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Rifat Mohidin
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, September 10
Azra Mufti, 27, a Valley resident, has come up with her second book – ‘Shattered Dreams’. The book focuses on the lives of two Kashmiri girls who are civil service aspirants but are able to pursue their dream due to mental illness.
Her first book, ‘Tearful Pages’, which was released in 2016, was based on gender violence in Kashmir.
Azra says the idea of writing came to her after witnessing life in the Valley.
“Writing is an emotional escape. It gives vent to my feelings and helps me to connect to the real life experiences and stories,” says Azra, who is from Baramulla district.
The book was released in Kolkata last week and is available on Flipkart, Amazon and the website of the publisher, 24by7 Publishing. It revolves around two characters, Asma and Aiza, both in their 20s, who are ambitious, independent and intelligent, she says.
“It revolves around their lives and unveils various perspectives of their life. Both girls aspire for the civil services but are not able to pursue their dream due to a mental illness,” she says. Both girls meet unexpectedly and develop a strong bond, Azra says, adding that the book indirectly talks about the consequences of the ongoing conflict on the aspirations of Kashmir’s younger generation.
“Being born and brought up in a conflict zone, they find their lives tangled in dreams, desires and fear. On one of those lazy days, a shocking revelation about Asma turns their lives upside down,” says Azra.
Focused on mental illness, Azra says she has witnessed the problem closely in her friends and relatives.
“It talks about the issue (depression) and how it can break and shake a person from within. The book takes us on a journey of shattered dreams and desires. It talks about dreams, desires and the roller-coaster ride that people have to undergo in life,” she says.
Mufti, who has done postgraduation in management, is currently pursuing PhD in management from Jammu.