Seven Stories on seven extraordinary lives Know More Buy Now Review

Pinakie Kansabanik Hailing from the small-but-ever growing north Bengal town of Siliguri, the exposure to characters, situations and human reactions has been a part of Pinakie’s life from the very beginning. And as life progressed from the foothills to the Himalayan heights, from being a young educator in Sikkim to giving physical shape to marketing dreams in Delhi-NCR, his experiences only kept getting filled up. Cliched as it may sound of being a corporate-to-creativity crossover, Pinakie doesn’t claim to be a habitual writer – rather he’s happy being an author of experiences and emotions. Debuting with Mountains to Manhattan, a fiction on the refugee crisis of the Tibetans in the diaspora, Pinakie finds it challenging and rather satisfying as a writer, to put himself in the shoes of his women characters. His second book, A Basket of Sunflowers takes this journey forward, navigating through the lives of seven women and their stories. Pinakie’s passion is to write about people, culture, ethos and philosophy. Exploring issues of identity, family relations, and history excites him. His stories are not exactly about his experiences, but rather his interpretation of what the characters around him go through.

A Basket of Sunflowers Seven women, seven places, seven stories. From the bucolic lush green tea gardens of North Bengal to the glitzy Manhattan, each story is built around interesting characters, plots, and subplots. All these educated and highly accomplished women raise a subtle question about women's inhibitions and their silent screams. Not all of them can seek redressal from their problems, legally or socially. Many like to bear the cross in martyrdom in silence, but others do not. Niharika , whose fiancée had ghosted on her date of marriage, was never to appear again for twenty years. Aditi was a single mother of choice, and she fought against the social norm of living her life the way she wanted to. Suparna was a highly qualified young woman who discovered that her disqualification in life was not in her own hands. Maitrayee was a single mother, but it wasn't a choice. She rejected her husband but was unable to overcome her love for him. Anuradha had not been able to solve the mystery of how a man who seemed so loving and committed could morph overnight into a stranger. Debjani , who was a much-appreciated public relations officer, was powerless to deal with her husband, who believed that her child's father was someone else. Suchandra was a victim of domestic violence, who came out of a violent life and started a new life, but not with a new, independent identity. Review Buy Now

Mountains to Manhattan - Gallery Reviews Media Gallery Buy Now - Canada Buy Now - US Buy Now - India Book Launch & Book Signing Event, 23rd July 2017, Gr. Noida IMG_7760 IMG_7754 IMG_7649 IMG_7760 1/32 UGC Sponsored National Seminar, North Bengal University, 10th Sept 2017, Siliguri IMG_7861 IMG_7858 IMG_7858 IMG_7861 1/6 Book Launch - Crossword, 13th Sept 2017, Siliguri National Conference, Dalai Lama Institute of Higher Education, 15 Sept 2017, Bangaluru DSC_8035 DSC_8034 DSC_8036 DSC_8035 1/27 IMG_8059 IMG_8062 IMG_8038 IMG_8059 1/16 Christ University, SLCU Decennial Celebration 2017, 17th Sept 2017, Bangaluru IMG_8086 IMG_8103 DSCF5536 IMG_8086 1/10 Tibet Forum, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 8th October 2017, New Delhi 1/5 Department of East Asian Studies, Delhi University, 15th October 2017, New Delhi 1/3

PINAKIE KANSABANIK Storyteller Explore

Mountains to Manhattan What if you were born without a country? What if you were branded a refugee as you took your first step? All this and more happened to young, charming, clever Tenzin Lhamo. Her crime, she was a Tibetan born in India. Ever since she became aware of her uncertain status, she would ask herself, how long will I be a refugee with restrictions and no right to a passport? Why can't I have a country of my own and a citizenship? To fulfill her own aspirations and that of her family, Tenzin undertakes a perilous journey halfway across the world in search of a country that would own her, give her respect and freedom as its citizen and let her earn enough to support her family. Will she be able to contribute as an individual to the Tibetan cause? Or would she have been more fruitful in her community in India? Will her husband ever reach her or wait for her? Even if she gained an identity and a country, would she lose the chance to have her own family? Reviews Media Gallery Buy Now - Canada Buy Now - US Buy Now - India

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The first fiction written on the Tibetan Refugee Crisis SEVEN STORIES on seven extraordinary lives

