They were just there to serve the main character even when the story took place in their land. And then I remember quickly sinking in my seat because characters weren't even thought of equals.

I remember sitting up taller, recognizing Indian characters for the first time ever in a book in school.

'But one day in elementary school, our teacher was reading 'The Secret Garden' to us. Many people around my age, including me, were bullied mercilessly because of that character as kids,' Kelkar said. The only representation in the 80s and 90s was the incredibly racist character of Apu on the Simpsons who wasn't played by a South Asian actor. 'I was born and raised in America at a time when there wasn't any Desi representation in American books, TV shows, movies, commercials, store catalogues, or even in junk mail advertisements. Like its predecessor, 'Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame' is a book that was just waiting to be written. Will she be as strong and fierce as fire as she writes her own destiny? As she finds her strength and confidence, she must choose between helping the cause of the uprising for the greater future of the country, and her plans for her own secure future. In a similar vein, the narrative in Kelkar's new book orbits around 13-year-old Meera, who is on the run, escaping a life and a death she has no say in, while Indian soldiers' rebel against their British commanders in the First War of Independence. When her mother is jailed, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work, ensuring that her little part of the independence movement is completed. With this change comes many more adjustments designed to improve the country and use non-violent resistance to stand up to the British colonisers.Īnjali is forced to get over her past prejudices as her family becomes increasingly involved in the movement. But he isn't the one joining - Anjali's mother is. 'Ahimsa' revolved around 10-year-old Anjali, who is devastated to think of her father risking his life for the freedom struggle. 'I hope this book helps readers on that journey,' added Kelkar, who also wears the hat of a Bollywood screenplay writer.

Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar