Blood Red River Prasad, Rohit

This book is an unbiased, disciplined and systematic analysis of the political, social and economic activities that have been going on in the mineral rich state of Chattisgarh, all in the name of development. Written based on his extensive primary research as well as secondary inputs from various sources, the author raises some fundamental concerns that the nation must introspect upon and act on: Whose land is it...the adivasis (native dwellers) who lived there for centuries but do not find value in rich minerals underneath the ground, or the rest of the nation whose "apparent", "immediate" and "short-lived" prosperity lies in the extractive resources of Chattisgarh? Who decides how the adivasis and their land should be developed? Can we just drive adivasis out of sight to reap economic gain for ourselves?The author describes the actions of politicians of all colors, the government officials, the legal system, the so called "Maoists", the corporates (including the one with the halo of business ethics), the media, the NGOs and the common adivasis (native dwellers). It's sad to note that the ordinary adivasis pay the maximum in this ongoing war, just for being there where their ancestors lived for centuries and all the benefits are reaped by the rest of modern India. While some of the atrocities against the adivasis are reported in non-mainstream media from time to time, this book tells a complete tale and gives us a rich perspective of the happenings and makes us think. The author finishes off the book with a simile - the adivasis are like the roosters in cock-fights where the roosters lose lives, some earlier, some later - everyone else benefits in the process.One flipside - as the author interviews a large number of people and connects the points back and forth, the storyline gets a little meandering for me.Overall, a great book for anyone interested in India's development story. Appreciate Prof Prasad's effort in writing this book.

The book fulfilled my need to go beyond the half baked media reports and articles and gain a clearer understanding of the issues on the ground in areas facing naxalism. The best way to get to the truth is to experience it yourself- if you cannot do it, books like Blood Red River come to the rescue. The author brings the intellect and the analytical mindset of an academician to the problem but presents his experiences and views in an easy to read manner. This book will be appreciated by everyone who is interested in having a better understanding of the world we live.

Fast paced account of Indians development woes in the mineral rich Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh areas. Contradictions of stated intentions and reality of actions by all stakeholders has been very succinctly brought forth. A must read for all those who keep wondering why India is a rich country in poor mans clothes !I wish my own "agony" had turned to "ecstacy" when I was in Chhattisgarh during the formative years of promises, euphoria, and MOUs !R.N.Singh ( ex TATA Steel )

nice book

Help Civilisation reach Chhattisgarh!!Probably the best book written on the State of affairs in Chhatisgarh (or is it, the affairs of the State)...written in a lucid style...higly readable and informative. There is a possibility of our starting to understand this dark underbelly of India if we read this book. It is an objective description- after all who takes the trouble of visiting those troubled areas??? No political party has been spared, and yet no blame game has been played. Congratulations, Prof Rohit Prasad.