A NEW BOOK LAUNCH BY OXFORD BOOKS AT KOLKATA

By Swarnali Goswami (TNI Kolkata) | TNI Editing Siliguri

Webdesk, TNI Kolkata, 20^th July, 2016: 9th July, Oxford Bookstore, Kolkata hosted the launch of the book on 9^th July 2016 entitled ‘As Boys Become Men’, a gripping novel about a rip-roaring friendship of three boys and their metamorphosis from boys to men by Mukul Kumar. A multilayered tale which is weaved in the elements of philosophy and religion, this book is contrasted with a style and adventurous quotient attached to it. The book was released by eminent Bengali poet, Subodh Sarkar, renowned journalist and Resident Editor, Rajiv Bagchi and editor and managing director of The Statesman, Ravindra Kumar. The book launch was followed by an interactive session between the author and panelists. The packed audience comprised historians, government officials, and distinguished academic, rapt in attention as the story unfolded. It was a rip-roaring, boisterous session, filled with excitement and vigor. ‘As Boys Become Men’ revolves around three such boys, Mihir, Uday and Sandeep, who set out together to crack the Civil Services exam. Narrated by the thoughtful and intense Mihir, this book explores college life, friendship, romance, leaving home and adjusting to a new environment, and describes how negotiating the path between dharma and desire, love and lust, can be tricky. The author Mr. Mukul Kumar is a civil servant belonging to the 1997 batch. An Indian Railway Traffic officer, he is presently working in the Ministry of Railways, New Delhi. He also writes poetry in English. The anthology of his English poems titled ‘The Irrepressible Echoes’ was published in 2012. He has also been awarded the Life Membership of the Poetry Society (India). ‘As Boys Become Men’ marks his debut as a novelist.

Photo: Oxford Book Store (Kolkata)