Mousumi Kalita Sachdeva, a Delhi-based author from Assam was honoured jointly by the Gujarat Sahitya Academy and Motivational Strips this Independence Day for showing literary excellence at par with global standards.

She has been an author of repute and over the years she has carved a niche for herself among the book lovers across the globe.

Previously, Mousumi Kalita was also awarded as one among India’s most inspirational writer in 2018 by The Indian Awaz.

She has also been awarded Nobel Laureate Kabi Rabindranath Tagore Award 2020.

Mousumi Kalita has also been honoured at the Army Women Welfare Association Day in 2019 as India’s inspirational figure to the families of Indian Army.

Apart from being an author, she is also a trainer of English literature and soft skills.

She has been training and teaching in many institutions across the length and breadth of the country.

She is often called ‘Students’ Friend’ and she has carved a niche for herself among her students.

She has been the coordinator of the English Language Quality Standards Programme of British Council and as the Head of the English Department.

Among the books authored by Mousumi Kalita Sachdeva are Lockdown Stories (two parts), The Pride of Being Different, Love Remains Undefined, Making Impossible Possible, and The Blend of the Real and Imagination.

The Story Mug got in touch with Mousumi Kalita for an exclusive interview as we tried to know more about her life and works.

TSM: Tell us what does the award means for you?

MKS: Any recognized and authentic award is a blessing to an author.

Although I had never expected this to come to me so soon, I am glad that my efforts have finally spoken in true sense.

And, indeed I feel proud to say that I am the recipient of Sahitya Academy Award as well honoured by a Global Literature Forum Motivational Strips.

My heartfelt thanks to the founder Shiju H Pallithazheth, a prolific writer and a motivational speaker and Padma Shree Dr Vishnu Pandya for considering me eligible for this award.

TSM: Please tell us in detail about the award.

MKS: Gujarat Sahitya Academy in collaboration with the global Literature Forum Motivational Strips (under the state government of Gujarat) has honoured 350 writers from 80 countries on the occasion of 74th Independence Day of the county.

The award is honoured by Padma Shree Dr Vishnu Pandya and Shiju H Pallithazheth, the founder of Motivational Strips.

Exhaustive evaluations have been done before this final list is announced as per the jury.

It is one of the most reputable honours in the field of Literature.

TSM: Has this award been given for a particular creation of yours or for the work that you have done so far?

MKS: This award is an achievement for all my Literary contributions to date.

TSM: Where do you get your ideas from?

MKS: My life is a travel and I love to explore a lot. Moreover, I live in my world of imaginations.

I do not restrain my mind to imagine. I also love to study real-life characters and situations.

Thus, ideas are created and are saved in the pages.

TSM: What is your writing process like?

MKS: There is no particular process. Rather, there are many processes taking different turns while writing different genres of Literature.

TSM: Your first published book?

MKS: My first published book is still my favourite titled Love Remains Undefined, which carries the story of a writer from Assam and another writer who never reveals her whereabouts.

TSM: How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

MKS: My first book actually made me a consistent writer, author and an international poet.

The taste of being an author is awesome and I have become addicted to this taste.

Yes, all credit to my first book which has made me an addictive writer.

I have become faster and more systematic today in creating stories and poetry.

TSM: What is your writing motivator?

MKS: My passion for writing keeps motivating me.

I love to speak a lot and narrate stories.

As I am mostly out of the cities, away from my friends, I find my alacrity to share my stories compel me to write as this is the only medium through which my stories can reach everyone.

TSM: How important are emotions for a writer?

MKS: Emotions are the roots of a writer.

An author lives the life of a character, he/she portrays.

Many times, I cry bitterly carrying the same emotions of the characters I describe and start thinking and behaving like the character I am working on.

Emotions provide a real feel to the characters.

If we talk about writing poetry, without emotions, feelings won’t flow and poetry wouldn’t find space in the mind of a poet.

TSM: Have you ever gotten a reader’s block?

MKS: Yes, of course! The pandemic days are causing regular writer’s block as my travels and tours have been cancelled and I find myself chained unable to explore what I actually desire to.

However, there are ways to defeat this block, and I alter my attention to some other creative activities like painting, gardening, cooking etc, to clear the block.

Music, also, is a great solace to a blocked mind.

TSM: Do you have any advice for the budding writers?

MKS: I would just request the budding writers to focus more on writing than running after awards.

I would suggest them not to fall prey to the fake awards which are today in great trend.

Stop buying awards, and keep working hard. One day, your efforts will be rewarded.

(The Story Mug wishes