Japanese benchmark

She may not know where the story begins or where it ends. But author Dina Mehta is sure that "The Voice of Authority” which belongs to her earlier collection The Other Woman And Other Stories (published by Vikas in 1981) features as a Japanese translation in the December 2004 issue of Fujin-no Tomo in Tokyo. As the Japanese language reads from back to front, the title of the book appears on page 208 and her photo on page 205.

Mehta: rising readership

"It all began with the editor of Fujin-no Tomo, Naoe Ishiwata giving me a surprise call from Tokyo and following it up with a letter in quaint English offering publication and asking me for a photograph…In due course I received a handsome cheque…” recalls Mehta.

Yet another story by Mehta, "Moments of Truth” is awaiting publication with Melvin Sterne, editor of The Carve Magazine. Beginning November 2005 the story would be on his website www.carvezine.com and will be printed in his magazine in the middle of next year. "Who says nice things don’t happen to old ladies?…Old age demands courage. And a sense of humor,” she trails off.