I Am Not a Refugee

Synopsis

We all know that the partition of India in 1947 was the worst man-made disaster in the recorded history of the world. 14.5 million people switched sides, and 3.4 million were reported missing. Two fractured, defeated and demoralised nations and a newborn constituency of refugees were created on both sides.

‘I Am Not A Refugee’is a work of fiction developed from the real-life experiences of four friends, two Hindus and two Muslims, their families, and neighbours during the partition.

It is a story of four friends and their shared experiences during those times of bloodshed and uncertainty imposed on ordinary people on both sides by the Redcliffe line,which ignored the realities of life, history, and the curse of displacement that people of all religions faced.

The protagonist, a Hindu, refuses to accept refugee status within his own country and stands up to the challenges of a new life.

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Theme

- The botched-up partition of India and its aftermath.
- Story of friendship, bonding, sacrifice and perseverance in turbulent times.
- A resilient young man and his journey from West Punjab to Delhi during India’s partition, who rejects the notion of being designated a ‘refugee’ in his own country.

Story line

- The protagonist is a young Hindu boy with passion and ambition, determined to make a difference in the freedom movement.
- His childhood Muslim friends who were left behind in West Punjab remain in his thoughts and continue to significantly impact his life.
- Stands up on his own and supports a large extended family of more than two hundred who migrated to Delhi.

Readers' Reviews

“The book makes you feel the pain of Partition but also shows the goodness that kept people together. A meaningful, heartfelt read.”
... Arvinder Singh

“The writing is straightforward, yet every chapter hits hard. A touching reminder that identity is more than a label — and humanity survives even in the darkest times.”
... Gopesh K Modi MD

“‘I am not a refugee’ is more than a title — it’s a statement of pride, identity, and survival. Inspiring and worth reading for everyone.”
... Yogesh Misra

“It felt like a moving journey of human resilience in the face of insurmountable suffering, leading up to and in the aftermath of the partition of people.”
....Alok Rath

“What an interesting title, "I am not a Refugee", of this wonderful masterpiece crafted by Sudhir Malik! Looks like it was becoming evident that the ultimate destination "Partition" was inevitable, but the journey was increasingly becoming painful, scary & leaving horribly indelible scars!”
... N K Jain

“The sequence of events are presented in such a way that it seems you are watching a movie.”
...Dinesh Chawla