What is the power of a good story?

The Literary Club of the PG Department of English at Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar, organised a storytelling competition to provide students with a platform to express their creativity, strengthen their communication skills and build self-confidence. Bringing together participants from various departments, the event celebrated the power of imagination and the art of bringing stories to life.

The competition reflected the college’s continued emphasis on holistic personality development, encouraging students to explore their abilities, overcome inhibitions and develop the confidence to pursue their aspirations. Participants were invited to choose from six thought-provoking themes: ‘Letter Never Sent’, ‘The Last Train’, ‘One Decision’, ‘The Unexpected Guest’, ‘A Secret in the Library’ and ‘The Day Everything Changed’. Each theme offered scope for diverse interpretations, allowing students to shape their narratives and present them in their own distinctive styles.

Students from all departments participated enthusiastically, selecting one of the assigned themes and narrating their stories before the audience and the judges. The competition gave them an opportunity to experiment with ideas, structure their thoughts and engage listeners through the spoken word. It also encouraged creative expression, clarity of communication and confidence in public speaking.

Dr. Vishav Bandhu Verma and Ms. Chetna served as the judges, evaluating the participants’ storytelling performances. After the presentations, Tamanna Dua and Riza jointly secured first place, while Jahnavi Sharma and Sonam won second place. Anu Ratra, Sana Verma and Mannatpreet Kaur jointly secured third place, and Dhananjay Puri received the consolation prize.

While presenting certificates to the winners, Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra congratulated the students on their achievements and encouraged them to continue nurturing their creative talents. She emphasised the value of participating in competitions and other extracurricular activities, noting that such opportunities contribute to personality development and help students strengthen their self-confidence.

Appreciating the efforts of Dr. Navjot Deol, Head of the PG Department of English, in successfully organising the competition, Dr. Dhingra expressed the hope that the department would continue to host similar creative initiatives in the future.

The storytelling competition was more than a contest; it was an opportunity for students to discover the impact of their voices and ideas. By encouraging participants to transform themes into engaging narratives and share them with an audience, the event reinforced the importance of creativity, expression and confidence—skills that extend well beyond the classroom.