Promila Devi Sutharsan Huidrom is a multi‐faceted personality known for her literary work, philanthropic activities, and entrepreneurial ventures. Originally from India, she has been living in Norway for over 20 years. Interview Times+3Insider News Times+3yra.no+3
As a writer and poetess, she writes primarily in Hindi, exploring themes such as life, philosophy, nature, human emotions, and nationhood. Interview Times+2Insider News Times+2 Her published works include Ayushya, a book of Hindi poetry, among others. Insider News Times+2blueroseone.com+2
Apart from her artistic pursuits, she is deeply involved in philanthropy. She has been recognized for helping underprivileged children and the elderly, among other social causes. Interview Times+1
Entrepreneurially, Promila has founded and runs businesses in Norway. She is the owner and director of “S&HPTECH Software Consultancy,” a sole proprietorship engaged in software-programming services. yra.no+2yra.no+2 She also operates a venture involving cooking courses in Indian cuisine (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), lectures and home classes, under the name “Kursing i Indisk Kokekunst.” firmalisten.no+1
Her efforts have earned her several honors. For example, she has been awarded the Rashtriya Pratibha Samman for “Best Author and Philanthropist.” Interview Times She also recently was honored with the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Sammaniya Puraskaar for outstanding contributions to culture and society.
Can you share with us a glimpse of your journey from Manipur to Norway and how it shaped you as a person and an author?
Answer: A grand daughter of a priest/ Brahmin “Huidrom Mani Singh”who studied his Gurukul from Nabadeep in the East India, and her father “Huidrom Surendra Singh”who went against family traditions to serve the Nation by joining Indian Army. Having my lineage from the first Monarch and the living god himself “Nongda Leiren Pakhangba” of Manipur, who is prayed in Manipur at its extent. Being inheriting the old book Puya from my grand father with the more than 2000 yr lineage names of my forefathers starting from lord “Pakhangba” himself.
This in short tells how it all started, so was I sent to defense school : KV Army Area and then KV southern Command; thereafter, in Pune; India where I polished my Hindi. Being called one of the best student in the class and also a brilliant orater; I always withstand the Sphere of looking different as I was from Manipur. Manipur has geopolitical issue since the British time, where before Bristishers, nobody could invade and occupy Manipur for more than 2k years with an independent Monarchy.
Being a graduate in Computer Science and passing out with flying colors; made my American dream a reality via my first IT Company; yet it was Norway and not America. Where I further studied MS in Computer Science and then MSc in technical MBA from Karlsrad University Sweden and University in Oslo, respectively. Marrying a Doctor who is now a renowned Cancer Specialist in the Northern Hemishere and a 9th generation of Doctors, made me more rigid yet flexible. I had a formidable career in IT which swapped with writing as a career specializing in Poetry.
It is in short my journey from my roots from Manipur’s lineage to now in Norway as a Writer, Poet, mother and a dedicated wife which has been very challenging and breathtaking.
Your poetry often touches on themes like life, philosophy, nature, and emotions. What inspires you the most when you sit down to write?
Answer: The emotion of feelings; we all have as human; that inspires me. The life itself inspires me. The life in every possible sphere where organisms to living being’s struggles and which prevails; that inspires me. The human mind inspires me. Love for mother and motherland which can be the birth place or the place which gave me my identity, inspires me. Everyone should respect others life, standard and feelings, I believe. Nothing is grand, nothing is minuscule, it is just the way we see it.
Live for the reason for life itself as life is so beautiful.
As the author of Ayushya and other literary works, what message do you hope readers take away from your writing?
Answer: Make your life meaningful by giving meaning to your own life and others. It can be from a very tiny step to doing wonders. It does not matter what one becomes but it does matter that at the end of the day one feels satisfied and at peace that the day went well and was well utilized. There is only contest with time; if we have enough. The race against time, in one way it’s called “Kaal” in Sanskrit, which has multiple meaning. For now it is enough to understand that we utilize time to our optimum.
Alongside your literary career, you are also an entrepreneur in Norway. How do you balance your creative pursuits with your professional responsibilities in business?
Answer: When I write I am a Poetess, and I just write; when I am a mother; I am just a caregiver, and the most nurturing; when I am a friend I will do my best to keep one at ease and as a wife I stay calm, trustworthy, precise and transparent. Yet in all this Entrepreneurship is just a profession bound to my education and experience.
You have received prestigious recognitions like the Rashtriya Pratibha Samman and the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Sammaniya Puraskaar. What do these awards mean to you personally and professionally?
Answer: An award is a recognition given to me for my deeds, yet in all this my duties comes utmost priority for me. Duties as a citizen, a mother, a writer, and so on. I am very glad that I have been awarded several National and International awards, yet I am grounded to my roots and my duties as a human.
You have also been actively involved in philanthropy, helping underprivileged children and the elderly. What drives your passion for social service?
Answer: As mentioned earlier, that it is our duty as a citizen to give back to the society and the Nation. My upbringing and my values keep me grounded with rational, and coherence. I think that there is so much to do and we are mortal that the time is limited.
Being from Manipur, could you briefly share your perspective on the current issues the state is facing?
Answer: Manipur is at war since about 3 yrs now. The reasons can be many yet why is it not resolved yet; is my concern; how can a Nation be with so much defence prowess and might ; not be able to prevent this from happening. Call it Poppy plantation issue, Meitei vs Kuki issue, SoO (Suspension of operation) dominance by Kukis in terms of violence persistence or the people who have been displaced from their homes due to inter communal riots. Who in turn suffers; the Nation. The Nation is not trees and walls; the Nation is it’s people, it’s heritage, it’s root. India has to act immediately. This can happen only by the upper strata of the policy makers. It is now or it is never. Before the civilization of Manipur obsoletes and it becomes wretched, India has to act upon.
In your view, what could be some potential solutions to bring peace, stability, and harmony to Manipur?
Answer: It will take really long time again to stabilize and harmonize the multiethnic society in Manipur. Few of the initial tasks we can first consider is as follows:
Few points which can be taken care of is:
-abbrogation of SoO (Suspension of Operation) with which the Kuki militants have right to operate in the state with violence
-the reservation for hill land should be dissolved and anybody could buy land in hill or in Manipur who belongs to Manipur
-the tribe status should be given to Meiteis too as it’s an indegineous community from the beginning of Manipur’s history
-poppy plantation should halt with the immediate stand
-the people who were displaced from their original homes after the war should be able to return to their homes and government incentives should be given to rebuild their homes and lives
Literature has always been a tool for social change. How do you see your work as an author contributing to positive changes in society?
Answer: From time immortal it has been authors and poets who have impacted the society; from Rishi Valmiki, Ved Vyas, to Kalidas, Rahim and so on. Authors and Poets impact the society with words and clarity. They change the society for good by writing righteous and clear. Let us celebrate the world of writing and literature.
Finally, what message would you like to give to young aspiring authors, especially those who come from small towns and dream of making a global impact?
Answer: Everyone has a talent in one or the other form; it does not matter where he/ she comes from; when we do something we like to do, it automatically shines like a star. It may take time but success is something very abstract, some need name, some fame and some personal satisfaction. The field of art and literature is very unique and fragile; one must stand for it and by it to persist; rest all follows.
