Interview with Ummul Fazal Fatima Khan- By Nainika Gautam

Living in the heart of India, Delhi, Ummul Fazal Fatima Khan is a teacher by profession. She holds a professional degree in education and translation proficiency. She works with young minds and is passionate for teaching.

Fatima is an avaricious admirer of classic and modern literature and dreams to own a huge library in her own house. For her, writing is the best form of expression and a bridge between her heart and mind which she want to pursue for the rest of the years to come. 

She finds solace in nature and her family. She is a fun loving and adventurous person, though traditional and conservative for her culture at the same time. Urdu and English are her languages of command but she has a sound knowledge of Hindi and Arabic too and wishes to add several more languages to the list. She has a deep attraction towards human psychology and loves to observe people’s behaviour, which can be traced in her writings that takes up delicate issues of relationships, social evils and human nature. She is always curious to explore different facets of this world and the humans residing in it. She has a keen interest in indulging herself in cooking in her free time, innovating with tastes. She enjoys collecting rare & unique items, photography and travelling. She is an introvert and a reserved person, who necessarily needs time in solitude and holds multifarious interests.

Several of her works in Urdu have been published, but she has made her debut In English with the book, ‘Drenched Souls’ under the name of Gargi Publications, which features her story named, ‘Love that completes’. Other anthologies in which she has contributed are ‘The notebook of Romance’ and ‘Winged heart’.

She can be reached at:- 

Email: ummulfazal88@gmail.com

To read her story, order your copy here: Flipkart/Amazon

Here we get to know her more closely

Nainika: Hi Ummul, please tell us something about yourself.

Ummul: I believe improvement to be an integral part of our life and try to apply it to my personality too. However speaking about myself I would say, I am a nature lover, peace seeker and a keep-to-self kind of a person, though quite adventurous at heart. 

Nainika: How did you develop interest towards literature?

Ummul: I don't know exactly, although during the childhood, I remember I used to read hindi comics like Doga, shakti and Dhruv etc and Urdu kids magazines; Payam-e-taleem,Umang, Nooron my father's encouragement. In later years, a teacher of mine from school, introduced me to the magical world of Harry potter, and then there is no turning back. Now I can proudly name a long list of books I have read. 

Nainika: What are features of your writing skills that you feel you need to improve on?

Ummul: As earlier said, I strongly believe in betterment. Sometimes I try to enhance my vocabulary, and at others I work on fresh ways of narration. Either I write or read or if I am doing none, then I observe the world, picking out prospective characters and possible storyline.

But I always crave for an honest feedback and that is entirely upon my readers as to what they consider my weakest point, I am always open to it.

Nainika: Which genre do you enjoy most to write?

Ummul: I am most comfortable at writing realistic stories with a pint of imagination. Unlike the trend, I don't like much of romantic. Comedy, tragedy and thriller are on my wish list, I would give anything to try my hand but right now I feel myself to be an amateur for such genres.

Nainika: Please throw some light on your story “Left to be Estranged” in Crumpled Voices-2.

Ummul: 'Left to be estranged' is a story of a teenager, stepping into adulthood. Like every other child she has her own bucket of problems. It basically points out her reaction towards it and the way she tried to cope up.

Nainika: Who all are the lead characters and which one your favorite?

Ummul: Sidrah is the girl whom we are talking about, Zainab is the loving mother and the narrator is a cousin of Sidrah's who tried to help the girl. As for the favorite, I don't get impressed by the personality as whole. The qualities which stimulated me, were; Sidrah's politeness, Zainab's motherly care and narrator's dedication. 

Nainika: Is your story inspired from real life, or is it a pure imagination?

Ummul: I am a teacher by profession and have a keen interest in observing people; I think the story is the end product of all these things combined. A blend of both; reality and imagination. 

Nainika: How is Crumpled Voices-2 different from other anthologies that are and are going to be in market?

Ummul: Crumpled voices -2 reminds you of the era when pen was used to voice out issues and was an instrument of revolutions. Hope it serves the purpose. 

Nainika: How is experience with Gargi Publishers?

Ummul: If I have to say it in a word, its fantabulous. I got the opportunity to be a part of three projects by Gargi publishers so far, apart from Crumpled Voices 2; Drenched souls and notebook of Romance. The team is quite dedicated, progressive and is committed to goals. 

Nainika: Would you like to give some message to our readers?

Ummul: Readers are always the essence of reading-writing cycle. Whenever I read a book, I feel like informing the author about the parts which captivated me and which could have been omitted. As a writer I also wish to be informed of the same, so waiting for the feedback.

