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Mother, Where's My Country?: Looking for Light in the Darkness of Manipur
In her powerful, poignant book-one of the best non-fiction works from India in recent years-Anubha Bhonsle examines the tangled and tragic history of Manipur, and of much of India's North East. Through the story of Irom Sharmila-on a protest fast since 2000-and many others who have fallen victim to violence or despair or stood up to fight for peace and justice, she shows us an entire society ravaged by insurgency and counter-insurgency operations, corruption and ethnic rivalries. Drawing upon extensive interviews with personnel of the Indian army and intelligence agencies, politicians and bureaucrats, leaders of insurgent groups, Irom Sharmila and her family and ordinary people across Manipur, Anubha Bhonsle has produced a compelling and necessary book on the North East, the Indian state, identity politics and the enormous human cost of conflict.
- GenresIndiaNonfictionPolitics
264 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2016
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June 15, 2018
"The land beyond the Chicken's Neck remains trapped in time. The insurgents continue to battle Indian security forces for independence, but over nearly seventy years many have settled for extensive autonomy or the promise of dialogue, or even simply a safe house. Everything is in a state of violent, tragic flux. The cartographers' terra incognita has been replaced with a map. Borders and boundaries are both savage and tender. The topography holds within its perimeter lush green fields and machine gun nests. It is a map dotted with ethnic rebel armies fighting the Indian state but also each other over conflicting homeland demands and scarce resources. A map where little tinpot groups survive on a stipend and hold revolutionary rehearsals. A map where the Indian intelligence agencies play divide and rule in the name of integration. A map where the state's writ barely runs and it is almost always twilight."
I became seriously aware of the state called Manipur when I joined the engineering college in my hometown of Thrissur in 1980, when I found a lot of Manipurians there. These guys looked different from us, were very friendly, and played excellent football and hockey - that was the limit of my familiarity then. As I grew more mature, I came to be more aware of a region totally different from the rest of India, which was full of "insurgents" making the constant presence of the army a necessity - and which was coveted by China, in the same way Kashmir was by Pakistan. A dangerous place, in short.
Then Irom Sharmila happened, and my views began to change slowly from black and white to shades of grey. I began to feel that maybe - just maybe - the entity we take for granted, called "India" may not be the same for all her citizens...
... Fast forward to 2017. I am watching a Manipuri play called "Nerves" in the International Theatre Festival of Kerala. Without dialogue, with only fluid body motions and the props of rope, sticks and boots, a team of five young men and one young woman created a moving collage of such violence on stage that I was positively cringing by the time the play ended. The director, in his speech at the end, said that it was a rendering of the current situation in his homeland.
Suddenly, Manipur became an object of intense interest for me.
Hence this book.
***
"Mother, Where's My Country?: Looking for Light in the Darkness of Manipur" is a collection of essays by the journalist Anubha Bhonsle, about the current reality of the state called Manipur, and in general about the seven states beyond the narrow strip of land called the "Chicken's Neck" that connect them to India. Manipur and Nagaland are states of the union that have not been integrated fully with "mainland" India - that is, at the time of the formation of the India, these states didn't fully agree to the terms of integration and were dragged in by the neck. The ASFPA (Armed Forces Special Protection Act) was imposed, which gives the army draconian powers to kill with impunity, and it continues to be in force in Manipur. As Ms. Bhonsle says, with "[t]he underground on one side, the armed forces on the other and the absent state in between", these states are permanent war zones, with ordinary people living in a perpetual state of persecution.
Two themes inform most of the essays in this collection - the atrocities perpetrated by the army, as well as the fragmented underground units functioning more as extortion mafia rather than freedom fighters; and the alienation of the North Easter, seen as a foreigner in his/ her own country. Linking these pieces together is the tale of Irom Sharmila, the young woman who went on a fast for close on two decades for the repeal of the ASFPA, to protest an army shooting which killed a host civilians (including a schoolchild who has been decorated for bravery) and unwittingly became a symbol of the North East.
As journalism goes, this is a very powerful piece of work: some chapters ("Blood Is Sticky", on the Malom shootings and "Indian Army, Rape Us!" on the Manipuri mothers who went naked to protest a rape murder) as exceptionally poignant. The chapter "Another Country" is also excellent - very informative, as it provides the history of the North East in a nutshell. Irom Sharmila's story is also skillfully told over multiple chapters.
But overall, the book lagged in places due to multitude of detail - and some chapters were just haphazardly written, with the author jumping abruptly between events separated in time and place which became confusing after a while. It would have been more effective with better editing, I felt.
However, if you are not familiar with the Indian North East, this book is very good primer to start with. It introduces us to a twilight country which most of us are not familiar with.
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February 12, 2016First Sharmila's own thoughts on this book. "Even though Anuva Bhonsle's book don't stand on our favour it exposed our true relationship to the whole world. She exaggerates a lot & there are many inconsistencies in her narrations."
