book reviews revised version 1

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Preface This year we are celebrating 75 years of enterprising and progressive India, as well as its wonderful history, culture, and achievements. This will be a commemoration of the spirit of the struggle for freedom as well as an honour of the sentiments of sacrifice. Thousands of people have contributed to the country during the course of this long journey. Stories of these sacrifices and experiences will serve as a powerful source of inspiration to many. Library Matters India is bringing out this short booklet of book review compilation, as a tribute to the martyrs of our freedom struggle and as a reflection of their sacrifice. This booklet contains reviews of works published between 1857 and 1947 that depict the fight, political scene, and/or insight into India's freedom struggle, national leaders, or others. It will have a glimpse of how these books help us to travel back in time to understand about the complexities of such a big freedom movement lasting for years. -Library Matters Publishing Team

Contents 1. A Flag, A Song And A Pinch Of Salt: Freedom fighters of India reviewed by Sunitha Muralidharan 2. A Passage to India reviewed by Shalini Shenoy 3. Ahimsa reviewed by Darpana Choudhary 4. Bhimrao Ambedkar- The Boy Who Asked Why reviewed by Gizelle Rodrigues 5. Freedom at Midnight reviewed by Dr. Rajesh Patel 6. Indian struggle for independence 1857 to 1947 reviewed by Meenakshi C G 7. Invisible Lines reviewed by Sushweta Saha 8. Pinjar reviewed by Priya Thomas 9. The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India reviewed by Sajani Nair T.R 10. The Rani of Kittur: the defiant queen reviewed by Mangala Ganesh 11. Train to Pakistan reviewed by Heeru Bhojwani 12. Waiting for the Mahatma reviewed by Anitha 13. We the Children of India, The Preamble Of our Constitution reviewed by Mukta Jain

Title: A Flag, A Song And A Pinch Of Salt: Author: Freedom fighters of Publisher: India’ Subhadra Sen Gupta Puffin Books, 2015 Subhadra Sen Gupta’s foreword to her book is aptly named “Mission freedom”. This book is an inspirational biography about ordinary men and women whose zeal for freedom brought down the biggest colonial empire in the world. It offers insight into the lives of nineteen freedom fighters and courage and determination were their only ammunition. It has short chapters on the experiences of schoolteachers, traders, students, housewives, peasants, lawyers, craftsmen who were actively involved in our road to freedom. “Satyagraha does work”, says the author. Her Master’s degree in History has helped her in the making of this book. The author was born in Delhi. She specializes in historical fiction and non-fiction. She has written about 25 books for children and adults. This book will be of considerable interest to students and history buffs. The book brings together many incidents and noteworthy sayings of the leaders in their long march for independence. According to the author, they were all pilgrims who had

chosen the rocky path towards a dream called Freedom. Ambedkar, who was labelled an untouchable, had said bitterly, ‘Mahatmas have come and Mahatmas have gone, but the untouchables have remained untouchables.’ Abul Kalam Azad was a symbol of Hindu- Muslim unity. Annie Besant was feted as the’ living symbol of Mother India’. Subhas Chandra Bose, Netaji to the people, was considered as one of the most dangerous freedom fighters by the British government. Bhikaiji Cama unfurled the first Indian flag to the world and appealed to the lovers of freedom to cooperate in freeing one- fifth of the human race. Gandhi settled the first call for help from farmers in Bihar and realized that a Satyagraha gave people the courage to protest. Aurobhindo Ghose, ‘Sage of Pondicherry’, believed that Swaraj means the fulfilment of our national life. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a diligent teacher who became a leader of the national movement, and had deep faith in the constitutional path to self-government. Gaffar Khan, also called the Frontier Gandhi, responded to Gandhi’s call for Satyagraha and said it was the weapon of patience and righteousness. Birsa Munda dismissed the suzerainty of the British monarch and the power of the local king. Sarojini Naidu, the first Indian woman president of the Indian National Congress, led the marchers in Gujarat during the Civil Disobedience Movement. Dadabhai Naoroji opened the eyes of Indians to the reality of colonial rule. Jawaharlal Nehru put India on the international map and believed that technology and scientific development was essential for the progress of a nation. Vallabhai Patel, recognized as the Sardar, is known for his skills to keep the administration working for the Congress.

