Epiphany can release the trapdoor of the mind at unexpected moments. For Varsha Adusumilli, it was a trip to Jaipur for a wedding that set her on a journey to turning an author.
The barrage of questions thrown at women at such social events — that stemmed from adverse power structures in society — led the Bengaluru-based author to explore more, and eventually put her thoughts down in her first book ‘Wonder Girls’ (Juggernaut).
‘Wonder Girls’ covers, or rather uncovers, the journeys of millennial women who’ve chosen unconventional careers and excelled despite the odds stacked against them.
The debut work, featuring her interactions with several unsung, but highly resourceful women who were achievers in their own right, was launched recently at The Storyteller’s Bar, The Promenade.
As Ms. Varsha recently said in an interview to this newspaper, though the media often puts the spotlight on women achievers, these women are so far ahead in their respective fields that they are more admired than emulated. She felt that young girls like the ones she met would benefit from were a set of more relatable role models — women who speak their language and perhaps could be someone from their own neighbourhoods.
‘Wonder Girls’ brings real and relatable role models to young women with its collection of 15 inspirational stories about everyday Indian girls, their career choices and the challenges they’ve overcome to make a name for themselves in society.
The book launch was followed by a Q&A hosted by Ruth Sequeira, one of the interviewees for the book, and a classical dance performance curated and presented by Priyanka Chandrasekhar, another ‘wonder girl’ featured in Varsha's book.
