love stories titillate the people of all generations because it depicts a bond that is known by its purity and for standing the test of time. like roller coaster a romantic story goes through all types of emotions and sometimes culminates on a higher note giving a sense of feeling to a reader that love isn’t a fairy tale rather it is a tale of earthly people and above all a dream that comes true. Among the earthly tales, stands a novel ‘Big Dream of a Small Town’ written by Jharkhand born writer Santosh Gupta.
‘Big Dream of a Small Town’ is a love story at its core and an inspiring journey of an entrepreneur at its crust. The book is about Arun, a mischievous boy from a small town named Kashipur situated on the banks of River Ganga. In his childhood Arun had two passions – Ragini, his class-mate and Cricket. Shyam was Arun’s best friend and they were together in their naughtiness and idiocy; tears and smiles.
Arun had a turbulent time in school as he was expelled from examination for using unfair means at the behest of Shayam. Dejected, Arun went on the banks of river Ganga where he interacted with his stronger self that brought a positive change in him encouraging the boy to take challenges and fulfill dreams.
“It was merely a discussion of weaker self to its stronger self on the banks of river Ganga (that brought changes in the boy),” said the author of the book.
Although weak in childhood, Arun, gradually gains strength; clears engineering examination and joins the college where Ragini, his childhood love, was a year senior to him. Arun, now a mature man, soon becomes the most renowned person of his college, a problem solver and above all rises in stature that helps him in transcending the academic gap created after getting expelled in ninth-class. After studies Ragini joins an IT company whereas a year after Arun joins a telecommunication company.
Arun’s life takes another turn after he goes for treatment to Vellore. During treatment Arun meets a doctor who inspires him to follow his dreams. After treatment Arun joins another company and becomes vice-president of the company. However the entrepreneur in Arun had something else in mind. This is where an associate of Arun, Noor Khan, comes to his help. Khan who was a successful businessman of the town used to sell ladies garment in initial days helps Arun in setting up a dairy farm.
“There was an entrepreneur in Arun. Soon he sets up a dairy farm and runs it professionally. He marries his girl friend and both run the business together,” shared Gupta.
The novel which narrates the story of a child has been used to provide financial support to ‘Hans Foundation’-organization working for betterment of children and uplifting their lives. A part of the author’s royalty for the first year of the publication has been donated to ‘Hans Foundation’.
“I have already given a part of the royalty to the foundation through cheque. Whole first part of the book is dedicated to childhood and that was the reason for donating a part of the royalty to the foundation,” maintained Gupta.
Gupta, a resident of Jamshedpur, worked for five years to produce the interesting love story. Being a graduate engineer from BIT Sindri and an alumini of MDI Gurgaon, a management institution, Gupta and the protagonist of the novel are similar to some extent. This is a story which survives challenges and ends where every avid reader of a romantic novel would like it to end.