It is equally important to teach boys not to rape, to respect women and inculcate in them the virtues of kindness: Prachi Priyanka

When I got in touch with the vivacious Dr. Prachi Priyanka, I noticed she had a cheerful smile on her face. Within a few minutes of talking, I came to know its beauty of her heart that reflects in her face. A dynamic personality that she, Prachi happens to be the Creative Head at Morsels & Juices. She holds a doctorate degree in English literature and conducts creative writing workshops for young learners. She enjoys weaving articles on various topics ranging from art criticism to book reviews and relationships to recipes. 

Prachi is a contributing author in three short story anthologies: Crumpled Voices, Mighty Thoughts and The Zest of Inklings. Her articles, stories and poems have been published on several online magazines and journals. She writes with equal ease in English as well as Hindi and her works are published in both the languages. Conflicts and contradictions that emerge in human relationships fascinate her to the core and her writings are often spilled with varying shades of experiences that intrigue her. She is a fun-loving person blessed with beautiful family and a bunch of good friends. She likes to learn languages, read books, write blogs, watch movies, experiment art, enjoy cooking, make memories and stay happy.

In a candid chat with me, Priyanka reveals about issues close to heart and how we can help create a difference in the society.

1. How does it feel to be a part of 'Crumpled Voices'?

Fortunate, Fulfilling.Fearless.

2. Tell us something about yourself.

Thank you Harshita for having me here. I was born in the silk city, Bhagalpur, completed my schooling from De Nobili School, Chandrapura, did my graduation from Banaras Hindu University, and finally obtained my doctorate degree in English literature from Patna University. Presently, I am associated with Morsels & Juices as its Creative Head and also run English creative writing workshops for young learners. I like to take new challenges, explore possibilities, work hard, think positive and create happiness within and around me. I love to meet people, make friends and treasure memories.

3. Tell us something about your writing journey.

I dwell in the world of words. They hold me, haunt me, touch me, tease me, move, mould me – and make me what I am today. Writing came naturally to me – You can say, it’s in my genes! My mother writes in Hindi and has published several novels and poetry collections. As for me, I have always loved writing – in English as well as Hindi - somehow, finding it easier to communicate through written texts than spoken words. I have been writing on and off – working with the editorial team for school magazine, scribbling poems during college lectures, penning down articles for online journals and now weaving stories for various anthologies. Crumpled Voices is my first step into the world of publishing and I am especially grateful to Pulkit Gupta and Ila Garg for coming up with an anthology that revolves around societal evils – the need of the hour.

4. Tell us something about your story. What instigated you to pen down a story on this issue?

The complications in human nature have always appealed to me. My story ‘The Paradise’ is a thought provoking journey of a couple very much in love, and yet something is missing – and so it crumples.

I have been married for fifteen years and the story has found its way out from the issues that have engaged me often – something like: Is love enough to make you stay in a marriage? Can there be a perfect marriage? Should perfection be sought after? What makes a home a paradise? If you were to marry Apsara – would you have been able to live happily ever after?

5. Name one social evil that as per you needs major attention.

Though corruption is a global phenomenon, in India it thrives on the nexus between bureaucracy, politics and criminals. We all love to hate it, and yet ironically, corruption exists in us, deep rooted – following us like the hutch dog. Spreading like an epidemic disease; adversely affecting investment and economic growth of our country. The sad part is that we spend all our time blaming officials and the government – never take the onus. We need to realize that the change has to begin with ourselves.

6. What do you think can be done to curb such practices?

The sad part is that we spend all our time blaming officials and the government – never taking the onus ourselves. We need to realize that the change has to begin with ourselves. Taking responsibility instead of pointing fingers is necessary if we want things to change. ‘Crumpled Voices’ is an initiative to raise awareness on different social issues that curb our growth as individuals and as a nation.

7. If you were given a chance to help eradicate a social evil, what would it be and how would you fight the same?

The rise in rape victims making headlines all over India leaves me agitated – feeling terrible and tormented. Every day we encounter such cases of brutal and spine-chilling stories that disturb me as a woman. If you ask me how I would fight it – the only refrain is that the attitude towards women must change; the legal process of dealing with crime must speed up and men must be educated and sensitized about women’s issues. As a mother of two boys, I feel it is equally important to teach boys not to rape, to respect women and inculcate in them the virtues of kindness that will go a long way in building a beautiful tomorrow for our children.

