to celebrate Harela this year with a unique environmental initiative aimed at transforming the hill station into a vibrant landscape of flowering and ornamental trees. The annual festival, which marks the arrival of the Great Monsoon is traditionally celebrated by planting saplings, and this year around the hill station will witness the launch of the Mussoorie Bloom Initiative, a collaborative effort involving the local administration, educational institutions, government agencies, and hospitality stakeholders.

The brainchild of Mussoorie born and raised Sandeep Sahni elaborated on the pilot prohect stating, “The initiative draws inspiration from the celebrated flowering landscapes of Japan and the hill states of Northeast India, with the vision of introducing seasonal bursts of colour to Mussoorie’s predominantly evergreen forests of oak and deodar.”

Courtesy: Nilanjana Singh Roy

As part of the preparations, ten schools in Mussoorie dug more than 3,000 planting pits across the town’s hillsides on World Environment Day. Plantation activities will begin on Harela. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) have also joined hands. Beyond planting, participating institutions have committed to nurture and conserve the saplings over the coming years to ensure their healthy growth.

The Forest Department actively supported the project by recommending tree species best suited to Mussoorie’s altitude and climatic conditions. Proposed species include Kachnaar, Tejpaat, Wild Padam, Jacaranda, Gulmohar, Bheemal, Tecoma, Amaltas, and Bottle Brush.

A series of meetings were held since third week of April under the local administration chaired by SDM Mussoorie Rahul Anand who stated, “The Mussoorie Bloom Initiative seeks not only to enhance the town’s natural beauty but also to promote long-term ecological stewardship through community participation, making Harela a celebration of both tradition and sustainable environmental conservation.”

As President of the Hotelier Association Uttarakhand Sandeep Sahni further added, “The idea is to ensure that this pilot project is eventually replicated across the hill state so that our hills of green-gold come alive with splashes of colour come spring or autumn.”

Citizens Demand Scrapping of Rishikesh-Bhaniawala Four-Lane Through Elephant Corridor

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newspost
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Citizens Demand Scrapping of Rishikesh-Bhaniawala Four-Laning Through Elephant Corridor; Raise Ecological, Legal and Public Safety Concerns

Dateline Dehradun: Concerned citizens addressed a press conference urging the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Government of Uttarakhand to reconsider and scrap the proposed four-laning of the Rishikesh-Bhaniawala road passing through an ecologically sensitive elephant corridor.

Opening the discussion, Ira Chauhan said that the proposed widening of the highway must be viewed not merely as a road project but as a decision with far-reaching environmental consequences for one of Uttarakhand’s most important wildlife corridors. She said the elephant corridor plays a critical role in maintaining habitat connectivity and that any large-scale fragmentation of forests could increase human-wildlife conflict while threatening the movement of elephants and other wildlife.

Speaking on the legal aspects of the project, Himanshu Arora highlighted the legal concerns surrounding the project, stating that the recent tree felling appears to have proceeded despite the matter remaining under judicial consideration. He explained that while the Uttarakhand High Court had disposed of the Public Interest Litigation earlier this year, it had done so after observing that issues relating to the elephant corridor and tree felling were already pending before the Supreme Court. Arora questioned whether the ongoing tree felling was consistent with these judicial directions and stated that legal remedies, including appropriate proceedings before the courts, were being actively explored.

Dinesh Semwal,  a long time resident, stressed that he had never encountered any traffic jams on the road and questioned the very need of the four laning. He further added that local communities have always coexisted with wildlife and expressed concern that increasing fragmentation of forests could result in more frequent encounters between humans and elephants, thereby placing both at greater risk.

Concluding the press conference, Anoop Nautiyal questioned why the National Highways Authority of India had commenced large-scale tree felling during the monsoon season, describing it as a first-of-its-kind instance in Uttarakhand. He said the monsoon is traditionally regarded as the season for plantation and ecological regeneration, making the timing of tree cutting deeply concerning from both environmental and public policy perspectives.

He questioned whether the State Government’s model of balancing economic development with ecological conservation was achieving its stated objectives, particularly in light of the growing pressures on forests, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The speakers collectively appealed to the Government of Uttarakhand and the National Highways Authority of India to re-examine the project through the lens of long-term ecological sustainability, wildlife conservation and climate resilience.

