Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Whether you’re preparing for your little one’s arrival or navigating the early days of parenthood, these thoughtfully selected books offer practical advice, emotional support, and inspiration to help you along the way.
iParent || Neha J Hiranandani
Neha J Hiranandani’s iParent comes to the rescue! This book decodes India’s app generation and elevates the discussion beyond ‘these kids and their phones!’ Based on research, candid conversations and personal reflection, this timely book is a witty meditation on parenting in a digital world. Hilarious and informative in equal measure, iParent empowers you to connect with the new generation and guide them to cyber-safety without being a helicopter parent. No judgement, no preaching.
How Not To Be A Superwoman || Nilanjana Bhowmick
In How Not to Be a Superwoman, Nilanjana Bhowmick explores the immense pressure women face to excel in every role—as mothers, career women, partners and friends—and the toll this pursuit takes on their mental health and happiness. Her compelling work unveils the raw, real stories of diverse women who have broken free from the relentless cycle of perfectionism, and offers insightful, practical advice on achieving balance and joy that comes from embracing one’s true self. Through a feminist lens, she confronts and rejects society’s unrealistic expectations while advocating for a life of fulfilment, self-compassion and genuine empowerment. This is a must-read for women seeking to liberate themselves from the exhausting superwoman ideal and embrace a more self-loving, balanced way of living.
Power to the Parent || Ishinna B. Sadana
Through Power to the Parent, Dr Ishinna B. Sadana talks to parents to understand their most vulnerable doubts and fears, provides them with a safe space without judgement or preconceived notions, empowers them to deal with their children in different situations and connects with them in a positive way.
Using Dr Ishinna’s practical ways of dealing with kids, many parents have seen transformational results in their relationship with their children. She writes with clarity and simplicity, using real-life examples and case studies so that parents can start applying the lessons they take from the book immediately and see the changes.
Ultimately, Power to the Parent enables parents everywhere not only to raise happy and resilient children, but also to become happier and more confident parents.
To Every Parent, To Every School || V Raghunathan, Meena Raghunathan
To Every Parent, To Every School addresses the challenges posed by our swiftly changing VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world. It goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition or curriculum revisions, which are necessary and continuous processes; nor is it about swapping topics in and out of curricula. While these adjustments are necessary, they aren’t sufficient. What is crucial is empowering our children with the capacity to anticipate and adapt to rapid changes as they occur.
The authors, both veteran educators and thought leaders, offer a variety of insights and action points making this book a valuable addition to the library of every parent and school.
The Wisdom Bridge || Kamlesh D. Patel
Daaji in The Wisdom Bridge offers nine principles to guide you, the reader, to live a life that inspires your children and your loved ones. These principles are important references for parents, parents-to-be, grandparents and caregivers to create fulfilling and happy lives. They will not only help you enrich the lives of your children and raise responsible teenagers, but pave the way for an inspired life and resilient bonds in your family.
Divorce is Normal || Shasvathi Siva
Divorce Is Normal is an invaluable companion for anyone contemplating separation and divorce, and a necessary reminder for everyone else that divorce is normal. Through her story, Siva brings to readers fresh insights on unhappy marriages and divorce in the Indian context, helping expand perspectives so that people can overcome societal stigma and accept a brighter, happier future. Filled with practical tips, comforting stories and endless compassion shaped by a lived experience, this book acts like a warm hug and a stern friend all at once.
Meet Jamsetji Tata, the icon whose big ideas helped build modern India. In Jamsetji Tata, R. Gopalakrishnan and Harish Bhat reveal how Tata’s vision turned into reality with projects like Tata Steel and the Indian Institute of Science. This compelling account explores how Tata’s relentless pursuit of excellence and self-reliance laid the foundation for India’s industrial prowess, reflecting his legacy continues to drive India’s growth even today.
Jamsetji Tata || Harish Bhat, R Gopalakrishnan
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Tata Steel was one of the first great industrial enterprises conceptualized by Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata group. Jamsetji believed that steel was essential for the development of a nation. Therefore he was of the view that India should not depend entirely on imports of steel, but should have its own integrated steel plant.
By 1912, Tata Steel had begun production at its plant in Sakchi in eastern India (the town was later renamed Jamshedpur, in honour of Jamsetji Tata). The steel was of excellent quality, thus proving the sceptics wrong. During the First World War, the company supplied over 1,500 miles of steel rails to the Allied war effort in Mesopotamia. Over 8,000 tons of steel shells were made in the openhearth furnaces at Jamshedpur. The plant began running to full capacity on a twenty-four-hour schedule and still could not keep up with the demand, despite producing 150,000 tons of steel annually.
At this point, the leadership of the company—including Dorabji Tata and his partner R.D. Tata—analysed the emerging demand situation and concluded that after the war, India itself could absorb many times this amount of steel. By then Tata Steel was already supplying rails to Indian Railways. In addition, Tata Steel was also earning nice profits on the small consignments that it exported. In December 1916, Dorabji Tata was full of confidence as he spoke to his shareholders about the company’s bumper earnings, production at the plant being 30 per cent over the original capacity and its order book being totally full.
Buoyed by this success, the company began considering a plan of expansion to meet the high current and future demand. Charles Page Perin, who was in charge of this planning, initially recommended to the directors of the company a gradual increase in steel capacity, from 150,000 tons to 225,000 tons a year. He considered this to be a safe and prudent plan.
However, Dorabji Tata had a far more dynamic and ambitious plan in mind. He spoke passionately to the directors about his father Jamsetji Tata’s vision of a selfreliant and strong nation, which was at the heart of his dream for Tata Steel. He recommended a vast expansion programme, which would eventually supply India’s entire requirements of steel. To begin with, this would entail an expansion of the steel-making capacity at Jamshedpur by five times. Dorabji also said he would raise all the required capital from Indian investors.
