Soumya Bhowmik

Sep 14, 2024 | newindianexpress.com | Priyanka Mattoo |Soumya Bhowmik

Priyanka Mattoo’s Bird Milk and Mosquito Bones is a heartfelt memoir that intertwines themes of identity, displacement and resilience. Through intimate storytelling, Mattoo offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of growing up as a displaced Kashmiri Hindu, the impact of cultural heritage and family, and the longing for a homeland lost to conflict.

Sep 7, 2024 | newindianexpress.com | Soumya Bhowmik

The Hindu-Muslim divide, rooted in colonial history, continues to be one of the most enduring legacies in Indian politics. In A Brief History of the Present: Muslims in New India, Hilal Ahmed, a scholar at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, offers a critical and nuanced examination of the evolving complexities of Muslim identity in today’s India. Ahmed identifies four dominant, and often conflicting, concepts: socialism, secularism, inclusion and Hindutva-driven nationalism.

Aug 17, 2024 | newindianexpress.com | Soumya Bhowmik

Roy’s reminiscences of his childhood in Shillong are equally captivating. During his tenure as the Governor of Meghalaya (2018-2020), he was filled with a sense of nostalgia as he returned to Shillong. He fondly recalled playing football near the Pasteur Institute and enjoying the picturesque nightscapes. However, the Shillong he found had changed significantly, with air conditioners now a necessity and the charming gabled houses replaced by flat-roofed concrete buildings.

Aug 3, 2024 | newindianexpress.com | Soumya Bhowmik

The book weaves personal stories in the context of a broader social analysis, exemplified by the compelling narrative of Nisha, a young girl from rural western Rajasthan.