Featured Author Interview with the Unstoppable Ajay Sharma

Once in a while it happens that even before you speak to someone you know it is going to be special. I had that lingering feeling when I was getting ready to interview Ajay Sharma, our Featured Author for the month of February 2014. I can’t put a finger on exactly what caused this sense of anticipation. Was it his bio? Or were it his stories? Or was it simply my sixth sense? I guess it was all of these to some extent. And when I did speak to him, I was left speechless by his ability to connect easily, and to convey warmth, trust, and transparency through the very tone of his voice. His life has been punctuated by the lowest of the lows and the highest of the highs. And through all that he has always emerged a winner, maintaining his humility and earnestness, turning everything he touches to pure Gold. I felt humbled, honoured, and inspired after talking to him and I hope that the interview below will be able to do justice to this.

Solang Valley on Snow Scooter

Ajay and his wife Ratna on a Snow Scooter in the Solang Valley

Ajay wrote his first story on Ghumakkar just over 4 months back, though he has been reading stories at Ghumakkar for quite some time now. Today he already has 19 brilliantly written stories to his credit. He recently opened a new office and has been quite busy setting it up. We were wondering whether he will be able to take time out to answer our elaborate emails and to talk to us. I was oscillating between anticipation and pure panic till I heard back from him.

When I spoke to him at 8pm, he had just arrived at his office. What was supposed to be a half-an-hour chat, quickly extended to 45 minutes and it still felt as if a lot remained to be discussed. Ajay talks just like he writes – naturally and unpretentiously. I had prepared a list of questions to ask him but those were quickly forgotten, as each of his answers made way for more questions. But by the end of it, I was glad that I hadn’t stuck to my original list. I am hoping that you will feel the same about this. And now, without further delay, here is how it went:

Ghumakkar: Once again, big congratulations to you, Ajay, for being chosen the Featured Author for the month of February 2014.
Ajay: Thanks, Vibha! Please convey my sincere thanks to Nandan and the rest of the editorial team for this happy surprise. It was totally unexpected.

Ghumakkar: Well, it was a unanimous decision, so let me assure you that it was well deserved. It is now time for us and our readers to try to get to know you better. Who is Ajay Sharma? Tell us everything.
Ajay: I would like to warn you though that you are asking for trouble. The answer can be longish.

Ghumakkar: We are all ears!
Ajay: Well, ok then. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

I was born in an affluent and modern family. My father was a successful businessman, a very stylish personality and well-renowned in a small down-town in Bihar, now in Jharkhand. My mother hailed from Bengal, was a working lady, an officer with the Central Government, and then later with a PSU.

Ajay at Nagar Palace, Manali

Ajay at Nagar Palace, Manali

My grandparents were religious, highly educated Brahmins of UP. They lived in our ancestral, more than 150 years old Haveli in Allahabad, which they had bought from an English railway officer. My Grandfather, who had retired as Head Master from a Government Inter-College, donated his pension for lifetime to aid underprivileged students for their higher studies.

Ghumakkar: Hmm, interesting! How did your father, the son of a head master, end up going into a business?
Ajay: Well, that was because my father left home when he was in 8th standard and started a business with one of his older cousins.

Ghumakkar: Your grandfather did not approve?
Ajay: No! It was all against my grandfather’s wishes, mostly because my father did not complete his education. But my father more than compensated for his lack of impressive academics with his ability to run a business successfully. And our relationship with my grandparents was always very cordial, and we visited them often. In fact, my parents’ marriage was an arranged one and my grandfather had arranged it. I was very attached to my father and would always accompany him, often wearing clothes of the same style, and being called “Doctor Saheb” by my father and his friends and employees.

Ghumakkar: Why “Doctor Saheb”?
Ajay: My father wanted me to be a Doctor and study a lot, may be because he could not do this in his time. He provided for us really well. We studied in the best convent school in the locality and were blessed with a lavish life having all amenities including a big house, cars, drivers, and care takers. All was well. In fact, a little too well. On one dark day my father fell ill, followed by a heart ailment, and subsequently the paralysis of the left portion of his body.

Ghumakkar: Oh! How old were you and your siblings back then?
Ajay: I was just 9 and my youngest brother 4. My father was under treatment for almost 2 years in the best hospital in town and my mother managed her office and hospital, besides nurturing us as well, as before. In the process, a lot of money was spent, and our entire business collapsed. After 2 years of hopes, struggle, and very expensive medication, my father died.

