Rachit Bansal is a 16 year old boy from Delhi & among one of the top young poets in India. His biggest achievement is, winning a gold in international poetry competition by Kevin. He is writing since he was 13 years old & has won lot of other competitions. Rachit defines himself “as a nature lover, a silent thinker, and the rest is said by his pen”. His writing career is yet to grow through the folios of magazines and anthologies. His poetry has his tears and smiles sculpted in it, a poem for him is rhythmic collection of life. Our team interviewed Rachit, here is what he has to say.
1. What inspired you to write “Journey to Eternity”?
Every little thing around myself is an inspiration for me, the smallest of incidents reflect the peculiar nature of this universe and the beings who reside in it, it’s involuntary for me to get inspired, it all comes from within.
2. What is your final goal?
There is no final goal for me which can be materialistically calculated, but I will take the breath of satisfaction when I would be able to make an impact upon the people around me, change their mindsets and change this universe for the good.
3. How did it all start?
It all started abruptly. One fine day one of my teacher asked me to write a poem for a competition, I do not know what she saw in me (then) that she asked me to do so, but then I wrote my first poem, and this eternal friendship with pen started.
4. Who has been your greatest support and why?
Books have been my greatest support. They let me imagine what I do, they let me interpret the way I want and let me scribble that imagination. Without them my words would have been hollow. They have been my support both physically and mentally.
5. What is your key to success?
I do not believe in ‘Work and work until the goal is achieved’, I believe in ‘Work sincerely until the goal is achieved’, sincerity is my preference over hard work. On the other side, I would also like to mention that I am not as wise, nor have achieved so much so that I would be able to define my ‘key’ to success.
6. How did your parents react initially?
They always supported me. I was an avid reader from the very start, so they had expected this. They asked me to keep it as a hobby. With time, it converted into a passion, and they have no issues until I focus well on ‘studies’ as well.
7. Any influence?
Surely an influence. Maya Angelou, Wordsworth, Shakespeare and Rabindranath Tagore, their words have been my influence. Poetry has always been an outlet, never a pressure.
8. How did you feel when you won the International poetry competition?
I have been winning minor international poetry competition on that site, but the one I won this time was a dream from the very beginning. I wasn’t able to believe that I won it. It was overwhelming to get the first prize out of triple digits of contestants rather than two-digits.
9. A message for other aspiring authors?
I have always followed my instincts, passion and what my parents have told. It is sometimes very difficult to hold on to all three but all we can and should do is try. Always follow your passion.
10. What is the greatest difficulty in achieving something you have imagined all along?
Accepting the failures through the journey is the most difficult, the failure brings with it many negative vibes and repercussions that are difficult to overcome. In this time we must remember that failures are stepping stones to success.
11. What poetry means to you?
Poetry is an outlet of emotions for me. My poems have my tears, my smiles and my life sculpted in them. Not a hobby, not only a passion but poetry is also a necessity for me.
12. Is it only poetry or you have interests in other fields of writing too?
I have interest in reading fiction too, I sometimes write essays, stories and have also tried prose, but
I enjoy poetry the most. I am still trying to build my skills and that is my next short term goal.
You can see his poetry on allpoetry.com
You can also buy his book, Journey to Eternity
Also published on Medium.