Can’t imagine life without books, says avid reader, writer Phuglana

Having spent his childhood in poverty, Mohinder Ram Phuglana has come a long way in life. He credits his success and knowledge to books. “Books are life, I don’t know how one can survive without reading,” he says.

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Seventy-year-old Phuglana shared that his father was a cobbler and due to financial constraints, he had to drop out of school and start doing labour work. He still gets emotional thinking, about those days of struggle and how he was forced to stay away from the one thing he loved most—books.

“But I challenged poverty and made a comeback. I started studying again with the money I earned and also began participating in football and kabaddi at school,” he shared.

Mohinder Ram started performing well and began earning money through his outstanding performances. “I was always academically inclined and had deep respect and love for books. Because of this, my teachers always noticed me,” he added.

He later joined the education department as a physical education teacher. In 2014, he took voluntary retirement, stating he was not getting enough time to read.

“I am an avid reader and cannot even imagine my life without books. My workspace and home reflect my deep love for reading,” he shared.

His growing social awareness eventually led him into writing. He has written nearly 20 books to date. His first book was Kalma Waleyo, Akla Waleyo, followed by others including Jail Diary Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Laal Kitab, Bharat Vich Vapriya Itihasik Wardata and Chambal di Ghati de Yodhe/Baghi/Daaku. His most recent book, Rabb Ik Gorakh Dhandha, highlights how religion is being misused for profit.

Mohinder Ram also expressed concern over the impact of mobile phones on children. “Isto bura nasha koi nai ho sakda. We need to get our kids out of the world of phones and give them books,” he stated.