Straight Answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Sushobha Barve, author of Healing Streams, on her book which examines the communal riots in India<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What prompted you to write Healing Streams?</span><br /><br />In 1999, I was in North America and met a number of key personalities interested in or teaching conflict resolution.Since I was a founding member and trustee of the Mumbai Mohalla Committee, many approached me for information on conflict management in India. Unfortunately, there was very little documentation at the community level. I realised that I had something valuable to share. Also, most of my work has been silent; through this book, I want to state publicly what I stand for.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What does the book deal with? </span><br /><br />After watching two of my co-passengers beaten up, set afire and left to die in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, I wanted to find ways of preventing such conflagrations and, where violence had already occurred, to work towards alleviating distress. The book deals with my experiences in the Bhagalpur of 1989, Mumbai of 1992 and Ahmedabad of 2002. In particular, the processes contributing to Mumbai’s recovery. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What did you observe in conflict-ridden areas after riots?</span><br /><br />One, riots are mostly instigated by political elements. Two, the political elements work closely with criminal elements. Finally, local issues which have been brewing at the community level for a long time explode during a larger provocation and become an excuse to settle scores. If these matters are settled quickly, there is reduced risk of violence.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">And the condition of riot victims?</span><br /><br />We don’t deal with healing and reconciliation. The memories, anger, revenge-hate factors are not given a chance to heal. We don’t talk about injustices, we just want to move on. But how can victims move on? They have neither legal redressal nor restorative justice.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What was the situation of Mumbai riot victims?</span><br /><br />By and large, rehabilitation was pretty good. What we are not good at is long-term rehabilitation — physical, economic and psychological. <br /><br />khushnuma.d@timesgroup.com</div> </div>