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Subrat SaurabhAuthor of Kuch Woh Pal
Self-Styled Sovereign, the Judiciary
This is in fact an academic deliberation on the functioning and reality of the judicial system prevalent in India post what they call ‘Independence’. Whose Independence was it anyway? For whom? Except for the ruling class? The lawyers first, and then the hooligans of Chambal. Nonetheless, the judiciary of the free country turned out to be one step further than its new crop of leaders; they usurped the entire authority from the latter in subtle moves one after the other. In olden epochs, the autocratic Sultaans or Baadshaahs dispensed justice purely depending upon their whims and fancies which were incidental to the moods and tantrums of the Sovereign. Historically as well, the Real Sovereign is the one who dispenses justice. The Judiciary in Indian Republic soon realised it.
Videh Arvind Kumar
'Videh' Arvind Kumar
In variegated genre he has composed as many as 24 books so far, of which, 14 are in English and 10 in Hindi. Among the Hindi books, there are 03 story anthologies (Anapadh Lipi; Paashaan Yug; Nisarg); 03 poetry anthologies (Aaart Gaan; Kaal Krandan; Ananubhoot Kaal); 01 drama (Ambedkar Smriti); 01 collection of select poetic pieces (Praarthanaa evam Praanaansh). Aside of this, he has compiled, commented, edited and got re-published the first epic of the Khadee Bolee Hindi, the Priya Pravaas; and a book entitled ‘Mahaamuni Vaalmeeki Rachit Itihaas: Raamaayan -- Uttar Kaand’ which presents in succinct prose form the ancient history of India as narrated in the most ancient epic.
As regards English oeuvre of Videh, he has so far published 6 volumes of the long fiction series ‘Hypocrisy & Reality’ (Beyond the Pale; Wilderness of Literacy; Advent of Time; Devoid of Shelter; Price of Refuge; Hatred towards Love) with yet more planned to come. Besides, 01 Comedietta (Chambellion); 01 Short Story collection (Brainy Beasts); 01 Poetry anthology (Bewailing Muse); 01 Drama (Self-styled Sovereign, the Judiciary); 01 book based on the study of mythological volume ‘Shiv Puraan’ in the present day context (Procreation, the Adorable); 01 commentary book on the first novel – ‘A Pale View of the Hills’ -- of the 2017 Nobel Literature laureate, Kazuo Ishiguro (Nagasaki: Bomb & Aftermath) are other books.
Not only an original writer as well as thinker, but also a capable and versatile translator is Videh inasmuch as he has translated in English free verse form 02 Hindi poetry anthologies, viz. ‘Hatyaaree Sadee Mein Jeevan Kee Khoj’ of ‘Nirvikaar’ Mukesh Kumar, and ‘Adrishya Kaa Yathaarth’ of ‘Ashwaghosh’ Omprakash Sharma with the titles of the books being seriatim as ‘Search for Life’ and ‘Reality of Invisible’.
As a latest in his laurels, Videh has been honoured with their highest honour ‘Shubham Ratna’ by the institution ‘Shubham Sahitya, Kalaa Evam Sanskriti Sansthaan’ on the occasion of Hindi Divas, i.e. on 14th September, 2024.