Our house was sold, business ruined, and we were reduced to rags. My mother, who earlier worked by choice, now had no option but to work out of necessity. She opted for company quarters, and we shifted to a new address in a smaller house. I was emotionally hurt and could not believe that I lost my father for ever, who was a hero to me.

My mother continued our studies in the same schools and somehow retained one driver and our favourite car, a white Ambassador. It was not so easy with our limited income to continue with our academic expenses and social status, which was being stubbornly maintained by my mother for her emotional satisfaction. Days, months, and years passed with sweeter and bitter memories, but I could always feel an immense pain in my heart for my father’s death and the consequent solo struggle of my mother for our upbringings.

I wanted to grow older as soon as possible and start earning to ease my mother’s struggle. On the other hand, my mother wanted me and my siblings to concentrate in our studies and be successful in our lives. Soon after my Class 9th, I decided to take home tuitions to earn as much as I can.

Ajay with his Siblings and Nieces and Nephews

Ajay with his Siblings and his Nieces

Ghumakkar: Did your mother know?
Ajay: No! Not at all! She wouldn’t have allowed it. I started with two students of class VI and VII for Rs. 100/- each, followed by a few more later. After passing my 10th with distinction, I was selected for scholarship by my mother’s company and started getting Rs. 1,500/- every 3 months, which was good enough to pay my school fees and still left enough for my school dress and pocket money. I saved all the money that I earned out of home tuitions and invested them with my friends who were in small businesses and earned aggregated returns.

Ghumakkar: This sounds incredible, more so considering you were only 15 at the time. How much did these initiatives help?
Ajay: They did help. And time also gradually changed for better — my mother got a promotion and we were allotted a bigger bungalow, a company car with driver, and attendants at home. I, on the other side, continued with my best efforts in my studies and simultaneously more home tuitions with better remunerations. And I kept on investing those savings with my honest friends for even better returns. And then I also got an opportunity to apply for a job.

Ghumakkar: At such a young age? How did you come across the opportunity?
Ajay: This was in 1992, and I was 15 when my mother’s company organized a competition examination under a scheme of employment to employees’ wards as computer operators. I did not want to miss this golden opportunity and appeared for the exam with my whole-hearted dedication. I got selected out of more than 10000 candidates and was advised to report from 27 May 1992, on probation for 3 years because I was underage.

Ghumakkar: Did you take the opportunity? And what about studies?
Ajay: Yes, I had no choice. I took the job and also decided to continue my studies along with it.

Ghumakkar: How did you manage your time and did the home tuitions stop now that you had a job?
Ajay: No, nothing stopped. My school timing was 7am to 10am. After which I reached office directly in my school uniform. I went home for lunch and then changed into formal clothes. I continued the home tuitions after office, and added a little more, very valuable income to my important earnings. My monthly salary was fixed at Rs. 1,578/- pm for three years with no leave, except casual leave of maximum 11 days in a year. I had to avail those leaves for appearing in my exams. I passed my 12th from the CBSE board with both Maths and Biology, with distinction again. Biology, because I wanted to be a doctor to fulfil my father’s wish but later realized that it was not possible.

Ghumakkar: Were you worried about the finances?
Ajay: Finances, yes, and also time. My sister and brother were also in higher classes by then and needed more attention, guardianship, and finance. But I continued with my studies even after graduation and after my probation ended. I pursued my post graduations in two different subjects – political science and sociology — for increasing the chances of departmental promotions and increments. I did my Diploma in Personnel Management on a study leave of two years without pay and finally after successfully passing it appeared in a departmental examination and was promoted as an officer. Studies still continued and I also did a diploma in Labour Laws with Administrative Laws. I participated in a special 6 months training programme and was designated as the youngest National Trainer.

Ghumakkar: Wow! Post Graduations in four subjects. Did things start looking up after that?
Ajay: Yes, things were much better. Financially we were in a better condition. My mother decided to quit her job and engage in social activities. Soon, she was nominated as the district president of a national party for women and started enjoying her social life gracefully with much honour. She also actively participated in educational and training programmes of National Institute of Training for Mines and Metal Workers and was a senior trainer and its founding member. My sister and brother were also doing well in their studies. In 2002 my sister was married in a very well off family in Jamshedpur. My brother shifted to Delhi after his Engineering from IBM. The same year he also got married and is living happily with his spouse in Delhi.

