Antarctica

• Author: Sudipta Sengupta
• Genre: Bhraman O Abhijan
• Cover: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788170660910
• Weight: 350 grams

Key Highlights:

• Antarctica is a gripping narrative by Sudipta Sengupta, the first Bengali woman scientist to take part in India’s third Antarctic expedition.
• The book delves into the mystery and unfamiliarity surrounding Antarctica, the most remote and unexplored continent of Earth.
• Antarctica, long thought to be a mythical land (referred to as Antarctokis by ancient Greeks), was eventually discovered and is now a place of scientific research and adventure. It is the coldest, driest, highest, and most inhospitable continent, which continues to captivate explorers and scientists.
• The author takes readers on an intense journey through her personal experiences during the Antarctic expedition, and provides fascinating insights into this extreme environment.
• The book also covers the historical context of Antarctica's exploration, starting from the first human footprints on its icy terrain over 150 years ago.
• Apart from the expedition's adventures, the book offers a comprehensive understanding of Antarctica’s geography, scientific importance, and its allure to explorers.
• Sudipta Sengupta seamlessly blends scientific curiosity with literary skills, transforming the book into an engaging, informative travelogue. Her vivid descriptions and rich narrative style make Antarctica's icy world come to life for readers.
• The book, originally serialized in the ‘Desh’ magazine, became highly popular and was later published as a complete book. It also includes color photographs, black-and-white images, and charts, which further enhance its appeal.

Author Information:

• Sudipta Sengupta is a geologist with a distinguished career in mountain climbing and geological research.
• She graduated from Jadavpur University with first-class honors in both B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Geology.
• Her childhood in Nepal inspired a deep passion for nature and mountaineering, which later fueled her expeditions.
• Sudipta is trained in mountaineering from the Darjeeling Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.
• She was part of expeditions to Ronti and Lalna, and became a leader when one of the members tragically lost her life during an expedition.
• Apart from her mountaineering career, she has written extensively on geology, with her work being published in several international journals.
• Sudipta worked with the Geological Survey of India from 1969, eventually earning a Doctorate in 1972.
• She spent a few years in England and Sweden for advanced research and returned to India to participate in India’s third Antarctic expedition in 1983, becoming the first Bengali woman scientist to join this prestigious project.
• After the expedition, she became a professor at Jadavpur University, where she continued to inspire students and researchers in the field of geology.

Purpose and Content:

• Antarctica is not just an autobiographical account of an adventurous scientist, but also a comprehensive exploration of one of the world’s most extreme environments.
• The book brings to light the fascinating scientific and exploratory achievements in Antarctica and the unique challenges faced by those who choose to venture there.
• The vivid storytelling and the rich scientific information make the book an intriguing mix of travelogue, memoir, and geological exploration.
• Sudipta Sengupta’s narrative gives readers an intimate glimpse into the thrilling world of scientific exploration, where personal struggles and the allure of the unknown combine.

Summary:

Antarctica by Sudipta Sengupta is a compelling account of her life-changing journey to the world’s most inhospitable continent. As the first Bengali woman scientist to join India's third Antarctic expedition, she provides readers with an insight into Antarctica’s challenges, beauty, and mysteries. The book combines scientific exploration with personal adventure, recounting the history of Antarctic expeditions, the difficulties of surviving in such a harsh environment, and the excitement of discovery. Sudipta’s engaging writing, supported by photographs and charts, turns this thrilling journey into a memorable literary experience, blending facts with vivid storytelling.