Meghna Pant is the award-winning and bestselling author of eight fiction and non-fiction books, a screenwriter, independent journalist and speaker. She’s been felicitated with various honours for distinguished contribution to literature, gender issues and journalism, including the Bharat Nirman Award, Frank O’ Connor International Award, Commonwealth Short Story Prize and Laadli Media Award. She’s published eight books, including the recent bestseller BOYS DON'T CRY (Penguin Random House, 2022).
The session with invitees Meghana Pant & Shalaka Kulkarni was extremely interesting. Discussion points during the session. “Boys Don't Cry” authored by Meghna Pant, is a gripping, compelling and courageous novel that takes you behind the closed doors of a modern Indian marriage. The author shared that she was inspired to write this book, which was based on her personal life experiences that she had gone through. The moderator presented her questions beautifully & overall the discussion within the audience to a strong grip. Meghna expressed her outlook that every couple while deciding to marry/live life with their partner of choice, must be vigilant about every aspect & attribute of the opposite partner. She also added during the discussion that the expectations of proving masculinity on boys/men have a negative impact on them. They are actually isolating the young & teaching them to be emotionally stunted. A couple of youngsters from the audience during the last 5 minutes or so of the session, shared their experiences. Overall the perspectives on this topic were appreciated by everyone in the hall.