Greater Noida (Education Desk): Mukhbir (informer/informant) is a book written by Brigadier Sushil Tanwar consisting of 17 short stories where the author has tried to connect the rest of India with the people of Kashmir, and their daily struggles in life. Different people have different ways of bringing unity in this diversified nation, but Brigadier Tanwar has used his stories to accomplish this task.
I had the privilege of meeting the author at the recently held World Book Fair at Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, where Brigadier Tanwar talked about his postings in Kashmir and the challenges he faced there. Brigadier Tanwar had spent 15 long years in Kashmir, and he informed the audience that Mukhbir was his first book published by Rajpal and Sons. This book is a tribute to all those who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of their motherland. Through these stories, the author sheds light on the sacrifices made by many of the anonymous and unsung heroes. It is a must-read for all those who are fascinated by the life of an army officer or have some interest in Jammu and Kashmir, or for someone who is always looking for a twist in every story.
While my research was on Jammu and Kashmir, and based on that, I was under the impression that I knew so much about that part of the country, having read this book, I realised I knew little about Kashmir. Each story in this 192-page book is a real story told in simple words with a strong message. Brigadier Tanwar’s stories written in Hindi remind its readers of the great scholar Premchand and his subtle messages. Like a powerful movie or a novel, these stories are about the daily interactions of officers and soldiers of the Indian army with the ordinary people of Kashmir and the efforts of the military to mitigate the suffering of Kashmiris. His stories have everything– suspense, plot twists, sacrifice, honour, patriotism, loss, love, betrayal and vulnerability.
There are two stories– Mukhbir (‘informant/informer’) the opening story of the book, and Sena medal– which will shake you to the core. Getting the Sena Medal requires supreme sacrifice. Mukhbir, the very first story of the book, is the story of an ordinary informant who works for the army by giving information about terrorist movements. When terrorists discover that he is working for the army, they eliminate him. What a price you pay for being a Mukhbir. It is a question of life and death.
Hum kya chchahte… Azadi (‘What is that we want… Freedom’) is one story that captures the relationship between the two in this highly politicised state. Contrary to some of the negative media reports about the Indian army, the army officer’s stories are about how people reach out to the army to rescue them and their children from the terrorists by giving information about their hideouts and movements in the Valley. On many occasions, it is the ordinary people who are willing to risk their lives. Khub ladi mardaani wo toh (‘the one who fought bravely’) is one such story of a Kashmiri woman who bravely fought against the terrorists and their evil intentions. For the author, she was indeed the true soldier of the Indian army without donning the uniform and without any monetary expectations.
Chocolate, Ishq Muhabbat, and Twenty-Twenty are those stories where the terrorist groups are found to be far smarter and more intelligent and able to put the army into their trap. There are occasions where the army goes out of their way to help people reach their ‘destinations’ without bothering about the consequences. It has become very normal to hear stories about soldiers getting killed, but here in Kashmir both are doing their best for the peace in the state, and both are sacrificing their lives for the country.
Reading the book mesmerizes the reader with the natural beauty of Kashmir and the simplicity of the people. The book has smashed many common misperceptions about the Indian army posted here by sharing stories about how the majority of the common people of the state support the Indian army against supporting terrorists or secessionist movements. The book beautifully captures the complexities of the conflict and how it impacts the daily lives of the armed forces and the civilians.
About the Author:
Dr. Anirudh Kumar Prasad Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Hindu College, University of Delhi, Delhi