This ambitious expansion plan, called the ‘TISCO greater extensions programme’, began in right earnest by 1917. However, it ran into a number of difficulties. Tata Steel was compelled to purchase materials at high wartime prices. There were labour strikes in England and a shortage of skilled labour in India. In addition, the Indian rupee depreciated during this time. As a result, the capital cost of the expansion programme, which had been budgeted at Rs 6.8 crore, rose more than three times to Rs 19.6 crore. Additional funds had to be raised from the shareholders because the company’s profits could not support such huge sums of expenditure.
And then, suddenly, after the First World War ended, the company’s profits declined precipitously. This happened because of several factors. Belgium began dumping its steel at very low prices in the Indian market, which had no tariff protection at that time. In addition, Japan, which was Tata Steel’s largest customer of pig iron, was hit by a huge earthquake (the Great Kanto earthquake) in 1923. One of the worst natural disasters ever to strike Japan, the earthquake reduced the country’s financial capability to purchase steel.
By the end of 1923, demand for Tata Steel’s products had fallen significantly and the company’s profits had declined to nearly break-even levels. On the other hand, significant funds had been expended in expanding the plant. This led to a severe cash crunch, and some of the company’s directors even suggested that it go to the British government of India with a request to be taken over by it. R.D. Tata, Dorabji’s partner, rose in angry indignation when he heard this suggestion. He pounded his fists on the table and declared that such a day would never come as long as he lived.
While we do not know what thoughts went through R.D. Tata’s mind when he said this, it is quite likely that he recalled Jamsetji Tata’s objective in establishing Tata Steel—a swadeshi Indian steel company, dedicated to the nation. Instead, what Dorabji and he had in mind was an alternative plan to negotiate with the government to consider imposing reasonable tariffs that would protect Tata Steel from unfair competition from tariff-free European steel.
However, such a plan would take time to materialize, particularly because it involved government policy. In the meanwhile, Tata Steel continued to reel under its immediate miseries, with very little cash in hand to keep operations alive. Dorabji and R.D. Tata struggled to raise funds in the adverse post-war environment. Then, one day, in 1924, a telegram arrived from Jamshedpur at Dorabji Tata’s table, bearing bad news. It simply said that there was not enough
money left to pay wages to the employees of Tata Steel. Would the fledgling company survive, or would it be forced to shut down? Would Jamsetji Tata’s dreams and visions of creating India’s first integrated steel plant come tumbling down? In November 1924, it appeared that Tata Steel was on the verge of closing down.
But Dorabji Tata was a man inspired by the ideals and principles of his father. To him, paying the employees their wages took precedence over everything else because it was livelihoods at stake. He knew that he had to save the company so that it could survive these very difficult times. At that point he took a step that has gone down in the history of the company as the act that saved Tata Steel. His wife and he decided to pledge their entire personal wealth, which came to around Rs 1 crore, to raise funds for Tata Steel. This included all the jewellery owned by his wife, including the famed Jubilee Diamond. This fabulous diamond, weighing 245.35 carats, was twice as large as the legendary Kohinoor and had been gifted by Dorabji to his beloved wife Meherbai many years earlier.
Against Dorabji’s pledge of his personal wealth, the Imperial Bank of India provided the Tatas with a loan of Rs 1 crore. This money was used to pay the wages of the workers at Tata Steel and also to fund the company for the short term. Thanks to this, production of steel at Jamshedpur continued without any significant interruption. The company’s greatest crisis had been averted, and Tata Steel survived.
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Get your copy of Jamsetji Tata by Harish Bhat and R Gopalakrishnan on Amazon or wherever books are sold.
September has arrived, and with it comes a fantastic lineup of new books just waiting to be explored! Whether you’re in the mood for a page-turning thriller, a story that warms your heart, or a read that sparks deep thinking, there’s something here for every book lover. Check out our latest releases and discover the stories that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last!
The Book of Discoveries || Amit Majmudar
The Book of Discoveries is the eagerly awaited second instalment of the Mahabharata trilogy, which began explosively with The Book of Vows. Imagined afresh and composed in a style that captures the power, charm and ambiguity of Vyasa’s Mahabharata, this book dramatizes the stunning prelude to war—one that is full of thrilling adventures, fateful encounters and life-altering revelations.
1965: Courage Unleashed || Ian Cardozo
Did you know that the 1965 Indo–Pak War was initiated by Field Marshal Ayub Khan of Pakistan in an effort to wrest Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) from India? His failure to achieve his aim led eventually to his overthrow.
This account highlights the human dimension of war through the dramatic personal experiences of army and air force officers that astonish and overwhelm one’s imagination. It will convince the reader that real life is often stranger than fiction. The book also brings to light little-known facts that occurred across land, sea and air.
An Indian Woman in Islamabad || Ruchi Ghanashyam
As the first Indian woman diplomat stationed in Islamabad, Ruchi Ghanashyam unveils the intricacies of cross-border relationships and the relentless drumbeat of history as witnessed through the prism of political upheavals. From 1997 to 2000, Ghanashyam and her husband traversed the labyrinthine corridors of Islamabad, bearing witness to seismic events that shook the region to its core. From the thunderous echoes of the India-Pakistan nuclear tests to the harrowing shadows of the Kargil conflict, their tale unfolds against the backdrop of geopolitical upheaval. In a riveting twist, A.R. Ghanashyam, the author’s husband, unveils his first-hand account of the tense moments preceding the Indian Airlines flight IC 814 hijacking, offering a gripping glimpse into the heart of crisis management.
Jyotirlingam || Amit Kapoor, Bibek Debroy
In the Hindu Trinity, Lord Shiva is a multifaceted deity. Fierce and benevolent, Lord shiva is the symbol of duality of life. Central to Shaivism is the worship of Shivalingam and the twelve sacred Jyotirlingams that have from time immemorial being holy shrines of pilgrimage. Through a series of personal narratives and scholarly research, Amit Kapoor, Bibek Debroy, Vibhav Kapoor and Conor Martin captures Jyotirlingams through a literal and metaphorical journey. Viewed from diverse perspectives, this book is a unique amalgamation of the western, spiritual, artistic and the mythological.
Our City That Year || Geetanjali Shree, Daisy Rockwell
A city teeters on the edge of chaos. A society lies fractured along fault lines of faith and ideology. A playground becomes a battleground. A looming silence grips the public.