First I would not read the first chapter first. Some women readers recommend reading that twice. But as you cannot unring a bell try starting from Chapter two and read Chapter one at the end as many times as you can stomach. Mx Bhonsle has an modern style of writing so she uses a graphic present tense as if she were actually present at the events most of which she clearly was not. It can be misleading if you do not understand the genre. And though the writing is not prurient. She writes best when describing sexual violence from the first person perspective which can come across as manipulative. And maybe the medium is the message. Sharmila refers to her style as having exaggerations.
This is a work of propaganda not balanced journalism. In her introduction Mx Bhonsle says she sacrifices balance for truth misquoting Hannah Arrendt. Usually when a western trained journalist writesit is from the perspective of a neutral observer reporting events without passion or prejudice and the truth is meant to reveal itself in the conflict of ideas. This indeed may be as last century as fundamental universal and inalienable human rights.
Mx Bhonsle believes she already know the truth and because error has no rights she doesn't report other facts. This is where Hannah Arrendt would turn in her grave. You can argue a thousand causes of WWII from the desire of Britain to hang on to its empire, the inevitability of the Arms Race, bitterness left over from WWI etc but you cannot state that WWII began when Poland invaded Germany. Factual truth is a tyranny accept it or be damned no one has to persuade or cajole you. It is the truth. Everything is else can enter into dialogue in a free country.
Sharmila talks of inconsistencies in her narrations there are many untruths passed of as fact because of Mx Bhonsle's view that truth needs no verification. There are also facts that are not reported but here it may be a case of limited space it's a small volume and a writer has to decide what she considers important and therefore leaves out what she considers irrelevant.
That's why God made Google. Those who are interested can treat this book as a beginning which was the author's stated intention.
With all its failings this is a very readable book about Manipur. For Indians especially who know very little about Manipur the writings of a winsome Indian Celeb may draw some interest building as it does on Bollywood's Haider. For the next few months while Mx Bhonsle is pushing book sales it will be more difficult for Manipur and India to continue to isolate Sharmila in a criminal abuse of both Indian Law and the Indian Constitution.. I commend this book to anyone interested in learning a little more about another Indian failed State.
First I would not read the first chapter first. Some women readers recommend reading that twice. But as you cannot unring a bell try starting from Chapter two and read Chapter one at the end as many times as you can stomach. Mx Bhonsle has an modern style of writing so she uses a graphic present tense as if she were actually present at the events most of which she clearly was not. It can be misleading if you do not understand the genre. And though the writing is not prurient. She writes best when describing sexual violence from the first person perspective which can come across as manipulative. And maybe the medium is the message. Sharmila refers to her style as having exaggerations.
This is a work of propaganda not balanced journalism. In her introduction Mx Bhonsle says she sacrifices balance for truth misquoting Hannah Arrendt. Usually when a western trained journalist writesit is from the perspective of a neutral observer reporting events without passion or prejudice and the truth is meant to reveal itself in the conflict of ideas. This indeed may be as last century as fundamental universal and inalienable human rights.
Mx Bhonsle believes she already know the truth and because error has no rights she doesn't report other facts. This is where Hannah Arrendt would turn in her grave. You can argue a thousand causes of WWII from the desire of Britain to hang on to its empire, the inevitability of the Arms Race, bitterness left over from WWI etc but you cannot state that WWII began when Poland invaded Germany. Factual truth is a tyranny accept it or be damned no one has to persuade or cajole you. It is the truth. Everything is else can enter into dialogue in a free country.
Sharmila talks of inconsistencies in her narrations there are many untruths passed of as fact because of Mx Bhonsle's view that truth needs no verification. There are also facts that are not reported but here it may be a case of limited space it's a small volume and a writer has to decide what she considers important and therefore leaves out what she considers irrelevant.
That's why God made Google. Those who are interested can treat this book as a beginning which was the author's stated intention.
With all its failings this is a very readable book about Manipur. For Indians especially who know very little about Manipur the writings of a winsome Indian Celeb may draw some interest building as it does on Bollywood's Haider. For the next few months while Mx Bhonsle is pushing book sales it will be more difficult for Manipur and India to continue to isolate Sharmila in a criminal abuse of both Indian Law and the Indian Constitution.. I commend this book to anyone interested in learning a little more about another Indian failed State.
February 11, 2016
Anubha Bhonsle’s book ‘Mother. Where’s my country?’ begins with a lacerating description of a rape survivor’s memories. The survivor, herself isn’t sure about how to narrate what she went through – uses several props to thread her experience together, because really how does one explain the trauma, the betrayal, the intense violation in just a matter of few words?
