Amitav of Aldona

What do Aldona village and the famed 2008 Man Booker Prize share in common?A world-acclaimed author and part-time resident of Aldona called Amitav Ghosh, whose book Sea of Poppies is among the six books short-listed for the Booker Prize - one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards.“I came to know about the nomination only on Tuesday. According to me, the pleasure of writing is the real prize. The fulfillment one gets by writing is the real prize for all authors,” Ghosh told Herald, along the sidelines of a talk to students in Aldona on Wednesday.In the State for the past few weeks, Ghosh informed that his book Sea of Poppies is a historical novel set in the 19th century. It is about a shipload of workers being taken to Mauritius.“I am interested in issues pertaining to migration and I find it fascinating to study the reasons behind migration,” said Ghosh.Ghosh, who purchased a house in Aldona two years ago, said he had been visiting Goa since the last 13 years. “I love Goa and Aldona is a lovely village. There are many writers in Aldona. Politeness and openness of the people attracted me to Goa.”“Since I travel all over the world to promote my books, it is not possible for me to stay in Goa for a longer period. However in future, I plan to stay in Goa for 5-6 months in a year,” said Ghosh.Commenting on the standard of education in the State, Ghosh said: “It is astonishing to note that there has been a remarkable progress in the field of education in Goa. Education facilities are not limited to cities and are spread all over the State.”According to the Man Booker Prize 2008 selection procedures, about 112 books are selected in the first round. The jury then reduces the number for 13 books, from which the final list of six are shortlisted for the prestigious prize.Amitav Ghosh has written a number of books, which include The Circle of Reason, The Shadow Lines, An Antique Land, Dancing in Cambodia, The Calcutta Chromosome, The Glass Palace, Incendiary Circumstances, The Hungry Tide and Sea of Poppies.He is married to the writer, Deborah Baker, and has two children, Lila and Nayan.

From the Herald

Comment:
Not content with its surfeit of talent the beautiful village of Aldona now boasts a world class writer in residence. Amitav has proved his artistic genius by choosing one of the most salubrious of spots on earth as his adopted homeland. No one can fault his excellent taste.

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