Seldom do we
realize that the air we breathe freely comes at the cost of the soldiers that
stay vigil at nights and at mountainous terrains where breathing freely itself
is a privilege. For most of us living in the cities, who are used to complain
for anything and everything, it is not surprising to be completely unaware of
the struggles that the soldiers & officers face on the borders away from
their families. For those of us specially, Bhaavna Arora delivers all these and
more, coalesced with special dose of romance through 'Mistress of Honour'. Whether it is the love between Potnis and
Pansy, or between Advik and Rihanna, the author takes us through the phases
that every adolescent mind will go through when it sees a person that his or
her heart will want.
The bravery of
the soldier Potnis during the 1984 riots and how the same terrific operation
seeded a sapling of love through Pansy, and the romance that happened later,
solemnizing into a marriage - all this is beautifully narrated by the author.
Shamsher is the best part of this novel - the wit that he expresses during his
stay and the help he does to Potnis talks a lot about the epitome of
friendship. Advik's and Kabir's relation adds to the friendship tales. The
hardship of a women (mother, beloved, wife or daughter) associated with a
soldier or a military officer is well explained through various subtle
scenarios.
The chapters that
deal with NDA will surely inspire many people who want to pursue a career in
the Indian Defence Forces. Not only, it delves deep into how the NDA prepares
the students to treat country first, but it also teaches a very important
lesson - if you want to enjoy the roses in the garden, you have to be prepared
to meet with thorns - the same thing that Swami Vivekananda said - Purity,
Patience & Perseverance brings you honours! "Yes, Sir!" - those
powerful two words mean a lot for these cadets!
For those who are
in their 20s or early 30s, there is no way we would know the reality behind the
1984 riots, the LTTE operations that India supported during late 80s. Even the
Kargil war that happened in 1999 would have made into our knowledge (to me at
least) only as a significant news but not as what it happened in reality. The
amount of research that Bhaavna has done to give us all these details, blend it
with stories of Potnis, Pansy, Shamsher, Advik, Kabir and Rihanna is
quintessential. The author has even embedded NSCN in her book, and the readers
will be able to appreciate the insurgency that India & Indian Army face
from NSCN and ULFA every day, thanks to the recent attacks on Indian Army by
NSCN and the revenge attacks by Indian Army by entering the territory inside
Myanmar. 'Right or Wrong is based on which side you are in' - What better line
could explain the terrorists and the army that are fighting each other for
their own cause.
Rahim's chapter
slows your reading pace a bit (and could have been avoided as it side tracks
IMHO), but Advik's training at NDA & Rihanna make sure you will continue
through the book to enjoy it fully! And, how would the parents allow Advik and
Rihanna to go out just immediately after their engagement, and the way passions
flow instantly to consummate their relationship even before the wedding is a
bit difficult to accept. The ending (which I am not going to divulge) is what
some or many of us would have expected differently, but I feel it is BOLD & BEAUTIFUL!
I wouldn't say
"If you are a patriot, read this book!". Instead, I would like to
say, "If you want to understand how tough it is, not only for the
soldiers, but for their wives and beloveds - the sacrifices the latter make,
and humbly accepts the fact that they cannot be the first love at any point of
time to these soldiers and officers, but they can only remain Mistresses, but of course with lot of honour, you
must read this piece by Bhaavna Arora which is beautifully woven with romance,
drama and perfection!"