Jonakira by Tilottama Majumdar [Hardcover]

At the border of India and Bhutan, the small Indian town of Jaigaon and the vibrant Bhutanese city of Phuentsholing exist in a deeply interdependent relationship. Despite their differences, they complement each other like a couple. Such is their bond that political and economic changes in Bhutan directly impact Jaigaon.

To the west of Jaigaon lies Barmanpara, a poverty-stricken neighborhood of multilingual communities. In a way, this small locality represents India’s diverse religious and caste fabric. It is within this setting that the marital journey of Sunilmay and Aruna unfolds, forming the heart of this novel.

Surrounded by uneducated, lower-class people who live in the dim glow of fireflies, Sunilmay and Aruna illuminate their lives with wisdom and compassion. These people, in turn, revere the elderly couple, offering them love and respect. Yet, their personal struggles remain unresolved. Their four children, raised with great sacrifice, ultimately betray them with selfishness, abandoning them in their old age. In the end, Barmanpara becomes their final refuge.

Their relationship reaches its most profound depth as they stand at the doorstep of death. Joanakira (Fireflies) is a poignant tale of assurance and dependence, existence and strength, trust and love, capturing the essence of an extraordinary marriage.