God is the Author

God is the Author chronicles the trials and tribulations that a boy orphaned at seven years of age went through and yet scaled the uppermost heights of the academic world. This biography was possible because Dr B M Bhatia and his wife Sita succeeded in giving their children the best of values, education and opportunities despite the challenges and vicissitudes that they faced.

‘He always believed that Goddess Laxmi (of wealth), is jealous of Goddess Saraswati (of knowledge) so wherever Saraswati is worshipped, Laxmi is sure to follow.”

The biography written by Neelmani (Dolly) Bhatia is tribute to his faith in himself, his unwavering will to tread every uneven path that life laid out for him, his tenacity of purpose and, above all, his complete faith in the One above.

Neelmani attained her Master’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University as an alumnus of Miranda House and Hindu College. She also has to her credit an assortment of post-graduate diplomas in Journalism, Creative Writing, Advertising, Personnel Management and Administrative Management.

Over the last three decades, the author has essayed different roles – lecturer in diverse streams, novelist, storywriter and poet.

She has authored four novels, Across Seven Seas, Hang Them All, Melodious Love and Shadows at Dusk, apart from numerous short stories and poems in both English and Hindi.

Neelmani has also presented research papers at national and international forums, including Literature: Social Idiom; Ethics in Children’s Literature; Role of Books in Children’s Upbringing; Environment – Writing on the Wall; Biography – Choices and Challenges; India or Hindustan, Spokes in the Wheels of British Reign (1857); Ideal Syllabus for Journalism Courses; The Role of Drama to Promote Literacy, Reaching Books Where There are None. She is currently working on her next novel.

If her father was an acclaimed scholar, her mother was a prolific diarist, assiduously expressing her love, meticulously penning anecdotes and eloquently articulating her angst in her dairies against social evils. Hence it was not only the upbringing but also the genes and inherited passion for words that put this book together.

Apart from a scholarship already instituted in Dr Bhatia’s name, proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards financing the education of children from the weaker sections.