HASHIYE PAR HASRAT

Hashiya Par Hasrat documents a harsh reality that continues to be a source of shame for our society. The dividing line of caste and varna in Indian society has proven so regressive and inhuman that the sooner a civilized society is freed from it, the better it will be. In that context, this book attempts to bring to light the plight of the Musahar community, which stands at the bottom of the untouchable castes in the caste system of Indian society. This book by Bhim Singh Bhavesh is essentially a research paper in social science. It is an authentic document of the lives of the Musahars, their outlook on life, their relationships, their direction, their future, and their perceptions of mainstream society. The sensitivity with which Bhavesh depicts the lives of the Musahar communities is palpable upon reading. The author has closely observed their health, education, beliefs, and complexities. The publication of Hasrat on the Marginal in the centenary year of Phanishwarnath Renu, the immortal painter of rural life, is also the best tribute to the author of Maila Aanchal. Bhavesh has not only worked diligently to gather information but has also presented it in an engaging style. Therefore, it is not a dry research work, but rather a readable narrative that awakens empathy for a sensitive subject. This is the speciality of this book. It will strengthen efforts to understand the Musahar community, to understand their profound suffering, and to provide them with high human dignity. Awadhesh Preet