Brewing Knowledge : Interview with author Bhagwant Singh Rawat on his post-retirement literary career.

Meet and Greet

Interview with author Bhagwant Singh Rawat on his post-retirement literary career.

Career Transition: After retiring as a DRDO scientist, Rawat pursued writing, a lifelong passion. His debut novel, Quarter Moon, Full Moon, was self-published after a decade of on-and-off work.
Debut Novel: Quarter Moon, Full Moon weaves three threads: a young woman’s unrequited love for a senior officer, the politics of a large office, and a dangerous project in the land of the mysterious “Mafi Tribes.”
Early Validation: Key early encouragement came from Ruskin Bond, who called a story a “worthy endeavour,” and from local newspapers such as Doon Darpan and Doon Classified, which published his work.
Advice for Youth: Rawat offered two core principles: prioritise health for a long, fulfilling life and cultivate belief in a higher power to navigate life’s stresses.

Rawat’s post-retirement writing career fulfils a lifelong passion for reading and creating.
Rationale: Writing provides personal satisfaction and fulfils a creative drive.

First Publication: A Hindi story in the local newspaper Doon Darpan provided the initial validation.
Humorous Articles: Regular contributions to Doon Classified led to a call from a well-known local writer, Raj Kaur, who praised the work.
Key Validation: Ruskin Bond called the long story “Alfie Welles’ Love Story” a “worthy endeavour.” The story was later published in two parts by Garhwal Post.
Doon Plus Supplement: This local Times of India supplement published 6–7 of Rawat’s humorous articles, building confidence to start a novel.

Origin: Begun in ~2007, the novel took over a decade to complete and was finished only after retirement due to a demanding work schedule.
Publishing: Self-published on Amazon after major houses rejected the manuscript, a common challenge for new authors.
Plot Threads: The narrative is built on three interconnected stories:
1. Unrequited Love: A young technical assistant, Miran, falls for her senior, married officer, Guru.
2. Office Politics: A realistic portrayal of a large office environment with scheming, insecure, and flattering colleagues.
3. Mafi Tribes: A mysterious, isolated community in the high mountains. The office team’s project takes them into Mafi territory, where they fall into a dangerous trap.
Genre: A blend of love story, adventure, suspense, and humour.

Imagination: A common thread. Rawat cited Albert Einstein’s use of imagination (e.g., riding a light beam) as a parallel to creative writing.
Inspiration: Science fiction (e.g., H.G. Wells’ Invisible Man) can inspire scientists to pursue real-world innovation.

1. Health is Wealth: Prioritise health through good sleep, nutrition, and physical activity to prevent future illness and enjoy life.
2. Carry God with You: Cultivate a belief in a higher power. This provides a sense of support to navigate life’s stresses, even while taking full personal responsibility for one’s actions.

FATHOM AI-generated notes.