The 29-year old islander, G. Mehul Krishna Kumar, has taken the literary world by storm. Mehul’s debut book Lucid Dream’s: Let’s Redefine Love has not only topped the charts on Amazon but is also going into third round reprint by apk Publisher.
The freshness of the words and the ability of the reader to identify with what is narrated by a writer is almost mysticism, magic, but above all it’s the talent which matters the most.
Mehul hails from Garacharma, Port Blair and has completed his education by being in this remote territory and currently working as a government servant in Rural Development Department under Andaman and Nicobar Administration. He is a researcher in Travel and Tourism Management with research papers presented on various international platforms and is a reviewer for Elsevier journal. Destiny may have carved a Researcher out of him but the real passion to write transformed him into an author.
Today, the Deputy Commissioner (SA), Shri Suneel Anchipaka interacted with him and the interaction gave rise to the following insights about the writer and his journey.
How did you start as a writer?
My journey as a writer began when I was a teenager who tried to remix or create new versions of various poems. The habit of scribbling on papers was never taken seriously by anyone. So it was obvious that coming from the island, I must get into a government job some job of other. As soon as I finished graduation, I joined the Directorate of RD, PRI and ULBs as an MTS. But I was destined to be a researcher, so the never say die attitude in me upthrusted me to study further and a consistent support from all my near and dear ones helped me get into PhD. It was then the passion embedded in me to write resurrected again.
Can you tell us a little about your book?
My book unravels the complicated term love and cherishes it with a simple explanation of what family means to a person. The book is definitely a bestseller in the Romance genre yet the purity of content delivers an apt definition of what love is all about. For me and I guess for anyone out there, it’s the family which comes first. So a family oriented story written to not just motivate the youth but even to inculcate the essence of understanding among loved ones.
What are the challenges you faced, as you come from a remote territory?
To be frank I don’t think there was much hurdle for me by god’s grace, as life was good before and is better now. But definitely there have been various challenges as there is no easy way to success but rigorous hardwork, self-belief and respect for others is the only way to live. A lot many people’s blessing and support is what my life is all about. The tag of an islander that is attached to me since birth was a challenge but today it is something I feel proud about.
Being an government employee how did you manage your time to pursue your passion?
Well in this I can say I am pretty much blessed with, to find myself amid a healthy working atmosphere. My colleagues are very much supportive and I express my gratitude to them. I shall ever remain obliged to the Rural Development (RD) Department for their complete support in letting me believe in my dream. I am grateful to the RD department and entire Andaman and Nicobar administration for allowing me to chase my dreams.
What are your future prospects?
At present I am working on my next book which probably is in its beginning stage. However, if asked about my future aspirations, I would definitely like to see myself as a researcher or as an academician.
As an islander what will be your advice to the youths of the island?
Well I think I am still a learner and there’s plenty to learn so instead of giving an advice I rather prefer giving suggestion. To begin with I will say never consider yourself small, the people around may criticize you for the uniqueness you portray, never mind because you know what you want from life, forget the fear of defeat and the world shall be your playground. As an islander I know a numerous people of my generation and even younger have some amazing talents which is unique, the point is, how you channelize this creativity of yours into success. Long gone are the days when we used to consider ourselves not at par with the mainlanders. Today we have everything and success is something which can only be achieved if you are determined.
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