First published in Hindi in 1998, Our City That Year is a novel that defies easy categorization—it’s a time capsule, a warning siren and a desperate plea. Geetanjali Shree’s shimmering prose, in Daisy Rockwell’s nuanced and consummate translation, takes us into a fever dream of fragmented thoughts and half-finished sentences, mirroring the disjointed reality of a city under siege. Readers will find themselves haunted long after the final page, grappling with questions that echo far beyond India’s borders.
Phantoms of August || Mashrur Arefin, Arunava Sinha
An unnamed narrator takes it upon himself to discover the truth behind the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman—who led Bangladesh’s independence movement from Pakistan, which was achieved in 1971—and his entire family. With literary greats for company, the narrator negotiates his complicated personal life and his philosophical and literary musings even as he locates a gun to shoot the assassins who are still alive. Hallucinatory, flitting between reality and dreams, and traversing the length and breadth of Dhaka, this is a fever dream of a novel—an individual’s quest while navigating the scarred and traumatized mind of a nation.
Swipe Right to Kill || Anirban Bhattacharya
From a perfect match to a perfect murder!
In May 2018, an abandoned suitcase was discovered on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. Inside was the dismembered body of Dushyant Sharma, a 28-year-old businessman. from Delhi. Within 48 hours of the discovery, the Rajasthan Police managed to solve the case. But the revelations were both chilling and unnerving. It introduced the world to the evil machinations of Priya Seth—a woman who self-confessed to conning a thousand men and her two accomplices, Dikshant Kamra and Lakshya Walia.
With detailed inputs from the cop who solved the case, SHO Gur Bhoopendra Singh, bestselling author, the creator-producer of Savdhaan India and the producer of Crime Patrol, Anirban Bhattacharyya, puts together a sensational and blood-curdling account of people whose greed, ambition and lust led them to commit one of the most heinous crimes in recent history, a case that has now earned the moniker of the infamous Jaipur Tinder Murder Case.
The Battle of Haji Pir || Kulpreet Yadav
In August 1965, 30,000 Pakistani infiltrators crossed the Cease Fire Line (CFL) in Kashmir and began attacking civilians and army personnel. Codenamed ‘Operation Gibraltar’, this assault involved a mix of trained militia, mercenaries and Pakistani army personnel. Amidst the devastation, Indian forces retaliated and captured the strategic Haji Pir Pass.
The triumph however was short-lived as the pass was returned under the Tashkent Agreement, a bitter pill for the soldiers who had fought tirelessly for it. This book chronicles their courage and sacrifice, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who won the Haji Pir Pass, a symbol of both victory and loss for India.
The Book of Exodus || V.J. James, Ministhy S.
Considered one of the finest works in Malayalam literature, The Book of Exodus is a poignant and, at times, harrowing portrait of a rural community living in the backwaters of Kochi, Kerala. The protagonist, Kunjootty, is struggling to write a book of the same title, aiming to capture the stories of the natives of his village, Potta Thuruthu, the Isle of Reeds, untouched by the forces of modernization.
As the mystery and tragedy of Kunjootty’s own life become clearer, the narrative attains the proportions and complexity of an epic, where myths and legends are intertwined with reality, and where the past and present become indistinguishable from each other. Soon, all the intersecting stories of Kunjootty’s friends and acquaintances start converging into the inexorable flow of time, characterized by the nameless river that runs alongside Potta Thuruthu.
The Company of Violent Men || Siddharthya Roy
In The Company of Violent Men, investigative journalist Siddharthya Roy takes us on an unflinching and deeply personal journey into reporting violent political conflicts in South Asia. From the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, where drugs and human trafficking run rampant, to the forests of Chhattisgarh, where Maoist rebels and the Indian State have waged a war for half a century, on to the enduring conflict zone of Kashmir, caught between India, Pakistan, Roy narrates the cycles of brutality, exploitation, and injustice in which everyday people are caught.
The Inner Journey || Vraja Bihari Das
The Inner Journey shares strategies to quieten the mind’s incessant chatter and live in a space beyond the mind—the Heart Space. Through simple, yet potent techniques such as conscious breathing, journalling and affirmations, this book offers hope for peace in an age of chaos and love amidst distrust.
Steer away from the chaotic outside world and dive into the calm corner of your heart space where you truly belong and feel loved.
Who Is Equal || Saurabh Kirpal
In 1950, we, the people of India, gave ourselves a constitution that promised justice, liberty and equality to all its citizens. Decades later, as a nation, we still struggle with inequality in various forms—religion, sex, caste, gender. As we forge ahead, it is imperative to ask, ‘who is equal?’, and ‘is the idea of equality elusive to achieve?’
In his new book, Saurabh Kirpal, a senior Supreme Court lawyer, seeks to untangle the philosophical and practical tangents of inequality prevalent in our country. He presents to the readers the explanation and understanding of the existing laws and discusses theories that allow a close inspection of concerns over a spectrum. Well-researched, insightful and drawn from experience, Who is Equal?, positions India at the intersection of equality and inequality, and delivers a perspective that is retrospective and contemporary.
Looking for the perfect read for the little ones? This month’s collection of new children’s books is packed with magical adventures, heartwarming tales, and cool projects about birds that will delight young readers. Dive into these fresh releases and discover stories that will spark their imagination and keep them entertained.
Find a new favorite for your child’s bookshelf today!
Amil and the After || Veera Hiranandani
A hopeful and heartwarming story about finding joy after tragedy, Amil and the After is a companion to the Newbery Award-winning novel The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani.
At the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family have started over in Bombay and are once again trying to rebuild their lives in independent India.
Both Muslim and Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from his family’s hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life still feels lonely and uncertain.
At Nisha’s suggestion, Amil begins to tell his story via drawings meant for their mother, who died when he was just a baby. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering and resilient spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world and to find hope for himself, his family and a newly reborn nation.
