The stories in Gumrah come from a TV show of the same name hosted by Channel V, owned by Star India. The foreword by Chetan Bhagat seeks to provide a context for the narratives. It also outlines the purpose of the book, which is to warn of the dangers of the teenage years, and therefore the importance of being aware and responsible. The first story, ‘Soulmate’, is the narrative of sibling rivalry turned tragic. A case of unrequited teenage love, insecurity at home and in school, and subconscious resentment of a younger sibling, lead a girl to murder her younger sister in a fit of rage. In this story, I was struck, not so much by the evil of a crime, but by the problems caused by the serious breakdown of communication in a household, and the inability of parents to see that their daughter (who believes her younger sister is a preferred sibling) is unable to cope with a new environment and the pressures of a changed lifestyle. What the story brings out is that there are no clear villains, nor do any of the actors come across as perfect.
November 2016, volume 40, No 11