Dr Indira Mallya is a freelance writer and child development consultant. With qualification in Child Life in Health Care Settings and masters in Social Work, Dr Mallya has worked as a research associate, lecturer and associate professor. Her engagements include training of students, parents, children and the community and she has done extensive research in areas of Human Development (HDFS).

Baby Sheetal was brought home from the hospital with the usual fanfare bestowed on a newborn. Within a couple of days, visitors started pouring in to congratulate the parents and admire the baby. Among them was a doctor who kept staring anxiously at Sheetal, much to the