Nandita Warrier is an Executive Coach and Leadership Facilitator, deeply invested in the idea of growth. She has spent over two decades exploring what makes people reach their fullest potential. Her work spans across the globe through her contribution to organisations like the United Nations and others. Read more about her.
Her debut novel, Two Inches Taller has just been released and is a roaring success. Readomania caught up with her to know more about her book.
Readomania: Tell us, how did you conceive the idea of writing this book?
Nandita: Twenty-five years ago, I lived the army life, albeit for a short period. The uniqueness of the experience and what it taught me stays fresh in my mind even today. Being a compulsive story-teller, I would often share my army experiences, leaving my civilian friends inspired and hungry for more. A desire to touch more lives through these stories of courage, resilience and sacrifice gave birth to the idea of writing something. But I belonged to the busy corporate world and knew nothing about books or publishing. So, I stayed in the comfort zone of inaction. Finally, after 20 years of being chased by this relentless dream, I surrendered to the idea of writing a book.
Readomania: Having been an Army wife yourself, how much of Mohana is Nandita?
Nandita: Well, in more ways than I know, Mohana is Nandita. Many of her qualities like her spontaneity, her silliness, her never-ending mental gymnastics are a reflection of me. As for the army life, most of what you read in the book are my own lived experiences with many imaginary characters thrown in. And so, her growth curve is in fact my growth curve which holds me together till date.
Readomania: For us civilians, the Army life in cantonments seems all privileged with regular parties, sprawling quarters and subsidized provisions. As an insider, do you think that is just one aspect of it?
Nandita: Absolutely! The lesser-known side of the Army life is what I’ve tried to spotlight in my book. The spirit of the forces is such that they project only the positives to the world. And hence the belief that they live glamorous lives. However, in reality, it is a tough life. Not just for the men in uniform, but also for their families. I’ve tried to bring out this less explored side of the army life through my work.
Readomania: What is your view on the rigid hierarchical system in the Army which not only covers the officers but their spouses too? Is it classist?
Nandita: Despite the sensitivities involved, I’ve tried to explore this issue in the book. There is no straight-forward answer. Yes, it might feel classist to a society that constantly strives equality. That is why Mohana feels stifled in the beginning. But as I’ve captured in the book, the hierarchical structure exists for a reason and serves the purpose well. Having said that, no culture is either perfect or insulated from the external environment and changing context of the society. Am sure things have evolved in the army too.
Readomania: The Army takes in boys and turns them into gentlemen. Tell us about the growth of your character Suraj.
Nandita: This is so true. When Mohana listens to Suraj’s thoughts on discipline, adaptability and alignment, she is surprised. When did this happen? Clearly her easy, relaxed boyfriend had metamorphosed into a responsible gentleman! This speaks highly of the Army’s culture and training practices.
Another aspect of Suraj’s growth is his relationship with authority figures. His upbringing and early childhood experiences make him behave meekly around seniors. Mohana calls this out, much to Suraj’s chagrin. Like all of us around critical feedback, Suraj’s first response is denial. But when he understands this and confronts himself, there’s a huge breakthrough for him.
Readomania: The way Mohana initially cribs and then adjusts to the many challenges that Army life throws at her is commendable. Is that a major trait of Army wives?
Nandita: Army wife—the term connotes dignity, courage and resilience. But is she born with these qualities, or is there something about the army culture and unique life experiences that shapes her a certain way? Mohana’s struggles of adapting to a new life, it’s impact on her and her marriage and how she transforms into a strong woman, determined to stand by her brave husband through thick and thin are reflective of the journey of every army wife.
They are the unsung heroes of the Indian Army and must be celebrated!
Readomania: You have set the book in the 90s. Was there any particular reason for that?
Nandita: While the book is not entirely autobiographical, it leans heavily into my own experiences as an army wife which was in late 90s. So that was the first reason. Second, I see a lot of Indian mythology / history or contemporary fiction on the shelves. But rarely do I find an immersive experience into the 90s—not too old world, but having it’s own unique charm and flavour. Third, I wanted to paint a picture of life before the era of mobiles and social media. Today we cannot imagine a day without our devices, but not so long back, we used to live perfectly happy, efficient and fulfilling lives where we were better connected with ourselves and others. I want to give a glimpse of that life to younger readers and make the rest nostalgic!
Readomania: The camaraderie between the officers, as shown in your book, is heartwarming. Would you like to talk about this feeling of brotherhood?
Nandita: Yes, this is one of the most heart-warming aspects of army life. It starts from the academy where people from different parts of the country don’t just train together, but become brothers for life. Surviving the test of time and distance, this bond remains forever. A young officer joining his unit is like getting into a new family. As we saw with Rajan in the book, the seniors are particularly tough in the beginning, but over a period of time, a deep bond of camaraderie and support gets developed. Despite the hierarchy, there is banter, there are fights and there is brotherhood. It’s amazing how the Olive Green thread binds everyone together.
Readomania: What is your writing process like? What were the challenges you faced while writing this book?
Nandita: Let me give you the backstory first. As I’ve shared earlier, for two decades, I neglected the voice that wanted me to write this story. Where is the time? Where are the skills? Who will be interest in your experiences? All sorts of dark, blocking thoughts, that never allowed me to progress. But this voice refused to die down. One day, I finally decided to surrender to it, and once I did that, things changed. The writing process was divine – as if a force larger than my being was guiding me, prodding me to keep going. I got totally consumed, didn’t want to engage with anything else.
This itself became the biggest challenge – as an entrepreneur, I had a business to run. I’d worked very hard to set up my consulting practice, and now I was willing to give it all up - shut shop, go live in a cave and write! So I’d say focusing on the other aspects of life was a big challenge. Travel and interactions with people would shift my energy and there would be days when I would sit with my laptop, unable to find the writer in me! Apart from this, I lost two precious family members while writing—my adorable kid-brother and my dear dad. Both the times, the writing process simply stopped—just couldn’t get myself to a creative space for many many months!
And that is why I call this a divine experience—but for an Angel holding my hand, I wouldn’t be able to finish this book.
Readomania: What do you want the readers to take away from Two Inches Taller?
Nandita: Well, a lot, because I’ve touched lot of themes around relationships and personal growth in this book. But my top three would be:
- Choice and consequences: We all have the freedom to make choices, but do we always live our choices well? Just like Mohana’s decision to be with Suraj sometimes weighs heavy on her, every choice we make comes with its consequences. And through Mo’s journey I want to highlight the fact that ONLY when we face the consequences of our choices with dignity and strength, do we stay empowered.
- Living in the moment: A big boon / bane of the human brain is its ability to connect with both yesterday and tomorrow. This has become a blind-spot bz we constantly wander between ‘regrets and what could’ve beens’ or ‘worries and fears of what will be’. The Army spirit of living in the moment can be acquired through awareness and practice.
- Not seeking perfection: My protagonist Mohana is as flawed as all of us. So is her husband, Suraj. And their relationship. But the beauty of life is in our imperfections. Let’s learn to live with our flaws, embrace our faults and yet, never give up on getting better. Grow Two Inches Taller.
Readomania: Thank you Nandita, for this wonderful conversation.
Her latest book, Two Inches Taller, is now available on Amazon and on Readomania.
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