Ekta Books presents the Bookstore Series, featuring the storytelling of Leech and Other Stories by Ranjan Adiga.

Adiga, the author of Leech and Other Stories, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share his insights and thoughts with the audience. He spoke about his journey into writing and the pivotal moments that sparked his self-expression and underscored the importance of creativity in his life. He revealed that the challenges he faced, particularly those rooted in racism, have driven him to write.

Adiga recounted a specific incident that profoundly impacted him. While living in Utah, in the western United States, he worked as a professor of critical writing at Western University. One evening, at 10 o’clock, he returned from the gym with a thick beard and wearing a heavy hoodie. He stopped by a store to buy some water but was unable to find what he wanted. As he left the store, an elderly shopkeeper, aged between 80 and 83, followed him, shouting, “Wait, wait, hey you, wait!”

Adiga turned and politely replied, “Yes, sir?” The shopkeeper, convinced that Adiga had stolen something, accused him, “Who’s gonna pay for that water?” Despite Adiga’s attempts to ignore him, the shopkeeper persisted, becoming more aggressive and demanding, “Roll it down, roll it down. Come to the store. I’m not going to let you get away.”

Adiga was forced back into the store, where the shopkeeper called 911, accusing him of theft. Shocked, scared, and numb, Adiga found himself at a loss for how to respond. The shopkeeper described him to the operator in a stereotypical and racist manner, saying, “He’s from the Middle East. He looks like a Muslim.”

Within two minutes, the police arrived. They searched both Adiga and his car, finding nothing. The officers apologized to him and left. This incident, emblematic of the destructive power of racism, left Adiga devastated and depressed. He was frustrated and unable to focus on his work, haunted by the shopkeeper’s assumptions based solely on his appearance.

However, Adiga realized that instead of cowering and feeling sorry for himself, he should write about the experience. He decided to use the tool he knew best: writing. He penned an article about the incident and submitted it to the renowned newspaper The Salt Lake Tribune. The feedback he received was overwhelming. It was then that he realized the power of writing—it was both empowering and therapeutic. Through his writing, he was able to release his pent-up emotions and share his story with others. Discussing his book, Leech and Other Stories, Adiga explained that it is a collection of short stories. Five of these stories focus on Nepali immigrants, while the other five center around Nepalese people living in Kathmandu. Each story is told from the perspective of someone society considers a leech, a parasite, or a bloodsucker.

Ranjan Adiga’s Leech and Other Stories is a powerful and thought-provoking collection that delves into the lives of those often marginalized and misunderstood by society. His intense storytelling and candid exploration of personal and societal issues make this book a compelling read.

We highly recommend Leech and Other Stories, available at Ekta Books, for anyone interested in profound narratives that challenge perceptions and celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

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