Chidambaram Pillai showed India that enterprise and courage can make Swadeshi work. Lajpat Rai, the Lion of Punjab, led by example and the people followed with absolute faith. Rajagopalachari was the quickest to recognize the cleverness of the real aim of the ‘Salt March’ and said shrewdly to Gandhi, ‘It is not salt but disobedience that you are manufacturing. The unusual revolutionary, Bhagat Singh said “The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas.” Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an eloquent speaker and writer who could feel the pulse of the people. The author has presented the biographies in alphabetical order with some unforgettable quotes. A timeline of the happenings from 1857 to 1947 has been added at the end of the book which serves as a good guide and reference to the reader. Sunitha Muralidharan

Title: A Passage to India Author: E. M. Forster Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1924 “They all become exactly the same, not worse, not better. I give any Englishman two years, be he Turton or Burton. It’s only the difference of a letter. And I give any English woman six months.” These lines from E. M. Forster’s A Passage to India highlights the essence of the gripping novel set at a time when the end of the British Colonial presence in India was yet to be a reality and true enough the novel has captured the tension between Colonial rulers and Indian professionals. The vivid description of the picturesque Chandrapore and fictional mystical Malabar caves sets the tone of the story. The action of the story begins when two English women one elderly, Mrs Moore mother of the city Magistrate Ronny Heaslop and her younger companion and fiancée of Ronny Mrs Adela Quested decide to explore and know India – both of whom never wanted to see India as a Frieze but get a glimpse of its true spirit. To be a part of the elite engrossed in their glossy world of ‘Bridge Parties’ and get-togethers, club gatherings where the natives were not allowed didn’t appeal to the two ladies as they wanted to get the feel of true India – brown bodies, white turbans, the crowd in Bazaar, Bathers in the tank etc.

A chance meeting of Mrs Moore with Dr Aziz in a mosque helped her learn more about India in a few minutes' talk than in the three weeks since she landed. She mentions her 3 children to a total stranger. Ironically Dr Aziz meets her daughter later as Mr Fielding’s wife. Ms Adela’s first meeting with Dr Aziz in Mr Fielding’s house is equally baffling as she accepted everything he said as true, never surmised that his outlook was limited and inaccurate. A novel for all age groups, it gives a true slice of the rights and wrongs of Colonial rule, religious turmoil that leads to riot when a branch of Peepal tree was cut for the smooth path of procession, and the rampant prevalence of British administration. The young Indians felt that the English take and do nothing. We accomplish what we are bribed for and the law uncovers us accordingly. The journey to the caves was an amusing experience for the two ladies with unexpected fall at the railway station, comic purdah carriage as Ms Adela described, the rolling melons, the scent of sweet oils, the sudden eruption of the butler from the lavatory with tea and poached eggs upon a tray. But things took an ugly turn at the caves with Mrs Quested accusing Aziz of having insulted her. Dr Aziz is arrested. The field glasses found in his pocket, discrepancy over the guide, his trying to run away from the police made him the culprit. Added to this the head of the police believed that all Indian characters have elements of criminality ingrained in them. Moreover, the word of an English woman was believed over the word of an Indian. Except for Mr Fielding who broke with his own order and

supported the young doctor, none from the English believed his innocence. Magistrate Ronny Heaslop truly represented the British upper clan who is torn between his mother’s death at sea, acquisition of the natives that his mother left India on his insistence and his conscience reminding him of his rude behaviour just before she embarked her final journey, his break up with Mrs Adela left him miserable. Professor Godbole represented Hinduism in the novel. His haunting song haunted both Ms Adela and Mrs Moore. Mrs Moore's untimely death at the sea, Ms Adela’s unexpected withdrawal of her accusation, Mr Fielding sheltering Mrs Adela after the hearing, misunderstanding between Dr Aziz and Mr Fielding - all these instances are a pointer to the fact that friendship between Indians and the English cannot last. In fact, the novel ends with Mr Fielding wondering, ‘Why can’t we be friends now?’ “It’s what I want. It’s what you want.” Then comes the reply – “No, not yet … no, not there.” Shalini Shenoy M

Title: Ahimsa Author: Supriya Kelkar Publisher: TU Books (An imprint of LEE & LOW Books), 2017 Anjali, the ten-year-old protagonist is contemplating some serious thoughts...Will she be hanged for vandalizing a British Officer’s house? Do all Indians need to give one family member to Mahatma Gandhi’s movement? Answers to all her questions are intricately woven into an action-packed plot. As the title suggests, Anjali belongs to a family, who strongly believes in the idea of non-violence. Her parents respect her thoughts and support her individuality. She has a mind of her own. Anjali’s father is a college professor and her mother works as a secretary for Captain Brent, a British officer. Chachaji, her great-uncle, is an old man with a narrow mind. He dislikes Anjali’s outspokenness and her mother’s stepping out of the house to contribute to the family. Nandini is the family cow, with whom Anjali shares an emotional bond. Her best friend Irfan is her confidante, who stands by her side as a brother. She and Irfan go to Pragati School, with a bunch of kids from their neighbourhood. Jamuna helps out with household chores. Mohan, a thirteen-year-old Dalit boy is employed as the family’s toilet cleaner. He lives in a basti nearby with other Dalit residents. While Anjali and her parents show empathy for Mohan’s work, Chachaji, on the

