Lies Our Mothers Told Us: The Indian Woman’s Burden

Indian women are among the most overworked in the world — they spend on average 299 minutes on housework and 134 minutes on caregiving per day, shouldering 82 per cent of domestic duties even while having full-time jobs. Indian women, especially those from the middle-class families, are uniquely challenged. Reeling under the dual force of tradition and modernity, they find themselves dumped with more expectations than they can handle. Journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick uses data and anecdotal evidence and asks if, in our patriarchal society, the assertion that ‘women can have it all’ comes at too high a price.

With several bestsellers behind her, Preeti Shenoy’s characters are mostly empowered women. Her newest novel is a bitter-sweet journey set across a lush coffee estate and bright city lights. Growing up in the windowless, cramped servant’s room at Mrs Shetty’s luxurious house, where her mother is a maid, Alka dreams of an escape. When Mrs Shetty sends her to the same school as her daughter, Alka’s life takes a turn. She ends up marrying a coffee grower and her life is perfect, until a secret past comes to haunt her present and destroy the life she has built.

China is undoubtedly the greatest strategic challenge India faces today. The competition is only growing and has the potential to impact the stability and security of the wider region. In his book, ‘The China Factor’, author Shantanu Roy-Chaudhary explores Beijing’s political, economic and defence relations with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and weighs the dividends of the bilateral relationships to better comprehend the geopolitical subtleties in the region. The book draws out the implications for India, illuminates New Delhi’s engagement with its neighbours, and suggests policy recommendations for the way forward.

From writing textbooks to fiction in Hindi and English, Delhi-born, Bihar-raised and Canada-based Gaurav Sharma has come a long way. In between, he turned publisher and now self-publishes his works. The latest is ‘Diary of a Whimsical Lover’, the story of an introvert author-publisher, who finds himself in love with a bold and beautiful Maya. Years pass on, but the feelings don’t subside, forcing him to introspect and do something about it. Determined to finally express his unconditional love for Maya, the author finds himself at his vulnerable best. Will he succeed?