This compilation of short stories raises questions regarding the social, economic and all the different facilities provided to mankind in a civil society. Each man has some problem or the other in life?at one moment he looks happy and the other he is down in the dumps. He finds himself entangled in some problem or the other which could be a bit more or a bit less. It is these aspects that the author has tried to highlight by narrating stories based on ?true incidents? which are taking place even today in the society.
Be it the question of law or mutual relations, a natural calamity or a precious gift from Nature?these too form an integral part of the narrative. One can even get a glimpse of the problems that unemployment and an unsettled life raise in a happy-go-lucky youth who is rendered helpless at the hands of destiny. There are stories which show how well-established and reputed families get destroyed over minor issues, how people make ill use of their rights and how political aspirations prompt man to take to court his own blood relations. But humanity is still alive and it is for this social structure based on humane quality, that people are willing to sacrifice their all – the positive aspect of the stories.
In the story entitled ?Ummeed?, the protagonist Devesh after wandering in search of a job finds a vacancy. He goes and gives the interview but is later informed that the entire interview has been cancelled.
In ?Taqdeer?, Himanshu gets selected for the state football team and excitedly he rushes home to inform his blind father. He finds the father suffering from high fever. While he rushes to get a doctor, he makes the neighbours sit with his father. On his return with the doctor, he sees his father breathe his last.
A deeply moving story entitled ?Abhishapt? is about Parmo who leaves his village home to go and work in the city. After years spent in the city, settling down his children, he returns to the village to find the village gandmother, Vimla, in tatters narrating her tale of woes and how she was witness to her husband'sand only son'sdeath.
The stories in the book, though very short and crisp, leave a lasting impact on the mind because of their themes and the poignancy hidden behind the author'sable style of narration.
(Vinsar Publishing Co., 56/5 D Canal Road, Jakhan, Dehradun-248001.)
