Crushed Leaves: Netaji, Chameli Devi, Raaka and other stories

In the story “The Price of Freedom”, Vikas Sikka offers a window into the lives of ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges. These stories, filled with raw emotion and simple truths, speak to the heart of what it means to struggle, to hope, and to survive. Vikas was a quiet observer—someone who took the time to listen, to watch, and to understand the stories unfolding around him.

From the young mechanic trying to make a life for himself on the streets, to the mothers who dream of a better future for their children, Vikas’s characters are real, relatable, and deeply human. His stories are about the everyday battles that people fight in silence—the moments that may seem small to the world, but are everything to those living them.

Through the lens of his keen observations, Vikas paints a picture of life that’s often overlooked. His writing delves into social issues, the complexities of human relationships, and the quiet resilience of the human spirit. But more than that, his stories remind us that beneath every struggle, there is a story waiting to be told—a story that can change the way we see the world.

Vikas’s sudden passing left us with this powerful collection—a gift he left behind, not just for his family, but for all of us. It’s his voice, his vision, his legacy—a reminder of the power of storytelling to connect us, to make us think, and to help us see the world in a new way.

In Crushed Leaves, you’ll find more than just stories. You’ll find pieces of ourselves, pieces of the world we live in, and perhaps, pieces of what we hope for in the future.

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Vikas Sikka is remembered and will always be fondly thought of as a man of sharp wit, emotional depth, and fearless honesty. An ardent observer of people and their unspoken truths, he wrote with rare sensitivity and boldness. His stories, drawn from life’s raw and layered moments, stir deep reflection and empathy.

These are not just tales but windows into the human condition. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on through these deeply felt, soul-touching stories that continue to move, provoke, and awaken.