VidYouth

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers,” observed Charles W. Eliot.

‘Self-help’ is a genre that is getting popular with modern readers. Works under this genre include topics like personality development, success and hard work and relationship building. A promising book under this genre, ‘Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman : Lessons to Awaken, Nurture and Inspire You’, written by Dr. Abha Sharma Rodrigues was launched in Hyderabad at the Crossword Bookstores, City Centre Mall on February 9, 2010. Dr. Geetha Reddy, Honourable Minister for Information and Public Relations was present to launch the book.

Dr. Abha Sharma was born and brought up in Rajasthan. She later moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, to pursue her doctoral studies in English Literature. An advocate of women’s rights and a pioneer of women empowerment, Dr. Abha Sharma is the founder of a unique organization named ‘Mantra Power’, which was established for the learning, education and empowerment of women. “Women exert great influence in all spheres of their lives – in their safe home environs, in a professional degree at work and in the world of politics”, says the author. The fact that most women are oblivious to their strengths because of their conditioned thought process inspired her to take up the cause of women. “The book is written for the universal woman,” she reveals.

“A woman is the embodiment of patience, the epitome of love and the personification of sacrifice. Women have strengths that even men don’t. Yet, there are not many books about women. I compliment Dr. Abha Rodrigues for having written about the ‘Atmashakti’ (Inner- Strength) of women and for doing something that is the need of the hour”, compliments Dr. Geetha Reddy.

‘Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman: Lessons to Awaken, Nurture and Inspire You’ lays down fifteen traits, along with a few examples from the lives of successful personalities, which would help women lead abundant, meaningful and fulfilling lives. Introducing the book, Dr. Abha Sharma stated, “The lessons revealed in this book will arouse you. The principles in the mantras will nurture you. The life stories of empowered women will inspire you.”

The book launch. Credits : Painless Predator

The Empowered Women. Credits : Painless Predator

Dr. Geetha Reddy at the launch. Credits : Painless Predator

The experiences of noteworthy personalities such as J K Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana, Sonia Gandhi, Hillary Clinton, Kiran Bedi, Madame Curie, Rani Jhansi Bai, Emily Roblin, Helen Keller, Tasneema Nasreen and Mother Teresa are included in the book. These women represent the virtues of uniqueness, compassion, self-esteem, courage, forgiveness, responsiveness and assertiveness, which are also the ‘mantras’ underlined in the book.

The author is on a 7-city launch tour of the book, visiting Jaipur, Dehradun, Delhi, Udaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore. The book has been launched by eminent public personalities like Vasundhara Raje, Princess Bhargavi of Mewar, Dr. Kiran Bedi and HE. Margaret Alva. A copy of the book was also presented to The President of India, Pratibha Patil on February 5th.

Dr. Kiran Bedi launched the book in Delhi and said, “This book should be included in every educational institution’s syllabi. These vital values, imparted at a young age will go a long way in shaping the personality of our children.”

“The book is new, yet it has sold more than 20 copies in just two days of its launch. One thing I’ve noticed is that more number of women bought this book as compared to men,” shares Santosh Kumar, employee, Crossword Bookstores.

Reporters at the event. Credits : Painless Predator

Dr. Abha is a dedicated follower of Indian Spiritualism. “I am the Daughter of India and I’m proud of our age–old Indian values and traditions,” she remarks.

When VidYouth had asked Dr. Abha on what message she wants to pass on to the Youth, she said, “Think out of the box. Dream big and let not any limitations hamper your dreams. Follow your dreams, but above all, keep your moral values intact!”

To know more about Dr. Abha Sharma Rodrigues, log on to www.abharodrigues.com

To know more about her organization ‘Mantra Power’, log on to www.mantrapower.org