My Values Collection Box Set 3 || Sonia Mehta
Nicky and Noni are just like you. They’re funny, they’re crazy—and like you, they love to have fun. But sometimes, just sometimes, they can be very naughty indeed. That’s when they get into trouble. Along the way, they learn something important—that having good values helps them become good people. And that being good isn’t boring . . . it’s lots of fun!
Why You Should Buy This Boxset:
1. Exciting new titles on inculcating values and good behaviour in children
2. A perfect introduction to key life skills that will help shape young minds in an engaging way
3. Fun stories which dispel the belief that being good is boring!
4. Large fonts and eye-catching illustrations to assist emerging readers enter the world of reading
5. An ideal gift for young readers
Threads That Bind || Nalini Ramachandran
Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva easily handle small and big problems that occur in the three worlds. But their biggest problem is resolving the constant squabbles between their sons, Ganesha and Karthikeya. When their quarrels go out of hand, Parvati comes up with an ingenious plan—to deal with her sons’ complaints, one story at a time!
As the goddess takes them through the sweet and sour, bitter yet beautiful world of divine siblings like Jyeshtha and Lakshmi, Krishna and Katyayani, Kubera and Ravana, Nara and Narayana, and many others, Ganesha and Karthikeya sit back and listen attentively.
10 Indian Scientists Whose Extraordinary Work You May Not Know || Vaishali Shroff
This book explores the lives and achievements of ten Indian scientists who made remarkable contributions in various fields of science—from measuring the brightness of stars and discovering a treatment for cholera to inventing fibre optics and increasing food sustainability. Though their names and work may not be widely known, they have transformed the quality of our lives. They are . . .
Vaishali Shroff traces the journey of these scientists, detailing the challenges they faced—financial scarcity, gender bias, inadequate facilities and infrastructure—as she takes us through the evolution of science in India over three centuries.
Birds on the Brain || Uma Krishnaswami
Reeni is wild about birds! So when she and her best friend, Yasmin, have to do a survey for a school project, asking their neighbours what they know about birds is an obvious choice. They are shocked to learn that no one—not one single person!—has heard about Bird Count India, when thousands of birdwatchers will be out counting birds as part of a global movement.
Why do people not seem to care about the threats to city birds? And is the mayor really trying to stop their city’s bird count event?
Reeni and Yasmin enlist help from their families and diverse friends—Anil, Book Uncle, the istri lady and even their school bus driver. They must get people interested in the bird count! After all, what’s good for the birds is good for all of us!
In a world full of conflict, The Book of Compassion by Nobel Peace Prize winners His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kailash Satyarthi offers a message of hope. It shows why compassion is essential, not just as a virtue, but as a key to survival and change in our connected world.
Read this excerpt to find your way towards a kinder, more compassionate way of living.
The Book of Compassion || His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kailash Satyarthi, Pooja Pande
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Children, Choice and Compassion
His guest, of course, is nothing if not a man of action. ‘These ideas have to be put into practice on the ground’, he says, speaking of how they came to evolve for him, ‘I gave up my career in 1980 and I started finding solutions to the problem of misery and exploitation of children. I realized that the people who are exploiting children are not my enemies. They are sick somewhere, and I have to solve their problem as well. If I am compassionate towards that child, I am equally compassionate towards the exploiter. He just has a different problem. And we have to solve the problem through compassion.’
The Dalai Lama agrees, ‘All these troublemakers come from society only. And society only talks about material values, never (about) inner values.’ He says in an appeal steeped in science, ‘All the destructive emotions are very much based on appearances, and quantum physics also says that nothing exists as it appears. Quantum physics says that physical objects do not have their own absolute nature. Things do not exist as they appear to our perception.
He pauses and adds, ‘. . . effort to reduce negative emotion is very scientific’.
Kailash Satyarthi continues the train of thought: ‘We are all born with compassion. There is a seed, a spark of compassion and that is human instinct, human nature; it is biological. But then the new identities begin. Knowledge is imposed in the name of competition, fear and insecurity and it all gets very magnified.’
His Holiness adds, ‘The (education) system is useful but not complete.’ He speaks more about the missing elements: ‘We human beings have five sensorial consciousnesses, but the dominant force of this sensorial consciousness is mental consciousness. Modern education mainly deals with the sensorial level. It is kindness that brings peace, happiness and calm at the mental level. Mental consciousness is the sixth mind. The “chit” besides the five senses or organs’.
He makes an allusion to the practice of the Buddhist meditation tradition Vipassana and Kailash Satyarthi interjects the mood with some light-heartedness, ‘Please always look at her as she is the Vipassana person’, he says, gesturing at his wife of many years, Sumedha ji, ‘She used to do it and I never did!’
His Holiness seems to continue in a sombre mood: ‘We are facing a lot of problems in the world. Manmade problems’. With the familiar sense of mischief, not one to let the humour in a room fizzle out, he adds, ‘and in some cases, a “lady-made problem”.’ Bellows of laughter echo in response.
Kailash Satyarthi brings up the story of the infant Dalai Lama perched on his mother’s shoulders, directing her movements in tandem with his childhood whimsies, which has His Holiness nodding and smiling, ‘My mother, very kind.’
Talk of childhood nudges Kailash Satyarthi to share a favourite story from the epics: ‘When Sudama knocked at his door, Krishna didn’t tell his guard to attend to it. Krishna himself came down all the way and ran and greeted him. That was respect and love. Similarly, you cannot be a friend of a child until and unless you are ready to come down, as Krishna came down all the way from his throne to the field to hug Sudama. You have to give up your egos and break those barriers. So people like us—me, not us—who have some ego, who have some knowledge and all kinds of ideas and so many complications because of the conditioning of our brain through education . . . we have to try to give that up. If we are friendly to children, then we are friendly to the future. We have to learn to be with the child, respect the child and nurture a tendency to learn from the child—learning purity, learning simplicity.’
His Holiness vehemently agrees, ‘Yes, young children don’t care who is from another religion or other nationality—they play together. If you ask five-year-old children, ‘Do you prefer smiling face or angry face?’, they will say, ‘smiling face!’ So this is just nature. And that is, as the scientists say, that basic human nature
is more compassionate.’