A fresh way of looking into the loves of women & the hardships they endure in our society. How a handful of them have the mettle to stand up to society to side with what they believe is right. Even today we live in a male dominated society where strangely the men decide the 'rights' & 'wrongs' that a woman should live by. Definitely a good read from an upcoming writer, I'd encourage the writer to write more. Anupam Bhowmick I finished reading the book "A Basket of Sunflowers" this week. All the seven stories are very nicely written. But I personally liked the story around "Suparna" the best. You have adopted a unique way of narrative from the point of view of women. This angle of narrative has made the book very likeable and appealing to the readers. I wish that you continue to write more and more, and make a distinctive mark for yourself among the Indian English writers. Wish you all the best for your future books. Krishanu REVIEWS A Basket of Sunflowers Reviews Buy Now The book revolves around the lives of women which makes it so attractive.Most importantly every woman should read it 😊😊😊. The cover page and name of the book are also so unique and simple. Shraddha That's the exact picture of strong women who stand by their informed decisions. Liked it. Rahul Burman I appreciate the deep understanding of the author on challenges faced by women in society. He has nicely presented interesting stories of strong confident women who believe in themselves to fight back all the odds of societies in their way and keep moving forward in life. I wish him all the best for his future work. Shivani Chakraborty *Seven wonders created by seven strong characters* Oh my goodness. I got chills every time I got to the end of a story. All of the stories are engrossing and powerful, and they completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my expectations. A very powerful book with seven strong female characters. I would recommend that every woman and man read the book because it gives you the strength and confidence to follow your decision and not blame others for the choice they made. Sir, this is an excellent gift for all women on Women's Day. Manali Mukherjee Absolutely brilliant way of presenting the stories.. It was very easy to go with the flow of each character. Twist and turns will keep you glued till the end..each one is my best read.waiting for the next book.. Kudos to the author and a must read for all.. Dhiraj Biswas As a woman I am thrilled to have a spiritual, intellectual and philosophical meeting with all the seven women. Not only the protagonists, but also the associated women are also powerful in their own ambit. Most importantly the language of the book is lucid and perfectly expressing its emotions. Loved it. Pupun This is a must read irrespective of u being a man or a woman. This book depicts an insight of ongoing stereotypes in a woman’s life and how one should have the courage of fighting back Suparna Bandopadhay The selection and the collection of the stories ...are heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. I love it. Your understanding of women and their strength of determination is amazing. Sagnika Das Pinakie Kanshabanik comes back with an inspiring piece of work for all the women out there. A basket of sunflowers is a compilation of seven stories about seven different women. Each story tells the tale of a different woman dealing with certain challenges be it internal or external and how they own it. While reading the book, I found that there were a few stories I absolutely identified with. The stories are so original, relatable, moving and heartfelt at the same time. A Basu

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Mountains to Manhattan - Media Reviews & Coverage Reviews Media Gallery Buy Now - Canada Buy Now - US Buy Now - India Tibet Sun Click on the link to read the full review. The Tibet Post Click on the link to read the full review. Radio Free Asia Click on the link to listen to the news. Interview - thinkerviews.com Click on the link to read the full interview The Tibet Express Click on the link to read the full review. Interview - Kalaage Click on the link to read the full interview Interview - Pleasantreads Click on the link to read the full interview Vishal Bheeroo Click on the link to read the full review. The Tibet Express Click on the link to read the full review. Show More

