Author of two novels, Cloud 9 Minus One and Flight of the Flamingo, Sangeeta has chosen the uncelebrated world of real women doing real things in urban India as the backdrop for her stories. She was once a business executive with a MBA from IIM, Bangalore, and entrepreneur, and now writes on themes surrounding contemporary women. Sangeeta did her masters in creative writing from the University of Pittsburgh a few years ago, living a life that she now writes about. We had a little chat with her, here is what she had to say-
Tell us more about yourself and what you do
I'm a novelist. I've published two novels, Cloud 9 Minus One and Flight of the Flamingo. Being a writer was my childhood dream but I chose to do my MBA and become a business executive followed by an entrepreneur for several years, since it's hard to make a living from writing. Once I became financially secure, I gave up my business and did a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh when I was in my mid-forties. Now all my time is given to writing and curating. I help other writers, especially first time writers, of fiction about urban women with their work. I'm a Humanist and edit the International Humanist News, a London-based publication about Humanist activities around the world.
What is The Beyond Pink series about?
Beyond Pink is a platform for urban, Indian women. There's hardly any fiction, written or audio-visual, about real women in India doing real things, and dealing with the hairpin bends in their lives. Beyond Pink encourages women to write fiction that has at its core the new, urban Indian woman, who has the power to deal with the challenges in her life. As a curator, I help women writing such fiction to 'finish' their writing and find a publisher for it. More on Beyond Pink can be found here.
In recent times there have been huge debates about women 'having it all', what do you think, can urban women 'have it all'?
In every individual's life, there is something called balance. There's no such thing as 'all'. Balance has to be generated from within as much as through external circumstances. Nobody can have it all. Traditionally, women have been handed a greater responsibility towards raising their family. This extends not just to children but also, after a certain age, the senior citizens in their family. Holding conventional jobs and looking after their family effectively poses a huge challenge. But as children, girls must believe they can have it 'all', and dream of scaling great heights in their chosen field. It becomes a parental responsibility to encourage girls to reach for the top. Only when this happens will girls develop the ability to deal with the challenges that come their way. I believe women can deal with the situations in their lives only if they've grown up to believe in themselves and have got a chance to develop their abilities. In India, women have access to domestic help at very affordable prices, and that can help them greatly in scheduling their activities.
A Message to all SHEROES out there.
Self-belief is the biggest asset a woman can have. Indian society has traditionally looked down upon women and challenged their ability to go beyond the four walls of the house. In this era of dramatic change, the challenge for women is to face up to social mores and yet retain their perspective and sense of purpose. Confidence in themselves and their work is the ultimate tool of effectiveness.