8. Name one social organization that you feel is working in the most progressive manner.

I feel deeply for women empowerment and feel it is very important to support the cause of girl education. Illiteracy breeds ignorance and fear that only increases her vulnerability to be exposed to lifelong abuse, suppression and exploitation. I appreciate the noble cause of project ‘Nanhi Kali’,which aims to provide primary education to girl children in India. The Project was founded with a strong belief that educated women would not only contribute to the economy but also issues of population and social evils like the dowry system and child marriage would reduce as more women are educated. Established in 1996, the organization has grown hugely now to support the education of approximately 1500000 girls. I would surely like to contribute to more projects that support such causes and help in our nation’s development.

9. Lastly, is there a message you would like to convey your readers.

Follow your heart. Find your voice. Create new horizons. 

 

We wish Prachi all the success for life. May you accomplish your everything under the sun! :)

Purchase link of Crumpled Voices: http://bit.ly/1m5MnwV

Connect with her at prachi.writes@gmail.com

The cause of this anthology made me feel very responsible: Abhik Chakraborty

There are some interactions that leave you with no words. Abhik Chakraborty's happens to be one of them. He has left me in a trance and all I can do is just ask you read down his views on issues close to him. And yes, Abhik is an electronics engineering student and a contributor to Crumpled Voices. 

He has been a frequent contributor to various websites on different topics of self help and current affairs; he has also been an intern for www.fuccha.in. A foodie, he wishes to be a nomad for some time of his life to travel places, and write at least one fiction, which truly can define a story, playing with the exquisite wonders of adventure and traveling. 

Reading lots of books is not his cup of tea, but a good book surely holds his mind's controls.
Drop him a mail on his id : writerabhik@gmail.com, and share your comments and suggestions, and praises and praises and praises!

In a conversation with me, he tells me all about his writing journey. 

How does it feel to be a part of 'Crumpled Voices'?

Ans: Writing is something I do to recreate myself. It gives me pleasure to create new characters, add emotions to them with my words, make them speak what I want to, and make them live in the world, exclusively created by me, with all things to my liking. But that’s a kind of personal satisfaction, which is entirely different from getting published. Publishing makes you share your exclusive world with others so that they can get a chance to trip through it. It’s like an imaginary friend coming alive. After getting selected in Crumpled Voice’s anthology, a sense of inner satisfaction filled me. Suddenly I felt more confident about myself and the cause of this anthology made me feel very responsible. It felt like an achievement to let people experience the world of a victim, and make them understand apathy. I hope I can bring some change.

Tell us something about yourself.

Ans: I am an engineering student. But that’s the least important part. The more important things that could define me are – my height (6 feet!), my lack of smile in my pictures, the lack of hair on my head (Sigh!), and my serious love for singing and photography. I have done many performances as a singer, and have won one All India Photography Contest, organized by Max New York. Other than this, as a person I am a hell bent introvert who prefers to enjoy alone at home than crib about everything in a dim lit club. I like innuendos onromance, and believe that love is a flash reality, a favorable serendipity, and happens just once in your life. The only thing that I find bad about me is me being short tempered. My aim of life is to earn enough money to have a carefree life.   

Tell us something about your writing journey.

Ans: Writing came to me like finding a five hundred rupee note on a windy day. It was never planned. I had always loved English and would find ways to write anything, be it articles for local magazines, or a school assembly script, but that was all. But after engineering happened, in order to pass time during my summer holidays, I started penning down a story. It took me one year to write its 97000 words, and just because of this word count, I was either rejected, or was asked for money, which firstly, I didn’t have, and secondly, I found too immoral to give, since I wanted to get it traditionally published. Between all this chaos of yes and no, engineering continued and in the free time, I started penning self-help, philosophical, and current affair articles, for numerous websites, one being exclusively used to show how Jiah Khan’s suicide could have been prevented. And then, finally this year, I signed my novel contract, with a long wait period. But I am happy. Atleast it doesn’t make me look down upon myself as someone who got published due to his monetary power. And now, I pen short stories, have scripted my second novel, a psychological murder mystery, and look forward to continue this, but, only as an interest, and not as a profession.

Tell us something about your story. What instigated you to pen down a story on this issue?

