ON THE BANKS OF DAMODAR --- By Anant Joshi

NOVEL WITH A OUT OF BOX STORY

The novel " On the Banks of Damodar " is based on the background of imaginary government co. Ramgadh Coalfields Ltd. In the Zharkhand state of India .The story happens in coal mine named Maral, situated on the banks of Damodar river. This tragic story is about the exploitation of Jaggu Manjhi, a poor impersonator and his wife Radha . Jaggu is impersonating Ramnaresh, who is loader in railway wagon coal loading job. The corrupt practices involved including impersonation have been depicted . The exploitation and harassment of women folk in labor category moves the reader. The activities of Coal-Mafia and their connections with officials have been elaborated. One more social aspect described in case of the character Miss Kirti Patel, senior welfare officer, that is " If a man can choose to KEEP a woman, what is wrong if sometimes a woman has KEPT a man ?"