I would like to say that the Crumpled voices -2 isn't just another book on shelf, it’s an initiative, a step ahead to secure the childhood and preserve its innocence &joy. I request to all the parents and guardians out there to keep their children intact; physically, emotionally and psychologically, because the early years of humans either scar the entire life or present a fuller personality.

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under internship program by Gargi Publishers)

Interview with Leena Ratti- By Nainika Gautam

Leena is a happily married woman with two girl children. She is a Primary Teacher in a Government School of MCD in the urban slums of Jahangir Puri. It is a very challenging job. Before that, she was working as a Primary Teacher in one of the renowned school of North Delhi, The Srijan School, Model Town, Delhi. 

She has done Masters in English from Kurukshetra University and Masters in Education from Delhi University. Right now, she is pursuing M. Phil. (Education) from Delhi University. Her interest lies in bringing educational opportunities to the marginalized sections of the society by empowering them through education. 

Her hobbies include writing poems and short stories, reading books, talking to people and observing them. She also likes to listen to songs of Kishore Da and Lata ji. Biggest influence on her life has been of Kancha Ilaiah’s “Why I am not a Hindu” and the novel about rape victim “Mukhtar Mai”. Educational influences on her life have been Paulo Friere, John Dewey and Michael Apple.

She can be contacted at:

Email: leenaratti8@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leena.ratti

To read her story, oder your copy here: Amazon/Flipkart

Here we get to know her more closely:

Nainika: Hi Leena, so if you are asked to define “Leena”, how would you do that?

Leena: Hello Nainika! If you ask me to define “Leena”, I will give you an answer that my mom ages ago. She told me that “leena” means, “The one who has been given to her by God.” This is a Hindi mythological word that frequently comes in “Hindi Chaupai”. The other way to define “Leena” is my own perception about myself. I think “Leena” is like a WOLF who is social yet aloof; is blessed with intelligence, is instinctive, can’t be domesticated easily and loves to socialize.

Nainika: Leena, being a school teacher, how do you think does your profession help you to chase your hobby of writing?

Leena: You see when you are working with kids, you don’t teach them; they teach you. They teach you about the unthinkable and unknown world of day-dreaming and fantasies. They teach you about innocence, curiosity, pranks, laughing without care, how to be non-judgmental and so many things that keep you alive as a thinking person. They make you believe in that Utopian World that, somehow, doesn’t exist in the real world. But, they teach you to believe and hope; like we believe in “Santa Clause”. All these thinks help me and keep me always in a thinking mode and I guess, that helps me to write or create when I feel the need to do. 

Nainika: As you want to bring educational level in marginalized section of society, how do you feel can your writing skills help you for the cause?

Leena: Earlier, when I was not so acquainted with all the technology stuff such as writing blogs, posting or using the social media platforms; to me, doing my job with passion and dedication were my only tools to bring them certain benefits. But as we now know that writing on social media platforms can really bring changes, we, teachers have started to use these skills in raising our opinions and voices for the concern and issues that could help in providing better educational opportunities and life options to my/ our students who come from economically deprived sections.

Nainika: Life as an educator, or as an author? Which one is more enjoying?

Leena: This is similar to asking, “Whom do you love most out of your two daughters?”J. I have faced this question a lot of times recently, when my friends came to know about my debut as a story writer. I think I love both of them. You see, teaching in a government sector, especially in a urban slum such a s Jahangir Puri, can be quite challenging and daunting at the same time. It creates hope as well as despair so the aftereffect of a teaching day could be overwhelming some day or quite depressing at another. So writing keeps me in balance. I write when I am feeling overwhelmed, excited or depressed. I don’t know if I could do without any one of them. Both are important and give me enjoyment! 

Nainika: According to you what role does a reviewer play in success of a book?

Leena: Well, I have read a few reviews written by eminent as well as not-so-common reviewers about academic books, journals, movies and novels. What I think that while reviewing a person’s own subjectivity should not come in the way while assessing a book or a movie or any academic piece. So the role of reviewer becomes quite important in the success of the piece of writing as people really take those reviews seriously and the assessment by him/her of the literary tools used by the author. It will also decide about the section of the society to which the book will cater depending on the review. Nobody wants to spend a single penny now a day on a book; at least, that has not got a good review!!

Nainika: Which genre do you enjoy most to write?

Leena: I have mostly written short “skits” and poetic plays for small children. This is actually my first attempt at writing a theme based fiction. The short plays that I have so far written generally have a social message for children so that they can become better human beings and good citizens. As teachers (and authors too!) we have a social responsibilities. However, I would definitely try to write fiction… romantic drama… something like that. I am romantic by heart.

Nainika: Please throw some light on your story “A Tryst with Naaz” in Crumpled Voices-2.