other hand, looks down upon him as a Dalit and treats him as an untouchable. Amidst India’s freedom struggle, the story highlights other pressing concerns of the caste system, equal opportunities, and Hindu-Muslim communal violence. Mahatma Gandhi’s Swadeshi movement plays a pivotal role in the story’s plot line. The charkha and its significance become integral to the story. The peacock feather in the story appears as a symbol of good times. As the story progresses, the title Ahimsa, takes a different connotation, striking an emotional chord with the audience. “We’re not the one invading someone else’s home like a cockroach.”These simple and powerful words left me thinking of the ‘Raj’ nowhere close to its true meaning, but an unwanted, unethical invasion into a foreign land. “Be the change you want to see”. – Mahatma Gandhi The characters in the story personify this thought through their actions. The children in the story are a remarkable example of what hope and resilience look like. For her debut novel, the author draws inspiration for the story from her grandmother who played her part in the freedom struggle. Her writing fluidity matches the use of Indian words, authenticating the Indian experience. This book would appeal to readers between 10-13 years. An award-winning title, it has been honoured with the New Visions Award. The author’s note gives us a glimpse of the historical background behind the concepts and events mentioned in the story. Darpana Choudhary

Title: Bhimrao Ambedkar- The Boy Who Asked Author: Why Publisher: Sowmya Rajendran Tulika Publishers; 1st edition (1 Jan. 2013) Young Ambedkar, fondly known as Bhim, went through his life known as an untouchable. He was refused a seat with his classmates in the classroom, denied drinking water at the common water tap that all children used, humiliated when his teachers refused to touch his books. He bore these discriminations in his neighbourhood and his classroom daily, and his driving question was why were they beneath all? Why were he and his community denied equal rights and dignity? There were no answers to his whys, and the injustices were more than he could bear. This moved him into resistance and fight for equality. His perseverance for equal rights inspired him to equip himself for the challenge, leading him to become India's first Law Minister. His quest brought about equality for the lower castes and untouchables in India, and his ideas eventually became the cornerstone of the Indian Constitution. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar worked hard to fight against caste discrimination and prejudices. He inspired Dalits across the nation with his fiery speeches and writings. Dr. Ambedkar led the protest encouraging fellow Indians to stop being victimised and fight for equality.

Author Sowmya Rajendran brings children the story of Dr. Ambedkar's life, portrayed from the perspective of his younger mind. This straightforward narrative brings awareness among children and raises the standards of acceptance, tolerance and equality, urging them to ask their whys to make a difference in the world. Praise & Critique: A moving book revealing how these injustices play out in a child's life. Very beautifully told from the context of a young child. Recommendation: Every Indian child deserves to know the story of Dr. Ambedkar and his strife for equality. Here's a book that will open one's eyes to recognise how privileged we are to enjoy freedom and equality and never to hesitate to voice our discomfort when human respect and dignity is at stake. Rating: Five Stars Gizelle Rodrigues

Title: Freedom at Midnight Author: Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 1975 “Freedom at Midnight” is a masterpiece of non- fiction by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre related to the events surrounding the Indian Independence. It is based on some incidents connected to our freedom struggle brought out after a profound research work done by the authors. It starts with the appointment Lord Mountbatten of Burma as the last Viceroy of British India and ends with the events connected to Gandhiji’s assassination. The book became an international bestseller that received immense praise worldwide. This book mainly focuses on two heroes- one is Mr Mountbatten and the second, Mahatma Gandhi. The life of Mrs and Mr Mountbatten from September to October 1947 has been vividly portrayed here. The book gives us a detailed description of the part played by Lord Mountbatten in the Independence of our country. As you read the chapters, you will find the story of our Independence unfurling through the eyes of Mrs Louise Mountbatten. It takes our thoughts to a different dimension and gives an entirely new perspective of the incidents that is not available in any of our history books. We get to know about many events –small and big, and the consequences followed. You become aware of several hidden facts in our history, which are not revealed anywhere else. When you read the book, you will admire the great man

Mahatma Gandhi more than ever. We will bow before the humility and philosophical ideologies of that great soul. The authors have also written about the partition from the touching perspective of the people who had lived together as siblings for centuries and fought with the colonial powers for their freedom. Finally on a fine morning, when the entire nation was celebrating the independence, these people had to leave all their belongings, their dears and near and go to an unknown land. All the pleasant and unpleasant incidents described in the book are reflections of real-life incidents. All these are really heart-wrenching and we will not be exaggerating if we claim it as an event that triggered one of bloodiest upheavals in human history. As a whole, it is brilliantly researched, well-written work. The style of narration makes it easier to comprehend even for ordinary people. In my opinion, it is a must-read book for every educated Indian as it reveals the true picture of the events that happened during the partition of India. When we read the book we may not like the way it presents the facts. The reason is that we are turning our face from reality. We never like bitter truths. We are not ready to accept it. Somewhere in our mind we are very proud about ourselves, the great emperors who ruled our country and the legendary leaders who guided us. But in reality we all are only humans. This book, like a mirror, reflects our character. It reveals that human beings are basically greedy, cruel and aggressive and opportunists. Freedom at Midnight received lots of criticisms as it openly tells several unpleasant facts from Indian history. The book helps us a lot to understand the psychology of our leaders during the freedom struggle. It also reveals the way

