On a world often preoccupied with advancement and self-fulfillment, Dr. Aruna Kalra (Birch Court ) has taken the path less travelled, weaving her life experiences into a profound literary journey that goes beyond the traditional bounds of her profession. Her book, I Want a Boy, is a powerful blend of raw truth and compassion, crafted from a lifetime of observing the struggles and sacrifices of women whose stories rarely see the light of day.
Growing up in the small town of Ghaziabad, before it was drawn into the expanding National Capital Region, Aruna knew firsthand the value of hard work and ambition. Cycling eight kilometers daily with friends to attend a government school, she dreamed of becoming a doctor. In her childhood games, her doll was always a doctor, dressed in a white apron that her mother had stitched.
This early exposure to medicine wasn’t just about science—it was a calling grounded in empathy and respect for those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Yet, as she embarked on her journey, the reality she encountered as a doctor tested her resilience and redefined her purpose.
Her journey as a mother, a doctor, and a healer comes full circle in her book. Her children attended Shri Ram School. Her daughter, following in her footsteps as a soon-to-be gynaecologist, and her son, studying law at NLU Bangalore, were raised by their grandparents with the values of empathy and responsibility. Her husband is a paediatrician and an avid golfer.
Today, she leads the minimally invasive gynaecological surgery program at C. K. Birla Hospital. Her days are filled with both her professional duties and her commitment to her Nirvana community. Her Nirvana book club, too, serves as a sanctuary, a place for thoughtful discussion on the very social issues she seeks to address.
Her book, I Want a Boy
The seeds for I Want a Boy were sown in the corridors of government hospitals and the wards of private clinics, where she witnessed an enduring societal obsession: the desire for a male child. As a gynaecologist, she treated countless women pressured by orthodox families to bear sons, often to the detriment of their health and well-being. She watched helplessly as mothers suffered from life-threatening complications like postpartum haemorrhage, uterine rupture, and even death—all in pursuit of a family’s “need” for a son. Each tragedy was not merely a statistic but a painful testament to an ongoing social reality.
In her diary, she recorded these stories daily; documenting the physical and emotional trauma those women faced who were cast aside when they bore daughters. But it was during the quiet hours of the COVID-19 lockdown that she revisited these memories, digitising her handwritten notes and translating her grief into prose. With each story, she felt the emotions all over again—the sorrow, the helplessness, and the burning desire for change.
The book does not rely on formal research; instead, it draws from her intimate, firsthand accounts of the lives she sought to heal. These narratives reveal harsh truths, often hidden within hospital walls, challenging readers to confront a disturbing societal mindset that prioritises gender over health, life, and happiness. Her aim is not only to reveal the consequences of this orthodoxy but also to foster a sense of social responsibility.
That explains why the book has struck a chord with readers, who praise its unfiltered honesty and raw portrayal of real-life struggles. Many are inspired to question the outdated views that continue to harm women across generations. Through this newfound awareness, young readers in particular are pledging to support her mission, spreading her message on social media, podcasts, and beyond.
I Want a Boy is more than a book—it’s a call to action. The author has turned her pain into purpose, using her voice and her words to ignite change and challenge the deep-seated norms that persist in undervaluing women. Her message resonates as a plea for a world where daughters are as cherished as sons, where motherhood is celebrated rather than burdened by expectation, and where every woman has the right to health, respect, and equality.