Ever thought of the Tibetan settlers or the culture of the society? Well, this book takes you back to the authentic culture of Tibetan society. It portrays how a Tibetan girl stands up for her recognition in society when she was called a refugee. Yes, it's a fictitious story but the time you start reading it, you are embracing the struggle of the protagonist and if you are a bibliophile, you cannot sleep until you are over with the book. It's interesting. It really is. Thank you so much ... for the book. Also, this is Pinakie's first book but the contents of the book don't seem to be his first attempt. He is a stupendously awesome writer with an imaginary power which is beyond the sky. This book is worth reading. Adrija Das What a book!! “Mountains to Manhattan” brought such a delight while reading each and every page till the end with an absolute engagement. The protagonist may be fictitious but her courage, adventure and agony are personalized with many ordinary human beings who single-handedly overturn adversities in their favour to become extraordinary. What an inspiring character! The book also gave an in-depth understanding and the plights of Tibetan refugees living statelessness life in India being deprived of many fundamental human rights even though many of them were born in India but they are not recognized as Indian citizens. Such flawless writing and dramatic plot!! Somnath Naha Mountains to Manhattan - Reviews Reviews Media Gallery Buy Now - Canada Buy Now - US Buy Now - India Mountains to Manhattan by Pinakie Kansabanik primarily revolves around a woman’s search for herself, her identity and her home. It is not only about the crisis of Tibetan refugees but at another layer can be a very significant and delicate topic specifically in today’s scenario. It was interesting to read Kansabanik's insights on it as the story proceeds. The story starts at a bit slower note but corrects the pace almost immediately. The language was lucid and the descriptions were vivid especially of nature. Along with the scenic beauty, the author also explores the different cultures of Tibet that adds a unique touch to the book. Captivating and poignant It will make a good winter weekend read. Abantika The book, in spellbinding detail, portrays the lives of Tibetan refugees in Ladakh, their struggles, hopes and aspirations. Granny's character stayed with me. The barren beauty of Tibet and the nomadic life of her tribe through her eyes are fascinating. Her impossible dream to return to Tibet only makes you yearn and sympathise with her. Every character is well sketched; a strict and protective mother, an affectionate father, a caring granny and a loving sister. The author gave each character its due. In that family, Tenzin Lhamo grew up to be a confident, smart young lady. The detail in which the author depicts her journey to Austria to gain asylum while she tackles every hurdle moved me and made me root for her. I was surprised to see Tenzin's ever-supportive husband (who was always on the backstage) to come to the forefront by compelling her to shift to the USA to fulfill his long-cherished dream to settle there. It was unexpected. But I hope that Lhamo becomes successful there too. Throughout the book, we get a vivid description of natural beauty, making it a pleasant reading. Navamallika Dasi The stories that explore harsh realities always fascinate me. Mountains to Manhattan is a book about Tibetan immigrants to India after the invasion of Red Army. What more fascinated me about this book is that the author has narrated the whole story by opting the opposite gender. Confessions of a Readaholic It's one of the most amazing motivational books I have read to date. Such a soul-touching story and after reading I felt like I can be that one person who never gives up. In such hardship and confusion that I am going through it was the best gift I can get. Somyahang Lohorung Rai The storyline reflects a good amount of realities that is inflicted upon people who are tagged as refugees irrespective of which country they reside in. The detailing the author provides to support its characters from the start is good and did spike an interest in me as a reader to continue to read this book. It indeed requires a healthy amount of imagination and time to follow up with the research to convey it to a reader in form of a tale such as this challenging topic. Aman Mittal Wonderful book. A must-read for anyone willing to expand their horizons Minica ‘Mountains to Manhattan’ is that captivating…if you are a good reader; it draws your attention in no time. Arundhuti Banerjee Mountains to Manhattan retells and rekindles old interest in the fight of India’s old chelas against the modern giant of China. The book touches on the realities of the exile Tibetans — that the movement for a free Tibet is still strong and vibrant...This book will fill the void of updates on Tibetan issues. Considering how China is encircling India with their expansion designs, it has become relevant and important for the people of India to remain abreast of the Tibetan cause. Tibet Sun A very interesting book which talks about a very crucial topic. The book talks about the story of a young girl and how she decides to fight for her Nationality. This book is a must read for all the young girls out their to understand that you have to dream big and beside all the responsibilities you have full fill as a girl you should never stop dreaming. Good work done by Mr. Pinakie Kansabanik. Namrata Nigam Tenzin has touched the core of my heart because her story is a next door story, her story could be visualized, her story could wet my eyes, her story is so real. . . Those 7 million Tibetan hearts got connected to mine.. What a research..its impossible for any writer to potray what you have done without feeling the pain, the struggle.. You have a long way to go... awaiting to flow in the waves of your black & white...ALL THE BEST Kriti Dutta Excellent book. Pinakie has done a splendid job. Language is very smooth and interesting. Based on an unconventional