Today’s youngsters are quite ambitious about their goals, however, few work relentlessly to bring out the best in others. Nagpur-based Nikhil Chandwani’s aim is to transform the lives of people around him through Writers’ Relief Centre. The platform is for all those who have stories to tell and share.
“As human beings, our lives are full of stories and I believe in sharing them with others so that they are inspirational and people can also learn from them,” says Chandwani who in the past has held the Guinness World Records for completing his PhD at the age of 21 and was also nominated for Padma Shri Award 2018.
He believes that he can transform lives by helping people pen down their thoughts and publish their books, but all of them are not regular people. They include people who are confused and depressed. Writing can help curb depression and frustration because it allows you to express your thoughts and address your issues. “Because that way you hear yourself,” he says.
When asked why he started this forum, Chandwani says that he met a lot of people who wanted to be writers but were confused about where to start. “Most of them ended up taking jobs in media houses when their heart did not even lie there,” he says.
Writers’ Relief Centre helps upcoming and aspiring writers to push themselves to write good pieces of work and also gets their books published so that they can get a reading audience. Chandwani says that the books that are being written are either fiction or non-fiction, where opinions, problems and concerns are penned down so that it can reach like-minded people.
But it does not stop there. The centre helps them to attract a market so that their work is recognised by people and read for which events and lectures are arranged. “The ones who enroll with us are given guidance on how to write and how to enhance their skill and make their work more readable and helpful for others who are suffering from depression,” he points out.
Chandwani strongly believes that there is great power in the written and spoken word. “In order to move ahead in life and overcome difficult situations, we need to talk about them, share them and find inspiration in each other,” he says adding that writing helped him reach where he is now.
Chandwani has published several books and loves travelling which gives him the opportunity to meet a lot of people and even those who are suffering from depression. He guides them to take this creative approach and helps them towards building a passionate career.
He mentions that he has worked with over 100 writers already and helped them get their works published and monetised through different channels in the content industry.
Ask the young achiever about his ambitions and he promptly replies, “I want my students to break my records and to be successful in life.” He adds that his personal ambitions have taken a back seat and all that he wants now is to help people find their voices through their writings and make a difference in the world.
Currently, the Writers’ Relief Centre attracts students from 16-to 72 year-olds, and also includes those who are suicidal and depressed, and a few who are disabled. “The centre helps them write their thoughts and after giving them basic lessons in writing their copies are edited and within a month their book is published,” explains Chandwani. After which the writers are encouraged to take up public speaking so that they can share their story and inspire others to follow their path.
