 |
| The rebel |
Girdhar Joshi is an author of fiction and
educational books for higher education. He lives in Mumbai where he is engaged
in the software business and nurtures writing as his passion. He has already
published three books on application of information technology in business for
the students of management and self-published a collection of Hindi poetry. His
latest is a literary novel.
 |
| Once upon a time |
Your real name and pen name.
I have
shortened my name as GIRDHAR JOSHI for my readers, students, and business
associates. But my bankers and tax authorities still grapple with my long
tongue-twister name Girdhari Datt Joshi.
Please share some of the best memories of your
childhood.
I spent my
childhood in the picturesque hills of Uttarakhand, earlier part of Uttar
Pradesh, in the lap of nature. The memories include walking two-three
kilometers on the serpentine path to school, fetching water from the village
well at one kilometer distance, picking dried wood on Sundays, and braving the
bitter cold winters, sometimes without a pair of shoes or slippers in the foot.
 |
| Glimpses of innocent childhood |
About your education
I did my
earlier education from the schools around my village and migrated to nearest
metropolitan city, that is, Delhi to pursue twin objectives of furtherance of education
and finding livelihood. I achieved both: earned my bachelor degree in commerce
from Delhi University in 1986, a diploma in business management from IGNOU, and
a master degree in business management specializing in information technology
and marketing management from Punjab Technical University, besides some
part-time language courses from Jawaharlal University. All the later courses
were pursued while I was working.
What career did you plan during your education
days?
None in
specific and dozens in general. During school days I, like most of the
brilliant science students of my school, was enamored by a course in civil or
mechanical engineering in the lone engineering college in Nainital, some 200
kilometers far off my tiny village. But that dream was never realized as my
father was in no position to bear the expenses. Later, in Delhi I vied for a
bank job and a civil services job. But destiny had something else in store. I
ended up earning my bread by selling software. Writing was never in the career
radar, but I was sensitive to my environment and used to write poetry in Hindi
which I did for couple of years before the streams of rhyming couplets dried up
in the scorching heat and din of thing called life.
 |
| Leisure time 2 |
What languages you can speak and write?
I can speak
and write English and Hindi.
What is your biggest source of inspiration in
life?
Nature.
See, the trees inspire me to stand tall despite of storms and tornadoes. The
river inspires me to flow, just flow without any purpose. The child learns just
by observation and life should be like that only.
What hurts you most in this world?
Hypocrisy.
We shouldn’t have one standard for us and different for others. One should express what is inside and should
not be untruthful in the guise of diplomacy.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
How did you overcome it?
I faced
many challenges, big and small, in life. They came, I stood like a rock, and
they vanished. And, those challenges ranged from getting noticed in writing, creating
an edge in the dog-eats-dog environs of business, and the threats to basic
survival.
 |
| 2014-07-25 09.42.02 |
If you had to live a day of your life as one
of the living or dead personality, who would it be and why?
I would
like to live like Barack Obama, American President. I would like to see how it
feels at the top of the world as the president of the all powerful country in the
world. I am fan of his oratorical skills.
What is your favorite genre and why?
I love
fantasy fiction with the touch of mysticism and spirituality. It gives us
insights into life and sometimes helps us find solutions to problems.
When did you start writing? What is the
purpose of your writing?
I actively started
writing in 2007 when I felt the need of a book on application of information
systems in retail for my students doing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees
in retailing. I wanted to write stories, but I was not sure if I could interest
someone to read it. Finally, the urge to write prevailed between the
do-and-don’t-dos in June 2013 when I formally wrote my first sentence which
expanded into a voluminous novel ‘Some Mistakes Have No Pardon’.
Which of your work has been published so far?
Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?
As I said,
I started with writing educational books. The first book ‘Information
Technology for Retail’ was published by Oxford University Press New Delhi in 2008.
Then I co-authored another book on the same subject ‘IT in Retail’ published by
Vikas Publishing House, Noida in 2012. The success of first book and advices of
my publishers tempted me to write another one ‘Management Information Systems’
which is based on applications of information technology for managing
businesses. This was published by OUP in July 2013.
‘Some
Mistakes Have No Pardon’ is my first fiction which is a story of a man who
struggles to find love, peace, and happiness in life. In the process he takes
many adventures and commits follies. But destiny had something predesigned for
him and he feels desperate as a puppet in the hands of some unknown force. This
novel beautifully illustrates the trials, triumphs, and tribulations of life in
an interesting manner.
What are your forthcoming writings?
