Surviving 1971: Asish Sarkar’s memoir of hope amid horror

In ‘Under the Shadow of Death’, Sarkar recounts his harrowing escape during the birth of Bangladesh — to India and later to the United States.

Cover of the book, Under the Shadow of Death, and author Asish Sarkar / Courtesy photo

As a teenager in 1971, Asish Sarkar navigated chest-deep waters, evaded gunfire, and crossed a raging river under the gaze of Pakistani soldiers — all in his desperate bid to reach safety in India during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

His memoir, Under the Shadow of Death, captures not only the peril and trauma of those days but also the quiet strength that sustained him. In this conversation, Sarkar reflects on the memories that shaped his resilience, the cultural roots he continues to nurture in the diaspora, and his belief that hope is the only lifeline when the world around you falls apart.

Excerpts from an interview with the author:

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