The culturally vibrant city of Aizawl witnessed an evening of profound introspection and emotional candour as The Write Circle, an initiative of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, hosted an illuminating literary session featuring author and humanitarian Shehnab Sahin. In conversation with Amelia Lalremdiki Sailo, Ehsaas Woman of Aizawl, who also delivered the welcome note, the evening unfolded as a moving exploration of memory, identity, resilience, and the search for belonging.
Opening the conversation with remarkable honesty, Sahin shared that she identifies as being on the autism and ADHD spectrum, adding that she hoped each listener would find something personally meaningful in her reflections. What followed was an unflinching account of grief, transformation, and purpose. Recalling the sudden loss of her father at sixteen, she reflected, “When you lose a primary attachment figure that early in life, something shifts forever.”
The author spoke candidly about the pressures of responsibility that followed, describing how the tragedy ignited a relentless desire “to become the man of the family.” Her reflections on navigating societal expectations, academic ambition, and emotional turmoil resonated deeply with the audience. She also critiqued conventional ideas of success, observing how young people are often pushed toward socially sanctioned careers while their inner calling remains unheard.
One of the evening’s most powerful themes was the importance of listening to one’s “inner voice.” Recounting how images from the Syrian conflict moved her profoundly, Sahin shared how this awakening eventually led her to humanitarian work with refugees in Jordan. “I felt good waking up every day knowing my life meant something to someone,” she remarked.
The discussion also explored themes of identity and alienation following her return to Assam. Speaking about the changing social landscape, she reflected, “This was not the Assam of my father’s time.” Her deeply personal account of struggling with belonging and confronting her religious identity was delivered with moving vulnerability. Writing, she explained, became an act of survival during periods of intense emotional distress.
Speaking about her acclaimed book Color My Grave Purple, Sahin emphasised the importance of reclaiming narratives from the Northeast beyond violence and insurgency. “We are not a population to be defined only through conflict,” she asserted. The conversation also touched upon gender, mental health, and global humanitarian crises, with Sahin offering sharp yet nuanced observations on contemporary realities.
The evening concluded with a moving reading from the author’s work, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks by Amelia Lalremdiki Sailo. As a gesture of appreciation, the author was felicitated with traditional stringed puppets from Western India, bringing the evening to a graceful close.
This session of The Write Circle was organized with the support of Ehsaas Women of Aizawl, in association with Oil India; Hospitality Partner, Folkland
