UBI Author Montage
See what the authors of
‘Lost and Found in the Digital Era’ and ‘आभासी दुनिया के अनोखे रिश्ते’
have to say about their relationships with the Digital World, the stories behind their work in the books and more…
Author: Rita Badhwar
Book: ‘आभासी दुनिया के अनोखे रिश्ते ‘
“सबसे पहले आभासी दुनिया से मेरा परिचय कराने वाले UBI साहित्यिक मंच व सपना शिवानी केंकरे जी को मेरा हार्दिक धन्यवाद तथा आभासी दुनिया के मित्रों को मेरा स्नेह भरा नमस्कार 🙏🏽💐
वास्तव में यह दुनिया बहुत ही आकर्षक एवं मन को लुभाने वाली है। इसके मोह जाल से बच पाना बहुत ही मुश्किल है। जैसा मैंने अपनी कविता में भी ज़िक्र किया है
अनजान रिश्ते जुड़ जाते हैं दो पल में
मन से मन मिल जाते हैं क्षण भर में
वास्तविक न होते हुए भी हमारी कल्पना के परों को पंख प्रदान करने वाली, हमारे सपनो को साकार करने वाली इस सपनीली इंद्रधनुषी दुनिया को मेरा सौ सौ सलाम
लगता है सभी अपने हैं इस फ़लक में
सावधान! कुछ लोग चुरा लेते हैं काजल पलक से
एक बार सभी का अभिनंदन विशेष रूप से श्री पंछी जी एवं श्री शर्मा जी का बहुत -२ आभार💐💐”
Author: Sandeep Kumar
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital Era’ and ”आभासी दुनिया के अनोखे रिश्ते’
On his poem ‘Reality Bites’…
“While we are lost in the race of life, some great people who were once considered to fools invented things which made human race to connect with each other even miles away.
These inventions were certainly intended to bridge the gaps people do have in course of life for earning their bread and butter far away from their families. But somehow we humans did use it so extravagantly that emotions behind such great works faded. Love, honesty, empathy etc lost and fake and mischievous intentions became the new face of technology. We are born with a mind and heart which is capable to sense and feel each emotions which no other creations of almighty can do. However, in course of our aspiration for progress, we landed up playing with each others emotions. Relations have become too superficial, humanity a fool’s wisdom, and love has been overshadowed with opportunistic and selfish ideologies just to ensure that we are happy and in good condition. Every once in the history of time , we face some very tough conditions such as now i.e. COVID 19 era where we have to learn to be habitual of using the digital connect with our loved, near dear ones or our most supportive relations. But the spark is gone it seems, as the authenticity of the feelings behind our digital connect had lost its emotional part some time ago. Watching around I could see and even question myself is this what all these great people wanted? Or is this what we achieve by taming the digital era? On a happy note, I feel too enlighten to be able to connect with such great people who are creative in their own ways but still remain positive by their soul. This platform United by ink has opened my doors to a family where I have so many lessons and stories to learn and improve myself so that we can still save the feelings that make us humans god’s best creations.
My poem revolves around all my observations around me which I go through different mediums and trying to put in a simple straight manner. Hope you all can like it and keep showering your blessings and helping me to improve. And a big thank you to my mentor bishakha moitra mam ( who never accepts that) and Sapna mam for considering my work to be a part of such fabulous authors.”
On his poem ‘गुमशुदा इंसान’…
“आज जब हम ज़िन्दगी की दौड़ में अपनी मौलिक और सबसे महत्वपूर्ण पक्ष इंसानियत से कोसों दूर अा गए है। मेरा ध्यान हमेशा चला आता है उन आविष्कारों की जरूरत पर अा जाता है जिससे हम एक दूसरे से पलक झपकते जुड़ जाते है। लेकिन किसी तरह हम मनुष्यों के जीवन में प्यार, ईमानदारी, सहानुभूति आदि खो गए। हम एक मन और दिल के साथ पैदा हुए हैं जो प्रत्येक भावनाओं को महसूस करने में सक्षम है जो सर्वशक्तिमान की कोई अन्य रचना नहीं कर सकती है। डिजिटल युग के संबंध बहुत अधिक सतही हो गए हैं, मानवता अधिकांश जगहों पर खो चुकी है, और प्रेम को अवसरवादी और स्वार्थी विचारधाराओं के नजरिए से ही निभाया जाता है। समय के इतिहास में हर बार, हम कुछ बहुत ही कठिन परिस्थितियों का सामना करते हैं, जैसे कि अब यानी COVID 19 युग, जहाँ हमें अपने प्रियजनों के साथ, हमारे सबसे करीबी संबंधों के साथ अपने प्रियजनों के साथ डिजिटल माध्यमों का उपयोग करने की आदत डालनी होगी। लेकिन वो एहसास कहीं बहुत दूर चला गया है।क्या इंसानियत एक खोई कहानी हो जाएगी?
