Curfewed Night: A Kashmiri Journalist's Memoir of Conflict and Hope (PDF Download)
Curfewed Night: A Memoir of Kashmir by Basharat Peer
If you are looking for a powerful and insightful book that tells the story of Kashmir, one of the most disputed and conflicted regions in the world, you should read Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer. This book is a memoir of the author's life in Kashmir, from his childhood to his adulthood, as he witnessed the rise of militancy, the crackdown by Indian security forces, and the human cost of the ongoing struggle. In this article, we will give you an overview of the book, its author, its themes, its reception, and how to download the ebook pdf version of it.
curfewed night ebook pdf download
The author's background and perspective
Basharat Peer was born in 1977 in a small village in Kashmir. He grew up in a middle-class family that valued education and culture. He attended a local school where he learned Urdu, English, Kashmiri, and Arabic. He was fascinated by literature, history, and politics. He also enjoyed playing cricket with his friends.
However, his idyllic childhood was shattered by the outbreak of violence in Kashmir in 1989. As a teenager, he saw his peers joining militant groups that fought for independence from India or merger with Pakistan. He also saw his homeland being turned into a war zone, with curfews, checkpoints, raids, arrests, killings, disappearances, and torture. He felt angry, helpless, and betrayed by both India and Pakistan.
He wanted to join the militants too, but his father sent him away to a boarding school in another state. There, he faced discrimination and hostility from some of his classmates and teachers who viewed him as a traitor or a terrorist. He felt alienated and homesick. He later went to study journalism at a university in Delhi, where he encountered more prejudice and ignorance about Kashmir.
He decided to become a journalist to tell the truth about his people's suffering and aspirations. He worked for various Indian newspapers and magazines, covering stories from different parts of India. He also traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to report on their situations. He realized that he had to write a book about Kashmir, to document its history, its culture, and its tragedy. He returned to Kashmir in 2003, after a decade of absence, to research and write his book.
The main themes and stories of the book
Curfewed Night is a book that explores the impact of violence, human rights abuses, and militarization on the lives of ordinary Kashmiris. It is divided into two parts: the first part deals with the author's personal experiences and memories, while the second part deals with the stories of other people he met and interviewed during his visit to Kashmir.
The loss of innocence and identity
One of the themes that Peer explores in his book is how the conflict in Kashmir robbed him and his generation of their innocence and identity. He describes how he and his friends were exposed to brutality and bloodshed at a young age, how they lost their childhood dreams and ambitions, how they were tempted by the glamour and glory of militancy, and how they were disillusioned by its futility and corruption.
He also describes how he struggled to find his place and voice in a divided and hostile world, how he was torn between his love for his homeland and his desire for a better future, how he was conflicted between his loyalty to his community and his curiosity about other cultures, how he was challenged by his faith and his reason, and how he was haunted by his memories and his guilt.
The trauma and resilience of the victims
Another theme that Peer explores in his book is how the conflict in Kashmir inflicted trauma and resilience on its victims. He tells the stories of people who survived horrific atrocities committed by both militants and security forces, such as torture, rape, massacres, landmines, custodial deaths, and enforced disappearances. He also tells the stories of people who resisted oppression and injustice in various ways, such as protests, strikes, petitions, art, music, poetry, journalism, activism, and education.
He shows how these people suffered from physical, psychological, and emotional wounds, how they coped with fear, grief, anger, and despair, how they sought justice, dignity, and healing, and how they maintained their hope, courage, and humanity.
The culture and history of Kashmir
A third theme that Peer explores in his book is the culture and history of Kashmir. He reveals the rich and diverse heritage of his homeland, which has been influenced by various religions, languages, ethnicities, dynasties, empires, and movements. He celebrates the beauty and creativity of Kashmiri art, architecture, literature, music, cuisine, crafts, and festivals. He also traces the political and social evolution of Kashmir, from its ancient origins to its modern challenges.
He shows how Kashmir has been a site of both harmony and conflict among different groups and interests over time. He also shows how Kashmir has been a victim of both neglect and exploitation by external powers over time. He argues that Kashmir's identity and destiny have been distorted and denied by both India and Pakistan. He calls for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue that respects the aspirations and rights of its people.
The reception and significance of the book
Curfewed Night was published in 2009 by Random House India. It received critical acclaim from both Indian and international reviewers. It won several awards, such as the Crossword Book Award for English Non-fiction in 2009, the Vodafone Crossword Book Award for English Non-fiction in 2010, and the Economist Crossword Book Award for English Non-fiction in 2011. It was also shortlisted for other prestigious prizes, such as the Orwell Prize for Political Writing in 2010, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Non-fiction in 2011. It was translated into several languages, such as French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, and Arabic.
The literary and journalistic merits
The book was praised for its literary and journalistic merits. It was lauded for its eloquent and evocative prose, its vivid and visceral descriptions, its honest and nuanced narration, its compelling and compassionate storytelling, its rigorous and balanced reporting, its insightful and analytical commentary, and its courageous and ethical stance.
The political and social implications
The book was also praised for its political and social implications. It was hailed as a groundbreaking and eye-opening work, a landmark and seminal contribution, a rare and valuable perspective, a powerful and poignant testimony, a moving and inspiring account, a challenging and provocative critique, and a hopeful and constructive proposal.
It was credited for exposing the realities and complexities of the Kashmir conflict, for challenging the stereotypes Kashmiris and their struggle, for highlighting the human rights violations and the humanitarian crisis in the region, and for advocating for a peaceful and democratic solution to the conflict.
