GUJARAT, AHMEDABAD | 24th DECEMBER 2025 — Prabha Khaitan Foundation, in association with The Write Circle and Karma Foundation, hosted an enriching evening with celebrated author and filmmaker Mr. Harinder Singh Sikka—a session that went far beyond literature, touching conscience, courage, and citizenship.
Mr. Sikka traced his journey from a value-driven childhood to becoming a writer whose work engages deeply with national issues, governance, and social responsibility. He spoke of how patriotism, integrity, and moral courage were not abstract ideas for him, but lived values shaped early in life—values that continued to guide him even when choices came at a personal cost.
He reflected on his activism in the pharmaceutical space and his long legal battles through Public Interest Litigations, sharing how standing up to entrenched systems often demands sacrifice. Yet, he emphasised that true impact rarely seeks applause; meaningful change often happens quietly, driven by conviction rather than public validation.
Speaking about his writing, Mr. Sikka revealed that his books were born not from a pursuit of literary perfection, but from lived experience, strong emotion, and uncompromising honesty. Recounting the journey of Calling Sehmat transforming into the film Raazi, he shared how he safeguarded the core truth of the story despite commercial pressures—choosing principle over profit, and authenticity over convenience.
A powerful thread throughout the conversation was his deep respect for women and the girl child, whom he described as the true foundation of society. Drawing from history and lived reality, he highlighted women’s courage, sacrifice, and quiet strength, reminding the audience that dignity is not symbolic—it is upheld through everyday actions.
Mr. Sikka also spoke about India’s ancient knowledge systems and scientific heritage, urging the younger generation to rediscover confidence in their cultural roots without insecurity or aggression. He cautioned against the growing culture of negativity fuelled by comparison, materialism, and social media, and stressed the importance of conscious parenting and value-based education.
Concluding the session, he left the audience with a simple yet powerful reminder: not everyone may become a star, but everyone can be a candle. By standing up against injustice, protecting dignity, and acting with integrity in daily life, each individual contributes to meaningful change.
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