The citizens’ group also announced the next phase of its campaign. Peaceful protests will be organised outside the NHAI office on July 8 while this year’s Harela festival will be observed as a “Black Harela” to symbolically highlight the large-scale loss of trees and forests in Uttarakhand.

Sanjeev Chopra discusses development policy with CM Pema Khandu

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newspost
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Dr. Sanjeev Chopra called on the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Sh. Pema Khandu

Tawang: Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Senior Fellow of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) and ex-Director ofLal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, called on the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu and briefed him about his research on the life and times of Padma Shri Major Bob Khathing. Chopra presented him his book ‘We The People of the States of Bharat:The Making and Remaking of India’s Internal Boundaries’. The two held wide ranging discussions on administrative reforms and governance, with special focus on the integrated and sustainable development policy for the mountain states.

It bears recall that when Chopra was the Director of the LBSNAA, he had proposed the training of civil servants from Arunachal Pradesh at the Indira Bhawan campus of the Academy under the auspices of the National Centre for Good Governance. Mr. Pema Khandu expressed his keen interest in reviving the partnership between the Arunachal government and the NCGG.

Mr. Khandu was appreciative of Chopra’s efforts in writing the detailed biography of Major Bob Khathing who was instrumental in getting Tawang and forward areas like Bun La as per the McMahon Line, signed in 1914 between India and Tibet back within the territorial framework of India. Mr. Khandu has played a salient role in the development of the Major Bob Khathing Museum at Tawang. Mr. Khandu also asked Chopra to conceptualise and plan an academic/literary and cultural programme at Tawang on the themes of Himalayan ecology and environment. Chopra complimented the CM for organizing the Deputy Commissioners’ conference, where officers were encouraged to share their views on development in a frank and forthright manner.

Chopra was accompanied by the DC of Twang Ms. Angmo Namgyal mentored by him as the Director of LBS National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. Ms. Namgyal apprised him about the various development initiatives in Tawang, including universal access to health, education and financial inclusion. The government was very keen to encourage eco– friendly ‘home stays’ to ensure that Tawang emerged as a major destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Wink It, Mussoorie’s Own Quick Delivery Service

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: For many residents who have started dreading a walk into town to pick up household essentials or other knick-knacks, Wink It Mussoorie may be the answer to their prayers.

Launched in early February this year by 25-year-old entrepreneur Ankur Chauhan, Wink It is a one-stop online platform catering to everyday needs. A former student of the Central School for Tibetans, Mussoorie, Ankur later completed his B.Com from MPG College, Mussoorie, while nurturing a passion for website design and development.

The youngest of two siblings, this enterprising local has given the concept of reverse migration a fresh perspective. “The youth of our town often leave for work in the plains, leaving behind elderly parents. Wink It was designed for the people of Mussoorie who want their parents to have access to quick-commerce services,” says Ankur, reflecting a thoughtful vision well beyond his years.

Speaking to Newspost, he adds, “Mussoorie has been our home for over 60 years. We are third-generation Mussooriewalas.” This deep-rooted connection explains his intimate knowledge of the town’s geography and community.

Familiar with every corner of Mussoorie—from the Library end to Picture Palace and Landour—and beyond, Ankur has built a service that prioritizes convenience. Customers can place orders through the website, request pickup of prepaid purchases from their favourite stores, or even have Wink It make the payment on their behalf and settle the amount upon delivery.

Positive customer reviews from across the town highlight the growing popularity of the service. Wink It has become a valuable resource not only for local residents seeking urgent supplies but also for hotel guests looking for late-night snacks and essentials at short notice, all for a nominal delivery fee.

Currently, Wink It Mussoorie operates with one delivery executive and five partner stores, providing access to daily essentials from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., seven days a week.

For residents and visitors alike, Wink It Mussoorie is certainly worth a try.

For readers who want more information, they can visit Winkit Mussoorie or call 7983427187.

Meera Saklani @ Mussooorie Samvaad

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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0
Members of Mussoorie Press Club with Meera Saklani during Mussoorie Samvaad

Dateline Mussoorie: Meera Saklani, Mussoorie’s first woman Chairperson was the special invitee at the maiden edition of Mussoorie Samvaad, organized by the Mussoorie Press Club today.

Addressing a packed gathering, Saklani — the BJP candidate who secured victory by more than six thousand votes to win the coveted Chairperson seat last year  — took centre stage to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of leading the Queen of Hills.

