- ISBN: 978-9395481205
- Genre: Non-fiction
- Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications
Bringing together his experiences as a journalist and a keen observer, David Lepeska writes a raw and gut-wrenching book on Kashmir. Part memoir, part travelogue, and part reportage, Desiccated Land is a page-turner.
The book starts by tracing the history of the region along with his own history, as a student who was dimly aware of the history of Kashmir and the turmoil it has been causing for centuries between India and Pakistan. Lepenska takes us to Nilamata Purana (likely written in the 7th century) which tells us the story leading to the birth of this region. He also shares an alternate possibility of the word being derived from a lake ‘Mira’ named after Vedic Sage Kashyapa.
His first visit to Kashmir closely followed by his second (and much longer) visit as a journalist working for the Kashmir Observer after the 9/11 attacks, make for an interesting read. Lepeska had questions, a lot of them. And his search for answers led him to Kashmir. It is interesting to note the number of books he read even before he started working for the Kashmir Observer. Time and again, Lepeska tells us how intrigued he was about Kashmir, be it through his actions or words. After reading this book, I believe, it wouldn’t be wrong to say, this book is a culmination of all his efforts to satiate his curiosity about this region.
Painted in shades of blue, the cover of the book is simply breathtaking. It borrows colours from Kashmir’s scenery to create a unique cover that stands out. In many ways, it also compliments the title of the book, Desiccated Land. (Don’t miss listening to the author sharing the story behind the title HERE)
Neatly divided into ten chapters, the book traces the journey of Kashmir as a region in all aspects ranging from economic-wise, political to social and development-wise. Each chapter starts with a bit of history which then fits beautifully with the current scenario. This makes the reading a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
I read and re-read the introduction and was deeply moved reading about the struggles of Kashmiris for decades. As an Indian, this is not something new for me. And yet, it impacted me deeply. The introduction also sets the tone for the reader as to what comes next. His detailed research and the efforts put in to trace the journey to the current times, before offering his commentary, are visible in those pages.
Sticking to the tagline of the book, ‘An American in Kashmir’, Lepeska shows us, Kashmir, as he (an American) sees it. It is not only about scenic locations or local cuisine. It is also about how he views the issues Kashmir has been grappling with as an outsider.
The writing is raw and compelling. Be it the statistics or the stories of the common man in Kashmir, every detail in the book is heartbreaking. While reading the book, one cannot help but wonder, what is the solution to this whole issue? And then you realise, that perhaps no one is looking for a solution. Many people benefit from this issue and they ensure it is fuelled at regular intervals to keep the fire burning.
Over discussions with people across age groups, Lepeska discovers how more than 60% of Kashmir’s population is either depressed or living with PTSD. War and its aftereffects are more than just loss of lives or damage done to the infrastructure. The pain and the trauma it brings along are irreparable for years. Imagine being unable to go out and play as a kid. Or go to school/ college as a normal teenager. The lack of opportunities for the youth in that region speaks volumes about how challenging life can be for the residents.
The one year that the author got to work in Kashmir was truly eye-opening. But eerily, it all came to a standstill when one night terrorists came knocking at his door. As Lepeska explains, it could be felt in the air of Kashmir. The tension, the fear, and the uncertainty. It was all palpable.
With this book, the author tries to capture the unexplored side of Kashmir. Or perhaps, about the side of Kashmir which is not talked about much in the press. Be it the movies or novels, the depiction is always one-sided making the readers confused. Lepenska’s book is an honest and commendable attempt to lay bare the reality before the readers without any judgement, opinion, or commentary.
Overall a brilliant read that brings together decades of the turmoil experienced by Kashmiris and analyses the reasons behind them. Recommended for all non-fiction lovers and also people who are curious to know more about the backstory of Kashmir.