Leena: The idea or inspiration behind this story had come from the recent discussions about the laws related to child labor and someone in my class who had somewhat similar situation. Through this story, I have tried to portray the pathetic conditions of the marginalized sections in the society and the huge gap between the situation of equality, equity, liberty and fraternity on paper and in reality. How they struggle; what are their struggles and how can they win? The story has also raised a question about “what could be termed as child abuse?” 

Nainika: Who all are the lead characters and which one your favorite?

Leena: There are two main characters around which the story revolves. One is the narrator herself and other is NAAZ, a girl of 10 years. Of course, the latter is my favorite one as she is hardworking, smart, courageous, and hopeful; and an utter optimist.

Nainika: Is your story inspired from real life, or is it a pure imagination?

Leena: One of the main characters that I talked about in previous question has some shades of a girl in my class. So, I have borrowed her name, “Naaz” and her spirit is there, but, the backdrop, locations and other aspects are fictional. The soul of the story obviously has its roots in me being an educationist.

Nainika: How is Crumpled Voices-2 different from other anthologies that are and are going to be in market?

Leena: You know, I have not come across, so far, any book or any anthology; that discusses about the fears, doubts, worries, anxieties, the mental agonies of children and adults and the affect of all these on their future as a person and on their social role. I think it will help all the people in every profession and as a parent, friend, and guardian and so on, in getting aware about the circumstances in which such mishaps could happen and they can always keep an eye for a symptom or two. They will develop an understanding; and what other way to create this through stories! One can easily relate to these stories. So Crumpled Voices 2 is definitely special and poles apart from other anthologies in market.

Nainika: How is experience with Gargi Publishers?

Leena: This is my first “tryst” with Gargi Publishers. I have been getting posts but never really thought that I can pen down my thoughts in form of a story. But this time, I tried and the response was really very encouraging. Pulkit is a great guy to work with and I hope that I will have more associations with Gargi Publisher in future. I made so many friends and I can learn so much from their writing skills.

Nainika: Would you like to give some message to our readers?

Leena: Yep!! Keep reading the very good work from Gargi Publishers because this one is the “Black Horse” in the field of publishing and offers some very talented pieces of work. Keep reading and keep enjoying and do share your opinion. Thank you!

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under internship program by Gargi Publishers)

Interview with Brinda Tailor- By Nainika Gautam

Brinda Tailor is an 18-year-old student, born and brought up in Bharuch, Gujarat. She is currently in first year pursuing electronics & communication degree from DDIT. She started writing poems at the age of 15. After realizing her keen interest in writing, she started writing blog, poems, short stories and notes. “A night in paradise” marked her first attempt towards writing a fictional short story, In that sense, it is her literary debut. 

True to her name “Brinda” which means “Tulsi”, she is passionate to serve humanity. She is a very chirpy, lovable and caring person. She values her relations with friends and family above everything else. Besides writing, she is highly passionate about photography and handles the camera very well. Her love for sports turned her into a very good volleyball player. In her spare time, she loves listening to music as it also helps sharpen her creative ability. Her other anthologies as a contributing author are Life sundae, Goofy, and 31 sins. She is one of the compilers of the anthology Snowflakes of Love.

She can be contacted at:

Email: brindatailor@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brindatailor

To read her story, order your copy here: Flipkart/Amazon

Here we get to now her more closely:

Nainika: Hi Brinda, Please tell us something about you.

Brinda: Hello, I am Brinda Tailor from Bharuch, Gujarat. I am currently pursuing my B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from Dharamsinh Desai University, Nadiad. I am a crazy girl who can do anything for my loved ones. I am a hobbyist photographer and a writer by choice. I love getting clicked. I am the type of person who is shy at first and devil after I get comfortable with people. Driving in rain, listening to music, partying, eating, sleeping are few of the things I love. That’s how I would like to define myself.

Nainika: So, being into so many things, what would you choose if told to select one option?

Brinda: I wish that day would never come when I would have to choose only one option. But if given a choice, I would like to choose photography. Photography taught me how to look at the world with a different perspective. There’s always something unique about this world, it just takes the right way to see everything.

Nainika: How do you feel being author at this young age?

Brinda: I feel really good being an author at this young age. I am happy that I can spread my thoughts by writing. Every person has a different story to tell and I love listening to them and write about how they feel in my words. I am glad that I can weave a story with my words. 

Nainika: Since you want to serve humanity, how do you think can your write-ups help you for this?

Brinda: I want to be the change, I feel that writing and thoughts can make a change in one’s mindset and thus result into actions. I write what I feel and imagine and what I learn from life and thus face the reality and help people to do so. I think if people can wish for a change, they can move towards the real change. Humanity can be served just by a single change in the mindset.

Nainika: Which genre do you feel most comfortable to write?

