‘Heart-smashed’ by the death of the mother she ran from at eighteen, and shaken by the intensity of her response, Arundhati Roy began this remarkable memoir—a soaring account, both intimate and inspiring, of how she became the person and the writer she is.
Archives: Books
OTP Please
A great shift is underway in how we buy, eat, move, work and sell owing to technological intervention. Tech platforms—whether a Swiggy, Amazon or Uber in India, a Foodpanda in Pakistan or a Pathao in Bangladesh or Nepal—have eased the pressures of modern life. They have freed up our time, provided jobs to grateful millions and delivered guilty pleasures and last-minute necessities to online buyers.
But behind the dazzle of the digital, much is opaque. Gig workers live a precarious life while internet retailers cope with the oppressive rules of global behemoths. Consumers wonder if there are are consequences to instant gratification and the extreme ease of living.
OTP Please delves into the wondrous new world of electronic commerce by connecting diverse stories and perspectives gathered across South Asia, from Peshawar to Patna and Colombo to Kathmandu. It explores the emotional dynamics between the different actors on this stage, the workings of tech companies and the implications for policy. Deeply researched and breezily narrated, it is essential reading to understand this extraordinary digital age that we inhabit.
****
PRAISE FOR OTP PLEASE
An entertaining, insightful and nuanced read that ties together so many different stories! — R. MADHAVAN
Compels us to pause and ask essential questions about our own choices – THE HINDU
The author delivers a deeply empathetic, multidimensional view of the shifting landscape by arranging the anecdotes around nine emotions- a new age navarasa of an OTP driven generation – FINANCIAL EXPRESS
The author brings in engaging stories from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal to give us a glimpse of hose our neighbours use app based services – BUSINESS STANDARD
Vasudevan ensures that her tone is neutral and while laying out all the facts she leaves it to the reader to cast judgement – OPEN MAGAZINE
Informative yet intimate, anecdotal yet balanced, Vasudevan’s reportage illuminates the digital age we inhabit – DECCAN HERALD
Rigorously reported, empathetically told and disturbingly familiar, this book will make you pause before your next ‘Order Now’ – FRONTLINE MAGAZINE
Vandana is a gifted thinker and writer. She feels deeply, puts a human face on every issue and amazes me with how much work she has put into the book – SUBROTO BAGCHI
A fascinating book that reflects the pervasive influence of technology on our attitudes and behaviours… compelling us to think about how we consume, how sustainable the business models that encourage higher levels of convenience are and what needs to be addressed — VINITA BALI
Stumped
Fourth in the world to have six victims in an innings on debut; claimed five victims in a world-cup match; was adjudged as the world’s best wicket-keeper in the 1983 Prudential World Cup—this is Syed Kirmani for you. Very few people from the current generation know that Kirmani holds three world records.
A legend, Kirmani is one of the exceptional wicketkeepers to have ever graced the game of cricket. This book is not only about his life as a cricketer and as a person but also about an epic period of Indian cricket, the period in which India won the 1983 world cup, the Asia Cup and the World Championship of Cricket. A role model to budding cricketers, Kirmani through this autobiography, for the first time, opens his heart out candidly discussing the highest and lowest points of his career—from being one of the best in business to unceremoniously exiting the game.
Ashoka the Fierce
Discover the incredible journey of Ashoka the Fierce, the emperor who transformed from a ruthless warrior into Ashoka the Great, a legendary ruler of peace and compassion.
As a young prince, Ashoka was overlooked as his father’s successor. Determined to prove himself, he became arrogant, impatient, and consumed by anger. When he finally seized the throne, he sought power through conquest, leading his army into brutal battles. But one devastating war changed everything—haunted by the suffering he caused, Ashoka was heartbroken and longed for a new path.
Encouraged by his wife and guided by a wise Buddhist monk, Ashoka embraced kindness, wisdom, and service. He dedicated his life to helping his people, spreading the teachings of peace, and proving that true strength lies in compassion.
With stunning illustrations and a powerful moral lesson, Ashoka the Fierce is a must-read for children, teaching the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and the power of change. Perfect for young readers interested in history, mindfulness, and stories of transformation!
- Ideal for ages 4+
- A beautifully illustrated historical tale
- Teaches the values of kindness, self-awareness, and leadership
The Stars Light the Way
Shazma’s world turns upside down when she’s offered a prestigious role in the Indian Parliament, but the weight of the decision threatens to unravel the life she’s built with her husband, Nikhil, in Singapore. As she faces this life-altering choice, mysterious signs from her late father, SR, pull her back to her childhood, revealing truths along the way. These intertwined paths of reflection and growth draw them closer—with Shazma reconnecting with her authentic self, and SR advancing in his spiritual journey. With her father’s wisdom from the beyond, Shazma must confront her deepest fears and desires to ultimately decide which path will lead her to the life she’s meant to live.
