It was before instant messaging services like SMS, WhatsApp, and email. Some people come quietly into your life and leave an impact that shapes the person you become. One such person was Sir RN Sinha, editor of the Quest, an international literary journal. Decades ago, when postal mail was the only means of communication, Mr. Sinha believed in my talent and called me a poet even before I could call myself one.
How I discovered his literary journal is lost in the annals of my memory, but I remember sending my poems to him by post, and he published them in ‘The Quest’.
Once, I sent a whole collection of 50 poems, and the unexpected reply came that he would like to publish them as a book of poems, and thus painstakingly, the process of publishing my first book of poems, “Feelings,” began. Every edit and every revision was done by post, an exchange that must have lasted months. “Feelings” was born in 2000.
He had unwavering faith in me and reviewed my poems in a literary publication of his own. “Three Contemporary Women Poets,” in his book “Essays on Indian Literature in English.” The book is available on Amazon.
I will always be grateful for his faith in me. It is wonderful that he believed in me even before I could believe in myself.
It’s been 24 years, and I had stopped writing until recently.
I wonder how he is and regret that I did not keep in touch with him. I can only pray that he is well and healthy. Now that I have started writing again, I remember him with gratitude, for his words still inspire me.
I have written a tribute to him on Medium, reflecting upon his impact on my life and writing.
Wherever he is, I hope he knows his words were never forgotten. And I am writing again, with gratitude in my heart.
I hope and pray that he will get to read this tribute of mine. Please read the full story of gratitude, faith, and inspiration here.
Here is my post on Medium about my guide.
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