The Dalai Lama too makes the argument against conditioning: ‘Once they join education . . . there is a lack of the oneness of humanity and the value of education only talks of material values. So the basic human nature becomes thinner and thinner. He circles back to the discussions of Day One: ‘A revolutionary education system should be there, and we should not expect (it to come) from some other country, particularly not the United States, too complicated!’
Kailash Satyarthi adds the gory facts: ‘In a number of countries, the number of soldiers is greater than the number of teachers. The number of weapons is greater than the number of books and toys. The number of military camps is greater than the number of schools. So this is the world we have created, Your Holiness, where only four-and-a-half days of global military expenditure ($22 billion) can take care of the education of all children in the world.’ He pauses and repeats, shaking his head, ‘Just four-and-a-half days . . .’
His Holiness offers comfort and hope in return: ‘I think let us concentrate here, in this country.’ He paints a picture of the future that he can already see: ‘After ten years, fifteen years, the world will see—“Oh! India has a unique education system.” And then more and more people will come.’
‘You see,’ he says, smiling back at Kailash Satyarthi and everyone in the room, ‘we are not talking about Nirvana or next life or God . . . but simply (about) how to build a happy family, a happy community and finally, a happy world.
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Get your copy of The Book of Compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kailash Satyarthi, and Pooja Pande on Amazon or wherever books are sold.
Step into the world of India’s most powerful stories with Penguin. Through these 10 books, you’ll meet individuals who have broken barriers, stood up against injustice, and shown remarkable strength. These stories highlight the diversity of experiences in India, offering a glimpse into the lives, struggles, and victories of those often overlooked. Discover voices that challenge stereotypes, confront injustices, and inspire change in our society.
Keedajadi/कीड़ाजड़ी || Anil Yadav
क्या आप जानते हैं कि पिंडर घाटी कहाँ है, जोती कौन है, वहाँ की ज़िन्दगी, धाराएँ और ऊँचाइयाँ कैसी हैं?
क्या आप जानते हैं कि पर्वतारोहण के रोमांच भरे खेल का रास्ता किन लोगों की पीठ पर से होकर गुज़रता है?
एक आदमी पहाड़ की बिन बिजली.सड़क.मोबाइल वाली घाटी में प्राइमरी के बच्चों को पढ़ाने जाता है जो दानपुरी बोली और हिन्दी भाषा के बीच पड़ने वाले जंगल में फँसे हुए हैं। यहाँ फसले हँसिया युग से पहले के औज़ारों से काटी जाती हैं, मुसाफ़िरों के भूत दर्द से फटते पैर सेंकने के लिए नमक और गरम पानी मांगने आते हैं, बादल मासिक.धर्म के कारण फटते हैं, भगवान भक्त को अपना मोबाइल नम्बर दे जाते हैं, बच्चे थाली में बैठकर बर्फ़ पर स्कीईंग करते हैं, जवान अपने खेत नहीं पहचानते और सपने, मैदानों के जैसी बराबर ज़मीन पर चलने के आते हैं।
तीन ग्लेशियरों के तिराहे पर बसी इस घाटी में भटकते हुए वह धीरे.धीरे कीड़ाजड़ी निकालने वालों, आदिम पर्वतारोहियों, स्मगलरों, दलालों, अनवालों और जागरियों के संसार में खो जाता है। वह हैरान आँखों से देखता है कि कामेच्छा, ‘विकास’ की लीला वहाँ भी रच सकती है जहाँ पहुँचने में सरकारें भी झेंपती हैं।
अनिल यादव का एक ट्रैवलॉग वह भी कोई देस है महराज दस साल पहले आया था। अब पिंडर नदी के धगधग प्रवाह जैसा यह दूसरा . . .
ये कहानियाँ बताती हैं कि कैसे एक समय टूटी हुई निब बदल पाने में अक्षम अशोक खाड़े की कंपनी दास ऑफशोर आज बॉम्बे हाई में तेल निकालने वाले कुएँ के प्लेटफॉर्म बनाती है। किस तरह कल्पना सरोज ने बंद पड़ी मुंबई की कमानी ट्यूब्स को मुनाफे में ला दिया। कभी मजदूरी करने वाले आगरा के हरी किशन पिप्पल अस्पताल चलाते हैं, और अहमदाबाद की सविताबेन कोलसावाला टाइल्स बनाती हैं, जबकि भावनगर के देवजीभाई मकवाना फिलामेंट यार्न। दलित करोड़पति में ऐसे 15 लोगों की कहानियाँ हैं, जिन्होंने पिछले कुछ सालों में करोड़ों का कारोबार खड़ा कर लिया है। उनकी कहानियाँ यह दिखाती हैं कि उन्होंने कैसे रोड से करोड़ों तक का सफर तय किया। ये कहानियाँ हैं—संघर्ष और सफलता की, सीमाओं के बंधन और उनके टूटने की, जाति और पूँजीवाद की। ये हमें उस जातीय भेदभाव के बारे में भी बताती हैं, जो रोजमर्रा के शहरी जीवन में समाज के सबसे निचले पायदान पर खड़े लोगों को झेलना पड़ता है। ये उनकी ताकत, साहस और लगन के बारे में बताती हैं, जो सारी रुकावटों के बावजूद ऊपर उठ सके और उन लोगों के लिए एक मिसाल बन गए, जिनमें आगे बढ़ने और सपने देखने का साहस है। —सुरिंदर जोधका समाजशास्त्री, जेएनयू.
