This book is by the nutrition and lifestyle expert responsible for the remarkable transformation of actor Taapsee Pannu for her upcoming film Rashmi Rocket

We are proud to announce the acquisition of award-winning nutritionist and celebrated lifestyle consultant, Munmun Ganeriwal’s debut book, titled ‘Yuktahaar: The Belly and Brain Diet’. This self-help book, unlike others, pushes the focus away from ourself and towards our gut. A radical approach to health and diet that has assisted many to change the way they have been looking at themselves and their lifestyles. This revolutionary new self-help book will be released under Penguin imprint in December 2021.

With the world inundated with fads and trends to lose weight and become healthy, it is important to consider why one trend keeps replacing another and why none of these seem long-lasting and effective. Having spent considerable time in evaluating their efficiency and thoroughly understanding the story of weight loss, chronic illness and mental health, all of which are connected to our human-gut, Ganeriwal comes with a rich body of experience and research. This book is an outcome of her studies of the human-gut microbiome connection and finds validation from many known personalities across the globe, personally consulted by the expert herself. This book also has a detailed look at Taapsee Pannu’s diet plan which has served the actress well as she prepared for her portrayal as a sportswoman in her new movie.

According to Munmun, the reason why none of the diets in the past have seemed to work and why we see a surge in obesity and diseases is because for long, really long, we have only focused on the host ­— that is yourselves. Talking about why she wrote this book, she says, ‘The primary reason to write this book was to educate people and in this age of fast-moving newsfeeds and junk science, I wanted to bring out facts without any bias’. She goes on to explain that ‘this book is for anyone looking to improve their health with weight loss as a by-product. It is age and gender agnostic and I will recommend this to anyone who has a pulse and can read. The book is a result of my hard work, research and expertise gained after 19 years of working with people across all walks of life. I am excited to have Penguin Random House India as partners for my debut book. Couldn’t have asked for more!’

Commissioning editor at Penguin Random House India, Shreya Punj, says, ‘Yuktahaar is a book that focuses on the science of good health while giving actionable steps that take you closer to holistic well-being. In her ten-week programme, Munmun will forever change your understanding of your gut, its reaction to the food you consume and help you better understand the reasons behind poor metabolism and weight gain. Her approach is solution oriented and combines the wisdom of traditional Indian Ayurveda with evidence-based science.’

About the author-

Munmun Ganeriwal is an award-winning nutritionist. Over the last 19 years, Munmun has worked as a Nutrition and Exercise Consultant with a diverse set of clients from all walks of life. Her clientele includes Taapsee Pannu, Rakul Preet Singh, Nayanthara and many more. She has a master’s degree in nutrition science and is an internationally certified health fitness and yoga instructor.

New Delhi, 26 August 2021; We are delighted to announce the acquisition of a series of picture books from actor duo, partners and parents Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu. Tentatively titled Inni and Bobo, the series will consist of three picture books. These picture books will be published under the Puffin imprint and the first book will release in 2022. Soha debuted as an author in 2017 with The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, a best-selling memoir published as a collection of essays by Penguin. This is the first time she is writing for young readers. This book also marks Kunal’s debut as an author.

The three picture books will take readers through the adventures of a little girl called Inni who loves all animals, but especially cute little puppies. One day this little girl visits an animal adoption center and wants to take all the puppies home – after all, they’re so cute and adorable! But then she chances upon the scruffy-looking, floppy-eared Bobo. And her heart is set. She has found her new best friend! Told with a lot of heart, The Inni and Bobo Series is not only about a little child finding friendship and the beauty of adopting dogs, but also about empathy and imperative life lessons, and most importantly about opening one’s heart and homes – which is what life is all about.

Talking about the inspiration behind the book, writers Soha and Kunal recount, ‘One of Inaaya’s favourite things to do is story time – either she’ll bring a book to one of us and ask us to read it to her whilst she looks at the pictures, or then as she says ‘from your mouth’ where she chooses the characters and the setting and we make up the story for her. Often the story is about her and an animal because she loves animals – all animals without discrimination, but perhaps being partial to dogs because of Masti. So, we started telling her stories about a little girl called Inni and her dog. She loved the stories and then asked to see the pictures and that’s when we came up with the idea of writing a series of books about Inni – based on Inaaya – and Bobo.’

Arpita Nath, associate commissioning editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘I am absolutely thrilled that Soha and Kunal’s beautiful picture books have found a home at Puffin. They have penned a truly endearing story that will touch the hearts of all—kids, their guardians, and animal lovers. I hope these gorgeously illustrated picture books find a special place on every young reader’s bookshelf. And we are also so very excited to welcome Kunal to the Penguin Random House family as a new author!’

