It is unfortunate that India is home to one of the largest populations of homeless children worldwide. Partly because of the burgeoning population, increasing poverty, and lack of adequate social services children somehow end up in the street. Meher Pestonji’s Sadak Chhaap is the story of one such homeless boy who lives on the streets of Mumbai.
I picked up this book because it sounded socially relevant and I was also interested in the author’s views of the problem and if she offers any solutions. While the book traces the life of one homeless boy and his trails and tribulations through street life, it does not offer much in the name of solutions.
The book traces the protagonists life through childhood, getting bullied in railway stations, turning into a sex worker, stealing, etc to make money. A bleak picture is drawn through the book about the difficulties that street kids face but no solutions offered. After all this is a story of one boy and does not necessarily need to offer solutions.
This is also a realistic work of prose which does not have a fairy tale ending for the protagonist or his friends. It presents the stark reality of life on the streets in India.