'What if the secrets of an entire neighbourhood were connected in ways no one could explain?
Newly married Sumi arrives in Shantinagar, a seemingly peaceful middle-class town in modern India, ready to begin the next chapter of her life. An aspiring quantum physicist, she soon discovers that the world around her is not unlike the mysterious universe she studies-where unseen connections, unexpected interactions, and hidden forces shape everything.
As Sumi settles into her husband's family home, she begins to notice the intricate web of relationships that binds the residents of Shantinagar together. Neighbours watch one another, long-held secrets quietly simmer beneath the surface, and small events set off consequences that ripple through the entire community.
With warmth, humour, and remarkable insight, The Lights of Shantinagar explores family, marriage, identity, and the changing face of modern India. As old traditions collide with new ideas, the people of Shantinagar are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and those they love.
Blending the charm of a small-town family drama with the intellectual curiosity of a coming-of-age story, this is a deeply human novel about belonging, connection, and the invisible threads that shape our lives.
Perfect for readers who enjoy thoughtful literary fiction, family sagas, contemporary Indian novels, and character-driven stories filled with heart and wisdom.
Tropes and Themes:
Family Saga
Small-Town India
Newly Married Heroine
Found Family
Interconnected Lives
Women's Fiction
Coming of Age
Generational Relationships
Community Secrets
Self-Discovery
Modern India
Literary Fiction
Love, Marriage and Identity
Warm, Character-Driven Storytelling
About the Author
Nidhi Arora s stories and essays are featured in international journals and anthologies including Best New Singaporean Short Stories, Out of Print, The Hooghly Review, QLRS, Cha, and Popshot. She has authored two books on Secure Attachment: A parent-child bonding series and edited the third. More at https://www.nidhi-arora.com/