Sohini Mitra, publisher, children’s division, Penguin Random House India, adds in saying, ‘Picture books are such a wonderful medium to introduce young readers to the world of stories and storytelling. Kids instantly take to strong characters and great visuals.  The Adventures of Bobo and Inni promises to bring all of these together and will particularly resonate with kids who love animal stories or have pets at home. We are delighted that Soha and Kunal chose to publish their maiden children’s book series with us.’

On the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of India’s independence, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, our publishing division, is proud to launch a new imprint, Penguin Veer, which will be dedicated to centering stories from India’s long-established armed forces legacy. Under the direction of industry veterans Milee Ashwarya, Publisher of Ebury Publishing and Vintage, and Gurveen Chadha, Senior Commissioning Editor & Foreign Rights Lead, Penguin Veer will begin by publishing close to three new titles annually and debut its first list of books in 2021.

Commenting on the launch of the imprint, Ashwarya said, “Penguin Random House India has been home to the best writers and experts in the genre of war, defence and military stories, and we felt it was the right time to launch Penguin Veer, to bring greater focus and ambition to the esteemed list. Over the next few years, we hope to expand the list, and publish newer voices, while working closely with our existing brand authors. With the wide and growing readership that this genre enjoys, Penguin Veer will offer depth, diversity, and quality to its readers. I am proud to add this new imprint to our division, and look forward to the support of our authors and readers in making it a success.”

Penguin Random House India has published many bestselling and eminent titles about Indian Armed Forces, including The Brave: Param Vir Chakra Stories, 1965: Stories from the Indo-Pak War and Kargil by Rachna Bisht Rawat; and Vijyant at Kargil: The Biography of a War Hero by Col. VN Thapar and Neha Dwivedi. The titles in this genre, along with new forthcoming publications, including Major General Ian Cardozo’s 1971; Major General Rajpal Punia and Damini Punia’s Operation Khukri; Kulpreet Yadav’s The Battle of Rezang-La; and many more, will be brought under the new imprint.

“The Indian Armed Forces are the epitome of valour and selflessness, and we are so proud to announce Penguin Veer, an imprint dedicated to writings on our illustrious military history. From retired military officers to the best defence writers and war journalists in the country, our list of celebrated authors will bring readers stories of unsung heroes and icons, of lesser-known battles and military operations, capturing the courage and fearlessness displayed by our soldiers in the line of duty. These are stories that will fill hearts with pride,” said Chadha.

Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO of Penguin Random House India and SEA, said of the new imprint, “Penguin Random House India aims to nurture our relationship with our readers, and having witnessed the popularity and demand our books on the Indian Armed Forces receive, we hope to bring more drive and diversity to this genre with our new Penguin Veer imprint. We add this imprint with great confidence to enrich our readers’ reading experiences, and build an inspiring catalogue that will be a testament to our country’s armed services.”

Ebury Publishing and Vintage is a publishing division of Penguin Random House India. Ebury Publishing is home to the most successful and celebrated list of popular fiction, non-fiction and business books in the Indian subcontinent, while Vintage hosts a select and specially curated list of literary fiction and literary non-fiction books. There are over half-dozen imprints under this division with the addition of Penguin Veer, each offering unique reading experiences. This new imprint will be the first of its kind to be dedicated to telling stories of and from India’s defence forces landscape.

Comments from authors about the new imprint Penguin Veer-

‘Putting together all books by Penguin on the Indian military under the banner of Penguin Veer is an excellent idea. India has fought five wars since independence and there are many stories to tell.  Indian citizens know very little about India’s defence forces. They have a stake in the security of the country and for this they need to know more about how we in the armed forces live and behave in peace so that we know how to fight and die in war. For this, there is a crying need to understand the values we live by in peace, so that we can deliver victory in war. I am glad that this vacuum is being filled by Penguin by its far-sighted vision to bring the lives of the personnel of the armed forces closer to the man in the street. The privilege of leading men into battle is given to very few. It needs to be honoured.’

– Major General Ian Cardozo, author of 1971: Stories of Grit and Glory from the Indo-Pak War

‘Soldiers don’t die on battlefields. They die when an ungrateful nation forgets their sacrifice.’

The popular perception of soldiers is as G.I. Joe figures trained to kill and die glorious deaths. Fact is that  they are young boys and girls, often straight out of college, with dreams in their eyes who decide to place the country before self. It is only when we read or tell their stories that we realise courage often comes bundled with values like commitment, responsibility, honour and a code of moral conduct that we don’t just want to see in our soldiers but also in ourselves and people around us. These stories need to be told. These acts of courage documented. Because only if we keep our heroes alive in public memory can we ensure that their qualities shall seep into future generations of Indians. I congratulate Penguin Random House on the launch of Penguin Veer which is a step in this direction. Soldiers don’t die on battlefields. They die when an ungrateful nation forgets their sacrifice. I hope that Penguin Veer shall keep them alive in our hearts forever.’

