Insha Khawaja (20), an engineering student hailing from South Kashmir’s Bijbihara township of Anantnag district has already penned her debut book, ‘Finding The Lost You’.
The non-fiction book authored by Insha conveys a general message of inspiration to those who are suffering from depression cum anxiety.
Talking on the diverse aspects of her life, Insha shared the journey in a candid chat with with Imtiyaz Pandow for The INS News.
Give us a brief introduction about yourself, educational and family background?
IK: I am Insha Khawaja, currently pursuing my engineering at Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora but deeply interested in the literature.
My family comprises of Mom, two younger brothers and my grandpa. I have lost my Dad in an unfortunate road accident when I was just 12 years old.
What was your aim as a student; did this writing change your aim?
IK: As a student, I desired to pursue Law because history has attracted me a lot. Conversely I was not permitted by my family to go for Law then i decided to continue with the science. Writing has always been there with me since my childhood. With time, writing developed as a passion, to be a successful author.
Tell us what about your first writing?
IK: Though I penned right from my second standard and the first piece of my write up, I remember was just a quote, not any poem or a topic. I have the record of all my write up’s and my maiden write up was “FAILURES HELP US TO KNOW THE REAL US”.
What are the interesting areas you want to write about?
IK: There are just some selected topics I want to write about. These include Motivation and inspiration, some taboos present in our society; I want to write for the downtrodden or socially outcast people. Besides there are some other topics and themes, I want to write about but at this stage, i don’t want to disclose those topics so early.
What is your inspiration?
IK: My own struggle, pain and my own life is my real inspiration. The other thing is, I feel what one can’t express in saying that must be penned down, to bestow soul with a sigh of relief.
Besides this Arundhati Roy has always been a role model for me.
What is the main issue you had discussed in your book?
IK: My book ‘Finding The Lost You’ is a general audience book, so is meant for the benefit of everyone.
In our society almost every age group is suffering from depression cum anxiety and feels a victim of worthlessness. So this book is an effort to let the reader to discover the real worth and the uniqueness which has been lost.
This book is an open counseling box, so lets the reader to rediscover the hidden gems in him or herself.
The main motive behind authoring this book is only to inspire the people and make them feel their worth.
Life is like a see-saw, if at one point we are facing the tough situation we must not lose hope, instead we must always focus on the reality that sunsets are bound by the sunrises.
What are the hardships you faced while compiling your maiden book?
IK: A list of hardships was there but rather hardships I call them the ladders to step ahead. Like I never knew how to publish the work or what to be done in order to get the manuscript published. Besides finance was the prime challenge for.
The other dare was to convince my family who really never wanted me to be severed from my engineering.
Share the experience of your journey from student to an author?
IK: It was like achieving the peace within myself. Still, I may say the exhilarated journey is yet to be accomplished as I have miles to go before I sleep.
Did writing satisfy you?
IK: Writing was never so easy as to be narrated but still to some extent I can say the peace is attained now.
Not only after the book, but every time I write, it seems my soul has attained a peace.
By my writings, I put my heart out on the paper from where none can rebuke back.
Writing has always been my way of speaking to the masses of universe. And i am in love with such enticing way of communication. Notably, my debut manuscript, ‘Finding The Lost You’ is my love and peace.
When, where and who published your book and how many copies of it were published till now?
IK: Initially, I didn’t know anything about the publishing then one of my friends Durakhshan Qadri, presently doing her honors in physics from Jamia Millia Delhi gained some information about the publishing company Notion Press, headquarters in Chennai. She insisted me to talk to them and finally it was done.
I started to work on this topic in February as guidance for my own self. Then it was April when i started to work on it as a book.
Finally it was published this year September. Till now the number of copies published may be around 500-600.
What are your future plans, do you want to continue writing or you have any other plans?
IK: Who knows what next moment holds for us, so I guess future doesn’t exist.
Still, with a hope I feel I must say I want to work as an author. I want to write more and more which would benefit the society in one or other way.
What about prospective writers?
IK: Everyone has a different way of living and also have an unalike mindset.
A general message I want to convey to the growing buds is that continue to work on the best part of you.
Work on your flaws to carve the best of you. Don’t feel discouraged because you are always special and unique. Know your worth and try to know where you actually belong .
Don’t compare yourself to anyone because you are you and they can’t be you. Be your own inspiration and learn to speak up for yourself.
If anyone wants to publish the work but isn’t able to do so, to them I want to say don’t feel disheartened because as a writer you must know writing means to have an endurance.
Relax and continue to write, one day the doors will unlock definitely
Message to girls?
IK: Be your own heroes and always try to make the parents proud because their smile is priceless.
We have our own dreams too, nurture the dreams and attain new heights.
