Partition of India is one of the darkest episodes of Indian history No amount of writing can ever do justice to reflect on what people had actually gone through Yet Silenced Stories Resilient Voices by Dr Ayushi Chirag Arora has been a modest attempt in the noble cause Dr Ayushi Chirag Arora The other day I finished reading Indian Summer by Alex Von Tunzelmann A good resourceful book on 1947 partition of a nation in two parts this book basically took a close look at the inside tables of Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten relationship Also.

What an apt title to the themes of separation and partition in light of 1947 and 1971 I remember reading many fictional books particular stories of people suffering from both sides hurrying away to safe zones cramped up in overcrowded trains with trepidation The shift of population in the heat of partition wasn t only painful but also horrific Imagine people divided for everything got separated from loved ones many getting killed looted raped abducted and what not The pain of partition and separation is not something a causal wound it never heals at least for one or two generations This book talks about the history of India East and West Pakistan then the partitions in a way that leave indelible dent on one s consciousness A very new offering perspective on partition literature narrates how Mountbatten was involved in staging up the partition with least amount of preparation According to his ideology it went peacefully however it has got blood of than a million innocent lives. Anyway leaving Indian Summer I came ahead in search of new literature from the Indian authors on partition themes Thus I met Ayushi and her book Silenced Stories Resilient Voices I have so many thoughts galloping in my mind as a result But the thing is I don t know if I can honestly write what I feel about this book and what I have read in this book There was a time I would have expressed my thoughts unabashedly But I have come to realize at times its better to keep your thoughts to yourself. Now this book is all about partition aspects ranging from1947 that created Pakistan and 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War from Pakistan The author digs deeply as what led to these partitions the groundbreaking reasons rationale behind move political interests and many other events that transpired such untoward migration and refugees The book also talks about the terrible human cost of partition Also in it you discover facts that will not only amaze you but also jolt you With well presented information and topics the book gradually tells the story of a time which not only shaped India but also the Indian subcontinent What I would have liked was a balanced representation of certain aspects but then the book would have been perfect wouldn t it Still I learnt some new things from it which made me reevaluate a lot of facts as well as reaffirmed some others Well non fiction and history lovers that s all I have to say I suggest this non fiction on this subject if you want to deep dive in it Dr Ayushi Chirag Arora A partition themed book of non fiction genre it recounts the ground breaking reality associated with partition of any country Through her research and knowledge about other books on partition the author showed us the mirror in which we can find pain turbulent fate misery loss of hope and wealth and much Relying on fictional stories and anecdotes and research it turns out to be the most authentic work in the new genres of partition literature. Partition of India in 1947 and Bangladesh in 1971 from West Pakistan has actuated interest in literary field so much that there are now many books of fiction and true accounts However Ayushi s book is well researched narrating stories from survivors and victims and references from novels of eminent authors of Indian subcontinent this masterpiece on partition inclination reads like a fictional account of many stories that seemed left unattended and not nursed After watching any movie on 1947 or 1971 wars I recommend you to read this book to tally with your level of intellectual Dr Ayushi Chirag Arora With a masterful mix of history stories reportage and research Ayushi crafts an absorbing account of the partition days filled with memories and nostalgia This book brings together a rich and disparate chronicle of lives ripped apart and devastated by the trauma of partition and deftly traces how the diaspora of post colonial India Pakistan and Bangladesh reeling under the effect Here you will find yourself delving deep in extraordinary tales of survival and resurrection of ordinary lives Perceptive enriching shocking and insightful her book is a powerful and courageous for multi cultural Indians now and ever While the book could delve deeper into certain topics its overall impact remains profound offering a trustworthy and authentic material in the partition genre literature The language is accessible and is made a readable book by inserting real life stories and anecdotes from all countries that underwent tribulation and ordeals of partition Dr Ayushi Chirag Arora

Silenced Stories Resilient Voices By Dr. Ayushi Chirag Arora

English

269

Kindle Edition

The pivotal year of 1947 marked a revolutionary period in the Indian Subcontinent as the partition between India and Pakistan unfolded driven by a religious divide cultivated by the British Empire This division resulted in catastrophic loss of lives communal strife and trauma affecting Punjabis and Bengalis alike The horrors extended to the Eastern region setting the stage for further turmoil Another significant historical event occurred in 1971 with the Bangladesh Liberation War sparked by cultural and linguistic inequalities between West and East Pakistan This civil war aimed to protect East Pakistan s distinct culture and language from oppression by their Western counterparts This book uniquely explores both the 1947 Partition and the 1971 Liberation War emphasizing positive aspects and resilience in the face of hardship Examining events from Eastern and Western perspectives it sheds light on lesser explored aspects highlighting hope reconstruction and the ability to move beyond the traumatic past Utilizing primary texts the research analyzes historical contexts suffering and emergence from hardship presenting a fresh perspective through the narratives of survivors and martyrs Ultimately it delves into the calamities their enduring impact and the remarkable resilience of individuals who transformed their suffering into stories of hope and survival Silenced Stories Resilient Voices.

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A poignant book reminding us of the struggles of leaving your entire life behind to flee to safety