Ri- Homeland of Uncertainty

"Based on National award winning 'KHASI' film"


Author: Paulami DuttaGupta

Published By: Fablery Publications

Pages: 127

Price: 150/-

ISBN: 978-81-928-9373-0




About The Author: 

Born in Shillong, many moons ago, with schooling at Loreto Convent, and an English Honors from St. Edmunds College, Paulami Duttagupta started her career with All India Radio Shillong. She had written and also given her voice to a few shows there. Later she came down to Kolkata and got a post graduate degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University.  She had also taken up a fancy to learning Spanish, but today confesses that she has forgotten most of it.

She has written for ‘The Times of India’ in the ‘Guwahati-Shillong plus Edition’ and also ‘The Shillong Times’. Television had always attracted her and was connected to the Bangla TV industry for about 6 years. She was associated with ETV- Bangla, Akash Bangla and Sony Aath in this period.

Having left her day job in 2012, Paulami took up full time writing. Her first novel, “Pinjar” released in early 2012. Her second novel “Unplanned Destinty” released in 2014. She is also the screenplay writer of the national award winning Khasi film – “Ri Homeland of Uncertainty”.

“Ri” has been adapted into a novel and is releasing in August ’14.

She is currently working on her next project, “After a Decade of Solitude” which will be released in November’14 and writing the script of her second movie as script writer.

Apart from writing full length novels, she has written several short stories and articles. She has also contributed to the “Minds@work Anthology” and the “Family Matters International Anthology” in 2013. Recently she has contributed to the “Learning and Creativity Anthology” and “Her Story Anthology”, a part of Change India Initiative.

When she is not writing or watching movies, Paulami is either reading biographies or classic pieces of literature. Cricket, food, cinema, books and music are an integral part of her life.

Book Blurb:

Ri- Homeland of Uncertainty – “People from this state sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom for India but who knows about them? These selected chronicles of selected parts of our country, India, has always excluded us, and it hasn’t become self-sufficient yet. For half a century, independent India has only waited for some miracle to happen… and you still have hope?”

Trapped in the limbo between ideology and conscience, Manbha finds himself a part of terror outfit. An unexpected opportunity, anger, squalor and disillusionment – followed by armed combat and injury lead to the soul-searching that forms the substance of this moving tale.

My Review:

Before penning down my take on this book, let me ask you something; have you ever heard about ‘Naxals’. You might have heard a lot about ‘Terrorists’ but Naxals are all together a different group. Cutting it short, Naxals develop within the state whereas Terrorist is a national issue. Presently if you are residing in the north-eastern part of the country or in the states like Odisha, Bihar, Chattisgarh, you must be aware of this Naxals.    

Now speaking of the book, this book speaks the real truth. The protagonist Manbha is brave, angry but has a sensitive heart. The Author has given many examples where you can easily know what type of person Manbha is. It would be completely wrong if I call him a terrorist, he is just like any other freedom fighter deviated in wrong doings in the name of freedom. Manbha wanted freedom for his state Meghalaya but not on the cost of the innocent peoples residing in the state. So how Manbha would get freedom or will he die as a freedom fighter?? What this whole conception of freedom Manbha speaking?? To know, you have to read the book.

Likings: While I was reading this book, the whole incidences were flashing in my front one after the other. I felt as if I am watching a bollywood movie and not just reading a book. Though this book speaks of a Terrorist (read ‘freedom fighter’), it also leaves a message, that guns will not solve problems. They bring more terror and uncertainty in society. Terror can never bring peace. It also tells you about the feeling and emotions of the people living the north-eastern part of our country. You can also clearly see the author’s love for her state.

Dislikings: There isn’t much to dislike about this book. Neither there is anything to enjoy. It speaks of a serious issue and the real truth.

My Ratings: 4.5/5

(If you are a teenager and looking for some lovey dovey books then you shouldn't pick this.. I'm sure this book won't be read by many but to be honest, this book a should/must read for all)

Wana Grab a Copy??

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(Though the Author has provided me with this copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, I was completed unbiased while writing this review.)

Read my review for the other book by the same author here: Unplanned Destiny