About Bhawana Sethi
Author, Educator, and Home Chef, Bhawana Sethi is a compelling literary voice who seamlessly blends her two decades of experience in education with a profound creative passion. Following a long career in Delhi, she continues to nurture young minds by teaching phonics from her apartment in Bangalore, embodying a lifelong commitment to learning and development.
Literary & Creative Achievements
• Children’s Fiction Debut: Bhawana Sethi makes her foray into children’s literature with the delightful book, The Adventures of Dabba and Jalebi: Dabba and the Disappearing Dosas, was recently honoured with the Author & Literature Award for Best Children’s Storybook at the National Awards For Excellence, presented by the TGP Group. The story introduces the curious girl Jalebi and her mischievous best friend, the orange tiffin box Dabba.
• Latest Release: Her newest adventure in the series, titled The Mystery of the Blue-Paw Prints, is set during the magical morning of Janmashtami. When the Great Butter Pot is found empty, Jalebi and her loyal tiffin box Dabba must follow a trail of mysterious blue paw prints to uncover a hidden secret in the heart of the celebration.
• Poetry Collection: She has also debuted her poetry collection, Tapestry of Soulful Stanzas, a heartfelt exploration of devotion, nostalgia, love, and everyday reflections.
• Anthology Co-Author: She has been a co-author of many anthologies, showcasing her versatile contributions to the literary community.
A gifted and versatile author, Bhawana actively participates in writing community challenges while conceptualizing further children’s fiction projects.
Whether she is inspiring students, crafting captivating narratives, or finding creative joy in the kitchen as a Home Chef, turning everyday ingredients into culinary delights, her vibrant enthusiasm illuminates every endeavour.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Bhawana Sethi: The Mystery of the Blue-Paw Prints is a vibrant Janmashtami adventure. It follows Jalebi and her magical tiffin box, Dabba, as they hunt for the butter thieves who left a trail of glowing blue footprints across the temple.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Bhawana Sethi: It centers on the messy, colourful evidence left behind by the real culprits that turns a festival morning into a grand detective hunt.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Bhawana Sethi: My inspiration stems from two decades in education and a passion for nurturing young minds. I aim to reach little dreamers and adventurers who believe in magic and wanted to create a world so vivid that it rivals any screen.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Bhawana Sethi: Established as a cornerstone in children’s literature, known for stories that bridge the gap between traditional culture and modern imagination. I see my books translated into multiple languages, sitting on bedside tables globally, serving as a cultural bridge that makes ancient heritage feel like a contemporary adventure for the next generation.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Bhawana Sethi: A book needs a soul to be remembered, but it needs a voice to be found. Both are essential to reach the hands of waiting readers. Quality ensures that once a child opens the book, they are hooked, marketing ensures they know the book exists in a world crowded with digital noise. One builds the legacy, the other builds the bridge.
LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?
Bhawana Sethi: I want to ignite a fire for reading. My goal is to show children that a book offers a deeper, more thrilling adventure than any mobile game or social media feed ever could. I want them to trade their flickering screens for the infinite, steady light of the written word, developing a passion for deep reading that sharpens their focus and expands their empathy in ways an algorithm never can.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Bhawana Sethi: I am a dedicated phonics educator, helping children decode the magic of language, and a Home Chef who finds creative peace in the kitchen. In my classroom, I do not just teach letters; I teach the music of words. By mastering phonics, children gain the tools to break down complex sounds and build them back up into stories, turning a daunting page into a friendly conversation. It is the most rewarding form of recipe I work with, blending phonemic awareness with curiosity to create a lifelong reader.
My goal is to nourish the mind and the soul with something handcrafted and meaningful.
LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?
Bhawana Sethi: I return to the kitchen or spend time with my students, their unfiltered view of the world usually provides the missing spark. Sometimes, I simply step away and listen to the rhythm of everyday life, reminding myself that when the words won’t come, it is usually because I need to live a little more before I can write a little more.
LiFT: What if your story were to be adapted into a movie? Who would you want to work as the director or actors in it?
Bhawana Sethi: If The Mystery of the Blue-Paw Prints were to be adapted into a movie, I would envision a vibrant Bollywood production that captures the extraordinary in the ordinary and the pure magic of childhood.
I would love to work with a filmmaker like Amole Gupte (the creative mind behind Taare Zameen Par and Stanley Ka Dabba). He has a unique gift for portraying the world through a child’s eyes with sensitivity, warmth, and a touch of whimsy.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Bhawana Sethi: Yes, I am currently heart-deep in the third story of the Dabba and Jalebi series. While the plot is still unfolding in my mind, this next mission will focus on our furry friends. I want to explore the world of pet animals, particularly dogs, and the deep, silent bond they share with us.
The story will weave in themes of sensitivity and kindness toward animals, teaching young readers that a hero is not just someone who solves a mystery, but someone who protects those who cannot speak for themselves. It is a journey of empathy, wagging tails, and, of course, a little bit of Dabba’s signature magic.
LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?
Bhawana Sethi: To all budding writers and poets, I suggest you first become voracious readers to understand how the ingredients of language are blended to create impact. Much like the phonics I teach, learn the sounds of emotions, do not just name a feeling, but use sensory details to make the reader feel the heavy heart of the wind. Observe the ordinary, for a simple tiffin box can spark a grand mystery, and ensure you silence the digital noise of screens to allow your internal voice to be heard. Write with persistence and edit with patience, treating your first draft as a conversation with yourself and your revisions as the polish that makes your story shine. Create stories that truly resonate with the soul.
Click here to order Bhawana Sethi’s Book – The Mystery of the Blue-Paw Prints
