Chappers will reinvent Indian footwear: Harshwardhan Patwardhan

Interview with Mr Harshwardhan Patwardhan, Founder/CEO, Chappers India. Click to read the transcripts.

Shantiniketan doesn't have mountains or sea or any other such speciality. But it has nature: Koral Dasgupta

 Interview with author Koral Dasgupta. Click to read the transcripts.

Citizen Journalism is extremely important, so are journalists: Punit Rajpal

Interview with Mr Punit Rajpal, Founder of Local Press Co (second from left). Click to read the transcripts.

You must be dropped on your head as a baby. That really helps: Kautuk Srivastava

Interview with Mr Kautuk Srivastava, a comedian with SnG Comedy. Click to read the transcripts.

Last time I checked, I am still living in a democracy: Ram Subramanian

Interview with Mr Ram Subramanian of #ProfileForPeace campaign. Click to read the transcripts.

Exclusive Interview with Additional Municipal Commissioner (City)

 

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Exclusive interview with prominent LGBT activist Mr Pallav Patankar

 

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Exclusive interview with Mumbai Mayor, Mrs Snehal Ambekar

 

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“Railways power me for the rest of the day”: Rajendra B. Aklekar

Interview with Author and Journalist, Mr Rajendra Aklekar.

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Finished the entire draft within three weeks: Alpona Dutta

Thursday could very well be called a busy day in Alpona Dutta’s life – evening, busier than the morning. And, even as time ran fast and the launch event approached, I managed to get a short interview of this young debutante and a promising author Alpona Dutta, an hour before her book was to be released. Following are the transcripts of the interaction:

Suzo: Alpona, writing at a young age isn't everyone’s cup of tea. How did writing come to you?

Alpona: Frankly....I had always wanted to write. And write. I've got a few articles and poems published in local newspaper and magazines before...but was just waiting for a perfect opportunity to develop it on a larger scale. And the vacation after the matriculation exams seemed to be an ideal one.

Suzo: Right. When and how did the journey of this book begin?

Alpona: Of this particular book? Well, as I said after the board exams. I had conceptualised the entire storyline between the exams. A leave was what I needed. And so I wrote and finished the entire draft within three weeks approximately. Three weeks may seem quite a short period for a debut or budding author, but then, everything what I write was straight from my heart. That's all!

Suzo: The fact that you finished the draft in three months is impressive. Now, tell me what the book is about?

Alpona: The book is basically in the form of a diary that chronicles the daily life incidences occurring in the lives of a teenage girl Sui Chatterjee and her immediate as well as extended family. The book is based on the genre of frustrated humor, to be precise.

Suzo: Right. How would you describe the protagonist Sui Chatterjee??

Alpona: The protagonist Sui Chatterjee is a....bubbly, cheerful girl with a care-free attitude. On reading the book, the reader would know that Sui is a girl who speaks what's on her mind, rather than fearing and getting suppressed. So in short, she's frank.

Suzo: Alright. So, she's a frank person: tell us something about the other characters in the book, if there are any?

Alpona: Oh yea...one things sure that the readers are actually going to be INUNDATED with the characters....Well, the characters are idiosyncratic, preposterous, zany, eccentric, ridiculous and even ersatz for that matter. The readers is actually going to be captivated and may even question the insanity described, but then, that's what the characters really are!

Suzo: Tell us what you're expecting from readers, now.

Alpona: Lots of love and acceptance! Frankly, nothing except the well reception of the book by the readers makes the author more elated. But also again, criticism is also welcomed. Criticisms ultimately mean for the betterment of the instalments. 

Thank you so much for interacting, Alpona! Good luck for the launch event and wishes for the success of the book! 

Thanks Suzo! 

The book can be purchased via: Amazon.in

 

Exclusive Interview with Siddhant Mohite of OYE.

Mr Siddhant Mohite, Founder and President of renowned organization OYE, was recently interviewed by me. >> Read the entire interview.

Vis-à-vis with author Ayaan Basu.

He is not a new face in the literary industry. He is an IT professional and a passionate author. Every story of his has a new concept and he has proudly contributed to several anthologies. The News-O-Holic and Suyash's Corner interacted with author Ayaan Basu. Following are the transcripts of the interview. 

• Author Mr. Ayaan Basu.

Welcome to the News-O-Holic and Suyash’s Corner, Ayaan. The last time you interacted with me was on The Columnist and you are a known author. Still I would ask you to say a bit in your introduction. 

Thanks Suyash, glad to be interacting with you again.

I am an IT professional and an author from Kolkata, currently residing in Bangalore for little less than a decade, balancing my time between two professions now, along with my frequent backpacking and other NGO works.

