Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Harnoor Kaur, a 7th grade student of Kings College, Doha, has stressed the need for parents to give their children books instead of gadgets, adding that reading books from a very young age will help in their mental growth, widening vision, language vocabulary, gaining knowledge, as well as helping keep focus on their studies.
“Children must not be given gadgets before the age of 15,” she said.
Born to an Indian family, the 11-year-old prodigy is a multi-skill student. She has been a member of the school’s Student’s Council, member of the school’s Beacon Club, a member of Qatar Music Academy, a member of the school choir, writer, poet, a violin player and an avid reader.
“I like to be an author,” she said.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, Harnoor gave all the credit to her parents, especially her mother Simran Kaur, who is her mentor, guide and protector at every step.
She said she always shares her thoughts, feelings and curiosity with her mother who is always besides her, adding that she gets guidelines from her mother at the time of designing of illustrations of her book.
To Harnoor, books are her closest friends. As per library record of King’s College, Doha, Harnoor has read more than 500 books, reading almost one book per day, Simran kaur said.
The young author, who has written four books at age 11, said she likes fiction and imaginative stories as seen from her writings. Her four books are ‘The Saddest boy in the world’, ‘Strongest Girl in the world’, ‘Rudest Girl in the world’ and ‘Filthiest girl in the world’.
“Harnoor wrote her first book when she was age seven. The book with its illustrations is available in print form, while the other three books are under final illustrations and design process, will soon go for publication,” said the child’s mother.
Simran Kaur added that Harnoor’s books will soon be available online on Amazon, Flipkart, Kindle and Ingram.
Talking about Harnnor’s attitude at home and outside, she said Harnoor is a very gentle, obedient, caring, active, intelligent and focused child.
Harnoor has deep interest in poetry too. She participates in school poetry competitions and has been the winner of the school’s spelling bee competition for three consecutive years and was a geography bee finalist a s well.
Accompanying her parents during vacations to various countries, Harnoor’s favourite places are libraries and cultural centres.
She described Qatar National Library as “an amazing place beautifully designed to promote knowledge”, adding that she loves to stay long in the library and read books.
