Whispers of the Maple and Mango Trees

Born and raised in India, Jayashree immigrated to Canada more than five decades ago and holds master’s and Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry and Indian classical music. An award-winning author of several books written in two languages English and Marathi her books cover varied subjects, those being medical science, Indian classical music, real-life experiences of Canadian immigrants and historical fact-based novels. Serving as a member of the board of trustees with many Canadian non-profit organisations, Jayashree is a visiting professor of music at many Canadian and American universities. This book is based on two major historical events of two secular, democratic and powerful nations of the world, Canada and India, which are strikingly similar in nature: the October Crisis of Canada and the Operation Blue Star of India. Both the events, supposedly freedom movements, done by the French in Quebec (Canada) and Sikhs in Punjab (India) for gaining sovereignty are documented as the most catastrophic events, sadly stamping ugly, dark blemishes in the historical pages of the respective countries. This book details information about those two crises with a comparative aspect. The story captures the atmosphere through the portrayal of fictional characters, a few among them being based on real people, in its grand scope as well as the subtleties of circumstances of those times in Canada and India. It is narrated by wind, personified as Sir Wind, with exceptional sensitivity and grace, who in turn hears it first hand from the whispers of the maple trees in Canada and mango trees in India. The story sheds light on the fact that terrorism undoubtedly is counterproductive in any civilised society, and violence and extremism have no place in a democratic society. In dealing with terrorism, it tells us how Canada and India exemplified to the world a brilliant spirit in that we all lose when misinformation sells more than truth, when moral exploitation sells more than decency, and when political leaders, whom we elect and trust, care more for their personal gain than people’s pain. Today, looking at the stellar achievements of both Quebec in Canada and Punjab in India, the idea of either of them wanting to be independent, sovereign countries was indeed too far-fetched and downright futile.