No Exit (novel)

No Exit is a novel, written by Areeba Nasir and published by Pigeon Books. It is set in Kashmir and deals with the arduous and excruciating life of Kashmiris and their shattered dreams.Story of a young boy Ruslaan Bhat is divided into three parts. First one brings into focus the human rights violation in the valley. Second part points out the fact that the difficulties are not restricted to the place within the mountains only but the discrimination follows outside as well. Third part is Ruslaan's fight against the odds and he proves that Kashmir is not the place that produces terrorism rather a place where best minds are sheltered who are waiting for the dark clouds to move away. Books ends with a negative message "no matter how hard one tries still there's NO EXIT"

Synopsis

This story relates to one but encompasses all those who have been subject to some kind of discrimination. It is not about a particular community but all those who have been disowned or alienated on the basis of race, caste or skin colour. This is the story of Ruslaan, a boy who dwells in one of the most disturbed areas of world, Kashmir. It doesn't have a rigid plot, it brings into focus the atrocious life of a middle class Kashmiri family and the discrimination they are subject to when they step out of the valley. Ruslaan belongs to a lower-middle-class family living in Srinagar. His dad owns a watch repairing shop at Lal chowk and due to financial crisis elder brother Ghulam Nabi drops out from school to be a local news reporter and support the family. The story is an amalgamation of militancy period and Army occupation period. The loss of his best friend Reyaz, and violence around coerces Ruslaan to hate his own land. His eyes goaded with big dreams do not allow him to sacrifice his life for freedom. To prove this world actual worth of Kashmir he decides to study further and become an astronaut. He faces resistance from his father who is a separatists and hates India. Ruslaan rejects the idea of War and strives to lead a successful life. He believes his pen can change the way world views his land.

Ruslaan escapes from his house to pursue higher degree and be an astronaut but when he steps beyond the mountains surrounding the valley he realizes that at every step he was singled out. When during his first night in Delhi, he is termed as a terrorist because of being a Kashmiri and is stranded on the lonely road with night at its peak, he begins to justify his father's hatred towards India and Indians. With the advancing time he realizes that Kashmirs are not much admired in the rest of the country, some called them terrorists, some called them selfish. After the initial days of torment and struggle between the country and his identity he at last gets admission in IIT and begins to live his dream. Mohammad Aamir, a boy from Lucknow becomes his biggest support and offers him to share his apartment because no one was willing to rent a flat to a Kashmiri. Everyday Ruslaan faces a new sort of discrimination, first because of his Muslim name and second because of his Kashmiri upbringing. Amidst all the hatred love blossoms in Ruslaan's heart. He falls in love with Aamir's younger sister Haya. Love affair with Haya and friendship with Yasar Lone (another Kashmiri boy studying architecture) makes his life pleasant and relieves him of the pain.

His stay in United States brings forth another trauma, India rejected him because he was a Kashmiri and America rejected him because he was a Muslim. Fighting all the odds Ruslaan succeeds in achieving his goals and fulfills his dreams when entire nation chants his name and everyone addresses him as a Kashmiri boy. No Exit is a struggle between the world and an individuals identity. It brings into focus not only sufferings of Kashmiris but uncertain lives of Indian Muslims as well.

Characters

• Ruslaan Bhat
• Ruqbaan Bhat
• Ghulam Nabi
• Reyaz
• Mohammad Aamir
• Haya
• Yasar Lone

Reviews

"No Exit is a remarkable novel for exploring energetically, effectively and sensitively a range of socio-political issues, particularly the boundary situation of man's existence and affiliations. It recounts graphically the plight of the marginalized community. The local colour is genuine and attractive, readers are transported to the labyrinths of both individual and community life. The issues raised in the novel are both real and perennial. Her style is lively and racy. It will be read with great profit by everyone."—Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai, English Deptt, Aligarh Muslim University. "What strikes one about the book is the complete empathy with which Nasir writes. She is a Dilliwali, daughter of parents who came from UP. She has just finished her MA in English from Delhi University and has no special connection to Kashmir. Yet, she writes about Kashmiri life, its day-to-day rhythms, its cuisine, its flavours and its strong pull at the heart’s strings like someone who was born and raised in the Valley.

Being a debut novel, the occasional mush and melodrama is understandable. So is the stridency about hijab, a position which could have been stated in milder terms. All said, No Exit makes interesting reading."—Milligazete ^[2]

"Areeba Nasir's writing evokes vivid pictures which draw the reader into the experiences of her characters."—Roger Seth, USA "No Exit gave me new insights and new empathy for the Kashmiris' struggles."—Leslie Weightman,U.S.A.

"Areeba Nasir’s debut novel “No Exit “ incorporates within its texture a discourse on Kashmir, an oft- repeated topic, but Areeba’s tantalising narration goes well beyond the dross. The protagonist Ruslan, undeterred by discrimination, does not curse the darkness but searches for light within. His story poignantly depicts wanton destruction perpetrated by the militants and powers-that-be with equal vigour. It is a tale of his homeland once considered a paradise on the earth. His tale has an epic sweep as it presents a world view which is unique and universal at the same time. Areeba does not work around a mushy plot, but brings together the diverse stands of culture, religion and regional affiliations that shape one’s personality." --The Hindu ^[3]

References