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_askthebookbug 's review for:
The Elephant Chaser's Daughter
by Shilpa Raj
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
• r e c o m m e n d a t i o n •
This is the story of a daughter who would have perhaps be smothered to death upon her birth if her grandmother hadn't intervened. Of a daughter who's mother is a house maid and father who chases elephants. Of a daughter who lost her sister due to unforeseen events. Of a daughter whose destiny changed because of a single man.
Shilpa Anthony Raj, born in Thattaguppe comes from a turbulent family. In a village where girls are considered to be a burden and are married off the minute they attain puberty, Shilpa escapes her fate. Shanti Bhavan, an institute set up by Dr Abraham George decides to select one child from each house and gift them with free schooling. Shilpa's father, who once wanted her dead now fights to get her admitted to the school. With all kinds of rumours running across the village about how these strangers are planning on selling the children's body parts, it was a courageous move on the parents to send their children. This, happened to be a turning point in Shilpa's life, one that ultimately saved her from leading a submissive life.
Shilpa and many other children who grew up in Shanti Bhavan grew up with two homes. Back in the village, they were admired and envied but in Shanti Bhavan, the children were brought up equally. Shilpa and others struggle to strike a balance between the two lives. Coming from a home where violence was a daily occurrence, these kids miraculously walked a different path. Shilpa's life is one of grief and uncertainty when she goes to the village and when her sister dies at the age of 14, she carries the guilt of not saving her till date. Through her, I came to admire the man behind this initiative. To educate and improve the lives of hundreds of poorest of the poor families without taking a penny from them is simply marvelous.
This memoir is painfully honest and to think that a 20 year old would speak so honestly about her life and that of her family is truly commendable. I highly recommend this.
P.S. Daughters of Destiny in Netflix is a documentary series about Shanti Bhavan. You can see Shilpa narrating few lines from this memoir.
This is the story of a daughter who would have perhaps be smothered to death upon her birth if her grandmother hadn't intervened. Of a daughter who's mother is a house maid and father who chases elephants. Of a daughter who lost her sister due to unforeseen events. Of a daughter whose destiny changed because of a single man.
Shilpa Anthony Raj, born in Thattaguppe comes from a turbulent family. In a village where girls are considered to be a burden and are married off the minute they attain puberty, Shilpa escapes her fate. Shanti Bhavan, an institute set up by Dr Abraham George decides to select one child from each house and gift them with free schooling. Shilpa's father, who once wanted her dead now fights to get her admitted to the school. With all kinds of rumours running across the village about how these strangers are planning on selling the children's body parts, it was a courageous move on the parents to send their children. This, happened to be a turning point in Shilpa's life, one that ultimately saved her from leading a submissive life.
Shilpa and many other children who grew up in Shanti Bhavan grew up with two homes. Back in the village, they were admired and envied but in Shanti Bhavan, the children were brought up equally. Shilpa and others struggle to strike a balance between the two lives. Coming from a home where violence was a daily occurrence, these kids miraculously walked a different path. Shilpa's life is one of grief and uncertainty when she goes to the village and when her sister dies at the age of 14, she carries the guilt of not saving her till date. Through her, I came to admire the man behind this initiative. To educate and improve the lives of hundreds of poorest of the poor families without taking a penny from them is simply marvelous.
This memoir is painfully honest and to think that a 20 year old would speak so honestly about her life and that of her family is truly commendable. I highly recommend this.
P.S. Daughters of Destiny in Netflix is a documentary series about Shanti Bhavan. You can see Shilpa narrating few lines from this memoir.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death