Congratulations on the release of your book! Can you tell us a bit about From Reluctant Homebody To Unanticipated Globe-Trotter and what inspired you to write it?
Thanks a lot.
I believe my travels are quite unique. Back in 2008, when GPS was a luxury, WhatsApp and video calls were more sci-fi than reality, traveling wasn’t as smooth as it is now. Jetting off to so many countries, without any rest, from plus 40°C to minus 30°C, especially for an Indian girl in her early twenties, was quite the adventure—or at least, that’s how it felt to me. My friends and colleagues thought so too and encouraged me to document these experiences in a book. Initially hesitant, I eventually realized that my journey might delight readers, make them more cautious about their future trips, inspire them a bit, or even leave them speechless.
From my school days, I had a flair for writing, storytelling, reciting, drawing etc. I frequently participated in competitions, and my write-ups were published in various magazines as well as well-known Indian and international print media, where my work often received praise. All these experiences, I realized that naturally led to the birth of this book.
How did your early experiences growing up in Calcutta shape your perspective and influence your decision to eventually document your travel stories?
Growing up in Calcutta added a special touch, as I was raised in a society that valued creativity alongside daily routines. I picked up various hobbies like sketching, playing musical instruments, and, of course, writing.
Then social media played a pivotal role in my journey to document my experiences. Blogging was already a thing back then. I started blogging under a pseudonym, finding solace after busy days and weeks of travel, not expecting anyone to read it. To my surprise, many people began appreciating my work and encouraged me to publish books.
Writing, illustrating, and traveling all seem to be part of your creative journey. How did each of these passions develop over time, and how do they complement each other in your work?
My mother encouraged me to participate in everything, even before I had a choice. In today’s world, where we emphasize children’s autonomy, this might seem overwhelming. However, I am grateful to my mom for this. I was exposed to a variety of activities like singing, dancing, reciting poems, sketching, participating in theatre, playing instruments, and sports. Eventually, I discovered what truly relieved my stress and what I enjoyed continuing. I’ve always wanted to be involved in creative work, so I never felt deprived of it, even while traveling.
My daily job is quite routine, so I can say that there my creative evenings recharge me for the next less-creative days.
If you could instantly teleport to any one of the 40 countries you visited, where would you go right now and why?
That’s a great question, and it really makes me think. It’s tough to choose just one place, but I’d have to pick Japan. There are many little corners I want to visit, especially the temple believed to hold Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s ashes, his workplaces, and the spots where Rash Behari Bose introduced Indian curry to Japanese locals. I missed these during my last trips to Japan, so I’d love to explore them next time.
If you had to pick a single travel snack or meal that you could eat forever, what would it be?
Pizza and kebabs, hands down! But not the Indian twists—I’m talking about the real deal: authentic Italian pizza and Middle Eastern kebabs.
Who are some of your favorite authors, and how have they influenced your writing style or approach to storytelling?
I have many favourites: Arthur Conan Doyle, Virginia Woolf, Murakami, John Milton, John Donne, Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, and the list goes on. I’d like to think they silently influenced my storytelling. However, when it comes to writing, it’s all me and my own raw, unrefined, perhaps own style.
Is there a particular book that has inspired you as a traveler or writer? If so, what was it about that book that resonated with you?
As a traveller, not really since my journeys weren’t exactly by choice or plan.
When it comes to writing, though, all the great books I’ve read might have subtly inspired me—I’m not entirely sure. But to stay on track and avoid feeling like a lost plot twist, continuous reading of various books definitely helped my mind.
For readers interested in exploring your journey in From Reluctant Homebody To Unanticipated Globe-Trotter, where can they order a copy of the book?
Literatureslight.com, Amazon, Flipkart, Kindle, Google Play
What do you hope readers will take away from your journey and experiences shared in the book?
If readers feel emotional, connect with the incidents, learn a lesson or two, or are left in awe, I’ll be ecstatic. My ultimate hope is that they have a fantastic time reading it and find the journey so captivating that dull moments don’t stand a chance!
