Wishing on a Star: Vinita Singh Shetty's debut kids' book tells a story of hope and cosmic wonder
This is the premise of Vinita Singh Shetty's debut children's book, Reyah and the Cosmic Wish (Westland Books; `199), which explores themes of hope, universal balance, kindness, and more.
The book emerged from the stories Shetty would make up for her daughter Annika and retell to her group of friends, helping her gauge which ones worked best. 'Every time I told her a story, if I repeated it with some variation, she would point it out. Eventually, she said, 'Can you please write it down so you don't keep changing things',' explains Shetty with a laugh, adding, 'I found her friends coming back and asking for particular stories often. This was one of the stories that seemed to resonate the most.'
Shetty's decision to include a differently abled character was with the intention to encourage empathy in children. 'For a child whose sensory perceptions are so high, to have somebody at home who doesn't have that – as a child, you don't know what it is or how it's going to get better. I didn't start off thinking about how I can make the story inclusive but about how I can bring about kindness and empathy from a child without being too preachy.'
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New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Wishing on a Star: Vinita Singh Shetty's debut kids' book tells a story of hope and cosmic wonder
On her seventh birthday, Reyah asks the Sun and the Moon to make her wish come true. Unlike most kids who wish for toys or treats, Reyah's wish is for her one-year-old brother, Neil, who has a hearing disability, to be able to 'hear the beautiful sounds I can hear'. 'I don't know who is more important among you two, but whoever it is, please make my wish come true,' she declares. This is the premise of Vinita Singh Shetty's debut children's book, Reyah and the Cosmic Wish (Westland Books; `199), which explores themes of hope, universal balance, kindness, and more. The book emerged from the stories Shetty would make up for her daughter Annika and retell to her group of friends, helping her gauge which ones worked best. 'Every time I told her a story, if I repeated it with some variation, she would point it out. Eventually, she said, 'Can you please write it down so you don't keep changing things',' explains Shetty with a laugh, adding, 'I found her friends coming back and asking for particular stories often. This was one of the stories that seemed to resonate the most.' Shetty's decision to include a differently abled character was with the intention to encourage empathy in children. 'For a child whose sensory perceptions are so high, to have somebody at home who doesn't have that – as a child, you don't know what it is or how it's going to get better. I didn't start off thinking about how I can make the story inclusive but about how I can bring about kindness and empathy from a child without being too preachy.'
NDTV
a day ago
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Shilpa Shetty's Mobility Move Reveals The Truth About Your Joint Health
When it comes to overall wellness, most people focus on strength and endurance – but mobility is often overlooked. Experts claim that the way you move, sit, and stand can reveal more about your health than you may realise. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra once again inspired fitness fans with her incredible strength and mobility through the Malasana (Garland Pose) — particularly uplifting those battling the dreaded Monday blues. In her latest Instagram post, the 50-year-old actress demonstrated impressive body control and core stability by performing a deep squat with her hands clasped before her chest and then standing up without support. 'Okay, this is the challenge. Try and go down as much as you can, touch your hips to the floor and then try standing up. I did it. Can you?' the actress says in the video. Known as the "sit-to-stand test" in the fitness community, this exercise involves lowering oneself into a seated position on the floor and then rising back to standing – without using hands, elbows, or knees. Though it looks simple, the move tests your thoracic spine, lumbar region, hips, ankles and groin, putting them through their full range of motion. Alongside showcasing her physical prowess, Ms Shetty's post carried an inspirational reminder in its caption: "Hips do not lie – especially when it comes to this mobility move." It underlines the importance of strength and proper form as the foundation of mobility. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty) Health benefits of the mobility move The Bollywood actress highlighted the benefits of this exercise, stressing its wide-ranging advantages: Improves joint movement by enhancing lower-body, lumbar and thoracic mobility. Opens up tight hips, ankles, groin, and adductors – especially helpful for those who are stiff or sedentary. Enhances motor control, flexibility and posture while promoting mindful movement. Serves as a joint health check. 'If you can do this, you have above average mobile and healthy joints,' Ms Shetty says in the caption. By encouraging her followers to attempt the pose, Shilpa Shetty not only highlights its accessibility but also its ability to reveal mobility limitations.
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Rishab Shetty celebrates I-Day at adopted school
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