This first page is symptomatic of pretty much how the book goes. AFSPA became a part of our pop political vocabulary following the release of ‘Haider’. A draconian law which was rendered invisible in mainland politics because of our little interaction with it, was suddenly given a tangible place in the many liberal debates that the society currently seems to be engulfed it. Bhonsle’s book will hopefully build on the idea of AFSPA and give its readers a more detailed view of what actually happens when law is merged with apathy and impunity. She pieces together experiences of physical and sexual violence being perpetrated on the civilians by the armed forces under the garb of AFSPA and national security alongwith the turbulent history of the state, of why the law got enacted and enforced in the first place. Intermittently there are stories of Manipur’s past, about its kings, dynasties, about how its status as a part of India was vague post independence? About how the king thought he is negotiating space and politics, but instead he signs up for a mangled life. There is intricate historical detailing of how Manipur went ‘from being an independent kingdom that was making transformation to democracy, Manipur found itself relegated to the position of a C Category State of the Indian Union..’( p.33). This book also challenges the idea of nation-state, whose problematic nobody seems to be aware of outside academics. It retells how India by force, political or otherwise, has annexed states to itself. It was the Britishers who annexed the states together to make colonial rule easier and effective, and till date it is the same idea of India that we seem to be working around. I hope this then generates dialogues about statehood and that of being ‘Indian’ and of belonging to ‘India’.
This book also details its reader about the Naga revolt and how brutally India suppressed it revolts despite the Nagas making it clear that they did not want to be a part of India. History lessons like these are very crucial to deconstructing the idea of Indian nationalism. How decides what consists of Indian nationalism, if all the points of view aren’t taken into consideration?
A large part of the book is also dedicated to narrate the stories of Irom Sharmila. There are heart rending exchanges between Bhonsle and her, it makes one question the idea of soverignity and war, that after all this violence, destruction and trauma, what would peace have to offer? Can it salvage this damage? Can it ensure a better future, which will forever carry such a blood stained history?
Needless to say that Bhonsle has done well in representing the picture as it is, but that is also where her slight failure lies. Her conceptions of violence, civil war and state policies remain too naive. Joe Sacco, a Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist, in the preface of one of his works says something to the effect of that when we refuse to take sides while representing stories of injustice, are we really being just ourselves? I leave this to the readers to answer for themselves.
This first page is symptomatic of pretty much how the book goes. AFSPA became a part of our pop political vocabulary following the release of ‘Haider’. A draconian law which was rendered invisible in mainland politics because of our little interaction with it, was suddenly given a tangible place in the many liberal debates that the society currently seems to be engulfed it. Bhonsle’s book will hopefully build on the idea of AFSPA and give its readers a more detailed view of what actually happens when law is merged with apathy and impunity. She pieces together experiences of physical and sexual violence being perpetrated on the civilians by the armed forces under the garb of AFSPA and national security alongwith the turbulent history of the state, of why the law got enacted and enforced in the first place. Intermittently there are stories of Manipur’s past, about its kings, dynasties, about how its status as a part of India was vague post independence? About how the king thought he is negotiating space and politics, but instead he signs up for a mangled life. There is intricate historical detailing of how Manipur went ‘from being an independent kingdom that was making transformation to democracy, Manipur found itself relegated to the position of a C Category State of the Indian Union..’( p.33). This book also challenges the idea of nation-state, whose problematic nobody seems to be aware of outside academics. It retells how India by force, political or otherwise, has annexed states to itself. It was the Britishers who annexed the states together to make colonial rule easier and effective, and till date it is the same idea of India that we seem to be working around. I hope this then generates dialogues about statehood and that of being ‘Indian’ and of belonging to ‘India’.
This book also details its reader about the Naga revolt and how brutally India suppressed it revolts despite the Nagas making it clear that they did not want to be a part of India. History lessons like these are very crucial to deconstructing the idea of Indian nationalism. How decides what consists of Indian nationalism, if all the points of view aren’t taken into consideration?
A large part of the book is also dedicated to narrate the stories of Irom Sharmila. There are heart rending exchanges between Bhonsle and her, it makes one question the idea of soverignity and war, that after all this violence, destruction and trauma, what would peace have to offer? Can it salvage this damage? Can it ensure a better future, which will forever carry such a blood stained history?
Needless to say that Bhonsle has done well in representing the picture as it is, but that is also where her slight failure lies. Her conceptions of violence, civil war and state policies remain too naive. Joe Sacco, a Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist, in the preface of one of his works says something to the effect of that when we refuse to take sides while representing stories of injustice, are we really being just ourselves? I leave this to the readers to answer for themselves.
February 4, 2016
Not so long ago, I read and reviewed a book on the post-war Sri Lanka. The book titled 'This Divided Island: Stories from the Sri Lankan War' by Samanth Subramaniam gave me an insight into how the country is recovering post the long war and how the people who were involved in it may have had a change in their lifestyle. The book made me consider myself very fortunate for having been brought up and living in such a protective setting with no clue of suffering. This was emphasised yet again when I read ‘Mother, Where’s My Country?’ by Anubha Bhonsle where Anubha decides to look for light in the darkness of Manipur.
