This is a very well written fictionalized account of a coal mine disaster in India,that is loosely based on the disastrous flood at the Bagdihi colliery in 2001 which trapped and killed dozens of miners. In Bahadur’s book, six miners, working on a nearly closed coal mine, extracting the last bits of coal by hand, are trapped when the mine suddenly floods.
Detailing the corruption of the Indian government, the mining industry and the adverse working conditions for the coal miners, this book was an incredibly interesting read. When middle management are more concerned about how they’ll present the disaster to upper management than in the safety or lives of their workers, you know you have a problem. Disturbing at times, mystical at others, as one of the trapped miners is somewhat of a guru, this book will have you turning the pages to read more.
I enjoyed the Indian culture that unraveled in the story of mine workers, their families, and learning about the bureaucratic corruption they had to traverse in order to eke out a living was an eye-opener. I also enjoyed learning several swear-words in Urdu and Bengali thanks to the accompanying glossary. 
Joking aside, this book will leave you shaking your head and thinking about workers’ rights long after the last page is turned.
Till next time, happy reading!
L 
No comments:
Post a Comment