The Vulnerables: Chronicle of Lives Amidst Disasters

Following a freak hailstorm in the middle of the night, three relief aid workers- Anurag, Deven, and Divya are lost in a valley near Pokheri village located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas in Nepal. The trio has been working for a relief operation after the massive earthquake of 2015. In Kathmandu, Kashyap, heading the relief operation for an international NGO, mobilizes the rescue team to find them. However, the event takes a sweeping turn when the rescue chopper crashes in the mountains, stranding the rescue team in a small hamlet near Pokheri. As Kashyap gears up for the second rescue operation within 48 hours, he has also to deal with his past relation with Sukanya, who is now the wife of Anurag. As Anurag and Deven struggle to find their way, a second major earthquake jeopardizes the rescue operation in the mountains. This second tremor scatters the team members, leaving them battling with their own fears and insecurities from the past and the present. Interaction and engagement of the team members with survivors and co-workers shape their psych to open up to their own vulnerabilities.


Knitted in the backdrop of various disaster events at different places over the span of 15 years, the story reveals the turbulent yet evolving relationships of team members, going through love, longing, adventure, courage, misery, and triumph. This chronicle takes the reader through the enchanting journey of ever-changing landscapes of arid Kachchh, lush green Andaman Nicobar Island, mountains of Nepal and the flooded plains of Bihar.

Reviews

Khairul
    Khairul

    “What a heartwarming journey! Wonderfully woven story that took me from one country to another and one humanitarian response to the other. It reminded and took me back to my days in Gorkha.”

    Jibok
      Jibok

      “Through this book, Tapan has bought the real picture of humanitarian response. I would recommend it for all to get a glimpse into the lives of humanitarian workers.”

      HM
        HM

        “An extremely interesting abs intriguing story of friends who have served in various disasters. The story moves around almost two decades, beautifully capturing their emotions, relationships and life events during their younger years and as they mature. All this while dealing with extremely difficult situations during natural disasters. Along with the characters’ life story the book also subtly introduces the extent of distraction in various disasters and that for me is eye opening.”

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        Through his writing, Tapan Patel transforms observation into story and experience into insight. His words trace the fragile beauty of people and places that persist beyond upheaval.

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