This is the story of Manashri Soman, an extraordinary woman with prodigious capabilities. At the young age of twelve, she won the ‘Bal Shree Award', from the former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. By the time she turned 14, an autobiography was written on her in Marathi. She’s a true luminary as her passion for music and zest for life has inspired a filmmaker to make a documentary on her!
When Manashri was a child, her elder sister constantly enquired with her mother, ‘When will Manshri wake up? When will I get to play with her?’ Manashri says, ‘My mother didn’t respond with ‘Why did this happen with us? What should we do?’ Instead, she made up a sweet story for my sister: ‘While you were asleep, the Gods were floating in the sky with several children, of which one could not see. They wondered which home to send the child to and where she would be most loved. Then the Gods made the decision to send her over to our home, so she could have a loving sister like you and parents like us.’ Manashri adds, ‘Since then, my sister never went back to my mother with any questions. She’s not just my sister, but also my confidante, my best friend!’
Manashri owes it to her family, friends and teachers for being her rock-solid support system – whether she wanted to take part in extra-curricular activities, competitions, join classes or pursue music, she has only been encouraged through and through.