Dr Sumita Misra and Gen VP Malik release Alka Kansra’s Book “Zindagi Kavita Ho Gai“ 

THE VOICE OF CHANDIGARH NEWS:

Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) organized a book release function at Chandigarh Press Club evening for the official launch of Alka Kansra’s book of poetry, “Zindagi Kavita Ho Gai”

The Chief Guest of the evening was Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary Dr Sumita Mishra IAS, an accomplished poet and Chairperson CLS, who commended Alka for an amazing collection of seventy poems that touch varied aspects of life, love, romance, relationship and gender concerns.

She said that creative pursuits beyond one’s mundane professional life help balance it that makes life meaningful and joyful.

General V P Malik PVSM, AVSM (Retd) and his wife Dr Ranjana Malik graced the occasion as Guests of Honour, and ex-IAS, author and TEDx speaker Vivek Atrey was the special guest on this occasion.

General VP Malik said that “though I have not read much poetry but I could not put down Alka’s latest anthology which touches the heart and provides a glimpse into the poet’s vast canvas of experiences she assimilated and could express it in a simple style, which is more difficult to do.”

Dr Ranjana Malik recited some of the poems from the book and pointed out the diverse facets of Alka’s personality who had been a teacher of chemistry and inspired many lives of young girls, and now through her poetry, she is touching the lives of the people.

Vivek Atray suggested that everyone should discover the book that each one carries within, and share it with the world by publishing them.

Actor, Director and writer Vijay Capoor conducted the programme and interspersed the programme with poetry from the book.

Alka Kansra shared her journey of writing which started after her retirement as head of the chemistry department from MCM DAV College, and expressed her gratitude to her mentor – the famous writer Dr Virender Mehandiratta, who guided her and honed her skill in Hindi poetry that resulted in her first book in 2019, “Peedhion ke kshitij” (पीढ़ियों के क्षितिज).

Many literary figures from the city attended the book launch including Dr. Kailash Ahluwalia, Col D.S. Cheema, CJ Singh, Hardeep Chandpuri. Amulya Shukla, Simi Hans, Jatin and Renuka Salwan,

“I have just finished translating a Hindi poetry book into English, and am already working on two poetry books, one in English and another one in Hindi,” informed Alka Kansra.