Q & A

This chapter flashes back in time to when Thomas is living in the chawl with Salim, before Mr. Shantaram and his family have moved in. Air-raid sirens go off every night at eight-thirty and the residents are required to go into the bunker, which is a “large, rectangular hall with subdued lighting. It has faded and dusty carpet on the floor, and the only furniture consists of a couple rickety chairs and an old metal table, on which stands a fourteen-inch television set” (166). While the women use this time to prepare food and gossip and the men talk about the war, the children run around the small space and play games. The atmosphere remains light until an old Sikh in a turban and army uniform appears, obviously upset about the war and the children’s lack of reverence. His name is Lance Naik Balwant Singh, and he is missing a leg. 

For most of this chapter, Balwant Singh tells the story of how he served in the war between India and Pakistan in 1971. He offers gruesome details to show the harsh reality of war, while also portraying himself as a hero.