Red Blooms in the Forest

Leftist insurgency, known as the Nasality movement, has gathered pace in heartland Lindia, affecting over a quarter of the least developed districts of the car and bringing violence and Insecurity in its wake. ‘Red Blooms in the Forest’ is a fictional representation of the conflict as seen through the eyes of the young protagonist, Champa, a strong and spirited teenager swept by circumstances into the thick of the violence.

Through the characters – Champa disillusioned enough to join a group of Naxalites, gentle Vijay, handsome, idealistic Sudhir, shrewd Bhaskar, serene Rekha, brilliant Manas, and excitable Munia – the author weaves the story sketching an unbiased portrayal of both the groups – the authorities and the insurgents. The addition of the IIT-Harvard student Manas, articulate and argumentative, presents an entirely different construct and a new thought-provoking perspective.

A gripping tale, the novel touches on the theme of rural India and its social ramifications. It reflects the lives of youth from the non-elite section of village and small town India. Moving among folk connected closely with their natural environment, the story outlines the dangerous developments in their lives with sensitivity and empathy. Nilima Sinha, who has travelled across Naxal affected Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, along with her husband Yashwant Sinha, brings authenticity and local flavor to a story that touches the hearts. Read on.