Book Review: Despite Stolen Dreams by Anita Krishan

Despite Stolen Dreams by Anita Krishan takes a firm stance on the simmering issue of Kashmir terrorism. Through multiple characters, she has woven a perfect thread to depict that terrorism is a curse to the world peace; how innocent people either get killed or victimized or rendered homeless.

Wali and his family are forced to leave their home in defiance when a gang of terrorists forcibly take grip over them. One of the terrorists, Shakeel, conspires to forcibly marry the beautiful daughter of Wali. Shakeel was once a servant in the home of Wali. With the help of Abdul, another servant, and a friend called Wasim, Wali is able to flee the valley in a night’s time. Their only hope is Salim, his son, living in Delhi.

The run-away family settles in Delhi with difficulty. Initially, they face problems while mingling with the society people but later on Wali finds a very trustworthiness friend in Kashmira Singh, who too had sad past in Punjab. Life in Delhi is not that easy for Wali, there he comes across typical crime scenes quite often. Though Wali and his family are temporarily settled in Delhi, but he fears that one day terrorists may find him and harm his family.

Shakeel now a prominent terrorist of Hashim’s gang gets wounded on the icy mountains, but in the process his gang members leave him behind to die in the cold. This experience turns him sour and he is determined to come out of terrorism. His belief strengthens when he meets and falls in love with Shabnam, a divorcee who nursed him when he was brought in the village. Soon he is captured by the gang and goes to Delhi. Read the novel to know what happens in Delhi when they come face to face with Wali and his well-wishers. Would Wali loose his life or Shakeel would turn the tables to atone for his past sins?

With haunting sweeping pasts and broken hearts, Despite Stolen Dreams is a terrific novel staged against terrorism.

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