Neelam Saxena Chandra is a bilingual novelist and poet with close to 80 published titles, the most recent being 'Beneath the dead skin', a book of poems that came out in October 2023, at the time of recording. She also has 3 records to her credit in the Limca Book- for.maximum number of titles published in a year, the second one for jointly writing a poetry book with her daughter making them the 1st mother daughter duo to do that and the third one, with her sister, for being the first sister duo to write a book of poems .

For her writing, she has been decorated with numerous awards, the most recent being the Ruel International Lifetime Achievement Award.

In this episode I have a free wheeling chat with Neelam ji on:

• what really got her started with creative writing and then get hooked!
• are Indian adults letting down our children when it comes to children's literature?
• her secret to creative ideation!
• her tryst with folk music and dance : a trip down the memory lane
• her secret to turning out a back to back writing- some great tips for aspiring writers!
• why she is unimpressed and unhappy with ChatGP's creative ability & how she deals with its intrusion
• ..... and so much more!

Connect with Neelam ji here:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

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Sandeep is both an author and an entrepreneur, having founded RudhAbha, and NGO that supports artists across Punjab. He is also the founder of Para Wanderers , a travel company that offers unique artistic travel experiences.

But of course, he is here because of his path breaking book: The Speaking Window: Tales From a Bloodied Timeline.

In April 2017, two students and a teacher started to reach out survivors of the partition of 1947 to document their recollections through a Facebook page: Bolti Khidki. When the project ended in July 2023, the trio had interviewed over 100 of the survivors and in October of that year, 47 of these stories made it to a book by the same name.

Ever since it's Publication, the book has been winning hearts and rave reviews around the globe.

In this episode, we discuss about :

• What inspired Sandeep to go in search of the survivors of India's partition in 1947
• Two important truths of India during partition that he discovered from them- This will leave you baffled!
• How technology enabled a seamless collaboration in connecting with survivors around the world
• His personal story of transformation as he travelled around India meeting them
• Why the stories of these survivors are important and relevant even today
• Their one and only wish today
• What can we do now

Connect with Sandeep and learn more about this project - book here:

LinkedIn

Bolti Khidki

Instagram

X

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This podcast show is a tribute to those writers and storytellers who have chosen their causes and calling, battled the odds and so remain a strong voice of inspiration for generations to come through the power of their talent and personality.

I have chosen 10 writers and storytellers simply because I have completed 10 years as an author.

My own journey as an author has not been a spectacular one in terms of royalty, fan following and popularity.

However, what I have been able to achieve simply because I write and the fact that it has also been one way of receiving my spiritual baptism, has convinced me that I, as an author, matter too.I have been able to accept this, finally, now, in my 11th year as an author. And I have chosen to celebrate it. That is why the podcast is titled ' Celebrate: The Podcast '.

It's a podcast party , 10 weeks long & you are invited!

You will be in the presence of esteemed guests with whom you can have a range of conversations: from the partition of India to the patriotism of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose; from exploring forgotten Indian classics to the arrival of tech driven creativity; from nurturing your cultural identity to your personal brand at workplace; you get to seek inspiration from our scriptures, personal journeys to the incorrupt creative, curious world of a child.

The Guest List

Sandeep Dutt : Curative power of writing in broken nations

Neelam Saxena Chandra: Every Right Way To Write

Mridusmita Das: Writing to keeping wedding vows beyond breath

Prasun Roy: Diverse writing in Multi lingual India

Chandrachur Ghosh : Writing as a tool to raise national consciousness

Sandeep Kochhar & Rishabh Iyer Kochhar : They Just write/ right that!

Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu: Writing to Resurrect identities

Ruby Ahluwalia: Writing a life Beyond Adversity

Ashutosh Garg: Inspiration from Indian Scriptures & Mythology

Rajiv Gupta : Writing to Brighten up the off- beat path

BONUS:

Dr Jamuna Bini Tadar: Writing as a passport to Terra Incognito

In each episode, you will not just get to experience why they do what they do but also how they do it- and this is not just about their capacity to use language. It's about perspectives, asking questions, taking a stand and above all a willingness to live through the entire gamut of human emotions thereby being comfortable with the discomforting.

Every episode will not just let you dive into their personal World but also give you great insights on the art , science and business of writing, ultimately leaving you transformed.

Now, you don't want to miss this one, do you?

So then, go ahead and subscribe to the podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.