Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) hosts a national symposium on “Women, Words, and Worlds.” Explore insights from Mridula Garg and scholars on literature and translation.
New Delhi | February 23, 2026: The Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women’s Studies (SNCWS) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in partnership with The Book Review Literary Trust, recently hosted a landmark national symposium titled “Writing, Reviewing, Translating: Women, Words, and Worlds.”
Held at the Mir Anis Hall, the event gathered a distinguished group of writers, scholars, and editors to discuss the evolving landscape of women’s literary contributions and the political nuances of translation and reviewing.
Celebrating 25 Years of Women’s Studies at JMI
The symposium opened with an address by Prof. Nishat Zaidi, Director of SNCWS, who highlighted the center’s 25-year journey in advancing gender discourse. Chandra Chari, Founder Editor of The Book Review, joined her to emphasize the critical role of book reviewing as an intellectual practice and the necessity of women’s voices in shaping India’s literary culture.
Also Read:
JMI Admission 2026–27: Prospectus Released; 30 New Courses & No Fee Hike
JMI Seminar Calls for “Roadmap for Change” in Disability and Social Inclusion in India
Jamia Millia Islamia Launches ‘Jamia Press’ to Boost Academic Publishing and Exam Security
Key Highlights from the Panel Sessions
The symposium was divided into three core thematic sessions:
1. Gendered Literary Landscapes
Moderated by Dr. Aakriti Mandhwani, this session explored the challenges of editorial gatekeeping and identity in South Asian writing. Panelists including Dr. Semeen Ali and Dr. Kanupriya Dhingra argued for:
- Moving beyond reductive labels like “women’s writing.”
- Creating alternative publishing platforms.
- Viewing reviewing as a form of intellectual resistance.
2. Writing the City: Focus on Delhi
This session, moderated by Dr. Faiz Ullah, examined the urban experience through a literary lens. Speakers like Ananya Vajpeyi and Aishwarya Jha discussed Delhi as a site of memory and transformation, touching on urban villages and the “affect” of shifting cityscapes.
3. The Ethics of Translation
The final session featured legendary Hindi author Mridula Garg and Prof. Arjumand Ara. The discussion focused on the “epistemic marginalization” of women and the heavy ethical responsibility of the translator. Key topics included:
- Intersectional concerns of caste and class.
- Nuanced representations of Muslim women in history.
- The need for literature to provoke critical social reflection.
Commitment to Inclusive Scholarship
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Amina Hussain, who expressed gratitude to JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif and the university administration for their support.
By bridging the gap between creative writing and academic scholarship, the symposium reaffirmed Jamia Millia Islamia’s role as a premier hub for inclusive dialogue and the promotion of marginalized voices in the global literary sphere.
- Jamia’s RCA Shines: 38 Students Clear UPSC 2025 with 4 in Top 50
- JIH President Condemns US-Israel Aggression on Iran, Warns Against Wider Gulf War
- Srinagar Police Launch Major Crackdown on Fake News Network; Multiple Summons Issued
- JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini Mourns Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Assassination, Blasts US-Israel Strikes on Iran
- Jamia Millia Islamia Partners with Argentina’s UNSAdA to Bolster Global Academic Research
- JIH Chief Condemns US-Israel Strikes on Iran, Warns of Regional War
