SM: How hard was it to choose what to speak about and what to leave out, as you wrote this book? Why did you feel it was necessary to write it?

RG: Writing "I Kick and I Fly" was like walking through a hall of mirrors, each reflecting a piece of reality I’ve witnessed over the years. Deciding what to include or omit was hard. I wanted to encapsulate decades of activism and real-life stories in a narrative that’s both honest and impactful. I wrote this book not just as a reflection of my experiences, but as a torch to pass on. It's my way of telling you that change is possible; I've witnessed it.

SM: What are the reasons that you feel this book is an important read for young adults?

RG: Young adults are at an age where they are formulating their values, their perspectives, and their ideals. While the subject matter is dark, I have written the book as a social justice adventure with no description of sex at all.
I have touched on the themes of bullying, body shaming, complicated family relationships, homelessness, and poverty along with ways to challenge these in the most extreme situations.
These issues matter to every young adult in our world today but no one discusses it with them. I have found a way to discuss these issues with them in a truthful, hopeful and age-appropriate way
young adults are the future. It’s essential they are exposed to the he realities of the world, to be educated, and therefore empowered to change it. This book aims to equip young adults with the awareness and resolve to make the world a better place.
After all knowledge is the first step towards activism, and I believe young people are more capable than anyone at instigating real change.

SM: What are some of the greatest challenges faced by children in areas such as this?

RG: Beyond the obvious challenge of sexual exploitation, children in real lanes like Girls Bazaar known as red light areas often face extreme poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and malnutrition. Just like Heera in the book, many children consider the free meal at school as a major incentive to attend. These kids live daily lives that most of us know nothing about, and they deserve to be seen and heard.

SM: What do you think is the reason for low school attendance and high dropout rates?

RG: The reasons are complex but can be attributed to systemic failures resulting from the vicious cycle of poverty, stigmatization, and lack of awareness. Improving school infrastructure, increasing awareness, and providing incentives like free meals and after school classes can encourage attendance and reduce dropout rates.
Imagine a school where you not only learn but also escape a cycle of despair. That's what's needed.

SM: Tell us more about the Nat community to which Heera belongs.

RG: In 1871, the British passed the Criminal Tribes Act. This law labeled nomadic tribes like the Nats as 'criminal.' They were evicted from the forests where they list, not allowed to travel and banned from their traditional occupations, such as making medicine, wrestling, acrobatics and trading in food.
British companies like Glaxo and Keventers replaced their products. The tribes had to live on government or zamindari land. Men did menial jobs, and women were forced into sexual roles. This led to inter-generational prostitution.
India gained independence and repealed the act. However, the stigma remains. These tribes are still marginalized. They are trapped in poverty and prostitution, making them easy targets for traffickers.
Men were reduced to menial labor, and women were coerced into sexual availability, leading to cycles of inter-generational prostitution.

SM: Do you believe that a network of women supporting women is the only way to bring about real social change?

RG: While it isn't the only way, it is undoubtedly one of the most effective. Systemic patriarchy can only be dismantled by collective action, and the bonding between women can serve as a powerful catalyst for social change.

SM: Did your novel mean to address the absence of choice as a central theme?

RG: I talk about how sometimes people don't get to choose what happens in their lives. Some girls and women end up in really bad situations not because they want to, but because things like not having enough money, being treated unfairly, or bad people taking advantage make it hard for them to choose something else. My story shows that it's not their fault and helps us understand why they didn't have other options.
While Heera’s father is not entirely without fault, it's crucial to understand the systemic issues that limit his choices, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation. There is an exchange between Heera and her father in which she asks him why he wanted to sell her. His answers uncovers a lot of the layers of this choice lessness. Heera’s mother, Mai’s life is a testament to the absence of personal agency, often sacrificing her own needs for others. She faces the moral dilemma of protecting her children or doing her duty to her husband. And Salman, Heera’s brother, is a bright young man, who yearns to study science, but the lack of a science lab in his school and no money at home keeps him chained to his current life.
The story explores how various oppressive forces like poverty, discrimination, and patriarchy create an environment where women and girls have their agency stripped away. It illuminates how systemic failings, rather than individual choices, push them into a life they never chose. By highlighting these complexities, the book challenges the notion that prostitution is simply a matter of 'choice.'

SM: How difficult is it to break away from the stigma that is responsible for intergenerational prostitution?

RG: Breaking the stigma is an uphill battle. It requires not just education but also the reformation of societal attitudes and prejudices. Education provides an escape ladder. But education isn’t just about ABCs; it’s about teaching self-worth and rights, which can be a pathway out of intergenerational exploitation.

SM: Is Kung Fu/Karate a symbol of taking back control over one’s body?

RG: Indeed. Martial arts serve as a tool for girls to reclaim their bodies, and it is a form of empowerment that they can carry with them throughout their lives. We must challenge the narrative that women can't be fighters; they can be, and they are!

SM: Do you feel that institutions have failed? What are some of the policy changes you have been able to bring about?

RG: Institutions can fail to protect the most vulnerable, but people united in a cause can’t easily be defeated. Despite the reach of trafficking networks, we have seen victories. Through relentless activism, we have got girls into schools, opened bank accounts and linked women to dignified livelihoods, and put traffickers in jail.
We’ve advocated for policy changes globally and seen laws enacted that punish perpetrators.
 I've contributed to the passage of laws in the UN, the US and India that has shifted the blame from the victim to the perpetrator, a crucial first step in the right direction.

SM: Do you believe that spreading awareness among young adults can bring about change?

RG: Absolutely. Young adults are the leaders and policymakers of tomorrow. By educating them, we are planting the seeds for a more just future. It's through their activism, fueled by knowledge and empathy, that lasting change will occur.

I hope my book serves as both a mirror and a window: a mirror reflecting the harsh realities many face, and a window into a world that can change if we take collective action. Thank you for giving me the platform to discuss these crucial issues.

As Gloria Steinem said, this book can save lives. I believe awareness is the first step toward a better future. And who better to lead us into that future than our young adults?
Thank you for delving into "I Kick and I Fly." If you see a little bit of Heera in yourself or those around you, remember you too have the power to kick, to fly, and to change the world.

Do read the book and share it with someone you know who may need it. Join the #IKickAndIFlyForward campaign.