A Feminist Voice Against Colonial Atrocities: Dr. Harmeet Kaur Bhalla’s Award-Winning Novel on Human Trafficking
New Delhi [India], May 23: Dr Harmeet Kaur Bhalla was born on 08/08/1970 in Jhansi a city in Uttar Pradesh. Her schooling in a convent helped her in developing herself and imbibing good values. She is a published multilingual author of four poetry books Kohinoor and Red Pepper Black Pepper, Alive and We Were Born To Die.
Her first award winning novel ‘She Will Move Mountains’ of the trilogy series deals with a sensitive themes of human trafficking and the helplessness of unwed mothers during the pre-Independence era of India It displays emotions high and low. The female protagonist Miranda travels to the mesmerizing mountains of Shimla the Summer Capital and falls in love with Yogeshwar. She struggles and survives.
This novel is perfect for film/ ott as it covers three generations and deals with the hidden aspects as well as the filthy secrets of human trafficking. The vicissitudes of the characters are thoughtfully portrayed and the work bears a proper beginning, middle and end.
Poetry flows in her blood now. Her poems are inspiring and motivational. She writes poems for women, men and children of all ages. She has written one thousand poems and most of them end with a message. She wants to change not many but some of them through her writings. She actively participates in educational programmes and talk shows for the upliftment of children’s education as well as women empowerment.
She wants children to inculcate the habit of reading books. She writes specially for the girl child. She writes Haiku and Tanka. Her poems have been published in several national and international anthologies. She presented a paper on Indian Women in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2017. She is doctorate in English literature from CSJM University Kanpur. After working as a lecturer she is now working as a School Principal in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh India.
Her fourth collection of poetry We Were Born To Die and a collection of short stories My Heart Will Go On And On is now published. Her ten books for children include six in Adventures of Roop series, The Red, Blue and Green Dustbins of Munnu (activity book)A to Z book of Animals (activity book) Ruhan aur uska jadui joota (Hindi) and Red Pepper Black Pepper (poetry book for children).
She Will Move Mountains – Book 1
Q1. Tell us about your book.
Ans- SHE WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS is a novel based on human trafficking. The story has the backdrop Shimla the summer capital of the British before Independence. Miranda comes in search of her friend Alice to Shimla. She comes across several dark secrets at Baker Street. Hundreds of girls were being trafficked and being supplied to British officers.
They became pregnant and sick or were left to die. Miranda falls in love with Yogeshwar who accompanies her in her search for Alice. She meets Indian women freedom fighters and plans a revolt. She eventually frees thousands of women and stays back in Shimla.
Q2. Why did you choose this topic?
Ans- While reading Indian history and British Colonialism I found human trafficking a hidden chapter. Thousands of women are lying buried with their stories still unheard. Someone had to bring their pain and struggle forward. Miranda came as a saviour and the mountains speak her story of intense love and sacrifice.
Q3. What inspired you to write this book?
Ans- Well I am a feminist and the pain and struggles of females keep my mind occupied. Being a student of history I came across many movements and revolts but something was missing. When I delved deep into the British history I came across human trafficking. The innocent Indian and English girls were used by the British soldiers for their sexual satisfaction. This was indeed heart rending. I feel I am the chosen one as I write for them.
Q4. Can you tell us about any key aspect of your book?
Ans- My novel She Will Move Mountains is book 1 of the trilogy. Mountains are symbolic of the inborn strength and power of women. Miranda comes to India but she had the capability to get along well with the Indians. She doesn’t sit back but faces the hungry men and fights back. She is perfect definition of a woman.
She Will Move Mountains – Book 1
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