Description
“The Colony Brats” is a thought-provoking novel based on true events by Vineed P. Menon that highlights various overlooked societal issues, making it a truly inspiring read.
Set in a small town in Sawalpur, the novel’s protagonist, Nivrutti Nandan Nedumpilly Nair, ‘Niv’, unfolds the story from an engaging first-person perspective. Niv shares his childhood journey, friendship with his best friend Baiju, mischiefs, love life, and a significant event that changes the lives of the people of Sawalpur forever.
In the late 1990s, Power Cements’ giant industrial empire thrived on the egotistic principles of inequality and injustice.
For decades, the separation of facilities based on job grades led to significant disparities in amenities for wage-board workers compared to officers. This included unequal availability and access to accommodations, schools, hospitals, canteens, and clubs, reflecting a troubling disregard for the lives and well-being of wage-board workers.
Niv’s father was the personal driver of the General Manager, Mr. Rao, who held the highest position in the Sawalpur office at Power Cements. Therefore, Niv was fully aware of the discriminatory policies imposed on wage-board workers and consistently experienced their impact firsthand, which enraged him constantly.
Once at the school’s elocution competition, Niv froze on stage from stage fright, allowing students from the officer’s quarters to mock and humiliate him. That was the start of his lifelong rebellion. Niv decided to take up public speaking as his career. This was just to prove a point that children of wage-board workers can also be successful and wealthy. However, deep down, it was a quest for vengeance against Power Cements and their abuse of power.
As years passed, Niv became a certified trainer and speaker, yet his heart did not forget the ghosts of his past. He remembered how his father was ill-treated by Rao, his teachers always misbehaved with him and no one ever thought that the son of a driver could ever be successful in life.
One fateful evening, Niv received the devastating news that his father had tragically died in an accident after colliding with the Power Cements truck. The truck driver was drunk but only the management knew this.
Niv’s father, a devoted and kind-hearted man with 35 years of dedicated service to the company, deserved the utmost care and attention in this situation. Unfortunately, in an attempt to cover up their mistake, the company unjustly placed the entire blame onto him.
“From a distance, I admired how Papa cared for everyone around him, offering comfort wherever required. I wished I could achieve even 10% of what he had in his lifetime.”
This incident opened the floodgates of revenge and anger which turned Niv into something he was not. As he was deperate to teach the management a lesson at any cost, Niv made certain choices that changed everything forever. What happens next is a complete roller-coaster of emotions for the readers.
‘The Colony Brats’ is a coming-of-age novel which will make you laugh, cry as well as ponder over some of the important elements of life. The story encompasses both revenge and redemption. It also takes us through a multitude of emotions i.e. forgiveness, kindness, love, friendship, regret and a sense of loss.
The beginning was slow, but the story quickly picked up pace with constant surprises that kept me engaged until the end. The characters are numerous but their roles are clearly defined and the plot is engaging. Author’s writing style easily connects with the readers providing a fulfilling experience.
Niv had argued with his father just days before the accident and had intentionally ignored his calls on the day of his death. Through this inspiring story, the author has conveyed a very important message: Cherish the people in our lives while they are still with us!
“When angry, it’s easy to say things that hurt, but you can’t take back your words. The hurt is permanent.”
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