THE IMMOLATION (A translation of my short story "Satidaha" published in the Puja Edition of Krittibas, 2025) I've known Jyotishman since we were kids—we grew up in the same neighbourhood and even studied together till class four. Jyotishman was the gifted one: top student, talented in every way. After class four, he got into a prestigious missionary school in Chandannagar, while I didn’t make the cut. Some people seem blessed with everything by fate—Jyotishman Bagchi was one of those. Tall, lean, curly-haired, dreamy eyes, and razor-sharp mind. Next to him, I always felt invisible—in studies, sports, extracurriculars, you name it. He was miles ahead, and my self-esteem took a hit. Despite all that, Jyoti actually liked me—maybe even respected me because I wrote a bit from a young age. My stories used to get published in school and college magazines, and people generally appreciated them. After college, one of my novels ended up in a popular Puja magazine’s festive edit...
