ABOUT WILD PRATIK

"It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready."

 — Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea (1952)

At the bank of Rupnarayan during a birding trip in December 2015

Photo: Sourav Maiti

PRATIK MAHAPATRA, whom you catch up here to be Wild Pratik here on this platform, has completed his graduation and postgraduation in English literature and humanities from Prabhat Kumar College, Contai (Affiliated to Vidyasagar University), Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. A devotee of literature by occupational identity, and a wildlife enthusiast by passion, currently he has dedicated himself to wildlife writings to generate awareness among the mass, as well as pursuing a keen research interest in the field of posthumanism. Travel literature is one of his prime concerns. He has been embracing the essence of greenery and wildlife since his early childhood. Recently, he has turned out to be one of the achievers of the prestigious InSc (Institute of Scholars) recognition for the "Young Researcher Award" from the USA for rendering a dissertation on posthumanistic discourse in Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea (1952), turning out to be one of the lifetime members of the institution. 

  Earlier, he has conducted three series of butterfly observation camps on behalf of Prakriti Paather Pathshala (Bengali words for "school of nature") in collaboration with Tamluk Flower Lovers Association, with the enthusiastic school students from several institutions in the district of Purba Medinipur in West Bengal. Alongside, he has been regularly participating in the annual Wildlife Awareness Rally (WAR) and Wildlife Film Show and Seminar, later re-branded as International Wildlife Film Show, organised by ANUBHAB- Expedition for Better Tomorrow, Kolkata and has won awards for essay writing competition and poster presentation over there:

Wildlife Film Show and Seminar 2016, Series 1 (7 February 2016) :

Championship in essay writing competition (Held in Wildlife Awareness Rally, Series 1, 4 October 2015). Topic: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONSERVE. Award was conveyed by Mr Basanta Singha Roy, eminent mountaineer, Debdut Ghosh, renowned actor and Joy Sarkar, renowned music director.

Photo: Soumi Maiti

Wildlife Film Show and Seminar 2017, Series 2 (25 June 2017):

Championship in essay writing competition (Held in Wildlife Awareness Rally, Series 2, 25 September 2016). Topic: WILDLIFE TOURISM - FROM ECOLOGY TO ECONOMY. Award was presented by Joy Sarkar, Dr Shantanu Ghosh, senior scientist of Zoological Survey of India and eminent expert on elephants and, Colonel Shakti Ranjan Banerjee, Ex. Director of WWF.

Photo: Sibaprasad Jana

International Wildlife Film Show 2018, Series 3 (10 June 2018):

Position of the First Runner Up in essay writing competition (Held in Wildlife Awareness Rally, Series 3, 12 November 2017). Topic: MILLIONS ARE BEING SPENT FOR TIGER CONSERVATION, BUT, ARE WE IGNORING OTHER ANIMALS IN THIS PROCESS? Award was conferred upon the author by Pallab Kirtania, renowned singer and composer, Sunita Hazra, eminent mountaineer and, Sumit Samaddar, renowned actor.

Photo: Krishnendu Das

After being rewarded

Photo: Krishnendu Das

International Wildlife Film Show 2019, Series 4 (8 September 2019):

Position of First Runner Up in poster presentation (Held in Wildlife Awareness Rally, Series 4, 18 November 2018). The author was concerned about the hypothetical approach of the future leopard sanctuaries, which should have been formed up in the Indian forest. The project was entitled THE NEGLECTED ROSETTES, based on a Bengali article by Nilanjan Roy Chowdhury. The award was conveyed by Rajatabha Dutta and Debdut Ghosh, eminent actors and, Basabdatta Chatterjee, renowned actress of recent times.

Photo: Devdeep Giri

Several Glimpses

With Joy Sarkar, the eminent music director at Moulali State Youth Centre, Kolkata
Photo: Soumi Maiti

While presenting a frame to Joy Sarkar and Lopamudra Mitra, the renowned musical couple at Moulali State Youth Centre 

Photo: Krishnendu Das 

While being conferred with the gold medal for securing the first class first in undergraduate level on the occasion of college foundation day on 15 July 2019

Photo: Suman De

While presenting The Truth About Lions (inspired by a BBC documentary film title) at Deshopriyo Park, Kolkata during Wildlife Awareness Rally 2020, Series 5

Photo: Samrat Mishra

  Wild Pratik: Secrets of Sylvan Eyes is one of his dreams to chronicle captivating wildlife moments. Thanks to you all for keeping up your support. Warm regards to all acquaintances for making this entire endeavour a successful one. Be green and, be with greenery.