story-line. This book is full of information, but one will never feel the burden of it, as these are placed in a very proper way. Couldn't believe that this is his first book. Well done dear author. Now I am keenly waiting for the next one. Prasenjit Roy The book is a must-read as it gives a voice to Tibetan Nationality Crisis. The moment you start reading it you will connect to this book as it is written so beautifully and in a very realistic way, it not only talks about Tibetan Community and their problems as refugees but it also talks about the journey of a young girl from her family to her love life and her career. The way the book is written doesn't make you lose your interest till the end. As a citizen of any country, many of us don't know what it feels to be a refugee and this book tells it all. Kudos to the author for this hard work and dedication to bring out such important topic in front of the world. Isita Jain Excerpt of the English Translation of the original review written in Tibetan: “Mountains to Manhattan” is a fiction that is based on the lives of exile Tibetans and first of its kind. Some acknowledges this English novella for its historical element besides unfolding the everyday experience of Tibetan diaspora...with vast setting, the author uses imagery and narrative technique to portray Lhamo’s arduous journey from Ladhak to Manhattan which transpires across centuries from the 1960s to the present day... the author has borrowed Tibetan terms in the book which brings the readers closer to the characters portrayed. Adruk Punchok I have given 5 star for this book mainly because of two reasons, 1. This is author's first published book and a job well done - indeed. 2. He has taken an opposite gender to narrate the story which is the toughest part - not easy. I thoroughly loved reading through it. I don’t know how many pages this book as I have read the Kindle version. I used to cover 15-20% in each sitting but post 48% I finished at a stretch. Wriju Ghosh I have loved reading the book. After Lhamo reached class IX, the book attracted me like a magnet. It was unputdownable. You deserve much bigger compliment and appreciation than this..... I am not good at expressing myself and hence, could not write well...There is a feeling of void after I finished reading the book...I felt the pain of their struggle...I always compared with my life and found my life is so much more secure...but may be you can appreciate life only when you struggle like this...I could connect to the protagonist and have a feeling of oneness with your writing…. It brought tears to my eyes...I could visualize and imagine their plight without any difficulty. BM I extremely enjoyed reading this amazing book. The words n the languuage are so beautifully written that I felt that I myself is with Tenzin Lhamo throughout her journey to achieve her dream to be at USA. Thanks a lot Pinakie Kansabanik for this wonderful book and hoping for a new story from u soon. Tshering Angey One of the best book , I have read in the recent past. I must confess that I started reading the book on 3rd evening & slept late on 4th night as I could not sleep without completing the book . True story of a young & rebellious Tibetan girl Tenzin Lhamo, who started from Leh & managed to reach Manhattan via Austria. Initially Tenzin sounded like a normal girl but by the end, Tenzin proved to be strong individual with great love for Tibet. The story made me nostalgic as it took me back to Leh, Chakrata, Bylakuppe, Dharamshala, Dekyiling, Delhi.....I really appreciate the good knowledge of Pinakie about Tibetans & his first novel is must read for all Tibetans & all those who want to understand Tibetans better. Thank you Pinakie for writing this book & I eagerly look forward to many more. Om Mani Padme Hum! Thondop Tsering Mountains to Manhattan is such a wonderful read. The story is brewed to perfection, sprinkled with nice snippets of information and the perfect touch of emotions. It stands out in its insightful portrayal of the struggle of the Tibetan people and the journey, which is liberating not just for the protagonist, but for the reader as well. Having a place where you belong and which you can call your own, is a luxury for numerous people in the world and this is something many of us are unaware of. Many congratulations Sir, for writing such a beautiful novel and making us believe that if you strive hard enough, dreams do come true. You are an inspiration Sir. Deepungsu Pandit The book is amazing I loved it. Most interesting is u cant stop reading it, every part of the book is thoughtprovoking Poonam Agarwal Mountains to Manhattan by Pinakie Kansabanik, is a refreshing breath of general accuracy regarding the Tibetan experience in diaspora...The story is believable, the situation is authentic, and any one who is familiar with the Tibetan community in exile can relate to the feelings of being in between, as the author is able to evoke. The Tibet Post The moment you start reading you are taken on a journey to explore the lives of Tibetan settlers and their predicaments through the young protagonist and realises how they are struggling to get an identity. The story is gripping and keeps you engrossed and wanting for more. A must read for all. Amazon Customer Enjoyed reading every page of this book till it's end. It's not just a novel rather it carries lot of information about the Tibetans, their status, their culture etc. Author Pinakie Kanshabanik gave excellent description of different situations and locations in lucid language. If anyone is interested in spending their quality time in reading books on an unexplored subject then this book is a great stuff for them. Debayan Nandi There are lots of books which tell you about Tibet but what separates this book from others is it's fresh treatment of facts and deep analysis of Tibetan refugees. The author sketches out a clear picture of Tibetan culture and their fate in our country Amazon Customer The first and the foremost thing which I want to mention regarding this book is