The seven north-eastern states in India have always seen a step-motherly treatment both by the government and also the general public. To this day, I am sure more than half of my friends (and me) cannot identify the seven states correctly on the map of India or mention their respective capitals. Such is the state of awareness, or actually lack of it, and the state of neglect of those states. Anubha draws our attention to the state of Manipur in this book and as with an accomplished journalist, Anubha does it with great perfection and ensures that a little bit of the surface has been scratched.
Starting with the happenings in Manipur before 1947 and the struggle around the time of India’s independence followed by the state of neglect it was in for close to three decades after independence, ‘Mother, Where’s My Country?’ paints a vivid picture on why there are problems in the northeastern states in general and in Manipur in particular. It is hard not to see how the situation in Manipur is a testimony to the state of affairs in the Northeast and how man-made political disasters sometimes cost us more than the natural disasters.
The book devotes a significant portion of its narrative to Irom Sharmila, the now-famous person who has been on a hunger strike for more than a decade. In the process of building up to why Sharmila went on a hunger strike, the book dwells on the atrocities committed by the armies who were posted to counter the various terror groups and insurgent groups. The fact that there is a page and a half devoted to just mentioning the names of these groups bears testimony to how fractured the space is. The Armed Forced Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is what is supposed to ‘protect’ the state, but the narrative states otherwise. With some heart-wrenching stories of people being affected by the various happenings in the region, including the death of a teenager who had received the President’s bravery medal in the past, the book definitely creates an impact on the reader.
With some good research in the style of her mentor P Sainath, Anubha shows that there are a lot of stories that need to told and heard. And of course, when one reads this book, he can’t help but hope that there will soon be resolution in the area and that the people will soon lead a so-called normal life. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s hope there’s one in the case of Manipur too!
(This book was provided to be as a part of the Flipkart Book Review program.)
The seven north-eastern states in India have always seen a step-motherly treatment both by the government and also the general public. To this day, I am sure more than half of my friends (and me) cannot identify the seven states correctly on the map of India or mention their respective capitals. Such is the state of awareness, or actually lack of it, and the state of neglect of those states. Anubha draws our attention to the state of Manipur in this book and as with an accomplished journalist, Anubha does it with great perfection and ensures that a little bit of the surface has been scratched.
Starting with the happenings in Manipur before 1947 and the struggle around the time of India’s independence followed by the state of neglect it was in for close to three decades after independence, ‘Mother, Where’s My Country?’ paints a vivid picture on why there are problems in the northeastern states in general and in Manipur in particular. It is hard not to see how the situation in Manipur is a testimony to the state of affairs in the Northeast and how man-made political disasters sometimes cost us more than the natural disasters.
The book devotes a significant portion of its narrative to Irom Sharmila, the now-famous person who has been on a hunger strike for more than a decade. In the process of building up to why Sharmila went on a hunger strike, the book dwells on the atrocities committed by the armies who were posted to counter the various terror groups and insurgent groups. The fact that there is a page and a half devoted to just mentioning the names of these groups bears testimony to how fractured the space is. The Armed Forced Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is what is supposed to ‘protect’ the state, but the narrative states otherwise. With some heart-wrenching stories of people being affected by the various happenings in the region, including the death of a teenager who had received the President’s bravery medal in the past, the book definitely creates an impact on the reader.
With some good research in the style of her mentor P Sainath, Anubha shows that there are a lot of stories that need to told and heard. And of course, when one reads this book, he can’t help but hope that there will soon be resolution in the area and that the people will soon lead a so-called normal life. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s hope there’s one in the case of Manipur too!
(This book was provided to be as a part of the Flipkart Book Review program.)
January 24, 2017
Awesome read. The extensive research really shows in the book. Author is nonjudgmental and unbiased, but totally sensible and extremely sensitive towards the subject. The book addresses AFSPA, insurgent groups, political greed, military violence, rapes, extrajudicial killings, n everything else. It breaks your heart and makes you cry. And then there is the story of Irom Sharmila - author totally humanizes her without taking a reverential stand. Sharmila is an icon by the merit of what she has done, but this book lets you know the real struggle of the simple woman.
January 18, 2016
An excellent read on the insurgency and the booming terrorist outfits that has struck Manipur since 1947. The interviews with insurgents and unnamed army officials along with multiple stories of innocent lives lost at the hands of AFSPA are chilling! Life of Irom Sharmila and her struggle has never been compiled better in one place as well.
October 4, 2016
There are some books that educate, some that enlighten, and some that shock you. But "Mother, where is my country?" educates, enlightens, shocks, and additionally jolts you out of your comfort zone in equal measures.
The author tells the story of Irom Sharmila's struggle against her state's, Manipur's, draconian AFSPA law, and juxtaposes her story with heart wrenching accounts of rape survivors, of State and Centre government's attitude towards the State and her people, of the role of Army and paramilitary forces, of underground and overground insurgent groups, of corruption, unkept promises, and betrayal.
