#587 - Laxmi Panda : The Story of Netaji’s Youngest Spy
by Savie Karnel
“Laxmi Panda : The Story of Netaji’s Youngest Spy” by Savie Karnel. Published by Red Panda, the children’s imprint of Westland Books. An incredible story of an awe-inspiring fourteen year old Laxmi whose resilience and courage made her become the youngest soldier of the Indian National Army.
The story starts when Laxmi is around fourteen years old. She lived with her parents and younger brother Nakul in Burma. Her parents who were originally from Orissa province in India had migrated to Burma before she was born. They were railroad workers who worked for the British. Laxmi and ten year old Nakul had never been to India. They only knew stories of their motherland which they had heard from their parents. In an unexpected bomb attack, Laxmi loses both her parents. The Second World War is ravaging Burma with the Japanese invasion. The British have bombed the railway lines that they themselves had gotten done earlier to prevent the Japanese from reaching India. Laxmi and Nakul are left to fend for themselves and have to survive against all odds.
Helped briefly by a mysterious Burmese woman whose name or identity is not known to them, the children manage to evade the Japanese soldiers and live in the forest. When they see the women soldiers of the Rani of Jhansi regiment of INA, Laxmi feels the urge to fight for the freedom of her distant motherland from the ruthless British and also avenge the death of her parents. Despite being rejected due to her age and puny frame, Laxmi refuses to give up and ensures that she gets into the INA with the approval of none other than Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose himself. From then on there is no turning back for Laxmi. She transforms into a formidable spy by mastering the art of espionage and risking her life. Read the engrossing story to know how she navigates the treacherous landscapes and gathers vital intelligence against the British for the INA.
From nail biting escapades to heart pounding adventures, the book has it all. It was heartening to see Laxmi rise from the ashes of the bombing and survive along with her brother. Within minutes, they had been robbed of their carefree childhoods and innocence. Amidst the chaos of war, they had to survive on their own which they did quite well. I and my almost eleven year old son found the book riveting. We just couldn’t put it down and had to know what would happen next. Being a fan of Netaji as well as true stories, this book was a perfect treat for my son. We had read a fictional story called “The Vanguards of Azad Hind” earlier where the protagonist joins the Rani of Jhansi regiment in Burma and therefore knew about it. Reading this book gave us an even better glimpse into the workings of the INA and the conditions in Burma at that time. We felt like we were in the thick of action along with Laxmi. Her never-say-die attitude, wisdom, courage, determination, endurance, perseverance and strength are so inspirational. The author mentions that the adventures used in the narrative are fictional but built using information and facts that were provided by Laxmi, her family and others who helped the author with the research. Recently the book won the Kalinga award for the best children’s fiction. Overall the book is a befitting tribute to the forgotten hero making it a “MUST READ” for everyone.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 10/11 and above.