Doon | Displacement & Identity (Stories)

Doon is a short story collection portraying the loss of a collective and individual identity due to forced displacement. The geography is embedded in the rituals and traditions which in turn create human bonds, restore and enrich languages. It is a poignant depiction of how cultures die.

Yusuf is a curious child, wanting to  excavate the ruins of  forgotten people, who once embellished the neighbourhoods of Kashmir. His mother’s illness drives him to explore the secret of “Ghar Devta.” Can he recall him to save his mother as it means opening doors for the forbidden past?

It was destined is the  nerve chilling story of Sujata who suddenly disappears  while relocating to Jammu. Her dramatic appearance after 3 decades leaves her sister shocked as she is transported to a world from where there is no return. It is the  story of treachery , broken hearts and loss.

Neena’s longing to revisit her home in Kashmir after several decades ends in her kidnapping. Her captor unwittingly bonds with her over their common language and culture, but loses the ephemeral warmth with a sudden reminder of his motive - killing her for jihad. Would  the bedside lamp , which her daughter had gifted her, still be there? She wished she could step inside the house  and see, but it didn’t feel like home anymore.

Kashinath became an alien to his own homeland overnight. The only way he could give up his longing for his community life and culture, was by succumbing to dementia. Life didn’t  stop for his son and grandson as they found new opportunities, but each one struggled with inner battles of identity and belongingness.

Shireen was unsure of her love for Vikram even though his presence always soothed her. The time and circumstances did not wait till she understood and acknowledged her love. They both were lost somewhere under the haze of the events that triggered on January 19, 1990.

About the author

Rohini is an entrepreneur who co-founded, " The Writing Experts," a content creation and brand communication agency.

After completing her graduation in Science from Jammu, she pursued master’s in business management in Europe (Belgium) and subsequently spent two decades in Sales & Marketing leadership roles in the corporate sector. Rohini is a columnist in Times of India Opinion and the editor of “The Chronicles of Kashmir,” a book by Balkrishan Sanyasi. She received Svavlambika Women Achiever’s Award 2021.

Born in Kashmir, Rohini witnessed the terrorism which forced her family to flee from Kashmir and forgo the privileges of living in native land. She supports the education of Kashmiri Pandits living in migrant camps under Amarnath Vaishnavi Foundation which she founded in 2019.