Deputy Mayor, Treasury Officer Attend Book Launch in Deoghar

Educationist and author Deepak Kumar’s debut novel, Not All Dreams Go to Kota, was launched in Deoghar on Saturday at an event attended by Deputy Mayor Tip Chatterjee and Treasury Officer and DIET faculty member Mukesh Kumar Singh.

The event, held at Aura Lounge in Vioray Mall, also witnessed the release of 11 songs based on poems from Kumar’s first poetry collection, Khushk Sheelan. The songs bring selected poems from the collection into a musical format, adding a new dimension to his literary work.

Among those present at the programme were Somesh Dutt Mishra, Prof. Anjani Sharma, Bhartendu Dubey, Umakant Singh, Prem Kumar, Abhishek Anand, Vaibhav Shankar, Subodh Jha, Ramsevak Singh Gunjan and Prof. Ramanand Singh.

Born in Pandoi Sultani village in Bihar’s Jehanabad district, Kumar moved to Deoghar in 1992. He was selected for engineering at BIT Mesra but chose to leave the course just a day after admission, deciding instead to pursue his interest in education.

His journey as an educationist has included both achievements and setbacks. After facing a major setback in 2005, Kumar rebuilt his educational initiative with around 30 students and limited resources. His approach focused on meaningful learning, encouraging independent thinking among students and strengthening the role of teachers in the learning process.

Kumar's literary journey became more active during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he began writing extensively. A selection of his poems was later published as Khushk Sheelan, with 11 poems from the collection subsequently adapted into songs.

His debut novel, Not All Dreams Go to Kota, explores several issues surrounding India's education system and the pressures faced by young people. The book looks beyond the conventional idea that academic success and prestigious institutions are the only measures of achievement, while also touching upon aspirations, relationships, individual freedom and the choices young people make in shaping their lives.

During an interactive session at the launch, Kumar read excerpts from the novel and spoke about the ideas and experiences that shaped the book. A video presentation based on Khushk Sheelan was also screened, while an 11-minute podcast focusing on the novel was presented to the audience.

The programme concluded with the presentation of signed copies of the book to guests. Kumar expressed his gratitude to readers, teachers, associates and well-wishers who supported his educational and literary journey.