"BHEDA" BOOK REVIEW I recently read "Bheda", the first Odia Dalit novel, by Akhila Naik. It was my third Dalit novel. Bheda, being a semi fictional novella, is quite unlike the novels I've read hitherto. To begin with, it's a story of Dalits narrated by a Dalit himself which I really loved because it offers you an authentic narrative unlike the novels written by UC authors who always portray Dalits as meek, vulnerable & incapable of standing up for themselves. Bheda, on the other hand, challenges this trite narrative by featuring a valiant protagonist Lalatendu, better known as Laltu, who's fierce and embodies the spirit of Sir BR Ambedkar. Laltu is a young activist who's devoted his entire life for the upliftment of his community and doesn't shy away from speaking his mind. What I found unique about the novel is its non linear writing style. The novel is divided into seven chapters, each centred around a different character: 1. Dinamas...