Like a true blue investigative journalist, the author, Anubha Bhonsle, went underground and met and spoke with all the stakeholders involved , either directly or indirectly, for the state of affairs in Manipur. And with all her journalistic experience, and in an understated but evocative language, gives an account of a land where mainstream media doesn't go because of 'tyranny of distance.'
For all serious readers of History and Politics, this book is a must-read because it gives a fresh perspective of Manipur's history and future written by a non-partisan, unbiased and seasoned journalist right from Ground Zero.
The author tells the story of Irom Sharmila's struggle against her state's, Manipur's, draconian AFSPA law, and juxtaposes her story with heart wrenching accounts of rape survivors, of State and Centre government's attitude towards the State and her people, of the role of Army and paramilitary forces, of underground and overground insurgent groups, of corruption, unkept promises, and betrayal.
Like a true blue investigative journalist, the author, Anubha Bhonsle, went underground and met and spoke with all the stakeholders involved , either directly or indirectly, for the state of affairs in Manipur. And with all her journalistic experience, and in an understated but evocative language, gives an account of a land where mainstream media doesn't go because of 'tyranny of distance.'
For all serious readers of History and Politics, this book is a must-read because it gives a fresh perspective of Manipur's history and future written by a non-partisan, unbiased and seasoned journalist right from Ground Zero.
April 3, 2016
A commendable work by Anubha Bhonsle. Top grade research and perfectly penned work. This is highly recommended.
February 25, 2017
A well balanced perspective on Manipur and its struggle with its idea of being a part of India. Anubha gives a fair historical account as well as a deeply intimate portrait of the state!
February 11, 2020
“But twelve women, naked, with their hair loose, carrying a banner with the words ‘Indian Army Rape Us’ written in bold red ink changed that”. This book is on the condition of people of Manipur, on their struggle due to stringent governmental rules and application of AFSPA. The day to day hardships of these people for basic amenities and their fight for their human rights is heart wrenching. The book gave such a good insight into the life of Irom Sharmila also known as the the iron lady of India. The various stories in the book shows how the political tyranny has destroyed so many innocent lives about which the world does not know. Definitely recommending .
April 23, 2020
Dealing with the Manipuri struggle for an independent, proud and distinct identity. Imphal differs from Delhi in a lot of ways, primarily in the manner that Imphal is full of empathy, wheres Delhi has been just the opposite. The book presents the diabolical picture of an army fighting against its own citizens and the very citizens putting up a security challenge for the military. Highly recommended for those who wish to understand the "India away from the mainland."
August 12, 2018
I will be going for a fun light read after the overwhelming book that this one is. It's well-researched and well-written. Talks about different perspectives and gives you a good understanding about the history of insurgency in Manipur. Would definitely recommend it as a good book for understanding the intricacies of the independence movements beyond the chicken's neck.
July 30, 2018
Must read book for those who want to educate themselves about India.
That’s what I can say.
That’s what I can say.
February 10, 2016
Grass is greener on the other side. That applies to Manipur also. Wait, what or where is Manipur? "That's a state in the north eastern India." "Ah, I know till West Bengal, and Bangladesh next to it, and then it is all northeast India." That's familiar, isn't it? For most of us, we can name all the states except the northeastern states, and even if we could name them, we don't know their capitals. And for us, Northeast India is so beautiful filled with hills and valleys! Even Google Maps' Earth view of North East India shows the place beautifully filled with mountains and valleys. In our imagination, it is an ideal destination that we only yearn to be going for a vacation!
But, wait a moment! Did we ever imagine that the people in this part of India do not live happily as we imagine? That's what @anubhabhonsle attempts to tell us all through “Mother, Where’s My Country?” Anubha’s nine years of hard work presented in these ~240 pages will help you get a thorough understanding of the problem these people go through. AFSPA may be a simple five letter acronym to us, but the torment that our brothers and sisters are suffering for more than five decades cannot be described that easily. The author brings out how our politicians played a nasty role ignoring Manipur and its people’s welfare and more interested only in integrating it as a state. She also brings out the rampant corruption that exists in the state that is already fighting the atrocities of insurgents and the human rights violations because of AFSPA. It takes immense courage to talk to the insurgent groups! The chapter “The Price of Peace” makes us wonder and understand the reality & complexities underlying the state’s issue. Presented with lots of history, facts and data, this chapter stands tall over all the others.
We all have heard about Irom Sharmila and our brains could, in a blink, easily associate her with Manipur. But, how many of us know in detail, her story, and what she is really fighting for. The author brings our Sharmila’s story through Chandramani and Malom that will touch our hearts. It will also make us realize that our daily complaints of power cuts, traffic jam & potholed roads are nothing compared to her emotional struggle (if, for a moment, we forget the physical pain that she goes through because of force feeding). How many of us will sacrifice our youth for a cause? It is very unfortunate that we as a country are letting her down.
The back cover of the book makes us think that the book is all about Sharmila, but only a few pages into the book, we realize that this is not only about Sharmila, but bringing out the problems that this state faces from multiple dimensions. Kudos to Anubha for this excellent piece of work! I am sure this book will remain a feather in her cap all throughout her career!
