“For Existence” is a novel on the backdrop of Assam Movement (also known as Assam Agitation or Assam Andolan) | Publisher: Spectrum Publications, Gauhati (2001 – 2nd edition), Writers Workshop, Calcutta (1996 – 1st edition)
“For Existence” by Nikhil Khasnabish is the first Indian-English fiction on the backdrop of Assam Movement (Assam Andolan). It is an interesting book of fiction with contemporary socio-political overtones, especially in the context of the state of affairs, in the state of Assam. Set in the confines of Assam, the novel questions the role of the youth in this “state of turmoil”, and is a critique of the militant form of protest, providing a link between the fictional world of Sumit and the real world of the reader.
The deft use of a small-town setting in the backdrop of rural Assam at the time of Assam Movement and poignant characterization, provoke the curiosity of the reader and shake up his complacency. The novel proceeds slowly at times but carries the excitement of a thriller. The fictional characters stand out prominently in the factual settings of the Assam Agitation, which in itself was a landmark of sorts.
“For Existence” depicts Assam Movement through events and characters. Though it is a fictional work, it portrays the state of Assam at the time of Assam Agitation. The literary work is based on author’s first-hand experience about the movement. The story is based on a small fictitious town of Assam, called Sunjuri. Sumit, who is the protagonist of the novel, was against the agitation. Because of that, he had to face a lot of challenges by the local people of the town.
Some opinions when this work was first published by Writers Workshop, Calcutta, in 1996.
- (For Existence is) … a sensitive, readable and disturbing novel. – P. Lal, Calcutta
- I find (For Existence) very interesting. It promises pleasure. – M. V. Kamath, Mumbai
- I enjoyed reading (For Existence) and found it worthy of critical attention. – Dr. R. K. Singh, Dhanbad