The Magic Diary: An Indian journalist brings storytellers of world together
They had not met each other before and knew little about each others culture when they started off. But soon, surprise was replaced with respect, impatience with empathy and the outcome: A Pocketful of Dreams.
"When 35 students of us from a writing course came together to form a global storytelling community over cyberspace, we had no idea we about to start a movement: a unique collaborative adventure of unifying people across all boundaries," says Sengupta, Project Designer and Curator.
Over a period of time, the group expanded to include 15 more eager writers, some veteran authors as well, to produce a collection of their work in three volumes, as e-books on Amazon. The profit from sales has been pledged to promote literacy across the developing nations. “We wanted to create awareness of the fact that despite all man-made boundaries we are all one and can work together meaningfully towards the benefitting others, “says Sengupta.
Today, the Magic Diary project stands for this unifying spirit. The spark that started with a handful of storytellers, who trusted in a dream is a glorious success today. The project has been recognised as a heart-warming people’s project by several illustrious people since then. Tim Wilson, honourable MP and former Human Rights Commissioner from Australia congratulated the team for their effort. Dr Denise Comer from Duke University has likewise supported the initiative. Several writers were her students from a writing course that she had conducted.
According to Sengupta they are a lucky generation that saw the huge wide world shrink into a global village and, thanks to the many significant inventions found learning more fun than ever. "We know we are a privileged lot, and so our foremost gratitude goes to those who helped us come together, work together, and in the end made our voice heard all over cyberspace."
The project that shaped up over two years has been an intensively interactive and participative project where all members contributed to its build up in some ways or the other. “They lend their expertise, their valuable time, and more importantly their unstinted support to create magic out of a nebulous idea.”
Since the project was inspired by the structure of a massive open online courses (MOOC), it was designed meticulously on those lines with utmost care given to the process of peer learning and reviewing. Every idea, article, and story in this book was discussed with suggestions to rewrite them before the final submission was made.
This collaborative effort saw participation from all over the world. A remarkable artist, Pat Southern-Pearce from UK created the covers. The representative countries include USA, Canada, Russia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, Belgium, Hungary, Denmark Armenia, Romania, Russia, Iran, Morocco, Zambia, Egypt, South Africa, Mauritius, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, China and Japan.
"Over the months that we worked together, deliberating, planning, writing, and rewriting, we progressed and grew not just as writers, and professionals, but also as good friends, respectful of our differences," says Sengupta.
"The Magic Diary was conceived as a timeless journey through the world. It stands as an example of positive, healing, creative force that can move mountains," says Sengupta. Nurtured in an environment of gratitude and encouragement, the Magic Diary project is a rare example of universal brotherhood and a roadmap to world cooperation. The growing community looks forward to taking this constructive, transcontinental movement forward and spreading the loving energy of creative harmony.
The website: https://magicdiary2017.wordpre
Top Headlines
-
Art and Culture
Time-travel to 1930s Hollywood with portraitist George Hurrell's show in Washington, DC
May 07, 2024
-
Art and Culture
Christ Church of Mhow in Madhya Pradesh completes 200 years, celebrations follow
January 19, 2024
-
Art and Culture
We have brought the full band experience to Canada, says singer Somlata touring with her troupe during Durga Puja
November 08, 2023
-
Art and Culture
Chaltabagan Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata takes off amid dance and drum beats
October 20, 2023
-
Art and Culture
Asansol Church in West Bengal gets a facelift; adds to the spiritual ambiance
September 28, 2023
-
Art and Culture
Art can cohabit with bureaucracy, says famous art critic Achille Bonito Oliva as Delhi hosts Italy's Farnesina collection
May 31, 2023
-
Art and Culture
Ruskin Bond unveils creative diary designed by 6-year-old Aavya
May 22, 2023
-
Art and Culture
Grammy-winning Ricky Kej curates unique caller tune themes for Kolkata-based Prabha Khaitan Foundation
April 26, 2023
-
Art and Culture
Assams bellwether festival Bihu goes global with Guinness Records entry
April 19, 2023
-
Art and Culture
Muskaan hosts puppet show and interactive session with Mumbai-based puppeteer
March 25, 2023