Author – Anand Yadav
Book Introduction / Review -translated in English
Reviewer in Marathi: Aarav Raut, Class 10th, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Amravati (Maharashtra)
This introduction/review of the book Zombi was originally written in Marathi by me. You can find the original Marathi version at the following link.
The book itself is also originally written in Marathi. This English translation of the book introduction/review is a small effort to bring the story and its powerful message to a wider audience. The translation has been done verbatim by my father, with care to retain the original flow and meaning.
Aarav raut
After finishing this book, a barrage of questions began firing in my mind. Questions kept coming one after another. I started reading this book with the idea that it would include most of the important events from Anand Yadav’s life. However, after reading it, I realized that the book only describes his life up to the completion of his education. I thought that, like Bhura, it would also explain how he eventually became settled in life, but as I kept reading, the opposite turned out to be true. At the beginning of the book, many confused thoughts were running through my mind. After reading the title, I used to imagine a half-dead person. But once I started reading, I understood what the book was really about.
The autobiography Zombi begins with the story of his grandfather. His father was an only child, and his name was Ratnu. The author was the third child of his parents and their first son. Initially, his father wanted him to study. He studied up to the fifth standard and developed a strong interest in learning. He loved education so much that, despite his father’s aggressive opposition to his further studies, he continued to struggle and pursue education. Because of education, he developed an inner urge to read books. He even stole money from home to buy books. When his family found out, his father beat him severely. As a result, his books were stopped. However, because of him, the entire class developed an interest in reading. At that time, movies were very popular. Once he went to watch a movie, and after that, he developed a habit of watching them.
When his education was stopped, author requested many elders in his village to persuade his father. Eventually, his father agreed, and he completed his education up to the seventh standard. He stood first in the seventh board examination, and his name was published in the newspaper. His education was not easy, he had to work in the fields in the morning and then go to school. His financial condition was very poor. In those days, after passing the seventh standard, one could get a job as a teacher, but for that, one had to be at least eighteen years old.
He became completely disappointed. He would have to stay in the fields for three more years. His father made him work like an animal. Once again, his education stopped. But he tried hard and completed high school. In between, there was severe financial difficulty. Paying the fees became a major problem. At that time, he did very hard and menial jobs to repay the money. His high school teachers were often angry with him. He did not receive any free-ship in school. To support his education financially, he organized mimicry performances at school and raised money through them. His father’s constant opposition and financial hardship were like a double-edged sword, cutting off his relationship with education as if beheading it.
According to author, “Zombi” means “the obsession for education.” The phrase “obsession for education” was mentioned in P. L. Deshpande’s opinion about the book. After reading that, I understood most of the story.
This book has 380 pages and is published by Mehta Publishing House. The price of the book is Rs. 420.
While reading Zombi, I initially had different expectations, but as I continued, the struggle for education deeply touched my heart. The poverty Anand Yadav experienced, his father’s opposition, and yet his determination not to give up made me think deeply. This autobiography is simple yet powerful.
आरव की डायरी 