Ratna Vira is a leading Indian best-selling author who is also an accomplished artist. After a successful career where she worked at the CXO level in multinational and leading Indian corporates, Ratna turned to writing, with her novels and non-fiction books highlighting issues of deep social concern. The inspiration for her art comes from life around her, influences of social media, and the extension of her imagination. For Ratna, the ability to write and paint is seamless, and they both exist in tandem with each other.

Her first book, Daughter By Court Order, was a national bestseller that was featured in The New York Times, and she received a personal message from the Prime Minister who applauded the issues she raised in her book. The plot holds up a mirror to society and challenges the patriarchal structure, which still exists in many parts of India. Her second book, It’s Not About You, was in Buzzfeed’s list of 35 Top Fiction and Non-Fiction Books of 2016. Her third book, Why People Give, which she wrote with her daughter Suhasini, was pathbreaking and the royalty supports a medical charity in India.

Ratna’s art is a permanent exhibit at Artistique, the gallery at the Oberoi, and her works are displayed in four continents. She lives in Gurgaon, where she is at work on two novels and a new exhibition.Ratna holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics andPolitical Science, and a Masters in English literature from St Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. She also holds an MBA.

Over the years, Ratna has spoken at several leading universities, institutes,and corporate groups across the world. These include the University of Oxford (Two Cultures Seminar at Somerville College), the University of Cambridge, the Said Business School, Nanyang University Singapore, the Indian Institute of Management, Symbiosis, King’s School Canterbury, the Annual Conference of UK Women Judges, many of the top Indian schools, and corporates including Nestle, FICCI-FLO and others. She has spoken at TEDx at one of the leading Indian schools.