Today we talk about Where do they belong?, a book by Satarupa Bose Roy published with our Publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Satarupa Bose Roy, to get to know her better, if there is a particular moment tha brought her to the writing of her book Where do they belong?, as well as the significant life experiences which find expression here in her book.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Is there a particular moment in your life that led you to the writing of your book? What was it?
I arrived in the Netherlands from India in 2007, embarking on a transformative journey that reshaped my worldview. Upon my arrival, I enrolled in a Dutch language course, where I met many asylum seekers who were required to participate in this language programme to secure their residence permits. In stark contrast to them, my motivation stemmed solely from a genuine desire to learn a new language. As I listened to their stories and grasped the struggles they faced in pursuit of a new life, I became vividly aware of the profound significance of their experiences within the broader context of our world. Years later, as an English teacher, I volunteered to teach English to Ukrainian asylum seekers. Their narratives resonated with those I had heard before, yet they revealed distinct challenges that set them apart from Syrian or Somali refugees. This realisation motivated me to delve deeper into their stories, and thus began the research.
- What would you like to hear from your readers?
I want my readers to be honest about their feelings towards these asylum seekers. Especially those who live safely with their families, without facing near-death experiences, and have never lost any loved ones in any strike. They should read the stories of these asylum seekers and genuinely understand the trauma these individuals have endured. In this war-torn world, we tend to become overly self-centred. My hope is that this book will make us realise that. As conflicts threaten everywhere, we must unite more as humans. The stories in my book are real, and the people are real. They deserve to be seen and treated as humans, not merely as numbers. Even if some disagree with this approach, they should speak up. It’s time for honest dialogue and empathy.
- What significant life experiences find expression in your book?
While writing this book, I realised that life is both fragile and beautiful. The stories of the asylum seekers I shared in my book are marked by violence, bloodshed, and trauma, yet hope remains at their core. Every person who crosses borders and seas in search of a better, safer life for themselves and their families is driven by this hope. It is hope that propels us forward, even when the world feels dark and when innocent children suffer. In the face of adversity, hope becomes our greatest strength. Another powerful lesson from these stories is the loss of fundamental human rights, the right to live and the right to be free. Many asylum seekers have been stripped of their freedom and dignity, forced to fight for rights that should be universal. I believe that amid political conflicts and power struggles, world leaders too often forget the essential value of human life. The most profound truths captured in my book are hope and freedom. As human beings, we must fiercely protect hope within ourselves and resolutely demand our fundamental rights to live, to be free, and to be treated with dignity.
- Is there a book you are particularly attached to and that has taught you something?
After completing “Where Do They Belong”, I turned not just to one book but several. Working on my book plunged me into a deep depression. I couldn’t eat or sleep for months. Visiting asylum homes left me haunted by the asylum seekers’ stories; Their pain remained with me for a long time even after returning home. Yet, amid this sadness, I was determined to find hope and transform these difficult stories into something positive. In my search for peace, the books on philosophy of life became my guide, as a source of wisdom and solace. They offered me a path to inner calm and resilience. All these philosophy books taught me that true happiness is not dependent on external circumstances. Instead, it is intrinsic, ever-present, and available here and now. Our suffering often comes from forgetting this inner fulfilment. Life inevitably brings problems, but even amid hardship, we have the freedom to face challenges with courage and optimism. Attaining emotional independence, where our happiness stands firm, regardless of people, objects, or situations, should be our goal.
- Are you working on a new writing project you can tell us about?
I am now embarking on a work of fiction. After dedicating two years to non-fiction, I feel inspired to unleash my imagination and explore my creative side. This new story unfolds in Kolkata, India, centring on an Indian Bengali family entangled in tradition and rigid societal norms. At its heart is a young woman who, despite these constraints, carves her own path to independence and self-realisation. The narrative also delves into the theme of women’s freedom. Despite ongoing conversations about equality, independence, and breaking the glass ceiling, true freedom for women in India remains elusive. Many women continue to face systemic inequality, and, perhaps most strikingly, a significant number have come to accept these societal limitations as the norm. The title is still taking shape, but the journey has begun.
Europe Books thanks the author, Satarupa Bose Roy, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book Where do they belong?. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, may this book be a source of inspiration for you to reflect on the importance of being united as human beings and of promoting a constructive dialogue that is attentive to the needs of all, without exception.
So, my dear readers, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your Editor!