they carried out things before and after partition. The partition of our country will always be a painful non-healing wound in our minds. As we are going to celebrate our 75th year of independence, I really feel proud about the contribution of our leaders towards the nation. I would like to present this review as a tribute to them; with much respect and reverence to all those who sacrificed their lives and belongings for the benefit of our country. The narrative is lively, informative and richly detailed in all aspects. A real eye-opener for those who would like to know deeper about the unknown facts which got buried under the scenes. The freely flowing and lucid way of writing makes it an interesting read. Dr. Rajesh G. Patel

Title: Indian struggle for Author: independence 1857 to Publisher: 1947 Bipan Chandra Penguin Books, 1987 What is Freedom? Here is the perfect answer by our great Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection” Gitanjali This book “INDIAN STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE 1857 TO 1947” By Bipan Chandra brings some of the glorious moments of freedom struggle. The long-drawn-out battle of the Indian struggle for freedom is a saga of the supreme sacrifice made by the Indian people. There are several landmarks in this struggle against the mighty British Empire. The first milestone was the great revolt of 1857. This spark of 1857 did not die out. It grew into a flame. Finally, on August 15, 1947, this flame drove away the Britishers from India. That day marked the triumph of the spirit of freedom. Behind this triumph is a long long story This book analyses every minute detail of India’s freedom struggle and describes all the major events of Indian history

from 1857 to 1947. The author captures every incident with utmost clarity and accuracy. All the 39 Chapters in the book are competing with each other to provide authentic information about the happenings from 1857 to 1947. His (Bipan Chandra) descriptions of the various movements and the participation of men, women and leaders and the sacrifices that have undergone are all heart touching. Chapter 21 of this book describes some of the unsung heroes of our freedom struggle. Each chapter in this book makes us feel that we have been caught in a wave and finally when we reach the 39th Chapter we feel happy that we have been rescued to the shore safely. The following lines are from the last paragraph of chapter 37 of this book: 15th August 1947, dawned revealing the dual reality of independence and Partition. As always, between the two of them, Gandhiji and Nehru mirrored the feelings of the Indian people. Gandhiji prayed in Calcutta for an end to the carnage taking place. His close follower, Mridula Sarabhai, sat consoling a homeless, abducted 15-year-old girl in a room somewhere in Bombay. Gandhiji’s prayers were reflective of the goings on in the dark, the murders, abductions and rapes. Nehru’s eyes were on the light on the horizon, the new dawn, the birth of a free India. ‘At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world sleeps, India shall awake to light and freedom.’ His poetic words, ‘Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny,’ reminded the people that their angry bewilderment today was not the only truth. There was a

greater truth — that of a glorious struggle, hard-fought and hardwon, in which many fell martyrs and countless others made sacrifices, dreaming of the day India would be free. That day had come. The people of India saw that too, and on 15 August — despite the sorrow in their hearts for the division of their land danced in the streets with abandon and joy. I am sure the above paragraph will certainly kindle the patriotic feeling of the reader and tears of joy may drop but with a heavy heart. No other country in the world except India has succeeded in freeing themselves from the hands of colonial powers with merely ‘Ahimsa and Truth’ as the sole weapons. Bipan Chandra is a well-known historian of India and this book is comprehensive and informative for School, College and Civil Service aspirants and a treasure for all School and College Libraries. The story of Indian Independence is certainly an example that Truth always wins and Ahimsa will always protect victory “Stars often fall, heroes go unsung and martyrs most certainly die too young”- Joan C Baez I recommend every true Indian to read this book at least once in their lifetime and this is the only possible way to show our gratitude to all the martyrs and respect to our nation. Meenakshi C G

Title: Invisible Lines Author: Ruby Zaman Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher India, 2011 How do we define stories that reflect India’s Independence? Stories that end on 15 August? Or stories start way before and are carried on the way after, bearing with them the torch lights of history’s most profound yet most understated tragedies - The Partition of India. I am not midnight’s child, but I grew up listening to the stories told by my Thamma (paternal grandma) and Ma and Papa about their journeys. Though I was devouring books on this subject, it was strange not to represent my side of the story in books written in English. A story that began before 15th of August and continued beyond India’s independence. The story of the other side. The stories about the scars of partition; and the lines which sliced the country into two. The stories related to the creation of Pakistans and the formation of a new country Bangladesh. There are very few books in English written about such a significant event of India’s independence, dividing and creating Pakistan in the west and in the east Bangladesh the subsequent price paid by the innocent people there and ultimately became the story of Bangladesh.

