Savio Rodrigues’s newly launched “Karmic Ishq” – is a book that reaffirms the power of love. It is the story of two young adults who find love and promise in each other. However, their innate fears, and their attitude towards life, quickly turn their relationship volatile. Both of them had suffered abuse in childhood, and deal with their scars differently. Eventually, they start feeling they are a burden on each other… until, they both find love, in their own way. Savio very well portrayed these young emotions by living a social message for acceptance. Here are excerpts of the interview with our Editor-in-Chief Vaidehi Taman
Please tell us about how you devised this theme of the book? Is it based on real life story?
While the core-essence of the book has been inspired by a real-life story, it has been developed further to be told as a fictional story.
Child abuse is a serious concern in our sophisticated and fast-paced society. It is also a concern that is always brushed under the carpet by the people closest to us. In most cases, it is the abused children who become the object of ridicule, even though they are the victims. The scars of child-abuse are deep-rooted and it is these scars that determine the attitude and trust towards love and relationships in the future.
I truly believe that love is the only healer. It can heal the deepest of scars caused by the degeneration of human nature.
What are the personal and social challenges undergone by this young generation especially, when they are abused?
Having interacted with several survivors of child sexual abuse, I believe the first casualty to child abuse is trust. The second is the ability to understand and reciprocate love. The biggest challenge is the ability to confide in one’s parents and family members, especially if the abuser is from the family. Also in almost all cases, the survivors are afraid to address the issue because of the taboo associated with it. Unconditional love is the only cure.
What is your advice to the society at large?
Child abuse happens, it is real. Consequently, as parents and responsible adults in the society, we need to keep an eye out to identify, nab and punish such predators that destroy the mental, emotional and physical psyche of our little children.
Goa is a place where many poor children are forced to render sexual favours to foreigners. There are many cases of drugs, child sex trafficking, what is your take?
Paedophilia is a crime associated with every state in India, not only Goa. In Goa it gets prominence because of some of the International tourists who indulge in paedophilia activities. Having said that, there is no denying that the child-sex activities are real and the government both state and central are doing very little to arrest the situation.
Tell us something more about your book “Karmic Ishq “
Karmic Ishq – is a book that reaffirms the power of love. It is the story of two young adults who find love and promise in each other. However, their innate fears, and their attitude towards life, quickly turn their relationship volatile. Both of them had suffered abuse in childhood, and deal with their scars differently. Eventually, they start feeling they are a burden on each other…until, they both find love, in their own way.
What is your message for our readers
In my interactions with victims of child abuse amongst family, friends and known associates, I learnt that the scars continue to be manifested in some, even though hidden. Some have found healing in their love and relationships; others, despite being in loving relationships, are finding it hard to overcome the memories of their abuse.
Through this book, I want to highlight the impact of these incidents on the future relationships of the victims. In order to do that, I would tell you a real-life story without revealing the identity of the survivors. The aim of the narration is to connect the reader with the characters – their joy, pain, inner fears and rage.