– Rachna Bisht Rawat, author of bestselling books Kargil, The Brave, Shot.Dive.Fly, to name a few

‘As an officer who’s spent two decades in uniform, it gives me great pleasure to learn that Penguin is coming out with a new imprint for books dedicated on military. Penguin Veer will help bring the courageous stories of our soldiers that are waiting to be told to the masses, both in India and abroad. A great initiative. Congratulations.’

– Kulpreet Yadav, Commandant (Retd) and author of The Battle of Rezang La

New Delhi, 7 May 2021: On the occasion of International Mother’s Day, we are delighted to announce the acquisition and publication of a unique illustrated work of nonfiction on motherhood by Kalki Koechlin. Titled The Elephant In the Womb, it is illustrated by Valeriya Polyanychko and will be published in the fall of 2021 under the Penguin imprint.

In this unique graphic book, a combination of personal essays and think-pieces, we finally have that candid, funny and relatable book on pregnancy and parenting that mothers, expectant mothers, and anyone even thinking about motherhood have been waiting for. Gorgeously illustrated, with deeply personal journal entries captured in real time, alongside reflections and anecdotes, this is a ground-breaking book – it’s the motherload!

Commenting on the experience and inspiration, Kalki says, ‘While I was struggling with my pregnancy and my new role as a mother, it was my friends who helped me. They shared their rough times and dark phases and how they got through it with laughter and contemplation, and that helped me more than those who spoke only of the glorious, blessed babe in arms that brought light into their lives.’

The illustrator of the book, Valeriya Polyanychko, says, ‘We often take motherhood for granted and assume that it’s something that just happens. Kalki’s book uses quick wit and a sense of humour to take the reader down the long and winding road of parenting. Not only did Kalki’s emotional journey deeply resonate with me, but illustrating this book has also been one of the most profound and enriching experiences I’ve ever had.’

With whimsy and compassion, uproariously funny art and spellbinding honesty, The Elephant in the Womb blends the deeply private with the blazingly political. It’s an eye-opener for anyone who has ever thought that pregnancy was all about the glow and that motherhood was all about fulfilment. From fixing broken parts to enduring untimely farts, Koechlin’s nuanced prose tells us the bare-faced truth about the physiological discomfort and manic expectations that make it a bittersweet experience.

Talking about the book she commissioned, Manasi Subramaniam, Executive Editor and Head of Literary Rights, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Kalki Koechlin’s book deals with the mother of all issues – the fact that parenting is as exhausting as it is fulfilling, as draining as it is inspiring, and as frustrating as it is joyous. We romanticize motherhood in popular culture, and I’m so glad Kalki has pulled back the curtain on what is essentially the physical and emotional labour of much of the female population.’

About the author

Kalki is a French-Indian actor and writer living in Mumbai. She studied drama and theatre at Goldsmiths and made her screen debut as Chanda in the critically acclaimed drama Dev.D in 2009. She won a FIlmfare award for the same. She is also the recipient of a National Award and Best Actress award at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival for the internationally applauded film, Margarita with a Straw. She has also acted in two of Bollywood’s highest-grossing films of their respective years, Yeh Jewani Hai Deewani and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. She hosts a podcast with the BBC called My Indian Life and is part of several series streaming on Netflix and Amazon. Throughout her career, she has continued to write and perform for the theatre, often with her original material. She won the Hindu Metroplus Playwright Award in 2009 along with co-writer Prashant Prakash for Skeleton Woman. Her work often addresses the issues of women’s rights and freedom of speech. She is a feminist and an advocate of children’s rights.

About the illustrator

Valeriya Polyanychko is a multi-disciplinary visual artist dabbling between the vast expanses of doodles, illustrations, animation and production designs for motion pictures. As a young artist, she was spotted in the small town of Shostka, for finishing her art school exams at the age of just fourteen, whereupon she was offered a scholarship University Of Culture and Art in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2010, she was identified as an upcoming design talent in Ukraine and won a grant prize ( Top 10 Young Designers Of Ukraine competition). This offered her the opportunity to travel to Asia. As a lifelong admirer of Asian art forms, she has travelled extensively across India, Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia and Thailand, adopting much of the vibrant design sensibility into her own aesthetic. She presently lives between India and Ukraine, and can often be found sketching her four cats and three dogs – all of whom she considers her muse. The forest behind her home is her favourite place to daydream.

New Delhi, 16 April 2021: Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition and publication of the English translation of a charming memoir by the late Hindi writer Shivani. Titled Amader Shantiniketan, this book has been translated into English by Ira Pande, translator par excellence and the author’s daughter. It will be published under the Vintage imprint and released in May.