Invisible Lines by Ruby Zaman a stunning book chronicling the horrors of those left behind and their unspoken and repressed emotions. Invisible Lines by Ruby Zaman takes you on this trip. It is a familiar trip of words and emotions expressed by my parents and grandmother. I could finally see on print and feel the collective agony passed down from grandparents to parents and now to me. This book touches a raw nerve to those who have travelled that path or have shared stories of that path of being divided not only based on religion but strangely on language. The story about a war fought for Sonar Bangla, traces the life and times of a wealthy spoilt Zebunissa of a Bihari father and a Sylheti mother. A true remnant of the incidents that happened in the backdrop of the Partition stretching out till 1971. Author, Ruby Zaman effortlessly throws in Bangla and smattering of Hindi words authenticating the entire reading experience without pausing to give the reader an English translation. Her emotional writing does not isolate the reader; instead takes you through all those turbulent times. You can smell the winter morning at Zeb’s grandfather’s house, waking up to the pithas being cooked. And, how the song-Ekla Chalo takes on an ominous meaning when one is left with nothing, debasing even his dignity. The book seamlessly showcases the social life of the Chittagong rich in the foreground and weaves a poignant coming of age story amidst the war that changes the lives of millions who had yet to recover. The horror and brutality written in such direct words wash over with emotions that have forever been built into our collective psyche.

This novel, written in a simple personal narrative, smoothly explains this almost forgotten part of history without any bias. It picturises the scars left behind and wounds too deep for tears or healing. Both personal and political simultaneously, it gives a glimpse into the turmoil that the Partition had caused in many lives. Several other identities were born out of this bloodbath. It is sporadic to find a book from this part of South Asia and even rarer to write about this darker side of the Indian freedom struggle. This is a must-read for everyone interested in learning more about this historical genocide, as a story can only be told by looking in both ways. It demonstrates that not all anecdotes are about the Partition of Punjab but includes tragedies on the other side. The story moves from the present to the past, conveyed to the younger generation, especially today, to comprehend the ongoing tragedies of war, deep religious divisions, and language divisions, as well as why this subcontinent is perpetually on edge. As always, it lies on the innocent shoulders of the youth to feel and to vent. Sushweta Saha

Title: Pinjar Author: Amrita Pritam Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 1975 The versatility of Amrita Pritam’s works has transcended the lines of time, language, and other geo- cultural barriers, reaching a global audience that to date cherishes the poignancy of her works. A female writer from the pre- independence era who fearlessly asserted herself be it in her personal or literary life has decidedly left an impression in many a fertile mind ever since. Pinjar came to me truly accidentally – and it took me by an emotional storm. The range of emotions that swept through me while reading this amazing work of literature is ineffable. As an Indian, a woman who has only hearsay of the struggle of independence and partition, this novel successfully gave me a first-hand experience of the emotional turmoil many women, irrelevant of their demographics, went through in those turbulent times. The protagonist of the novel Pooro, belonging to a well-to-do Hindu Punjabi family in the threshold of her youth who was effervescently looking forward to her marriage that was arranged with Ram Chand, an educated young man from the same strata that of Pooro’s family is from. Life takes a dramatic turn when Rashida, a Muslim youth kidnaps Pooro as an act of revenge for an equally dastardly act that the

forefathers of Pooro committed on his family. While the act in itself was the culmination of the incitement and feeling of injustice that was injected into him by his clan members, the motive was not all that not completely altruistic as Rashida had fallen in love with Pooro. Pooro’s transformation from a terrified and helpless young girl to a woman who matures to look at the happenstances of life and deals with it assertively and confidently did not come easily or even sublimely. The reader feels the internal struggle of Pooro and Hamida - the new name given to her when she was converted to Islam to be Rashida’s wife. We identify with Pooro, who cannot let go of her past, her anguish, her identity at the same time accepting Hamida who is starting to rise from the ashes of her past life, learning to channelize her anguish through helping the less fortunate beings or the ‘the flowers of life that others have plucked and cast aside’ as Pooro tells. Rashida is another character that we hate and love simultaneously. His penitence on kidnapping Pooro while in no way exonerates him, his endeavours to make up to her indeed puts the reader in a rather obscuring position as to whether the acknowledgment would trivialize Pooro’s sufferings. Every persona in this novel has a reason for his / her existence and contributing to the overall narrative of Pinjar as well as the growth of Pooro from a naïve laughing and carefree girl to a mature woman. The Hindu – Muslim feuds that destroyed many a life from the point of view of one to the sufferers during the partition of India has been beautifully depicted in this novel without being too political or prejudiced against any identity.

