पाना पर्चा is a book discussion series facilitated by the Writing Center, where students gather to engage in meaningful conversations around selected literary works. This semi-formal exchange is to house diverse ideas and encourage intentional, critical dialogue among fellow book lovers, over a warm cup of chiya.
The first volume of पाना पर्चा was a two-day discussion series held on April 21 and 23, 2025. It featured the classic novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, set during the Great Depression in the United States. The book explores powerful themes such as the American Dream, friendship, loneliness, and socio-economic hardship—many of which still resonate in today's world.
The first day started with participants sharing their first impressions of the book, exploring the setting of post world war-I and the Great Depression Period of the 1930s. The session covered the technical aspects; how the author's intentional writing style makes the reading process fun and engaging. The students were particularly interested in the use of props to describe the scenes which helped the readers visualize the setting and characters well.
On the second day, the conversation deepened into an analysis of the characters, storyline, and thematic elements. Participants explored the emotional complexity of the narrative, reflecting on the author's intentions from various perspectives. Themes such as loneliness, companionship, unfulfilled dreams, social inequality, racism, and systemic injustice were thoughtfully unpacked.
The session concluded with a creative and thought-provoking discussion around potential alternative endings to the book. With the successful completion of Volume I, Thames Writing Center looks forward to continuing पाना पर्चा as a platform for students to share perspectives, generate new ideas, and build a vibrant, engaged reading community.