Omprakash Valmiki ki Yaadgari Kahaniyan || Omprakash Valmiki
स्त्री को पुरुष समाज कितना भी कमज़ोर समझे, लेकिन वह कमज़ोर नहीं है। ओमप्रकाश वाल्मीकि ने अपनी कहानियों में ऐसी ही अदम्य साहस से परिपूर्ण स्त्रियों का चित्रण किया है। वाल्मीकि जी की कहानियों में सिर्फ दलित चिंतन ही नहीं है बल्कि स्त्री शोषण, अत्याचार आदि पर भी उनकी लेखनी उतनी ही पैनी है, जितनी दलित शोषण और चिंतन को लेकर। अपनी कहानियों के माध्यम से वाल्मीकि जी ने समाज तथा परिवार में हो रहे स्त्री शोषण का बहुत ही बारीकी से चित्रण किया है। इनकी कहानियों में स्त्री पात्रों तथा उनके शोषण को पढ़कर ऐसा लगता है कि ये स्त्री चरित्र सिर्फ वाल्मीकि की कहानियों का ही प्रतिनिधित्व नहीं करतीं, बल्कि हमारे समाज की अधिकांश स्त्रियों का प्रतिनिधित्व करती हैं। जो हमेशा इस समस्या से टकराती है। यह समस्या हमारे समाज में कोढ़ की तरह है जो दिन पर दिन घटने के बजाय बढ़ती जा रही है। हम 21वीं सदी के प्रांगण में प्रवेश तो कर गए हैं लेकिन स्त्री के प्रति हमारा जो नज़रिया है वह आज भी पुरातन वाला है। समाज के नज़रिए का प्रतिरोध करती वाल्मीकि जी की ये यादगारी कहानियॉं अपने आपमें बेजोड़ हैं।
The Truth About Me || A Revathi, REVATHI A
Revathi was born a boy, but felt and behaved like a girl. In telling her life story, Revathi evokes marvellously the deep unease of being in the wrong body that plagued her from childhood. To be true to herself, to escape the constant violence visited upon her by her family and community, the village-born Revathi ran away to Delhi to join a house of hijras. Her life became an incredible series of dangerous physical and emotional journeys to become a woman and to find love. The Truth about Me is the unflinchingly courageous and moving autobiography of a hijra who fought ridicule, persecution and violence both within her home and outside to find a life of dignity.
Seeing Like A Feminist || Menon Nivedita, Nivedita Menon
THE WORLD THROUGH A FEMINIST LENS
For Nivedita Menon, feminism is not about a moment of final triumph over patriarchy but about the gradual transformation of the social field so decisively that old markers shift forever. From sexual harassment charges against international figures to the challenge that caste politics poses to feminism, from the ban on the veil in France to the attempt to impose skirts on international women badminton players, from queer politics to domestic servants’ unions to the Pink Chaddi campaign, Menon deftly illustrates how feminism complicates the field irrevocably.
Incisive, eclectic and politically engaged, Seeing like a Feminist is a bold and wide-ranging book that reorders contemporary society.
A Brief History of the Present || Hilal Ahmed
A Brief History of the Present attempts to go beyond the obvious to rethink the role of minorities, specifically Muslims, in the ‘New India’ that has revealed itself since 2014. By diving deep into the complexities of Muslim identity and its role in everyday life while at the same time viewing the Muslim communities through a historical lens, the author attempts to provide a far more accurate picture of Indian Muslims than what is perceived currently.
Terminal 3: A Graphic Novel set in Kashmir || Debasmita Dasgupta
It’s August 2019 and Khwab Nazir is waiting to board the plane at Terminal 3 of New Delhi International Airport. Set to represent India at an international jiu-jitsu tournament, Khwab nervously looks towards her unknown future. She also reflects on her complicated past-of growing up against the insurmountable difficulties of life in Kashmir.
Between happiness and emptiness, desire and grief, penance and peace-Khwab has endured. She has a dream that life will be a paradise, one day. Breathing against the backdrop of conflict, Terminal 3, is the story of the everyday people striving to live their dreams in the Valley.
Bipathu and a Very Big Dream || Anita Nair
When school reopens in the village of Kaikurussi after the pandemic lockdown, nine-year-old Bipathu makes new friends-Madama, a blind lady who has moved to the village, Maash, a neighbour, Rahul, a boy who loves football as much as she does, and Duggu, a rescued puppy. When Madama gifts Bipathu’s brother Saad, a special needs child, a pair of braces, Bipathu starts believing in the power of the universe. So, when Suleiman, the class bully, roughs up Rahul to prevent him from training for the football match selections, Bipathu looks to the universe for help.
While Bipathu and Saad, along with Duggu, help Rahul ace up his game, will her own dream of playing football ever come true?
When Blackbirds Fly (Not Our War series) || Hannah Lalhlanpuii
Life is sweet growing up in Aizawl, with his family and friends, and all the narrator wants is a peaceful life. But the independence movement in Mizoram means that regardless of what he wants, he is drawn inexorably into a world where everyone has to choose where they stand …
Set in the initial stages of the two-decade-long struggle for Mizoram’s independence and against the backdrop of the 1966 bombing of Aizawl, this stunning debut novel is an universal story of how individual dreams and lives are shattered when larger conflicts arise.
Unfair || Rasil Ahuja
Auditions are on for the seventh grade annual play. Lina sets her heart and sights on the lead role, but the drama teacher seems to think Lina isn’t the right shade for the part. All Lina wants is a #FAIRCHANCE to try out for the role. Will narrow-minded Miss Deepa derail Lina’s dream?
Meher finds maths far more interesting, and less dramatic, than Macbeth. When her extroverted BFF Lina suddenly becomes distraught and withdrawn, Meher tries to figure out what she may have done wrong, but things just don’t seem to add up. Will their friendship fade or will Meher find a solution to this problem and score #FRIENDSHIPGOALS?
August is finally here, and it’s bringing a bunch of exciting new children’s books! This month’s releases are packed with fun stories and adventures that are sure to keep young readers hooked. Looking to refresh your child’s bookshelf? Scroll down to find the perfect new read for them!
Men of Steel || Tanushree Podder
From the frigid heights of the Himalayas to the scorching deserts of the west and the humid wetlands in the east, India’s borders mirror the nation’s diversity. Amidst these rugged landscapes, Indian soldiers battle not only the enemy but also the unforgiving terrain.
Within these pages, meet extraordinary heroes like Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, and Lance Naik Albert Ekka. Their valour, akin to that of Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Naik Digendra Kumar and Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, forever serves as a guiding light, inspiring us with courage and resilience.