Brinda: I feel the most comfortable with romance fiction and most of my short stories are based on that genre but I am trying to get out of my comfort zone and so my last two short stories were much different from being Romantic.

Nainika: What do you think makes a good story?

Brinda: I think what makes a good story is a good plot, emotions that can be felt while reading the story and the way the lead characters are being portrayed.

From good plot, emotions and portrayal of leads, I mean contextual relevance, to life of reader, makes it a good plot in readers’ perspective.

Nainika: Please throw some light on your story “The Unheard Cry” in Crumpled Voices-2

Brinda: “The unheard cry” speaks about peer pressure. It is about how Indian parents want their children to become engineers and doctors. This story revolves around the suffering, the lead faces though she is unable to do anything against her parents. It is about how the lead thinks about committing suicide was the last option left with her. The story gives an idea about how the suicidal feelings haunt the students, how painful it is to be under pressure.

Nainika: How do you think your story can inspire society?

Brinda: I wish someday, the society would understand how pressurized a child feels when their parents and relatives want the student to become someone they wished to be. The idea of writing this story is to let everyone know how horrible one feels to do what others want, going against their own will. Not everyone raises their voice against this because they are afraid of the society and they think this is a small issue, but it isn’t small. I wish my story would inspire all those souls that are afraid of doing what they actually wish to do in life. I hope my story would let all the parents think they should re-think before forcing their children to do Engineering or being a doctor and let them be what THEY WISH TO BE.

Nainika: Please tell us something about the lead characters of your story.

Brinda: The lead character of the story is “Ananya” who is forced to do engineering and is left with no other option. She is interested in choosing a different career and she’s hardly interested in doing engineering but as 80% Indian kids are doing, she also started her engineering degree because her parents told her to do so. She is so much frustrated with her life that at one point she thinks on quitting. Kabir is her best friend and he is the only one who supports her in everything she does.

Nainika: Would you like to give any message to our readers?

Brinda: I would like to say that everyone deserves to choose their own career and be someone what they wish to be. Respect all the careers as everything is equally important in this world. I wish you would not treat your child like a puppet and give them their freedom to choose their career. It’s about their happiness and not your pride.

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers.)

Interview with Dr. Lopamudra Maitra- By Nainika Gautam

An Assistant Professor and a Visual Anthropologist at Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (UG), Pune, Dr. Lopamudra’s main area of research include - history and oral traditions, rural and urban culture and media. Her work is mostly based on ethnographic explorations and the survival of traditions amidst changing perspectives and times. Her academic publications in relation to folk medium finding a voice in mainstream Indian media has been published in many international journals, including - SAARC Journal (SAARC Centre, Sri Lanka), Indian Folklore Research Journal (of National Folklore Support Centre, India), Loukik (India) and Heritage and Us and Folklore and Folkloristics (e-journals) - amidst others. With over 12 years of experience as a journalist, she has worked with leading Indian English dailies, including - The Indian Express, The Times of India, The Statesman, Sakal Times, and also Citadel, New Global Indian (NGI) and Heritage India magazines - focusing on social and cultural issues as well as heritage conservation and history. 

Lopamudra’s first work of fiction (short stories, English) - It Happened One Night and Other Stories was published by Kolkata-based Nandimukh Samsad, at the Kolkata International Book Fair, 2007. Based on her experiences across the nation pertaining to the disciplines of anthropology and journalism, the book was followed by a review in The Statesman (2007, June), comparing the maiden effort with the likes of O. Henry with reference to storytelling. With nearly 10 years of experience as a teacher at various undergraduate and postgraduate colleges in India, including Wigan and Leigh College, Pune, ISB&M, Pune, Ranade Institute-Pune University, West Bengal State University and Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, she is also a member of the Board of Editors for four international journals related to Anthropology, Sociology, Culture Studies and Archaeology.

She can be contacted at:

Email: lopamudramaitra@gmail.com

To read her story, order your copy here: Amazon/Flipkart

Here we get to know her more closer:

Nainika: Hello Mam, if I ask you to define yourself in one word, what word it would be?

Dr. Lopamudra: Optimistic

Nainika: Being into so many things, how did you manage them all together?

Dr. Lopamudra: Dedication and willingness to complete a task very close to my heart

Nainika: What motivates you to write?

Dr. Lopamudra: The love for painting with words

Nainika: According to you, what is the strongest and weakest part of your writing skills?

Dr. Lopamudra: Strongest- the world is full of stories- one just needs to look for it. Weakest- probably never having enough time to look for all the stories around myself.

Nainika: What are the specific qualities you think if writers include in themselves, they could win hearts?

Dr. Lopamudra: Be a little different from the bandwagon

Nainika: How different is Crumpled Voices-2 from other anthologies hitting the market?

