Humra Quraishi Knihy

Kashmir, burdened with an unending humanitarian tragedy and rampant violence, craves for a peaceful settlement. Its reality is the Elephant in the room, with India pretending to sleep. As the country hosts empowerment symposiums, the Valley awaits a political dialogue to take off. The place once considered as a paradise on Earth, is now reduced to being a region fraught with terrorism, hatemongering and blatant human rights abuse. This timely book opens a window into ground realities that most of us are unaware of.

Set in the 1990s, the story follows Husna Hakeem's journey to Kashmir, where she unexpectedly finds love with Meer, a gentle man who despises violence. Together, they build a peaceful life until tragedy strikes on the night of their child's birth, leading to Husna's forced separation from Meer. Months later, she returns to Kashmir, setting the stage for a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the quest for reunion amidst turmoil.

In the 1990s, Husna Hakeem travels to Kashmir in search of a shawl-seller. Little does she know that she will meet her destiny in the form of Meer, an unconventional, violence-abhorring man who becomes her soulmate. As they create an idyllic life for themselves in Meer's dunga, Husna cannot be happier. But this happiness is rudely shattered when, on the night she gives birth to their child, she is forcibly separated from Meer and sent back to her hometown. Months later, Husna returns to Kashmir, determined to find answers, her newborn and, most of all, Meer. But can she find happiness again amidst the terrible violence that has engulfed the state? And is Meer still the same man she had once loved so deeply? A novel about the fractured relations and disturbing truths of lives in conflict zones, Meer is also a story of resilience and love.

The author shares a lifetime of experiences and insights through a collection of portraits featuring influential figures from Indian history. Each profile showcases his candid encounters and reflections on prominent personalities, including political leaders, artists, and social activists. This anthology not only highlights well-known figures like Nehru and Gandhi but also introduces lesser-known individuals, offering a rich tapestry of public and private histories that have shaped the nation over nearly a century.

Ultimately, the underlying thrust of this book is to posit reasoned argumentation, objective enquiry, secularism, civil liberty and compassion as indispensable features of a democracy.