GNK English News Desk / 4 January 2026
A Class 9 student, Sheeba has emerged as Kashmir’s youngest Urdu author, joining the rare group of children who have authored a book at such a tender age. Her debut work attempts to portray inner emotions, address curiosity, explore human complexities, and pose philosophical questions that invite readers to reflect.
With the publication of A Musht-e-Khaak, Sheeba has gained recognition for her thoughtful and mature expression, earning admiration across literary circles for becoming the youngest Urdu writer from Kashmir.
Sheeba believes that writing is a beautiful way to express oneself and liberate imagination.“It did not happen in one day. There was a deep flow of emotions inside me, and the situations in society affected me strongly. I felt compelled to pen down my thoughts,”she told Arising State.
She added that she began writing to express her feelings and ideas in a deeper, more philosophical way. Over time, this habit of writing from the heart gradually shaped her into a writer.
A student of Radiant Public School, Anantnag, Sheeba says she has been deeply inspired by renowned Pakistani novelists Umera Ahmad and Nimra Ahmad.“The way they present emotions, ideas, and social issues in their stories influenced me greatly. Although they write fiction, their impactful style inspired me to write a non-fiction book, reflecting real thoughts about life and society,”she said.
Despite academic responsibilities, Sheeba finds time to write whenever possible.“I enjoy writing in my free time, though schoolwork keeps me busy. I realized my small pieces of writing were connected and meaningful. Collecting these emotions and reflections gave me the courage to turn them into a book,”she added.
Her book A Musht-e-Khaak reflects the profound essence of humanity, portraying mankind’s timeless journey through vulnerability and strength, joy and sorrow—allowing readers to see their own souls mirrored in its pages.
Sheeba emphasized that academics always remained her top priority.“I used early mornings, evenings, and weekends for writing. Even writing a little every day helped me complete the book,”she said.
She credited her parents for their unwavering support. “They never treated my passion as a distraction from studies. Their encouragement and emotional support gave me the confidence to take the bold step of publishing my work, ”she added.
The book “Ae Musht-e-Khaak,” consisting of 112 pages, has been published by India’s renowned publishing house, GNK Publications.
