Ibnebatuti by Divya Prakash Dubey

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Ibenbatuta was actually a Moroccan explorer. Someone with wheels on his feet. A wanderer. A nomad. He loved to travel, meet new people, gain new experiences. He did not believe in staying in one place; there was so much to see, know and experience.

What is Ibnebatuti got to do with this story? This is a simple story of Shalu Awasthi, who was once a 20 year old girl, studying at Hindu College, doing street shows and enjoying her theatre group, traveling through streets, villages and cities. She was someone who could not remain idle. She was fondly called Ibnebatuti by Alok. Shalu was no longer the wanderer. She now had a government job and had single handedly brought up her son, Raghav. Raghav was on the verge of leaving to University in the US. As he prepared for his departure, Shalu falls ill and Raghav is plagued by fear of his mother's loneliness and how she would manage all by herself in the city of Lucknow.

Ibnebatuti is a simple story of mother and son. Their relationship. Their Lucknowi andaaz of speech. Their little fights, their many make ups. The story touched many a raw nerve as I reminisced my camaraderie with my boy. We have our arguments and fights. We make up and start all over again. We tease and annoy. Mothers and sons - is a funny but special bond.

Raghav soon comes to know that while he knows his "mother", he does not know who his mother actually was. Parents don't always talk about themselves or their past lives to their children. It's a lane they have probably forgotten or choose not to walk back on.
The story shifts between two timelines - the present and Shalu's past.

Does Raghav help his mother walk down memory lane? Is he able to actually leave her and head out to University? Does the ending really sound doable, acceptable, manageable? Is Shalu ready to send her boy away and accept what life had in store? Read this book to find out.

Story is simple. Had some editing slips but I guess, it is ok. Can be finished in a day or two.

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