Congratulations on the release of ‘NEP-2020: Conception of a modern Knowledge Society’. Tell us something about your book. Some highlights of the subject.
The name of your book is a bit different. What do you want to establish through this book?

The present book is a collection of my articles with the aim to disseminate the necessary knowledge in bringing about relevant changes in our education system. The education system must be abreast of the latest technological developments and marvels. Education institutions are the places and spaces where the consumption and production of knowledge benefits humanity by focusing on the most pressing problems of the planet.
NEP-2020 will ensure the holistic development of learners. The 21st Century skills will be : Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Curiosity and Communication.

Education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society, and promoting national development. The goals and targets proposed in the NEP 2020 must be established for a comprehensive overhauling of the entire education system to make it more rational, realistic and relevant to the contemporary needs and challenges of the country.

What kind of books inspire you as a writer? Who are your favorite authors?

Books on Education and its reforms.
by Sri Aurobindo and Society.
By Swami Vivekanand
By A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Tell me something about yourself. As an educator what improvements do you want to make in our current education system? What past experiences compelled you to write this book?

I love multi-tasking, long life learning and writing about new experiences.
As envisioned in the NEP 2020 document, a quality higher education must enable personal accomplishment and enlightenment, constructive public engagement and productive contribution to the society.
My day to day experiences in reforming the education system compelled me to write it.

What inspires you to write? Who inspired you to become a writer?

My experience in work inspires me to write for disseminating my knowledge.

My parents Mrs. Raj Mohini Dhar and Late Mr. Triloki Nath Dhar who instilled in me the interest and the zest to pursue writing and always offered me their immensely valuable observations on knowledge, education, life, cosmos, and other fascinating matters.

Tell us the preliminary concept of the ‘NEP-2020’ from your point of view.

National Education Policy-2020 : A New and Forward looking Vision for India’s Education System
National Education Policy 2020 aims to transform the educational landscape of the country with the purpose to develop good human beings capable of rational thinking and action, possessing compassion and empathy, courage and resilience, scientific temper and creative imagination, with sound ethical moorings and values. It aims at producing engaged, productive and contributing citizens for building an equitable, inclusive and plural society as enshrined in the Constitution of India (NEP 2020).

Are you planning to publish more books to share your experience and knowledge?

Yes I will publish.

Please share your most memorable moment as an educator with us.
When I started teaching Post graduate students of Mathematics at the age of 21 after passing M.Phil in Mathematics. The students were teachers from the schools who were doing post graduate studies for their promotions. They were highly impressed with my teaching and also I was youngest teacher. They usually gift some fruits from their gardens to me out of love and regard.

Any words of advice from your experience for youngauthorsand educators to encourage them?

The young authors should write on a spectrum of subjects right from the young age to promote Indian heritage, culture and knowledge. They should become proficient in writing in various genres like fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry and so on. It will bring a positive psychological push to the young minds by taking reading and knowledge as an integral part of their grooming up years.

Congratulations on the release of ‘The Hope Never Dies’. Tell us something about your book. Some highlights of the subject.
The name of your book is a bit different. What do you want to establish through this book?

This book is based on my true belief and experience in “Hope” as I have tried to establish about the very Hope which keeps us going in our lives, gives us fuel to achieve goals.

What kind of books inspire you as a writer? Who are your favorite authors?

The most inspiring book for me was written by Shivaji Sawant Titled ‘Mrutunjaya’ Besides I am reading books of Deepak Chopra.
My inspiration also comes from my experinnces.

Tell me something about yourself. You are from a different profession. How do make time to write?

When I am at work routinely I am very busy, however I do take time and plan to write bits and pieces when I am on vacation, during the pandemic I had the opportunity to be at home for 20 months that enabled me to pen down some scripts.

What past experiences compelled you to write this book? Who inspired you to become a writer?

My experience about my life journey has been rewarding, had opportunity to meet many inspiring people, there were facts of life where only Hope kept me going, made me stronger and gave me perseverance.

What are the reasons for selecting this genre for your second book?

The reason of choosing the genre is that I the story is based on my personal experience and knowing others around who has set precedence by being Strong, Hopeful and most determinant.

Are you planning to publish more books to share your experience and learnings?

Yes, Most definitely I am planning to write more in near future. Some ideas I have noted down and working on them.

Please share your most memorable moment as a writer with us.
My most memorable moment was when my first book was published and my niece came to knew about it her happiness and pride made me overwhelmed, for me that was my reward.