Dr. Lopamudra: Good collection from a variety of authors from varied age groups

Nainika: Please throw some light on your story “Lesson Learned” in Crumpled Voices-2.

Dr. Lopamudra: Inspired by a true incident

Nainika: Who all are the lead characters and which one your favorite?

Dr. Lopamudra: The main character of course

Nainika: Is your story inspired from real life, or is it a pure imagination?

Dr. Lopamudra: Real-life inspiration from a metropolitan city hospital (name of city, hospital changed on purpose)

Nainika: How is Crumpled Voices-2 different from other anthologies that are and are going to be in market?

Dr. Lopamudra: The variety offered is an edge by itself

Nainika: How is experience with Gargi Publishers?

Dr. Lopamudra: Timeliness, pleasant and professional

Nainika: Would you like to give some message to our readers?

Dr. Lopamudra: The answer to most questions lies all around you- just like the many stories. One just needs to have an eye to discover them

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers.)

Interview with Pramit Sarkar- By Nainika Gautam

An alumnus of IIT Bhubaneswar, Pramit has previously served a Navaratna company before following his passion for story-telling. Besides being an ardent follower of cricket, he takes just as much interest in cooking as he does in case of books. His debut novel, ‘The Last Surge’ has recently hit the stands.

Presently, he covers wedding stories as a freelance writer, along with the preparations for his next novel. 

He can be contacted at:

Email: princeofmistakes@gmail.com

Website: thebabblingraconteur.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pramit.e.sarkar

To read his story, order your copy here: Flipkart/Amazon

Here we get to know him more closely:

Nainika: Hi Pramit, so tell me something about yourself.

Pramit: Hailing from a middle class family, it has always been academics, wherein I was to focus. But things changed, once I landed in college. Just about managing to maintain the grades, I was involved in various extra-curricular activities. And that’s when I realized that it’s not engineering, rather writing wherein I should pursue a career. However, owing to various issues I had to join a job post-college, only to leave it in seven months time to pen down my debut novel. 

Nainika: So cricket, cooking or writing? What would be your first choice?

Pramit: Cricket for me is more than a game. If you ask me, it’s a way of life. On the other hand, being a Bengali, there is a natural inclination towards food and cooking. But writing, would anyway, surpass them all. 

Nainika: How is the feeling coming up with yet another book in such a short span of time?

Pramit: As the saying goes, the more the merrier. But I must admit that I was lucky to find an opportunity so quickly, post the release of my debut novel. And now that it has been launched, I find it as an added channel to showcase my skills as well as to add to the tally of my readers.

Nainika: What is the part of publishing you love and hate most?

Pramit: For me, the most ‘difficult’ part was the editing phase. There were times, when I had to be ruthless and delete a number of paragraphs; paragraphs, which I had written with lots of love. And then rephrase the joining portions, while maintaining the fluidity. That was quite a challenge. As for the best part, it was when my book made it to the stands.

Nainika: How different is life as a writer?

Pramit: In one word… satisfying. My first job had an excruciating schedule, and even after all the toiling I was neither happy nor rich. But writing gifted me happiness, as well as a purpose. 

Nainika: Tell us something about your story, “Pang of History” in Crumpled Voices-2.

Pramit: It’s the story of a young boy, Oshmit, who struggles to match the expectations of his mother. Oshmit is a bright student, but his mother keeps comparing him with his cousins and their achievements. It’s a very common plot. And through this story, I’ve attempted to showcase how the pressures of unfair expectations affect children, as well as how badly it can scar their psyche when they fail to meet those expectations.

Nainika: Who all are the lead characters of your story?

Pramit: The story revolves around Oshmit and his mother.

Nainika: Are the characters of your story inspired from real life?

Pramit: As I previously mentioned, it’s a common plot. So yes, one may say that the burden of expectations on Oshmit is inspired from the society. Then again, the repercussions are purely fictional.

Nainika: How was experience with Gargi Publishers?

Pramit: It has been an amazing experience. Right from day one, things have gone very smoothly. Full marks to Pulkit and team Gargi.

Nainika: What would be your message for our dear readers?

Pramit: Yes, academics are important but please don’t pressurize your kids to excel in everything. Let them choose their path, and support them in their endeavors. After all, it’s their smile that is going to make you happy, and not their marks. 

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers)

Interview with Nikita Nepali- By Nainika Gautam

Nikita Nepali, a girl with countless dreams lives in Surat, Gujarat. At present, she is pursuing master’s degree in IT. She had started writing during her school days. She is kind, down to earth and an optimist person. She passionately believes in unconditional love and simple living. Romance is her favourite genre. She has built up her own imaginary world around her. She has a strong bond with nature. Natures inspires her in the best possible way. She loves travelling and watching movies. Recently, her stories “In the name of love” and “Love inspires” have been published in two different anthologies “Drenched Souls” and “The Notebook of Romance” respectively by Gargi Publishers.