पर इन विपरीत सोच और अनुभवों में भी एक ख़ुशी की बात है और मेरे साथ हुई है। वो ये कि मैं ऐसे महान लोगों के साथ जुड़ने में सक्षम महसूस कर रहा हूँ जो अपने तरीके से रचनात्मक हैं लेकिन फिर भी अपनी आत्मा से सकारात्मक बने हुए हैं। इस मंच यूनाइटेड बाई इंक से मेरे दरवाजे एक ऐसे परिवार के लिए खोल दिए हैं जहाँ मेरे पास खुद को सीखने और बेहतर बनाने के लिए बहुत सारे पाठ और कहानियाँ हैं ताकि हम अभी भी उन भावनाओं को बचा सकें जो हमें मनुष्य की सर्वश्रेष्ठ रचनाएँ बनाती हैं।
मेरी कविता कुछ ऐसे तजुर्बों पर टिकी है जो मैं विभिन्न माध्यमों से गुजरते वक़्त महसूस किया है और इसे एक सरल पर सीधे और निष्पक्ष तरीके से डालने की कोशिश किया हूं। आशा है कि आप सभी इसे पसंद करेंगे और अपने आशीर्वादों की वर्षा करते रहेंगे और मुझे बेहतर बनाने में मदद करेंगे। और मेरे गुरु बिशाखा मोइत्रा मैम (जिन्होंने कभी इस बात को स्वीकार नहीं किया) और सपना मैडम को इस तरह के शानदार लेखकों का हिस्सा बनने के लिए धन्यवाद देता हूं।”
Author: Dr. Aparna Bagwe
Book: Lost and Found in the Digital World
On her relationship with the digital world…
“It was the year 1990, and I was about three fourths of the way to completing my doctoral research. In those days my institute had already installed desktop computers in the ‘common’ computer rooms ( I think those were the days of the prototype 386 or 486 machines). We had to book slots for use of these wonder machines. It was then that I nudged Meena – a close friend of mine who was also working on her PhD in a neighbouring institute in Parel, and we enrolled into the Datapro Institute at Bandra for their Diploma in Computer Management course. This laid a firm grounding about the fundamental knowledge about the innards of computers. Of course we needed it more for bibliographic data mining and data analysis using advanced statistical applications. Over the next decade and more, my computer usage was still majorly in the academic arena and had expanded to emails. After my return from a postdoctoral stint in Australia during 1996-97, I realised that I could not live without a computer, and bought my first home PC in January 1998. It was the days of VSNL and my telephone bills were humongous, but it was the best and the most ‘learning’ period of life as I caught up with so much information about scientific, biological and natural phenomena from the world wide web! It was in the early 2000s that I was introduced to social networking (chats) through another friend of mine. Over time I made friends with people across India and the world – initially through ICQ, then Yahoo chat, Rediffiland blogs, and Orkut. The first and last named of these opened up a whole new world of people like me, occupying the same mental plane, sharing the same interests, even lingo. Many of the friendships forged then are still going strong and have transitioned from virtual friendships to real life ones. I have found the digital world a real eye opener that helped me relate to and interact with the brains lying inside unseen and irrelevant bodies, from the safest place on planet Earth – my own home. The web introduced me to people from different walks of life, different age groups, races even – people whom I had not come across in the narrow academic corridors of my real world! Then in the mid 2000s came Facebook, Google chat and the paradigm shift to mobile internet and WhatsApp and other applications. I have a lot to be thankful about and have gained tremendously through the serendipitous accident of being present at the wonderful time point of the digital era. Today, as an active senior citizen of the global village, everything from banking, travel booking, e- commerce, to writing and even my passion of photography is comfortably at my fingertips, thanks to my enthusiastic plunge into the digital world!”
Author: Kalpana Swamy
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
On finding an identity through the digital world…
“Window of Opportunity: Digital World has opened up a whole new arena for many people, including me! An opportunity to showcase much more than my colour, creed or physical attributes.
It helps people showcase their talent and connect with right set fo audience with no territorial boundaries, with safety precautions of course! So for many who lost their voice in real world has found their identity through digital window!”