Any words of advice from your experience for young authors to encourage them?

My advice to young authors is to remain committed to depth of their work, write on topics that are current and can make a difference in people’s life and thinkings.

Congratulations on the release of ‘Values and School Practices’.  Tell us something about your book. Some highlights of the subject.The name of your book is a bit different. What do you want to establish through this book?

      Thank you! The word ‘Values’ has been included in the title because this book contains stories related to human values such as compassion, care, trustworthiness, honesty and perseverance. Apart from them, democratic values of fraternity, justice and equality have also been introduced indirectly. For these values, the incidents of discrimination, atrocities and unconscious bias against the scheduled castes and tribes have been given to arouse sensitivity of readers for eradication of these evils from society. All these values have been illustrated through stories of true events happening in or around the Schools, so, the word ‘School Practices’ was required to be added in the name of the book.   

School Practices are related to the activities and behaviour of students, teachers and parents in the functioning of school. So, the stories related to interpersonal relationships,  problems of adjustment of students and role of teachers and principal are included in this book. The glimpse of lives of tribals is included with a view of school community relationships . Therefore the title ‘Values and School Practices’ seems to be justified.

   I think that my book will inspire the readers to lead virtuous lives with exuberance for working more efficiently and treating needy and downtrodden people with fairness and compassion. I hope my book will be a good resource material for attitudinal change of teachers and counsellors in tribal and residential schools

What kind of books inspire you as a writer? Who are your favorite authors?

I am not an extensive reader but I like to read religious books of different religions. I like to read books of struggles of poor people and women in India and racial discrimination in America. The stories of Prem Chand have immensely inspired me to think about the pathetic condition of poor people of rural India. The stories of Sharat Chand Chattopadhyay have impressed me too much. The women were neglected during those days but he has elevated the women characters in some of his stories. A few foreign writers have also impressed me for writing this book. ‘Speed of Trust’ by Steven Covey tells about the characteristics of trustworthiness , ‘The Theory of Thin Slices’ by Gottman explains the effects of communication skills in building relationships and the book on adjustment by Shaffers & Shaven has helped me to have a clear understanding of  psychological aspects of human behaviour.

      As regards my favourite authors, I can’t tell you any particular names. After my retirement I couldn’t have the opportunity to visit the library regularly. I had to travel from Bhopal to visit my sons at different places in the U.K. and America almost every year.

Tell me something about yourself. As an educator what improvements do you want to make in our current education system? What past experiences compelled you to write this book.

     I have served in tribal areas for 26 years and then I served for 9 years as principal in a Navodaya Vidyalaya and then promoted as an officer to supervise these schools. Due to my services to tribal children for a long duration, I have developed an attitude of unconditional acceptance for the children of poor and downtrodden communities. I have treated such children with compassion, positive expectations and sincere efforts to bridge the gap of their early learning. In establishing the first residential school for tribal students and Navodaya Vidyalaya I had tried to lay noble traditions of an affectionate environment of a happy home. These schools had developed a culture of cooperation, care and responsibility feelings without any strict administration or rigidity. I was keen to provide best possible living facilities and care to the students as if they were my own children. I am a trained counsellor, so I was there to resolve psychological problems of students.

      As regards my suggestions I have found that education of tribals is still being neglected. The district and higher level administration of education is in the hands of officers who have not any background of teaching. They simply organise the schemes of financial assistance to tribals and sanction funds and scholarships. So, the supervision of schools is in shambles. Anganwadis and primary schools are not functioning well. Therefore the preparation of children for middle and secondary schools remains deficient. Even the residential schools such as Ashrams, Adarsh schools are unable to make any remarkable impact in tribal education. Free coaching classes for students of scheduled castes and tribes after passing Higher Secondary school are being organised by government. But there is not any scheme of diagnosis of deficiencies of learning and classes for advance placement of SC, ST and poor children at the time of admission in  class VI. Even Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are not taking any action in this regard. The private coaching and malpractices in the private institutions of higher learning have created a large gap in the learning environment and opportunities of poor students. Therefore stringent actions are necessary to solve these problems.

    Since I had been a teacher in tribal areas for a very long duration, I have identified myself with tribals and poor people. I have learned from the lives of tribals how one can live in a hut of grass and eat in one earthen pot everyday. This experience has made me not crave for money or physical amenities. I have an unconditional acceptance and belongingness with the poor and downtrodden people. My objective of writing this book is to motivate readers to be conscious of the suffering of these people and renounce their prejudices against them.

