About Shashikant Gunjal
Captain Shashikant was born in the small village of Hingani Dumala, near Shirur, Pune, where dreams often seem limited by horizons. But from a young age, his imagination soared far beyond them. He found magic in stories, novels, and airplanes, spending countless hours searching for stories in newspapers and books, feeding a mind that refused to stay grounded.
The journey from a modest village to the open skies was never easy. It demanded sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering belief. Yet, through every hardship, he held on—never letting go of his dreams. While he trained to become a pilot, another passion quietly burned within him: the dream of becoming a novelist.
Life and professional responsibilities delayed that dream, but they could not silence it. In a bold and fearless moment, he made a life-changing decision—he left his job and locked himself in a room for four months, dedicating himself entirely to writing. It was a test of faith, discipline, and courage. And he emerged with his novel complete.
Today, Captain Shashikant flies professionally as a pilot, but his heart continues to write. His story is a reminder that no dream is too big, no beginning too small, and no passion worth abandoning. When courage meets perseverance, even the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Shashikant Gunjal: The book centers on a family and a passenger airliner and follows the struggle family and passengers for survival against both terrorists and the forces of nature in rugged mountains of afghan, dense forest of Indonesia and Arabia sea.
I began by writing a short story, then gradually developed it into a full-length novel. I revised the manuscript nearly five times before reaching the final version.
After mapping the entire plot and completing extensive research, I placed all my notes and references on the wall and dedicated four months in complete isolation to finishing the manuscript.
Since this is my first book, I am extremely excited and hopeful that it will open the door for many more books in the future.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Shashikant Gunjal: The title suggest the never ending struggle of survival.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Shashikant Gunjal: Around my college days, I realized that I wanted to become a writer. I began by writing short stories and gradually developed my interest further.
I read extensively in both Marathi language and English language novels, which helped shape my writing style and imagination.
My biggest inspiration comes from the fact that I can sit for long hours weaving stories in my mind, almost as if I am living them myself. That experience motivates me even more to write.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Shashikant Gunjal: 5 books with Great subjects.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Shashikant Gunjal: Content, marketing and quality of book is very necessary to have a successful book.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Shashikant Gunjal: I am pilot. A flight instructor.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Shashikant Gunjal: Yes I am working but it is too early to reveal it.
Click here to order Shashikant Gunjal’s Book – The End
