Jammu Tawi, July 18: US scholar Devika Ranjan who came all way from Georgetown University, Washington DC to conduct two workshops for Natrang was felicitated here today by Natrang Director Padamshree Balwant Thakur in a valedictory function at Natrang Studio Theatre Jammu. Devika Ranjan conducted two different workshops for Natrang using the methodology of forum theatre.
The first workshop was held at village Manguchack, district Samba exclusively for rural women of the border villages in which 24 local women participated. This unique workshop was coordinated by Sunita Pandit, an educationist who was deputed by the Department of Education. Sponsored by Projects for Peace and in collaboration with Natrang Jammu, Devika Ranjan designed and implemented a daily workshop for the empowerment of rural women on the India-Pakistan border.
During the workshop, the women of Manguchak used theatre techniques to discuss the problems of their village and brainstorm solutions. Credited for having received Davis Projects for Peace Fellowship 2016, Lisa J.Raines Fellowship-2015, Improving the Human Condition Grant from the School of Foreign Service-2015, First place in It's not enough to refrain from injustice Symposium-2015, Doyle Engaging Difference Fellowship 2015-16 and International Service Award-2014.
Speaking on the culmination of these two workshops, Natrang Director Balwant Thakur said that it was an opportune moment for Natrang to connect its work to an International areana. Devika will now by the ambassador of Natrang is USA, disseminating Natrang's works all over. During her stay the visiting US scholar witnessed many productions of Natrang including Bawa Jitto and Ghumayee in addition to usual Sunday Theatre productions and children theatre.
