Patiala Reads holds session with American author of Afghan origin Nadia Hashimi

Tribune News Service

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Patiala, August 27

An all women book readers club – Patiala Reads – held another virtual book meet yesterday night with Nadia Hashimi, an American author of Afghan origin.

Briefing on the event founding member of the club, Neetu Narula, said Nadia’s parents came to the US as refugees. “A paediatrician and author of four international bestselling novels Nadia has also written two children novels, including ‘One Half Of The East’ and ‘The Sky At Our Feet’,” said Narula.

Four of her novels are set in war torn Afghanistan narrating heartbreaking stories of women and children, including ‘The Pearl That Broke Its Shell’ , ‘When The Moon Is Low’ , ‘A House Without Windows’ and the latest book ‘Sparks Like Stars’, all smashing hits.

“Nadia was the first Afghan-American women democratic candidate running for the US House of representatives from Maryland province. She is also working relentlessly with various NGOs for the rehabilitation of Afghan women and children,” Narula added.

The interaction was moderated by Neha Aggarwal, a Punjab Police officer. Considering the current situation in Afghanistan the talk centred more on the work being done by global organisations than her books.

Manju Verma, a university professor, who has worked with the United Nations for six years for human rights and women issues, briefed about the session.

More than 20 members attended the meet. Nadia said, “I see Afghanistan as a survivor victimised by colonialism, imperialism, the cold war and at times by its own people. Two muscle flexing super powers holding one hand each shredded the country

to pieces.”