India's Freedom Story

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A child psychologist, writer and critic of children's books, Ira Saxena has written fiction and non-fiction in Hindi and English for children of all ages and adults. Her writings are mostly based on themes such as computer crime, science fiction and Gandhism.

She received the Shankar's Silver Medal for Writing in 1996 for Gajmakta ki Talaash (Quest for the Jumbo Pearl) - an adventure set in India's freedoms struggle, and also won the White Raven's selection at the International Youth Library in 2000 her computer crime novel. The Virus Trap. Many of her short stories have been awarded by publications such as Amar Chitra Katha and Saptahik Hindustan. Her books have found a place in schools as supplementary readers. Her recent novels include Curse of Grass, The Web Trail, Chand Kator and Para.

Saxena is the founding member and Secretary of the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC). She has also been a member of the International Board on Books for Young People (1BBY). A firm believer in the healing touch of literature, Saxena is spearheading a book therapy project among teachers and authors.

Nilima Sinha is a well-known author for children, who has written several award-winning books, such as The Chandipur Jewels which won a Best Fiction award and The Yellow Butterfly which received a Best Picture book award. Her books have been included in the International White Ravens catalogue by the International Youth Library. She writes in both English and Hindi.

Sinha has worked on the Marigold series produced by NCERT as English textbooks for schools in India. Her book, Hamirpur ke Khandahar was prescribed as a Supplementary Reader in Hindi for all government schools in the Delhi region. Her schooling at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi, inspired her interest in literary writing.

She is the President of the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC), the Indian branch of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). In the past, she has also held the post of Vice-President of IBBY.

Freedom may have many meanings, F depending on an individual and his or her desires. No one can be happy in bondage. All of us need the freedom to be ourselves, to live life as we like, in a way that satisfies and makes us happy According to some scriptures, the aim of a human being is to find happiness through the search for truth, by realizing one's full potential. Freedom to develop, to progress and to find happiness is therefore essential to all human beings.

Through the ages, many rulers have tried to curb the free spirit of their subjects. Wars have been fought and nations destroyed to subjugate the free spirit of others. However, the people. long ago. Indian thinkers had discovered that this spirit was universal, all pervading and, most importantly, indestructible People rose time and again, to fight for their right to freedom. For no human can ever be happy in enslavement.

Thinkers, philosophers and leaders were the first to recognise the importance of freedom and have struggled to attain it for their people. They fought wars and led revolutions. History bears witness to the fact that whenever an existing system becomes unbearable to the vast majority of people, it is overthrown by those: suffering the oppression. Change has been brought about by force or peaceful means, depending on the character and maturity of people.

Politically speaking, for a nation and its citizens, the rules formed to govern a free country include well-defined promises which guarantee that each citizen is free to lead the life that she or he wants.

However, freedom does not give the right to go against accepted social norms of the time or to commit crimes against others. Freedom also entails responsibility.

**Contents and Sample Pages**