Translated version of Basra ki Galian released at college

JALANDHAR: Hindi novelist Ajay Sharma’s petro fiction ‘Basra ki Galian’, on which 10 MPhils have been completed and is prescribed in MA Hindi (Sem I) in Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar and Punjabi University, Patiala, has been translated into English as ‘Basra Streets’ by Sandeep Chahal, an English Professor at Doaba College.

Acclaimed Hindi novelist Dr Ajay Sharma’s petro fiction ‘Basra ki Galian’ being released at Doaba College in Jalandhar on Monday. Tribune Photo

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, April 22

Hindi novelist Ajay Sharma’s petro fiction ‘Basra ki Galian’, on which 10 MPhils have been completed and is prescribed in MA Hindi (Sem I) in Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar and Punjabi University, Patiala, has been translated into English as ‘Basra Streets’ by Sandeep Chahal, an English Professor at Doaba College. The petro fiction ‘Basra Streets’ was released here today at Doaba College.

Principal Dr Naresh Kumar Dhiman said: “It is a moment of pride for the city as country’s first petro fiction has been translated into English.”

The novel was released by Dr Roshan Lal Sharma–HoD, department of English and European languages, Central University of Himachal Pradesh; Dr ZN Patil; English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad; Dr Srinivas Bandameedi, Symbiosis International Deemed University, Hyderabad; Prof Moti Kala Dewan, president, Nepal English Language Teachers Association; Dr Kumar Shravan, vice-president, English Language Teachers Association of India; and Dr Avinash Chander.

Prof Sandeep Chahal said: “Basra Streets” marks a new beginning of petro fiction genre in modern literary world. Petro fiction refers to narratives that directly addresses the issues related to oil industry—where the oil is, who wants to have it and how they go about getting it and its impact on the American culture.”

“It reveals vulnerable populations like in Iraq around the globe are subject to corporate and state oil imperialism,” he added.

He said: “While translating a work of the art from vernacular into English, the greatest fear and threat is to maintain and keep intact the spirit of the original work. I have tried to uphold and retain the original emotions, punch lines, feelings and the spirit of “Basra ki Galiyan” in “Basra Streets.”

“I have tried to use language in such a way to give the local colour, flavour and stylistic usage of language by the characters in the novel,” added Prof Chahal.

Dr Roshan Lal Sharma said:“The Basra Streets is a forceful novel based on the triangular struggle of war, peace and love. It highlights the social realism, mental conflict and a psychological insight of an Indian doctor in the oriental city of Basra, Iraq torn apart by US-Iraq war.”

“It portrays the restlessness, helplessness and exploitation of the Iraqi citizens especially of the war widows amidst the ugly US-Iraq imbroglio.” he added.