Author Feature:- 

Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar 

A Literary Voice from the Santhal Community. Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar is an Indian author and a medical doctor, born in 1983 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. He belongs to the Santhal community, one of India’s indigenous Adivasi groups. His literary works often reflect the experiences, struggles, and challenges faced by his community.

Professionally, Shekhar serves as a medical officer with the government of Jharkhand. Despite his demanding career in healthcare, he continues to pursue his passion of writing, skillfully balancing his dual roles as a writer and a healthcare professional.

About The Book - 

"The Adivasi Will Not Dance"

In 2015, he published 'The Adivasi Will Not Dance' a collection of short stories that received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for 'The Hindu' Prize. His subsequent novel, My Father’s Garden (2018), further established his literary reputation and was shortlisted for the prestigious JCB Prize for Literature in 2019.

Through his writings, Shekhar provides a poignant and authentic voice to the Santhal community, shedding light on their rich culture, hardships, and resilience in contemporary India. His work stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in bringing marginalized narratives to the forefront.

The stories in the collection highlight issues such as displacement, exploitation, poverty, and the erosion of indigenous culture. The title story, Adivasi Will Not Dance, is particularly powerful, as it depicts an elderly Santhal man refusing to perform a traditional dance for politicians, symbolizing resistance against oppression.

Shekhar’s writing blends realism with a deep emotional connection to Adivasi life, capturing both the beauty and pain of their existence. The book also faced controversy, with some accusing it of portraying the Santhal community in a negative light, leading to a temporary ban in Jharkhand.

ADIVASIS : THE CHILDREN OF NATURE

"Message To The Moon" - By Hafsa Ahmed of B.Sc FNZC Second year 

Picture Credit: Special Arrangement 

Oh, my beloved Moon,
You never turn away,
Never grow tired of my whispers.
You just listen, quiet and patient,
Holding my secrets in your soft glow,
Never judging, never leaving.

Even when you disappear,
I know you're still there,
Watching over me,
A silent promise that
Darkness won’t last forever.
You remind me that even with scars,
When I feel like I’m fading,
I can still shine.

You give comfort to embrace my wounds,
To quiet the chaos inside me.
You warm my cold, aching heart,
Making me smile through tears
That fall beneath your light.

You and me, a bond meant to be.
Oh, Moon, you are my light,
My soul, my safe place.
No matter how lost I feel,
How heavy the night becomes,
As long as you’re there,
I know I’ll find my way.

"Maha Kumbh Mela 2025" by Udhari Arundhati of BA HEP First Year 

Picture Credit: Udhari Arundhati 

After 144 years, the grand Maha Kumbh Mela returned, and I was fortunate to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. Held in Nashik, Ujjain, Prayagraj, and Haridwar, this spiritual gathering is considered the largest human congregation on Earth. As I arrived in Prayagraj, I felt an indescribable energy in the air—millions of devotees, saints, and seekers had come together, united by faith and devotion.

The story behind Kumbh Mela has always fascinated me. It is believed that during the great churning of the ocean, drops of Amrit (nectar of immortality) fell at these four locations. Bathing in the sacred rivers at these places is said to cleanse sins and lead to Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). Knowing this, stepping into the waters of the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers merge, felt like a moment of profound transformation.

Picture Credit: Udhari Arundhati 

A Divine Journey

As I walked through the festival grounds, the sights, sounds, and scents overwhelmed my senses. The rhythmic chants, the fragrance of incense, and the mesmerizing aartis by the river made it feel like I had stepped into an ancient, mystical world.

Taking a holy dip in the sacred waters was an experience beyond words. It was not just about purifying the body—it felt like washing away worries, negativity, and attachments. I emerged feeling lighter, at peace, and deeply connected to something greater than myself.

The Mela was also a hub of spiritual learning. I met saints, sadhus, and gurus who shared timeless wisdom. Listening to their teachings, observing their simple and disciplined lives, and engaging in prayer filled my heart with serenity and purpose.

Unity in Diversity

One of the most beautiful aspects of Maha Kumbh Mela was the sheer diversity of people attending. There were no barriers of caste, wealth, or status—only faith and devotion. Millions gathered in harmony, proving that spirituality unites people beyond worldly differences.

The festival served as a reminder of the richness of Indian culture and traditions. It strengthened my connection with my roots inspired me to embrace a more righteous and mindful way of living.

The Grand Celebrations

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 officially began on 14th January 2025 (Makar Sankranti) and concluded on 26th February 2025 (Maha Shivratri). Each day was filled with divine energy—mass prayers, enlightening discourses, and grand rituals that left a lasting impression on my soul.

A Journey to Moksha

It is said that bathing in the sacred waters during Maha Kumbh Mela grants Moksha, freedom from the cycle of life and death. While the mysteries of the universe remain unknown, I can say with certainty that this journey changed me.

I returned from Kumbh Mela feeling lighter, calmer, and spiritually enriched. This was not just a festival; it was a pilgrimage, a journey to the soul, a chance to touch the divine. And though another 144 years will pass before the next Maha Kumbh, I know that this experience will stay with me forever.

From now on, I am forever in love with my country. I take great pride in my country, its traditions, customs, and festivals, with unwavering faith in unity in diversity.

"Unfair Shades : Subjective choice or Blatant discrimination?" By Praharshita of B.Sc MBTC First Year 

Picture Credit: Praharshita 

What it would be like if I was a little teen girl whose dark-toned, black skin or whatever name they give, in a world of discriminators, light-toned lovers. A place where from local barbershop to shining city's billboard to hospital banners, the only one I see is light-toned to the extent of another race.

Will I ever see someone like me more often? To feel like I belong, must I always feel inferior or excluded? In a world influenced by idiocracy, filled with passive aggressions and holding blatant prejudice—unaware yet completely aware—what it is like to be treated special?

Can I ever be? No—not at least like the white-skinned, long-haired girl in class liked by every guy, admired by girls, and appreciated by teachers just for her mere existence, for doing the bare minimum. Not at least like the random girl at a relative's wedding praised by aunts, romanticizing her personality—even if it was their first meeting—saying there's something magical of having lighter meat covering the body.

Not at least like their favorite news reporter. I am not allowed to be special like the ones I see in TV ads or the main characters on the big screen with someone dark always shown inferior to them—as if being light-toned is the default mode to be the good one.

It makes me feel like a side character in my own life, just like the actress who receives hate for doing no wrong but committing the 'sin' of being dark. If my peers are just kids without full emotional awareness, then what about adults? Why are they worse? Why don't they stop? Do they have even an ounce of sympathy or emotional intelligence?

Maybe they do when my parents worry about my marriage and set aside more money for my dowry. Or maybe it's when people sympathize, saying, 'You should've been lighter and your brother dark, as it's less bad for a male to be dark, God was unfair to swap it.'

God is unfair? As if He spoke to them personally about white being superior. No, it's not God who's unfair. It's you. It's the society, the messed-up world still clinging on internalized oppression.

What court should I go for my unpaid emotional labor?"

"Uninvited Tears" by Bhumika Raikote of BA MLHJ Final Year 

Picture Credit: Special Arrangement 

Why are you coming,

I didn't invite you,

How could you forget?

I asked you to be inside.

I know little things hurt,

You shout and scream to be free,

But this is not the right time,

Nor the right place.

Come out, But not now,

In the nights,

When I'm all alone,

When there is no one around.

Don't fall now,

My dear tears, 

Don't make me feel weak,

When everyone's around.