Woman power

Mona Verma, based in Hardwar, recently received the Woman of Substance Award from the All India Women's Conference, Hardwar Chapter, by Swami Awdeshanand. She has also been selected as the woman member of the Asia Developement Bank Board from her district. The board will look into the problems related to Ganga water and channelize the funds granted by the Asia Development Bank.

She has also authored a book, 'A Bridge to Nowhere', published by Future Group, Mumbai. The book, which was launched by Ruskin Bond, has received rare reviews and Verma states that talks are underway with a film director in Mumbai to make a movie or tele-series.

Her second book 'God is a River' is complete and the talks are on at an advanced level with a publishing house. Verma has served as a member of the Delhi Public School parent teacher management committee. Recently, the DPS society organised a global poetry writing competition. Verma was chosen as the judge. Other interests of Verma include painting. She is an avid painter and charcoal and oil are her preferred mediums. "After finishing my second book, I would love to go back to my paints for a while and let writing hibernate for a few months," she states. She has also studied Indian classical music and sports and swimming are her other passions.