She can be contacted at:

Email: nepalinikita33@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nikita.nepali.54

To read her story, grab your copy here: Amazon/Flipkart

Here we get to know her bit closer

Nainika: Hi Nikita, so how do you feel to be part of an anthology by Gargi Publishers for the third time?

Nikita: I really don’t know how to answer this question in just few words! Working with Gargi Publishers is just so awesome. Pulkit Gupta sir and the whole family of Gargi is just so hard working and passionate for their work. The way Gargi Publishers encourages the new authors is just recommendable. The promotion strategy, the posters they provide with excellent blurb of author’s story and the way the authors are introduced is amazing. I have started my journey as a writer with Gargi Publishers. If I would be asked to express the feeling in one word then I would answer, it’s “Excellent”.

Nainika: What differences can you feel in your life after being an author?

Nikita: Its dream come true. I was confident about my writing skill but I have never thought that I would have such great opportunities. After being an author the big change I feel is people have started taking my passion seriously. My words are no longer just words but the readers, who are reading them, are giving them a meaning. It feels amazingly awesome when people do understand what I try to convey. 

Nainika: What is the part of publishing you love and hate most?

Nikita: Of course I love when my work, and not just work but my thoughts reach to others. And that is the best part of publishing. Publishing is one of the best ways to convey my thoughts to the people out there. And according to me the bad side of publishing is criticism. Not everyone will get what an author wants to convey. All five fingers are not similar, same way people have too their different opinions. Every coin has two different sides that way publishing is also having some positive and negative points. 

Nainika: Which part of your write-ups do you feel is the most attention grabbing for readers?

Nikita: I personally feel that with each success and failure I am learning the fundamentals of writing. There is no such teacher who teaches you how to be an author. Everyone thinks, imagines, and writes but only few people like me are blessed who can actually beautify their thoughts. I guess the simplicity of my writing and dense meaning are most attention grabbing for the reader.

Nainika: When so many anthologies are hitting the market every now and then, how different is Crumpled Voices-2 as compared to them?

Nikita: The strong aspect of Crumpled Voices-2 is its subject. All the stories are directly or indirectly give a thoughtful meaning and motto. How to act with a teenager is such a sensitive matter. Crumpled Voices-2 gives the glimpse of experiences and lessons which might have faced or may be faced by someone. It is an extra ordinary anthology as compare to other ones. 

Nainika: Please throw some light on the story, “Live like a fairy” in the book “Crumpled Voices-2”.

Nikita: “Live like a fairy” is very simple though thoughtful story. I have narrated a scenario that almost happens with every second teenager and his/her parents. It is a story of a girl who had taken some wrong decisions and then had suffered a lot. It is a story of a mother who helped her daughter to get back on studies and focus on her boards. The mother-daughter bond I have narrated, after one age mother cannot be just a mother, she has to be a friend of her kids. How a mother handled her daughter when she did a mistake and that also without a single slap and shouting is written. It really gives guidance for parenthood. For getting the exact thing, you must read the story.

Nainika: Who all are the lead characters of your story and who is your favorite one?

Nikita: There are actually three main characters; one is Radhika, a teenage girl, for whom the story is. Second is Radhika’s mother, who never gave up on her daughter. And third is Radhika’s sister, who always stood with her. Mine favorite character is “Radhika’s mother”. And why so? That will be known once you will read the story. 

Nainika: How do you think that this book can bring about a change in society?

Nikita: This book is actually made for change. Change in thoughts and acts. I am very much sure that after reading all the stories people will individually feel the change inside themselves. Either it will make people realize their mistakes or it will stop them to do the same mistakes in their lives. Crumpled Voices-2 is itself a book of experiences and lessons. I really hope that my motive of converting people’s ill thinking to positive and optimist thinking will be fulfilled by this book. 

Nainika: What do you expect from this book?

Nikita: My expectations with this book is really high. The reason for that is the subject of this anthology. I just want people read my story and try to understand the meanings behind it. 

Nainika: What would be your message for our dear readers?

Nikita: Never judge the book by its cover. If the cover looks good, it can serve you better and if the cover looks better, it can serve you best. There is no term “Bad” in case of reading. Whatever you will read, you will always learn something needful. So read as much as you can. Crumpled Voices-2 is having a different and a sensitive subject, I can surely tell you that you won’t regret after finishing reading of CV-2. The one who wants to relive and feel the tender age of teenage again, must read CV-2 once. Happy Reading!