What inspires you to write? Who inspired you to become a writer?  

     I wish people to be virtuous, exuberant, to take actions for their advancement and rise from the motives of greed and selfishness. I have posted several messages on Facebook regarding interpretation of concepts of Gita such as contentment, serving people without attachment, equanimity in all circumstances. Sometimes the posts were related to relationships, adjustment, perseverance and elevating self esteem. Earlier I had written articles on the subjects of education and counselling in schools.

   As regards who inspired me to become a writer, I recall that my confidence and enthusiasm for doing something evoked from the comment of a new visitor in America. On hearing the incident of finding a silver bracelet when I had no food to eat or money to buy it, he told me that I was endowed with abundant blessings of God and I could be successful in anything that I would venture. Then the story ‘Shadowland of Dream’ by Alex Haley made me decide to become a writer. His story of becoming a successful writer with the stories which were told by his father and relatives, motivated me to write stories based on the incidents of my teaching career and experiences of early life.

Tell us the preliminary concept of the ‘Navadaya Vidalaya’ from your point of view.

The Navodaya Vidyalayas are opened to provide the opportunity of quality education to the talented rural children in a residential school in every district. The quality education includes adoption of Indian culture and inculcation of values. The activities are the best source of satisfaction and enjoyment for the students of a residential school, so, multifarious activities should be organised in these Vidyalayas. These Vidyalaya should be just like a happy home full of faith and jest among students, teachers and principal. with proper understanding of needs, expectations and problems of each other. Navodaya Vidyalayas should be the centres of excellence, not only with the super infrastructure and highly qualified staff but new teaching strategies and innovations should bring a remarkable change for better learning and growth of students. The concept of pace setting school has not being implemented in true spirit. These Vidyalayas have not a proper liaison with neighbouring schools to lead them for qualitative improvement in education. They are not making intense efforts in conducting activities social awakening in the nearby community.

     But it’s a matter of satisfaction that migration scheme and teaching of third language has been successfully implemented and so, the students of Navodaya Vidyalayas are committed to national integration. It’s good to see that the students in Navodaya Vidyalayas are learning to be free from the mentality of segregation on the basis of castes, language, region and religion. Since majority of students come from rural quota and belonging to the scheduled castes and tribes, they have a greater sensitivity to the problems of poor and downtrodden people.

Are you planning to publish more books to share your experience and knowledge?

At present, I have to see the response and suggestions of readers for at least two years.

Please share your most memorable moment as an educator with us.

   Teaching is not a repetition of lessons in the classroom every year but every moment for a teacher is to be observant and and sensitive to the changing environment and learning capabilities of students. Once in a staff meeting I was surprised to see that one of my colleagues had raised the issue “Why tribal students don’t express their gratitude for teachers in spite of their sincere efforts and dedication”. We had realised that there was a need of changing our attitudes and prejudices against the tribal students. From that day I had always remained conscious and patient to bring a joy of success in learning by the tribal students.

Any words of advice from your experience for young authors and educators to encourage them.

  This is my first book, so it would be just like encroaching my limits. Still I dare to say that for story writing one should be sensitive to identify certain issue or morals from the event happening before him or something coming to his imagination. From this he can decide the purpose and environment of the story. He can start with the explanation of concepts related to his objective or the background of characters. Then the story is narrated with suitable dialogues, description of environment, specific nature of characters. The story should be concluded by directly or indirectly conveying the message. If the message pertains to change the mindset of readers, a few questions may be posed to motivate them to think and read further on the subject of the story.

Congratulations on the release of ‘Poems by Sampriti’. Tell us something about your book. Some highlights or the subject.
How is it different from other, earlier books of this genre that were released recently?

My book contains some of my poems and are based on the day to day occasions in the year. It is different because I as a child have written the content unlike people like adults or authors.

What kind of books inspire you as a writer? Who are your favorite authors?
The books which inspire me are poems of Ruskin Bond and authors like Roald Dahl

Tell me something about yourself and your background. We understand that you are a student and very busy with your studies, but then how do you manage time to write?
Even if I am busy with my studies as a class 6 student, wherever I am, like in my class or outside somewhere if I want, I can frame a poem in my mind at any point of time. Whenever I get time, I note it down in my diary.

What inspires you to write? Who inspired you to become a writer?

I was inspired when I was 9 years old and read the poem called the snail by Ruskin Bond. I thought why can’t a child write and from that day my journey began.

