Rishi Suri Talks About Kashmir, Courage, and the Journey from Journalism to Authorship

For many readers, Kashmir is a region they know only through headlines. It is often portrayed as a place of unrest, tension, and silence. But in Rishi Suri’s debut book Children of the Chinar, the story takes a different shape. It is a story of resilience, of women finding their voices, and of hope shining quietly in unexpected corners.

Rishi Suri is no stranger to storytelling. As a journalist and editorial commentator, he has spent years analyzing policies and political developments. But this book marks a deeper, more emotional chapter in his writing journey. In an insightful conversation with Unnati Shahi, the founder of The Bookish Gossips, he opened up about his transition from journalism to authorship, the people who inspired him, and the profound lessons he has learned through writing.

A Childhood Rooted in Words

Rishi’s connection with writing began early. Growing up in a home where publishing and journalism were a daily presence, he absorbed not just the skills of writing but the ethics behind it. His family’s association with The Daily Milap instilled in him a sense of responsibility toward words and their influence.

He reflects that for a long time, his writing had been rooted in editorials and opinion pieces. But the shift came when he started weaving together the real-life stories that form the heart of Children of the Chinar. It was during this process that he truly began to see himself as an author. Not just someone who writes to inform but someone who writes to connect.

Finding a New Voice

The change in Rishi’s writing voice mirrors the change in his approach. What once was sharp, analytical, and fact-driven evolved into something more emotional and people-focused.

He explains that his earlier work was shaped by his journalistic training. It was focused on clarity, logic, and facts. But while writing this book, he discovered the power of silence, vulnerability, and emotion. His style became softer, more observant, and more rooted in human experience.

The Themes That Keep Returning

When asked about recurring themes in his work, Rishi points to resilience, dignity, and identity. These are not just abstract ideas but living qualities he saw repeatedly in the people of Kashmir, particularly its women.

While working in the Chief Minister’s Office in Srinagar, he began to notice something missing from the dominant narrative. Most conversations focused on politics and violence. What no one seemed to be talking about were the everyday stories of people who were rebuilding lives, redefining norms, and reclaiming their futures.

This realization became the seed for Children of the Chinar. The book does not avoid the realities of conflict, but it focuses on those who rise in spite of it.

A Tribute to Courage

For Rishi, this book is more than a writing project. It is a tribute. He speaks of women like Ishrat Akhtar, who plays wheelchair basketball, and Aaliya Mir, who works in wildlife rescue, with deep admiration. They are not just subjects. They are the heart of his narrative.

Through their stories and many others, he paints a portrait of a Kashmir that is resilient, complex, and deeply human. These women are not defined by the turmoil around them. They are defined by their dreams, their work, and their refusal to be silenced.

Crafting the Book: A Blend of Planning and Intuition

Rishi’s writing process starts with research. He approaches each story like a journalist would, gathering facts, conducting interviews, and building a clear structure. But once the writing begins, he allows for the story to find its own path.

He admits that some passages flowed easily, fueled by emotion and urgency. Others took time, requiring careful revision. This balance between planning and spontaneity gave the book a sense of rhythm and honesty.

Real People at the Core

What sets Children of the Chinar apart is its authenticity. These are not fictionalized stories loosely based on real people. They are true accounts of individuals who trusted Rishi with their experiences.

His time in Kashmir, both professionally and personally, gave him a rare level of access. More importantly, it gave him perspective. He saw the strength in quiet gestures, in families keeping traditions alive, and in young women taking bold steps into public life.

Lessons from the Writing Journey

Writing this book also brought unexpected lessons. One of the most important was patience. Rishi shares that storytelling is not just about words. It is also about silence. About waiting. About letting people tell their truth in their own time and space.

He discovered that writing is a form of listening. A way of holding space for stories that deserve to be heard, even if they come slowly or in fragments.

The Less Glamorous Side of Authorship

While the end result may be a polished book, the process behind it is anything but glamorous. Rishi describes writing as long hours of solitude and repeated drafts. It is not a constant flow of inspiration but a slow, determined effort to make sense of complex emotions and realities.

He emphasizes that being an author is about showing up. It is about staying committed to the truth of the story, even when it becomes emotionally challenging.

Handling Feedback with Integrity

Feedback is a part of every writer’s journey. For Rishi, it is valuable but not sacred. He listens carefully, especially to editorial suggestions, but holds firm when it comes to the authenticity of the voices he represents.

If a suggestion enhances clarity or structure, he welcomes it. But if it risks altering the essence of someone’s lived experience, he is not afraid to say no.

What Keeps Him Going

Every project has moments of doubt. What helped Rishi push through the difficult phases was the memory of the people who shared their lives with him.

He felt a responsibility toward them. To tell their stories with care. To do justice to their courage. To finish what he started, not just for himself, but for those who believed in the importance of the work.

Finding Inspiration Outside of Writing

Rishi finds creative inspiration not in other books, but in life. In conversations with strangers. In the sounds of a crowded street. In the quiet of Dal Lake at night. In small moments of human connection.

These experiences keep his imagination alive and his perspective grounded. They remind him that stories are everywhere, waiting to be noticed.

Advice for Emerging Writers

When asked what he would say to someone writing their first draft, Rishi keeps it simple. Just write. Do not wait for it to be perfect. The first version is not the book. It is the beginning.

He urges writers to stay true to their voice. Authenticity, he believes, speaks louder than polish. The real story lives in your unique perspective, not in trying to sound like someone else.

The STORY Behind the Story

Children of the Chinar is not a political commentary or a memoir. It is a window into a world most people never get to see. Through Rishi Suri’s lens, Kashmir is not just a place of conflict. It is a place of community, of laughter, of ambition, and of transformation.

His book asks readers to look again. To look beyond the noise. To look at the people.

In this deeply personal and beautifully written narrative, Rishi Suri shows us that storytelling is not just about what is told. It is about how it is heard. And more importantly, about who finally gets to speak. 

Interview by Unnati Shahi, Founder of The Bookish Gossips