Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού
We need to rise from our “personal good” to a state of “collective good” to make this world a better place to live in
Please share your thoughts about the future of literature.
Literature is a mirror to life and society. Literature is not in the hands of the writers . Literature reflects the society and the times that it is written in. For example the symbolism of drought and decay in T.S Eliot’s “The Wasteland” hints at the spiritual sterility and cultural barrenness of the times that he lived in. Today when we talk about the role of A I or Chatgpt in the field of literature, it clearly shows that how technology has made its way into literature and and also that we are living in a very tech savvy age. So the future of literature is largely dependent on our way of life in the prevailing times that is actually shaping the society and the world around us.
When you start writing?
I started writing when I was in school. I have often talked about my father’s influence on me and how he had been my source of inspiration. My father was my friend, philosopher and guide and my mentor who shaped my destiny and I am ever grateful to him for the same.
The Good and the Bad. Who is winning in nowadays?
The Good and the Bad have always been there. The great epic “The Ramayana” clearly tells us about the distinction between the Good and the Bad. Today we stand confused. The poet in me laments the fact that we have become very self- centred and selfish and we interpret the Good and the Bad according to our own convenience. Nobody is winning. In the process it is “Humanity” which is losing ground. Today we talk about progress and progression with pride on the one hand and on the other hand we are fighting wars, endangering Nature and Mankind and the Climate and all this is detrimental to our growth and progress. This indeed is paradoxical .
We need to rise from our “personal good” to a state of “collective good” to make this world a better place to live in.
How many books have you written. And where can we find your books?
I am the author of two Books entitled,
1. THE TEMPLE STOP and
2. SOUL CHANTS
My Books are available on Amazon , Flipkart and many other online portals.
I am a contributor to more than fifty poetry anthologies and many more International magazines, e-zines and Coffee Table Books.
My poetry videos are also available on some heart touching subjects.
The book. E book or Hardcover book. What will be the future?
The future is fortunately giving ample choice to the reader. A reader can make his own choice. A Hardcover Book is more like a possession that one is proud of , whereas an E Book is very convenient to carry , especially while travelling. Again I would say it is a matter of personal choice, digital or print, whatever the reader prefers in this fast paced life.
A wish for 2025
Wars should end! May Peace prevail
A phrase from your book
Being a poet I would like to share a poem from my book that is very close to my heart and it also elucidates my philosophy of life.
The Highway To Heaven
I was sitting with bags seven
Waiting for the bus on the highway to heaven
Soon the bus stopped right in front of me
But the attendant on seeing the heavy baggage blocked my entry
I got very annoyed , and as I was about to start a fight
He told me that he would permit me only if I travel light
I promised to throw a bag at each resting stop
So he allowed me inside and I boarded the bus with a hop
At the first stop I threw my bag carrying
“Comparisons “
And the bus started again, leaving that station
At the next stop I chose to throw the bag containing “Expectations”
And thereafter I found myself breathing more freely as one does in the moment of liberation
At the next stop I was blinded by the light of the burning holy fire
In it I threw three bags more carrying my “Desires”
At the next stop I threw the remaining bags of “Vanity and Ego”
I felt that I had bartered the baggage for bliss in one go
My journey became so wonderful without all that baggage
I had collected so much trash in the name of required luggage
As I started freely enjoying my journey the bus again came to a halt
I saw that it stopped in front of a refreshment stall
With great honour I was made to sit on a chair
I saw that the holy water of wisdom was
being served there
The owner offered the holy water so that I could feel rejuvenated and refreshed
And I started my journey again liberated, afresh
At the last stop I thought I had reached the heaven
But I found myself at the same stop from where I had started with the bags seven
The driver told me that heaven is not located at a distant place
Heaven is your home on the earth without the unneeded baggage.
Bio: Harinder Cheema is an internationally renowned, award winning poet, writer, novelist, author, translator, anchor editor motivational speaker and a Naji Naaman Laureate. She shares space with great World authors and her name is listed in the 50 Memorable Women, Asia, Stockholm Project. Her name also finds a mention in the Farsala Academy, Greece and Cafe Philo, New Delhi for her contribution to World Literature. She has also been honoured with the Title and Award “STAR AMBASSADOR OF WORLD POETRY “by Azaad Foundation, India. She has won various National and International awards, accolades and recognitions in the field of Literature.
