SOHAIL AKHTAR was born on 10th November 1962 in Ghazipur, U.P., India. He completed his earlier education in Jamshedpur and later on obtained Civil Engineering degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur in 1985. After serving in difference civil engineering firms in Mumbai, he came to Bhubaneswar and joined Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) in 1992. By professional he is a structural designer and now working as Manager (Design) in IDCO. He has designed many prestigious buildings in and around Orissa.

He started writing at the age of 12-13 but his writing has not been continuous. During engineering education and Mumbai stay, it almost stopped. It picked up a little speed after 1991 but he again stopped writing from 1995 to 2001 for some reasons. After 2001 it gathered momentum and there is no looking back since. But he has been very shy and hesitant in sending his writing to literary journals for publishing the same.

He published his first collection of ghazals in 2008 named "Kaghaz pe Sehra". The collection was applauded very much in the literary circle and within a year his name was known amongst Urdu literature lovers. Literary journals published enthusiastic reviews on this book. A large number of eminent critics and writers wrote appreciating articles on it. In 2009 he published his collection of poems "Munjamid Aflak ke Saye Tale" which was declared best book on poetry in 2009 by Karnataka Urdu Academy and the academy awarded him for this book. This book too was acclaimed by all. He translated poems of English poet, Bishnupada Sethi into Urdu which was published in 2009 itself by the title "Jaoon to Kahan Jaoon". His translations too were appreciated by many.

Three literary magazines have brough special issues on him are : monthly QUIRTAS, Nagpur, Maharashtra, March-April 2010 issue no. 3-4, Volume no. 23; quarterly RANG, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, April to June 2010, issue no. 49; monthly SHANDAR, Azamgarh, U.P., Feb. 2010

Contact: Mgr. (D), IDCO, IDCO Towers, Janpath, Bhubaneswar - 751022

Mobile or cell no.: +91 - 94370 44651

email :- sohailakhtar101@gmail.com & as_akhtar_bbsr@rediffmail.com