Name
of Book - Black, Grey and White
“No one is spared from
it.”
Authors
- Santosh Avvannavar
Santosh I. Biradar
Blurb
- This book gifts its reader’s five fantastic short stories that have a common
aim – to spread awareness about AIDS. It is an opportunity for people to unite
in the fight against AIDS and show their solidarity for HIV positive people.
This book is an eye opener for everyone who wishes to see the wave of positive
change in society. Everyone including the brave hearts Savita, Chintu and Mithali have the right to live with their
heads held high without fear of social ostracization. Life does not have to be
like this. The time is ripe to act now with one’s sense and sensibility. Break
the myths. Come, be the change!
What
Makes the Book Tick - As the year comes to end I wanted to
end it with a social message and I am glad that I got the opportunity to do so
through Santosh Avvannavar’s book. The blurb provides a good insight into what
this book is all about. The 5 stories that the book is made up of, talk about
different aspect of life - AIDS being the most dominant. Let’s look at the
stories one by one!
Story 1 - Shahid –The Martyr
This story, which is
written as a script, deals with Shahid and his search for Anjali a.k.a Neha. It
talks about his social obligation and need to solve the mystery of Anjali and
her husband. This story brings to the core myths surrounding AIDS and how fake
doctors and people who use black magic prey upon others, especially children. I
was heart-broken when I read this story and had tears in my eyes every time I visualized
the young children who are victims of people who lack knowledge about HIV
positive people or just want to make easy money.
Story 2 - Chintu – The Earth
is Round
If all of us had a
chance to reason with God, I am sure that everyone would be born perfect! Written
as a narrative, this story brings to the forefront the reality of how people
with AIDS are treated. Chintu did not ask to be born HIV positive…why then
should Chintu and others like him suffer for lack of knowledge? This story emphasizes
the fact that people with AIDS would be able to live a better life if only we
do our bit to spread the reality behind AIDS and inform people of the facts
rather than let them make their own assumptions!
Story 3 - A Game of
Life, Lust and Death
There is a world outside
that all of us know about; it’s just that most people deny it exists. This
story talks about the exploitation of young girls in various industries. It
highlights the fact that lust can lead to irreversible physical and mental
damage which could even result in death. Maithali is one of the girls who falls
prey to these men and how she ensures that they do not go scot-free! Pain, disappointment
and regret, this story will make you realize that life is not easy for
everyone!
Story 4 - Highway Sex: A
Journey of Hope
There are many like
Savita who are seen as a responsibility and married off at an early age. They
know nothing much about life, about the men they marry and yet go into it
because of society and their parent’s insistence. This story, which is written
as a script, talks about how Savita gets AIDS and deals with her problems with
the help of positive building sessions, counseling and in turn helps others
like herself. Ending on a positive note, this story is one of inspiration and
strength!
Story 5 - Abram and His
Prodigal Son
This story is made up of
different chapters and moves away from the other four stories that have an
underlying message about AIDS. Of course keeping with the main theme of the book,
this story deals with a young boy, Cain and how he goes astray! The deep
message behind this story is that people can change if they are loved,
appreciated and understood. In this story, the author has drawn references from
the story of Cain and Abel from the Holy Bible.
The authors have put
great thought into making the stories interesting and easy to understand. They
have brought up topics about HIV positive people and problems that young children
face in the hope that it will move others to reach out and remove the myths
surrounding AIDS. I feel that this book should be placed in every library so
that more people will be aware of how they too can make a difference!
What
Could Have Been Better
-
I feel the cover could
have been more interesting. The slogan “No one is spared from it” could have
been placed below the title instead of above it. The blurb and the reviews
could have been written in black so that it would have been easier to read. Apart
from this, I think the authors have done a good job of using their skills to
spread awareness about AIDS.
If you want me to review
your book, please send me a mail at – myriadhues14@gmail.com
To know more about me,
you can also visit my website: www.rachnagupta.in and follow me on Twitter -
@GuptaRach
.jpg)