AUTHOR’S BIO :
The author, Amulya Priyadarshi, was born on Aug 13, 1971 at Patna. He completed his schooling from the renowned Netarhat Residential School (now in Jharkhand). Having a bent towards Humanities stream since early days, he opted for Intermediate Arts (I.A) at Patna College, Patna. In fact, in the Matriculation or Secondary Board Examination conducted in 1987, he scored Science – type high marks in Humanities Stream, and Humanities – type marks in Science stream.
Subsequently, he moved to Delhi University and completed B.A (Hons.) in Political Science at Ramjas College. He topped his college in the said course, and also attained 2nd rank in North Campus and overall 7th rank in the university. He followed it up with more qualifications, i.e. LLB at Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi and a 1 – year P.G. Diploma in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management at R.P College of Communications & Management, BhartiyaVidyaBhawan, New Delhi.
At present, he is working as DGM (HR) at Bhilai Steel Plant, the flagship of Steel Authority of India (SAIL). Not content with his academic pursuits, he completed MBA in HR through Distance Education mode from IGNOU, while in service.
He has had a strong fascination with writing since childhood. During his Intermediate Arts – days at Patna, he got quite a few articles published in ‘Campus Corner’ section of The Times of India, Patna. Further, while at Delhi University, his articles got published in newspapers like ‘The Pioneer’. More importantly, he was one of the founding members, along with some of his school mates, of ‘Banking Services Chronicle’, the widely circulated career magazine. He continued as a member of its Research Team throughout his stay at Delhi. One of his articles published therein, i.e. ‘Economic Reforms: the need for a human face’ will be found to be relevant even today!
Even while working at Bhilai Steel Plant, his articles and case studies have been published in in – house journals. He was the Managing editor for long, of an in - house monthly HR Newsletter named ‘Ripples’as well as the founding co – editor of a bilingual wallpaper named ‘Ispat Sandesh’.Only recently, an HR case study co – authored by him has got published in ‘Kaleidoscope’ – a journal of SCOPE.He has also written reference booklets on Industrial Relations (IR) Management, while working as In Charge of Industrial Relations Section of Bhilai Steel Plant.
Besides writing, he has consistently exceled since schooldays in extra – curricular activities like debating, dramatics, quizzing and personality tests. Even in his present organization, he has got a strong reputation of being an excellent presenter, programme anchor, quizmaster and faculty on subjects like Labour Laws, effective communication skills etc. He has also conducted Business & Management quizzes in not only various plants and units of SAIL, but also in other organizations like Indian Oil Corporation.
He has represented Bhilai Steel Plant in various competitions and won awards at the same. He also holds the post of Hony. Secretary, National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM), Bhilai Chapter. He also takes sessions on various managerial topics at nearby Management/Engineering institutes.
1. Who and what inspired you to write?
First inspiration for writing a book came after reading Anurag Mathur’s ‘The Inscrutable Americans’ long back during student life. The IMMEDIATE inspiration came after reading Chetan Bhagat’s ‘five point someone’.
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
The primary challenge while writing was sustaining the mood as well as rhythm, while fulfilling my core commitment towards my full time job of a middle level HR Executive in a Central Govt. Undertaking (PSU).
Getting published was the biggest challenge in itself. Mainly, because there is no one available really to guide you properly. One beats around the bush initially, as in my case. Especially for those, who don’t live in metros/big cities, it is even more difficult!
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
Through a childhood friend who is a scholar, settled at Delhi. That too, accidentally at a Re-union!
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them?
They are highly professional and systematic in their approach. They are quite supportive and encouraging as well towards the authors.
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?
The publisher is also a standout professional, very sensitive and understanding towards the expectations and needs of the authors.
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?
A possible literary success would fulfil me as a person. It would provide me the satisfaction that I could do something extra, apart from the bread and butter job which just everyone does!
7. When can we expect your next book?
By mid – 2022, hopefully!
8. How has your experience being working with Locksley Hall Publishing?
Truly memorable with repeat value!
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
Never lose heart, and stick to your dream/aspiration! Also, don’t compromise on your BASIC style of writing! Be honest as an author! There is nothing right or wrong with creative writing!
BOOK NAME : DELHI BYTES: Nostalgia from the Nineties
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :
This novel, a campus story, has been written in a biographical form, as the tentative title itself of the novel suggests. It is set in Delhi University of the 1990s. It traces the life and times of Amit Mathur, a teen – aged boy from Bihar, who has joined Delhi University during the early nineties to pursue his dreams as well as career. He chose to pursue an under graduate course in Political Science at a premier college of the North Campus. The story unfolds in the backdrop of the watershed events taking place in the country during the turbulent nineties, i.e. Anti – Mandal agitation, Ram Mandir movement, economic reforms etc.This story also celebrates video cassettes, Archie’s cards, public telephone booths, single screen theatres and so on!
Amit’s friends, most of them from Bihar, come up as other important characters in the novel. His tragi-comic encounters with some of his female friends, all of them from Delhi, at different junctures play a key role in shaping him as a person. His trials and tribulations while pursuing his career as well as the dilemmas he faces in forging relationships, provide a meaning to his life.
The story stretches itself to 2015 in the form of epilogue, i.e. when Amit Mathur revisits Delhi on a nostalgic trip. This trip gives him an enriching insight into the times that had changed drastically since the nineties, when he had a long and defining stay at Delhi. He could also make a general analysis about the social, economic and political changes across the nation itself – the changes from PCOs to cell phones, from single screen theatres to multiplexes, from shops to malls, from libraries to net, and so on!
As mentioned above, this novel uses a few important real life events to build up the story.
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