Of Violence and Life
Dipu Bezbaruah
DREAMS DIE YOUNG by C.V. Murali Frog Books, 2008, 89 pp., 145
April 2008, volume 32, No 4

Rajat Sen, a bright, idealistic student, the only son of a well to do family, believes in an egalitarian society rather than an elitist one. This belief in the young engineering student drags him to become a part of the Naxalite movement in Bengal in the early seventies, which was a violent movement for creating an egalitarian society. He dreams of creating a society with equal values for all irrespective of the wealth one has. He is especially against the bureaucrats, politicians and other important government executives, whom he holds responsible for creating growing social inequalities. For him, violence is the best way (to overthrow the upper class) to bring the change in the society that he dreams of. This book has portrayed the dream of a young student in the early seventies in Bengal. It tells the story of a misguided young mind following the path of violence. The novel is interesting to read as it moves around the dream and aspiration of a young mind.

A short and well-written story, for those looking for a quick read and yet engaging. Though the title is a trifle disheartening but might relate to their dreams about their kind of society. The author, on his part, has been successful in conveying the message he wanted to convey, i.e., violence is definitely not the solution for bringing social change. The background of the Naxalite movement is also very relevant as it is a problem that still continues to threaten many regions of the country. The Naxalite movement had a very strong ideological base and it is worthwhile to examine the birth and growth of this phenomenon.

However, the narration could have gone a little slower than it is as it culminates in a sudden climax. Yet, keeping in mind that it is a first novel, the author has done well.

Dipu Bezbaruah, who is based in Bangalore, did hi postgraduation from IIT Kharagpur in Mechanical Engineering. He pursues a profession in software development in automotive engineering domain. Aerospace engineering and manufacturing is also his domain of interest and working area. He loves travelling and reading. Fictions, scientific and historical are his prime reading areas of interest. 

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