Author & Journalist

The India edition of the award-winning 'Lost at 15, Found at 50' is now available on Amazon India:
An award-winning memoir that takes you racing through time and space, starting with India to icy Cold War Moscow, to Washington, to a Sikkim in turmoil, to military-ruled Burma, to snow-capped Switzerland, and to South Korea.

A memoir
Lost at 15, Found at 50
Ashwini has been a front row spectator to various political developments and upheavals over the years: Moscow at the height of the Cold War; America mired in the Vietnam War; Sikkim in the midst of a pro-democracy movement that would overthrow the monarchy; India during turbulent times; South Korea, where student demonstrations convulsed the country... ​
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Winner in the Singapore Literature Prize 2020 Readers' Favourite for English
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Shortlisted in the Singapore Literature Prize 2020 Creative Nonfiction Category

"The author-journalist's memoir focuses on the human elements of her nomadic life"
- The Hindu
- Times of India
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"A life measured by moments in history"
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"This book [is] special ... for its earnestness, sincerity and refined story telling"
- The Straits Times (Singapore)
"Journalist-author Ashwini Devare's memoir Lost at 15, Found at 50 revisits historic political events"
- New Indian Express
"It is like a mountain stream that navigates its way; it is effervescent, bubbly and finally it finds its steady course. The beauty is it is told with great simplicity, economy of words, clarity of thought … that is the kind of strength [Ashwini] brings to her book."
- Jawed Ashraf, former Indian High Commissioner to Singapore
"Part memoir, part travelogue and part international history primer … a welcome snapshot of a youthful, independent India learning to make its way in the world."
- Gayatri Rangachari Shah, The Book Review
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Ashwini is a former reporter with BBC’s Asia Business Report and CNBC India.
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Her first book, Batik Rain (2014) is a collection of short stories that received critical acclaim.
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Ashwini is a regular moderator and speaker at leading literary festivals in Asia.
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Ashwini began her broadcasting career in Maryland, USA, where she worked as a reporter/presenter for CTV News for five years.
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Ashwini graduated from American University in Washington DC with a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.
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Her articles have featured in regional publications including Jakarta Post, Straits Times and Deccan Chronicle (India).
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She finds inspiration for her writing through music and nature, both of which she says unfailingly fire up the imagination.
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Books
Coming
Soon
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Batik Rain and Other Stories
Always a Foreigner (India edition of 'Lost at 15, Found at 50')
ARTICLES
Society's shame: Child abuse surges during Covid-19
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Deccan Herald: What rogue flyers can learn from S Korea
The ‘chappal’ assault by Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad brings to mind an interesting parallel to an airline incident that embroiled South Korea two years ago.
June 19, 2017
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Straits Times: Educating Its Girls Must Be India’s Top Task
Empowering young women to take charge of their lives and not be forced into early marriages will benefit all, including the economy
September 3, 2015
Business Standard: Singapore’s Accidental Diplomat
A young boy stood under a large Tembusu tree in the botanical gardens. He dreamt that one day his country would be free, just like the heritage tree, with its branches reaching for the sky.
July 30, 2014
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Jakarta Post: Japan-Standing Tall on Shaky Ground
One month ago, the destiny of thousands of Japanese was altered when nature unleashed its unbridled fury on the world’s third largest economy. Today, the story may have slipped from the front pages of global newspapers, but in Japan, the roar of the tsunami continues to haunt. Standing taller than the monster tsunami that pummeled […]
April 13, 2011
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Events
Ashwini is a regular moderator and speaker at literary festivals. She has spoken on a variety of subjects from geopolitics and journalism to gender issues.
The Song of the Road: On Travel Writing- Speaker, Ashwini Devare
First Draft of History: Responsible Journalism Today- Speaker, Ashwini Devare
January, 2019
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India Unbound- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
November, 2016
The Indian Condition- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
November, 2015
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Book Launch of Batik Rain at Singapore Writers Festival
November, 2014
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Imagining India- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
How We Write- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
October, 2016
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On Who We Are- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
October, 2015
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Influenced by Indonesia- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
October, 2015
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India's Daughters- Speaker, Ashwini Devare
October, 2015
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Rape: Weapon of Mass Terror- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
October, 2014
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Book Launch of Batik Rain at Ubud Writers Festival
October, 2014
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Women, Law & Relationships- Moderator, Ashwini Devare
September, 2016
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Cross-Cultural Journeys- Speaker
January, 2015