Ayaan, your journey in the field of writing began with a poetic anthology and then we had a full-fledged novel Ami, Kolkata and Confessions. What would you like to say about this journey of yours? 

The journey till now has been filled with many ups and downs but indeed a very educative one where every single day I learnt something new from my surroundings.

Being an engineer by profession when did you actually realize that you have an author hidden in you? 

I used to write for Statesman Vibes on behalf of my school in Kolkata days - first in English and then poems in Bengali Magazines. Now it’s English & Bengali both for me. There was no realization in particular but initial appreciations from parents, school teachers and friends gave me the push to move one step further and here I am.

Your debut novel Ami, Kolkata and Confessions received an appreciating support from your readers. Tell us by when will we be having a sequel of it?

The sequel is ready and just going through pre-publishing work since I have experimented a lot with the subject of the story in terms of narration and the theme  keeping today’s dynamic readers in mind but the book is  expected to be in store in next 6 months (Fingers crossed). 

Ayaan, almost every anthology has had your short story and this has given you a unique recognition. How do you feel today when people-at-large recognize you as an author?

Since my journey started in literary world, I have always preferred to be recognized as an author first and then a techie. Today, when I see it’s happening slowly and steadily it makes me feel good from within that my hard work is paying off.

Has there been any interesting experience that you’ve had with any of your fans or fellow readers?

A reader from college once pinged me after reading the book stating; once she grows up professionally she will make a movie on the story of Ami, Kolkata & Confessions, if at all I can wait for her to finish her studies first.... The revelation was simple, honest, innocent and very soulful coming straight from heart.

Ayaan, you are working as an engineer as well as an author. But which profession you like the most? 

I will say both since in this 21^st century, with a pen and paper you can probably write down your thoughts but technology comes into play after that to execute that work to give it a professional touch. I am fortunate enough to be a part of both of them.

Today, you are a successful author, Ayaan and I would definitely not leave you without your message of wisdom for the budding authors. 

Think, Think and think about what different you can write which will make your work different from others. Being known as a talented writer will take you a long way to success in future compared to the Best Seller Tag, not always, but in most cases.

Thank you. Thank you so much Ayaan! It is always pleasure interacting with you!

"My thoughts resulted into my story," says author Deepak Kripal.

What if animals decide to form their own organization and revolt against their extincting habitat's? Well similar were thoughts of author Deepak Kripal whose debut novel has unique protagonists that have attracted readers. We spoke with Deepak Kripal and below are the excerpts of this conversation.

• Dr. Deepak Kripal, Author, Devil's Gate : An Impossible Journey.

Welcome to the News-O-Holic and Suyash’s Corner, Deepak. Beginning with your introduction for our readers, tell us something about yourself. 

I am a huge story lover. Let us put it this way: I am a doctor who realized that writing goes much beyond prescriptions! 

When was the first time you realized that you have an author hidden in you?

It’s hard to pin point a date or time. But I developed interest in writing during my college days where I wrote some skits, plays and parodies apart from greeting cards for my friends!

• Author Deepak Kripal posing with his book.

Deepak, your debut novel has released some months back and has received appreciation, especially for its characters and plots. Tell us, how did this come about?

Well, it came out where all incredible ideas come from – nowhere! One fine day, this thought struck me that what will happen if one day animals decide that since their habitats are shrinking to extinction levels and humans are not listening to them, they should try to forge a deal with the demons to let their co-habitat with them. This idea excited me to the extent that I sat down and thought.  These thoughts subsequently resulted into this story.

These days there are too many novels under the category of thriller, Deepak. But among them, what different does The Devil’s Gate offer to readers?

You can see it at the outset. It’s the plot.

Tell us what actually inspired you to pen down this interesting novel?

As I told you that I am huge story lover. My only intention behind writing this book is to tell a unique, exciting and innovative story that will take a reader to places and situations they have never visited. My only inspiration is my true love for good stories.

Apart from being an author you are a doctor. How is your experience in the medical field?

Well, it’s a different field altogether. And I am enjoying it totally. Doctor’s chemistry with his patient is something I find unique. May be I’ll capture it sometime as an author.

 

In your journey as a doctor and now as an author, how has your family support been?

I am fortunate to have a family who has supported me unconditionally in every field I have undertaken. I have the most incredible parents, and there is nothing that I can say to justify what they mean to me and my life. It’s something that the words can’t capture.

Deepak, what sort of response did your book receive from readers?

Response has been overwhelming for me, not only from the reader but also from the critics. I knew from the outset that readers will love this story, since I had confidence in my story but I was skeptical about the response of the critics. But their heart-warming response is something I will never forget. 

What expectations are you keeping from your debut novel?

Just one; that it touches the hearts of readers and makes their 6 hours of reading worthwhile by taking them into an enthralling and exciting journey full of mystery, innovation and wisdom!

