A BOOK BY A TEENAGER

 I have attended several book launches in my long life, both as a member of the audience and some as a guest of honour. Authors of most of these book launches were adults, including some senior citizens who were releasing their memoirs or biographies. The book launch that I attended on Friday, 19th December, was different. The author was a seventeen-year-old Aadhya Surendar, a school student studying in the 12th standard. Her book `Seventeen and Anxious` was being released at the Cosmopolitan Club, Coimbatore, attended by a large gathering of relatives and friends.

Aadhya lost her mother when she was five. Though she was being brought up by her loving grandmother, she could not come out of the irreparable loss, leading to her developing mental health problems. A bright girl with a lot of creativity, she would suffer from pangs of anxiety. In writing, she found a personal outlet to process her thoughts and emotions, evolving into a form of reflection and healing. This book is her first, a deeply personal exploration of living with anxiety, growth and resilience. Through her book she seeks to bring awareness to mental health and help others navigate similar experiences.

I had helped her in getting the book published in record time, thanks to my good friend Diwakar of Compuprint. Despite the tremendous workload he had because of the music season, he ensured that the book was ready in time for the release function. It was a well-planned and executed event where Aadhya gave a moving and inspiring account of her turbulent journey, thanking everyone who stood by her during the difficult period. She proved that she is not only a good writer but also a good speaker. I had goosebumps listening to her brilliant speech. There was also audience participation in the form of a few friends and relatives talking about Aadhya.

As the guest of honour at the event, I was privileged to receive the first copy of the book from A G. Guruswamy, Aadhya`s grandfather, who runs a popular Cricket Academy in Coimbatore. In the attached photo, you can see her father, Surendar, standing at the extreme left.

Aadhya is a bundle of talent with a lot of creative energy. I am sure that this book is the first step towards her long journey as a creative person. I wish her all the best in all her future endeavours.

The book, priced at Rs 250, is available on Amazon.