Ans:  I wrote this story to refresh my mind during my fourth semester examination, and during that time, it was just a twelve hundred word scribble. But later, I thought that I should actually make it worth reading and then, after editing, it rose to almost double the word count. Talking about my theme, the inspiration comes from the fact that I am really sensitive about women. I feel that they just shouldn’t feel any pain. Have you seen any woman smiling? Be it any age, the heaven just drools around that smile. It makes your day. Making them feel any wrath is just, just wrong! It’s revolting against nature! So, I decided that let’s just make a story, which would not only tell about the insensitivity of rules on our society, but also bring down a character, whose pain, that literal sting on the skin, the merciless agony, the people should feel on their body. May be that way, this brutal activities can stop.

Name one social evil that as per you needs major attention.

Ans: There is no ranking for evil activities. Each one is as worse as any other. But, considering my story, I would go around to shout at the top of my voice that – KILLING FOR THE SAKE OF HONOUR – IS OUTRIGHT DEVILISH. You don’t control anyone’s life. It’s their wish, whom they feel love for. It is as natural as the time and feeling of hunger or going to bathroom!

What do you think can be done to curb such practices?

Ans: Strict rules are indeed laid out. Our law has enough punishments for brutes but the problem comes when it is to prove – who is the brute? Judgements for honour killing happen at a local panchayat who share similar mindsets. Local courts, with people who don’t belong to that region can lead to judgements that is without favour. Rehabilitation centres for distressed couples is also a good move. Police heads should also be from different region for a place. Installing women constables, a 24X7 doctor, they can actually reduce the problems, quite a bit.

If you were given a chance to help eradicate a social evil, what would it be and how would you fight the same?

Ans: I am too small to eradicate any social evil by myself, because, directly or indirectly, even I am a part of this society. But as a writer, I would love to write more on various social issues so as to make people, atleast aware, that they are doing it wrong. That they should think a bit before doing anything heinous. That it is time to rectify.

Name one social organization that you feel is working in the most progressive manner.

Ans: That’s really a question for job interviews. (Giggles!) Honestly, I can’t really tell any name like that without googling. But in the past, when I was in school, I had worked for a school initiative named ‘We for India’, if that counts. We taught little children, played games with them, and dedicated a full day of life to them. But there is a catch. They were all children from Leprosy colonies, who were looked down upon due the disease being contagious. Also, in the college, I had worked for Rotary Club and organized blood donation camps.

Lastly, is there a message you would like to convey your readers.

Ans: I am too nascent for now to give any advice to my readers. But I want to share the philosophy I use as a writer. Read as if you want to know everything about the book. Write as if you want the reader to know everything about your book. Never care for the word count. And don’t copy anyone’s style. Be unique. Play with the power of your writing skills and try to write something that shows things rather than telling them. And yes, never use deep words. But always write with a certain depth, so that when the writing reveals its true sense, it creates a moment of extravaganza for the readers. 

We wish Abhik all the luck with his book. May you accomplish your dreams! :)

Purchase link of Crumpled Voices: http://bit.ly/1m5MnwV

It doesn’t matter if we wanted to do it or not, what matters is if we did it at the right time or not: Nibha Gupta

"I call myself as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a Dreamer, a Writer, Poetess, a Storyteller, an Artist, a philosopher, a thinker, a listener, an advisor and a bird with the wings of imagination!" says Nibha Gupta, one of the contributors of the recently released and critically acclaimed anthology, Crumpled Voices. 

Nibha is currently pursuing Masters in Computer Applications from National Institute of Technology, Bhopal. She completed her graduation from Banasthali University, Jaipur. She aspires to be writer in future. She gives wings to her imagination through the words which she shares with the world through her blog “Expressions”. Apart from studies and writing, she loves reading and indulges herself in her love for crafts. She is also a photography enthusiast and spends her free time capturing Nature through the lens. 

 How does it feel to be a part of 'Crumpled Voices'? Being a total newbie in this field of writing, Crumpled voices was an enriching experience. Connecting with fellow contributors and becoming friends with them was an awesome experience in itself. It was complete fun to be with them. Moreover Pulkit and Ila were a great support. A big thanks to them for providing me this opportunity to shine.

Tell us something about yourself.

Being a Writer never did any good for answering this question. I still get stuck on this one. I am twenty-something girl pursuing MCA from NIT-Bhopal after completing graduation from Banasthali, Jaipur.

Further, I would describe myself as the lover of written words, a girl who is mostly lost in creating her own world with these words. Apart from reading and writing, capturing nature through my lens is always an option.

Tell us something about your writing journey.


