मेरा नाम गुलाब है (My Name is Gulab)
by Sagar Kolvankar
“मेरा नाम गुलाब है” (My Name is Gulab) by Sagar Kolvankar and translated to Hindi by Shashi Sablok. Published by Tulika. A hard hitting story of a girl determined to change the lives of people like her father who manually scavenge drains for a living.
Gulab is a feisty girl who is being taunted and made fun of by some of her classmates. They keep calling her ‘Stinky Gulab’. This has nothing to do with her but due to the fact that her father has to manually clean the drains and gutters. She is getting frustrated and is desperate to do something about it.
Gulab decides to take matters into her hands. She has a lively discussion with her father about his work. She wants to know all the details about the things he is made to do with his bare hands. She knows that this is just not done and nobody should be made to do this kind of work. Science Day is coming up in school and what better opportunity for her to showcase her idea.
What plan does Gulab come up with? Will she be able to explain it to her teachers and classmates? Can the first step towards addressing the social injustice be taken? Read the sensitively portrayed story to find out.
My eight year old was moved by the story when we read the book recently. He was not aware of scavenging and the book was an eye opener of sorts. The underlying themes of bullying, social discrimination, prejudices and indignity faced by these people along with their families have been portrayed very sensitively. The illustrations reflect the sentiments of the characters so aptly. We got the Hindi version of the book as my son is learning to read in Hindi. It is available in English and other languages too. The book was selected as part of Tata Trust’s Parag Honour List 2022 and short listed for the Jarul Book Award.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 6+.
Reasons to Read
The story creates awareness in children about sensitive topics like dignity of labour, bullying, social discrimination and prejudice.
Through the story of Gulab, children get a glimpse of how change can be brought about by grit and determination.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Tulika Books here.
An independent bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.