The Srinagar conspiracy [Jan 01, 2000] Chandra, Vikram A

by Vikram A. Chandra

Based on the present political situation in Kashmir valley.

Genres: India, Horror, Historical Fiction

292 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2000

About the author

Vikram Chandra is the executive director and CEO of NDTV Group. He has been called in the popular press, one of the top journalists in India today. Chandra's reputation as a journalist was built while covering the Kashmir conflict. He is the former anchor for the Nine O'Clock News and current host of Gadget Guru and anchor of The Big Fight, on which he still appears despite his management responsibilities.

Educated at St. Stephen's College and at New College, Oxford University, Vikram lives in New Delhi.

Reviews

[Pawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://iandbooks.wordpress.com/
If there is one news anchor whom I have liked more than Prannoy Roy on NDTV then it is Vikram Chandra. He has always ventured into new areas, started new concepts and programs and is a true leader in the world of TV news. When I came across this book “The Srinagar Conspiracy” written by him, I was really intrigued. The topic was to my liking and I knew the author as a great TV anchor. But I had no idea how good an author he will turn out to be. I was in for a big surprise. The book is a real fast paced thriller with events taken from real contemporary history of India and you tend to forget that it is a fiction.

The story is of two friends, one muslim and another hindu who grow up in Srinagar as neighbors with the friendship extending across generations between their families and then what happened to them as a result of terrorism. The hindu goes on to join Indian Army and the muslim friend joins a terrorist group. The story revolves around their life from childhood and how Kashmir and Srinagar and the friendships changed around them. On one hand the story talks about major political and terrorist events in Kashmir and on the other hand it is a very poignant story of friends and their life and love. In the end it is the common people who suffer the most.

The story is told from a viewpoint of a journalist who has a great resemblance to Author himself and at times you feel how much of his own experiences Vikram has used while writing this book. I would not be surprised at all, if some day I get to know that whatever is written in the book actually happened to him. Most of the time he has not shown any bias towards any political party or views or people but I could not help smiling when he praised NDTV in a passing reference.

I could not put down the book after I started reading it. I really wonder why he has not written more of books. I guess he is too busy entertaining his viewers through his TV programs.

[Mrinal sharma]

An amazing read from the hands of the stalwart himself. I remember interviewing Vikram Chandra during my school days and at that time he had just got this book published. When i went into his office it was all filled with photographs of terrorists and all kinds of magazines and cut outs related to the place.

Its one of the best pieces that enmeshes fiction with actual happenings..the way its written makes it very imaginable..and you can see it easily converted to a movie And the last page baffles you as the mystery unfolds.

A must read

[Ashwini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a awesome subject to write on. But the end result was very convoluted. Characters were very loosely defined. The story jumped many years without a narrative. What could have been a 5* if handled properly is sadly left wanting at the end. For the good part it gives a piercing insight into what went in Jammu and Kashmir and how terribly it affected the life's of the people. I wish peace prevails in the land.

[Abhishek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice novel based on the poltical situation of Kashmir. It traces the rise of militancy in Kashmir and its subsequent spread and ultimate decline. It tells about the problems faced by the people during those period.
Anyone interested in knowing about Kashmir but not wanting to pick a boring history book should read this novel.

[Tarrastarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

it opened my eyes to things i had no grasp of. his writing style is journalistic but it works very well. very terrifying but well worth it. it will definitely change the way you look at things for a while.

[Bairavi Vijay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Bollywood a book. While the depiction of Kashmir is beautiful and the problems in Kashmir is atleast made aware; the theme, the coincidences of the characters meeting, Yasmin dying; all the characters' potrayal are all too filmy and cliche

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this facinating. Reading it
gave me a much wider understanding of
the origin of the Kashmir conflict
and the ongoing issues between Pakistan
and India.

[Shraddha Gupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it when I first read it at 13, was strangely obsessed with newspaper editorials, so to speak, then. Doubt if I'll feel the same way now. Extremely tragic, beautiful in parts.

[Hemanshu Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

The backdrop of Srinagar is well laid out.. and the story is also quite touching if not captivating.

[Naresh Soni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Fast paced.

[Arati Giridhar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and informative

[Sidharth Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was terrific and horrific somewhere but got the real scenario of kashmir and its sorrow

[Milind Trivedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simplified version and narration of political history of Kashmir. A very good read.

[Chirag · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice book...quite elaborate,happening and eventful but just missed the emotional attachments which could bring a full on 5