A translated work may not always effuse the same plethora of sentiments that the original work does – especially when it comes to the poetic aspects. To an extent, the belief is justified here too. The work is interspersed with quatrains and short verses which at times cuts the flow of the narrative as one feels the interpretation is not as sublime. Khushwant Singh though has undeniably given it a life that springs up as one watches Pooro’s life’s journey. Pritam’s pen strokes have given every character a richness of emotions that you cannot help but empathize and absorb. Be it the madwoman who runs naked through the streets of the village or Lajjo who turns out to be Pooro’s sister-in-law who undergoes the same trauma as Pooro does – we can cognize with them and leaves in us an equal impact that the protagonist evokes in us. Pinjar is unquestionably a beautiful work that has transcended time and language. For the younger generation who are fortunate to enjoy the freedom that our forefathers fought and delivered without going through the pain of partition or the struggle for independence, this book will doubtlessly help to give a glimmer of the traumatic events that shaped many lives since. And it is important to acknowledge that past in order for us to put in a stronger foundation for a better tomorrow. I highly recommend this beautiful work to anyone in search of touch with our past. Priya Thomas

Title: The other Side of Author: Silence; Voices from the Publisher: Partition of India Urvashi Butalia New Delhi, Viking, 1998 Urvashi Butalia, an Indian feminist, activist and historian, brought out to the surface the muffled voices of those millions of Indians who lost more than just life when the country was partitioned. Partition might have had different meanings to different people based on their political views, gender or religious roots. One cannot but wonder if the day we celebrate as Independence Day was when a country got its freedom or lost its dignity and structure. That is where the story gets its spark from. Butalia, a co-founder of Kali or Women (1984) and founder of Zubaan books (2003) focuses on the microcosm made of the less heard voices, the women, the children, the Dalits and the Hijaras, in the context of a country under the partition. The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India. The book is profoundly eloquent about the silenced voices that got muffled under the war cries and mad chase where humans turned inhuman in the wake of partition. As Butalia said, the stories of partition told by her mom never left any impressions until history repeated itself in the year 1984 when Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguard who belonged to the Sikh community. The event led to riots and atrocities against the Sikh community as a whole. The book is a compilation of around 70 interviews of the people who survived the unfortunate times to tell the tales of the partition,

which are not available in all those historical documents, diaries, and personal memoirs. Many books have been written on the partition, both fiction and non-fiction. Butalia's book is unique; it chronicles the suffering of individuals who have endured the greatest at the hands of their opponents and their own families. Plot Summary The story starts with Butalia going in search of her uncle, who chose to stay at Lahore and thus became an outcast because he was forced to convert to Islam. Butalia's mother, his sister, could never forgive him, and though they eventually reconciled, the grief of knowing that their mother, too, had to convert and was buried deep inside her. This created more imponderable lines in her psyche than partition. It has a personal ethos to it and it is coded under the title \"Blood\". Her narrative has been put under the headings \"Blood\", \"Facts\", \"Women\", \"Honor\", \"Children\", \"Margins\" and \"Memory\". Each one inks the horrors of reality, how humans are getting transformed into predators at any point in time. The chapter \"Honor\" sends chills down the spine where women are reduced to mere symbols of pride and honor. We can witness them being heartlessly humiliated by the enemies, and as a result, mercilessly rejected by their own families for being \"not pure.\" Children were slaughtered, families pushed to suicide; in the name of the religious divide. Humanity took a backseat here and brutality reigned wild. A similar book brings out the horrors of partition, Hamid Jalal from Ayesha Jalal's The Pity of Partition says, \"Now before our eyes lies dried tracks of blood, cut up human parts. Charred faces, mangled necks, terrified people, looted houses, burned fields, mountains of rubble, and overflowing hospitals. We are free. Hindustan is free. Pakistan is free\".

Analysis The narrative is free and flowing, expressions vivid and rooted in deep emotions. It has so much darkness and overlooks the positive side where people who got uprooted did find life. As Menaka Guruswamy said, \"By not teaching our children that we slaughtered our own, we have ensured that the practice of organized mass slaughter will continue\". I strongly recommend this book for the young and the old; to know the price we paid and the urgent need to protect the integrity of this land which is our home, our pride, our own India. Sajani Nair T.R

Title: The Rani of Kittur: the Publisher: defiant queen Amar Chitra Katha My First Thought: Amar Chitra Katha's series of books are my all- time favorite comic books. I take this opportunity to introduce Rani of Kittur, a comic book to solute Rani Chennamma in this Salam India book review concept. Author & Illustrator: This comic is written by Rajalakshmi Raghavan and illustrated by HS Chavan and Dilip Kadam. Amar Chitra Katha was founded by Aanath Pai in 1967. ACK covers Indian stories from mythology to history, biographies, folktales, and literature in 20 Indian languages. These comics provide a glorious tribute to India’s rich cultural heritage. Genre: This comic is a history legend – ‘Brave Hearts’. Story: Chennamma was a queen of Kittur, famed as Kittur Rani Chennamma. She was well known for her courage and patriotism. All of our freedom warriors were motivated and enthralled by her life story. During the freedom movement, her bravery against Britishers’ rule was portrayed through plays, mimes & songs composed, which became a good boost for freedom fighters. Rani Chennamma became a legend in the Indian freedom movement

