Once Upon The Tracks of Mumbai - Book Review

Author : Rishi Vohra 

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Genre: Romantic Fiction 

Pages: 272 

Price: INR 175

Rating 3.5/5

About the Author

Rishi Vohra recently relocated back to Mumbai after completing a Green MBA from San Francisco State University and a Masters Diploma in Environmental Law, prior to which he had a successful career in the Indian Entertainment Industry. After featuring as a guest columnist for various newspapers in India, he currently writes for delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW). 'Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai' is his first novel.

To know more about him please visit www.rishivohra.com

“Autistic, schizophrenic, psychotic,” are the words people use to describe Babloo, but the problem is that no one understands him, no one talks to him and no one gets what he feels. No one treats him well expect Vandana, his love interest. He has no relationship worth mentioning with anyone else. He lives in the railway colony in Mumbai and dreams of making something of his life, but his lack of understanding when people talk to quickly and the constant disapproval of his parents lowers his spirits.

The story moves ahead with so many unpredictable twists and turns which keep the readers h0oked. Which incident changes Babloo’s life completely? How does he becomes the superhero Rail Man? How does his life change when he becomes Rail Man? Does his mental condition come in the way of his love? Does he get the coveted hand of Vandana or does he let her be taken by his Sikander who covets her as well. Can he teach Sikandar a lesson? Will life be the same again for Babloo?

Read the book and you shall get your answers. Not just the answers: but a smile on your face as well. Its the innocence in the writing that will touch you. Babloo is someone who will touch your heart from page one . Think from the view of a autistic person, a person who is not good at expressing himself. Someone who can not convey emotions, love or even his views. Babloo is intelligent but no one sees him for what he is. Its a beautiful story. 

As a first time author, Rishi Vohra has done a quite a good job. (Also I have had the chance to speak to him over emails and he's a really sweet guy) .  The story is fresh and refreshing. I say it repeatedly, given a choice I never pick a romantic book (Especially by Indian Authors..yes go ahead narrow your eyes but its true) . But I don't regret reading this one bit. The character sketching is spectacular and grammar nazi is not too annoyed as well. I like attention to details, not descriptive essays about the scenery but the small things that make you smile, think or ponder and these are the things that stay with you.

The book is good. If you are looking for mush, you will be highly disappointed. But if you want to read something that leaves you with a fuzzy warm feeling, then grap your cup of tea and sit by the window with this sweet story. 

This Year I ...

(In no particular order)

Lost  a friend due to misunderstandings and fights.

Fell in irrevocable, deep, irrational, stupid & mindless love. A good feeling, you must try it sometime.

Had my heart broken. And thought it was the end of the world.

Won a contest hosted by a fellow blogger. I never win anything, so it is quite a big deal.

 

Made tons of new friends, met new people. Gathered experiences, memories and insights :)

Finally got a dog, to complete the family and understood the real meaning of selfless love.

Started something new, career wise. Made the best out of what I had and gave into the passion. 

Attended the wedding of a really close family member for the first time. Very Jutte Do Paise Lo Moment >_<

Bought my own laptop with my own money (: Installments FTW !! :D

Grew up in so many ways :) A year older, much wiser and smarter.

Survived the Mayan's idea of the end of the world. 

Was stunned by an incident that shook the nation and realized, I don't have a NOT IN MY BACKYARD attitude after all. 

Wrote more than double of how much I wrote last year. Me is happy :)

Spent a lot of time charging my phone and I intend to do it in 2013 as well. 

So a very good year in terms of a lot of things. I am almost content...almost:)

Even  in the smallest accomplishments and the biggest joys, 2012 has been the best year of my life ( no exaggeration). And once you are set to climb upwards you can only go higher. A very HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH ONE OF YOU READING THIS . May this new year be a rebirth of sorts and bring you a lot of new luck, joy , and love. 

Ashamed.

"@jhunjhunwala This girl can either live on as a martyr who heralded the start of an anti-rape movement or die as a rape victim.The choice is ours."

As that one news shakes the country. I feel ashamed. I feel guilty and I feel shattered all the same time. I feel I am no better than the men who did this to her. And I am no better than the Parliament who is doing nothing about it. You know why? Cause I didn't do anything either.

 Every time I got groped in a public place or was touched by someone in the wrong way, I kept quiet. I felt dirty and ashamed. Not angry and empowered.  Didn't  tell anyone. Mostly I just dealt with it myself. Maybe gave a terrible look or moved away to stop it, but that was it. I didn't make a scene and I didn't beat the man red. I should have.

"@saffrontail Next time ANYONE makes a sexist joke about women, get up and ask them to STOP. Even if it's your father, husband, son, or a woman herself!"

Every time I guy made a snide remark or gave filthy looks to me or a friend. I kept quiet. I was scared that if I say something he might come closer instead of just molesting me with his words. I didn't show him his place, or report it to someone. I should have 

I am coward and she paid the price for my cowardice. I haven't been able to stop my tears since the news broke out. I feel helpless and hopeless even. I cry for her loved ones, I cry for her and mostly I cry for myself. I feel unsafe. They are calling her a brave soul. She didn't choose this, she isn't brave, she was raped. Use the word RAPE ! Cringing aren't you.?

"@hankypanky RIP Damini. You want to know her real name? Its the name of your sister, wife or mother. In this India, THIS could have happened to anyone."

Out of the 5 men one is under-age, he will be let off easy and that is not okay with me. We need to stop underestimating the youth and their understanding of life. I'm sure he is no innocent child who didn't know what was happening. I can't get myself to watch the news because I feel an instant guilt and I can't stop the tears.

"@blublubling Its a dress, not a yes. And you are psychopath not a misguided teenager."

Let not the flame she lit die within. I want to take part in the protests and I want to punch the policemen who have the audacity to say "Peaceful protests are not allowed with a straight face". But you know what I didn't do that either. Why? Cause I was at work. I didn't take a stand and walk out to light a candle for her. Lets make sure our women are safe. Lets get laws in place. Let men know that it is not okay. If they can't handle there dicks they need to stay in after 9 not us. Be Brave Be Safe.

"@BucketHeadCaseHi. I am an Indian. My superpower, is being helpless."

But yet some mindsets hurt me though I have no right to be hurt;
Yesterday a teenage girl came to visit my dog, she is regularly coming over to see her. I was watching the news when Jaya Bachan's speech was being aired, and she breaks down. That girl comments " Isko Acting karne ka chance mil gaya " Really? If women won't understand this how can we ever understand men to.
Its sickening and I'm just not able to get out of this. In office when they speak more about Tony Greig dying of Cancer than her I want to yell and say you people are sick . An old man is dead because of cancer but a GIRL DIED BECAUSE SHE WAS RAPED. Why are we so inhuman.

She is in a happy place. Cause its better to be dead than face this day in and out. Even if she survived she would be too sick to even eat anything solid. Her will power pulled her through for so many days. I pray for her and I only hope all these protests and ideas don't die. The government is answerable as to what was the need to move her in such a delicate situation. WHY? So that they don't need to take the blame. We need answers. And you know what even killing the rapists is not enough. Its too easy.

"@ob_noxious We need an Amar Jyoti Betiyaan for rape victims - a monument that will stare back at us; a monument that will make us feel ashamed."