Journalist-turned-author Neelima Kota's upcoming novel examines dynastic politics in India and the increasing urban and rural divide which makes one alien towards the needs and problems of the other.
"The story is about the methods a young farmer adopts to survive and fight against a young MP. The book is not about the 'haves' and the 'have nots' but it goes a step further. Its about those who 'want to have' and those 'who don't let others have".
It's about redefining and reinterpreting our democratic values, our family values and how we analyse and value hard work," says Neelima.
Titled "Shoes of the Dead" the novel is due to be released early next month.
Forty-two-year-old Neelima, is doing research on South Asia studies from the Johns Hopkins University at Washington, she has penned two novels Riverstones (2007) and Death of a Moneylender (2009) in the past.
The book also explores the acute problem of farmer suicides that are still wide-speared in parts of India for eg. Vidarbha in Maharashtra, despite efforts by politicians, bureaucrats, academicians, experts and planners.
"The urban and rural divide prevents the former to completely and sensitively understand the problems of the latter" the writer said.
