REVIEW: 26/11 VEH 59 GHANTE… EK REPORTER KA HALAFNAMA.

• Book: 26/11 veh 59 ghante… Ek reporter ka halafnama. 
• Author: Jitendra Dixit.
• Publication House: Swanand Publishcations. 
• Language: Hindi.  
• Rating: ****

Just recently, I’ve befriended with APB news channels Mumbai Bureau Chief, Mr. Jitendra Dixit. In his cover photo, I saw his photo along with Mumbai Police Commissioner Mr. Satyapal Singh and former BJP leader Mr. Ram Jethmalani at the launch his book. There after I placed an order as I found its title interesting. I usually don’t read Hindi books but the title of this book instigated me to give it a try. 

The book begins with feelings of Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh and Thane Police Commissioner K.P. Raghuvanshi. The book is a description of unfortunate 26/11 terror attack that not only shook India but also the whole world. 

The first chapter – ‘tab se lekar aab tak’ has 20 page writing on the things which have changed post the incident. The author has also highlighted certain things which still have seen no change. It also has a short explanation of Kasab’s death penalty. The later pages of the chapter inform how David Colonel Hedley was arrested and how his performance in the crime came to light. The role of Jabiuddin Ansari has also been mentioned. The author has also pointed that those police officers who played a major role that night, in capturing the terrorist were transferred to those departments where they should not have been. 

• Author Jitendra Dixit

On the night of 26^th November, 2008 Jitendra, the Bureau Chief of ABP news had set-off to meet a source of his at CST, outside the Press Club office when he was notified about the firing at the Leopold Café by an informer. The author was told that around 100 bullets have been fired. By hearing about the firing of 100 bullets the author found something suspicious as usually in a shoot-out, a gangster fires 5-6 rounds and flees the spot. The writer then directs his taxi to Leopold café where he sees a terrible slaughter. It was later when he comes to know about similar firings at Nariman Point and Oberoi Hotel, his suspicion of a terror attack gets confirm. 

The author has brilliantly written about those incidents within those 59 hours when he accosted death so closely. By reading those incidents, one might get goose bumps. The author, being the Bureau Chief then co-ordinates with his channel staff and gets a full-fledged coverage on the incidents.

Jitendra then visits several places and reports back-to-back tirelessly on his channel. He mentions what had been his condition while the entire coverage. He also mentions that how his duty and feelings fell heavy on his emotions.

The book takes its readers through those terrible and horrifying 59 hours. It presents the essential role played by a journalist in a society. 

The book, in true sense recalls the authenticity of 26/11 incident and the author’s ideological and reformative thoughts add to the fabulous writing. The quick analysis that the author did while covering the story is marvelous.  

The book is a must-read. It’s an enthralling story which you once start reading; don’t feel like distancing away for even a while. While you read it, you feel as if the author is sitting in front of you and revealing the incident. 

Hat’s off to you Jitendra. Frankly readers, I haven’t ever read such a book before.