It is time we work out a solution that brings peace, security and more importantly freedom to the people of Manipur. We have in our national pledge that “All Indians are my brothers and sisters!” Let us hope this All includes the so called “northeast people” also in spirit, soon!
Personal Suggestion: Please keep Google Maps open & zoomed to Manipur and Nagaland when you read this book. It will help you to at least understand the state and its places, if not help you appreciate the magnitude of the problems that this state & its people face.
But, wait a moment! Did we ever imagine that the people in this part of India do not live happily as we imagine? That's what @anubhabhonsle attempts to tell us all through “Mother, Where’s My Country?” Anubha’s nine years of hard work presented in these ~240 pages will help you get a thorough understanding of the problem these people go through. AFSPA may be a simple five letter acronym to us, but the torment that our brothers and sisters are suffering for more than five decades cannot be described that easily. The author brings out how our politicians played a nasty role ignoring Manipur and its people’s welfare and more interested only in integrating it as a state. She also brings out the rampant corruption that exists in the state that is already fighting the atrocities of insurgents and the human rights violations because of AFSPA. It takes immense courage to talk to the insurgent groups! The chapter “The Price of Peace” makes us wonder and understand the reality & complexities underlying the state’s issue. Presented with lots of history, facts and data, this chapter stands tall over all the others.
We all have heard about Irom Sharmila and our brains could, in a blink, easily associate her with Manipur. But, how many of us know in detail, her story, and what she is really fighting for. The author brings our Sharmila’s story through Chandramani and Malom that will touch our hearts. It will also make us realize that our daily complaints of power cuts, traffic jam & potholed roads are nothing compared to her emotional struggle (if, for a moment, we forget the physical pain that she goes through because of force feeding). How many of us will sacrifice our youth for a cause? It is very unfortunate that we as a country are letting her down.
The back cover of the book makes us think that the book is all about Sharmila, but only a few pages into the book, we realize that this is not only about Sharmila, but bringing out the problems that this state faces from multiple dimensions. Kudos to Anubha for this excellent piece of work! I am sure this book will remain a feather in her cap all throughout her career!
It is time we work out a solution that brings peace, security and more importantly freedom to the people of Manipur. We have in our national pledge that “All Indians are my brothers and sisters!” Let us hope this All includes the so called “northeast people” also in spirit, soon!
Personal Suggestion: Please keep Google Maps open & zoomed to Manipur and Nagaland when you read this book. It will help you to at least understand the state and its places, if not help you appreciate the magnitude of the problems that this state & its people face.
February 12, 2016
First Sharmila's own thoughts on this book. "Even though Anuva Bhonsle's book don't stand on our favour it exposed our true relationship to the whole world. She exaggerates a lot & there are many inconsistencies in her narrations."
First I would not read the first chapter first. Some women readers recommend reading that twice. But as you cannot unring a bell try starting from Chapter two and read Chapter one at the end as many times as you can stomach. Mx Bhonsle has a modern style of writing so she uses a graphic present tense as if she were actually present at the events most of which she clearly was not. It can be misleading if you do not understand the genre. And though the writing is not prurient. She writes best when describing sexual violence from the first person perspective which can come across as manipulative. And maybe the medium is the message. Sharmila refers to her style as having exaggerations.
This is a work of propaganda not balanced journalism. In her introduction Mx Bhonsle says she sacrifices balance for truth misquoting Hannah Arrendt. Usually when a western trained journalist writesit is from the perspective of a neutral observer reporting events without passion or prejudice and the truth is meant to reveal itself in the conflict of ideas. Though this may be as last century as fundamental universal and inalienable human rights.
Mx Bhonsle believes she already know the truth and because error has no rights she doesn't report other facts. This is where Hannah Arrendt would turn in her grave. You can argue a thousand causes of WWII from the desire of Britain to hang on to its empire, the inevitability of the Arms Race, bitterness left over from WWI etc but you cannot state that WWII began when Poland invaded Germany. Factual truth is a tyranny accept it or be damned no one has to persuade or cajole you. It is the truth. Everything is up for dialogue in a free country. Manipur is a land where the facts are continually suppressed or misreported.
Sharmila talks of inconsistencies in her narrations there are many untruths passed of as fact because of Mx Bhonsle's view that truth needs no verification. There are also facts that are not reported but here it may be a case of limited space it's a small volume and a writer has to decide what she considers important and therefore leaves out what she considers irrelevant.
That's why God made Google. Those who are interested can treat this book as a beginning which was the author's stated intention.
With all its failings this is a very readable book about Manipur. For Indians especially who know very little about Manipur the writings of a winsome Indian Celeb may draw some interest building as it does on Bollywood's Haider. For the next few months while Mx Bhonsle is pushing book sales it will be more difficult for Manipur and India to continue to isolate Sharmila in a criminal abuse of both Indian Law and the Indian Constitution. I commend this book to anyone interested in learning a little more about another Indian failed State.
