Review | Window Seat

Review | Arunika Mohapatra

Enjoy reading it by the window side

BOOK: WINDOW SEAT
AUTHOR: Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee
PUBLISHER: Sephali Communications
Price: Rs 250

Window Seat by Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee is a compilation of the author’s regular column by the same name. Through the book the author takes you on a journey of his myriad experiences in his day-to-day life that he has captured with the sharpness of a journalist and laced it with humour.  It seems he always has a pen in hand (figuratively) and disciplined himself into writing down his experiences  and  observations ending it with a subtle advice for his readers.

Available at Modern Book Store, Bhubaneswar, Kitab Mahal, Cuttack. Order online through www.odikart.com

The book does not have a climax because each chapter describes a standalone issue in calendar sequence providing the reader with the freedom to enjoy and learn about a separate issue every day.  Putting his journalistic writing skills to optimum use, the author has tried to give a complete picture within limited space.

The topics chosen are varied.  From the blockbuster Bahubali to different festivals, from blindness percentage to anaemia among the class that is self-sufficient, from prevalent practices like child marriage in some Hindi-speaking states to solutions on better use of water.....the author has touched upon many relevant issues.

 What caught my attention was Patients’ Rights Day observed on June 25 in memory of Anamika Ray, a media academician, who died of medical negligence at a Delhi hospital.  Her husband could have wallowed in grief but he chose to make people aware to prevent repeat of such happenings. And the author making it a part of his column puts us on their toes about an issue that we often tend to ignore because it does not directly concern us.

The author has been able to capture an unbiased world view in his book that strikes a chord for the simplicity in language and choice of words that won’t force you to go scurrying for a dictionary.  This apart, smile will light up your face while going through many chapters because you can identify with the experiences of the author, particularly his marriage proposal. The “We think alike” feeling encompasses you.  With this the author builds a bridge with his readers by sharing his personal life with the world that has been taught to keep it under wraps.

Window Seat has it all from the benefits of cycling to the origin of Indian Railways. Do read the book that Dr Chatterjee has suggested. You will get to learn about the railways, one of the biggest organisations of our country. The author has not minced words in criticising the system and how it affects the common man.  He has also thought of adding a humorous tail piece at the end of each chapter. It encourages the reader, particularly the impatient ones, to remain glued to the text.

I won’t write more about the book. I feel I have given enough hints. So pick up your copy of the Window Seat and view the world with the author.

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The reviewer, a journalist is an alumna of Dhenkanal (Odisha) campus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication. arunikamohapatra@gmail.com

6.6.18