"Amidst the upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, social bonds fractured under the weight of necessary precautions like social distancing, leaving many feeling isolated and anxious. Women, particularly, bore the brunt, taking on increased roles as emotional and physical caregivers within their households, even as many transitioned to working from home. In this milieu, long-time friends Bijayalaxmi Nanda and Sangita Misra, originally from Odisha, India, maintained their spirits by exchanging emails, delving into various aspects of their lives amidst the pandemic. Their correspondence, spanning four months, encapsulates the surreal changes experienced by women globally. Their letters touch on work, family, friendships, poetry, and politics, revealing the resilience and significance of female friendships. Set against the backdrop of Cuttack, New Delhi, and New York, their exchanges poignantly explore themes of loss, love, and the richness of life. Ultimately, their story resonates with women who have experienced the complexities of life, while also offering insight into the diverse contexts shaping human lives. This book is an engaging read for contemporary readers celebrating the value of friendship in offering enabling solutions for loneliness and loss." Bijayalaxmi Nanda, a notable academic and writer, teaches Political Science and serves as Principal at Miranda House, Delhi University. Recognized for her advocacy for women and girl-child issues, her stories have been televised and adapted into films. A prolific author and poet, she resides in New Delhi with her father ... See more
"Amidst the upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, social bonds fractured under the weight of necessary precautions like social distancing, leaving many feeling isolated and anxious. Women, particularly, bore the brunt, taking on increased roles as emotional and physical caregivers within their households, even as many transitioned to working from home. In this milieu, long-time friends Bijayalaxmi Nanda and Sangita Misra, originally from Odisha, India, maintained their spirits by exchanging emails, delving into various aspects of their lives amidst the pandemic. Their correspondence, spanning four months, encapsulates the surreal changes experienced by women globally. Their letters touch on work, family, friendships, poetry, and politics, revealing the resilience and significance of female friendships. Set against the backdrop of Cuttack, New Delhi, and New York, their exchanges poignantly explore themes of loss, love, and the richness of life. Ultimately, their story resonates with women who have experienced the complexities of life, while also offering insight into the diverse contexts shaping human lives. This book is an engaging read for contemporary readers celebrating the value of friendship in offering enabling solutions for loneliness and loss." Bijayalaxmi Nanda, a notable academic and writer, teaches Political Science and serves as Principal at Miranda House, Delhi University. Recognized for her advocacy for women and girl-child issues, her stories have been televised and adapted into films. A prolific author and poet, she resides in New Delhi with her father and her spouse. Her daughter lives in Washington DC/ New York, USA. Sangita Misra, with a diverse career spanning from librarian to nurse, currently works as the Staff Nurse for the NYC Department of Education. Holding degrees in Economics, Library Science, and Nursing, her esoteric poems have been published. She lives in Bayside, New York, with her husband, three children and her cat Maoli