that it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Hardly would have any author, been so vivid in his story telling that the story seems to virtually unfold before your eyes. Anuranita Basu The book is a must read.The author has very profoundly dealt with a sensitive subject of Identity crisis of a Tibetan refugee.The protagonist takes you right deep inside the Tibetan culture,belief and issues deeply rooted within them.Would like to congratulate the author for his excellent debut novel. Sheryl Once in a while, like a whiff of fresh air by the brook, comes a book which melts your heart and you are compelled to admit that there is indeed a soul who writes a book only because he wants the story to be told. The motivation is that even the world should take notice. I am talking about the book named “Mountains to Manhattan” by Pinakie Kansabanik. Pinakie’s website describes him as a trekker by heart. It definitely shows off in his book. Mountains to Manhattan is in the mould of Khaled Hosseini or Betty Mahmood’ writing style. The story is dominated by a strong central female character, whom you root for from the very first page. Pleasantreads.com I think this is the must read books for every body. The story let u know about the culture of Tibetan society and also the fight of a tibetan girl to get recognised herself rather known to be a refugee. Jayjit Saha The author has written on an offbeat topic which represents about gender, equality, passion, hard work and mostly about the cultural beliefs and mindsets. Anybody looking for a change in their genre or read something out of the box, this book will work as your favorite pizza with extra cheese toppings Entangledinwords This fiction takes you to experience the life and culture of Tibetan immigrants in India who yearn for their identity balancing the hardships caused by their decision to move to India and explore better living conditions in many parts of the world. Initial chapters take you to the Mountains (of Tibet and Ladakh), in the middle you are taken to Delhi and Bangalore while the later chapters take you to Europe and New York. Feels like you are travelling with the protagonist of the story, Lhamo. Dr. Rajesh Kr. Singh Well spent two days with Mountains to Manhattan......it was a marvellous journey with an ailing yet strong soul...a tribute to the sufferings of all the refugees around the world. Words and expressions simply transferred me into the content..... Pinky Dey Biswas Breathtaking!! The journey through "Mountain to Manhattan" Was beautiful.... Loved every part of the story and felt Scarry at times with the thought .... had it been me. A person without ... But loved it and enjoyed till the end A must read. Udita Pradhan What I like the most in the book is its first segment. The innocence of people living in small villages with limited resources, and the way they enjoy the life is explored pretty effectively here. It is good to see the relations between parent-child living in such circumstances. These days we don’t see villages and people living there explored so convincingly in books anymore. It is definitely meant to be a classic book. ThinkerViews Yday I was not well. So stayed back at home and spent the whole day at Bed. But I completed my journey from M2M. I liked it. I could visualise the whole thing- testimony of your neat description. There was a touch of Bibhuti Bhushan- in the way the nature was described. I could gather momentum so as to finish it within a day- proof of continuity and your ability to attract the attention thru the wordings. Liked many characters- lots to learn from Lhamo s life, her mothers. Only thing I felt a bit contradictory was the mindset of Tenla. She was so desperate to take inhuman challenges- uncertain future- so wilful , so determined but she can't refuse anyone - always succumbed to pressure - be it from her mother , Tashi or other friends. Could not get the same Jill when it came to the family...though she was logical enough to go other way. But that's ok. Overall I liked it. a must read novel... beautiful description of Tibetan culture ...... once started you feel bound to it and wants to complete it quickly. Sabitabrata Pal Amazon Customer “Mountains to Manhattan” is a gift of wisdom to the readers. The language, religion & culture of Tibet and the journey of the protagonist to find a country that could own her makes the book captivating exponentially. The portrayal is so real and keeps the reader so occupied that one cannot wait to finish it. Appreciate the endeavour and research of the author. I would like to give infinite stars if it was possible. Happy reading!! Anupam Biswas “Home is where your family is. It is not important where you grow up. People are significant, not the place. Just the place, without your dear ones, makes it meaningless.” So deep a thought!! Home that our feet may leave not our hearts....Eternally,devastatingly romantic. Sugary to an impressive degree. You write how I feel. Even though I cannot express it. Monalisa Biswas The moment you start reading you are taken on a journey to explore the lives of Tibetan settlers and their predicaments through the young protagonist and realises how they are struggling to get an identity. The story is gripping and keeps you engrossed and wanting for more. A must read for all Amazon Customer The story is fictitious however once you start reading you feel as if Its the real life journey of the protagonist..it keeps you occupied and not wanting to leave it untill finished...full of emotions, drama and suspense too...beautifully explained with precise detailing of places and cultures of Tibet..shows the amount of research and hard work of the author... Amazon Customer Mountain to Manhattan is a powerful book which stresses on the plight of the Tibetan community and their sense of alienation in a powerful manner. It raises several important questions about the lives of refugees that go much beyond what we read in the news. The story is bold, riveting and tears our heart in a gut-wrenching manner Vishal Bheero