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IIM-Lucknow graduate makes the ‘write’ choice
An Indian Institute of Management (IIM) graduate is expected to join a multi-national company or become a successful entrepreneur.
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An Indian Institute of Management (IIM) graduate is expected to join a multi-national company or become a successful entrepreneur.
But Debalina Haldar (27) wanted to chart out a different course.
After completing her post-graduate course from IIM-Lucknow, Haldar is ready with her second book, ‘Wrinkles in Memory’, which was published by LiFi Publications and will be launched by the end of this month.
Haldar, who grew up in Kolkata and then moved to Mumbai, penned the collection of 22 short stories based on the theme of reminiscence and nostalgia during her second year at IIM-Lucknow.
“The last chapter is an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s poem ‘Upagupta’,” Haldar, now a management consultant at Deloitte, says.
“Tight academic schedule prompted me to write. I found my space in between the crazy schedules and deadline that life at IIM-Lucknow demands. It was fun,” she recalls.
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Halder had a penchant for writing since she was in Class 2. “I took up writing as a hobby. It has been a habit since then to write something every day, even if it is just a paragraph of 50 words or so. I always fantasised that one day I would have my own books in printed words. When I look back, I can simply connect the dots,” she says.
Her debut book, ‘The Female Ward’, was published in 2012 by Thames River Press’ sister imprint, Union Bridge Books. “It is a thought-provoking and moving story of a girl. Dishari, a fourth-year engineering student, thinks of her treatment of a first-year girl as “acceptable ragging” – something she herself experienced when younger,” she says.
When asked about her inspiration, she says, “I’ve loved writing and I have always found avenues to express myself in written words. However, what keeps me going is the support from my parents.”
“Rabindranath Tagore has always been my favourite. In happy and sad times, I’ve always found joy and comfort in the way his work makes you look at life,” Haldar, who is determined to continue writing, says.
The winner of Illuminati ’11 critics choice award, McGough & Co international letter writing competition and bagged Anubhuti ’14 award at the Lucknow Literary Festival, Haldar has even started working on a new novel.
Halder, a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and Rabindra Sangeet singer, says dance and music give her immense joy and firmly believes in what her grandmother used to say in Bengali: ‘Je Shoy, Shey Roy’ (One who can withstand, lasts).