As the first citizen of the town, the Chairperson shoulders the added responsibility of representing and hosting the many dignitaries who visit Mussoorie’s premier institutions like the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the Institute of Technology Management, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Academy, its schools which date back to the 1850s — and ensure a steady flow of VIPs and VVIPs to the hill station throughout the year.

Chairperson Mussoorie Meera Saklani at Mussoorie Samvaad

The hill station’s close proximity to the plains, along with excellent connectivity by road, rail, and air, makes it a preferred destination for domestic and international tourists alike, giving Mussoorie an edge over other popular hill stations such as Shimla and Nainital, but an issue that  also adds to it woes.

Speaking candidly during the hour long interaction, Saklani acknowledged the challenges, “bringing about a change in the working ethos of the municipality has been an on-going challenge. I have been working relentlessly in this area and though strict actions has led to many unhappy faces, yet this is one area of improvement that I will not comprise upon,” she said.

Responding to questions from media personnel with conviction and honesty, the Chairperson highlighted several pressing civic issues concerning Mussoorie and its citizens. Questions ranged from cleanliness to traffic congestion, lack of health facilities, demarcation of municipal property, vendor free zone, dilapidated link roads and others. Saklani further stated that that the municipal board required the support and commitment of the town’s residents, noting that most routine issues could be resolved if locals stood by them.

Mussoorie Samvaad, an initiative by the Mussoorie Press Club, is conceived as a monthly interactive forum bringing together distinguished personalities from Mussoorie for engaging hour-long conversations with the local media. Through these sessions, the platform seeks to promote meaningful dialogue and provide insights into the work ethics, challenges, work ethic, and contribution towards Mussoorie’s development.

REC-VoW Books Awards Longlist

By
Dr Tania Saili Bakshi
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0
VBa longlist

Dateline Dehradun: Over the course of a decade, Valley of Words continues to celebrate the brilliance of authors across genres through the REC-Valley of Words Book Awards (VBA) across a comprehensive range of categories, including Hindi and English Translations, English Fiction and Non-Fiction, Hindi Fiction and Non-Fiction, Writing for Young Adults and Children’s Literature (bilingual). The eight VBA Winners are brought together with artists, craftspeople, readers, critics, thespians and listeners in VoW’s annual Signature Event in Dehradun scheduled for 28th-29th November, 2026.

Over 600 book nominations from across India put to rest the apprehension in some quarters that the era of reading and writing is over. Each year VoW finds itself going through a unique experience with the range and diversity of themes, writing styles, cover pages and illustrations (for children’s books) which makes the longlist selection process extremely demanding.

The REC-VBA commitment to diversity is reflected in the ten longlisted works under eight categories that offer a tangible connection to India’s diverse and rich heritage. The previous year’s REC-VBA Winners bring in their expertise of refining the shortlist of 5 from a pool of exceptional entries.  The consistently high calibre of submissions poses a considerable challenge for the jury each year, as Festival Director Sanjeev Chopra puts it, “As in previous years, the 2026 list is truly eclectic and representative of the country’s contemporary writing scene. We received over 600 nominations from 70 publishers, as well as several individual entries.  The longlist of 80 authors includes equal number of men and women, featuring translations from Assamese, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Malayalam, Prakrit, Punjabi, Tamizh, and Urdu. For the second consecutive year, we have also received entries in both Hindi and English for the two bilingual categories: Writings for Children and Young Adults. We are now eagerly awaiting the jury members’ responses to these wonderful offerings.”

The National Reading Month (from 19th June to 18th July) serves as a benchmark for the VoW Secretariat to unveil its Shortlist in the honour of P.N. Panicker, the “Father of the Library Movement” which began in Kerala. Panicker strongly believed that education and literacy were the keys to social progress and founded the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham (Library Association) in 1945, which played a pivotal role in setting up thousands of libraries across the state and inspired generations to embrace the transformative power of books. The books nominated for VoW will also remain available to readers in Dehradun through the VoW Café and Library in Sahastradhara.

Keeping its date with tradition, the Valley of Words announces its comprehensive Longlist for the REC-VoW Book Awards 2026 under all 8 categories over a period of three weeks: English Non-fiction; English Fiction, English Translation, Hindi Translation,  Hindi Fiction, Hindi Non-fiction,  Young Adult Literature, and Children’s Literature (Bilingual) which can be found on their website www.valleyofwords.org

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