Dear Readers,

We are starting a new interview series where we ask few questions to people who are making a difference, it can be big, it can be small it doesn’t matter what matters is their contribution to our society. It can be anyone from any walks of life and from any country. Please, do send us suggestions of people whom you think we should interview for this series.

Sudha Dixit is a writer and poet. She currently lives in Bangalore and had a career in real estate spanning over 15 years. She is a graduate of Aligarh Muslim University, Luknow University and Banaras Hindu University. Her articles and poems frequently appears in various online journals and magazines.

1.Tell us something about yourself ?
I am not religious but am spiritual to the core. Cosmopolitan by style, global by attitude and gregarious by nature. I love all forms of fine arts – music, dance, painting, craft, reading and writing.

2. What inspired you to be a writer & poet ?
Among many siblings and cousins I was a very lonely child. My sole companions were books and nature. So it was a compulsion & catharsis to pour out my feelings & woes on paper.

3.Who is your favorite poet and poem ?
Mahadevi Varma , in Hindi, Mirza Ghalib in Urdu, & P. B. Shelley in English. I love all their poems.

4.How has arts, literature has contributed to the cause of women advancement in your view?
Paintings about the plight of women provide a visual awareness. Stories and articles (e.g. my article on marital rape) make people sit up, notice and take stock. Similarly poetry helps people to remember how hard it is to be a woman & that enables them to respect women more.

5.What is freedom of expression in your opinion?
We should be able to speak out without fear & vent our feelings confidently. At the same time We should not cross the fine line between our right and infringe upon someone else’s right. Peaceful co-existence , respecting others’ feelings, while having freedom to live life our own way is, in real sense, freedom of expression.

6.Your message to our readers?
Keep an open mind. Value others’ point of view. Disagree but listen and be tolerant .