Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts

The book title Shantaram means "Man of God's Peace," but the author’s life is filled with violence. An Indian family gave him this name based on his outward actions, but deep down, he was a fugitive who had indulged in crime. However, he also became a slum doctor, using his medical knowledge to help those around him. Yet, the Mumbai mafia continued to pull him back, making his story a chilling experience for readers.

The story begins as the author's autobiography, but not his entire life—only the dark side. His journey starts from Australia to India with a fake passport. However, his journey didn’t just start from home; it began in prison in Australia, as he had escaped from jail before coming to India.

The book revolves around the Mumbai mafia, slum life, and the struggles of people suffering during a cyclone. The author describes the living conditions in the slums and the hardships faced by the residents. The water they drink is heavily contaminated, and during cyclones, they must constantly secure their homes, as the roofs can collapse at any moment.

His experience in Arthur Road Jail, also known as Mumbai Central Prison, made him understand life better. He describes the jail in detail, stating that it is not built for humans. These experiences, set in the 1980s, reflect the extreme torture he endured. The cuts, bruises, and suffering forced him to rethink the future he was heading toward.

Once you get involved in the mafia and the underworld, life tries to pull you back to where you started. But no matter how hard it gets, the real challenge is finding a way to come back to life. At one point, he searches for a way to escape the life he has created for himself, but he is dragged back in until the very end. This journey teaches us that when we seek redemption, temptations will always arise. The real challenge is self-control and channeling our actions in the right direction.

"The soul has no culture. The soul has no nations. The soul has no color or accent or way of life. The soul is forever." ​

Personal Reflection

This is the only book I thought I would never touch again, and it took me a year to complete. Initially, I read about 50 pages, but it wasn't easy to continue. I stopped reading and set it aside. After a long gap, it called me again for a better reading experience. That was the turning point in finally completing the book. Every page is filled with hardships, love, and danger.

Now, at around 70 years old, the author is dedicated to good deeds. He conveys that redemption is not a destination but a journey—one that must be traveled with hope and a good heart. However, in my opinion, the real lesson is that no matter how far down the wrong path you go, what truly matters is whether you are trying to pull yourself out of it. Take a moment to self-reflect, appreciate the good things happening around you, and recognize the changes needed to make those good things last.