What do you think?
Rate this book
The Vulnerables
Following a freak hailstorm in the middle of the night, three relief aid workers- Anurag, Deven, and Divya are lost in a valley near Pokheri village located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas in Nepal. The trio has been working for a relief operation after the massive earthquake of 2015. In Kathmandu, Kashyap, heading the relief operation for an international NGO, mobilizes the rescue team to find them. However, the event takes a sweeping turn when the rescue chopper crashes in the mountains, stranding the rescue team in a small hamlet near Pokheri. As Kashyap gears up for the second rescue operation within 48 hours, he has also to deal with his past relation with Sukanya, who is now the wife of Anurag. As Anurag and Deven struggle to find their way, a second major earthquake jeopardizes the rescue operation in the mountains. This second tremor scatters the team members, leaving them battling with their own fears and insecurities from the past and the present. Interaction and engagement of the team members with survivors and co-workers shape their psych to open up to their own vulnerabilities.
Knitted in the backdrop of various disaster events at different places over the span of 15 years, the story reveals the turbulent yet evolving relationships of team members, going through love, longing, adventure, courage, misery, and triumph. This chronicle takes the reader through the enchanting journey of ever-changing landscapes of arid Kachchh, lush green Andaman Nicobar Island, mountains of Nepal and the flooded plains of Bihar.
Knitted in the backdrop of various disaster events at different places over the span of 15 years, the story reveals the turbulent yet evolving relationships of team members, going through love, longing, adventure, courage, misery, and triumph. This chronicle takes the reader through the enchanting journey of ever-changing landscapes of arid Kachchh, lush green Andaman Nicobar Island, mountains of Nepal and the flooded plains of Bihar.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2020
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 12, 2021
A book titled THE VULNERABLES.
Since author Tapan Patel himself works in disaster rehab., I assumed a focus on vulnerability of the disaster affected at various sites; was surprised to discover honors equally shared by them and those assigned to aid them in this fast-paced, multi scenario book, bursting with intriguing characters.
The style is easy as it delves into the nitty gritty of humanitarian relief operations, decisions on the extent of work needed, their putting into place and those who devote their lives to victim aid -- on call for flying in and out of disaster scenarios with assigned tasks often deviated from, depending on developing situations or performed at great personal risks that leaves readers breathless at the daredevilry at times.
An insider author brings authenticity n detail to the plot n characters, woven with crisscrossing memories n current scenarios. One is amazed at the way lives intersect for short spans, only to connect again another time n place, with different nuances.
These aid workers' lives could be comparable to gypsies; they settle in at a site quickly, rapid fire decisions on aims, goals, assignments, organizing the logistics n heading out in twos to get things done. They work hard n let off the steam by partying hard, then move on. Obviously, relationships forged are also subject to the inevitable flying off to another assignment, not necessarily with the same crew ... which can make or break?
From the Kutch earthquake, the tsunami, later disasters in Afghanistan, Nepal, Andaman, Turkey et all, Tapan Patel lets the reader into the lives of the victims and their rescuers.
What is admirable is that there are these people who make a career of helping others caught in unhappy circumstances and yet are able to aspire to full lives.
Since author Tapan Patel himself works in disaster rehab., I assumed a focus on vulnerability of the disaster affected at various sites; was surprised to discover honors equally shared by them and those assigned to aid them in this fast-paced, multi scenario book, bursting with intriguing characters.
The style is easy as it delves into the nitty gritty of humanitarian relief operations, decisions on the extent of work needed, their putting into place and those who devote their lives to victim aid -- on call for flying in and out of disaster scenarios with assigned tasks often deviated from, depending on developing situations or performed at great personal risks that leaves readers breathless at the daredevilry at times.
An insider author brings authenticity n detail to the plot n characters, woven with crisscrossing memories n current scenarios. One is amazed at the way lives intersect for short spans, only to connect again another time n place, with different nuances.
These aid workers' lives could be comparable to gypsies; they settle in at a site quickly, rapid fire decisions on aims, goals, assignments, organizing the logistics n heading out in twos to get things done. They work hard n let off the steam by partying hard, then move on. Obviously, relationships forged are also subject to the inevitable flying off to another assignment, not necessarily with the same crew ... which can make or break?
From the Kutch earthquake, the tsunami, later disasters in Afghanistan, Nepal, Andaman, Turkey et all, Tapan Patel lets the reader into the lives of the victims and their rescuers.
What is admirable is that there are these people who make a career of helping others caught in unhappy circumstances and yet are able to aspire to full lives.
Displaying 1 of 1 review