Independence, the title of the book, describes the travails of three sisters growing up in East Bengal [ Ranipur village], now Bangladesh, and their striving to become masters of their own destiny. The author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni tells a marrvellous tale that enthralls.
The eldest Deepa is the pretty one, Jamini, the middle sister suffers from a limp, Priya the youngest is ambitious; she wants to become a doctor and help her father in his dispensary.
Priya is in love with Amit. Deepa with Raza.
The story is set at the time of independence, and the birth of two nations. Even as the countries get divided the sisters face their own travails. Chandni Luthra who made the presentation, outlined the story. Jamini with the handicap is in love with Amit [ who is in love with Priya ]. But she is aware that hers will be an unrequited love. As the author reflects ; Jamini has always known her shortcomings. She does not possess Deepa’s shimmering beauty, nor Priya’s focused intelligence. That is why, early in life, she chose goodness. She volunteers at the Durga temple, never complaining when asked to sweep the floor or scrub the vessels.
The girls’ father Nabakumar dies. They are in financial difficulties, which get exacerbated as Bina is unable to sell her quilts. The orders are being canceled as Nabakumar’s death represents an ill omen afflicting the family. Even if the girls sell their gold chains , how long will the money last?
Their fortunes change. A new major buyer emerges on the scene. As the author puts it :Plump Agrwal, holy mark on his forehead, prayer beads around his neck, compliments the authentic subject matter and the elegant stitching. He offers twice the price of the quilts and places a large order. The family is delighted.
In due course the girls get married to the boys they love. Priya to Amit and Deepa to Raza. Radhika Dubash who was the discussant , explained that because Deepa marries a Muslim, the mother throws her out of the house and she and Raza settle in Calcutta. When the two sisters visit her, they find Deepa wearing a veil to work.The author says that Deepa offers them half- truths out of love, out of pride, out of fear. She has a job at the Muslim League office, thanks to Raza. She writes the speeches the leaders make, ahw pens the slogans that workers put on walls.
There is, as expected, the story of communal carnage, of Hindus fleeing Dacca at the time of partition. Mamoon informs Raza about Hindus leaving Dacca: Quite a few Hindus are deciding to leave for Calcutta. Good riddance, I say. It is opening up properties for our league members. Even a lowly worker like me has been assigned a nice two- storey house of my own……….
As this proceeds apace, Priya hss joined Philadelphia university, rushing from lecture to lecture and developing a crush for her young professor in charge, Dr Manchester.
During the discussion, Dr Gautam Vohra highlighted how Priya decided to abandon her studies and rush back home because of the death in the family. Alok Jain drew attention to Amit’s valour who was killed while trying to enable Jamini escape from East Pakistan.
Harry Malik spoke of Dacca and its charms that kept Deepa happy. Sangita Bansal and Mekhela Deva were all praise for the author in telling the story of the sisters in such a compelling fashion. Roswitha Joshi and Patricia Montalto echoed those sentiments and said the book club should take up her other books for discussion as well.
