Journeys often begin where we least expect them to. Mine certainly did. When I look back today, my path into the world of publishing seems less like a planned career and more like a gradual unfolding shaped by circumstance, learning, and an inner determination to evolve.
My association with the world of books began after my marriage into the family that runs the well-known legacy publishing house Deb Sahitya Kutir, a name deeply woven into Bengal’s literary heritage for decades. Yet literature was not my first academic inclination. I was a student of science and pursued my postgraduate studies in Chemistry. My early professional years were spent in the corporate sector, working in fields related to my discipline.
Life, however, rarely follows a straight line. I later moved into academia and worked as a lecturer in a college. Soon thereafter, another important phase of life began — motherhood. For nearly fifteen years I devoted myself to raising my son and nurturing my family. Those years, though away from the formal professional sphere, were far from idle. They quietly shaped my patience, resilience, and perspective.
My formal entry into publishing happened when I joined the family business at Deb Sahitya Kutir. Working within an established publishing house allowed me to observe closely the many layers that shape the life of a book — from manuscript development and editorial processes to design and production. I began engaging deeply with manuscripts, conceptualising books, and interacting with authors.
Gradually I also found myself writing articles and reading widely across genres. One of the most enriching aspects of this journey was the opportunity to meet and interact with eminent writers, scholars, and thinkers from different disciplines. Each interaction broadened my understanding and became a quiet lesson in itself.
However, time and experience often compel us to examine our own place within a structure. While the environment of an established institution offers stability and valuable learning, circumstances eventually arose that required me to step beyond that framework and prove my own capabilities independently.
Like many women navigating professional spaces, I encountered subtle yet unmistakable forms of gender bias. These experiences did not come as loud confrontations but as quiet reminders that one sometimes needs to assert one’s space and credibility more strongly.
Rather than allowing these moments to discourage me, I chose to transform them into a turning point.
This turning point led to the creation of Raunaq Publication.
Starting a publishing house from scratch is a humbling and demanding process. Within an established organisation, systems, networks, and reputations are already in place. In contrast, an entrepreneurial venture requires building those very foundations from the ground up.
It demands not only leadership but also vision, adaptability, and an unwavering inner drive. Every decision carries weight, every step involves risk, and every achievement comes through perseverance.
Three years into this journey, Raunaq Publication has gradually evolved into a vibrant platform for publishing and content development. Our work spans a wide range of publications: journals, institutional books, coffee-table editions, and works of fiction. We also collaborate with organisations and individuals across the country on content development, editorial work, and book design.
More importantly, the experience of building something independently has transformed me as a person. Entrepreneurship forces one to confront uncertainty, overcome doubts, and develop resilience.
Through this process, I have come to believe that the discourse around gender must ultimately move beyond limitation and towards possibility. At the core, we are human beings endowed with varied abilities and aspirations. What truly defines us is not gender, but our willingness to grow, learn, and evolve.
In today’s rapidly changing world, technology has opened unprecedented opportunities for communication and creativity. When used responsibly and thoughtfully, it becomes a powerful tool for collaboration and progress. At the same time, personal grounding — emotional and ethical — remains essential for meaningful growth.
My journey as an entrepreneur continues to bring challenges. There are moments of uncertainty and setbacks along the way. Yet each challenge has strengthened my resolve and reaffirmed an important truth: growth often begins where comfort ends.
On this International Women’s Day, my message is simple. A balanced society cannot emerge from competition between men and women. It can only emerge through partnership.
Men and women must walk side by side, recognising and complementing each other’s strengths. Empowerment is not about standing apart; it is about building together.
And sometimes, the most meaningful chapters of our lives are written when circumstances compel us to begin a new one of our own.
(The writer is an entrepreneur and e founder of publishing house Raunaq)