Author: Dr. Gurmeet Singh Sarla
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
About his article ‘Managing your Screen Time’…
“The sun looked like a yellow ball suspended in the sky against the canvas of white clouds floating. It was the colour of flaming bronze and it burnt my cheeks like a hot stove.
The birds were chirping merrily and the flowers were dancing with the breeze maybe for they were glad that the Sun had come to meet them. I lay there in my garden staring dreamily at the phone that lay in front of me on the table. I came back to my senses. I had suddenly drifted into a reverie that frightened me. A cloud of grief surrounded me as I kept staring continuously at the phone on the table. It was time for my children to attend their online classes. How unfortunate they were! The environment was so pleasant yet the circumstances did not permit them to play and come back home sweating. They had just no alternative to refresh themselves except for the television and the indoor games they had been playing for quite some time! Suddenly as the clouds of grief drifted away, worry began surrounding me. I was worried that being exposed to the radiating screen could be really dangerous. I began researching about whatever problems like health issues, mental trauma and so on one can be prone to if one is being exposed to the screen so long. I also came across many solutions and have listed them down in my article that I would recommend if one is too worried about their loved ones doing the same.”
Author: Daniel Miltz
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
About a Digital Revolution…
‘The Digital Revolution’
“Youths, mature enough to ace the advancements and youthful enough to invite their curiosity, are at the bleeding edge of this computerized unrest.
The Propelled Rebellion / Advanced Insurgency –also known as ‘The Digital Revolution’ has had a colossal effect. It has changed everything. Google licenses permits you to address, essentially, every request that you can think of. Web based life licenses also permit you to connect with comparatively contributed individuals far and worldwide. Electronic licenses offer things to an overall world marketplace. Technology impacts the way where individuals give, learn, and think. It helps society and chooses how people help out each other consistently. It’s made adapting dynamically, canny, and synergistic; this helps people with better associating with the material that they are learning and experience trouble with. The computer age is changing.”
Author: Rijak Kaur Sarla
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
Rijak is the youngest author in our anthologies! See what she has to say about the digital world in lockdown and the story behind her poetic story in the book.
“I had finally found a way to engage myself- writing stories. My condition when I used to go to school- used to become of a cloth beaten against the floor to be washed. I was left with almost no time to think of anything apart from my studies. However, this lockdown gave me ample time to explore and enhance my own imagination that had somewhat got buried under the soil. My parents searched for online competitions I could actively participate in and do something productive. Thus, one day my parents came across UBI and I wrote this poem for the topic they had given. Thus, my experiment with my hidden imagination that stretched across as wide as a desert led me to writing this poem. It highlights the pity condition of a girl who is confused and disturbed about whether it is a boon or a bane and whether she has really got immersed in it completely or it has aided her a lot to evaluate herself I have imagined myself.”
Author: Dr. Lalita Vaitheeswara
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
About the way technology revolutionised the world…
“Technology has revolutionised the globe.With a cick of the mouse, distances disappear and hearts come nearer.
Having a passion for writing and music and not being able to make it to social gatherings is frustrating and stifling.
Juggling between work and family when there’s hardly any time left for communication by way of physical meetings we friends have found the digital world a boon
Like minded friends found platforms on which talents could be showcased ,nurtured and flourished and we became celebrities in our own way !!
Of Course there were occasions when we were trolled or sent unwanted messages …..the hazards of the digital world ! But they were handled excellently by digitally giving back aka blocking !
Now we have a virtual world of our own…full of laughter and love in the comforts of own home sans the hassles of physical movement.”
Author: Simrat Kaur
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
On her journey as a writer and how her poem ‘Coffee House’ came about…
“The title of this book – LOST AND FOUND IN THE DIGITAL WORLD , in it self speaks alot about what, each writer had to offer.
My journey as a writer goes long back to when I was in school. Unable to express my emotions vocally I started scribbling my feelings here and there and to my surprise one day I found few lines written by me, in those moments of sheer silence and despair ,to be perfectly rhyming sentences, weaved in deep emotions and decorated with words. Since then, writing has been my way of expression!
Years after that episode ,when this opportunity came my way through our dearest – Sapna Kekre ( di ), I just couldn’t stop myself. After all, I was about to get a chance to showcase my talent and also to contribute towards such a noble cause of giving away the amount collected to underprivileged children. How could I not be a part of such a wonderful cause and team – UBI.
In today’s world, when we do nothing without our gadgets, even now I am using one. I realised that balance is the KEY ! When we over do anything, that’s when problems arise.
For days I kept thinking , but here thinking doesn’t help much, poetry is a creative word play, it’s like a flowing river of emotions , spreading on the sheet of paper in the form of beautiful water droplets.