This timeless memoir was written by Shivani nearly fifty years ago from her perspective as a child and young girl studying in Shantiniketan, the school set up by Rabindranath Tagore. It is a loving homage to a grand institution and its legendary gurus. Along with the moving tributes she wrote when some of her beloved contemporaries passed away, the memoir is a sort of diptych that captures the spirit of the Ashram and the liveliness of its inmates, many of whom went on to become iconic Indians. Shivani’s recall of her time there takes the reader into a magical space that remains as inspirational as it was to her when she went there all the way from Kumaon a lifetime ago.

Translator Ira Pande comments on the book, ‘Amader Shantiniketan has always been the favourite of my mother’s works. Apart from recording an important part of the fashioning of the Bengal renaissance, the book is written from the perspective of a child. It captures the innocence and the pristine, pastoral world that Tagore created, and brings alive people in a way that only a child can portray them. This book was born to be translated into English now, at a time when that Bengal and that life has almost vanished. Today, when I see the legacy of Tagore being fought over, I think this world needs to be remembered, and this school needs to be preserved in our memories.’

Elizabeth Kuruvilla, Executive Editor, Ebury Publishing & Vintage, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Shivani is a masterful storyteller, and in Amader Shantiniketan, she transports you to the carefree world of the childhood she spent at Shantiniketan. Witty and filled with warmth and laughter, this is a rare, intimate view of life in Tagore’s experimental school, which shaped the most creative minds of the age. These are stories that need to be read by adults and children alike, of a school that allowed its students to not just dream but also, importantly, to day-dream.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Amader Shantiniketan by Shivani takes us on a trip to her formative years spent in Shantiniketan that had a huge influence on her life and her work. This remarkable memoir with its vivid portrayal opens the window to a unique world, and the people who inhabited it giving us an insight into the influences and inspirations behind one of the foremost Hindi writers of twentieth century. I am delighted that Ira Pande has translated this gem, and brought it alive for many more readers.’

New Delhi, 5 April 2021: Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition and publication of a two-book series on counterterrorism by debut author and former Intelligence Bureau officer Prabhakar Aloka. The books are inspired by real events and have already been optioned for an OTT series. They will be published under the Ebury Press imprint, with the first book in the series releasing in October 2021.

Operation Haygreeva, the first book in this duology, is a gripping espionage thriller that pivots around C3—Central Counterterrorism Command—a secret unit of India’s foremost national security agency. At its discreet headquarters in New Delhi, intelligence officers work hard behind the scenes to thwart threats, keep track of targets and make sure the country is safe. When Mumbai becomes the victim of a series of horrific bomb blasts, Ravi Kumar, the chief of C3 known for his unorthodox but brilliant methods, is entrusted with the responsibility to neutralize the threat posed by a new terrorist organization called Lashkar-e-Hind. What follows is a nail-biting rollercoaster of intrigue, betrayal and danger as a covert group of operatives races against time to protect the citizens of India. The twists and turns continue to pile up in the sequel, with the net tightening around Ravi and his team as they pursue their sinister enemy, navigating the murky corridors of espionage and intelligence services.

Commenting on the upcoming books, debut author Prabhakar Aloka says, ‘I am privileged to have Penguin Random House India as the publisher of my maiden venture. Espionage remains an enigma for most people, whether they choose to romanticize its daily operations or trivialize its importance. My novels attempt to unravel the inner workings of the craft for readers everywhere through a story of the triumphs and tribulations encountered by undercover operatives who develop a spiritual addiction to their covert identities.’

Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘At Penguin Random House India, it is our constant endeavour to publish new voices and riveting stories for our readers. In Operation Haygreeva by Prabhakar Aloka we have found an enduring thriller with an intriguing plot and memorable characters that attempt to help us unravel the world of espionage. I am delighted to welcome Prabhakar to the Penguin Random House family, and I look forward to publishing the book.’

Hemali Sodhi, from A Suitable Agency, says, ‘It is not often that one comes across a debut that is so riveting, assured and accomplished—this is a book that you simply cannot put down without racing to the end! This book is A Suitable Agency’s first major thriller, also to be an OTT series, which we are confident will be as exhilarating as the book. We’re delighted that the book has found a home at Penguin Random House India, home to so many diverse and brilliant debut voices, and we cannot wait for this book to be published and find many more readers.’

Author bio

Prabhakar Aloka has formerly worked with the Intelligence Bureau, the country’s premier intelligence agency with over 125 years of history. In nearly three decades of service in the Bureau, where he was rigorously trained in covert operations while in pursuit of hostile elements, Aloka served in counterterror, counterinsurgency and anti-Naxalite theatres. He now lives in Gurgaon and draws from his extensive experience when writing fiction.