The book is a fictional account of the horrors of 1975 in the life of ordinary Indians, but, suffused as it is with facts, it could well be turned into a documentary on the Emergency that remains a blot on Indian democracy. The Emergency imposed by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi stifled dissent, muzzled the free press and destroyed the lives of many ordinary Indians. One of those who survived to tell the tale is PK Sreenivasan.
The hero of Midnight Knock is Kapilan, a Dalit, born in a Kerela village, 30 kms away from the city that promised education, healthcare and the hope of a better life. Amidst the gloom and doom in the lives of Dalit families like the one he was born into, what gave Kapilan the will to fight for a better life were his parents. His father Dinakaran and his mother Neeliyamma made sure he goes to school even when the family could barely survive on the meagre wages earned as farm hands. The peasantlandlord binary in the village was skewed in favour of the land-owning class. But even as he toiled, Dinakaran was at the forefront of demanding better wages. It did not endear him to those he served but brought him close to communist leaders in the neighbouring village.
Denne historien er fra January 05, 2025-utgaven av The Morning Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 05, 2025-utgaven av The Morning Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Service to people is real worship of Mother India: RSS
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that worshipping \"Mother India\" is equal to serving people and protecting environment and biodiversity.
South Koreans protest in snow as Yoon arrest deadline nears
THOUSANDS of South Koreans braved a snowstorm Sunday to rally in support or opposition of President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspended over a failed martial law bid and resisting arrest a day before the warrant expires.
LEARNING ON THE ROAD
Delhi's Somit Makar is on an ambitious 10,000-plus km solo road journey championing the cause of road safety. TMS catches up with the entrepreneur and adventure enthusiast on trip highlights, his mission and invaluable lessons from his travels.
For The Crowning Glory
BACK TO NATURE
Deva teaser: Shahid Kapoor looks feverishly ferocious
The teaser of Shahid Kapoor-headliner Deva was released by the makers on Friday.
Delhi ended 2024 on a high note...
DELHIITES did end their 2024 on a high note. The city danced on every beat with the performance of musical prodigy Dhvani Bhanushali at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel recently.
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS
GAUTAM Gambhir was sitting at the press conference room of the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Pat on the back for Cummins and Co
VIRAT Kohli is pumped up. He runs in from first slip, hands aloft towards Mohammed Siraj. The pacer had just removed Usman Khawaja with a little over 50 runs to defend. After a frustrating half day on the field, it was the chance India needed. It was the moment of hope they wanted to keep fighting.
Award Motivates Players Even More, Says Sanjay
AT 23, Sanjay was the youngest member of the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
Hard-fought win for nine-man Kerala in ISL
KERALA Blasters earned a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over Punjab FC in the Indian Super League in New Delhi on Sunday.
