Archive · 2 Aug 2025
Zara Chowdhary's "The Lucky Ones" Revisits the 2002 Gujarat Riots
Imagine a book that tells you about a very sad time in India, called the Gujarat riots.
It's like a story about how a family, who were lucky to survive, lived through a very scary time.
The book talks about the scary events that happened.
Even though things were bad, the story also shows moments of hope and kindness from strangers.
The book is not just about the riots, it's also about the place where it happened: Gujarat, the people, and their way of life.
It also talks about how the family deals with these issues, including patriarchy.
Zara Chowdhary's debut novel, "The Lucky Ones", revisits the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The book opens on February 27, 2002, the day of the Godhra train burning, creating a sense of unease.
The narrative explores the impact of the riots on a family spared the worst, yet still affected by fear and discrimination.
It highlights the fear among minorities, the apathy of authorities, and acts of kindness amidst the chaos.
The book also portrays the broader context of Gujarat, including its history, culture, and societal divisions.
- Who
- Zara Chowdhary, the author, and the family depicted in "The Lucky Ones".
- What
- A novel revisiting the 2002 Gujarat riots.
- When
- The story opens on February 27, 2002.
- Where
- Gujarat, India.
- Why
- To confront uncomfortable questions about the Gujarat riots and the state of affairs at the time.
Perspective of the Victims
Societal Context
Focus
Perspective of the Victims
Experiences of minorities during the riots, with focus on fear, discrimination, and injustice
Societal Context
Focus on societal impact and history
- Book Title
- The Lucky Ones
- Author
- Zara Chowdhary
- Subject
- 2002 Gujarat riots
- Setting
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Themes
- Fear, discrimination, resilience, societal divisions