When Meera finds herself on the point of be the child-bride of her husband Krishna, a day earlier than her thirteenth birthday, little did she know that future had deliberate massive for her. A wedding that takes place when she is barely 4 years outdated and a life that she leads along with her mother and father understanding that quickly she should depart for her in-laws’ home; reduces her function as a silent spectator to her personal life-changing selections. Robust as FIRE, Fierce as FLAME by Supriya Kelkar tells the fictional account of Meera on her method to her in-laws’ home and the way the political volatility of 1857 modifications every part for her.

The yr 1857 is an important yr. The Revolt of 1857 is taken into account as the primary main mutiny towards the Raj, it ignited the flame of independence and freedom amongst Indians within the society. It’s a pivotal juncture within the social historical past of the nation the place emancipating ideas had been being propagated to destroy century-old social evils. Additionally it is a time when native Indians in galore both labored on the bungalows of British East India Firm officers serving the memsahibs and saabs; or obtained themselves employed as sepoys on the troops.  A significant neighborhood that shaped throughout these instances of misery was that of the rebels. Hidden in guise among the many Britishers had been those that wished freedom and had been prepared to make use of technique and violence to attain it.

Meera’s story revolves round this socio-political state of affairs the place she flees from her home and befriends Bhavani, a lady just a few years older than her. They work at Captain Keene’s residence in Indranagar. Whereas Bhavani is right here to seek out her older sister, who works as an Ayah, Meera simply tags alongside along with her; until she realizes it’s extra about discovering one’s sister, it’s about discovering freedom. A timid Meera coping along with her private loss and studying extra in regards to the atrocities of the East India Firm is in two minds about her involvement within the battle.

Robust as FIRE, Fierce as FLAME is the story of widespread girls and younger ladies who present unbelievable braveness in attempting to free their nation however discover no point out inside the pages of textbooks. What strikes instantly in the course of the narrative is how Kelkar attracts an inventory of what ladies weren’t purported to do within the 1850s after which goes on to defy every level by her protagonist Meera. From Sati and unequal schooling to ear-marked occupation and dependence on male family members; are all shattered when Meera runs away from her home in the hunt for a brand new and higher life for herself. She sheds her timidity and tries to carve a way forward for her personal with out having to observe the dictates of any male members. She does expertise some weak moments remembering her mom when likelihood kindness is proven to her, however strengthens her coronary heart and fixes her thoughts towards her targets.

The novel is stuffed with metaphors every time reflecting the emotional standing of Meera. At instances it was the story of a mom sparrow who defends her youngster towards all odds reminding her how her personal mom was meek and couldn’t go over her father’s phrases to provide her equal rights as younger lads. As soon as by the act of flying kites, the novel tells us that generally it’s robust for kites to defend themselves towards many different kites within the air, however ultimately, with the maneuver’s eager technique one kite excels and that kite is the image of freedom. Additionally it is by drawings that Meera finds out how the British view the Indians. This parallel visible narrative offers continuity to the storyline by making the readers think about the contexts in entrance of them by primary visualization.

Scholastic has been a premier publishing home for introducing kids to revolutionary ideas and concepts and this ebook printed by them isn’t any much less, for the younger and the outdated. It goes into the intricate composition of the neighborhood and thru actions and linguistic metaphors paint the image of freedom that the Indian neighborhood longed for from the very starting. A must-read ebook particularly for youngsters and kids to open their minds in regards to the Indian independence battle and the function of younger women and girls in it.

No. of Pages: 283

Writer: Scholastic  

Availability: Amazon / Flipkart