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers)

Interview with Dr(Mrs). Sunil Kaushal- By Nainika Gautam

Dr. Sunil Kaushal is a retired gynaecologist turned writer and loves everything about life. She has a passion for writing shorts stories, poetry and articles. Besides writing, she is an accomplished actor, having done a number of stage plays, TV and radio programs. She is associated with Mother Theresa’s home and other charitable institutes also. As Lioness club President in 1982, she was awarded ‘Best Lioness President’ Asia. She has also been chairperson of a number of socially committed organizations for many years. Having been on the Advisory Committees of Doordarshan and All India Radio, she brought about a number of changes for Women and Children’s Welfare. 

Sufi, Indian Classical music and Gurbani are what you would catch her listening to when she is not writing or blogging.

She can be contacted at:

Blog: http://sunilkaushal44.blogspot.in

Email: sunilkaushal44@yahoo.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunil.kaushal.1829

To read her story, order your copy here: Amazon/Flipkart

Nainika: Hello Mam, please tell us something about yourself.

Sunil: Hello! Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my ideas.

I am a retired gynecologist and was extremely busy professionally but that did not stop me from writing poetry and articles or just jottings about various topics which I kept hidden for fear of ridicule.

Nainika: So, being a doctor how did your interest towards writing developed?

Sunil: Even at a very young age I was extremely fond of reading anything and everything ranging from fairy tales to classics, Enid Blyton, Disney and what not, which inspired me to write as well. 

We, doctors see the seamy side of life and humanity very close up with all its suffering and pain. Each patient is a story. I just HAD TO tell all these tales to the world. 

As I neared my 70th birthday my daughter presented me with a laptop and told me to follow my passion. I was techno phobic but my children taught me the basics and then I learnt to operate the laptop and navigate the labyrinthine net world (partially only till now)!!! LOL!

The editor of a forum on FB –Morsels and Juices asked me to write for them and here I am today, all thanks to her. Today she is one of my most treasured friends.

I am highly thankful to Pulkit Gupta and Gargi Publishers for thinking me worthy of including in this anthology. This will definitely spur me on to better writing.

Nainika: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Sunil: It’s for the reader to tell me as I do not plan it and the story takes a life of its own after some time but also becomes a part of my life story by the time I finish it. Most of my writings are woman-centric. I think I tend to give a surprise ending to my stories, with the protagonist becoming stronger for all that he experiences. The reader is left pondering at the end of my poems.

Nainika: What do you think makes a good story?

Sunil: A good story depends on many factors---the plot of course being central. Besides this, the etching of characters, the sequence and flow of events, the emotions it invokes and leaves the reader with. The end should make a lasting impact. A story written in correct language and grammar is always a delight. Many a good plot is lost if this is lacking.

Nainika: Do you have a specific writing style?

Sunil: No, I tend to swing between extremes from romantic interludes to highly philosophical and spiritual platitudes; from really short poems to lengthy odes, true life to fantasies—I just work intuitively and there is no hard and fast rule. I love to dabble in all the colors of the rainbow, having seen it all by now.

Nainika: What according to you is most striking feature of your writing style?

Sunil: My writing style has strong emotional content of human experiences. It tugs at the heart strings and leaves a lump in your throat, for most of it pours out of having felt it very deeply and is authentic based on true life stories.

Nainika: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Sunil: Not having studied literature as a subject I feel I may be lacking in the technicalities of writing though I am quite happy writing straight from my heart.

Finding a catchy title is a challenge at times.

Nainika: Please throw some light on your story “The Shadow” in Crumpled Voices-2

Sunil: This story was born out of a feeling of compassion for all the minor patients I had seen while working in villages in Haryana. No child should lose his or her innocence to the barbaric act of rape or other abuse. “The Shadow “, is a gripping story of violence and Karma. It speaks about the greed for a male child burdening a poor man with huge debt for which his minor daughter of five has to work to help repay. Whereas, a spoilt male child brought up in an affluent family thinks nothing while committing a heinous act like rape.

No child, rich or poor should be subjected to such brutality but the voices of the poor are stifled into a silent scream. The rich may choose not to voice themselves for fear of social repercussions but the poor are seduced with monetary offers or crushed through violence. Also, a child in our Indian social structure especially the poor, has no identity of his own, with very little parental guidance. They just grow up on their own, even if subjected to gruesome experiences. I wanted to speak on their behalf and put their Crumpled Voices into words.

From innocence to innocence lost the psyche of a child transforms under the influence of “The Shadow” of her trauma, which haunts and dictates her further life.

The same helpless child undergoes a metamorphosis as the mother, rising like the phoenix to protect her own child, at the same time avenging her own torture and suffering.

