In these weekly talk-sessions, the organisers decide a topic for the week and then invite an expert to talk in-depth about it
In an effort to provide people with open "democratic" spaces for debate and discussions, several socio-cultural organisation have come up with weekly talk sessions. Baat-cheet and Guftugu are being organised at different residential areas in the national capital.
"We organise evenings featuring intense and engaging talks on various awareness topics ranging from art and culture to society, environment and politics, followed by discussions," said social activist Shabnam Hashmi. Her NGO ANHAD also contributes in organising the sessions.
Critical of the current dispensation, Hashmi said, "we lack open democratic spaces for debate and discussions in the rule of this current regime. So, last year we came up with this idea of giving people a glimpse of actual happenings in the country through the medium of talk session."
In these weekly talk-sessions, the organisers decide a topic for the week and then invite an expert to talk in-depth about it. The lecture is followed by a discussion and a debate session.
"It's very important for like-minded people to come together and discuss diverse topics that affect our social-fabric," she said.
The talk is being organised at different residential places in Dwarka, Jamia Nagar and Nizamuddin among others on different days in a week.
"We try to make it an open-ended session by giving the audience a platform for their views and ask questions from the guest speaker," said Iqbal Ahmad of Jamia Collective, adding they have had renowned journalist, writers, and activists as their speakers at Guftugu sessions as of now.
"Our sole objective is to aware people about the current happenings and give them space where they can question and ask about their doubts from experts," Ahmad said.
These sessions have earned immense popularity among the youth as scores of young people gather every week to attend the talk.
"The best part of these talks is we get to hear these experts at our own places. We don't need to approach them," said Lalit Bisht, a first-year student at Delhi University.
"If you get a chance to attend such intellectual sessions in your neighbourhood, what else can you ask for?" said another student from Dwarka.
A group of youngsters from Jamia who regularly attend the sessions said, "We have learnt a lot attending these sessions. We get to know a topic in detail and also get the chance to have a one-on-one discussions with the experts."
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