When the doctrine of lapse was imposed on native states by the British East India Company, Rani Chennamma was the first Indian ruler who strongly opposed the policy. She valiantly fought against Britishers and her victory in 1824 marked the first achievement against British rule. Her heroic rebellion made Rani Chennamma an icon of bravery. This brave story is perfectly weaved and created in a comic design. Illustrations and storylines with all those relevant features of a comic have proved to hook the attention of every reader. Narrative story structure is very simple to understand and it takes us through a journey to our history. Every aspect of the storyline evokes patriotism and pride in the minds of readers. Just by gazing at the book's illustrations, I get goosebumps. Every time I read this novel, it stirs something inside me and elicits an emotion that is possibly tied to my conscious sense of patriotism. I feel intense ache simply thinking how Rani Chennamma must have faced the situation. Celebration: In the Karnataka state, ‘Kittur Utsava’ is organized every year during October, as a mark of tribute to Rani Chennamma’s heroic power. Mangala Ganesh

Title: Train to Pakistan Author: Khushwant Singh Publisher: Penguin India, 1956, 1975 Train to Pakistan narrates the story like a storyteller recounting the events from his personal experience of the partition As you go through the book, the words transform you to Mano Majra, a village in the fictitious India - Pakistan border setting you in the mood of a true story, during the summer of 1947. A story about Islam, Hindu, Sikh and all other religions all aim for peaceful co-exist. And, yet, after 70 years, we still are struggling to create a peaceful existence. This story triggers you to become reflective and examine the biases and perceptions about beliefs and cultural similarities and differences. A combination of a love story that adds spice to the narrative, with political and social disharmony. The story portrays an earnest attempt of people from multicultural and religious backgrounds to live a life of peaceful co-existence. Seventy years down the lane, sadly we are still at the stage of endeavoring for it. Author successfully raises in us a self- reflection forcing us to examine the inherent biases and perceptions that we carry about beliefs, similarities, and differences among us. The love story within, that adds spice to the narrative in the backdrop of political and social disharmony.

Khushwant Singh, in this first-person narrative, describes his experience during the partition. He holds the community members responsible for the confusion and chaos at the time of the partition. He says, \"By the summer of 1947 when the creation of the new state of Pakistan was formally announced, ten million people—Muslims and Hindus and Sikhs—were in flight. By the time the monsoon broke, almost a million of them were dead, and all northern India was in arms, in terror, or hiding. His words paint the village and draw you magically the slashing monsoon beating through it. \"The monsoon is not like ordinary rain which comes and goes. Once it is on, it stays for two months or more. Its advent is greeted with joy. Parties set out for picnics and litter the countryside with the skins and stones of mangoes. Women and children make swings on branches of trees and spend the day in sport and song. Peacocks spread their tails and strut about with their mates, the woods echo with their shrill cries. But after a few days, the flush of enthusiasm is gone.\" However, the story revolves around how rumours and ill-will of religious agitators can bring disharmony among different religious groups even when people from all backgrounds have lived in perfect harmony all their lives. 'Harey Ram, Harey Ram. Fifteen hundred innocent people! What else is a Kalyug? There is darkness over the land. This is only one spot on the frontier. I suppose similar things are happening at other places. And now I believe our people are doing the same. What about the Muslims in these villages?'

'That is what I came to report, sir. Muslims of some villages have started leaving for the refugee camps. Chundunnugger has been partly evacuated. Pakistan army lorries with Baluchi and Pathan soldiers have been picking them up whenever information has been brought.\" Reading passages like these brings a shudder from the past and bestirs you to the similarities you see in the world today, be it in Kashmir, Afghanistan or Syria. Nothing has changed. It provokes you to think - When are the social and political structures going to evolve? Courage lies in characters.The three main characters Hukum Chand, the magistrate, Iqbal Singh and Juggut Singh in the story are all different, powerful and are faced with turbulent moral situations. Who is right? Who is wrong? The reader is pushed in the shades of grey to prove their righteousness. Many have argued that Train to Pakistan has many explicit descriptions of rape, torture and death, which was not required. However, in my opinion, at times gruesome realities help hit the soul, shaking us out of the slumber of lethargy and inaction, driving us to stand up with an empathetic heart and love for the sake of humanity rather than religious affiliations and moral paradoxes. A historical fiction published in 1956 relevant even today takes us back and forth in time as we contemplate the geopolitical and religious predicament in our lives—a story for those interested in social, religious, psychological narratives, and students of literature. Mr. Khushwant Singh has used all literary devices to draw out India's social and cultural understanding.

