Finding GURMEHAR
Not averse to joining politics, author and activist Gurmehar Kaur says it is sad that young women holding important positions in major political parties are tentative about contesting in the future.
Tell us a bit about your second book
It is called the Young and the
Restless and focuses on nine young activists/politicians involved in the Indian electoral process. By 2019, this country will have the youngest population in the world. I thought it would be interesting for readers to get a glimpse of young leaders in the country and their ambitions for the nation they want to lead. Penguin Random House will be publishing my book in April next year.
Did you face problems while researching it?
Yes, I was looking for politicians hoping to find an equal number of men and women to write about. However, it was heartbreaking to see that not enough young women are working towards taking part in electoral politics. Given the limited opportunities available out there, even young women holding important positions in major political parties were unsure whether they would contest elections in future.
How has life changed after your first book?
Life has been very different. I feel I am more settled now and have more clarity as to where I want to head in life and the kind of work I want to do. The purpose remains the same—creating a better society—but the path has become much clearer. I felt rather lost and unsure when we last met, which was my first interview ever, and I remember being nervous. Now I know how to handle tough questions. Clarity and stability are what I wanted and I can feel myself getting there.
What do you say about the perception that people of your generation aren't politically conscious?
In the last five years we have seen several student leaders entering mainstream politics. The conversation that used to happen only in the workplace or spaces that were traditionally meant for the older generation is now taking place on WhatsApp, social media, coffee houses, and poetry slams. The youth are definitely more aware now than it ever was.
Your comments on the crackdown on liberals and their arrests
It shows a deep-seeded insecurity in the constitutionally mandated right of free speech. It is ironic that the people who supposedly protect and champion free speech are actually very insecure about the concept. Thus, by curtailing liberals, they just reiterate that they stand for free speech in name only and not in action.
With so much happening, I sometimes feel like I'm not enjoying my student life enough. Some extra hours for Netflix would be fun
My first book helped me get all my emotions out and share my story. The readers constantly send so much love that I feel like I'm not alone in this.
Any plans to join politics?
It is not something that I haven't thought of, but ever since I started writing this book, I have realised that this is not an easy path to tread. It is hard—mentally, emotionally and economically. I do want to study further and maybe then I will see where life takes me.
What do you like to do besides writing?
I go to college, finish assignments and sometimes go out with friends for movies. But with so much happening, I sometimes feel like I'm not enjoying my student life enough. Some extra hours for Netflix would be fun.
How did you handle the post-Tweet controversy phase
The process of writing my first book helped me get all my emotions out and share my story with people. The readers constantly send so much love that I feel like I'm not alone in this. And that is very comforting.