Apostles of Development
The battle against global poverty that began after World War II was a major undertaking engaging economists, engineers, and organizations. Featuring front and centre were six remarkable economists: Amartya Sen, Manmohan Singh, Mahbub ul Haq, Jagdish Bhagwati, Rehman Sobhan, and Lal Jayawardena, all born as colonial subjects in the British Empire and studied at Cambridge University. They represented a new figure on the world scene — the Third World development expert — and played a crucial role in global debates about poverty and development.
Apostles of Development examines their different economic doctrines and the ongoing debate surrounding economic theory in poor countries compared to rich ones. The lives of these apostles reveal how development did not begin with textbooks but with real-world attempts to solve very specific and pressing problems. Finally, the book emphasizes that development was a Global South project first and foremost, aiming to improve the conditions of the world’s poorest countries.
It challenges the conventional wisdom that sees development only as a tool of rich countries to dominate, or as proof of their humanitarian spirit. It argues that development succeeds not when it follows ideological prescriptions, but when it looks for what works. The fading of grand visions shaped by ideological concerns has been one of the lasting effects of the end of the Cold War. The book argues that the best way forward is determined modesty, focusing on practical matters, such as addressing gross inequality and insisting that development means more than just economic growth. Given the salience of questions of economic inequality and the constant visibility of the promises and problems of economic development in the world today, this is a timely and important read.
Daughter of Two Rivers
Undergoing a ravaging drought, the riverside settlement of Rohitaka is at odds, struggling to recover from their losses. When a request from Babylon to trade weapons arrives as a blessing in disguise, a trade delegation, headed by prince Arjuna, and the grizzled veteran, Shrutasena, sets off for the faraway kingdom.
An encounter with Lilith, the fierce bodyguard to the Queen, and more importantly, a woman who is hell-bent on despising Arjuna, leaves him flustered. But there’s more to Lilith than meets the eye. The woman is a formidable soldier, but something about her reminds Arjuna of home, Bharatavarsha.
But as fate would have it, Arjun and Lilith find themselves entrenched in a political ploy to overthrow Babylon’s King, Sin-Mubalit. Will they be able to stop the usurpers to the throne? And can they trust each other to have their backs as they do so, even as they’re uncovering new secrets on the go?
Inspired by the twentieth century discovery of a Sumerian tablet off the coast of Mumbai, Daughter of Two Rivers is a homecoming story.
And like all good homecoming stories, it’s a story of learning what home means—across countries, and across time.
What’s Your Price, Mr. Shivaswamy?
Having worked all his life, Shivaswamy eagerly awaits the serenity of retirement. But his plans are suddenly upturned when his attempts to buy a house are scuppered by unscrupulous builders. Suddenly, he realizes that he might have to join the workforce again. What follows is a tale of gentle satire that is also an intense human drama. Shivaswamy faces the toughest choice, one that threatens the values that have sustained him throughout his life.
Set in contemporary Bengaluru, What’s Your Price, Mr Shivaswamy? is an elegantly crafted and deeply engaging story about a man torn between material necessities and spiritual aspirations. How much would you sacrifice for some peace of mind?
Translated into English by the author himself, this novel was originally published in Kannada as Ondondu Talegu Ondondu Bele .
Enlightened Leadership
Discover the transformative power of wisdom, courage, and compassion in Enlightened Leadership by Tshering Tobgay, Bhutan’s esteemed Prime Minister and TED Talks sensation.
Through Bhutan’s unique approach to climate change, its peaceful transition to democracy and its administration based on Gross National Happiness, you’ll learn from his firsthand experience how these traditional qualities unlock the potential for positive change, unity and powerful action.
This book offers invaluable insights into leadership that combines ancient wisdom and modern best practices, blending timeless guidance from the past with today’s principles for effective governance. By emphasising the role of selfless service, it vividly recounts how these qualities foster enlightened leadership, and how they have seen Bhutan through a tumultuous past and a present defined by the uncertainty of climate change—a process that continues to be selflessly led with wisdom, courage and compassion by its revered Kings.
As he takes you through his personal experiences growing up and entering the civil service and political arena, his clear and impassioned storytelling will open up the wondrous land of Bhutan to readers. You’ll witness a country deeply rooted in tradition yet boldly preparing for the future, offering profound lessons on leadership, change and resilience.
Dhruva (Hindi)/ध्रुव
भक्त ध्रुव ने महज पाँच वर्ष की आयु में ही कठोर तपस्या करके भगवान विष्णु को प्रसन्न किया। अपने पिता और सौतेली माँ के उपेक्षित व्यवहार ने ध्रुव को इस कठीन मार्ग पर चलने के लिए प्रेरित किया। यह पुस्तक आम आदमी के जीवन को सरल बनाने और एक सच्चा भक्त बनने के लिए प्रेरित करती है।