Brig Anil Gupta
In the history of literary world there would not be many who ventured to author a novel at the ripe age of 80+. Jammuites need to be proud of OP Modi, a well – known industrialist, a social activist and renowned columnist for authoring not one but two novels in the last couple of years. He is 86 and a prominent citizen of Jammu. His first novel titled “Vagabond”- a fiction, was published in 2012.
“The Raiders” is his second novel published recently by Notion Press Chennai. The novel gives a thrilling and absorbing account of the happenings in the sub-continent during the period of 1947-48.
The story begins with a daring act of a brave young girl ‘Rani’ who saves herself and atruck full of abducted girls from being auctioned in Pakistan and other countries. Background of the happenings is the year 1947, when India was partitioned. Azam Khan a retired British army Major along with his assistants Jainath and Opinath vigorously defend their country from the invading armies of Yakistani and Pakistanis. However, Azam Khan’s forces being small in number and short of fighting equipment Opinath is detailed to visit different countries to get assistance. However, half theirneighbors including India turn their back on them and the other half collides against them. Finally Opinath is able to make Russia agree to supply arms and ammunition but no military personnel. Even the arms etc. were to be given at a cost. Opinath happily agreed and assured of paying in gold and other valuables. Will Azam Khan and his supporters be able to pay the cost demanded by Russians? Will their country Vtanga Valley be liberated?
The book is divided in thirty one chapters full of interesting episodes. Each chapter gives vivid account of the heroic deeds of the affected people set in the background of an imaginary story. But those who have undergone the vagaries of that period would be able to relate the story to some real incident or the other.
In the first chapter a horrible experience by Jainath, one of the main characters is narrated. Here Jainath had to hide in an over ground water tank in his father’s bungalow. The tank was full of freezing water and Jainath had to keep his gun dry and save himself from death. In his hands he held the gun. Outside the bungalow had been set on fire; Jainath wished he was dead as he realized that his parents and servants were burnt alive.
The story moves on with the raiders abducting a truck load of young girls. The daring act of Rani is narrated in the first paragraph.
Second Chapter gives a detailed description as to how Jainath escapes the clutches of the Raiders. He is able to reach top of the mountain at the back of the town and meets a Guard on the outpost of Azam Khan. From there his journey to Azam Khan’s headquarters begins. Third Chapter continues describing how Jainath escaped the raiders and reached the top of the mountain. The Guard arrested him thinking he was a spy. But when he hears the name of Azam Khan he not only releases him but also provides a route map for reaching Azam Khan’s H.Q. After two days he reaches Azam Khan’s H.Q, and is ordered to enter the Vtanga Valley, gather information about enemy’s activities and condition of the population there. He is accompanied by Mohd Freed a trusted lieutenant of Azam Khan. They were aghast to see the conditions under which people were living there.
Up to Chapter seven the two persons collect more information including the merciless beating and killing of the people by Yakistani forces.
In eighth Chapter Opinath, who had adopted free lancing journalism is informed by his sources a shocking information, viz. the Chinese and Pakistani authorities had collided to jointly help the Yakistani and Pakistani forces in Vtanga Valley. He immediately sets out to reach Azam Khan’s H.Q and inform him about all that. He also reaches the top of the mountain overshadowing the town and is arrested by the Guard there. This time the old Guard had been transferred and a new one had taken over. Opinath is not only was arrested but also denied food and water. After three days he is released under orders from Azam Khan. But as the new Guard did not have the route map and therefore Opinath had to leave without any route map. On his way by sheer good luck he reaches Sangrama Village and meets the Headman there. He tells him the all the details of his journey and his purpose to meet Azam Khan. He is invited by the Headman to dinner where he sees the beautiful daughter of the Headman. Instantaneously he falls in love with her. She too gives positive response. Opinath is younger brother of Jainath.
From Sangrama village he again begins his journey to Azam Khan’s H.Q. It is a terrible experience for Opinath as alone had to travel from one mountain to the other facing all kinds of dangers. One night he is attacked by a Gorilla. However as soon as soon he gives in return a powerful blow to him the Gorilla cries and falls on the feet of Opinath. Gorilla in fact was a man wearing Gorilla hide. From this novel experience Opinath gets the idea of new war tactics. Finally Opinath reaches Azam Khan’s H.Q and meets his brother Jainath. Together they meet Azam Khan and Opinath tells him the fact of Chinese and Pakistani collision to provide arms and ammunition and other latest weapons of warfare including armored cars etc. This brings us to the seventeenth Chapter. Opinath is asked to return immediately and go to Moscow taking with him two assistants. He is advised to meet Russian authorities and seek help from them. That way, it was believed, Azam Khan’s forces would be able to face the increased threat from the enemy.
The book is full of adventure, thrills and unique war tactics adopted by Azam Khan and his military council that includes the military advisor Raman Shah. It epitomizes the bravery, chivalry and love for his people of Azam Khan, who in author’s mindsymbolizes an ideal military officer. No doubt intense love episodes are lacking yet the author has tried to keep the readers spell bound by narrating a few love affairs of the principal characters leading ultimately to their marriage despite the ongoing turmoil. At times the author’s imagination runs really far and wild.
Mr. OP Modi ‘s feat should act as an inspiration for budding novelists of Jammu and one hopes to see many new titles authored by the locals on the book shelves.
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