First I would not read the first chapter first. Some women readers recommend reading that twice. But as you cannot unring a bell try starting from Chapter two and read Chapter one at the end as many times as you can stomach. Mx Bhonsle has a modern style of writing so she uses a graphic present tense as if she were actually present at the events most of which she clearly was not. It can be misleading if you do not understand the genre. And though the writing is not prurient. She writes best when describing sexual violence from the first person perspective which can come across as manipulative. And maybe the medium is the message. Sharmila refers to her style as having exaggerations.
This is a work of propaganda not balanced journalism. In her introduction Mx Bhonsle says she sacrifices balance for truth misquoting Hannah Arrendt. Usually when a western trained journalist writesit is from the perspective of a neutral observer reporting events without passion or prejudice and the truth is meant to reveal itself in the conflict of ideas. Though this may be as last century as fundamental universal and inalienable human rights.
Mx Bhonsle believes she already know the truth and because error has no rights she doesn't report other facts. This is where Hannah Arrendt would turn in her grave. You can argue a thousand causes of WWII from the desire of Britain to hang on to its empire, the inevitability of the Arms Race, bitterness left over from WWI etc but you cannot state that WWII began when Poland invaded Germany. Factual truth is a tyranny accept it or be damned no one has to persuade or cajole you. It is the truth. Everything is up for dialogue in a free country. Manipur is a land where the facts are continually suppressed or misreported.
Sharmila talks of inconsistencies in her narrations there are many untruths passed of as fact because of Mx Bhonsle's view that truth needs no verification. There are also facts that are not reported but here it may be a case of limited space it's a small volume and a writer has to decide what she considers important and therefore leaves out what she considers irrelevant.
That's why God made Google. Those who are interested can treat this book as a beginning which was the author's stated intention.
With all its failings this is a very readable book about Manipur. For Indians especially who know very little about Manipur the writings of a winsome Indian Celeb may draw some interest building as it does on Bollywood's Haider. For the next few months while Mx Bhonsle is pushing book sales it will be more difficult for Manipur and India to continue to isolate Sharmila in a criminal abuse of both Indian Law and the Indian Constitution. I commend this book to anyone interested in learning a little more about another Indian failed State.
May 26, 2016
Like most Indians, my knowledge about the North East is limited. I can recall the names of seven sister states and that's about it. Anubha Bhonsle's book 'Mother, Where's My Country' is an exhaustive account of the insurgency in Manipur and throws light on the struggle between the 'Indian State' and Manipur.
Right from the accession of Manipur to India to the introduction of AFSPA, the book covers all of it. Anubha revisits her encounters with the various victims of insurgency and shares their harrowing accounts which makes your heart fill with remorse. Most of us grow up revering the Indian Armed Forces and we don't really think that they can do anything wrong. The stories of 11 year old Dhenabati Devi, 12 year old Mohammed Azad Khan, 19 year old Orsonjit & 17 year old Sinam Chandramani who died at the hands of Indian armed forces makes the 'Indian' in you uncomfortable. In an age when they should be studying and playing, they lost their lives.
Then there is the story of Manorma who was gang raped and killed by the officers of the Assam Rifles. The incident shook everyone in the hills and saw a group of women of Manipur walking naked to the Assam Rifles headquarters shouting 'Indian Army, rapes us too!'. There are many such incidents of sexual violence which send a shiver down your spine and what's worse is that there has been no justice in any of the cases.
Anubha also discusses the story of Irom Sharmila in great detail and there are heart rending exchanges between the two move you. Anubha shows us that behind the 'Iron Lady' there is a woman out there who is longing for love, care, freedom like most of us. I was particularly fascinated by the love story of Irom because that's an aspect which is not talked about much.
The book is written beautifully and keeps you hooked till the end. I just had a tough time remembering and differentiating between the names of different insurgent groups. Also, wish it talked a bit about the other side also i.e. the Armed Forces. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic book and deserves a read for anyone who wants to understand Manipur and our failure to make them feel home!
Right from the accession of Manipur to India to the introduction of AFSPA, the book covers all of it. Anubha revisits her encounters with the various victims of insurgency and shares their harrowing accounts which makes your heart fill with remorse. Most of us grow up revering the Indian Armed Forces and we don't really think that they can do anything wrong. The stories of 11 year old Dhenabati Devi, 12 year old Mohammed Azad Khan, 19 year old Orsonjit & 17 year old Sinam Chandramani who died at the hands of Indian armed forces makes the 'Indian' in you uncomfortable. In an age when they should be studying and playing, they lost their lives.
Then there is the story of Manorma who was gang raped and killed by the officers of the Assam Rifles. The incident shook everyone in the hills and saw a group of women of Manipur walking naked to the Assam Rifles headquarters shouting 'Indian Army, rapes us too!'. There are many such incidents of sexual violence which send a shiver down your spine and what's worse is that there has been no justice in any of the cases.
