When a Mighty Tree Falls

About the Book“When big tree falls the earth Shakes” said Rajiv Gandhi on taking over as Prime Minister of India after the assassination of Indira Gandhi his mother.This is the story of the 1984 riots and the effect it has on an obscure Sikh couple Lajo and Kujlit residing in the resettlement colony of Tirlokpuri. Lajo succumbs to her Hindu landlord''s advances and conceives though she had been childless for years. Kuljit is delighted and Vikram she vows would never know.31st Oct-2nd Nov 1984 - three days written with fire and smoke in the history of Delhi; tears and blood in the history of Sikhs. Three days branded on their souls with red hot iron that changed their lives forever. Lajo''s husband brutally murdered by the frenzied mob. She remains incarcerated in her ‘home'' for three days with her premature baby till she can no longer bear the stench of decaying flesh and the sight of dogs feasting on corpses and ventures out deeming it better to die amongst the living than live amongst the dead. The story follows her life in the camps her re-resettlement in Vidhwa Colony (Widow''s Colony) perhaps the only one of its kind in the world bringing her son up in an environment of anger and hate till it culminates in a startling end…