In 1947, the partition of India occurred, resulting in the country being divided into two nations, India and Pakistan. Despite being one of the world’s largest mass migrations, the historical event often goes untold. Author Veera Hiranandani thinks, now more than ever, it’s critical to highlight this time in history.
Hiranandani’s book, The Night Diary, tells the story of a 12 year-old girl living in the midst of the partition of India. She explains that the important historical event will soon lose the opportunity to be told by the people who actually experienced it; many of the people who were still young children during the time are already in their 80s or older. With this in mind, Hiranandani set out to write a book that focused on the aspects of the partition of India that many are unaware of.
Hiranandani made it a point to illustrate how religiously divided the people of the time were. She explains that these prominent divides made the subject off limits for many and further lost to history. She says she also chose to honor the violence and pain of the event without focusing on it too much.
Most important in the eyes of the author was to address the relevance of the event to this day. The novel aims to humanize refugees through depicting the main character as a typical young girl, worried about everyday, relatable experiences even amidst all the division and turmoil.
To learn more about the partition of India, listen to this weeks show or pick up a copy of Hiranandani’s book, The Night Diary, available today.
Guest Information:
- Veera Hiranandani, author of The Night Diary.
Links for more info:
- The Night Diary – Penguin Random House
- More information on the Partition of India – Washington Post
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