*** Special Feature - March 2015 ***
About the Author
She
was ten when she was caught reading in the bathroom late into the night. Her mother banned her from reading ‘story
books’ for a whole month. She decided if she couldn’t read, she’d write her own
stories. That night in a naval apartment in the then city of Bombay, Veena
Nagpal’s passion for writing was born.
She
now lives in a small house with her husband and lots of plants in a suburb of
New Delhi.
The
Uncommon Memories of Zeenat Qureishi is Veena’s third novel to be published.
She has also penned four books for children and numerous short stories. Her two previous novels are, Karmayogi (Jaico) and
Compulsion (Sterling).
Her
four children’s books are, Adventures in Sapace and Time Travellers (IBH),
Smuggler’s Isle (Hemkunt), Tenderella and the FoFs (EEP) and Garbie Garbyhog –
The Worm That Wanted To Fly (EEP).
Contact the Author
Her Children’s Books:
‘Tenderella and the FoFs’ published by Environment Education Promoters.
‘Garbie Garbyhog: The Worm that wanted to Fly’ published by Environment Education Promoters.
‘Smugglers’ Isle’ published by Hemkunt and
‘Adventures in Space and Time Travelers’ published by India Book House.
“Yes, I know there’s supposed to be this great divide that separates writing for children and writing for adults,” says Veena. “Somehow I’ve never felt it. It’s not as if I switch modes consciously – I just don’t see too much difference. Both need a good plot, true-to-life characters and easy-flowing dialogue. Straight from the heart writing – no pretensions…”
Her two books ‘Garbie Garbyhog – The Worm That Wanted To Fly,’ and ‘Tenderella and the FoFs,’ are written specifically to create environment awareness among children.
As an environmental activist Veena Nagpal has been actively campaigning to change the mindset of future generations through motivational children’s fiction and fun-filled activities.
THE FRIENDS OF TENDERELLA™ PROJECT
A Fun-learning project to teach children that pollution and abuse of the environment can only lead to anger and violence, that in order to save our earth we need to inculcate a tender spirit, and to show them a way out by helping them grow herbal plants.
1. The Initiation is done through an inspirational audio-visual presentation so that children themselves want to become friends of Tenderella and foes of Angeroids, ugly creatures born every time man’s actions harm the environment in any of its aspect i.e. land, air, water, forests, coral, other creatures and humans themselves. The presentation is supported by facts and figures and introduces the concept of Sustainable development.
2. The children are then taken to the school garden and engaged in an activity – viz. Planting of herbs - to inculcate in them a tender spirit. Each child is given a pot and a plant, taught how to make the pot mixture and take ownership and tender care of his/her plant
PROPOGATING THE TENDER SPIRIT OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
The Friends of Garbyhog™ Project
A Fun-learning Project aimed at teaching children that bio-degradable garbage need not be littered on the roads, and showing them a way out.
1. Initiation: This is done with a highly inspirational audio visual presentation to put the problem into perspective, till the children are motivated to take a pledge.
2. The EEP Pledge: “A Clean Environment Is My Birthright And I Shall Work For It.”
3. Children are taken to a site ear marked in the school garden and are taught how to make the Garbyhog Home and Garbyhog Kitchen.
4. These are then filled with dried leaves.
5. Children water them for fifteen days and keep them covered.
6.Once the leaves are softened the Garbyhogs come home
7.Six weeks later the compost is ready for harvesting.
About the Book
Two young cousins hell-bent on restoring Muslim glory, even if it means importing terror. An incendiary Hindu religious leader with one mantra, 'Break-mosques, build- temples.'
Zeenat Qureishi has one question, "What's my name? Why can't you tell me my name?"
Traumatized in the aftermath of the London Tube bomb- ing, the phobic 20-year-old comes to India. Long before Zeenat was born, the eldest Qureishi brother, his wife, and six-year-old daughter Zainab were murdered.
Zeenat's family believed the Mehras, their Hindu family friends, responsible and the friendship turned sour. Wild and impetuous Zeenat promptly falls in love with Ajay Mehra. Faced with proof that he was involved in the demolition of a mosque, she scorns him.
Disturbed, Zeenat undergoes regression therapy in an atmosphere of paranoia and uncovers memories so powerful that she can project them. Communal bitterness that has simmered for centuries threatens to explode around her and Zeenat tries to find answer in the past that will help her understand and heal the present.
Book Trailer
Find the Book
Goodreads * Amazon.com * Amazon.in * Flipkart
First Giveaway
One Signed Copy of the book to a lucky Indian Resident
Second Giveaway
Submit a Video clip
(Not more than 2 minute)
The reader should say what he/she liked about the book and should read aloud your favorite quote from of the book.
Entrants must:
1.‘Like’ the Uncommon Memories Facebook page
2. Post their video clip on the Uncommon Memories Facebook page and
3. Send a copy to veena.nagpal@rediffmail.com.
All submitted material will become the property of the Author who may use it for publicity purposes.
The Entry that receives the maximum ‘Likes’ (by 31st March) will receive the
PRIZE of a £20 Amazon Gift Coupon from the Author.
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