What is the response from your readers so far about this book?
My friends are very exited.

What are your future goals? Do you want to see yourself as an established author in the future?
No, I don’t want to be famous. I just write for fun and want my poems to reach maximum people.

Any words of advice from your experience for fellow children authors to encourage them?

I would suggest you should read more and more books. It can be poems or stories. Not only my book but any book as it will improve your vocabulary, thank you and I would love for you read my book.

1. Congratulations on the release of ‘Tarpor’. Tell us something about your book. Some highlights on the story. How is it different from other, earlier romantic fictions that were released recently?

The novel depicts the pain of a non-resident Bangalee (here ‘Akash’), who started a life in a foreign country, but never felt attached to it. He represents many who left behind a failed love, political dream, and a loving community. As time goes by, he feels the increasing urge to reconnect with his homeland, thereby forgetting that the context back home has also changed and become challenging. His journey with his daughter (Sumona) served here as an adventure to rediscover his love (Falguni) and home country.

A novel is generally addressed to an audience. In my case, it was also for me. It provided me the framework to learn writing. I found it fascinating to establish a relationship with the characters and try demonstrating them as real. It was a struggle. Only the readers can say whether I have succeeded.

I find it difficult to put my novel in relation to other fictions as I am not sufficiently exposed to them. However, unlike popular patterns, which include either a happy end or separation, I tried to encourage the readers to invent ‘what next’.

2. What kind of books inspire you as a writer? Who are your favourite authors?

I like novels which capture the challenges of social transformations and visualize the dialectic interplay of art and culture, politics, religion, and humanism.

Beside Rabindranath and Nazrul, Sarat Chatterjee, Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay, Humayun Ahmed and Ahmed Sofa are my favourite Bangalee writers. During my student life in Germany, I have come across German literature represented by Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, Guenter Grass, and Heinrich Boell. In addition, I am fascinated by the great French writer Viktor Hugo and Russian writers Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky.

3. Tell me something about yourself and your background. We understand that you come from a different profession, but then how do you manage time to write?

I am a management consultant, specialized in the non-profit sector. Strategies, entrepreneurship development and non-profit management are my core areas of expertise. I come from a semi-urban area of Bangladesh (Joypurhat) and left for Germany at the age of 19. I have spent nearly half of my life in Germany, and Canada. During my short professional years in Bangladesh, I was a university teacher, researcher, and freelance project management adviser.

I always wanted to write but never managed to spend the time necessary to write. The fear of not finding the right words and style hindered me a lot. Then came the COVID19 months. Finally, I had the time and was encouraged by friends. I think one must make a start even though it’s hard. The next one will come for sure.

4. What inspires you to write? Who inspired you to become a writer?

I must admit I have not read much in the recent years. But I watched movies and dramas and was not at all impressed by most of the stories they were based on. I always thought my valuable relationships with the people at large might be also the sources of beautiful stories to write about.
Late Soumitra Chatterjee, my favourite Bangalee actor, was once asked ‘Why are we not having good Bangla films anymore?’ He reacted saying that the contemporary films were seldom based on literary pieces. That hurt me a lot. Since then, I had a dream to write stories. I tend to believe that he has inspired me to write stories.

5. What is the response from your readers so far about this book?

I was positively surprised by the initial responses during my debut publication ceremony. Three eminent personalities in Bangladesh observed that the novel touched the real life of many expatriate Bangalees, included some enlightening characters and was worth reading in one sitting. Many readers did not rule out that the story might end up as a film.

6. We hear from sources that you have made an audiobook out of your book. Tell our readers something about these developments with your book. Also, are you interested in making a movie out of this book?

Originally, the idea came from a close friend. He liked the novel and thought his children should read it as well. However, they cannot read Bangla, and an English translation was not in the horizon any time soon. His sons represent nearly 12-15 million Bangalees living in foreign countries, who either cannot read Bangla or do not have the possibility to buy the novel or find it more comfortable to listen. Since the story is about a Bangalee expatriate, the urge to reach them out played a significant role. Not to forget, Power Publishers was ready to do it.
I already mentioned that Soumitra Chatterjee has inspired me to write stories. I would be more than happy if the story behind the novel becomes the basis of a film. ‘Film-Literature’ link is what I always dream of.

7. Tell us about your next or upcoming book.
My next novel is ‘Shesh Potra’ and set to be released by May 2022. It depicts a love story of a rural boy during the teen years. The novel shows that even though a relationship does not lead to a way the main actors would like, it can be a source of dreams, emerge as a reference point for human relations and act as a dynamic force in youth.

