Student Arya Vedant with author Ruskin Bond. Telegraph picture

Popular children’s author Ruskin Bond revealed that he would soon be writing about Odisha in a tête-à-tête with Delhi Public School (Kalinga) students Arya Vedant and Rohit Garabadu.

Arya, a Class VI boy, chatted with Bond for over an hour and spoke on his childhood, passion for writing, love for nature and children. Here are the excerpts.

Why did you become a writer?

It’s because writing was what I did best. Even during my school days, I was fluent in English.

When did you write your first book?

I was 17 and it was called The Room on the Roof. But it took me two years to find a publisher.

What is your educational qualification?

I just passed my Senior Cambridge exam. I did not go to college.

After school, when you left India for the UK, did you ever plan to return?

Not really. That was 1951, I was just 17 and thought I had better prospects in the UK. I went to Jersey where I had relatives and then I went to London.

How did eke out a living?

First, I worked with a travel agency, then as a clerk with the public health department in Jersey. In London, I worked with a firm making photographic accessories.

When did you resume writing?

I had been writing since leaving school. But that wasn’t bringing in any money so I took those jobs and wrote only on holidays or at night.

How much did you get for The Room on the Roof?

The standard advance those days was 50 pounds. With that money, I came back to India, travelling by sea for three weeks. I missed India, longed to be back among friends and familiar places.

What did you do then?

I tied a red ribbon to my old typewriter and began typing out stories and articles for newspapers and magazines. I earned Rs 300 to Rs 400 a month, which made for a simple living in 1956.

Did you think of getting married?

Several times, but no one wanted me. My prospects were nil.

What are working on now?

I am struggling with a novel. I hope to complete it by this year end.

Let the music play

The corridors of Takshila School, Bhubaneswar, reverberated with the rhythm of dance and music as members of the school’s four houses vied with each other at a fusion dance competition.

Students, from classes I to VIII, grooved to Western and classical tunes. The choreography reflected the message of national unity, environmental consciousness and childhood delights.

Unaan Mohanty and Anjali, both of Class II and impressed judges. C.V. Raman House was adjudged the winner followed by Bhaskaracharya House and Aryabhatta House in that order.

Eye camp

A free eye-checking camp was held at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sargipali, Sundargarh, to identify eye-related problems in schoolchildren and teachers.

Around 530 students and 80 staff members took part in the programme held under the banner of Trilochan Netralaya, Sambalpur. The event was supervised by two UK-based ophthalmologists.