Safety Pin by Smaranjit Chakrabarty

"Safety Pin" is written by Smaranjit Chakrabarty, which explores the connection between different characters across an extensive timeline. The story begins 166 years ago on the battlefield of the Crimean War, where a golden safety pin plays a crucial role. A soldier named Walter saves the life of a high-ranking officer during the war and is rewarded with a valuable safety pin adorned with a precious stone.

Over time, this safety pin passes through the hands of various individuals—Mary, Rasik, Sahima, Reyang, Hulo, Sam Tukai, Siona, and Biraj. The safety pin acts as an invisible link between the lives and struggles of each character. The story takes place against the backdrop of different historical periods of Kolkata—during World War II, the Naxalite movement, and modern-day Kolkata.

The story is not just a fictional tale, but a blend of human relationships, love, trust, and political realities. Through the safety pin, the author weaves a narrative that touches on the complexities of personal and political lives, highlighting themes of love, relationships, and human struggle in a constantly changing world. It’s a remarkable process of intertwining an extended period with threads of love, sorrow, and faith.