A Journey of History and Purpose
The Crossing, published by Daastan, brings history to life through the story of a family during Partition. The author, Alesha Faraz, is a 19-year-old student studying Social Development Studies at Aga Khan University in Karachi. Along with her studies, she works in the Early Childhood Development department at AKU.
In her conversation with Daastan, Alesha shares what inspired her to write “The Crossing”. She also explains how Daastan supported her at every step and made the publishing process smooth and well-organized.
Alesha Faraz: The Author
Alesha Faraz is a 19-year-old student based in Karachi. She is studying Social Development Studies at Aga Khan University. Along with her studies, she is also involved with the Early Childhood Development department at AKU.
Alesha Faraz’s days usually start early and are busy. She spends long hours at the University attending classes and working with her team. In the afternoon, she teaches the spin classes, which is something she truly enjoys. Fitness plays an important role in her life, whether she is leading a class or going for long walks to relax and clear her mind.
In the evening, Alesha Faraz’s routine becomes lower and more focused. She works on her assignments, reads books, and takes time to rest before starting her day again.
Regarding her daily routine, she shared.
“I’ve grown to really enjoy this routine because it keeps me balanced, both mentally and physically.”
Alesha is currently working on several key projects with the Early Childhood Development department. Her main focus is on developing manuals that are designed to support young children and their families in meaningful and practical ways.
The Crossing
The Crossing is a book for readers who want to understand Pakistan beyond dates and textbook facts. It is written for those who wish to learn what people truly experienced in 1947 and the sacrifices that were made to build the country we live in today.
The story follows the Ansari family, who live a simple and peaceful life in Triplicane, Madras. As tensions rise, everyday life becomes unsafe, and staying no longer feels like an option. They’re forced to leave behind their home, their routine, and everything familiar, and move toward Pakistan, a place that at that point is more hope than certainty.
Talking about her book, she said.
“It’s a very emotional book, and it isn’t meant to be read in one sitting. This is a heavy history, and it deserves time.”
The novel shows the realities of migration during Partition, including fear, crowded trains, and the hard choices families had to make. It also highlights moments of kindness, where strangers helped each other survive.
The book is inspired by true events and focuses on people, their bravery, losses, and strength during a painful time in history.
She added.
“I wanted the story to feel honest, not dramatic for the sake of it, but real. Something that stays with you even after you’ve closed the book.”
What inspired Alesha Faraz to write “The Crossing”?
This book is deeply personal to the author. Growing up in Pakistan, Partition was always part of her identity, but the stories were shared in small parts. The pain and experiences were known, yet they were not fully explained.
She realized that people inherit the country, but they do not always inherit the full stories behind its creation. During our Conversation, she shared.
“I wanted to write this book because I felt a responsibility to explore that gap. Partition wasn’t just a historical event, it was lived by real people.”
Alesha Faraz‘s motivation came from the belief that memories fade if they are not remembered. As younger generations, we live in a Pakistan built on sacrifices we didn’t witness ourselves.
She added.
“This book was my attempt to slow down and listen to those histories. At its core, this book is about identity. About where we come from, what we carry forward, and why remembering still matters.”
Daastan Role As A Book Publisher Of “ The Crossing”
“The Crossing” is published by Daastan, Pakistan’s leading publishing platform, dedicated to supporting national & international authors.
Daastan guides authors through the challenges of publishing.
Alesha Faraz’s Experience with Daastan In Her Own Words.
When we asked Alesha about her experience with daastan, she said.
“Daastan played a key role in making my journey as an author feel supported and manageable.”
She added.
“The team was consistently responsive, and whenever I had a question or concern, I received timely and thoughtful replies. That level of communication made a huge difference.
Because everything was handled online, it was incredibly easy to stay in touch and keep track of what stage my book was at. Daastan helped remove the uncertainty that often comes with publishing by keeping the process transparent and organized, which made the entire experience much smoother and far less overwhelming.”