Ghumakkar: And when did you decide to shift to Delhi?
Ajay: Right after! I got an opportunity to work for a leading US-based MNC in Gurgaon as a Manager (HR & Admin.). I left the PSU, opting for VRS after working for 11 years.

Ghumakkar: This is like going against the tide, isn’t it? PSU jobs are hard to come by. What prompted you to leave it and take up a private job?
Ajay: I couldn’t see any further growth in the near or even distant future in the PSU, as the promotions there were based on seniority and not merit. The earliest I could expect the next promotion was 17 years later. I could not wait that long. Moreover Jharkhand held some terrible memories, and I wanted to stay away from them.

Ghumakkar: Did your mother move with you to Delhi?
Ajay: No she stayed back in Allahabad and I used to visit her every weekend. In fact it was on one of these trips when my appendix burst while I was on the train. I had to undergo an operation, and I was in a coma for 20 days subsequently. Upon regaining consciousness, I was advised bed rest for 6 months. The MNC Job was gone and I was penniless, and I had to depend upon my dear ones for almost six months. Those days taught me one big lesson about life, and I think everyone should follow it. There’s nothing wrong in thinking of and doing things for others, but one must not ignore oneself in the process. I had always done things for others, often sacrificing my own wishes and needs in the process. But you most often do not get the same returns in your hour of need. With my mother’s blessings I was back on track but had to start from the scratch. However, I got a job as a Manager (HR & Admin.) in one of India’s leading Telecom firms in Delhi.

Brother & His Wife with Kid

Ajay’s Brother with his family

Ghumakkar: So, you were an officer in a PSU, and then a Manager (HR & Admin.), what came next?
Ajay: After the operation, I wasn’t keeping too well. And when you are an HR Manager, in some firms you need to take care of Admin and Facilities departments as well. I had to run around and travel a lot. My health suffered. So I decided to opt for something less strenuous and joined an enforcement firm as an office manager. It is there that I learnt about law and legal consultancy. Now I am the CEO of a leading company and heading North India by extending services as legal consultancy to more than 35 panel banks.

Ghumakkar: Looks like you have the Midas touch. Touch wood! What are your thoughts whenever you take on something new? What do you think makes you succeed?
Ajay: I have always believed that everyone can teach me something or the other. Right from the time when I was working in the PSU till today, I have learnt from everyone – my boss, my friends, my driver, the peon in the office. All of them have taught me valuable lessons about business and life. I believe in staying humble, and I believe in being open. I don’t like to argue or to try to prove that I am right. Usually if you are indeed right, the other person will realize it later, if not immediately. Argument doesn’t serve any purpose.

Ghumakkar: This is such a simple funda, and it sounds like it would work. Ego does stand in the way of learning.
Ajay: Yes it does!

Ghumakkar: Through all this, when did you find time to get married?
Ajay: I had never thought about marriage. In fact, for the most part, I had thought I won’t marry. I had responsibilities. My mother passed away in 2008 after a short illness, and in 2009, my brother-in-law (my sister’s husband) also died. 2010 brought more bad news with my grandparents breathing their last. I had to play a stronger role for my sister, who had two lovely daughters. I love my sister as my daughter, and she also respects me as much as she would have respected our father. I decided that I will stay single throughout my life so that I can support my sister and my nieces without any issues.

However, life is unexpected. And a couple of years back, I suffered third degree burns on my hand on Diwali. I was in a lot of pain. And I was all alone. I have never felt as lonely as I felt then. My colleagues Girish and Kausar kept on insisting that I should get married, and encouraged by them, I created my profile on a matrimony website. They took it forward, talking to and even meeting people on my behalf. I met Ratna through this matrimony site. She is an advocate and was then working with Patna High Court. Within one month of meeting, we were married and Ratna shifted to Delhi to live with me. She is a very caring and loving human being. I am blessed to marry her and am living a happy married life. I am still a father to my siblings and my wife supports me in my duties more than expected.

Ghumakkar: How lovely! Congratulations on finding the right one!
Ajay: It was a late marriage by Indian standards.

Ghumakkar: Times are changing! Society is evolving!
Ajay: True!

