Book Review: On the Grass Trail by N.V. Nair

On the Grass Trail by N.V. Nair is a travelogue that documents the author's expeditions through the remote and culturally rich regions of North East India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While out on exploration and research government duty, the book centers around the author's search for specific plant species for research purposes related to sugarcane, which leads him through challenging terrains of North Eastern states and islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

The author immaculately details his journeys across the mountains, valleys, and river plains of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal as well as the islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. While focusing on journey, the author pinpoints challenges that the team face in logistics on daily basis. However, the other side of the book opens up a window of cultural and historical Insights to readers. He vividly captures the diverse cultural tapestry of the local population, and it will be funny to note that how diligently he admired whenever he met or stumble upon a Keralite or any one offering South Indian food.

Through his brilliance of memory and simple usage of narration, Nair provides valuable insights into the historical, cultural, and socio-political context of these regions. He at times discussed the Indo-China relationship or takes out pieces of war memorials from the British Raj time. Besides that it gives a look into the life of people living in remote areas.

This travel memoir can remind you of everyday challenges and adventures if you had been to North East of India. It is a reminder to all of us that places look good and vibrant with natural beauty but along with it comes challenges and light adventures.

Thus, constantly the narrative keeps highlighting the difficulties of traveling in these remote areas, like navigating challenging landscapes with less or no prior knowledge, dealing with limited communication, and addressing potential security concerns.

The book portrays the beauty of the natural landscapes encountered during the travels. Yet its key theme can be considered as first-hand account of under-explored areas, giving the reader a real look at places that are not often written about.

In essence, ‘On the Grass Trail’ offers a compelling blend of adventure, cultural exploration, and natural discovery.

The book is available to buy from Amazon/Kindle

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