Anitha Clemence found her roots.

All people have a story. After the adoptive parents’ passing, the insight came as a cold shower: no one could tell her.

– My children Penny and Tom Allan became the clear driving force to try to puzzle my origin and write « family secrets », says Anitha Clemence and continues:

– The book is not a settlement with the adoption system or anger towards the state, but it is more dig in a cold case. And this happens to be my Cold Case, which has been resolved.

The world is rich and it is such an incredible favor and privilege to have family and friends in different places

Anitha Clemence has long been a well -known profile in the media industry. Over the years she has created, among other things, the humor series « Moms », the talk show « Anitha » and operated several successful pods.

– I am most proud that I managed to believe in my own abilities and completed advanced « digs », built companies, homes and also taken care of my children in between. On my own, I have managed to create a good life, despite quite bad conditions.

Why did it feel important to know where you are coming from?

– Because I wanted to understand my origin and find my identity. It probably understands no one who has grown up with their biological parents, how important it is for the self.

In 2005, she traveled to India for the first time. The goal was to experience the place where she spent her first two years, but had no memories from. Already outside the hospital, the relationship was immediate.

-Chai tea. The scent from the tea stall was unmistakable. Suddenly I understood why I, as a child, was almost obsessed with mixing coffee with a large amount of milk and sugar. It was a bit my attempt to access that strong spice.

The nuns at the hospital remembered Anitha and told her she was a bushy child.

– Sometimes they joked with me and said « if you don’t tighten up, you can accompany your real parents home ». Then I hooked the first best strangers and asked, « Are you my parents? »

It can also be an explanation as to why she, as a little boy, often ran away from her adoptive mother at the library.

– As soon as I saw an Indian family, I tailored to them. Afterwards, I did not understand at all why I did so and was ashamed of something incredible.

The relationship with India has been complex. In connection with Anitha looking for her biological parents, she appeared in the Indian press, which called her « daughter of sin ».

– They did not even print my name, and claimed that I was looking for my breastfeeding – that a mother could be associated with the search was not included in their worldview.

Did you find your biological parents?

– Yes, but it is difficult to explain … From a Western perspective, it is just to go there and visit, but in Kerala many Catholics and belong to a strict Catholic phalanx that consolidates a lot of shame and guilt. I am the result of a « business », and at least it would ruin my parents’ reputation if it was found that I existed. Thus, they had most consciously kept me hidden, and out of care about them I let it remain so.

Anitha says that the many places she has visited in the search for her origin have enriched her with relationships and natives, but also made her reflect.

– In Sweden you sometimes become so isolated and just think about your own little family – but it’s really all the components that make the difference, she says and continues:

– I think of all the friends I made in India and yes, worldwide, but also on former partners and their families. The world is rich and it is such an incredible favor and privilege to have family and friends in different places. It extends life.

What has it given you to write « family secrets »?

– Family, friends and self -acceptance. Now I can finally move on – with a story of my origin, says Anitha Clemence.