Zarina’s ‘Purdah to Piccadilly’ book released

Zarina’s ‘Purdah to Piccadilly’ book released

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 10

Eminent author and Padma Shri Vikram Seth released a book ‘Purdah to Piccadilly’, written by Zarina Bhatty, at the Woodside Cottage in Landour Cantonment Board here yesterday.

Vikram Seth said the book threw light on Zarina Bhatty’s struggles and experiences.

The book traces the life of Zarina Bhatty, a Muslim woman born and brought up in pre-Partition India. The memoir narrates the experiences of the woman who strove to break out of the stereotypical roles imposed by the society. It chronicles her life over 80 years, portraying the political and social conditions of the undivided and the post-Independent India. Zarina’s is a story of grit, perseverance and determination to battle against all odds — a story that was waiting to be told, said Vikram Seth. He commended the author for the book and said that the society would derive inspiration from her work.

Zarina said she was born in a tradtional Muslim family, when the women did not have many rights and nobody valued them. But she worked through such society and moved forward. She said she had written the book at the age of 82.