Leave the train at an unknown station. Review on Time Stops at Shamli and Other Stories - Ruskin Bond

All of us people occasionally or frequently travel in the train. Train passes through many stations known and unknown before reaching to the destinations. When a train stops any unknown station we sometimes look outside or perhaps get down to buy some eatables and get back in coach as the train start leaving. But the point here is Do any body think what life exists behind the wall of these small stations. What kinds of people live there, what do they eat, sleep, and work? How do they behave? Just imagine who was once the love of our life lives in that town and surprisingly we don’t

know it. Because life has moved ahead and we have moved with time too.

That is the main theme of "Time stops at Shamli". It is not a story but a mini novel. Story is narrated with such simplicity and emotions that you feel related with characters. You do not read the story but smells it. Smell of Rain, river, lake, jungle, song, food and most importantly feel of love. The loves enlightens you and rekindle you. Time may help you to forget your first love but when it reapers it is impossible to restrain yourself. Ruskin Put weight on love rather then relationships. Relationships are created by society but love is a gift of god. Except two main characters there are other interesting characters also. A weak hotel manager, a lovely cute small girl, Anglo-Indian women. They all have nothing but the time. Time is plenty in shamli.Everybody seems to busy in something while doing nothing. The author does not hesitate to show physical form of love.

Imagine A women gesticulate you to follow her and then disappear in jungle .when eventually you find her she says that she wants to know whether you can follow her like before. I will not discuss the climax of story that is very unpredictable.

It is a very nostalgic book and I suggest that every one should read it. During reading you will remember your lost love, your passion for love, and the towns that looks so unknown from the window of train. Someone live there whom you are in love long back. Alas long back…………………..