‘I can’t keep up with technology’

Do you think kids have had enough of Internet?

No. They have not had enough of Internet. But in a way, the Internet has encouraged a few to read. Maybe books are far more accessible and available. In the past, in a small town, if a person wanted books, he would have to come to a big city for book shops. So, you couldn’t blame kids if they are hooked on to television. But since you can buy them online now, it helps in a way.

Would you rather read a paperback or on your Ipad?

I would rather have the real book because I don’t have an Ipad. I am technologically illiterate. I am still living in the 19th century. I write longhand. I can’t keep up with technology and don’t even try. The typewriter was there for almost a hundred years. And the telephone too. And now within days and weeks, you get a new gadget or contraption. You have to be a rich man to keep up with these changes in technology.

Which Bengali writers have inspired you most?

I visit this place off and on. My father used to live here. I have read other Bengali writers too. From Buddhadeb Bose to Sudin Ghosh, who wrote three or four books when I was in London. Then there was the sports journalist, Moti Nandi.

You have tried football, hockey and boxing. How do you think youngsters should find out what they are meant to do?

These things were compulsory in schools in those days. I would finish a boxing bout by butting the opponent on his stomach or head and getting disqualified. They never kept me in a cricket team for too long either, because I disliked running between the wickets. I would stop the other batsman midway and he would get out. I was the Inzamamul Haq of those days. But you gradually find out what you are good at… then you should be allowed to continue with it.

Do you believe in absolute freedom of expression?

I believe in freedom of expression but have always gone out of my way to avoid hurting anyone’s religious sentiments. Especially so, because I am not a religious person. But I am very aware that other people are and if I can avoid it, I do. That’s my way of looking at it. Also, I am a coward. If there is trouble, I run. I have strong legs. Why put my head in the noose and make trouble for myself, my family and loved ones? When trouble comes, it doesn’t come to you alone but also to people who are part of your lives. I am not a kind of person who likes controversies either. I opt for a peaceful life. As far as religion goes, I don’t write about it. I like things kids like — adventures, having fun, eccentric relatives as everybody has a crazy uncle or aunt, ghosts, food and eating.

The only story that got me in trouble was in the 1970s during the Emergency. It was a short story, published in a Mumbai magazine and an obscenity case was filed against it. I had to defend it and it took more than two years… the judge gave me an honourable acquittal and said he enjoyed the story but it took so long to end.

How much does politics interest you?

I don’t get involved in politics but it definitely interests me. I keep up to date with news — both Indian and international politics because it is interesting. But I don’t have any strong political stand.

What is your view on the political scenario of Bengal?

At the moment, it seems to be in a state of flux. Lets see how it stands out. Different parts of the country seem to have different problems, probably as a result of their own unique political tradition.

Who is your national political hero?

Can’t think of one off hand. If I am asked to write a book on contemporary politics or politicians, I would not be able to. I am not that knowledgeable maybe. My knowledge of politics is average.

Do you believe all autobiographies are lies?

Probably they are. For example, people would like to hold back — say a love affair that had gone wrong. I write a lot of autobiographical and personal stuff but every writer will hold something back. There is that Jekyll and Hyde in each of us and there is that one part in our personality we don’t want others to know about. Writers are basically liars. Fiction writers are anyway. But it is best that someone writes your biography 50 years after you are gone, if people are still interested in you.

You have talked about your romantic twenties but never said why you didn’t marry…

I did want to, two to three times. I was always falling in love. But I have no regrets as far as my personal and professional life goes. Probably, I am one of the few writers who would say at 80 that they don’t have any regrets. I mean if I would have to live my life again, I would want to change only a few things… I would not want to go to court again. Otherwise, I wouldn’t change my lifestyle much.

After penning over 130 books, do you think you are better at books for children or adults?

It’s the same thing because basically I am writing for myself. I enjoy writing. There was a time when I didn’t even write for children. I would just write stories, essays, poems… some were found suitable for children and found their way into the school curriculum. Now occasionally, some publishers ask me to write for children. Then maybe, I would think of the audience as young ones. There is not much difference except that maybe the language needs to be a little simpler and obviously, one will not write about sex or extreme violence. Otherwise what they want is a good story.

Have you ever introduced yourself as, ‘The name is Bond, Ruskin Bond?’

People sometimes ask me if I am related to James Bond. I say yes because I did have an uncle named James Bond. A dentist, he died in the 1920s. His grave is in Mussoorie. I have written an epitaph for him — ‘Stranger approach this spot with gravity, James Bond is filling his last cavity’.