BOOK REVIEW “Tambad Raqt – Nava Halla”
Author: Arun Mokashi
Language: Marathi
Pages: 184
Cost: 400 Rs.
Publisher: Granthali Prakashan
First Published in India: 10th May 2008
“Tambad Raqt – Nava Halla” is a book based on Afghanistan. We all know how dreadful life people of Afghanistan are living. But while reading this book, looking at pictures and going through the facts, I realize their life is far worse than I could have imagined. Just imagine how you will feel when your home is a death trap. People of Afghanistan are victims of war going on for more than 3-4 decades. First it was war between local communities, then between Russians and Talibanis who were supported by Pakistan & America, and now between America and Talibanis. Warriors changed of either side but the war never ended. America and Russia made Afghanistan battlefield for war between them out of their own country. As we know in any war if anything gets badly destructed it is battlefield and that’s what happening to Afghanistan.
When Russians left Afghanistan, people of Afghanistan felt they got their freedom finally with the help of America. But this freedom proved to be much worst for them. After Russia the power went to Taliban, which is proved as menace not only for Afghanistan but for whole world. They were group of people who enforce cruelty on the name of religion especially on women. Their brutal, inhuman punishments towards people they think on wrong side shocked whole world. They did not allow any sort of entertainment in the country, even kite flying was banned. Women were restricted from education.
This war affected generations of Afghanistan, many died brutal death, many got handicapped because of minefields especially children, many lost their families; people have live like refugee in their own country or on the boarders of Pakistan. Afghanistan today may be stable than earlier under America’s surveillance. They gone through elections but they don’t have infrastructure or economy of their own. They largely depend on millions of dollars coming from America. But more importantly they still have fear of Taliban which is moved to Pakistan looming over them all the time.
I think everyone must read this book or any other book on Afghanistan. It will make all of us realize what violence can do to a country. I rate this book 7 out of 10.
