For women in India, getting a job is itself tough and for many, starting to work is only the beginning of a nightmare. If you read author Chirajit Paul’s novel The Fragrance Of Rose , which is based on real life incidents, you will get a glimpse of the dark realities of sexual harassment in the workplace. A chartered accountant by training and an enterprise application specialist by profession, this is Chirajit’s second novel inspired by real issues with a blend of fiction.
Elaborating on the context, Chirajit says, “Rinita Bose, the protagonist of the novel gets harassed, feels bad about it and doesn’t endorse it. But with time, she realises that if she compromises a little and puts her beauty to use, she can achieve all her dreams. It is a complex character. However, in the end, the protagonist realises that her ventures have caused her to lose track of her identity. She repents and that haunts her for the rest of the story.”
On what inspired the novel, the author says: “My wife is my inspiration. She would often narrate from her experiences working in a media house about instances of girls falling prey to sexual harassment in the quest of making a name for themselves in the job. When I heard such experiences, I was moved. I collected them and decided to write about them in a fictional manner as I thought this issue needs immediate attention.”
His greatest challenge in penning the book was writing for a female protagonist. “Understanding her thoughts and then interpreting them was an arduous task. It was only because of my wife and the way she explained to me certain things effectively that I could understand the psychology of a woman; how she reacts and deals with certain situations. Once I was convinced that I can handle the subject, I went ahead with the novel.” Also in the process, Chirajit says that his relationship with his wife greatly developed. “Our bond grew during that time and we became very good friends.” Throughout his career, Chirajit has worked in MNC’s where HR policies are very strict. “We have posters on notice boards with helpline numbers, counselling sessions, etc. But even in structured companies, I have seen sexual harassment cases. In certain industries like fashion, film, news and media, where young people are working and looks are everything, the situation is grave.”
To create a culture free of bullying and sexual harassment, Chirajit says that we will have to empower the victims to say ‘no’. “Saying no becomes tough for those who are not in a very strong financial position. But wanting to stand against it is very important. First, don’t take advantage of your sexuality. Second, if you are falling prey, you have to stand up and protest. Lastly, report these cases. Women will have to come out stronger to break the shackles of society. Only then can we head towards revolution.”
Looking ahead, Chirajit is on the verge of completing his third novel. “It is a dark comedy where I attempt to tackle several deep and philosophical questions.”
