JAMMU, JANUARY 06 -:special function was organized at the Jammu Writers Club, Abhinav Theatre Complex, Jammu, to launch Column & Discourse, the second book by Dr. Satwant Singh Rissam, a media and communication professional, author, and heritage enthusiast from Jammu. The book was released by Chief Guest Prof. R. D. Sharma, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu; Guest of Honour B. R. Kundal, IAS (Retd.), former Chief Secretary of J&K; and Distinguished Guest Rohit Kapoor, Senior Advocate and former Judicial Member, National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata. Special guests on the occasion were Sanjeev Pargal, President of the Press Club of Jammu, and Mohit Kandhari, Bureau Head, The Pioneer, who have reviewed the book Column & Discourse, which is a compilation of Dr. Rissam’s published news columns from 2022 to 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sharma appreciated the book as “a thoughtful contribution to contemporary public discourse that reflects ground realities,” which helps connect policymakers and the wider community. Former Chief Secretary B. R. Kundal observed that Dr. Rissam’s writings “capture important events and administrative challenges in a language that ordinary citizens can relate to,” terming the author’s initiative of bringing out another collection as timely and commendable. Rohit Kapoor praised the way Dr. Satwant raises legal, constitutional, and civic questions in a nuanced manner, expressing hope that Column & Discourse would encourage readers to think about democracy, governance, and rights.
Dr. Rissam said that Column & Discourse “brings together years of reflections on society, governance, and culture, with the hope of encouraging informed conversations in Jammu & Kashmir. Many prominent civil society members of Jammu also attended the function. Advocate Akshey Gupta conducted the proceedings of the function, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Sandeep Singh.