Tags: Historical Fiction, Indian History, India-Pakistan Partition, Social & Cultural Values, Khushwant Singh, Literature, Secondary School Book Club, Literary Fiction. Ms Heeru Bhojwani

Title: Waiting for the Mahatma Author: R. K. Narayan, Pub. Year: 1955 Waiting for the Mahatma is a delightful historical fiction novel by R K Narayan, set in the picturesque fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. This story is a narrative about socio-political happenings during the 1940s. It combines all the attractive elements of a love story with vivid narration about historical events of India's freedom struggle. The story as it goes: The entire story revolves around an unfocused spoilt young man, Sriram and his love interest Bharati, an enthusiast devout in Mahatma Gandhi's service. Sriram, an orphan, was raised by his grandmother, who pampered him. He lived his life passively and aimlessly till an assertive young girl, Bharati, approached him for a donation. Sriram is impressed by Bharathi's enchanting demeanour, diligence, and active involvement in Mahatma Gandhi's freedom movement. In his attempt to impress her, Sriram joins the Gandhi cadre and stars alongside her in the Quit India movement, where he takes part in many non-violent protests led by Gandhiji. He falls in love with Bharati and desperately hopes to marry her. Bharati agrees to marry him on one condition - that the Mahatma gives his consent for their marriage. Although depressed by her decision, Sriram joins Bharati in her visits to various villages, meeting the poor and the distressed and spreads the message of Satyagrah while his heart yearns for her love.

Gandhi's teachings influence Bharati, and in spending time with her, the Satyagrah principles begin to take root in Sriram's convictions. Although he was involved in the freedom movement activities, he always tried to be with Bharati for the best part of his mission. He often felt sad about his grandmother living alone in his village and Bharati's rejection to marry him. Sriram begins to get agitated and turns repulsive. He eventually joins photographer Jagdish, a staunch follower of Nethaji Subash Chandrabose. Misled by Jagdish, he gets involved in violent plans against the British government. Arrested and convicted for his acts, he serves a long term in jail. On the other hand, Bapu, Bharati and many non-violent warriors of India's freedom struggle get arrested for political reasons. But they are all released in the wake of Independence. Meanwhile, Sriram's life in prison was not easy. He wept and sobbed in the loneliness of his cell, remembering Bharati and his grandmother. He began to think that Bharati didn't like him and Gandhiji was the barrier between them. Finally, after his release from prison, Gandhiji approves their marriage and gives them his blessings. But to their dismay, the next day before their wedding, they hear the news that Gandhi was shot dead by a man. The author's craft of writing shines through as he brings a remarkable insight into the rise of Indian nationalism described through the perspectives of both Sriram and Bharati. Readers are transported through a time in history as each page unfolds around the sacrifices and struggles of the Indian freedom struggle.

My musings a. It portrays an accurate picture of the Indian freedom struggle. b. The importance of Gandhian principles like Non- violence, Satyagraha, Tolerance and Truth is powerfully illustrated in the story. It arouses a strong sense of patriotism in the reader's mind. c. The sufferings in prison are well portrayed. d. The mysterious ending of the story gives the readers the freedom to imagine the end as they wish. Overall the story, with its satirical elements, is a short and beautiful read. Through the book, R K Narayan tries to uphold values like Truth, Ahimsa and Non-violence and the humaneness, compassion and perseverance of a great man, Gandhi. The author presents an accurate picture of the significant struggle that happened in the background. The impressive plot creates a substantial impact on our minds about the efforts, sacrifices and losses our ancestors had to bear while working towards the ultimate goal of Indian Independence. As readers, we feel nostalgic for a time in that era that we will never get to experience. Anitha B

Title: We the Children of India, the Preamble of Author: our Constitution. Publisher: Leila Seth Penguin India “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people; It is an instrument for the people to restrain the government”. – Patrick Henry About Author: Leila Seth was the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court, and later became the first woman Chief Justice of a state High Court, the Himachal Pradesh High Court. She resigned as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh in 1992. She served as a member of the 15th Law Commission of India, and was on the lead of the report on free and compulsory education for children. She worked with a number of schools and universities and had a keen interest in human rights matters. The preamble serves as an introduction or guidelines to the Constitution of India. It states the purpose, principles and philosophy of the Indian Constitution. In that aspect it can be recognised as the soul and backbone of our constitution and plays a great role in determining the country's fate.

It is the preamble that provides a quick overview of why the constitution was drafted. The preamble is divided into three sections. Every phrase in the prologue has been carefully picked and structured so that when read, the preamble paints a clear image of India's vision toward its citizens. Therefore, I must recommend this book to all children and even adults to read it and know the characteristics of the preamble of the Indian constitution. During this 75th year of our independence, it matters a lot to us to know about the Preamble and the Constitution as well. As responsible citizens of our motherland, we must be aware of the backdrop to the creation of the Constitution and all those little unknown incidents. This small book throws light to all such minute details with beautiful graphics and original pictures. Some great words such as Sovereign, Democracy, Republic and Socialist etc. were beautifully explained to the children in simple texts and pictures. The language is lucid and very clear to comprehend. As per the author, it is never too early for young people to learn about the Constitution. This is an essential reading for every young citizen of India. Ms. Mukta Jain

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