An Interview with Author Sudip Banik | Criticspace

Akhila Saroha: First of all, Big Congratulations on your newly published book, “Hindsight 2020”, Sudip! What responses you are getting from the readers? Please share your experience about this book.

Sudip: Let me start off with an ‘attitude of gratitude’. Words literally fall short to express the feeling when your book, the one that you had nurtured all along is finally aligning thoughts with the readers. In this sense, I consider myself lucky to be in the company of ‘voracious readers’. The love and accolades that HINDSIGHT 2020 is receiving, the credit as much as mine is equally to the entire team of Evincepub publishing and my well-wishers as well.

The journey of HINDSIGHT 2020 has indeed been a roller-coaster ride for me. This for me, is not a book, it is an emotion which has been penned down with care, nurtured with love and accepted by all with arms wide open. I feel humbled to announce that HINDSIGHT 2020 is featuring in many talk shows, journals and amazing word of mouth publicity. A big thank you to everyone involved in making this book a huge hit.

Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it to give words and explain your ideas in the book?

Sudip: Conceiving an idea is one thing and to get it within the boundaries of a few pages is altogether a different aspect. The seeds of imagination got implanted first when the lockdown was announced by our honourable Prime Minister, and identically so the book was initially named, “Those 21 days”. Later had to change it to HINDSIGHT 2020 when the lockdown got extended, else the readers could had a non-connect although this is a work of fiction.

All my writings (www.sudipbanik.com) and even in this book, I wanted to portray a message through my thoughts. On one side you have a dreadful scenario; the pandemic, club it with creativity and also to share a message; the amalgamation of all of these was quite a task. I had to research a lot, at the same time not let the creative feelings wither away. Initially, I found this too much for an asking, but eventually after a few shots, things started to fall in place.

Akhila Saroha: The character of Junaid come out as a sorry figure. Do you think destiny was against him always?

Sudip: The unique difference between fate and destiny is that while you can control and change your fate, the same doesn’t hold good for destiny; it stands as it was destined for you. Junaid had his share of luck and he resurrected too, but eventually he met what was destined of him. Life can be ‘the devil’ at times, but it is also quite imperative upon you to be making the right choices during those times. Something impulsive, and you are bound to be doomed. In the end you can only introspect. You’re a product of your choices – so why not be rationale with them and use prudence. Rest as I said, destiny will play its part but not before you have played yours!

Akhila Saroha: I have read your book thoroughly and, in my opinion, this can be a “Historical Document to describe the way we are living at 2020”. On that note, my next question to you is that what inspired you to write this book? What was the impetus behind this work of yours?

Sudip: Writing comes naturally to me, it’s my passion. I have for long thought about jotting down something in the form of a book. Though I had written numerous articles on something relevant towards the society, the elusive dream of getting my book published somehow evaded me. The first and foremost being time, and secondly an engaging and burning theme. Lockdown solved both!

Having conceived the idea, and also with ample time at hand, the next in line was ‘How to keep the readers intrigued?’ When you’re trying to put forth a message, you can’t be blatant about it. People these days are flooded with information, thanks to social media and one more in the form of a book would be too much to handle for them. This is where fiction and creativity comes in. Fact and fiction is a rare combination, but if mixed in the right proportion can turn out to be a delicious recipe, a perfect fodder for the brain.

Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to design and describe the lives of characters from economically almost opposite backgrounds?

Sudip: In one of my poems, ‘WISH I WAS NEVER FREE’, I had written,

THE HANDS THAT PRODUCE OUR FOOD IS ALSO AN INSAAN.

WHAT AN IRONY, LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI ONCE SAID,

‘JAI JAWAAN, JAI KISAAN’.

The people from the economically backward sections are the backbone of our country, and it was quite painful for me to see their plight. They were the hardest hit by the lockdown. The more I delved deep in my research for HINDSIGHT 2020, the atrocities faced by them was projected in front of me. I had to highlight their plight, their sufferings and I so hope that HINDSIGHT 2020 reaches the right audience where corrective and supportive actions by the authorities can be implemented.

Akhila Saroha: How do you feel after having written about the effect of the untimely lockdown on the economically weaker sections from the remotest parts of the country?

