Author and social activist Jyoti Bawa has dedicated her life to working on issues that are overlooked by society. For the last 20 years, she has been engaging with social causes and running an organisation called Punjabi Samvaad, which aims at initiating dialogue around marginalised sections of society.This year, Bawa is in the spotlight for her book ‘Candle in the Wind’, which was released during the International Book Fair at Sharjah in 2025. The book is shaped by her two decades of experience and research, and covers topics such as old age homes, menstrual awareness and mental health. Bawa said she has been continuously working to raise awareness about these issues.On the drug problem in Punjab, she said her perspective had been informed by the direct interactions she had with individuals grappling with drug addiction. These conversations, she says, have helped her understand the issue at a deeper level. The project is her third book. In 2014, she wrote her first book Khooh Bolda Hai, which focused on women’s rights. From female foeticide to barriers put up by society for girls, the work addressed a range of issues. Published in 2020, her second book Khilaf-e-Dastoor voiced opposition to regressive social practices that hinder individuals from living freely.A seasoned writer, Bawa has been penning articles for Punjabi newspapers and magazines since 2008. As a social activist, she has worked with several organisations under their corporate social responsibility initiatives. She has written and staged multiple plays, including sensitive productions on AIDS awareness. In addition to her writing and activism, she has been actively promoting Punjabi culture through various programmes.“It is the pain of people that motivates me to work and write for them,” she said. Her approach to both writing and social work involves asking the tough questions and then working towards solutions. The author expressed hope that ‘Candle in the Wind’ would reach readers across all sections of society and spark meaningful conversations.