Deepak, if you are invited to motivate budding authors, what would be your message of wisdom for them?

Just one. Be patient. Take time to develop, write and edit your story. Don’t get disheartened by the rejection of publishers. Sun will shine soon enough!

Thank you, Deepak. Thank you so much for interacting with us. It was a pleasure interviewing you. Our best wishes for your novel! Hope you keep writing! :) 

"Discipline and dedication can make you win any battle in life."

He’s a doctor by profession and an author by passion. Suyash’s Corner and the News-O-Holic interacted with a known face from the literary world, Dr. Rachit Bhushan Shrivastva. He spoke to us about his entry into the literary world, his books, edited anthology, etc. Read the transcripts below to find more:

Dr. Rachit, welcome to the News-O-Holic and Suyash’s Corner. Beginning with your introduction for our readers, kindly tell us something about yourself. 

Thank You. I am a doctor by profession in Cardio Thoracic Surgery Unit of Apollo Hospital and a writer by passion. All I can say about myself is that I love to write a little more than prescriptions.

You are actually a doctor but your contribution to the literary world is amazing. Tell us how and when did you realize that there is an author hidden in you?

   
Well, I took up writing out of interest. As I always say "there is an author behind every story and there is a story behind every author". Something similar happened with me when I was a medical student. I decided to pen down the experiences of my life and ended up writing a novel named By Losing You I Found How Much I Needed You. People loved the story, it became a huge hit and till date it is the only novel that has been recommended by cricket captain of India Mr. M.S. Dhoni. So, that is how a doctor turned into a writer.

What initiated your entry into the literary world, sir?

Some bitter experiences made me take up pen and paper seriously. I started blogging my story and very soon people started loving it. The blog went viral through social sites, media started following my writing and in the end publishers of various houses started approaching me. That is how a common man turned into an author.

What would you like to say about your debut novel and response that it incurred from readers?

My debut novel got a phenomenal response post release. Over 250 copies got sold in the first hour. People could relate themselves with my story and everybody loved it. Even the critics appreciated it. So I was really happy with such kind of opening. Later on, it went on to be a bestseller and that was like a cherry on the cake.

Which authors do you personally follow and whose work do you find the best? 

I have many friends in the field of literature but frankly speaking I don’t follow anybody. Yes there are many good writers but then everyone has their own style. So according to me, every writer is special because each one of them puts his blood and sweat in a book.

What is The Sparktimes and when did you start it?

The Spark Times is a media house that has been running since past 3 years. When I started my career as a writer, media used to avoid me because I was not a popular name. Also, the debutants in any field do not get the due respect for their work. It was then that I decided to come up with The Sparktimes. Initially I used to write articles about common people who had made some kind of contribution for our society. In just few months, popular celebrities started following my write ups. Then I started writing articles on cricketers, actors, politicians and authors. That is how it became popular and it is still standing tall.

Today there are many online portals, some amateur while others committed. How is The Sparktimes different from the other online portals? 

Yes there are many online portals. The Spark Times is different from them in many ways. We don’t publish write ups daily. We put it once a week and in a very simple language so that common people can connect themselves to the article. It tells people about the struggle and achievements of a person and acts as inspiration for many of the readers. People get to learn from personal experiences and that is how it is different from rest of the media portals.

Sir, you were the Guest Editor for Fusion, an anthology published by Dream House Publication. How was your experience editing those 25 Classic Stories?

It was a great experience and got to learn a lot from it. As a writer it is easy to pen down anything you feel but as an editor you have to make sure that you put up the best in front of your readers. It needs a lot of patience to be an editor. At times people are not satisfied, sometimes you have to be severe on them but as a whole it was a nice experience.

In your journey as a doctor and an author, how has your family support been?

The entire credit for my success goes to my family. It is because of them that a doctor could turn into a writer. Their love and support has always been there and I feel myself very fortunate to have them at every step of my life. Parents are your strength and their support and love makes impossible look very ordinary.

Today you have your own identity, your writings as well as your website The Sparktimes is popular. Whom will you dedicate this success, sir? 

I will dedicate my success to my family and fans. I still have a long way to go and hope that they will keep showering their love on me, the way they have been doing it in the past few years.

What are your future plans, sir?

In future I want to write more books, want to keep serving as a doctor and someday when I have enough money, I would like to open a CANCER HOSPITAL in my city.

Lastly sir, if you are invited to motivate budding authors, what would be your message of wisdom for them? 

The only message I would like to give to the budding authors is "Keep working hard, be honest to yourself, respect people, make learning a habit and one day you would make impossible look very ordinary. Discipline and dedication can make you win any battle in life’’.

Thank you so much for interacting with us, sir. It was indeed a pleasure having your interview! Thank You, sir!