Even though parenting is a common subject, any article or book that you refer gives forth a new dimension for the ever anxious parents. It becomes especially interesting when the book is presented by the author in the form of a story or a collection. Message driven home as an anecdote. So when we got the chance with Ronita Mitra Bhandari, we decided to go a little experimental with what we wanted to know.
Q 1 Tell us something about your book and your path to a writing career.
“Minds Unmasked” was written during the pandemic of 2020. It comprises 10 short stories. The book records human stories and human minds that battled the pandemic. The real-life events in our lives have extraordinary power. In this book, the stories remain a constant reminder that the human spirit is indomitable. The book unveils the complex traits of humans in crisis as observed during the lockdown.
My path to writing was not out of compulsion it was a passion. I started with writing diaries and journals, and gradually it transpired into writing for magazines. I started with my first project as a ghostwriter for a book. My passion for observing things and documenting them always helped me to connect with people. My first break came when I was chosen for a writing marathon and my short story got a place in the anthology with many Authors. I wrote for different websites, anthologies, and forums.
Worked as a columnist/editor for Merinews, a news portal. My first book on parenting “From a Mom’s Desk” was published by Amazon. In 2023, my first paperback book “Minds Unmasked Covid-19-Lost & Found” was launched. One of the stories was published in “The Best Asian Short-Stories 2023” launched at the Singapore Writer’s Festival 2023.
Q 2 Can you explain the empty nest syndrome that you talk about?
The empty nest syndrome is the phase that we all are indecisive about. My daughter is all set to enter the big world as she is about to leave her little nest. Out into the new world, she sets in with her new dreams, as a mother I have all my concerns, the sinking feeling of letting her go, the uncertainty of coming to terms with loneliness & void, getting used to a life where I will not have to put an alarm to wake her up for school neither will be able to see her at the end of the day. It will be hope and dreams of letting her go for a better future. We all do it as parents. My journey begins now.
Q 3 Raising a girl child and feminism, can you draw a connection for us?
Raising a girl child has been a journey towards feminism in a real sense. It is more than the cliché used in our times. We all know that our first step to make ourselves feel empowered begins with our own life as a woman. The second phase begins with raising a girl child in a way that ensures freedom to think independently, make decisions, be financially independent, have the power to raise their voice against unjust & feel confident in every way irrespective of gender, body, color, and social norms.
The two are interlinked. Feminism is a way of life. It is not male bashing, in the real sense it is what is instinctive. To give women their due share to live the way we all desire and dream of.
My Book has depicted woman characters from real life. The characters are bold, and independent in their way, each one trying to live their dreams uniquely.
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