Crimes against women in India is an issue which needs serious deliberation and positive action. An inhuman incident of Rape on December 16, 2012 has raised serious concerns and wide public outrage. Ashwin Sanghi in collaboration with James Patterson has made Crimes against Women as the central theme of this Crime-Thriller Novel 'Private India'.
The plot of the story is set in Mumbai where seemingly unconnected people are being murdered by strangulation in a ritualistic manner and after the murder, strange objects are carefully arranged around corpses. This is the latest book in the internationally best-selling Private series. Private is world's finest investigation agency headed by former CIA agent Jack Morgan. The book deals with India Branch of Private India located in Mumbai and headed by Santosh Wagh.
As it happens with Books of Ashwin Sanghi, The book mixes fiction with facts and there is an elaborate discussion over history of Thugee cult,legend of Durga, Criminal Tribes and also Tower of Silence on Malabar Hills. The book intertwines these with the main storyline to enlighten the reader while one is absorbed in the novel. Critically much of these except the last does not have much relevance to the story.
Some Quotes that Ashwin Sanghi just can't avoid including in any of his books-
"Politics is the second oldest profession in the world but it bears a close resemblance to the oldest."
"If you've got them by balls, their hearts and minds will follow."
"One only begins to value life in the face of death."
Coming to the story, the plot of the book is engaging though at times, it gets boring and quite predictable. There are a few surprises but not much as should be expected from a book in this genre. Story goes along the expected lines most of the time. The characters of the novel are very human and does not do anything extraordinary including the members of investigation agency Private India, which is good. All the characters have their weaknesses and strengths which lead the story towards its end. Though there are certain questions which the book leaves unanswered. Overall, certainly worth a read if you have read any of Ashwin Sanghi books previously and love his writing style or you love simple story lines like that of Chetan Bhagat with a mix of bollywood masaala. There is not much in it for thriller enthusiasts. I will rate the book 3.5 out of 5 and i certainly expected better from the writers.
Last but certainly not the least, We Indians have a culture that has abundant respect for women and womenhood. We are one of the few cultures who worship feminine power as Durga. But how tragic is it that we are also a country where safety of women on streets is a serious issue, Rapes are a common problem and respect for women is more a part of theory than practice. I sincerely hope that the change is round the corner for us.
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