Solang Valley

Ajay with the “Right One” Ratna

Ghumakkar: Between travelling, writing, reading, work, and personal life, how does a regular day from your life look like?
Ajay: I lead a simple life. A normal day starts with a relaxed morning wake-up, a cup of tea after refreshment, quick look through the Newspaper, with TV News playing in the background, a bath followed by a habitual bowing & praying, breakfast then office, a review to my colleagues assigning them the day’s jobs and then issuing advisories to Banks mostly on phones and sometimes by visiting the zonal/regional offices. Coming back late evening, chit-chatting with my lovely wife, watching TV, Dinner, Bed Time. Off days are generally laid-back & spent watching TV.

Ratna in White Rann

Ratna in White Rann

Ghumakkar: And when did travel become a part of your life? What types of places do you like travelling to the most.
Ajay: Frankly, travel just happened. In 1993, I bought my Yamaha Rx 100, out of my own earned and saved money. My first travel also happened during that time when we visited Digha, a beach in West Bengal at the coast of Bay of Bengal in East Midnapore.

Chilling with Friends

Chilling with Friends

After this I was tied up with my job and studies until my probation was over. My serious travel started when some of my friends from Kolkata planned a 21-day-long tour to the North East, and invited me along. We visited Bhutan, Darjeeling, Nepal, and all the seven sisters in NE. After that we also conducted few very organized trekking expeditions in the upper Himalayas including Annapoorna Base Camp and Sandakfu. My life best experience is the trek on Rupkund-Hemkund track, a 13 days expedition. I have also visited other states and almost all worth visiting hill stations and beaches, but wild safaris always thrill me and satisfy the most.

Manali

Hanging by thread in Manali

Ghumakkar: Like most of us, do you also have a list of “must-go” places?
Ajay: My wish is to visit all renowned and lesser known jungles in the country. Mountains are every ones favorites I feel, and so are mine. Exploring lesser hit places are also on my wish list. However, my must-go places comprise of Andaman-Nicobar and Sunder-Bans where I am planning to go soon. A trek to Kailash-Mansarovar is a dream and I wish to fulfil it too before I grow too old. I may very soon hit the NH-2 to travel the whole of east and NE on a long-long drive.

Ghumakkar: Amen! All of these are places are in India or close. Don’t you plan to travel to international destinations?
Ajay: Frankly no! India is too vast. I don’t think one can explore India completely in one life time. When do we then have time to venture out? Let me first explore India, then I will think of other countries. I had a very interesting conversation regarding this with a friend recently. He is an international traveller and had recently visited Switzerland. I asked him how did he find Switzerland. He replied, “It was awesome! Just like Manali!” Need I say any more?

On one of his expeditions at Zozila Pass

Ghumakkar: No! You’ve made your point.
Ajay: Good! I rest my case.

Nainital

Ajay at Nainital

Ghumakkar: We are hoping that Ghumakkar has been your friend through your travels. Please tell us how did you reach Ghumakkar?
Ajay: I always keep browsing travelogues. It was perhaps in 2011, when while searching something informative about driving on the Delhi-Leh-Manali-Delhi circuit, I found Mr. Rahul Rattan’s fascinating log “3 idiots, 1 Alto and Leh Ladakh” on GHUMAKKAR. Let me tell you, my instinct to drive on this route was latent since my early days. When I was young I bought my Yamaha Rx 100 just to go riding madly on this route. Despite my best efforts, none joined me and I was not daring enough to complete the trip without a co-passenger. I still have that bike with me after riding it more than 1.5 lac kms, though it not in use since 5-6 years now.
Anyways, after reading Mr. Rattan’s travelogue, I frequently visited Ghumakkar for enjoying reading the amateur, natural, and lay man travelogues, which generally gave me the feel of a virtual tour of the places described by the brilliant writers, even better than the professional write-ups.

Ghumakkar: How did an avid reader then get transformed into an avid writer?
Ajay: Gradually and spontaneously the instinct of writing was growing stronger. I had written earlier but those were mostly academic articles. Honestly, I was not sure if I can write anything which may attract readers, with remotest wish of receiving any appreciation. A few days after returning from a short trip to Bharatpur in September 2013, I was in office till late evening, waiting for an urgent reply to an email. To kill the pain of waiting, I was browsing the photographs clicked in Bharatpur when I suddenly decided to compile the memories of celebrating my wife’s 1st B’day after our wedding in the wild. The following day, I created my id to sign in to Ghumakkar and after fulfilling the formalities, I posted A Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary on this site.

