She writes novels and brokers peace with militants with equal ease. Indira Goswami talks to Rashmi Hemrajani about how she does it

Mumbai: She might not have the looks but very few women in India have achieved what Indira Goswami has done in her life.

At a time when our netalog scurry for cover the moment a terrorist outfit announces its hitlist, here is one woman who successfully brokered peace for the government with the banned terrorist organisation ULFA.

“The militants have a great deal of faith in me,” she said candidly, adding: “They know I will work for their benefit. In fact, there is such a strong bond that they come over to my place for lunch, dinner or even tea to discuss about love, relationships and their parents.”

An accomplished writer and a Padmashree awardee, Indira Goswami recently had a documentary movie made on her by director Jahnu Barua (who’s now making Har Pal with Preity Zinta and Shiney Ahuja).

But ask her about her thoughts on the government machinery and you will be amazed the way she speaks her mind.

“I think transparency is very difficult and equally important (for a government to function properly). I think the bureaucrats are not human beings. They are cruel. It has been three years since that we have taken any decision (for the rehabilitation of the militants who have laid down their arms).”

Indira Goswami teaches Assamese literature at the University of Delhi. Currently, she is working on a new novel where the story revolved around a woman revenue collector of the British Raj. She is currently researching for her new novel.

“The history of our country is widely distorted. A lot of women-related issues such as sati, dowry and female infanticide have been ignored right from the beginning. My next novel is about the first female revenue collector in the country. The story would also dabble with women related issues and the difficult times they had to go through then,” she said.

So have times really changed for the better? She agrees on this count.

“Yes. Today women are treated with respect and given priority in many schools, Colleges and institutes. However, there are still pockets in the country where an woman still has to struggle for her place in the society. I hope all that changes soon,” Indira said.

Yes, we hope so too.