My writing journey started when I was just a kid and would scribble short verses for the greeting cards I made for family, friends and relatives. Earlier the only reader of thoughts was my Diary with the exception of my closest friends who read my poetry occasionally when I wrote. My first piece that reached beyond my friends was my Science Fiction in Science Reporter Magazine when I was 17. It felt great but that was it. My writing went back to my pages of diary. And then my blog “Expressions” happened last year.

Words after words and thoughts after thoughts, I gradually started sharing with the world. I began to see Writing in new light. There were more dimensions to it than I had known before. Then I set out to explore new horizons and I’m still on the journey to it. Meanwhile, Crumpled Voices came along.

Apart from these, my poems and articles were published in school and college magazine now and then. Recently, my poem “The Lost Smile” was published in online magazine- Writer’s Ezine June issue, selected as the best entry for the month.

Tell us something about your story. What instigated you to pen down a story on this issue? 

My story, Eighteenth Birthday, is based on the domestic violence and the suffering the women go through and what a woman can do to save her child/sibling to rescue her from pain.

The idea of the story struck suddenly while glancing through the newspaper where one random news headline about the domestic violence caught my eye.

Name one social evil that as per you needs major attention. Society is full of evils these days ranging from dowry to female feticide. But one particular evil that needs major attention is crime against women, primarily, molestation.

What do you think can be done to curb such practices? Most important step should come from the state and the central government in the form of stringent laws. These laws should help in instilling some fear in the minds of the culprits. Youth should stand up against these atrocities and help making this society a better place. Last but not the least, as we all know that the teaching of a child starts at home, the environment the child is brought up needs to change along with the mentality of both parents. It plays a crucial role in forming the personality of the person when he/she grows up. It’s the thinking that needs to change because until we can’t change our thoughts we can’t change the world.

If you were given a chance to help eradicate a social evil, what would it be and how would you fight the same? If given a chance I would try and eliminate the crime against women so that they can walk free on road without a single thought of fear crossing their minds. If given a chance I would persuade government to make laws that are difficult to mend and provide justice to women in due time, because Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.

Name one social organization that you feel is working in the most progressive manner.

Social Welfare Association of Neo Socialites (SWANS)is an organization that encourages and motivates the youth to volunteer towards social good.The objective of this organization is to create a common platform across the length and breadth of the country for people to join hands and weave back the torn social fabric of our nation.

I’m currently not associated with any social organization, just a college society that works for children. If given a chance I would love to work with such an organization that helps in bringing change in the society.

Lastly, is there a message you would like to convey your readers.

I would like to request my readers that if they witness any social evil, please do take a step to stop it, no matter how small it is. It doesn’t matter if we wanted to do it or not, what matters is if we did it at the right time!


Thanks Nibha. It was great having you on my blog.

Readers, Nibha would be waiting for your feedback. Do reach out to her at nibha.gupta91@gmail.com

Purchase link of Crumpled Voices: http://bit.ly/1m5MnwV

Be yourself and enjoy your existence, rest of the world has been taken: Tanya Shrivastava

"There are many other designations and degrees that decorate my profile but somehow none of them could give me the satisfaction and delight which I get when people call me ‘An Author’. I was spending my life quite aimlessly until I found myself growing in the literary society. Writing gives me solace, peace and tranquility, it accepts me the way I am, I don’t have to be right every time- I can just be ‘me’. Composing stories and poems is what I live for, and I am sure it’ll be the only thing I would die for," says Tanya Shrivastava, author of 'Dear Diary' and contributor in the recently released 'Crumpled Voices'.

Apart from being an author, I am a ‘Marketer’- I am currently pursuing MBA in marketing. I am human by religion and an author by heart- that’s the only thing that conforms my existence.

Social service has been in my soul, and I have always wanted to make a difference in the society, with my pen as my armor. I have been rendering my services to a few NGOs like UNICEF, SOS and Aarushi.

Here's a small account of a recent conversation I had with the dimpled author.

1. How does it feel to be a part of 'Crumpled Voices'?

Ans. I always wanted to make a difference in the society, with my pen as my armor, and fortunately Crumpled Voices gave me the opportunity to do so. My story in this anthology is closest to my heart, out of all the stories that I have created so far.

