The name Jyotishko was given by my father. The word Jyotishko means celestial object—every particle within the vastness of space (astronomical bodies). My home is near the boundary line of the two Bengals. My village, Karimpur, is situated at one end of the Nadia district in West Bengal. My childhood was spent in Arunachal Pradesh. My father was a school teacher there, and along with that, a volleyball champion. On this earth, this man is also my dearest friend.

After being transferred from Arunachal, my father eventually moved to a school in Jamaldah, Mathabhanga, and we went with him. That is where my young childhood was spent. A large part of my adolescence passed at an irrepressible pace. It was while living in Mathabhanga that I first read Chander Pahar (The Mountain of the Moon). I devoured the book during a scorching afternoon. A thunderous desire to see Africa began to resonate within my heart. Seeing that adolescent leaning toward adventure, perhaps the Goddess of Wishes smiled slyly from the shadows!

In the preface of the novel Chander Pahar, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay wrote:

“The Mountain of the Moon is not a translation of any English novel, nor is it written based on the shadow of any foreign story of that genre. The plot and characters of this book are entirely the products of my imagination.”

Even if it is a child of imagination, will no one ever set foot on Shankar’s thrilling path of the impossible? Will no Bengali ever search for the vast treasures hidden within the unknown mysteries of Africa? No matter how impossible it may be in reality, will no one plan a route close to his, keeping him in mind? This thought has made me restless since I was small. How many times in my dreams have I seen myself walking the treacherous paths of Africa—the scorching sun above my head and the vast savanna beneath my feet.

“After independence, the railways of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were run under one body – East African Railways and Harbours.

Years later, I came to Kenya to follow the footsteps of Shankar from Chander Pahar by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay* – to see the real stations behind the fiction.

Standing beside an old locomotive, almost resting in a museum, I felt history, myth, and wilderness meet – reminding me of the lions of The Man-Eaters of Tsavo.

Some journeys are not about travel.
They are about chasing the stories that shaped you.”

I met a girl from Madrid by accident in a quiet hostel corridor — and somehow, that accident became destiny.

“If you ever wish to feel this story in its original Bengali spirit, and read the story of our adventure, you can visit BlackLetters.net.

“The Dalai Lama once said that true love is not about fulfilling small pleasures or self-centered desires. Rather, it has a divine, vast, and noble form. It is not just about oneself; the true essence of love lies in the well-being of others and in caring for them.

In these few days, Teresa, I have found that generous and expansive love within you. The fact that you have given me a special place in your heart is not due to any merit of mine; it is, in fact, a reflection of your own affection and generosity.

The Dalai Lama always tells us to remain mindful of one thing: according to him, there is a difference between temporary pleasure and enduring joy, and one must learn to distinguish between them. To me, you are that enduring joy. I do not want the small waves of fleeting sorrow and happiness to erode our relationship.”

a unique destination in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, famous for its dramatic volcanic scenery and for being one of the few national parks where you can safely explore on foot or by bicycle. The park’s towering red cliffs and deep gorges famously served as the inspiration for the landscapes in Disney’s The Lion King.