Anubha also discusses the story of Irom Sharmila in great detail and there are heart rending exchanges between the two move you. Anubha shows us that behind the 'Iron Lady' there is a woman out there who is longing for love, care, freedom like most of us. I was particularly fascinated by the love story of Irom because that's an aspect which is not talked about much.
The book is written beautifully and keeps you hooked till the end. I just had a tough time remembering and differentiating between the names of different insurgent groups. Also, wish it talked a bit about the other side also i.e. the Armed Forces. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic book and deserves a read for anyone who wants to understand Manipur and our failure to make them feel home!
September 11, 2016
Great book to read. Filled with very harsh realities of life in the longest insurgency in India till now. Almost half of the book covers Irom Sharmila and the other half deals with various insurgents groups, repercussion or should i say horror's or plain old injustices caused due the AFSPA. I respect the people who stand the post of our nation boundaries. But when you will read about the atrocities done to people it will make your heart burn.
No body should by given absolute immunity for any action, be it a soldier, police man , businessman or politician because when people know that they won't be held responsible they will push moral boundaries and not realize that they have left humanity, decency & respect miles behind. Stanford prison experiment is great example of what happens when you give power without any accountablity, AFSPA is just that but in real world world scenario.
The authors clearly tried to explain all the sides as best as possible and it is clearly visible in the her writing. But i felt that there are many aspects which were not given full attention to by the author, so in that aspects i believe this book doesn't cover the whole story.
No body should by given absolute immunity for any action, be it a soldier, police man , businessman or politician because when people know that they won't be held responsible they will push moral boundaries and not realize that they have left humanity, decency & respect miles behind. Stanford prison experiment is great example of what happens when you give power without any accountablity, AFSPA is just that but in real world world scenario.
The authors clearly tried to explain all the sides as best as possible and it is clearly visible in the her writing. But i felt that there are many aspects which were not given full attention to by the author, so in that aspects i believe this book doesn't cover the whole story.
February 23, 2016
The book gives you a vivid perspective of the Manipuri people, their problems and the ever elusive peace in the state. It states about AFSPA, conflict between Naga tribes and various attempts by Government of India to bring the much needed solution to these problems. The story of Irom Sharmila, the torch bearer against AFSPA in Manipur, has been covered in great depth.
However, as you read through the book, the chapters seem to be digress from the main topic and end at a different note altogether.
In all, the content is good. A little more work organised text would have thrilled the reader much more.
However, as you read through the book, the chapters seem to be digress from the main topic and end at a different note altogether.
In all, the content is good. A little more work organised text would have thrilled the reader much more.
April 20, 2020
This book opened my eyes about the situation in the north-east of India, how their rights were violated at the hands of the Indian Union.
As my father was in the defence, I now understood why we were not supposed to tour the states of Manipur and Nagaland despite being present in the neighbouring states...That was the 1990s..
Immaculately woven, it gives accurate descriptions across times starting from Indian independence to when in 2015 Justice to few of the families was given by Supreme court!!
Rightly dedicated to the iron lady of Manipur bringing forth her story..
A must read for all Indians!
As my father was in the defence, I now understood why we were not supposed to tour the states of Manipur and Nagaland despite being present in the neighbouring states...That was the 1990s..
Immaculately woven, it gives accurate descriptions across times starting from Indian independence to when in 2015 Justice to few of the families was given by Supreme court!!
Rightly dedicated to the iron lady of Manipur bringing forth her story..
A must read for all Indians!
May 5, 2016
The book is a good start for people who are totally unaware about the ground realities of Northeastern states in general and Manipur in particular. However one thing which i did not like in the book is certain factual errors here and there. For instance, the author has mentioned a commission headed my Justice Santosh Hegde to look into the matter of extra judicial killings. One of the members of the commission was Ex- Chief Election Commission of India Mr. J . M Lyngdoh who has been named as J S Lyngdoh. Such type of errors could have been avoided easily.
Overall it's an average book.
Overall it's an average book.
June 23, 2020
To quote P Sainath whose summary of the book is 'bang on' :
"Focused on Manipur but reflective of much of the North East, this powerful, moving book weaves an intricate tapestry of human stories, cynical politics, individual heroism and collective humiliation. Anubha Bhonsle reproaches our hypocrisy but addresses our humanity."
"Focused on Manipur but reflective of much of the North East, this powerful, moving book weaves an intricate tapestry of human stories, cynical politics, individual heroism and collective humiliation. Anubha Bhonsle reproaches our hypocrisy but addresses our humanity."
November 8, 2016
Most of all I think it's an honest book which makes you think hard. It's important to question the choices we make as a nation, choices our future generation would have live with and even defend. This book provides a good perspective on the craziness and complexities of India's North East.
May 30, 2016
The book is good to go
but it shows only one phase of the situation in Manipur
but it shows only one phase of the situation in Manipur
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