World Fountain Pen Day: This ‘Pen Man’ of Odisha boasts incredible collection of 5000 pens in his library

A pen is an incredible instrument for transforming our thoughts and ideas into writings. The magnificent invention that evolved over centuries has made the existence of mankind much easier. Therefore, Edward Bulwer-Lytton had rightly said “The pen is mightier than the sword”.

To commemorate this significant invention, the world celebrates International Fountain Pen Day on every first Friday of November.

On the occasion, OTV found a man in Bhubaneswar whose love for pens, has earned him the name ‘pen man’ of Odisha. At a time when mobile phones, tablets and computers have usurped the space where pens once dominated, Tushar Kanta Dash’ unconditional love for pens seems unreal.

From Rs 5 Reynolds ball-point pen to Rs 5000 Cross fountain pen, Dash has a collection of over 5000 pens in his home, which he proudly showcases to anyone who shows even a little bit of interest in it.

Explaining the driving force behind his unique collection, Dash pointed out, “I used to write with Reynolds pen during my school days. However, once I bought a Parker out of curiosity and that remained with me for a long time. From there on, my love for pens only grew.”

“Whenever I used to visit a doctor, they usually gave me a pen or diary. And those pens were really packed well. I was fascinated with all those pens. So, I decided to turn my love for pens into a hobby and create a library for it,” Dash added.

Working in the healthcare sector, whenever a doctor goes abroad, Dash never fails to request them to bring a pen or two from there. And the doctors oblige him, more often than not. His passion for pens is so well-known in his circle that people now gift him only pens on any occasion.

Currently staying in a rented house in Bhubaneswar, Dash has plans to create a pen library for himself when he builds his own house.

“I even keep pens which do not have ink in them. I love them more than any jewellery in the world,” said Dash.

As playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton once said, “The pen is mightier than the sword” and rightly so, Dash, with his collection of pens hopes to inspire a new generation of writers.

For the unversed, every year, International Fountain Pen Day is celebrated on November 4. The day is especially observed to embrace and promote the use of fountain pens and the joy of writing. International Fountain Pen Day was first celebrated in 2012 by fountainpenday.org.

The modern fountain pen was successfully designed in 1912 by William Schaeffer, following which came the use of plastic cartridges in the 1960s.