6.12 Aisha and Shasvathi: The Real Reason Behind South Asia's <1% Divorce Rate

South Asia boasts a less than 1% divorce rate. But the real reason behind it is far from happy marriages. In this episode, Tara and Michelle sit down with Aisha Sarwari and Shasvathi Siva, as they talk about misogyny and marriages in South Asia. Aisha&apos;s book, &apos;Heart Tantrums&apos;, is a memoir that addresses her immigrant life and her marriage to a man with a personality-altering brain tumor and how, despite the grief and abuse she faced, she was told that being a devoted wife would fix everything.Shasvathi&apos;s book, &apos;Divorce is Normal&apos;, is a handy guidebook that aims to normalize divorce and provide legal, emotional, and mental support for anyone going through divorce, or considering it. What is it like to be a divorced woman in South Asia and why is there so much stigma attached?In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we will shine a spotlight on two compelling contemporary voices each month, individuals who are reshaping the landscape of Indian literature. Join us in a thought-provoking conversation as we delve into the realities of South Asian marriages, societal expectations, and why it&apos;s always better to &quot;struggle with the community&quot;!Books and authors mentioned in this episode:When I Hit You - Meena KandasamyRewriting My Happily Ever After - Ranjani RaoHow Much is Too Much? - Neha MehrotraThe Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret AtwoodAll About Love - Bell HooksApplications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.