Baloo’s Big Win || Mamta Nainy, Saumya Oberoi
‘Does anyone really win when not everyone gets to play?’
Right from his childhood, Baloo loved cricket. But he lived at a time when the rules of the game weren’t fair. Despite being a great bowler, he wasn’t allowed on the team because he was from a lower caste. Not one to give up easily, Baloo worked hard and was eventually picked to play on the team. But even after this, he wasn’t allowed to mix freely with his teammates.
Could Baloo overcome this obstacle and change the game of cricket?
Grandpa’s Bag of Stories || Sudha Murty
Join Anoushka, Krishna, Meenu and Raghu along with Ajja-Ajji on their adventure to Mayawati, a beautiful hilly region in Uttarakhand. Little do they know their trip will be filled with unexpected magic as, this time, their dear Ajja becomes their new storyteller. Amidst snow-capped mountains and towering deodar trees, Ajja weaves tales of kings and princesses, mermaids and bitter gourds, imparting wisdom and compassion along the way.
As the children explore the mountains, they make new friends, learn about Pahadi folk traditions, marvel at breathtaking sunsets and travel to various destinations.
From the bestselling author of Grandma’s Bag of Stories and Grandparents’ Bag of Stories, Sudha Murty, comes another collection of immersive, captivating and sensorial tales with an exciting new twist!
A Melody in Mysore || Shruthi Rao
Mysore, 1932
The rest of India is ablaze with the fervour of the freedom movement, but Mysore remains tranquil under the maharaja’s benevolent rule. For twelve-year-old Leela, the movement feels distant, just words in the pages of newspapers—until Malathi Akka moves into her neighbourhood, bringing with her thrilling ideas, new perspectives, and . . . a gramophone!
As Leela gets swept up by the winds of change, it dawns on her that participation in the freedom struggle can take on forms she hasn’t even imagined . . .
The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.
Rebellion in Ranchi || Swati Sengupta
Ranchi district, 1915
Sibu’s life is changing as the Oraons who live in the forests of Chota Nagpur, are slowly moving to the Tana Bhagat movement, where they begin to protest the injustices that the zamindars and the British Raj perpetrate on the Adivasis. And by stories of German Baba, who will help defeat the British in the Great War and bring freedom to the Oraons and to India.
Yet, though the Tana Bhagats follow the path of non-violence, violence is rearing its head in the world around them . . .
The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.
Get ready to soak up the summer sun with some fantastic new children’s books hitting the shelves this month! From heartwarming friendships to exciting adventures, these stories are sure to make your summer days extra special. So find a cozy spot, and let the reading adventures begin!
Puppy Trouble (Hook Book) || Bijal Vachharajani
Amit wants a puppy. But when a pokey-bitey-chewy-peeing pup turns up, he is not sure he wants a dog any more . . .
Maithili and the Minotaur || C.G. Salamander, Rajiv Eipe
Armed with her mother’s map, Maithili is out to find the truth behind her disappearance. But haunted by ominous visions of a strange boy, Maithili might just lead her friends into the clutches of something sinister.
Will Maithili, Minotaur and their friends find what they’re looking for? Or will they be stuck in the cave of a thousand eyes forever?
Hold On to Your Dreams || Ruskin Bond
On the eve of his ninetieth birthday, literary legend Ruskin Bond brings to readers a heartfelt letter capturing his most cherished memories and experiences. Penning his thoughts with sincerity and grace, the writer reflects upon love, loss, friendship, frailties, solitude and companionship—the bittersweet experience of human existence.
Reminiscing tales of his boyhood and youth, the author urges us to learn from mistakes, embrace empathy and hold on to our dreams through life’s vicissitudes. Complemented with poignant art, this book is a timeless collection of learnings on the journey called life.
Living with Adi || Zarin Virji
Adi Krishnan is different!
He is a bright student, who loves to read, and remembers everything down to the smallest details—yet he has no friends. His unusual view of things makes his classmates and teachers regard him as a weirdo.
Will the bullying ever end? Will people accept him as he is? Will he gain the respect of others, especially his dad?
Award-winning author Zarin Virji creates the extraordinary journey of an ordinary boy, narrated by him, his family, classmates and a teacher. And how, despite the challenges, living with Adi is, in fact, unexpected, delightful and funny.
Step into a world of wonder and imagination with our latest April books for children. From understanding the importance of mental health to discovering secret gardens and thrilling adventures, there’s something for every young reader. Dive in!
Sad-Glad || Sidhartha Mallya
One morning, Sid wakes up feeling different. He can’t quite put his finger on why. The day seems gloomy, and Sid doesn’t feel like getting out of bed.
Luckily, Duke, Sid’s best buddy, senses that Sid needs comforting. He gently encourages Sid to accept all the different emotions he is feeling.
A helpful companion for a dull day, this assuring picture book is filled with many feelings and thoughts that offer a lot of hope!
The Boy Who Built a Secret Garden || Lavanya Karthik
Before Nek Chand built his iconic garden, he was a boy with a dream—of home.
Mum in a Mess || Sanjana Kapur
When Mum breaks a coffee jar, it does not seem like a big deal. But then, Mum starts acting very strangely. What is Vishi to do?
The Egghead Detective Agency 2 || Pika Nani
• Why is there a dinosaur bone in the garden?
• Who is sneaking comics out of the bookstore?
• Could there really be another ghost in the neighbourhood?
Ever since Egghead, the friendly ghost detective, showed up at Tam and Ant’s home, life has been one big adventure. With their little buddhis and a dose of Egghead’s ghostly powers, Tam and Ant have cracked case after case in their beloved apartment complex, Emerald Gardens.
But now, Egghead and his magical armchair have gone missing! Can Tam and Ant find their friend before it’s too late? Join the sisters in their ‘egg-ceptional’ quest that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
What’s more, YOU can help the detectives crack the cases with Solve It Yourself (SIY) clues, picture puzzles, brain-teasers and more in this 5-in-1 chapter book!
