Interview with Commander Rajbir Gill

Commander Rajbir Gill, a highly decorated helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy is the recipient of the Shaurya Chakra and Nao Sena Medal, both for gallantry. Always a write at heart his musings could not find a suitable expression during his busy Naval Service, and remained confined as his scribbling in his diary. Inspired by the peace and tranquillity experienced during the long sailings on board Merchant Naval ships his thoughts were at last committed to paper. In Pursuit of the Woman his debut romantic novel was published about a year back. So far his modest collecting of short poems has remained confined to his dairies only.

~Rajbir Sir, how has your life changed from being a helicopter pilot to a novelist?

Helicopter flying is really thrilling and some people continue flying till retirement. I did not do that. After twenty years of flying I switched over to sailing on board Merchant Ships at a Captain. That had a different charm all together; lot of peace and tranquillity. Writing and subsequently having it published had a high of its own. I do believe that we all have a very short span of life and we should endeavour to do all that pleases us. After I have done that I look back with satisfaction and contentment at the constant change that life offered me from a helicopter pilot to a novelist. It was indeed a pleasant journey.

    

~Your stories are mostly centred around feminism/women empowerment, any specific reason for this choice?

As mentioned above... life is too short. Why should we make it unpleasant by writing about anything other than love? My tag line states...If it isn’t about love it is not worth writing.

~How did you come up with a plot for, ‘The path less travelled?’

Used my imagination to form the plot.

~Quote one favourite line from this short story. Why is it your favourite?

The phone rang again. “I had not seen you for so many days and I couldn’t go to sleep another night without seeing your face.” I think that was the moment when I completely fell in love with him. If there was any shred of doubt remaining, it got completely blown away that night.

Why: - It is the turning point of the story.

~‘After all, we need to get the answers...about who is responsible - the people around or the Almighty.’ Who do you think is responsible for the loss/destruction/hopelessness?

Let me tell you a short story. A woman goes to Buddha and asks him, ‘I want peace.’ His reply, ‘Remove ‘I’ because that is ego, remove ‘want’ because that is desire, what is left is peace.’ In our everyday life we concentrate only on first two words, there by losing the relevance of the third word. At some stage in life we do have to bow down our head and accept the past karmas and the resultant destiny. At a young age it is difficult to accept the reality. A counter question here...can we fight destiny? You will have to read my story to get the correct answer.

~While in the Navy, you scribbled notes in your diary. What did you write about?

A total of three novels and a collection of forty short poems. As yet only the first one is Published...In Pursuit of the Woman. 

~How those excerpts have been useful in the writing journey?

Yes, everything noted over the years could fit in the three novels.

~What are your views on traditional publishing and self publishing?

It does not take time to write a book, but it takes ages to find the right publisher. Exceptions are there but generally people who write do not have adequate money to finance their books. That is why some very good books remain in the back ground while few books that are below average sell. As we see in everyday life, money is the ultimate mantra.

Whether it is traditional publishing or self publishing...both require adequate amount of money. Moreover sales depend on author’s effort to sell the book on line. No publisher is willing to spend his money to market the book unless it is for a known author or the story has the potential to make the book a best seller. If a budding author can spare adequate amount of money, his / her book will sell. Or else he / she should be content that the book has been published at the author’s cost and hopefully author’s friends will buy a copy each. If money has to be spent then it should be with a renowned traditional publisher.

~Do you feel that use of catchy phrases and difficult words, when writing a novel or a short story, important?

No, not at all.

~Indian Navy must have given you so much sweet and sour experiences. Please share with us.

As a helicopter pilot I took part in two Indian Expeditions to Antarctic and was also the Flight Commander of one of Expeditions. In 1984 I was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (third highest peace time gallantry award). The award was conferred on me by the President of India. Again in 1985 I was awarded the Nau Sena Medal (fourth highest peace time gallantry award). The award was conferred on me the Chief of the Naval Staff. 

~What according to you are three most important things that should be kept in mind, when penning down any story?

I do not like to read books that are so descriptive that one tends to turn pages and wait for the story to progress, secondly where the story and the characters seem unrealistic, and where I cannot feel to be totally involved in the book.

Keeping in mind the above I have evolved a style of my own where I ensure that the story is realistic and that it moves at a very fast pace. Not only the story but even the characters seem realistic. The readers appreciates that this is something that can and will happen in normal life. Description is limited to not more than three - four lines.

~What is the relevance of ‘start’ of the story?

I personally feel that the story must start with adequate action so that the interest is maintained right from the start.

~If given a chance to write a book about your naval experience, would you go for it?

My published novel...In Pursuit of the Woman is based on the life of a Naval Officer.  Let me clarify that it is not my life story at all.

~How was your experience with Sanmati Publishers?

So far have not had any dealing with Sanmati Publishers as a writer.

~‘Experience is the father of wisdom,’ this being said, what is your message to the youth of the nation?

With reference to a short story above... today we all talk of only I and want. I would like to ask the youth to pause and think... ‘What is it that I have done for my country?’ It is never too late to start.

The second most important thing is courtesy for fellow human beings, especially the elderly. Don’t forget one day they will eventually grow old. They will ultimately reap what they sow, and then it may be too late. In order to live a peaceful life, do try and avoid controversies in life, and calm down. 

Thank you Sir for your precious time. Best wishes!

~Interviewed by Enakshi Johri & Kumar Vikrant