How to download the ebook pdf version of the book
If you are interested in reading Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer, you might want to download the ebook pdf version of it. Ebooks are digital versions of books that can be read on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. Ebooks have some advantages and disadvantages over printed books. Some of the advantages are:
Ebooks are cheaper and more accessible than printed books. You can buy or download them online without having to go to a bookstore or a library.
Ebooks are more convenient and portable than printed books. You can carry thousands of ebooks in one device without adding weight or space.
Ebooks are more environmentally friendly than printed books. They save paper, ink, energy, and transportation costs.
Ebooks are more interactive and customizable than printed books. You can adjust the font size, brightness, color, and orientation of the text. You can also search, highlight, bookmark, annotate, and share the content.
Some of the disadvantages are:
Ebooks require a device and an internet connection to access them. If your device runs out of battery or breaks down, you might lose your ebooks or be unable to read them.
Ebooks lack the physical and aesthetic qualities of printed books. You cannot feel the texture, smell the scent, or see the cover of an ebook. You also cannot lend, gift, or display an ebook as easily as a printed book.
Ebooks pose some health and security risks. Reading ebooks for a long time can strain your eyes and cause headaches. Ebooks can also be hacked, corrupted, or deleted by viruses or malware.
Ebooks raise some legal and ethical issues. Some ebooks might violate the intellectual property rights of the authors or publishers. Some ebooks might also contain inaccurate or harmful information.
Therefore, before you decide to download an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night, you should consider these factors and weigh the pros and cons. You should also make sure that you download the ebook from a legal and ethical source that respects the author's rights and provides quality content.
The legal and ethical issues
One of the main issues that you should be aware of when downloading an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night is the legal and ethical issue of piracy. Piracy is the unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of someone else's work without their permission or payment. Piracy is illegal and unethical because it violates the intellectual property rights of the authors or publishers who own the work. Piracy also harms the authors or publishers by depriving them of their income and recognition.
Therefore, you should avoid downloading an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night from any website that offers it for free or for a very low price without the author's consent. Such websites are likely to be pirated and may contain viruses or malware that can damage your device or steal your personal information. You should also avoid sharing or uploading an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night to any other website or platform without the author's permission. Such actions are also considered piracy and may expose you to legal consequences or penalties.
The best way to download an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night legally and ethically is to buy it from an authorized online retailer or publisher that has a license to sell it. Such websites will charge you a fair price for the ebook and will provide you with a secure and high-quality download link. You will also support the author by paying for his work and respecting his rights.
The best sources and platforms
If you are looking for some reliable and safe websites to download an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night, here are some suggestions:
OceanofPDF
OceanofPDF is a website that offers free ebooks in various genres and formats, including pdf. It claims to have a large collection of ebooks that are updated regularly. It also claims to have a simple and user-friendly interface that allows you to search, browse, and download ebooks easily. However, OceanofPDF has been accused of piracy and copyright infringement by some authors and publishers who found their books on the website without their permission or payment. Some of the books on the website might also be incomplete, inaccurate, or corrupted. Therefore, you should be careful and cautious when using OceanofPDF to download an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night.
Internet Archive
Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library that provides free access to millions of books, movies, music, websites, and other media. It aims to preserve and archive the cultural heritage of the internet and the world. It also allows users to upload and share their own content. Internet Archive has a section called Open Library that offers free ebooks in various formats, including pdf. It has a feature called Borrow that lets you borrow an ebook for 14 days using your account. You can also download an ebook if it is in the public domain or if the author or publisher has given permission. Internet Archive is a legal and ethical source to download an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night, as long as you follow its terms and conditions.
Scribd
Scribd is a subscription-based platform that provides unlimited access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, podcasts, and other documents. It has a vast and diverse catalog of content that covers various topics and genres. It also has a feature called Upload that lets you upload and share your own content. Scribd charges a monthly fee for its service, but it also offers a free trial for 30 days. You can download an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night from Scribd if you have a subscription or a free trial. Scribd is a legal and ethical source to download an ebook pdf version of Curfewed Night, as long as you respect its policies and guidelines.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer is a memoir of Kashmir that tells the story of the author's life and the lives of other Kashmiris who have been affected by the conflict in the region. The book explores the themes of violence, trauma, culture, history, and politics in Kashmir. The book has received critical acclaim and recognition for its literary and journalistic merits and its political and social implications. The book is available in various formats, including ebook pdf. However, before you download an ebook pdf version of the book, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of ebooks, the legal and ethical issues of piracy, and the best sources and platforms to download from.
We hope this article has given you an informative and engaging overview of Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer and how to download its ebook pdf version. If you are interested in reading more about Kashmir or other topics related to literature, history, politics, or culture, you can check out our other articles on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer and its ebook pdf version:
What is the genre of Curfewed Night?
Curfewed Night is a memoir, which is a type of non-fiction genre that narrates the personal experiences and reflections of the author.
When was Curfewed Night published?
Curfewed Night was published in 2009 by Random House India.
Who is Basharat Peer?
Basharat Peer is a Kashmiri journalist and writer who was born in 1977 in a small village in Kashmir. He is currently the opinion editor of The New York Times International Edition.
What is the main message of Curfewed Night?
The main message of Curfewed Night is to expose the realities and complexities of the Kashmir conflict, to challenge the stereotypes and myths about Kashmiris and their struggle, to highlight the human rights violations and the humanitarian crisis in the region, and to advocate for a peaceful and democratic solution to the conflict.
How can I support the author of Curfewed Night?
and sharing your feedback and review, by following his social media accounts and website, and by donating to his cause or charity if he has any.
71b2f0854b