The Padmas || Neha J Hiranandani
Step into the world of the Padma Awards—one of India’s highest civilian honours. Announced on the eve of Republic Day every year, the awards recognize the achievements of people who have fought to make a difference in the world.
This book features fifty incredible people—artists, scientists, freedom fighters, social workers, sports stars and many others from different walks of life—who have proven that determination, perseverance and courage are the only ingredients needed to accomplish remarkable things.
Celebrating seventy years of the Padma Awards, this beautifully illustrated book will inspire young readers to dream big and persevere against all odds.
R. Ashwin, one of India’s greatest cricketers, shares his incredible journey in I Have the Streets, co-written with Sidharth Monga. Ashwin not only talks about his amazing cricket achievements but also tells the story of his struggles with health as a child, the strong support from his family, and his love for cricket growing up in the streets of Madras.
Read this exclusive excerpt to get a glimpse of Ashwin’s early cricketing days full of hard work, family sacrifices, and his deep passion for the game.
I Have the Streets | R. Ashwin, Sidharth Monga
***
I am ten when Appa’s teammates at Egmore Excelsiors ask him to bring me around to play for them. I have been taking formal coaching, and my batting is coming along nicely. Appa fears I will get hit by the hard cricket ball, so he keeps resisting. I am not puny, but I don’t have the muscle mass to go with my height. With all my wheezing and vomiting bouts, I struggle to keep any food down. Two years later, he finally gives in.
At twelve, I make my Madras leagues debut for Egmore Excelsiors in the fifth division. My first kitbag is the same improvised pads-around-the-bat contraption. The bat is Appa’s Simon Tuskers, fully taped and gutted. In my second season, I have scored a century. My main utility, though, is to field at slip and short leg. I take a lot of catches. And blows, because fifth-division spinners are quite erratic with their discipline, thus endangering their short-leg fielders.
Now, instead of protecting me from the cricket ball, Appa is following the coaches’ advice that tennis-ball cricket will ruin my game. So, he tries to ration those matches for me. To help me rid myself of the fear, he installs a net in the house. The surface of the first one is quite rough, so he gets it redone to a smooth finish. During a family function at home, he asks the videographer to film me while batting. It comes back like a wedding film.
Appa throws balls at me from a close distance so that I don’t fear the thirty- to forty-year-old pros in the leagues, who can be a terror with the unpredictable bounce of the matting pitches we get in the fifth division.
Batting against them is not even the scariest part. It is the fear of letting your teammates down and getting admonished for it. The first season is really intimidating. I’m not sure know what they will say or where they will make me stand on the field. I keep fearing misfielding or dropping a catch. No matter how poorly the team has bowled, if a young kid makes a mistake on the field, that kid becomes the reason they lost. They make you run from deep midwicket to deep cover between balls. To score a hundred and compete against these men in just one year tells me I might have something in me as a cricketer.
Appa recognizes it and wants me to be tested against the best. He gets me enrolled in as many academies as he can. Some coaches he pays; others he takes favours from, using his connections. Former India wicketkeeper Bharath Reddy now handles operations at Chemplast. As the name suggests, it is a chemical company in Madras. The name doesn’t give away, though, that they field two strong teams in the higher divisions of the Madras leagues: Jolly Rovers and Alwarpet CC. He also runs his own academy, where I train.
By thirteen, I am a bit of a big dog at the Bharath Reddy Academy. Appa is tempted to get me to the seniors’ nets, among the Jolly Rovers probables, to test me. One of the quicks knocking at the Jolly Rovers door is L. Balaji, who is unplayable on matting pitches. He bowls rockets that don’t even come straight at you. His outswingers are hard to follow; his inswingers hit batters in the chest and not the pads.
The thing with Appa, though, is that he will never undermine a coach by making such a demand. A coach is almost like a senior police officer whose orders must be followed without question. The other thing about Appa is that he will not give up. When this inner conflict of his becomes apparent, Amma comes to the rescue by offering to make that call to Bharath Reddy. However, Bharath Reddy still ends up giving Appa a piece of his mind when he sees us. Facing Balaji at thirteen is a death wish, he says.
Appa is slightly bolder at the other academy, Sishya, run by P.K. Dharmalingam, who does cricket shows on TV. He is the man Kapil Dev credits with teaching him how to take catches running back and over his shoulder, the most famous one being that of Viv Richards in the 1983 World Cup final. After two months of persistence, Appa finally convinces Dharmalingam to let me bat against the senior quicks. There is no sight screen; we are on a matting surface with concrete underneath, and this big, fast bowler runs in. The first ball I face hits me in the chest, and I am down. I have to be carried out of the nets.
For a few days after the incident, I wake up in the middle of the night to see a hand near my nose and mouth. It’s Appa checking to see if I am still breathing. He feels guilty and is worried about pushing me too far. He scales it back a little but doesn’t give up on repetitions. Repetition to build muscle memory is a big thing with him. A day before I have a match, he sits on a sofa and keeps throwing balls at me. At least 200. ‘Bend that knee when you play the cover-drive.’ He has also tied a ball to a rope that hangs from the ceiling so that I can keep repeating my shots. This way, I don’t need a person to throw balls at me, nor do I need someone to run after the ball.
There is one problem, though: the ball keeps hitting the fridge before coming back to me. This fridge was gifted to Thatha by his father-in-law when it was rare for homes to have one. Thatha continues to treasure it. The fridge has become the trigger for the outpouring of all the tension between Thatha and Appa. Thatha doesn’t like Appa investing so much time, money and emotion in my cricket. Especially with my health problems.
On this one day, I am getting in a last-minute knock before a league game. As I keep hitting the fridge, tempers flare between Thatha and Appa, who cushions me from it. ‘You have no value for money. You don’t know how expensive this fridge is.’
In an attempt to shield the fridge, Appa tries to get in the way of a shot I play, but my bat swing ends at his forehead, splitting it open. Immediately, blood gushes out. The floor turns red. I freeze, drop the bat and stand there not knowing what to do.
***
Get your copy of I Have the Streets by R. Ashwin and Sidharth Monga on Amazon or wherever books are sold.
