We had just won independence, but all was not well. The horrors of the partition were real. Living in the heart of a simmering Delhi, young Ashok and Priya can't wait to meet their friends Asghar and Afshan. But the elders won't let them. This is when sequestered in their hall, they overhear a plan: A plan to murder a Muslim family. As the kids try to find allies and save their friends, they must face people blinded by hate and personal vendetta. Will they succeed or lose their friends forever? Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of independence and partition. When the Clock struck 12 is a tale of innocence, unity. And courage, but most importantly, of friendship.
E Shailaja Nair is an award-winning author who is happiest when she is lost in a world she has created, among her characters as they dance on her computer screen. A lover of literature and adventure tales, she is a major history buff. In her day job, she is a financial journalist but when she is not analysing global markets and editing business stories, she goes back to her first love: writing stories for children.
This book came out of my attempt to teach my young son about Indian history, our freedom struggle, the sacrifices made by our leaders and why we should value our democracy, our freedom. To make history attractive for a 10-year-old, I would weave tales around historical events, just as my mother had done for me when I was a little girl. Thank you, Mom! Your bedtime stories made me into a storyteller.
I want to thank my Publisher, Renu Kaul Verma, who encouraged me to return to writing after a hiatus. I would also like to thank Alisha Verma, whose enthusiasm made the whole exercise fun and exciting.
Finally, I thank my young readers. You are the reason that I continue to write. I am sorry to say goodbye to Ashok, Priya, Asghar, Afshan, Chotu and all the other characters.
Praveen shoved his book into his desk and closed the lid with a bang as the bell rang for the end of school. Four full days of holidays! What glorious fun he would have.
"Hey, Praveen, aren't you ready yet? Hurry up, you slowcoach," said Prashant, heaving his schoolbag on to his shoulder.
"Coming. Let me just zip up my bag, Praveen said, suiting his action to his words. Picking up his bag, he followed Prashant to the school bus.
"Thank God, we haven't gotten too much homework," Prashant said as the bus sped towards their home. "I would have hated to sit and pore over my books when Priya Nani and the twins are here."
"Yeah, Payal and Amisha are coming here after such a long time. They came before they went to Canada to visit Asghar Uncle and Saeeda Auntie. And that is almost six months ago," Praveen said.
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