This book narrated the lives of the Indian diaspora who for several generations have lived in foreign countries-(with special reference to the Netherlands and the Caribbean)-far from their ancestral homes in India. Whilst initially giving us a glimpse of the common man’s life in India itself, they try to illustrate the dual existence of these families’ who whilst trying to cling to some resemblance of their original culture have strayed further away as they slip deeper into the mire of a materialistic existence so far from the expectations of their ancestors, who came as bonded labours to work on the plantations of their masters. They also illustrate their interaction with their European counterparts whose lives, they try to emulate and adopt as they multi-task to live normal lives in foreign climes. They also reflect the changing lives of the Dutch people themselves in the ever growing global changes in thought and life style.
“In Suriname often the days simmering with scorching heat get doused with the evening rains, but the clash between cold and hot temperatures lead Rohit to have catarrh. His voice became heavy and he can’t breathe air in even after opening the mouth fully. Despite this, he had arranged a dinner on full moon night with Lalita at the Torarika hotel.”- An excerpt.
About the Author
Pushpita has travelled widely in the Caribbean and other countries world-wide. Her writings deal mainly with the Indian diaspora who immigrated to foreign lands in the form of bonded labourers at the behest of their foreign rulers. Through the form of poetry and prose in English, Hindi and Urdu she has painted a portrait of their lives and aspirations. She has received praise and accolades in the literary world. Her poetry collections are also published in English and Dutch languages: In WoordenbestaatZe, Amsterdam, India institute; Hetbeeld in de rots (Dutch), The Statue in the rock, The Netherlands, 2010, Devvriksh (Hindi & English), Remadhav Art India, Echoes in the Earth, Willowdown Books UK. Apart from the four collections of short stories, she has also published a novel in Hindi named ‘Chhinnamool’. This is the first ever novel written in Hindi on the life of people of Surinami Hindustani.
