Hong Kong born and raised Ritu Hemnani, is an author, teacher, TEDx speaker and voice actor. From a young age, Ritu was a passionate stage performer and writer, winning poetry competitions from entries scribbled on the top deck of a moving bus! After qualifying as an English and Drama high school teacher, Ritu worked in the UK before returning to Hong Kong in 1997, to work at KGV School, whilst voice acting for educational toys.
Ritu published her first children’s book in 2017, Gope and Meera – A Migration Story, which seeks to foster awareness and empathy for migrants in our communities. Ritu promotes inclusiveness and diversity in her writing and story-telling presentations to schools across Hong Kong. Her stories feature in the South China Morning Post, Asian Literary Review and Reader’s Digest.
Ritu was selected to speak at the TEDxTinhauwomen event, Bold and Brilliant, in 2019. Her talk, An Inheritance Worth Sharing, is a reflection on the gift of resilience she claims from her rich heritage.
Ritu is a writing ambassador for the Home of Loving Faithfulness, which serves the disabled community of Hong Kong. Ritu also serves on the judging committee for the annual Kids4Kids My Story Creation, writing competition and KGV’s Evening of Music and Dance, which she co-founded in 1999. Ritu is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and is working on her first novel.
Website: https://www.rituhemnani.com/
SCMP page: https://www.scmp.com/author/ritu-hemnani
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRoIkYzmLa8
TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-GelCkt-t4