Shikha Khanduja Kaul is an Indian author who was born in Amritsar, Punjab. Her family moved to Gurgaon in 1992 and she has seen the city grow from a small town to being the Millennium City of India. She completed her schooling from Gurgaon and later graduated with Honours in Physics from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (HR) from Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning.
A mother to a beautiful daughter and a wife to the handsomest husband, a daughter to loving parents and a daughter-in-law to the most caring parents-in-law, she works in the Staffing Industry and is passionate about penning her thoughts and creating stories out of thin air. She loves to dance and spend time with her little princess. In short, she can be described as a complete woman who ensures she goes to bed with a content smile every day; someone who manages her 24 hours, balancing both her personal and professional lives, perfectly.
She found her passion for writing not too long ago. Her debut fiction novel is a love-story with a touch of the realities prevailing in the Indian society that form the foundation of the biases against women for centuries. She hopes to come up with at least one novel every year for as many years as she can. With the plethora of ideas that the author in her is eager to offer, she wishes her readers ‘Happy Reading’.
Buy her book here: Amazon (and don't forget to drop your reviews)
Here we get to know her more closely:
Nainika: Hi Shikha, so how would you like to define yourself?
Shikha: I love to experiment new things in life and writing was one of those, which came a surprise to me. I have been into a profession where I get to meet and interact with people from across the world (being in staffing industry) and I have always enjoyed my work. I am a Libran and have all the qualities of a Libran- balanced, calm, composed, confident and a bit short-tempered too. But the best part about my temper is it subsides within seconds. I mostly would have an opinion about everything in life. Sometimes I share and sometimes I just absorb.
Writing makes it easier for me to express myself and my views. Although I am an extrovert, I still find it easier to exhibit my emotions through pen as it always has a stronger and lasting impact.
Nainika: Tell us something about your journey as an author so far?
Shikha: As I have mentioned, it just came as a surprise to me. I was never too much into books. I would read just once in a while. It began with writing short articles on LinkedIn and gradually it became an obsession. I had a wonderful story in mind and just knew I had to pen it down. And the result was my debut novel ‘Hidden Husband’.
The book has come out better than my own expectations. It has been a great journey so far and I am still living with all my characters every moment of my life.
Nainika: How does it feel to have your book released, and getting such good reviews?
Shikha: Being an author was never an ambition for me. I always used to wonder how authors could have so much patience to write endlessly and could come up with new words, emotions, thoughts, stories all their lives. But then when it hit me, I knew it’s possible and anyone can write. It only makes you a better person.
Sometimes I just go speechless with such amazing reviews and that too from the best reviewers in the industry. It’s like raining 4/5 ratings everyday and I am loving it.
Nainika: Define your book in a single line.
Shikha: A woman’s journey of love, desires, compassion, challenges and sacrifice, and a book that everyone would relate to.
Nainika: “Hidden Husband”, title seems quite interesting; would you like to share something about your book?
Shikha: Well, the title says it all. It’s all hidden. You need to read it to explore.
All right, well it’s a love story that unfolds the dark side of our society in a very simple way, in the eyes of a simple girl, who is forced to keep her secret hidden from the rest of the world. You will re-live the moments and life of India which we all have experienced in this decade.
Nainika: What inspired you to write, “Hidden Husband”?
Shikha: People and the world around. The filth of the societal traditions and customs which is only degrading our roots and freedom. The greed, the casteism, the criminal minds, the fear, the hatred…and yet everything and everyone exist midst a charmer called love.
Nainika: Please throw some light on the lead characters of your book.
Shikha: About the protagonist Aisha…every girl/ woman would find something in Aisha common to her. She is a kind of girl every guy could easily fall in love with. A lover’s girl, a parents’ daughter, a husband’s wife, she plays all roles to the best of her capabilities, at times at the cost of her own desires.
Raghav, Aisha’s love, although lives through the beginning till the end of the book, he remains a mystery to Aisha and would possibly remain a mystery to the readers as well. He is a common man sandwiched between his true love and the society. Many men would relate to him and his life.
The best part about the book is that every reader would wish it would not end.
Nainika: Are your characters inspired from the real life people you come across?
Shikha: Yes, almost all of them.
Nainika: Is there any character that resembles you somewhere?
Shikha: Yes, Aisha…a lot! She is very much like me, her thought process, her helplessness, her look-out on everything in life, her connection with God, her inspiration through her dreams. If I had been at her place, I would have done and undergone everything she goes through.
Nainika: Why do you think should readers choose your book?
Shikha: It’s a complete new and a refreshing story, unlike usual love stories. People would actually wonder whether to even call it a love story. It has got so much and covers so many aspects of our lives and society. It promises to be a page turner with a new twist every now and then. I assure everyone would love the book.
Nainika: What changes is your book capable of bring
ing to the reader’s life?
Shikha: The readers would possibly look at every negative aspect of our society in a new way, in a fresh way and with intent to improve themselves and the world around. The book will make you smile, make you cry, make you feel happy and at times wonder where we are going wrong. Every reader would end up recommending this book to others.
Nainika: How was your experience with Gargi Publishers?
Shikha: Simply amazing. From the very moment when I first met Pulkit Gupta in World Book Fair this year to each and every step of transforming my manuscript into a beautiful book. From the cover page to the print, from the promotions to the effort of bringing the best for the readers. And not to forget, for choosing my work to be published among so many other manuscripts, I am grateful to Gargi Publishers as they have changed my world. I owe them this recognition and love of my readers.
Nainika: Would you like to give any message to the readers?
Shikha: Please read my book. It will certainly touch your hearts. Live and enjoy your life as it comes only once. Finally, work to become not to acquire.
(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers)
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