Renowned Youth Literature Awardee Nilotpal Mrinal Confronts Public Apathy During Crisis

Award-winning author, poet and social activist Nilotpal Mrinal recently shared a deeply personal and moving experience that exposed the harsh reality of growing public apathy. Despite being a celebrated literary voice of his generation, Mrinal found himself helpless and alone during a medical emergency while traveling by train an ordeal that he described with grace and irony in a heartfelt social media post.

Severe Injury and a Painful Journey

Two days prior to his post, while climbing stairs at a railway station, Mrinal slipped and injured his lower back. He believes a nerve in his spine may have shifted due to the fall, causing unbearable pain. One kind-hearted man helped him get to his seat on the Vande Bharat Express. Mrinal endured the journey bravely for two days. But after a late-night literary event, the pain became excruciating his right leg became immobile.

At Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (formerly Mughalsarai), Mrinal somehow managed to board the Tejas Rajdhani Express heading to Patna. He was assigned an upper berth, but in his condition, it was impossible to climb. Naturally, he requested passengers in nearby lower berths if they could exchange seats. No one agreed.

The TTE and train attendants tried their best to help, but not a single passenger was willing to give up their seat for a man in obvious agony. Mrinal said he felt like bursting into tears. But instead, he held back, telling himself: “Perhaps I’ve never truly stood on my spine before in life. This is the time to practice that.”

Eventually, he gave his seat to another young man who was roaming without one and spent the entire journey standing, clutching his injured back, in silent pain.

A Reflection on Collective Sensitivity

In his emotional post, Mrinal wrote, “I have no complaints against any passenger. Why should someone else bear the cost of my injury? It may not be rational to expect others to respond to minor personal pain. Sensitivity should be reserved for national tragedies.” With biting irony, he added, “We Indians are deeply emotional when a national calamity strikes. We may not fight wars ourselves, but we expect our soldiers to fight for the sake of our broken hearts. We show support by liking and sharing videos. That’s enough.” As he neared Patna, he reminded himself of his professional obligations. “I’m in the business of entertainment. Looking happy and making others feel cheerful is part of the job. Even if I walk with one leg or none I must go. After all, I’ve already taken an advance.”

About Nilotpal Mrinal: Literary Journey and Contributions

Born on December 25, 1984, in Dumka, Jharkhand, Nilotpal Mrinal is a multi-talented writer, poet, folk singer, and public intellectual. He has a degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering and an MBA in International Business. He shot to fame with his debut novel “Dark Horse” (2015), which explored the struggles of rural youth preparing for civil services in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar. The novel won him the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2016.

His other major works include:

“Aughad” (2019) – A powerful novel depicting rural India's socio-political complexities.

“Yaar Jadugar” (2021) – A deep and sensitive exploration of human relationships.

“Jakh Baba”, “Astbal”, “Darling Democracy”, and “Relampel” – Works that combine storytelling with socio-political commentary.

Social Activism and Public Role

Mrinal has been active in public discourse, participating in movements like the CSAT protest and the Gamchha campaign, which advocated for youth and aspirant rights. He uses his social media platforms to address socio-political issues, with a distinctive voice that blends satire, empathy, and raw honesty. His Instagram handle @nilotpal_mrinal offers a blend of poetry, protest, and personal insight.

Conclusion 

Nilotpal Mrinal’s story is not just a narrative of pain but a mirror to the society we live in. It questions our emotional detachment and challenges us to reflect on how we respond not only to national disasters but to the small, everyday moments that demand empathy. As a literary figure, Mrinal continues to inspire through both his pen and his personal courage.