ktrainofthoughts 's review for:

Hindu Refugee Camp, Lahore by Sachin Garg

5.0

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The partition of India into two countries; India and Pakistan, caused one of the most massive human tremors in history and present.
“Hindu Refugee Camp Lahore” by “Sachin Garg” is a reflection of “What was partition meant to achieve and what it actually achieves?”
The book is based on the true story of “Gula Ali limb fitter”, who was a renowned officer in the British Indian Army. When the partition took place military personnel were asked to choose which country they would serve India or Pakistan? Gulam Ali choose India and paid dearly. But the massive displacement during 1947 shook Gulam Ali’s life. Pakistan branded him a traitor and India denied the Muslim soldier citizenship. He lost his identity in a jiff. After 10 years he was dumped in a Hindu Refugee camp in Lahore. And then starts a struggle of an ordinary man to fight for his identity, love, and family.
This book gave me emotional turmoil and shook my beliefs. We read in our history books that the partition took place in 1947 and ended in the same year. But this book reflects the truth that the event continues to shape thousands of life even today. Through the characters of this book, I feel the pain of ordinary people at the center of this crucial event.
Coming to writing and narration style Sachin narrates the whole book in the form of letters of Gulam Ali and Zahira Raza (love of her life). The conversation and detailed narration made me feel like I am next to them and reading the letters. the author thoughtfully wrote a plot that shows the real picture of our society: full of deception, injustice, hypocrisy, religious enmity, and cruelty. But at the same time through strongly crafted characters I witnessed the positive vibes: the resilience of the human spirit, true love, friendship, humanity, and power of individual courage.
I like Nani’s character in the story, she was bitter when needed and supportive in unexpected situations. Her storytelling style just took my heart away.
Overall, this is a book that reflects the underside of partition history through the story of an ordinary man. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.