PREFACE

AUTHOR............................................................................................. GOLLAPUDI    SRINIVASA RAO

As a journalist, my task has been to write just three hundred word news items or feature stories. Having worked in three national newspapers and being in the field for more than a decade, I could master the art of writing in a gripping fashion with my feel for the language. I always doubted whether I can write anything beyond three hundreds words, gripping and beautiful still. To test myself, I thought, I shall write some short stories which are bigger than my news stories. As many stories got published in leading papers and literary journals my confidence only increased. It also provided inspiration to come out with an anthology.

I thank the publishers of Pratibha India, The Statesman for their encouragement, museindia.com.

I am extremely grateful to my friend and senior journalist G S Vasu, Editor (Andhra Pradesh), The New Indian Express, who initiated me into the field of writing, to James Edwin who is always with me through thick and thin. My special thanks to Mr K Damodar Rao, Associate Professor of English, Kakatiya University, who has been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. I thank my well wishers Sri Parcha Kodandarama Rao and Dr Anjani Devi, Kondapalli Dayasagar Rao, poet V R Vidyarthi for their valuable support and many other friends who wish to see me as an accomplished writer.

A word of thanks will not be enough to my wife Neelima and my daughter Medha Thanvi who made my life brilliant. Special thanks to them.

GOLLAPUDI SRINIVASA RAO

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