SOURCE: AVENUEMAIL
A cricketer and industrialist with the Midas Touch, Himadri Sarkar has added another feather to his overflowing shelves of success by winning the prestigious ‘Asian Press Books Sahitya Samman – ‘22 Award’ for his very first essay as an author, ‘Bengal Then and Now – Decline and Fall.’
The overflowing auditorium with litterateurs, educationists and book lovers clapped long and hard as Himadri Sarkar and his wife Dipti, herself a prominent cricket allrounder who represented the then Bihar, were escorted to the stage for receiving the Sahitya Samman. The same resonance of appreciative clapping was repeated when Himadri was presented the big award.
A man of few words, Himadri in his brief speech observed, “I am not an author but an industrialist. Of course, writing was a skill I nurtured but could not put my thoughts on paper. However, at the age of 12, I composed a poem that was published in my school’s news letter. The excitement prompted me to write poems and bits on my observations. My literary pursuits took wings as I wrote features and letters to the editors of prominent English dailies and magazines.”
He said that the crippling COVID phases infused the urge for the written word. It was between the 2020-’21 phase that he came up with two books, the first being, ‘Bengal Then and Now – Decline and Fall’ that made him a much sought after author with the commercial launch of the book that sold like hot cakes over the counters and mail platforms. He then settled down to come up with another classic, ‘Dynastic Quandary and Follies’ that continues to receive critical appreciations from people with political bent of mind. His latest book that is currently under print, ‘Calypso Cricket’ is expected to be another chart buster and why not? Himadri Sarkar was a cricketing allrounder and captained his university team successfully. His wife, Dipti too was also a cricketer who batted and bowled brilliantly and represented her college team as skipper and played for Bihar as Jharkhand was created long after. Himadri statedd, “She has been the backbone of my life providing me the zeal to move forward in my career and life. Without her, I could have been in the pits of despair and sense of defeat.”
In his speech after being honoured with the, ‘Asian Press Books Sahitya Samman Award – 2022,’ Himadri had said, “Confined at home due to the COVID – 19 infection spread, the idea for writing something different started playing at the back of my mind. It was then that my resolve to utilize this long-drawn period of home confinement in writing. And then these books happened. But, I had never thought of getting my initial two write ups published. I discussed the books with my friends and it was their suggestions that inspired me to take a chance and here I am with the honour.”
And thus, Himadri Sarkar the cricketer, industrialist, social activist and many things else is well on the way to a new innings as an author. And like his other forays in various fields, his entry into the kingdom of authors augers well for readers with their insatiable hunger for good writing. “Carry on Sir as a breath of fresh air to the world of readers who crave for good, incisive and compulsive reading.”