While I was impressed by her courage and grit, I was also bit sceptical about writing a blog post on it.In this post of mine,i will take you on a gripping,engrossing, exhilarating ride, chronicling Sushmita's courage, determination, and her ultimate escape from the clutches of the Taliban.Its a real narrative of a gutsy woman, she ran a dispensary in Sarana, Afghanistan and took care of Afghani womens health. When local People there were desperate to flee the country, Afghans were clinging to planes leaving the country and many falling off the planes.It is also important to note that her escape by to India and subsequent memoir primarily focus on her personal journey and the challenges she faced.Sushmita Banerjee was an Indian author who made a daring escape from the Taliban in Afghanistan nearly two decades ago.Her incredible story of survival and escape has been the subject of various media portrayals, including a TV show called "The Great Escape"
and a Bollywood film titled "Escape from Taliban".Later, a film was made inspired by her life story and book in 2003, which starred Manisha Koirala in the lead role.She lived in India until 2013, published many books including A Kabuliwala's Bengali Wife, Talibani Atyachar—Deshe o Bideshe, Mullah Omar, Taliban O Ami, Ek Borno Mithya Noi and many more.Below written is her story.
Introduction~
In the annals of history, there are tales of extraordinary courage and resilience that captivate our imaginations. One such story is that of Sushmita Banerjee, a brave Bengali girl who embarked on a perilous journey from Kolkata, India, to the war-torn land of Afghanistan under Taliban rule.It was the time the President of Afghanistan has fled the country. The government has fallen.And Taliban had taken control of the nation once again after 2001. The Taliban have never been kind to women who speak up for themselves like Sushmita Banerjee. The mystery is that she returned. Only to be kidnapped and killed in 2013.She was murdered by the Taliban, bringing her adventurous life to a tragic end. Her body with 20 bullet wounds, much of her face unrecognisable, her hair pulled out.Later, a renegade group called The Suicide Group of the Islamic Movement of Afghanistan proudly admitted to it: “We killed Sushmita Banerjee because she is an Indian spy…The manner in which she was shot dead was not simple. It was horrific. Her story serves as a testament to her own resilience and courage, showcasing her ability to overcome adversity even in the face of betrayal.
The Call of Love and Adventure`~
Sushmita Banerjee, born and raised in Kolkata, had an insatiable thirst for both love and adventure. Her father worked in the civil defence department and her mother, a homemaker. She was the only sister to her three brothers. She first met her future husband Janbaz Khan, an Afghan businessman, at a theatre rehearsal in Calcutta.
In the early 1990s, she fell in love with Jaanbaz Khan, an Afghan businessman.Their love story blossomed, and Sushmita took the bold decision to leave her comfortable peaceful life behind in Calcutta and marry Jaanbaz a businessman in Afghanistan.The day she reached her in-laws place in Afghanistan, she was not met with the sound of conch shell, but gunfire.Also, there was another wife and ..other 72 family members.But they all loved her very much.In fact, she shared a great rapport with his first begum Gulgutti.Who was an amazing humble person.Later, when she fled from Afghanistan in 1995, Gulgutti was among those with the chieftain of village who helped her escape. Her husband, herself and family had to take shelter under a rock for six hours.They lived in a country that was limping back to life after the decade-long Soviet-Afghan War.The once vibrant and progressive nation had transformed into a repressive regime, especially for women. Afghanistan a country that had once been modern, where half the workforce was made up of women, was caught in the clutches of fanatics who abused religion.
A Life Under Threat~
Her husband was already married, a fact she discovered later. However, she did not never seem to have any issues either with her husband or the first wife and remembered her rather fondly. Sushmita has full of praises for the humble Afghani women and people in her book.
Sushmita's dreams of a blissful married life were shattered only when she encountered the dark reality of life under Taliban rule. It was when she raised a hell when she found out that medicines sent to women had crossed their expiry date just to get them killed. Once the fatwa was released, she fled from her village and travelled for 36 days to reach India.
The once vibrant and progressive nation had transformed into a repressive regime, especially for women. Sushmita, an independent and outspoken woman, became a target of the Taliban's wrath due to her work as a health worker and her desire to empower Afghan women.
Navigating the Shadows~
Sushmita's husband, Jaanbaz Khan, initially very much supported her and shared her dreams of a better future.
However, as the Taliban's grip and fear tightened and Sushmita faced increasing threats, Jaanbaz's stance began to change. Fearing for his and family's own safety, he succumbed to the pressure and abandoned Sushmita and went back to Calcutta and did business there, leaving her to face the dangers alone.As the oppression grew unbearable, Sushmita now all alone realized that her life was in grave danger. She faced constant threats, intimidation, and violence. Determined to survive, she embarked on a perilous journey of escape. She used her wit, intelligence, and resourcefulness to navigate the treacherous paths, always staying one step ahead of her pursuers.
A Beacon of Hope~
During her time in Afghanistan, Sushmita became a beacon of hope for many Afghan women who were trapped in the same suffocating circumstances. She started a clandestine school for girls, teaching them basic literacy and empowering them with knowledge. Sushmita's courage and resilience inspired those around her, giving them the strength to dream of a better future.
The Great Epical Escape.Freedom and Legacy~
Sushmita's escape from Afghanistan was a heart-pounding adventure. With limited resources and a constant fear of capture, she embarked on a daring journey across treacherous terrains. She encountered numerous obstacles, including dangerous encounters with Taliban fighters, but her determination to survive propelled her forward.After months of harrowing painful experiences, She finally reached the safety of her homeland, India. Her incredible story of survival and resilience captured the attention of the world, and she became an inspiration for millions.
Conclusion~
Sushmita Banerjee's unputdownable life story is a testament to her courage and determination in the face of extreme danger. Her escape from the Taliban has inspired many and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals living in conflict zones.Her journey from Kolkata to Taliban's Afghanistan is an extraordinary tale of courage and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity. Her escape from the clutches of the Taliban serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit. Sushmita Banerjee's memoir, "Kabuliwalar Bangali Bou" (A Kabuliwala's Bengali Wife), became an international bestseller, shedding light on the plight of Afghan women under Taliban rule.While Sushmita found personal freedom, the scars left by her experiences in Afghanistan remained. She carried the memories of the terror, violence, and loss she witnessed during her time there. However, she channeled her pain into activism, using her platform to shed light on the struggles faced by Afghan women and to advocate for their rights.Sushmita Banerjee's legacy lives on as a symbol of strength and resilience. Her story continues to inspire individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of the human spirit and the importance of fighting for freedom and justice. Though her journey was fraught with danger and adversity, she emerged as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change.
Her spine chilling life story continues to inspire people around the world, reminding us of the importance of fighting for freedom, justice, and equality. The Great Epical Escape of Sushmita Banerjee will forever be etched in history as a testament to the indomitable nature of the human will.
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