Sudip: Writing about the lockdown and its effect on the poorest of souls is only half the job done. As I’ve already mentioned, the purpose of writing this book will only be fulfilled when the information reaches to the concerned authorities and subsequently, resurrected actions are taken. We all should do our bit to create awareness and if possible, implement.

Akhila Saroha: Studying the subject matter of this book, I’m greatly impressed and I want you to explain to us, your views about how this book is relevant in the present-day scenario.

Sudip: This book is not only relevant to the present day scenario, it will remain so for generations to come. The pandemic of Covid-19 is the central theme, but this book engulfs itself with the deep roots of Indian history, something which is still prevalent. India’s history is beleaguered with instances of casteism and religious upheaval; as a matter of fact, is still rampant. The youths should be made to face these factual aspects, to confront them with the reality that these are nothing but a travesty; a farce.

As far as the pandemic goes, this is again to remain etched in our memories for a life-time and in the history for eternity, and history is what history shows through visuals and literature. I have chosen the latter, and I feel the research that went into the making of HINDSIGHT 2020 will remain as a text of literary importance.

Akhila Saroha: Sudip, you were very straightforward with your writings in your book, which I, as a reader, really appreciate. So next, I want you to tell us about your top 5 writers, who had inspired you and whom you vehemently follow.

Sudip: I feel there is nothing as being a top writer when it comes to rankings. A writer is as good as his work and it’s not that all the successful writers have no failures. Any writing which touches my conscience, I enjoy reading him/her. May not be the same with his next venture. Having said so, I like the work of Chetan Bhagat for his lucidness, Dale Carnegie for his aptness, Robert Kiyosaki for his module. I have also read quite a bit of Sidney Sheldon. His creativity and deep sense of character portrayal is what amazes me. Presently, I’m reading ‘The Chosen One’ by Arvind Narsima – a contemporary writer and a very good friend of mine. So all in all, it’s not a particular author or genre that I follow. I’m an avid reader and anything good which comes my way, I shall simply gobble it up.

Akhila Saroha: Is there any message which you would like to convey to your readers, Sudip? Or any piece of advice, which you would like to give to your readers?

Sudip: I have a simple philosophy of life, a philosophy which is my own and I follow it to the last word. For all my readers, follow this simple mantra of life and you’re bound to succeed. Just say to yourself, “I do not want to be the PHOTOGRAPHER”. Life could be short, but should be meaningful. Do not just occupy seats and applaud success stories, rather create one for yourself that others might want to talk about. Do not be the photographer, be the person in the photo.

Akhila Saroha: Are there any other books being worked by you? Please let us know about your future projects.

Sudip: Presently, I’m working on a motivational book based on the theme that we just discussed; ‘I do not want to be the PHOTOGRAPHER’. I wouldn’t exactly use the word depression, for God has been kind enough to enrich me with a strong will power. My mantra of life being, ‘all that happens, actually happens for good’ and has actually seen me through turbulent times. But yes, even I was terrified at times, worried at times and not to mention definitely down at times. My eyes searched every nook and corner around with diminishing hope of finding an able shoulder to share the load of unsurmountable pressure dwelling upon me, pressure of deciding my future course after 10^th, pressure of sustaining my expenses during my college days, pressure of running my family even though I was jobless, pressure of managing finances when my house was being built and last but not the least pressure of a private job with a constant fear of being terminated with the tag of a non-performer. Alas! I found none.  www.sudipbanik.com wasn’t built in a day, it followed a dream, took years of dedication, undying passion and dogged perseverance to be where I am today. And I would like to share my experiences with my loved ones; my readers to whom I owe a lot. I didn’t find an able support, but at least they have me. This should be out hopefully by the end of this year.

Apart from this, I also plan to publish a socio-suspense; something unique and unheard of. This project hasn’t yet seen the light of the day, but I hope to bring it out by next year. My articles in the meantime would continue as it is and will be available on my webpage www.sudipbanik.com.

Akhila Saroha: Thank you so much for all your time and answering all my questions. All the very best to you for your future and your book too. We will be looking forward to more writings from you! Till then, keep writing, keep empowering.
Sudip: It has been an absolute pleasure interacting with you on this platform. Opportunities such as these helps us to connect with our readers. Keep up the good work going. Thank you once again.