Between the Lines

Robin Gupta’s latest poetry collection maps emotions and experiences

Written by: Parul

3 min readOct 7, 2018 05:31 AM IST

Former Financial Commissioner Robin Gupta

Former Financial Commissioner Robin Gupta’s anthology of poetry, The 70th Milestone, written over a span of four decades, draws from a lifetime of experiences. The anthology opens with a poem written in Kashmir, at a reception thrown by late B K Nehru, then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, for well-known author Dominique Lapierre, who was visiting Srinagar. The poem ‘Government House Kashmir’ was written on a piece of paper, which was later showed to the legendary author, who apparently seemed to like it.

Gupta says poetry never left him through his 37-year career. Getting a ring-side view of India during his travels throughout the sub-continent urged him to maintain a scrapbook whenever he travelled. “From my childhood, I realised that life ends. That finality is certain. The conflict and pain I witnessed in my life and career are reflected in the plangent undercurrent of sorrow in most of my poetry. The need to love, and be loved, made me reach out to the world through my writing. The poem Jamun Tree, for instance, is a reflection on the weak and suffering, who disbelieve that any kindness is coming their way,” says the 70-year-old. History, human civilisation, links of the past and present, the city of Delhi, death, loss, anguish of unrequited relationships find a place in the collection.

The 70th Milestone book cover

Gupta says he found the translation of Zafar difficult. He had to enter the exiled emperor’s mind as he languished in a prison cell after ruling Hindustan. The text is a lament for a last burial place in the land that he ruled over. Another poem that is close to Gupta’s heart talks about the limitation within which unrequited love must operate. Saragarhi, is an ode to the unparalleled gallantry of Sikh soldiers in the battle of Saragarhi (modern day Pakistan), while Siraj-ud-Daulah tells the story of the tragic tale of the last independent Nawab of Bengal.

The author, who has written several essays, monographs, and a memoir, admits that writing poetry is different from writing prose. “One has to struggle for the right word for days, to be able to mirror the powerful sentiment that inspired the poem. The high point is when the sentiment it seeks to convey, gets conveyed,” he says.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram

Loading Recommendations...

May 08: Latest News

Live Blog