At the
moment I am busy in promotion of this novel, online and offline. But I have
four projects in mind that I can take up in future; I don’t know which will
take precedence over others. The first is a story of a woman which will be a
mystical story based on relationships, destiny, and karma. The second is a
humorous and satirical story of two friends producing tons of laughter with
their adventures and comical situations in life. The third is a traditional
folklore of the hills of Uttarakhand which is basically a romantic story with
touch of mysticism. This story has been told for centuries but I want to
rewrite it with the prism of modern outlook. The fourth, of course, would be on
knowledge management for the students of business studies.
What are your future plans?
I think I
would keep on selling software to appease my stomach and write stories to
appease my soul, until and unless my chairman thinks that I am spending more
time on writing stories then on meeting prospects and as an outcome, he kicks
me out.
What four top most things you take care of
while writing a book?
First, the
story should be well-woven. Second, the language should be as easy and formal
as possible (I have seldom used slangs and little use of Hindi and local
words). Third, it should be well edited. Fourth, it should be well presented
(the layout and the cover).
How much real life goes into a fiction
writing?
I think
fiction draws its inspiration from real life. There is no fiction without a lot
of reality, and there is no reality a without a bit of fiction. The incidences,
the characters, and many times, the plot are based on real life.
Is high level of imagination important to have
for an Author?
Yes,
especially if you are a fiction writer. Biographies, travel-loges etc. may not
need that kind of high level imagination.
Your dream destination on Earth?
A night in
the Shikara on the Dal Lake in Srinagar or a boat-house in backwaters of Kerala
is not a bad idea. Though world offers innumerable possibilities for us.
Your origin of birth and other countries you
have visited/ stayed. What best things you liked in these countries around the globe?
I was born
and brought up in India. But I have visited Poland for business purpose and
Nepal for fun. Nepal is as good as our own hill states of Himachal,
Uttarakhand, Arunachal, Meghalaya and others. No distinct offerings. But the
cleanliness, the cool environs, and greenery touched me in Poland.
Your favorite time of the day?
All times
have their own charm. Nights are mysterious. You can be with you in the nights.
Your zodiac/ sunsign?
Sorpio, but
it varies by different calendars.
 |
| At the latest book launch |
Your favorite color and why?
All colors
attract me. But when it goes to clothing ‘blue’, ‘sky blue’ and ‘white’ entice
me.
What is the last book you finished reading?
What is the current book you are reading?
Last book I
finished was ‘Ajaya’ by Neelekanthan. I have to pick a new book soon.
Your favorite book and why?
Whatever I
have read till now, I found ‘Eleven Minutes’ by Paulo Coelho and ‘Midnights
Children’ by Salman Rushdie very interesting. Both have their own reasons.
Your favorite movie and why?
Not a big
movie buff. I liked Titanic in international movies and 3 Idiots in Indian
movies best. They keep you so glued to the screen that you don’t even want to
scratch your back.
Your favorite celebrity and why?
I like
Barack Obama. I like him for many other qualities than of a politician. I would
skip my marriage anniversary to meet him, if he would.
Your favorite food?
Lots of
different tastes in south Indian thali. Pasta tastes good.
Some quickies: Sun or Moon, - moon
Laughter or
Smile – smile
Morning or
Evening – evening
Coffee or
Tea – coffee
Mountain or
Sea – mountains
Long Drive
or Short Drive – no drive
Silence or
Conversation – silence
Water or
Fire – water
Air or
Earth – earth
Mars or
Jupiter – Mars
Tulip or
Rose – Tulip
Red or Blue
– Blue
Left or Right
– right
Glance or
Stare - stare
What three words come to your mind for each –
Technology:
modern, comfort, progress
Life: live,
love, laugh
God:
strength, weakness, futile
Humanity:
grow, prosper, compassion
Terrorism:
misguided, stranded, curse
Racism:
bad, good, end (racism bad, race good, end racism)
Childhood
Abuse: unknown, tyranny, innocence
Love: life,
panacea, energy
Parenting:
duty, joy, responsibility
Old age:
dignity, evening, wine at the window
State your signature line/ tagline/ best quote
‘Sometimes
the acutest of agonies are difficult to find expression in the given
vocabulary: words fail but pain prevails.’ (from Some Mistakes Have No Pardon)
The last line of your autobiography would be…
So, that is
the man: sometimes overestimated, many times underestimated, but mostly
misunderstood.
Twitter handle: @girdharJ
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/girdhar.joshi
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4038946.Girdhar_Joshi
Blog: http://www.girdharjoshi.wordpress.com
Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/author/girdharjoshi
Publishers Link: Novel:
www.quillsink.com/authors/girdharjoshi
Publishers Link OUP:
http://www.oup.co.in/product/higher-education/business-management/business-management/6/management-information-systems-1e/9780198080992
No comments :
Post a Comment
Thanks for visiting and commenting.