Is That Even a Country, Sir!
Journeys in Northeast India by Train, Bus and Tractor
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The story of India's most neglected region is conveyed through the voice of a poor, petulant reporter. When violence erupted in Assam in 2000, resulting in the massacre of Hindi-speakers, two unemployed journalists, Anil Yadav and Anhes Shashwat, ventured into the chaos, hoping their reports would bring them fame. With minimal knowledge of Northeast India, scant resources, and few contacts, they embarked on an epic journey across Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Manipur. They stayed in rundown accommodations and traveled by local buses, facing ambushes and walking significant distances. Their experiences included sharing a tractor with goats and meeting diverse individuals: a boatman who explained the political context of the massacres, former ULFA members discussing their surrender, a general recounting a harrowing march to China, and a barber revealing the reasons behind a mob's actions against an elephant. Through these encounters, the narrative captures the complex interplay of history, politics, and local myths, offering a raw and powerful portrait of Northeast India, filled with grit and authenticity.