Former IRS officer Mr Vinod Kumar Tripathi is able to tap his talents in various fields. Whether it’s expressing his thoughts through ghazals, nazms or interior designing, planning a town or landscaping, he never shies away from learning and exploring new arts.
Compassion & empathy towards people and life has been his driving force. In this second part of story about him, he tells Indian Masterminds about his journey in literature.
I like to challenge myself
Mr. Tripathi has always been a curious student which explains all of his achievements. After completing his Graduation and Masters from Allahabad University, he tried to get into civil services. Before that he was recommended for Air Force, got selected for PCS and also as a probational officer for Punjab National Bank, while already working as a lecturer. However, he didn’t take the interview for them as by then, he was selected for UPSC.
He joined IRS in 1982 and after serving the nation for more than two decades, he took VRS to join private sector. Referring to that period, Mr. Tripathi said, “I like to challenge myself. It helps in my growth as an individual. When I was thinking about VRS, I was sure that I have given my 100% to the country. It was the time to explore other areas and skills of mine to contribute in the growth of nation. I can proudly say that as President & Group Director in Reliance, I was able to achieve that”.
From the editor of college magazine to ghazal writer
As a student in the Allahabad University, Mr. Tripathi used to edit an in-house magazine called ‘CAMPUS’. The magazine was an apt platform for raising the issues of the college campus and he was really attached to it. The cost of that magazine was around Re. 1 but they used to sell it in just 75 paise. Explaining the reason behind it, he said, “The purpose was to start a healthy debate and discussion. Profit was never on our minds.” By that time, he had developed certain interest in poetry. He claims that if a person is sensitive, he or she will end up being poetic! However, it wasn’t until 1998-99 when Mr. Tripathi seriously started writing ghazals and nazms.
In 2018 he came up with his book comprising his initial days of poetry, which was titled ‘Meri Zameen mera aasman’ (in urdu). The same was then published in Hindi with the title ‘Meri Zameen Mera Safar’. Maharashtra Urdu Sahitya Academy, Government of Maharashtra and Urdu Academy , Government of Uttar Pradesh awarded the Urdu edition. He is all set to present his second collection of poetry titled’ Mere Zameen ki Dhup’ in upcoming weeks. Besides, he is working for his third book ‘Meri Zameen ki lakire’.
Learning Urdu
Mr. Tripathi says, “When I read my initial composition now, I chuckle at its rawness. But with the passage of time, I improved and my work became more mature. It gives me immense proud to see my two collections published and well received by the readers.”
He is now working on his third book of poetry. Since, Mr. Tripathi doesn’t have any background of Urdu, we asked him why he chose to publish his creation in that language. He smiled and said, “I met a Pakistani shayar few years back in an event and wanted his reaction on my writings. He wasn’t able to read it due to language barrier. Then I decided to learn Urdu so that my poetry could reach to more & more people. I spent around fie years for learning Urdu Manuscript’’
Thanks to his learning, Mr Tripathi is now quite proficient in Urdu.
Apart from these, Mr. Tripathi is a sportsperson as well and plays several sports like badminton, tennis, chess and cricket. He has played in IRS and IAS cricket team for many years. He very proudly mentioned that in a friendly match at Cricket Club of India (Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai), he scored a century.
