A new book by a prominent author explores personal themes drawn from a challenging year. The author faced a shocking breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 and experienced the sudden loss of her mother, prompting her to reflect on illness and grief and their emotional toll. She connects these personal struggles to her extensive travels, which have spanned eight countries and nine cities since the late 1990s, and contemplates how to interpret difficult experiences as transformative journeys.
The book includes a chapter addressing the concept of “passportism,” which highlights the hierarchy that influences global mobility based on nationality. The author discusses her feelings about retaining her Indian passport, despite being married to a Spanish citizen for 25 years. She draws parallels between nationality and social hierarchies, stating that passport holders from wealthier nations have greater freedom to travel compared to those from less fortunate backgrounds.
In her writing, the author emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s subjectivity in narratives, particularly contrasting the traditional, gendered structures present in journalism. She criticizes the notion that women, particularly mothers, should separate their personal and professional lives, describing this division as unrealistic and detrimental.
The author reflects on her parenting experience, mentioning a phase of adopting a strict “tiger mom” approach inspired by cultural expectations, which she later reconsidered. Her experiences in Spain revealed differing parenting norms, allowing her to appreciate the need for balance and adaptation influenced by cultural context.
Additionally, the author explores how names and languages shape identity and perception. She describes how different names can offer new freedoms and insights, enhancing one’s understanding of diverse cultures and ways of life. While advocating for the virtues of travel, she acknowledges that not everyone has the same access to cultural exploration, encouraging readers to find curiosity in their local environments.
Source: Reported based on publicly available information from timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
