It’s a book that sparks meaningful conversations. For Saleha Singh, Brindarica Bose, and Vinita Godinho, She Connects—the seventh collection of short stories written by 16 women authors of Indian origin from around the globe—is part of a truly compelling narrative.
Saleha, Brindarica, and Vinita work across different professions but share a passion for storytelling. The She project, which includes this book, is designed to create a space where women’s voices can be heard and their diverse stories can be shared and celebrated.
“I love to tell stories,” says Saleha, a Melbourne-based communications professional who also runs her own video podcast—Chai, Chat & Community. “When the opportunity arose to write for the SHE Writers Group, I jumped at it. Since joining in 2021, I’ve written about courageous women who shattered stereotypes and became shining beacons of hope. This is my way of sharing with my readers the power of women—why we should celebrate their resilience in the face of adversity.”
Brindarica, a Swiss citizen and professional artist with a long background in publishing, is the creator of the She group, her brainchild. “With She Connects, I had a personal story to share, one I’ve never told anyone before, about an experience I had a few years ago while traveling from Zurich to India. And being involved in publishing for over 20 years, I felt right at home contributing to this collection, especially given my role leading the publishing department at IABSE in Zurich.”
Vinita, who lives in Melbourne and whose diverse career spans executive roles in industry, NGOs, small business, and academia, expresses how the opportunity felt serendipitous. “I met Dr Teesta Ghosh, one of the SHE editors, by chance during a research study-tour to the US, and she invited me to join the SHE family. While most of my writing has focused on First Nations and culturally diverse populations, it was a pleasure to turn the lens on more personal stories through this project.”
The theme of She Connects revolves around unusual relationships, and each author approached this theme to explore the depths of connections that are often fleeting, transformative, or even life-changing.
Saleha’s story, Tara’s Stellar Life, is rooted in a heartbreaking reality. “My story is loosely based on a girl I knew, who was sold into a brothel at the age of 10 by someone she trusted,” she shares. “Though she suffered terribly, she eventually found a savior, but not everyone is as fortunate as Tara.”
Drawing attention to the shocking statistics—36.8 per cent of child trafficking cases in India in 2022 involved girls—Saleha wanted to raise awareness about the risks posed by those closest to us, and the harsh reality that young girls are still being sold today. “Stranger danger is real, and sometimes even family or friends cannot be trusted.”
Brindarica, on the other hand, explores the transient nature of unusual relationships in her story set in an airport lounge. “We live amongst an ocean of people,” she says.
She believes that some relationships, though fleeting, act as catalysts in our journey through life, challenging the norms of how we connect. “I have always believed in connecting with people beyond the usual parameters of family, friends, and social bonding. There are people whom you meet, maybe due to fate, who bring that tiny change in how you think and perceive the world.”
For Vinita, the theme of unusual relationships immediately brought to mind her childhood friendship. “My story is about a friendship that has grown and matured over decades in a way that many people have called unusual,” she explains. Through her story, Vinita emphasises the importance of nurturing relationships that transcend time.
Writing within tight boundaries, these writers offer valuable lessons.
Saleha reflects telling a story with a happy ending is pure joy. “Our daily lives are full of concerns and stress, so if I can share even momentary joy in someone’s life, I’ve achieved my purpose.”
However, the toughest part for her was the 1500-word limit. How do you tell a complex, engaging story in so few words? “You edit, edit, edit, then submit. Our editors also review the work, offering an extra layer of feedback.”
Agrees Brindarica. “This process becomes less challenging when you’re part of a community of writers who help each other,” she explains.
“I’m used to the professional discipline of writing,” says Vinita, who has contributed to academic publications. However, “the difficulty with a personal story is protecting the privacy of those you’re writing about,” she explains.
The SHE Writers Group takes a full year to publish each book of short stories carefully balancing quality and time despite their busy lives. Brindarica admits that finding the right time was a challenge, but she has come to understand there will never be a “perfect time.” Instead, she has learnt to make the most of whatever moments she can find.
The SHE group’s collaborative spirit stands out. Women work across time zones, long-time volunteers support editing and production – it is a dedication that make the project community driven and one that continues to move forward.
And with the writers being women of Indian origin from around the world, it’s striking how their diverse cultural experiences shape their writing.
Saleha’s stories are influenced by the strength and resilience she witnessed growing up, particularly from her grandmother, who rebuilt her life after unimaginable loss and hardship. It is this legacy of showing how women can overcome challenges that she holds dear.
Similarly, Brindarica’s travels and experiences in India and abroad fuel her narratives, blending her Indian roots with global perspectives. Her writing is an ongoing reflection of changing cultures and her personal journeys, particularly the way Indian traditions evolve in contemporary times.
Meanwhile, Vinita highlights how her cultural heritage influences her perspective on relationships and storytelling, noting how Indian women tend to be more open and accepting of collective needs, which shapes how they connect with one another and share stories.
When asked what they hope readers will take away from their stories in She Connects, Saleha says, “We have so many talented women who are unaware of our platform so my message to them is: If you have a story to share and can write (without ChatGPT’s help), we’re here for you.”
Brinda reflects creative activism can spark societal change, even if it’s just one small shift in a reader’s perspective.
Vinita, on the other hand, hopes her story will inspire young women to support one another genuinely, rather than viewing each other as competitors. Reflecting on her transition from India to Australia, she points out the cultural shift in how women relate to one another, urging a return to nurturing true, supportive friendships.
The group’s impact extends beyond literature, as they donate the profits from their book sales to various charitable causes, demonstrating that even small actions can make a big difference.
A reminder of storytelling’s ability to inspire, connect, and create change.
For a copy of She Connects, email Saleha at saleha@wordpalette.com.au.
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