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Dehradun, with its unique environment and ambience has been a muse to several writers, said renowned author Ruskin Bond, after releasing the novel Autumn Raga by senior journalist Jaskiran Chopra here on Sunday. Addressing a gathering of intellectuals, academicians and citizens attending the book release, Bond said, “I owe much of my success as a writer to Dehradun which has inspired me and many other writers, including Nargis Dalal and Nayantara Sehgal among others. Writing a book can also cause heartbreaks because it is hard for an author to get it published.
If one goes for vanity publishers, the writer can end up keeping piles of unsold books at home, which is why it is important for an author to find a real publisher. I am happy with the handsome book authored by Jaskiran and we must see that it goes ahead. Bringing out the second book is harder than the first book and the third is harder than the second so I wish her all the best.” Taking a dig at the negative changes in Dehradun, Bond said that he wasn’t sad that the East Canal is now covered because he had fallen twice in to the canal. “Now in stead of falling in to the canal I bump into motorbikes and other vehicles. There aren’t even many haunted homes left here because most of them are now occupied by people”, he added.
The Associate Editor of The Pioneer, Sidharth Mishra, said that the Dehradun edition of the newspaper has made many friends through Jaskiran, who is looked upon as a role model by journalists and as a non-stereotype journalist by the readers. “At a time when news has become dry, Jaskiran writes what we call a colour copy because her reports show the difference between writing from the mind and from the heart. Her reports, like the one on haunted homes in Dehradun, also helped us in connecting Doon to the national mainstream and are also picked up by our other State editions and much read even in Hindi belts like Ranchi.” Those who have great childhood memories of life here are pulled back to the valley because Doon is one place which inspires a person to do something for it. Recalling an incident from his school life here involving RC Singhal, the then vice principal of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Mishra said that only in Doon does one see teacher-student relations, which develop in to lifelong bonds of respect and inspiration.
Reading a passage from her novel the author recalled how from Mussoorie the night lights of Doon made it look like a bride bedecked in colourful gems. Thanking her school teacher for being a role model, she also said that the simplicity of Bond’s writings inspired her to dream of writing a novel and getting it released by Bond himself.
The Doon Library Research Centre director, BK Joshi, said: “Jaskiran’s reports were mostly run of the mill in the Times of India but her journalistic skills were brought to the fore after she joined The Pioneer. Her book has a heavy dose of nostalgia and makes one wonder whether the inevitable change which affects cities and villages can’t be for the better.” Author Ganesh Saili welcomed Jaskiran to the club of writers and wished her the best for her future works. Her teacher, the present principal of Heritage School, Bhupinder Gill recalled her academic skills and humility which “made her deeply rooted in love and her writings down to earth and interesting.” DGP Aloke B Lal said that though he is apprehensive of meeting journalists, the author has proved to be different than the general journos, which has made him eager to read her novel. Author and cultural activist Lokesh Ohri hosted the function. Later, Bond also signed several copies of the novel published by Niyogi Books, New Delhi.
If one goes for vanity publishers, the writer can end up keeping piles of unsold books at home, which is why it is important for an author to find a real publisher. I am happy with the handsome book authored by Jaskiran and we must see that it goes ahead. Bringing out the second book is harder than the first book and the third is harder than the second so I wish her all the best.” Taking a dig at the negative changes in Dehradun, Bond said that he wasn’t sad that the East Canal is now covered because he had fallen twice in to the canal. “Now in stead of falling in to the canal I bump into motorbikes and other vehicles. There aren’t even many haunted homes left here because most of them are now occupied by people”, he added.
The Associate Editor of The Pioneer, Sidharth Mishra, said that the Dehradun edition of the newspaper has made many friends through Jaskiran, who is looked upon as a role model by journalists and as a non-stereotype journalist by the readers. “At a time when news has become dry, Jaskiran writes what we call a colour copy because her reports show the difference between writing from the mind and from the heart. Her reports, like the one on haunted homes in Dehradun, also helped us in connecting Doon to the national mainstream and are also picked up by our other State editions and much read even in Hindi belts like Ranchi.” Those who have great childhood memories of life here are pulled back to the valley because Doon is one place which inspires a person to do something for it. Recalling an incident from his school life here involving RC Singhal, the then vice principal of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Mishra said that only in Doon does one see teacher-student relations, which develop in to lifelong bonds of respect and inspiration.
Reading a passage from her novel the author recalled how from Mussoorie the night lights of Doon made it look like a bride bedecked in colourful gems. Thanking her school teacher for being a role model, she also said that the simplicity of Bond’s writings inspired her to dream of writing a novel and getting it released by Bond himself.
The Doon Library Research Centre director, BK Joshi, said: “Jaskiran’s reports were mostly run of the mill in the Times of India but her journalistic skills were brought to the fore after she joined The Pioneer. Her book has a heavy dose of nostalgia and makes one wonder whether the inevitable change which affects cities and villages can’t be for the better.” Author Ganesh Saili welcomed Jaskiran to the club of writers and wished her the best for her future works. Her teacher, the present principal of Heritage School, Bhupinder Gill recalled her academic skills and humility which “made her deeply rooted in love and her writings down to earth and interesting.” DGP Aloke B Lal said that though he is apprehensive of meeting journalists, the author has proved to be different than the general journos, which has made him eager to read her novel. Author and cultural activist Lokesh Ohri hosted the function. Later, Bond also signed several copies of the novel published by Niyogi Books, New Delhi.
