Nusrit was a pioneering Muslim woman of Pakistani heritage.
Since its inception in 2016, the DESIblitz Literature Festival has been committed to spotlighting South Asian voices and creating a platform for British South Asian authors.
Born from a need to inspire new writers from these backgrounds, the festival celebrates the diversity and depth of South Asian literature and culture.
Over the years, it has attracted emerging and established authors, including notable names like Hari Kunzru, Preeti Shenoy, Sathnam Sanghera, and Bali Rai.
This year’s women-centric events were no exception, highlighting the resilience, insight, and artistry of South Asian women navigating various experiences and identities.
Through their compelling stories, these women offered audiences a deeper understanding of the South Asian experience in Britain today.
My Writing Journey and Book Reading with Abda Khan
Abda Khan, a lawyer-turned-author, shared her unique journey from the legal world to the literary scene, recounting her shift from courtrooms to storytelling.
Known for her novels Stained and Razia, Abda explores complex, socially relevant themes around cultural identity, gender, and justice in her work.
She spoke about her latest poetry collection, Losing Battles Winning Wars, which encapsulates her reflections on resilience and personal growth.
Her talk highlighted her ongoing work with marginalised communities, especially through projects like Sidelines to Centre Stage, which brought the voices of domestic violence survivors and former inmates to life.
As an ambassador for both DESIblitz Arts and Lloyds Bank’s Women of the Future, Abda inspires with her commitment to elevating others through creative expression and community involvement.
Life as a Brown Policewoman in the Met with Nusrit Mehtab
Nusrit Mehtab’s discussion provided an unflinching look at her three-decade career in the Metropolitan Police, where she was a pioneering Muslim woman of Pakistani heritage serving as an undercover officer.
Nusrit shared harrowing accounts of institutional racism and sexism she encountered, and how these experiences drove her to advocate for reform within the police force.
Despite numerous challenges, she persevered, becoming one of the highest-ranking Asian women in the Met by the end of her career.
Now a lecturer in policing law and criminology, Nusrit Mehtab is committed to educating the next generation and fostering a more inclusive and equitable police force.
Her story was both eye-opening and inspiring, as she addressed the ongoing need for cultural change within law enforcement.
Living as a Brown Woman in Britain
Authors Christine Pillainayagam, Anika Hussain, and Preethi Nair engaged in a lively panel exploring the joys and challenges of life as British Asian women.
Each author brought her perspective: Christine, inspired by The Beatles, reflected on her debut novel Ellie Pillai is Brown and the importance of creating relatable characters for young South Asian readers.
Anika Hussain shared her motivation to write young adult fiction with South Asian protagonists, as she rarely saw herself represented in the books she read growing up.
Preethi Nair, known for her inspiring self-publishing journey, spoke about the boldness required to carve a path in the publishing industry.
Together, they provided valuable insights into navigating identity, creativity, and representation, while underscoring the significance of diverse narratives in literature.
Finding a Voice – Asian Women in Britain with Amrit Wilson
Activist and award-winning author Amrit Wilson delivered an impactful session reflecting on her extensive work in documenting the experiences of South Asian women in Britain.
As a co-founder of Awaz, Britain’s first socialist, anti-racist feminist Asian women’s organisation, Amrit played a critical role in supporting marginalised women in the 1970s and 80s.
Her book Finding a Voice captures the narratives of these women, highlighting the intersectional challenges of gender and race they faced.
Amrit’s lifelong dedication to these issues, including her recent work on Hindu supremacy, provides a unique historical and socio-political perspective on the South Asian diaspora.
Her session left a powerful impression, emphasising the ongoing struggles and triumphs of Asian women in Britain.
The women-centric events at the DESIblitz Literature Festival not only showcased the remarkable talent of South Asian women but also highlighted the crucial need for platforms that celebrate diverse voices.
Each session offered audiences a deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and achievements of South Asian women in Britain today.
To find out more about the festival, click here and check out #DESIblitzLitFest on social media to see highlights from the events.
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