Nainika: How do you think your story can inspire society?

Sunil: I really wish the privileged class would try to not only understand the limitations of the poor in fighting such injustice but come forward to support them in every way.

The greed for a male child and the heinous rate of female feticide is another malady deeply entrenched into Indian society. If a girl takes birth she hardly has a standing in the family or society. My idea is to raise more voices.

Protecting wrongdoers –even if they are close family members is as bad as committing the crime.

I hope this story inspires some people, especially the youth, to work towards alleviating some of this.

Nainika: Please tell us something about the lead characters of your story.

Sunil: The lead character Soma suffers at the hands of a monster, and yet rises to become a woman full of courage, grit and amazing resilience, losing her innocence but gaining in strength unsurpassed. Violence in self defense gives it a new meaning as Soma reaches the end of her pilgrimage reminding us of Maa Durga.

The rapist suffers at the hands of his own Karma.

Nainika: Would you like to give any message to our readers?

Sunil: Please treat all children male or female, with love, understanding, compassion and respect. Do not treat the child like a puppet in the hands of adults. RESPECT ITS RIGHTS. Bring up your boys to respect womanhood and your girls to live life with courage. Gender bias has done us irretrievable harm.

Empathize with the underprivileged if they are subjected to such atrocities. This malady is entering every home today –who knows whose turn it maybe next!

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers)

INTERVIEW WITH SUNANDA BHADRA- BY NAINIKA GAUTAM

Sunanda lives with her parents in Kalyani, West Bengal. Life for her has been a roller-coaster ride but ‘hope’ her guiding lamp which kept her moving forward. She has done masters in English Literature from Kalyani University and writing short stories and poems is her passion. At present, she is working in Educomp Solutions Limited.

She dreams to be a good writer in the near future.

She can be contacted at:

E-mail: bhadra.sunanda@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunanda.bhadra.7

To read her story, order your copy here: Amazon/Flipkart

Here we get to know her a bit more:

Nainika:Hi Sunanda, please tell us something about yourself.

Sunanda: I hail from Kalyani a small town in West Bengal. I am a post-graduate in English Literature. I am a very simple and down to earth girl who aspires to be a good writer some day. I started writing poem since I was in Standard-VIII and short stories much later in life. I wrote my first short story when I was doing my masters. I am an optimistic person and take life as it comes to me.

At present I am working in an educational software company as a resource person.

Nainika: Sunanda, as your bio mentions, you aspire to be a good writer, what actually good writer means according to you?

Sunanda: For me a good writer means the day when my readers will be able to connect with my work and appreciate it .And the day when I will be able to bring a positive change in our society through my writings.

Nainika: Sunanda, what do you think is the strongest part of your writing?

Sunanda: The strongest part in my writing is that how a serious issue is portrayed in a simple way. It is like a bitter medicine coated with sweets. 

Nainika: How did your interest towards literature developed?

Sunanda: My interest in literature came gradually from my school days. I have always been an avid reader and was fascinated by the works of William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Robert Browning and T.S Eliot. And the most of the credit goes to my professor and HOD of the English Department in my college who always encouraged me to write or read something or the other. She was the one who made me believe that I had my originality and I could write.

Nainika: When there are so many anthologies hitting the market, how different is Crumpled Voices—2 as compared to them?

Sunanda: Crumpled Voices-2 is really a different and special anthology compared to the other anthologies which are hitting the market. For me Crumpled Voices-2 is more like a campaign against child abuses in our society than an anthology. It is a wonderful book where 17 stories by 17 authors unmask the various social evils.

Nainika: Please throw some light on the story, “A cry- Help Me” in the book “Crumpled Voices-2”.

Sunanda: My story “ A cry – Help Me!” is a monologue of the main protagonist Lolita Mondal who is a victim of child marriage and child trafficking and how her life is shattered , an ordeal of the pains and the pangs she goes through in her life at a young age which in common in North 24 Parganas , West Bengal. Here thousands of girls go missing every year in the name of marriage and employment.

Nainika: Who all are the lead characters of your story and who is your favorite one?

Sunanda: The lead and favourite character of my story is Lolita Mondal.

Nainika: How do you think that this book can bring about a change in society?

Sunanda: I am hopeful that the book can bring the change in our society since the writers are from the various parts of India so it captures the different child abuses practiced in various parts of India though some are universal. Here, each story is very different from the other.

Nainika: What do you expect from this book?

Sunanda: My expectation from the book is that it should be an eye-opener for the readers. And it should reach out to a maximum number of people.

Nainika: What would be your message for our dear readers?

Sunanda: Please read the book and also ask people who you know to read it. All the stories and poems are very well weaved.

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers.)