Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 25, 2024
Indian Newslink readers will be pleased to know that Dr Aruna Shekar, a former Massey University Senior Lecturer is now making waves as a storyteller for children.
Her new picture book, ‘Asha the Auto-Driver’ is not only an entertainer but also drives home a strong message of empowerment of women.
An epitome of women’s power
In her synopsis, Dr Shekar says that the book’s hero, Asha begins her day with an early morning visit to the flower market where she purchases a large bag of Jasmine buds.
“Follow her through the week and the City as she picks and drops off passengers at various destinations such as the railway station, the beach and the Cricket Stadium, simultaneously selling her threaded Jasmine buds,” she said.
Dr Shekar has chosen Chennai as Asha’s domicile, the city that saw her as a postgraduate in Psychology (University of Madras).
Richly illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat and published by Tulika Books, ‘Asha the Auto-Driver’ was published on March 8, 2024, when the world celebrated International Women’s Day, an appropriate choice, given the emancipation of women as the theme.
“The book’s protagonist is a cheerful woman, who multi-tasks and breaks traditional barriers in a male-dominated occupation. Asha means hope and our hero hopes to change traditional thinking and for people to be open-minded,” Dr Shekar said.
For children, the book is an enjoyable journey through Chennai in an auto that is fragrant with jasmine flowers and driven by a very friendly and kind Asha.
The book, published in nine languages including English, Gujarati and Tamil, can be ordered (with free delivery facility) at www.tulikabooks.com
Such books can foster inclusively and cultural awareness of different characters and lifestyles. ‘Asha the Auto-Driver’ has a rich narrative that provides authenticity to the main character, who does well in a mostly male-dominated occupation.
(Photo Supplied)
From our Archives
Auckland academic wins global award for a soulful poem
Apathy spells gender inequality in engineering studies
Experts to augment innovation in Kiwi firms
About Dr Aruna Shekar
An experienced educator, Dr Aruna Shekar facilitates creative and critical thinking sessions and coaches on several subjects including Product Innovation, Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship, and Business Sustainability. She conducts online sessions for groups of learners across the world. As a leader within PDMA (Product Development & Management Association, www.pdma-nz.org) she established the New Zealand Chapter in 2007 with a colleague and led it for many years. She has coordinated projects with the industry for many years in Product Innovation.
Dr Shekar was a Senior Lecturer for almost 30 years at the Auckland Campus of Massey University and has worked in many countries, bringing a diverse, international perspective to her work.
She has won many awards (Gold medal, ‘Best Teacher’, and Project Team Prizes), and has to her credit more than 40 publications in reputed journals and several Keynote presentations at International Conferences. She has supervised many undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Dr Shekar earned her Doctorate (PhD) in Product Innovation (from Massey University) and gained Certification as a New Product Professional by PDMA-USA. She conducts Workshops on Design Thinking & Innovation. She is an Innovator-in-Residence at the E-Centre. She is a Foundation Board member of the Product Development & Management Association in New Zealand.
Dr Shekar has written many other books details of which can be seen at most public libraries in New Zealand and http://ArunaShekar.com
