BOOK REVIEW: ONCE THERE WAS ME

Bobby Sachdeva, known for his heart wrenching short story collection, Stories of us, which proclaimed the sad realities of the country we are living in, is back with his second book Once there was me, written with a spellbinding writing style making it impossible for the readers to stop this book. As mentioned in his book, He does hold up a mirror to society. It is an autobiography that is part-fictional, presenting his journey of being a kid who would die for his religion to an atheist. Each chapter comprises tragic events that led to this conversion. A beautiful book wich gives us insights about this society. “Human beings just could not live together as equals” This is as accurate as it can be. Keeping in mind, the violence that takes place around the world, because of how humans refuse to accept fellow humans as their equals. The man-made barriers such as caste, color, class, religion, language, sexuality, and what not was created just so few people will be superior to others. Why can’t humans accept every other human living on this planet is the same as them? Maybe it was because of an ingrained fallacy that possessed us ages and ages ago. It is time we should get rid of that fantasy and accept fellow humans. “People who knew the true meaning of God and religion are not bound by the rules laid down by preachers” Religion is the most addressed aspect of this book. It should give peace and solace and not spread hate. How some people blindly follow it, not even knowing what the actual teachings of their religion. This can be because of the lack of internalization of values and virtues their religion taught or they understand their religion through the eyes of the society or their community, the dos and don’ts. Religion can be a part of someone but making it one’s identity, right from their birth to death, and blitzing others who follow other religions is not what any scriptures are preaching, they emphasize Oneness and humanity and not divisiveness. But all we are seeing is the divisions, not just amid religions but within religions. “Language is just a medium to communicate with others” We had reduced this medium to a scale to judge others, measure their intelligence by making some languages superior to others. “Real happiness comes from this kind of selfless dedication to the good of other” Be kind, considerate, and empathetic. That is what matters to be a human, no matter where you belong. This book opens up the reader's mind, revealing the ugly side of the society which we may not have experienced shielded by our privilege. But the author shows us what does it feel like to be hiding fearing for your life even though they didn't do anything wrong, to lose everything built over years in a second, Losing loved ones, just because of some greedy humans who want to make money out of anything, killing someone because they think differently. A must read for everyone.