Getting Stronger

Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand and Tara Anand explores Nitasha’s growing pains. It’s a graphic novel and a Nutmeg nominee.

The story follows her struggles with her mom who expects her to behave as a traditional Indian girl. Meanwhile her older brother, a doctor, can do no wrong. Her best friend has been getting closer with a new girl in town. And her crush ends up with the new girl.

Nitasha deals with her stress by drinking and self harm. Things come to a terrible head after she is recorded drunk and in her underwear while trying to impress her crush. His girlfriend records her and posts it on social media. It eventually reaches her parents and devastates their relationship.

Nitasha tries to kill herself. While in psychiatric care, she meets another teen. They become friendly and their conversation makes Nitasha realize that her life is actually pretty good, full of family and friends.

She spends the remainder of the book bettering herself while also repairing her relationships with parents and friends.