CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, has praised Keshav Bharadwaj’s Bhojpuri story collection ‘Redlight’ as a credible depiction of human suffering in British colonial countries. He expressed his happiness with the storytelling in Bhojpuri. This story collection is garnering strong support from Bhojpuri and Hindi-speaking audiences on online platforms. The number of Bhojpuri speakers worldwide exceeds 200 million, with over 60 million in India alone. It is hoped that this story collection will achieve new levels of popularity among Bhojpuri and Hindi-speaking audiences worldwide.
Redlight’ serves as a historical testament to human tragedy. The author has spread all the colours of human existence in this short but poignant story. The main character of the story sees ‘Mulago Hospital’ at Kampala’s famous jam-packed red light as a place of faith, sacrifice, and dedication towards the freedom fighters.
The hero of the story, who has received police training, keeps turning his attention to the inconsistencies in the African society, far away from India, while simultaneously connecting it with the values and culture of Indian society. He also gets excited after finding the company of non-resident Indians and the ancient Ganesh temple near his residence. He also sees the beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, dazzling nightclubs, and people dying from malaria that has been otherwise eradicated. The hero’s favourite subject is the exploration of the universal social elements of India and Uganda. The story also introduces us to the powerful campaign of Burma’s famous Prime Minister U Shaw against British rule during the Second World War and the poignant story of his being made a prisoner of war.
In the middle of the story, the hero’s daily stop at the traffic red light to watch the hustle and bustle of the local goods market set up at the crossroads, just like in India, becomes his favourite way of life. While the enjoyment of the youthful appearance of the attractive young woman from Kampala, burdened by the basket of juicy mangoes at the red light, reflects the innate desire of the male element, the inquiring about her health and the regret over the habit of haggling over the price of the basket of mangoes is the manifestation of the noblest form of human values.