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NINU A SAGA OF THE VALOROUS WANCHOS by Mady Menon

The historical fiction, Ninu, was published on 31 July 2020. It is the first novel in its genre.

 The Story 

This is a historical story, seen through the eyes of the members of a fictitious Wancho family. The Novel traces their lives through the stupendous journey of progress of the proud headhunting tribe, the Wanchos. The Wanchos live in the Longing District of Arunachal Pradesh, the North-easternmost State of India. The fictitious main protagonist, Shawang, is the nephew of the Village Chief (Wangham) of Ninu. He was born just after the deadly Bamboo flowering of 1959, when, after the famine caused by the bamboo flowering, the green shoots were reappearing. Food was plentiful and hope has returned to the Wancho people.The story tells of Shawang’s birth, his education in those primitive days, his marriage, his joining the administration of Arunachal Pradesh, and growing through its ranks. The dilemma caused by conversions from an animistic religion to Catholicism amongst the Wanchos and in Shawang's mind itself is interesting. His sons education till he reaches Oxford and finally his return to India to extract the story of the NInu Massacre and the bravery of the British Survey Party is a compelling read. This story of the family members run parallel to the progress of the State – from a Group of Frontier Tracts under the Administration of Assam, to an Administrative Agency, to a Union Territory and finally to a vibrant, full-fledged State. A totally animistic traditional tribal society in 1950 is today a fully modernised society, 95 percent of who are Catholic. Enmeshed within is the story of the Assam Rifles, a para military force of India, mention of the twin insurgencies of Assam and Nagaland, the tale of the Chakmas who were forced to flee from the Chittagong Hill Tracts to Arunachal Pradesh, administrative utilisation of funds for modernisation, the history in brief of the Indian Frontier Administrative Service and their contribution to merging Tawang with India. It also has vignettes of the story of the Ramakrishna Mission and its contribution to nation building, and building up the tribal culture, particularly in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Did you know that the game of Badminton originated in the Indian State of Thanjavur? This story will tell you of it. No story of the North East can be told without mentioning the history of Assam. This story tells you about the hoary history of Assam including the tales of the Bodo conquests, the advent and 600 year rule of the Ahoms, the predacious attacks by the Mughals, the "Paik" System of the Ahoms to ensure that they had enough soldiers for their army and for conduct of state related infrastructural impovements. It finally tells the reader of the Burmese rule of Assam till they lost to the Britain and signed the Treaty of Yandbo in 1826.

In 1875, the villagers of Ninu killed Lt Holcombe and 80 soldiers (Assam Mil Police - Assam Rifles and policemen) and wounding one Offr and over 50 men! The tale of the massacre, drawn from the true story, of the two brave British Army Officers and their Nepali soldiers will tug at the heartstrings of the readers, while depicting the harsh life of that time. The Wanchos were then isolated after their village was burnt down, as punitive punishment, twice, by the British! The Wanchos remained isolated till India became independent. This is their story; from primitivity to prosperity; from animism to Catholicism.

 Prominent Information Available in the Story 

The Wancho Lifestyle. Briefs on other tribes, their lifestyle and their festivals.

History of Assam from early days  to the 600 year rule of the Ahoms and the four year rule of the Burmese. (Four chapters).

Assam Rifles.

Ramakrishna Mission Schools.

Bamboo Flowering.

Badminton.

Head Hunting.

Naga Insurgency (NSCN).

Indian Frontier Administrative Service.

The political and administrative development of the North East Frontier Agency and  Arunachal Pradesh.

MNREGA, MP/MLA LAD and Border Development Funds.

Stilwell Road, from Ledo to Pangsau to Shingbwiyang to Myitkyina to Kunming in China.

Burmese Army of that time. The Road to Putao (Fort Hertz).

Assam agitation.

ULFA.

Elections in Arunachal Pradesh.

A short writeup on Guru Nanaks sojourn in Mechukha.

Advent of Christianity. 95% are Catholics today.

Education in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, St Stephens College in Delhi and at Trinity College in Oxford.

Though this book is a historical fiction, it is actually a reference book, a treasure trove of information.

 Availability .

The book is available on Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.co.au, Kindle (175/-), Kobo, Ingram, Google Pay and in over 30,000 bookstores all over the world.

 Author 

The author, Col P Madhavan (pen name Mady Menon) was schooled in St Josephs College, Coonoor, and in Sainik School, Bijapur. After 3 years in NDA, Kharakvasla and a year in IMA Dehra Dun, he was commissioned into the Infantry (RAJPUT) in 1976. He has completed his post graduation at the Defence Services Staff College and a PGDCA. He has extensive experience in Counter Insurgency, Counter Terrorism and High Altitude Operations in the Northeast India, Sikkim, J&K and Sri Lanka. This story is about the proud Wanchos, an erstwhile tribe of head hunters living in the Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh. But as can be seen from the narration above this book is much more than a tribal story. Arunachal Pradesh is a fascinating land. He sincerely hopes that this book will encourage more writers to open up this wonderful state.