ShareKUWAIT: Blackmail and harassment are distressing issues that young female students often have to confront, and such experiences can have profound emotional and psychological impacts on them. Eighteen-year-old Indian student Mahammad Sami Shaik, currently in the 10th grade, has chosen to be the voice of his female peers, sharing their stories in his own unique way.
In his book, Shaik delves into the poignant topic of the suffering endured by young girls subjected to the distressing issues of blackmail and harassment. He sheds light on the challenges these girls face, gives a voice to their experiences and advocates for awareness and change in response to these pressing concerns. Kuwait Times spoke with him to learn more about his book “Heartbeat Sana”, which is officially certified by the National Library of Kuwait.
Kuwait Times: Could you provide insights into the main characters and events that drive the narrative in “Heartbeat Sana” and how they are connected to the issues of blackmail and harassment?
Shaik: “Heartbeat Sana” begins as a love story filled with emotions and destiny. The main characters in this story are Sonu Sana and Tyson. Initially, Sonu believes Tyson is a nice person. However, as the story unfolds, Sonu discovers Tyson’s true character, which involves manipulating, harassing and blackmailing girls. The narrative involves over 20 characters, offering a unique perspective. The book also incorporates real dates and times for added authenticity.
Tyson is not the only one involved in blackmailing and harassment; there are many individuals from different countries trapping girls aged between 14 and 18, and each of these cases is mentioned in the book.
KT: What inspired you to write this book, and what personal experiences or observations led you to address the alarming issue of young girls falling victim to blackmail and harassment?
Shaik: I have a habit of helping everyone. One day, a friend of mine was being blackmailed by someone. She couldn’t speak out due to fear, stress and depression caused by the blackmailer. With knowledge of ethical hacking, I used my skills to intervene, which proved effective, and he stopped blackmailing her.
Later, I created an Instagram page to assist people using my skills, primarily focusing on psychological tactics. I started receiving numerous cases of blackmail and harassment, with many girls falling into traps. I assisted each one of them, and through these experiences, I realized that the common thread was the girls’ fear of speaking out about their situations.
Within a month, I received so many cases that I began to wonder how many more girls were going through similar situations. This prompted me to write a book based on my research to raise awareness.
KT: Could you describe some of the challenges and emotional turmoil that the victims in your book go through, and how they navigate these difficult circumstances?
Shaik: Based on my research, the victims commonly experience fear and intimidation by the blackmailer, who exploits their vulnerability. The harassment causes extreme stress in victims, leading to suicidal thoughts and self-harm because they cannot openly discuss their predicaments. Some blackmailers edit girls’ pictures inappropriately and then use these altered images to blackmail the girls, coercing them into various actions by threatening to release those pictures on social media.
KT: In what ways does the book explore the role of technology in both facilitating and combatting issues like blackmail and harassment, and what messages or lessons do you hope readers will take away from this aspect of the story?
Shaik: Nowadays, blackmailers are using technology, including AI and editing apps, to edit innocent girls’ pictures and mentally harass them. Readers will glean various lessons from this book, as it contains numerous elements that reflect real-world occurrences, especially concerning how innocent girls are harassed and blackmailed in various ways. The book exposes the dark sides of the world.
The book empowers every young girl, encouraging them to speak out about their situations. For male readers, it imparts the value of emotions and teaches them never to contemplate harassing or blackmailing girls.
KT: How do you believe this book will benefit young individuals?
Shaik: This book exposes the strategies used by villains to trap and manipulate young individuals. It will help them become aware of these criminal tactics. The book provides hope and valuable lessons to young individuals who may be experiencing harassment and blackmail. At the end of the book, there is a message for young individuals that is the result of extensive research, which will help keep them informed and aware.
