Dear Ishita and Naomi,
Your book occupies a special place on my bedside table and in my heart
It was love at first sight. The minute I held this book in my hands, I knew this would be my go-to whenever my spirits are down. The beautiful illustrations in the book do not just lift my spirits but also puts a smile on my face. I caress each page to draw the strength and resilience it wraps in its words. I hug it close to my heart to feel the love and care the women and girls of my country share.
‘The Girl who went to the stars and other Extraordinary Lives’ is a collection of incredible stories that teach passion and courage. About the Indian women who followed their dreams, however difficult they seemed, and showed us we can be anything we want to be.
I gazed dreamily at the Milky way with Kalpana Chawla.
I learned to befriend and hug the trees when Amrita Devi sacrificed her life protesting deforestation — “If a tree is saved even at the cost of one’s head, it is worth it.”
I cheered as Mithali hit the six and lifted the cup — forever changing the way India sees women in cricket.
I walked on the clouds and frozen sheets, where feeling toes was a choice, with Bachendri Pal.
I looked at Amrita Sher-Gil’s self-portrait in awe and drew strength and passion from her colors.
I drew the resilience from Cornelia Sorabji, who fought hard against the rules which didn’t allow a girl to study law, to become the first female lawyer
I leaped across the rooftops and fought the bad men with Fearless Nadia.
I learned how to be strong from Harshali Kahnekar and how to dare from Kiran Bedi.
I learned how age is just a number in front of your passion from Leila Seth’s achievement.
I learned how to protect my country’s cultures and nourish them with Mahasweta Devi.
I admired Mary Kom’s strength and Never-give-up attitude.
And many, many more.
In a country that believes a woman’s place belongs in the house, this book is oxygen to every girl out there. Because a woman’s place is where she wants to be. These women defied the typical social norms and ruled in every field when they were not even allowed to enter.
When you have a passion and reason to fight, you can beat all the odds. Fight for your dreams. No one has the right to snatch them away from you. Be bold. Be confident. Never give up.
Ishita and Namoi, while my dreams started crawling back into their dormitory, your book has given me a substantial reason to step back into the light. Whenever I feel low or guilty for not chasing after my dreams, I look at your book and fuel my them back to gear. A little happy thing to feed my emotions and dreams tenderly. Thank you so much for giving us this wondrous book.
that was her magic, she could still see the sunset, even on those darkest days — atticus
Yours,
Vidya.
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