Sound Of Water

Loosely based on the disastrous flooding of the Bagdighi colliery (now in Jharkhand) in 2001, which trapped and killed dozens of miners, Sanjay Bahadur recreates the eventful hours of a disaster in this fast-paced and intriguing narrative that moves between the real and the surreal. Raimoti, an old miner, trapped hundreds of feet below the surface of the earth, struggles to save himself and his fellow miners. Meanwhile, the officials from the mining company and the government, more concerned about their careers, launch a rescue operation of their own. And Madho, Raimoti s brother, and his wife Dolly eagerly anticipate compensation. The Sound of Water is a searing fictional expos? of the conditions of mining in India. The story is as much an exposition of despairing minds as it is about the high voltage drama of a mining accident. But pitted against constant fear of death, mindnumbing work, greed and the establishment s apathy is the power of spiritual strength and conviction that enables one to survive the odds.

Sanjay Bahadur

Sanjay Bahadur holds master's degrees in economics and business administration and has been an officer of the Indian civil service since 1989. He has worked as an investigator, administrator, policy maker and regulator. His most recent assignment was as Advisor in the Competition Commission of India. His debut novel, The Sound of Water was long listed for the inaugural Man Asian Literary Prize 2007 and has been published internationally, earning critical acclaim. India Today commented, 'This book should be made required reading for every bureaucrat, politician and schoolchild in this country.' Kirkus Review described it as, 'revealing, moving and well written debut offers a dramatic, engaging lens through which to view an endlessly complex country.'