Author of Nadavazhiyile Nerukal shares her experiences with 150 children

KOZHIKODE: The inmates of the children’s homes at Vellimadukunnu in the city received some pep talk on Saturday from a popular woman writer who herself had undergone life’s worst struggles but faced them successfully. Shemi, author of the bestselling autobiographical novel, ‘Nadavazhiyile Nerukal’ (Truth in Your Ways), shared her experiences with some 150 children and told them that life is a big challenge and that they should show how beautifully they could live it.

Shemi was orphaned at the age of 13 and later lived in an orphanage in Kozhikode with her four sisters. She educated herself by doing small jobs and eventually earned a government job. Later she got married and now lives in Dubai with her husband and has written three books. ‘Nadavazhiyile Nerukal’ published last year describes her experiences.

“It does not matter whatever life situation you are in and how you grow. If you get the right education, you can conquer anything. Our life was gifted by someone to us. Our duty is to live it in the best manner possible and show that to the world,” said Shemi. Deepa, 18, an inmate, presented Shemi with her pencil sketch. One of the inmates asked whether the difficulties in life had ever made her think of suicide. “Life is to be lived to the fullest, not to be wasted,” Shemi said. The event was also attended by the inmates of ‘Free Birds’ orphanage. RDO Shamin Sebastian joined the interactive session.