And just like that, one day when I was sitting alone in a coffee shop and sipping my coffee ,I looked around and my emotions started pouring down on the paper.
Hope you like my poem – ” Coffee House” , written with a lot of love for this gift of life and time we all have got from GOD. Both come with limited offer time, so spend it more with eachother rather than with your digital world ! “
Author: Divya Venkateswaran
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
On how the digital world surprises and about her poem and article…
“The development of technology has brought about changes in everyone’s life.
Searching for content online to raise awareness about issues, bringing people together and achieving new breakthroughs. Due to the recent pandemic, schools have also gone digital which has become a new way of learning. There are multiple platforms which provide you with immense information for anything and everything.
I was accustomed to the digital world and social media, but the lock-down made me realize there is more to learn about the world. I made the optimal use of the lock-down and joined a social media mastery course through which I was also introduced to the world of Instagram. I learnt many things which I was unaware of till now. The digital world surprises you in many ways.
It’s a complex web of information and you should know how to use it in the most ideal form. This technology has significantly influenced our daily lives. Though it has brought us closer to our long lost friends and relatives, made our life easy by ordering food, groceries online with a few taps of our fingers, we need to evaluate our dependency on this technology.
In my poem and article I have discussed both its benefits and drawbacks respectively and I feel it is up to us how we apply rather, I would say exploit this technology. We need to gain from it wisely as there are privacy concerns, hacking and digital addiction. While some feel that it is the best thing that has happened to humankind, there are others who feel otherwise. The debate is on and alive, so take your seats and enjoy the show.”
Author: Dr. Ekta Sachdeva
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
On the pros and cons of the digital world and her works in the book…
“There is almost no area in which digital world has not impacted our lives nor is in denying the fact
how the communication have revolutionized.
I feared technology like anything but thanks to my
journey thrugh Ph.D. where immense quantity of information was uploaded and downloaded over
the electronic leviathan (internet), content very much our own, making us creators and
commentators. My whole data related to research had to be on computers as per instructions by
my guide who won’t accept my manuscript. But how finally this all turned out to be a productive
experience for a tenderfoot like me – learning , producing, re-producing, adapting, editing, re-
editing and finally to a DEGREE in hand. And will not forget to mention- THE NEW ME! so blessedly
wrought with this digital paradigm shift .Going not too far, breaking all communication barriers, is
my story to stepping in UBI. My relationship breathed afresh with Sapna Madam after nearly two
decades, digitally.
But in contrast stand my article and poetry in Lost and Found in Digital Era
“Though digitally shrunk is this world.We are all in some way or other wired But without real wires”. I
am really dismayed how simple pleasures have disappeared like Dinosaurs. We talk and see each
other less now, only to meet at facebook for likes and comments only to give impression of how
close we are. This is sheer artificiality in our hyperconnected world. We need to pause and enjoy the
things quintessential to happiness and real bonds in life that perchance have missed our attention.
My article says it all. Although digital era has clearly changed daily life, it is arguably not for the
Better.”
Author: Dr. Archana Tandon
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
About the way the digital world connects with the professional one…
“I am Dr Archana Tandon an obstetrician and gynecologist from Moradabad UP.
The digital world has opened the doors to so many opportunities without the need to move away from your comforts and that is a big boon. It’s easier to know what is happening and how people are venturing into newer concepts.
It was through facebook that I made friends with many professional friends and made use of the digital world to host the first webcast of webinars and operative workshops to the world which was a two day programme which happened for the first time in India, five years back.
It was the digital world making use of which I held the panel discussion to discuss “How to stop the declining female sex ratio” for which I was appreciated by PMO.
Digitalisation helped me to come out with the first edition of my e-book and hard bound book on Lessons Of Life using KDP where one could self publish one’s book. Similarty my second book उमड़ते जज़्बात got published using Pothi.com again making use of digitalisation.
It was on facebook that I first saw the advertisement of Mrs India contest with a classic category which was open for ladies aged 50 yrs and above. It appeared so interesting as there I saw an opportunity to meet participating girls and ladies and to explore that world to get stories of working women. There were doctors, chartered accountants, dentists, teachers, females working in corporate sectors, architects, widows, dancers, beauticians and housewives. I went on to win Mrs India Runner Up Crown and two titles.
It was indeed interesting to inaugurate an infertility conference in Bhuvaneshvar from Moradabad 4 years back again courtesy digitalisation.
One is easily connected to family and friends and can stay updated professionally by on-line conferences and talks which is the biggest boon.