I am quite a sensitive person who feels upset to see the dismal state of the underprivileged segment of our society, especially those women who have to undergo so much of pain and agony, since time immemorial. And, thus, a platform to raise my voice with an attempt to initiate a change in the society was like a treasure for me. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Gargi Publishers (especially Ila and Pulkit) and the entire team for coming up with this anthology, it was one of its kind. It was a great experience to work with this publishing house. And, if I do not mention Harshita Srivastava here, I would not be fair. An author who inspires me, a dear friend and the person who introduced me to this publishing house.

2. Tell us something about your writing journey.

Ans. Writing is in my genes. I got this as a heritage from my family- both the preceding generations of my family were into writing. So, at quite a small age, I started scribbling on the last few pages of my notebooks and developed an intense camaraderie with my pen. I started my writing journey with poems and then when my friends and family started appreciating me, I took this one step forward- I started composing stories. Writing was not just a hobby but a lot more than that. It was a passion, my first love and my best friend- it was the only medium I could express my emotions as I am a hell lot of an introvert person and I usually do not open up so easily.

I romanced with this love of mine with my debut novel- “Dear Diary…” and then I never looked back. There are a few more stories that would soon be released after Crumpled Voices. But, somehow, Crumpled Voices is closest to my heart, as of now.

3. Tell us something about your story. What instigated you to pen down a story on this issue?

My story is about a girl called Shalini, who, like all other girls, thought that marriage was all about love- a pious bond where two souls mingle to be one. But, she was unaware of the other side of this institution called marriage- the side which is so dark and obnoxious, the side which unfolded in front of her when she actually got married- the side where your own husband has a right to force himself on you just because you are married to him- we call it ‘Rape’…‘Marital Rape…’

Unfortunately, a close friend of mine was a victim of this social evil and she succumbed to it. This story is a tribute to her.

4. Name one social evil that as per you needs major attention.

Ans. I would say that the torments faced by the women, in all forms- may it be rape, marital rape, dowry, female infanticide, acid attack- any sort of harassment to them should be checked. On one hand we worship the goddesses and on the other hand we victimize the women of our society. How fair is that?

5. What do you think can be done to curb such practices.

Ans. We blabber a lot about the things which are not right in this society but, how many of us actually took a step in order to mend those things? The first step towards making things right would be changing yourself, for good, transforming yourself back again to a human being (assuming that the religion of humanitarism is becoming obsolete day-by-day). The day we stop ignoring the victimized voices around us, and start raising voices against the source causing pain and agony to the victim, that would be the beginning of a ‘Shining India.’

I just hope that unlike Shalini (the protagonist of my story in Crumpled Voices) all those women who have been victimized should stand out, speak out, make noise and initiate a change.

Even if a handful of women could understand their rights, fight for them and could make a difference in their lives, I would consider that my story has achieved its purpose.

6. If you were given a chance to help eradicate a social evil, what would it be and how would you fight the same?

Ans.‘Marital Rapes’, out of five women of our society, every third woman is a victim of marital rape. A relationship so pious actually takes such a ruthless form. Why? Just because the man has all the rights to force himself on her lady? How human is this?

I would like to start an online campaign, with the support of some NGOs which works for the progress and development of the women, and would sign a petition where I would seek legal punishments to be enforced for this heinous crime.

I would also like to start an awareness campaign, through which I would like to educate the women of our society to stop covering up for the tortures induced by their husbands, to raise their voice and fight against this agony.

7. Name one social organization that you feel is working in the most progressive manner. (Do mention if you are associated with any)

Ans. I am a philanthropic soul who religiously serves the society in some way or the other. Currently, I am associated with a few NGOs like UNICEF, Aarushi and SOS.

I would not really compare any social organizations per se, as there is no quantification of social service. All of them are contributing their level best in order to make this society a better place to live in.

8. Lastly, is there a message you would like to convey your readers?

Ans. Love, as much as you can, because this feeling is actually becoming obsolete these days. I have heard people saying that this society has been corrupted and in this world so corrupt, you can survive only if you corrupt yourself in some way or the other. And, I say, be a maverick. Why fear being different, why follow the crowd if you can actually stand out, why to fake your feelings if you can actually express them. Be yourself and enjoy your existence, rest of the world has been taken.

I would also like to convey a message to those youngsters who are actually not happy with what they are doing, just because they are passionate about something else, and it’s the environmental parameters that are preventing them to follow their heart. I would like to tell them that you get to live only once, why waste it at a place of which you are not a part of? Follow your heart and rest everything would be taken care of.

 

Thank you so much for such a lovely chat, Tanya. Wish you all the best!