*******Spoiler Alert..!!*******
If you are expecting it to be a thriller with deadly guns,expensive cars and exotic locations, you will be disappointed. This book gives us insights in the celebrated intelligence agency of India. It's very much realistic. Writer claims the book to be based on true story (A search on Google about the case after reading the book confirms this claim).
Because it is being written by a formal bureaucrat and it is meant to be informative, we should not spent much time in criticizing it with literary genres. It is evident that the characters are inspired by real people to whom the writer was close.
A suspected espionage agent is a highly ranked officer of the agency. He is kept under surveillance by an officer. The story unfolds his espionage activities. Story is written on the 'events of the day' basis probably because it is taken from the writer’s diary. The title gives the hint of the ending.
What is more pleasing about the book is that it gives us the firsthand account of the agency's working. The story touches the topics like - Kashmir question, US's role in Indo-Pak conflicts, ISI's reach in India, ULFA activities, Nepal's internal security, India's stand on Myanmar's military Government, Pak-China relations (Apparently China acted as coordinator between Pakistan and N. Korea in their Nuclear exchange), divide between IB and RAW and how the petty political leadership fails the ambitions of agency/bureau. It also gives idea about how the international intelligence agency's work and how the 'sources' are formed. Writer takes care to show these discussions as personal views of the people involved, but we are free to take a clue.
I was surprised to read a few real names in the book like Saran (Indo-US nuclear deal coordinator), Nambi Narayan (ISRO Scientist, falsely claimed to be a spy by Kerala Govt.)
The writer was always honest about the case and has criticized the agency at appropriate levels. Language of the book contains vary few bureaucratic jargons and they make it more readable.
The Ravi Mohan is actually Rabinder Singh. He had filed a petition in US under alias for asylum in US, first it was declined but it is now under consideration. The copy of that petition can be read here:
**http://ramanstrategicanalysis.blogspo...**
Read more about the case and other Espionage activities at: **http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/feb/0...**
A few facts that I collected through net that will probably helpful:
Jeevanathan = Amar Bhushan
Chief Wasan = C.D. Sahay
Espionage Agent Ravi Mohan = Maj. Rabinder Singh
His Wife = Pammi Singh
Post Incident Enquiry Person- Sharma = M. K. Narayanan (The then Special Advisor to PM Manmohan Singh)
Ravi Mohan’s Canadian Relative who accompany him to Nepal = Monty Saigal (Actually his brother-in-law)
If you are expecting it to be a thriller with deadly guns,expensive cars and exotic locations, you will be disappointed. This book gives us insights in the celebrated intelligence agency of India. It's very much realistic. Writer claims the book to be based on true story (A search on Google about the case after reading the book confirms this claim).
Because it is being written by a formal bureaucrat and it is meant to be informative, we should not spent much time in criticizing it with literary genres. It is evident that the characters are inspired by real people to whom the writer was close.
A suspected espionage agent is a highly ranked officer of the agency. He is kept under surveillance by an officer. The story unfolds his espionage activities. Story is written on the 'events of the day' basis probably because it is taken from the writer’s diary. The title gives the hint of the ending.
What is more pleasing about the book is that it gives us the firsthand account of the agency's working. The story touches the topics like - Kashmir question, US's role in Indo-Pak conflicts, ISI's reach in India, ULFA activities, Nepal's internal security, India's stand on Myanmar's military Government, Pak-China relations (Apparently China acted as coordinator between Pakistan and N. Korea in their Nuclear exchange), divide between IB and RAW and how the petty political leadership fails the ambitions of agency/bureau. It also gives idea about how the international intelligence agency's work and how the 'sources' are formed. Writer takes care to show these discussions as personal views of the people involved, but we are free to take a clue.
I was surprised to read a few real names in the book like Saran (Indo-US nuclear deal coordinator), Nambi Narayan (ISRO Scientist, falsely claimed to be a spy by Kerala Govt.)
The writer was always honest about the case and has criticized the agency at appropriate levels. Language of the book contains vary few bureaucratic jargons and they make it more readable.
The Ravi Mohan is actually Rabinder Singh. He had filed a petition in US under alias for asylum in US, first it was declined but it is now under consideration. The copy of that petition can be read here:
**http://ramanstrategicanalysis.blogspo...**
Read more about the case and other Espionage activities at: **http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/feb/0...**
A few facts that I collected through net that will probably helpful:
Jeevanathan = Amar Bhushan
Chief Wasan = C.D. Sahay
Espionage Agent Ravi Mohan = Maj. Rabinder Singh
His Wife = Pammi Singh
Post Incident Enquiry Person- Sharma = M. K. Narayanan (The then Special Advisor to PM Manmohan Singh)
Ravi Mohan’s Canadian Relative who accompany him to Nepal = Monty Saigal (Actually his brother-in-law)
