ROADMAP TO LOVE AND FAITH

Name: Krishma Tuli Arora. I was named by my grandfather. The word karishma in Hindi means miracle. My grandfather was an engineer and an early contractor in Chandigarh after he moved there with his family following the partition of India in 1947. He had built many of the government and private buildings in the city but had not been paid for years. Cases that had been in court were suddenly solved on the day of my birth and he was awarded a lot of money and given special recognition. Thus, I was a miracle!

Currently: My novel From Ash to Ashes released this May (see Bookworm’s review here). I am also in the middle of writing my second book, Brown Girl’s Guide, which will be a non-fiction collection of essays on womanhood and motherhood as seen through the eyes of a woman of colour.

Favourite colours: Emerald green and red wine for the winter, and any shade of pink and periwinkle for the summer.

Favourite designers: I love Alo for my workout gear and Zimmerman for a party. And I love to wear a lehenga or sharara if I’m wearing Indian.

Favourite Bollywood stars: Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan are a close tie.

Favourite Hollywood star: Ryan Gosling.

Favourite movie: Pride and Prejudice. Any version of it (including Bride and Prejudice by Gurdinder Chadha)!

Favourite singers: Diljit Dosanjh, Ed Sheeran, and The Weeknd.

Favourite song: Too many and they change.

Favourite TV shows: Seinfeld and Korean drama (hooked on them).

Favourite ice cream flavours: Chocolate or coffee toffee if they have it.

Favourite cuisine: Indian, but I love food in general.

Favourite restaurant: Gosh, another hard one! I love food from all different parts of the world. Nothing like my mom’s cooking though, which I don’t get to have everyday.

Favourite sport: Basketball. My boys used to be on their school basketball team. I used to love cheering them on and watching them play.

Favourite sportsperson: Michael Jordan (MJ) because of his work ethic and, of course, skills.

Favourite book: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. I read it in college and it left a lasting impression on me.

Favourite activities: Dancing, especially Bhangra, because I can completely let go and it makes me happy. Also travelling, because I want to see and experience more of the world.

I hang out: With my husband, four kids, my family and our friends.

I’m freaked out by: Zombie movies, bloody and gruesome images.

I need: TLC (tender loving care) as I am sensitive and can get emotional easily (ask my kids – I cry during every movie).

I want to be: The best human being I can be in terms of using my time on earth to help other people even in the smallest ways, by being kind and humble, for example.

My role models: Some of my female friends who are strong and independent minded women, because they have never let what others think and say get in the way of their dreams.

Tips to save the planet: Please recycle, don’t litter, and save the ocean floors from fishermen destroying vital sea life by spreading awareness.

In a perfect world: All wars would end because people would finally understand that the greed for power is actually foolishness. Oh, and of course, the problem of gun violence would disappear because people and governments would finally understand that our children and their safety (especially in school) is more important than anything else.

• More about Krishma at www. krishmatuliarora.com and @krishma writes.

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