Darjeeling, March 15, 2020 — A book launch in Darjeeling brought together some 50 literati in the hills in spite of the impending threat of pandemic COVID 19 virus and West Bengal Government ordered shut down from 16 to 31 March. The event was held at the recently renovated iconic and colonial hotel The Glenary’s on Nehru Road en route to The Mall (Chowrastha), 14 March.
The book AND THEN THE RAINS by Dr Nupur Das is a pictorial diary of her candid reflectionson life, love and literature.
Secretary of Under Graduate Council of North Bengal University since December, 2003 and In-Charge of the Department of Health Centre since 2015 Dr. Das is a widely travelled ‘lonely-planetarian’.
A passionate photographer, Dr Das uses her handset to capture her vivid images reflecting the simplicity and honesty of her canvas as illustrations in the book.
Sharing her thoughts at the book release Dr Das said, “This book is your story, our story and my story, straight from my soul. I tried to be as honest as I could.”
Dr Das reminisced saying, “Over time, scribbling these everyday thoughts was kind of therapeutic for me. All emotions and no logic. Many of you, may not relate to it. But those of you who do, remember ‘You were meant to read it…”
Educated in Kurseong and Darjeeling Dr Das fondly remembered her mentor, the legendary Irish Loreto nun Mother Damien O’Donohoe, who served 38 years as principal of Loreto College Darjeeling now Southfield College. On her retirement, Mother Damien returned to Ireland in 2000, where she died at age 91 in 2011.
Among those who spoke at the event were leading academicians like Prof. Amar Rai, in-charge of Higher Education, Gurkhaland Territorial Administration as well as Member of Legislative Assembly, West Bengal; Principal of Salesian College Sonada/Siliguri Dr George Thadathil; Founder Chairman of Indian Institute of Legal Studies Advocate Joyjit Choudhury LLM, and MARG Founder Director Nirnay John Chettri.
The book published in 2020 in two versions: Hardcover (Rs.1250) and Paperback (Rs.250) editions has 156 pages along with brilliant photographs. It is published by Kolkata based Woven Words Publishers OPC Pvt. Ltd and is available on www.amazon.in
Dr Das says, “20 per cent of sale proceeds from the book is assigned to a leading Darjeeling’s MARG (Mankind in Action for Rural Growth) NGO for its on-going fight against human trafficking.
Her earlier publication entitled ‘Darjeeling Society Economy Polity’ a Salesian College Publication is an academic exercise released at Salesian College Siliguri on 14 September 2014. The book is based on Dr. Das’ research papers and vast study reflecting on the historical and contemporary growth of Darjeeling and its people.
The book unveils the history of the emergence of Darjeeling as a social entitiy backed by economicprospects and spearheaded by political aspirations with unique socio cultural features arising out of the unique combination of the inhabitants and their lifestyles. Book costs Rs. 500 and is available on www.amazon.in