Aashaa : Hope
I am delighted to have Divya as one of my precious friends. I had the privilege to introduce her outstanding collection of short stories, Aasha: Stories by the eminent Indian Women Writers. Dedicated to Shivani, to many this book represents hope; to others it symbolizes divine justice and the righteous way. It should come as no surprise that the stories in this compelling book are at the same time diverse, yet interconnected and vital.
Some of the stories demonstrate delicacies of Indian families (Mausi: Shivani); some of family honour (Cursed Souls: Chitra Mudgal, pretense of independence (The Hero, The Villain, The Clown: Mannu Bhandari); toilet humour (Foundation Stone: Pratibha Ray); monologue (Are You Listening: Sudha Arora); relationships (Aasha: Divya Mathur), love (The Weed: Amrita Pritam), the greed (Negation: Mridula Garg), death (The Doomsday Has Come: Mehr-un-Nisa Parvaiz, A Woman Is Dead: Sunita Jain; The Warmth of Touch: Mridula Sinha) and future (Aak Egarasi: Alka Saraogi). Each reader will have a personal response to each story. Although fate, family and freedom are interconnected throughout the collection, the common motif is overwhelmingly femaleness. Even in instances where all the characters are male, as in Aak Egarasi, the feminine perspective is represented throughout. It is proclaimed in women’s actions and reactions to both life and death. ‘Need!’ asks one male character in Negation, laughing with biting scorn, ‘can you satisfy all my needs?’
I first read them on a train to the Lake District in NW England. I was travelling with my mother and, although she wanted to reminisce, she was happy to share these stories with me. Despite the years between us, we both related to them. Though much has changed in the world, much remains the same, particularly for women! Our lives still revolve around our loved ones. Greater freedom for women has not meant fewer responsibilities or needs.
All great writing drives a reader to re-examine his/her own life and to observe the world with a new eye – this is what I hope you will experience after reading these stories. I hope that this fine collection of short stories will be read by a far-reaching audience who would not ordinarily hear the voices of Indian women. It too should be passed around, encouraging conversation and friendly interaction wherever it travels.
A blessing to all its authors and readers alike,
Zerbanoo Gifford
Author, philanthropist and the Founder of The Asha Foundation
