Red Blooms in the Forest

About the Book Leftist insurgency, known as the Nasality movement, has gathered pace in heartland Lindia, affecting over a quarter of the least developed districts of the car and bringing violence and Insecurity in its wake. 'Red Blooms in the Forest' is a fictional representation of the conflict as seen through the eyes of the young protagonist, Champa, a strong and spirited teenager swept by circumstances into the thick of the violence.

Through the characters - Champa disillusioned enough to join a group of Naxalites, gentle Vijay, handsome, idealistic Sudhir, shrewd Bhaskar, serene Rekha, brilliant Manas, and excitable Munia - the author weaves the story sketching an unbiased portrayal of both the groups - the authorities and the insurgents. The addition of the IIT-Harvard student Manas, articulate and argumentative, presents an entirely different construct and a new thought-provoking perspective.

A gripping tale, the novel touches on the theme of rural India and its social ramifications. It reflects the lives of youth from the non-elite section of village and small town India. Moving among folk connected closely with their natural environment, the story outlines the dangerous developments in their lives with sensitivity and empathy. Nilima Sinha, who has travelled across Naxal affected Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, along with her husband Yashwant Sinha, brings authenticity and local flavor to a story that touches the hearts. Read on.

About the Author Nilima Sinha is an acclaimed, well-known writer of children's books with several prizes to her credit. Her book was selected for the White Raven List for libraries internationally. Nilima writes in both English and Hindi.

As translator, writer, editor and storyteller, she has been an active member of the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC), the Indian Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), President of the AWIC for the past many years, she has gained rich experience through seminars, reading-promotion activities and international conferences organised by the Association. Her extensive travels across continents have further strengthened her knowledge of literature.

As the wife of Yashwant Sinha, MP from Jharkhand, Nilima, interacting closely with the locals in the area, especially women, is familiar with life at the grassroots level as also the impact of Nasality activity on the local populace.

**Contents and Sample Pages**