Latest news with #PintuPohan
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Paan seller turned author: Kolkata man who runs a paan shop, has authored over 200 short stories, a dozen books!
In Kolkata's bustling streets, Pintu Pohan, a paan stall owner, defied poverty and lack of formal education to pursue his passion for writing. Despite facing hardships like leaving school early, health issues, and financial strain, he authored over a dozen books and numerous short stories, published in esteemed Bengali magazines. Occasionally, extraordinary things happen in the most ordinary of places. Sometimes, a raging persistence, a dream nurtured over decades, and the goal to progress, influence the most inspiring journeys. It's easy to assume success comes with privilege, but there are many people who rewrite their futures from scratch, with nothing more than hardwork and a will to succeed. One such story comes from the streets of Kolkata, where a man behind a paan stall is doing something different, and far beyond what meets the eye. His journey reminds us that creativity doesn't require a perfect setting, just the right passion. A writer in a pan shop Pintu Pohan grew up in Madan Mohan Tala, near Behala Chowrasta, Kolkata, where poverty and hunger defined his early years. 'I would often sleep not knowing if I'd eat the next day,' he told The Telegraph India. Forced to leave school after Class 10, he worked various odd jobs, from factory helper to electrician, surviving while holding onto his passion for writing. In 1998, with just ₹1,500 in savings, Pintu set up a tiny paan stall. It was here, amid the smell of supari and the din of Kolkata traffic, that he began writing seriously. 'When you want to do something, you will do it anyway. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Itakhola: Comfortable Sofas at Affordable Prices (See Offers) Comfortable Sofa | Search Ads Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola It is difficult to sit here and write, amidst the bazaar and the busy road. But I have done it all from here,' he said. Over years of dedication, he authored more than a dozen books, along with over 200 short stories and poems, many of which found space in esteemed Bengali magazines like Desh, Anandamela, Sananda, Suktara, and Nabakallol. Despite being a published writer, the physical strain of long hours at the stall led to serious health issues, and sadly, he developed lumbar and cervical spondylitis. Doctors advised six months of rest, but he persisted. Between holding the shop open late and attending computer and language classes, Pintu continued writing and selling paan, driven by responsibility toward his wife and two to Better India, his first book, Parulmasir Chagalchana, was published in 2017. Even COVID-19 hardships couldn't dim his spirit; he persisted through financial strain, ensuring his children stayed in school. 'I am grateful to social media and journalists because of whom people now know my story,' he said, hoping to gain wider recognition for his literary work. Pintu Pohan Pintu's story shows that writing profoundly does not require fame, wealth, or a sleek desk, it requires heart, will, and daily dedication.
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘My paan shop is also my writing desk': Meet Pintu Pohan, Bengali author of over 200 works
Written by Adrija Datta In the heart of Behala's Madanmohan Tala, amid the hum of traffic and chatter, stands a small paan shop with an extraordinary tale. Behind its humble counter is 47-year-old Pintu Pohan — a prolific Bengali writer whose literary achievements have defied poverty, social ridicule, and years of struggle. In 1998, with Rs 1,500 in savings, he set up his paan shop which would become both his livelihood and his writing desk. While serving customers over the years, he managed to write 12 novels and over 200 short stories and poems. While ten of his books have been published, eight of them are children's storybooks. His works have been published in some of West Bengal's most respected magazines, including Desh, Anandamela, Anandabazar, Sananda, Suktara, and Nabakallol. 'I used to send my stories to various publications but it took 15 years of continuous struggle for my first writing to get noticed. Then the rest followed.' His love for literature took root when he was in Class IV. But being born into a family of daily wage earners, financial hardship forced him to abandon formal education after joining Jogesh Chandra College. 'I have done everything; from selling fish and flowers to working as a mason and an electrician,' said Pohan, who earned as little as Rs 30 – Rs 60 a day in his early years but I never let go of his pen. In 1998, with ₹1,500 in savings, Pohan set up his paan shop — which would become both his livelihood and his writing desk. Despite mockery and disbelief from those around him, Pohan remained focused on his dream. 'People laughed at me for writing at a paan shop,' he recalled. 'But I wrote anyway, between serving supari and betel leaves.' Pohan added, 'I didn't get a job, so I continued with my paan shop to run my family. I sit here for nearly 16 hours that is how I created my own world — penning stories from this very spot, a world that no one can take away from me.' Determined to complete his education, he enrolled at Netaji Subhas Open University and completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in Bengali in 2012 and 2015, respectively — all while managing his shop. He also pursued diploma courses in Hindi and computer studies, hoping to secure a stable job, but found little opportunity. For a brief period, Pohan looked after the literature pages of two Bengali newspapers. However, both the newspapers eventually ceased operations, once again leaving him without platform. Undeterred, he devoted himself fully to literature. His notable children's books include Thakurdar Ascharya Galpo, Aanta Buri Panta Buri, Ilishkheko Bhoot, Parulmashir Chagolchana, Kochuripanar Bhela, Dukhirampurer Dukhi Manushera, Noton Noton Payraguli and Jhinook Kumar. His novel, Tunir, is inspired by his own life, while Bhajogobindopurer Natun Agantuk Ebong presents a collection of 124 stories. 'We have published majority of Pintu Pohan's books, which have garnered considerable popularity, particularly among children,' said Ashok Manna of Manna Publications. (Adrija Datta is an intern with The Indian Express)