Key Takeaways From “ The Crossing”
When we asked Alesha about the takeaways readers can take from “The Crossing”, she said.
“One of the biggest takeaways from this book is empathy. Partition is often talked about through dates and political decisions, but this story brings it back to people. Readers see how displacement feels on a human level for adults and children.”
She added.
Including the children’s perspectives was important to me. Through their eyes, we see confusion, fear, curiosity, and moments they don’t understand but deeply feel. Showing multiple points of view, each person’s experience of Partition becomes different, though they are living through the same events. It reminds us that history doesn’t affect everyone the same way.
Another key takeaway is how our present is tied to the past. Choices made in 1947 continue to shape our identities today, especially as Pakistanis. The book invites readers to think about home, belonging, and the sacrifices that shaped our lives.
During our conversation, Alesha explained in detail why her book is a must-read
“I think The Crossing is a must-read because it encourages readers to slow down and truly sit with history. It doesn’t simplify the pain or offer an easy narrative, but it does offer honesty. By giving voice to both adults and children, the story becomes more complete, and hopefully, more unforgettable.”
Alesha Faraz’s Message For Readers
When we asked Alesha Faraz what she would like to say to her readers, she first thanked her readers.
“To my readers, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for choosing to remember, and for giving this story your time and attention. When everything around us is moving so quickly, choosing to slow down and read a book like this is a small decision that actually means a lot.”
Then she shared a message for her readers.
“This story doesn’t give clear answers or neat conclusions. It reminds us that life, freedom, and home are built on courage, loss, and resilience. People before us left behind everything they knew, not because they were fearless, but because they hoped for something better. I hope you carry that truth gently with you.”
She continued.
“If this book stays with you, I hope it softens you. I hope it makes you listen a little more closely to the stories of those who came before us, and makes you think differently about borders, belonging, and what home really means. And on days when you feel unsure of where you fit in, I hope you remember that you come from people who survived things they never thought they would.”
“Take your time with this book. Sit with it. Feel what it asks you to feel. And above all, never forget that remembering is powerful, and so are you.”
Check out more author blogs.
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Their team is super supportive and professional. They walked me through every step of the process, from editing to printing, and even helped me with marketing. I've heard amazing things about their work, and I'm not surprised - they're clearly passionate about what they do.
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If you're thinking of publishing your work, look no further. Daastan is the way to go!
I have worked with many publishers in Pakistan, of which Daastan tops among independent publishers on account of transparency, quality and earlier response.
Their publishing process was exceptionally smooth and reassuring. After I registered, Narmeen, their consultant and editor, handled my manuscript with remarkable professionalism, guiding me through every stage with clarity and patience. With their support, I successfully published two books: Love, Lucknow aur Lahore, which received immense appreciation, and a short story titled Gol Roti.
What truly elevates Dastaan is the authenticity of their team. Ommar, Narmeen, and every member of their staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in my growth as a writer. Their encouragement turned what could have been a daunting experience into an inspiring milestone in my creative journey.
As a first-time author venturing into the literary world with both excitement and hesitation, I could not have found a better publishing partner than Daastan Pvt Ltd. Under the thoughtful leadership of Syed Omar Amer, the team at Daastan was unwaveringly supportive, responsive, and professional, guiding me with care and insight through every step of the publishing process. Their facilitation turned what could have been an intimidating journey into one marked by encouragement and trust.
The quality of the finished product speaks for itself - readers and recipients of my books consistently comment on the exceptional standard of printing and presentation, especially preservation of the design colours. The books look and feel beautiful in the hand, which has enhanced both their reach and reception. For any author, whether stepping into print for the first time or seasoned in the craft, I wholeheartedly recommend Daastan as a go-to publisher and printer. They are capable, creative, and above all, committed to the stories their authors want to tell. I am truly delighted that I found my way to them.
Dr Haroon Awan
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