Another achievement was an on-line diploma in photography which helped me give a professional touch to my photography.
And last but not the least am thoroughly enjoying the voyage with United By Ink and other digital literary groups by sharing my poetries in the contests they hold and by becoming a part of their anthologies and other events. I have also been part of mushayaras and kavi sammelan and Literary festivals using digital media without the need to move which is a dream come true for me.
Hence digital media has helped me synchronise my profession work and my hobbies with my responsibilities towards my family.”
Author: Aaradhana Agarwal
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
On how digital spaces work for authors, and her work in the book…
“In author’s life true happiness lies in the acceptance by readers and this can be materialized only through a wider reach.
Digital platform generates that space where sky is the limit. I have been restricted to a smaller group of known people to showcase my write-ups. The moment digital world is exposed to me, author communities as well as book lovers have welcomed me whole heartedly. The virtual relationship with numerous budding and established writers have inspired me to write daily and improve day by day as continuous involvement can bring me near to perfection. This digital world is a great medium to earn unending recognition in our area of interest. My literary posts on Facebook and Instagram slowly and steadily build up connection with the unknown and in their heart fix a corner for me.
As an author I have a supreme power of creating my own world. In my created universe there are plenty of pleasant surprises, timely discovered solutions to the problems before any catastrophe and amidst uncertainties and darkness a flame of hope is always lighted. Love is divine when revealed through eyes. In all my stories love has always been felt in its subtlety by my characters. Hearts beat for one another and crave for unification. Efforts to express love desires, an inevitable pangs of separation, dilemma if to proceed or not, surrender to God and finally celebration – all these stages in love are crossed by my characters without any acute depression.
‘An Icing On Cake’ is my favourite as in it I have weaved my tender emotions. Dreamy eyes sparkle at the realisation of dream fulfilment. When an achievement seems impossible and the desired heart becomes effortless, at that moment Lady Luck smiles and bestow upon the poor soul Her blessings. My characters are flexible and easily get accustomed to unfamiliar surroundings. I prefer not to test their patience in a harsh way and they gain in abundance what is desired. Definitely, the story will touch my readers’ hearts as it will enable them to be immersed in a world of love and love only.”
Author: Bishakha Moitra
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
On digital relationships and the books themselves…
“First, I would like to thank Sapna and team UBI for giving me this opportunity for being a part of this amazing book and to be a Co author with such eminent writers.
It is my honour and privilege to be associated with both the anthologies of UBI till date and hopefully would continue the spree.
UBI will always have a special place in my heart as my first ever anthology paperback book, a beautiful collection of hindi poems “Anjuli Rang Bhari” was with UBI as well.
“Lost and found in the digital era” is a very relevant book showing how digitisation and technology has impacted our life and changed our world completely. The change has both its pros and cons. In both of my write ups I have tried to portray this aspect. I have personally found several beautiful relationships online. Got connected with old lost friends and made few amazing new friends as well, including the lovely UBI group. But then again we can’t forget the perils of social media relations also. My love story “The Unexpected Connection” and my poem “Emotions Online” both show the emotional pros and cons of relationships in digital world. Hope you all enjoy reading them as much as I was writing them. Have a great time reading the book.”
Author: Alka Tiwari
Book: ‘Lost and Found in the Digital World’
Solitude brings in either of the two things – insanity or creativity. For me it was the creative
splurge that was taking over me. Like water finds its way out from any crack…My words
found their way out of my crazy head and found solace in the light of social media
platforms, where they were welcomed, petted and pampered by my friends and followers.
It was a case of perfect timing when I came to know about UBI (United by Ink), as we both
were trying to stand up and run. It offered a fair field for my writings to be seen and read by
other like-minded word lovers. This digital platform soon turned into a big mansion buzzing
with creative writing of its immensely talented members. The founder Mrs. Sapna Shivani
Kekre has been the soul of this creative hub. We have covered a long journey from being
strangers to being friends, still staying across continents. This is the invisible connecting
power of digital media.
When the opportunity came to write something about relationships in the digital era, it was
so natural for me to express myself. I am blessed to be a part of this new anthology “Lost
and Found in the Digital Era”. When geographical distance separates people, digital media
bonds them together. If you can’t go out to the world, the digital media brings the whole
world close to you inside the screens of your computers and smart phones.
It has become much more relevant in these strange COVID19 times. The pandemic has
manifested upon all in the form of physical distance. Families are forced to split, and friends
are compelled to stay away. Digital media is the wormhole that is connecting people living
across different dimensions in the era of social distancing.