Soon thereafter, I got the greatest and most awaited news from Nandan and Archana that my story will be live on 22nd September 2013. My excitement was beyond imagination and I wanted to share this immediately with my wife, but restrained myself till the story actually comes live. On 22nd September 2013, early morning I was on my laptop, but to my surprise, my story was not published.

Thanks God, I had taken the right decision by not boasting about the proposed publication. However, I was also really sad and decided to never try my hand at writing ever again. Half-heartedly, I emailed Archana and Nandan. that my proposed story was not published. A few minutes later, I received a reply by Archana that it was now LIVE! That just a technical fault!

Wow! I was back to my laptop and the moment I found it live, informed my wife about it. She was surprised and delightedly informed as many people as she could immediately. Suddenly, I was loaded with many felicitations on phones, mails, and messages. Soon after, I was surprised to read the valuable comments of fellow Ghumakkars followed by rich appreciation by Nandan. Thus began the journey of my association with Ghumakkar as a writer.

Ghumakkar: We are sure you are by now a favourite author of many of our readers and authors. But who are your favourite authors on Ghumakkar?
Ajay: This is a very difficult question. Each writer is unique and everyone has their own style. But there are a few who have stood out for me for one reason or the other. I like reading the stories by Prof. Rakesh Bawa. He writes from his heart. I respect Mr Ram Dhall for the maturity that his writing reflects. Nirdesh’s style is also unique. His travelogues are critical, informative, and enjoyable. Mahesh Semwal and Mukesh Bhalse write travelogues that flow naturally. Avtar Singh is again a good writer with great narration skills. On the whole, the list is very long and I may be forgetting some names here.

Ghumakkar: We are sure these authors will be delighted to see their names here. And now, just before we end this interview, what would you want to say something to the Ghumakkar community on this special day of yours?
Ajay: The natural write-ups with essence of genuine feelings of the writers and minute lay-man details, which are not found on any other travel website, have kept me glued on to Ghumakkar. Honestly, it is an addiction now and I do not need to take out time to stay connected even when I am very busy. My mobile and Tab help me browse it all day.

Ghumakkar has been an excellent platform for people like me who can try raw hand in writing, while re-living their travels and get rewarded with humble appreciation and selfless support and blessings from fellow ghumakkars. I am grateful to everyone for their support.

Ghumakkar: Thanks a lot Ajay! It has been lovely talking to you. We hope to see many more stories from you in the near future.
Ajay: Sure, you will definitely see some very soon. And it was lovely talking to you too, Vibha.

And thus ended our little conversation. There were so many revelations and learnings that after a point I stopped keeping track and just went with the flow. I hope you have enjoyed this interview as much. Getting to know such wonderful people is the best part of being with Ghumakkar!

Till the next time…
V

42 Comments

  • Avtar Singh says:

    Hi Ajay ji

    I have mixed feelings after reading your interview. As, on the one hand, life took every possible exam of yours, whether be it on personal front or the professional one and on the other, you always emerges as winner all the time and passed every adversity with flying colors.

    P.G. in four subjects…! I can understand how it sucks! No words to match your zest and zeal!

    Its really great to know something more on your personal aspects of life besides your exceptionally brilliant logs. Your journey of life is really commandable and appreciating.

    I can only wish all the best for all of your future endeavours!

    Thanx @vibha for such a lively interview.

  • shova says:

    Hi Ajay

    Congrats for being the featured author.I am an avid reader of Ghummakar.com and thereby have seen your beautiful posts.All the posts are splendidly written which virtually taken me to the places you described with some of the excellent photos.
    Through your interview I came to know about your life – your struggles & thereafter succeeding every challenges with extreme patience,persistence & genuine efforts.I have become now a fan of yours.
    Once again congratulations for being selected as the featured author as you really deserved it.Hope to see your next log also in future.
    My best wishes for your grand future in the world of writing & traveling.
    Keep writing always.

    @ Vibha
    Hi
    Thanks for sharing a wonderful interview of Mr.Ajay Sharma,who achieved immense success against all odds and thus inspires a person to move on with his life.

    • AJAY SHARMA says:

      Hi Shova,
      Your so nice words cordially touched me. I accept your honoured feelings and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your good wishes. Just be a part of Ghamakkar now as a writer too so that we will be able to know you personally on one such interview.
      Every person has some great personality in him or her, only lack such platforms to connect with as many, as provided by ghumakkar.com
      I wish you every success in your life too and eagerly wait to see your logs live on this site.