I am enjoying writing and really dream of authoring a series of stories. The upcoming one ‘Pagolmon’ will be based on our great Liberation War 1971, seen from the perspective of a teen (12 years), who had watched it happening live. I hope to publish it before the Independence Day (16th December) in 2022.

8. Any words of advice from your experience for the upcoming young writers on how to set up their career as an author?

Only advice ‘Start writing’. Everybody has a story to share, and mankind will be deprived of your beautiful stories. Therefore, start writing, today, now!

• Congratulations, Qasim Khan on the release of “The New Age Marketing”. Tell us something about your book. Some highlights or the subject. How is it different from other, earlier books of this genre that released recently?
  “The New Age Marketing” is all about the digital world that we live in today, and how over the past few years everything has transitioned online. Keeping that in mind, “The New Age Marketing” will act as a guide for anyone who wants to learn more about building their presence on an online platform, from scratch! What sets this book apart is that it draws from my own personal experience. As someone who has been in this field since my early-twenties, I want to show people that there is no complicated formula to find success in the digital world. Think of me as a friend sharing some advice through this easy to read and easy to follow book.
• Tell me something about yourself and your background. We understand that you come from a different profession, but then how do you manage time to write?
  I am Hong Kong born with a bachelor’s degree in film and Animation from Birmingham City University. In 2018, shortly after my graduation, I established by own online production house in Hong Kong. Presently, through different digital platforms, my team and I have partnered with people all around the world to make our vision a reality.
  As a youngster, I was a blooming entrepreneur. Most kids would go to school to study, but I would go and study the demand for different products and services amongst my peers, to earn some extra pocket money. In primary school to high school life, I would reconstruct toys and create beautiful drawing, Sell Games memberships and my classmates would buy them. I saw that teachers would ask students to copy the school rules every time they got into trouble. So, I sat down and copied the school rules hundreds of times and sold them to anyone who needed it. I was eventually old enough to work, and spent the next few years dabbling in multiple jobs, be it in construction, as a labourer, as a waiter, as a shopkeeper, etc.
  Having saved some money, I decided to build something of my own and started Qasim Khan Productions. While setting up the foundation for my production house, I had to maneuverer through all sorts of technicalities: how to start a business, how to register a company, how to market your services. To make sure I was going in the right direction, I was also working for multiple companies to learn about digital marketing and applied some of those skills to my own business.
  Throughout this journey, I was jotting down notes and journaling about my experiences. I decided to compile all my experiences and start writing “The New Age Marketing” to help other people just like me and give them a more concise and accessible way to gain information.
• What inspires you to write? Who inspired you to become a writer?
  In the initial stages, I struggled a lot to grow my production house starting from zero. Since there was no one to teach me, I had days when I was completely lost. However, I braved on, did intense research, and worked hard to achieve my goals. This is what inspires me to write. I want to share my experiences, my ups and my downs, and tell people that they are not alone. I wrote this book to inspire people to go out and accomplish their dreams of becoming big in the digital world.
  My biggest inspiration to become a writer is myself from four years ago, when I was clueless and full of questions. I write this book as an homage to him.

• While there are other books on digital marketing, how is your book unique or different from them? What unique information or topics does your book cover on the topic of digital marketing?
  What makes this book unique is that you have to think of this book as a classmate who allows you to copy their homework. There are comprehensive samples and steps in the book that readers can take and apply to their own situations. I extensively discuss all the recent developments in the world of digital marketing which are not only useful for implementing in a business but also for creating one’s own personal brand.
• Why is the subject of this book so important in the present day for everyone? Does it have updated latest information on digital marketing?
  The world is becoming increasingly digital, whether it is media, business, education or currency. After the Covid-19 pandemic, majority of sectors have move to working from home. To advance in one’s career or education, one must stay on top of their digital game now more than ever. This book investigates different ways individuals and businesses can make use of ever-advancing technology to solidify their online presence.
• Tell us about your next or upcoming book.
  My upcoming book will be a cinematographic A to Z on film making. The next book will teach readers about making films for themselves or for clients, generating income, and starting their own production business.
• Any words of advice from your experience for the upcoming young writers on how to set up their career as an author?
  I will suggest young writers to choose their target audience, figuring out who they are writing for and how readers can benefit from their work. By narrowing down your audience, you will be able to connect with the audience more personally, allowing you to write better.