One of the oldest Indian Institutes of Technology in India, and one of the first institutes to be awarded the Institute of Eminence status, IIT Delhi launched HR-turned-author and TOI Write India winner Jyoti Jha’s book The Realms of Human Emotions.
The virtual event was hosted by Azure, Fine Arts and Crafts Club (FACC), IIT Delhi, in association with Literia Insight in an Instagram Live session on May 22, 2021. The event was led by Ms. Neha from FACC, and was supported by Ms. Naimisha Koppala, Secretary FACC, Mr. Nitish Raj, Co-Founder, Literia Insight, along with Mr. Ritik Rahul, Director, Azure, and Mr. Vikash Raj Saxena, Founder, Literia Insight.
The Realms of Human Emotions is a collection of seven stories that explore the spheres of human emotions and individual sentiments. The stories effectively communicate to the readers through different characters and situations, and portray human experiences that deal with feelings, perceptions, intentions, attitudes, and emotions, exquisitely weaving those around the relationships surrounding the protagonists. The stories perfectly create a fine balance between the outer hurricane of sentiments and an inner vortex of fervors as depicted through the characters and the events, and all the while endeavoring to align individual emotions that delicately blend with the relationships around them.
The book launch comprised of some interesting discussions on the author’s journey in the literary field as she discussed her memories and moments about the making of the book. “Reading is enriching, writing is liberating, and this motto has been my guiding spirit in the literary world”, the author said. “This book has been very special to me as every story has a glimpse of some true accounts drawn from the lives of real people and mixed with the figments of imagination. I am extremely thankful to Literia Insight for instilling in me the confidence to compile these stories and to shape it in the form of a beautiful book”, Jyoti shared. She read a delightful passage from one of the stories from her book.
The author further shared her journey and process of becoming an author. “I was an MBA by accident, but I am an author by choice”, she revealed, and although she said she enjoyed her profession as an Human Resources professional in the past, it is writing that has given her a true sense of acknowledgment, happiness, and gratification. “TOI Write India has given me that sense of recognition and provided wind beneath my wings to tread on the path of writing”, she said. She shared her wonderful working experience with Literia Insight and how the team helped her achieve her dreams further.
When asked about the role of editing for authors in furthering their book’s narrative, Nitish shared his views, “It is first and foremost important for an author to understand if they are writing for the audience or whether they are writing because they want to write. Editing plays an important role in helping the authors set a tone and give the right treatment to the subject. It also helps to point out any tactical flaws in the storytelling”.
Remembering her extensive exposure to vast literature during her school days, Jyoti shared how the works of great writers like Leo Tolstoy, William Shakespeare, D H Lawrence, Rudyard Kipling, Rabindranath Tagore, Munshi Premchand, and many more have inspired the reader within her since childhood. In her more recent readings, she has loved The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. She added, “I thoroughly enjoyed the book and its impactful impression that compels one to reflect on the prospect of living and raising children in the west. The book portrays the continual challenges of Indians living aboard and their gradual drifting away from the roots on several levels. The minute observations intricately imbibed in the narrative are magnificently relatable and accurately hit a chord with readers”. Having lived in the USA in the past, she said she could relate to the story very well.
While discussing her forthcoming projects, Jyoti pointed out that the process of writing is the same in any language, it is the rhythm and expression that changes with language. On being asked what motivates her as a writer the most, she said, “A word of appreciation from a reader is the biggest motivation for me. Whenever a reader comes to me saying they could relate to the story and felt connected to it, this just makes me contented and I feel inspired to continue writing”.
“Literature always reflects everything that is going on around us”, Jyoti said on being asked about how the pandemic has affected her writing. She added that the present scenario has certainly influenced her writing, and that her future writing would definitely carry glances of the current times.
Literia Insight shared the memories of the stellar moment when the book sold out its first print in just ten days, and told that the book would also be available soon in the major bookstores in the country. “It is the biggest appreciation for us as PR’s, publishers, authors, and even as readers, when a book receives so much love and goes out for reprint no sooner than it hits the market”, Nitish said.
The event closed with a parting note to the viewers, readers, and the audience to keep reading, writing, and to never give up on any dreams. The FACC Team at IIT Delhi wished the author the best in her literary journey and said that they look forward to the hopefulness of seeing the restart of physical events soon.