      Keep travelling
      Ajay

    • Vibha says:

      Thanks Shova! Indeed Ajay is an inspiration!

  • SilentSoul says:

    Thanks Vibha for this detailed interview of Ajay. …. and welcome back to your Editor’s seat.
    Ajay has written some great stories and I specially liked his story onDaman Diu etc. Well deserved honor !

    keep traveling and keep writing

  • AJAY SHARMA says:

    Dear Vibha, Nandan, Archana, Editorial Team and all fellow Ghumakkars!

    A big thanks to all of you guys for everything. This honour means a lot to me. This happened only with all your humble supports and appreciations which boosted me to write more and better by learning step by step.
    I would like to dedicate this honour to my Wife-Ratna without whose support and motivation I wouldn’t have continued writing.

    My best wishes and Regards to all here!

    Ajay

  • AUROJIT says:

    Hi Ajay,

    The interview was a riveting read. My salute to the indomitable human spirit……..It is really enriching getting to know about you here.

    Hope to read more and more of your travelogues.

    Thanks,

    Auro.

  • Nandan Jha says:

    And I follow Auro here, Salute Ajay, take a bow.

    We have been interacting over emails for last few months and your advice for our Gujrat road was very very useful and we exchanges a lot of emails and but now I know that how little I knew about you. Your struggles and your wins are a true inspiration, the ability to hang-around for a better tomorrow is what keeps one going and I believe you demonstrated that in ample. Wishes and Lucks, Ajay.

    @ Vibha – Reads like a charm, thank you for helping us know Ajay better and for such a beautifully piece of writing.

    • AJAY SHARMA says:

      Nandan thanks again. There is always a way out, if you are positive and committed. That is what I learnt during my odds and evens. Nothing too large, it is just a part of life. Best part as of now is to find so many best people as good friends here.

      Thanks
      Ajay

    • Vibha says:

      Thanks Nandan! As I have said earlier, though not often enough, couldn’t have happened without your guidance and support! :)

  • anushka says:

    ?????? , ???? ??? ?????? ??? , ?? ???? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? , ?????? ???? ???? ??? , ????? ??? , ???? , ????? ????? , ????? ????? , ????? ????? , ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ? ???? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?? ?????????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ?? ? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ??

    • ???????, ?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? | ?? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? , ???? ????? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ???????? ??? ??? | ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ! ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ????? | ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????|

  • AJAY SHARMA says:

    Hi! Anushka,
    I feel honoured that you are here after so long and wished me. You are right, all of above are real brilliant writers and everyone’s favourite, I guess. However, every one else are also great writers and narrate their travels in their own unique styles with passion. Hope you find time to read others too.

    Keep travelling
    Ajay

  • First of all congratulations for being author for the month !

    It was nice to know about you in details , you are a great struggle & strive !

    Best of luck for the future.

    • AJAY SHARMA says:

      Mahesh Bhai,
      Thanks a lot for your persistent support with your valuable comments and appreciations.

      Keep travelling
      Ajay

  • ???????, ?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? | ?? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? , ???? ????? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ???????? ??? ??? | ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ! ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ????? | ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?????|

  • Mukesh Bhalse says:

    ??? ??,

    ????? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??????????? ??? ???? ????, ??? ??? ??? ??????? ???, ?? ???????? ?? ???? ??????????? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ???.

    ??? ??? ?????????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ??????. ???? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?? ” ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????, ????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????”.

  • @ ??? ????? ??:
    ??????? ???? ??? ?? ?????????? ?? ??? ?? ,
    ?? ???? ???? ???, ????? ????? ????? ?? !
    Truly inspiring story. Mixed feeling. Salutes to your never ending hardwork and positive attitude.
    Taking VRS at the age when others are joining is a hard decision.
    Through this monthly exercise of featured author interview we not only get the opportunity to know more about the author but also we feel more emotionally attached with each other.
    @ Vibha .. Thanks for exploring, preparing and sharing this interview with us.

  • Nandan Jha says:

    @ Mahesh – Yes, it is a long association indeed and here is an old footage from our archives :-)

    http://www.nandanjha.com/2011/05/02/meeting-mahesh-ghumakkar-semwal/

  • Ram Dhall says:

    Dear Ajay,

    I am speechless.

    I don’t know how to start. On the onset, heartiest congratulations on being the Featured Author – a richly deserved honour.

    I don’t know if you have seen a movie called ” Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa” featuring Shah Rukh Khan ( one of his earliest movies). He portrays a happy go lucky fellow, who takes his music more seriously than his studies. He forms a band with his friends and they get an opprtunity to play at one of the leading clubs in Goa. The club is patronised by the dreaded Don, played by Goga Kapoor. After seeing their performance, the Don who is almost a terror, has tears in his eyes. He asks for the performer and while hugging him tells him ” Saala yeh to hamara hi story hai”.

    This is how I felt. It was almost like my own life story – sans the midas touch you have. Also I was never brilliant at academics. The only virtue I had was my sheer hard work, which enabled me to make my own place. Like Ratna, I was lucky to get married to someone, who provided me full support in steering the family to safer havens. With the grace of God, today they are all doing well and I and my wife are happy that we were of some service to them.

    Needless to say that this interview has touched me to the hilt.

    And thank you for mentioning me in your conversation.

    May God bless you and the family.

    Vibha: This is one of the best interviews I have seen on “ghumakkar”. The ease with which you handled this conversation is simply awe-inspiring. God bless you.

    • AJAY SHARMA says:

      Dear Ram Sir,
      Your appreciation is kind of blessings. It was not easy recalling my painful past and often tears rolled down spontaneously. I was really upset for hours after mentioning them and even got too emotional while talking to Vibha, she must have experienced that.

      I am not a movie buff, rather didn’t get much time for that but I will definitely watch it now. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your so humble submission about your feelings.

      Yes, Vibha has done a brilliant job in compiling the whole random talk into a flawless write-up. Thanks Vibha once again.

      Hoping to see you all soon.

      Regards
      Ajay

    • Vibha says:

      Thanks for your blessings, Mr Dhall. I can’t express how happy I am right now…

  • Nirdesh Singh says:

    Hi Vibha,

    Fantastic inspiring interview!

    Soliloquy – Sometimes when we are handed lemons in life (ok lots of lemons) you always wonder why its happening to you but then you find people going through worse and who turn out to be the most jovial and strong and optimistic and then you realise that like these people you got to take these lemons make lemonade and chill. After a while life gets tired of handing out lemons! But the experience makes you strong and unflappable. So when you have seen the worst there is nothing in life that will perturb you anymore. Life throws an exam / lemon at you and you got to ace it or make lemonade out of it. End of soliloquy!

    Thanks Ajay for sharing your remarkable story you are a hero. We all have gone through tough times and we all are survivors and winners.

    I was wondering about the old haveli in Allahabad do you still have it in your family!?

    Monthly interviews are good in the sense you get to see fellow ghumakkars who have been busy in their lives.

    Thanks Vibha again for a great interview!

  • AJAY SHARMA says:

    Hi! Nirdesh,
    Soliloquy- Indeed it was a solo-talk. Your example is appropriately suited. Nice saying, when you confront with the worst & come out safe persistently, the fear of failures disappear or rather faint.

    True, life teaches us with odds but loosing the dearest ones is a pain that persists.

    No, our house was an HUF ancestral property and after my grandparents deceased, sold with more than 70 claimants with petty cash to all.

    In 2010, I happened to see it modified into a modern cluster of apartments. It was pretty sad to see no trees, the old iron gate with lamps on both pillars missing and no broken sunk boundary around.

    Thank you so much Nirdesh for your golden touchy words.

    Keep travelling,
    Ajay

  • Congratulations Ajay for being a featured author for Feb 2014. It is nice to know, keep travelling and writing. Good to know of your personal side.

    • AJAY SHARMA says:

      Dear Upanshu,
      Thanks a lot for taking time out to read the interview and your nice remarks.

      Keep travelling
      Ajay

  • Truly inspiring ! Just two words for life journey of Ajay and the interview both.

  • Vish. says:

    Congrats Sir for the title – “Featured Author of the Month” :)

    Thanks a lot Ajay Sharma ji for sharing in so much detail and Big thanks to Vibha also for diving deep and coming out with such a beautiful interview.

    Keep it up…

  • AJAY SHARMA says:

    Ohhh! so sorry Vish! I really missed you responding. In fact I was just digging into something and my interview clicked. It was so nice to hear so gentle appreciation from you bro! Yes, Vibha has truly brought the facts proficiently.

    Keep traveling
    Ajay

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