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The first novel by Jhumpa Lahiri in nearly a decade

New Delhi, 4 February, 2021: Penguin Random House India announces the forthcoming publication of Pulitzer Prize-winning, Man Booker Prize-shortlisted author Jhumpa Lahiri’s marvellous new novel, her first in nearly a decade. Whereabouts is her first novel written in Italian and translated into English by the author. It will be published under the Hamish Hamilton imprint of Penguin Random House in April 2021.

With Whereabouts, Jhumpa Lahiri transcends into a new level of artistic achievement. This is a story of a woman protagonist who longs to belong but dares not conform, who is moving through her life in a city that almost becomes her companion. From the sidewalks, parks, and bridges to the pool and the train station that leads her to her grieving mother after her father’s untimely death, she moves through the city, one season after another. Until one day, her perspective changes and the life, as she knows it, is transformed.

Commenting on the publication of her book, Jhumpa Lahiri says, ‘I am so grateful to Meru Gokhale and to all at Penguin Random House India for following me on my creative journey and publishing this new novel, born from my love of a new language.’

Meru Gokhale, Publisher, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Jhumpa Lahiri is that rare writer who can effortlessly evoke the details of time and space with stark, minimal prose, saying so much by saying so little. Her new novel is a true literary event, and we are delighted to publish it.’

About the Author:

Jhumpa Lahiri is the author of four works of fiction: Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth and, most recently, The Lowland. A recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, a PEN/Hemingway Award, the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2012.

Nandan Nilekani and Tanuj Bhojwani’s new book will help you reset your relationship with the internet

New Delhi, 11 December 2020: Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of Nandan Nilekani and Tanuj Bhojwani’s new book The Art of Bitfulness: Keeping Sane in the Digital World. The book is a must-have practical guide on taking back control of our own lives from the Internet. The book will be published under the Allen Lane imprint in April 2021.

Other than future pandemics and climate change, there is another existential crisis humanity must tackle—the Internet. While the authors are great believers in technology for societal good and the positive digital transformation of enterprises, they are troubled by some of the internet’s current manifestations. From its hold on our attention to its effects on our elections, the internet is upending the way we do everything. This third crisis combines the worst aspects of the other two—it grows exponentially, while its effects are pernicious and imperceptibly slow. In its current form, the internet threatens to bring surveillance risks, polarize societies, and even fracture relationships in our private sphere.

COVID-19 has only accelerated the adoption of digital everywhere. Today, we are living in a world where three-year-olds attend school on Zoom and a grandmother meets her only grandchild virtually. From office meetings to weddings, everything is happening online. While there are efforts underway to better regulate the Internet, these efforts are slow-moving. They are unlikely to provide immediate relief to the daily anxieties of our always-connected personal lives. What can an individual do in such a scenario?

The pandemic has imposed on us some basic guidelines like washing our hands, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distance. Climate change, too, makes us adopt certain practices for our benefit, such as conserving water and using solar energy. It is high time that the Internet too had a set of basic rules that we could follow to ensure that the digital space does not compromise our safety or sanity.

Nandan Nilekani says, ‘We can learn to engage with the internet in a way that is thoughtful, enriching and safe. You can carve a space for being yourself, without becoming the product. To not be overwhelmed in a world that prizes “hacking” attention, one needs to be mindful about the data one absorbs, and mindful about the data one emits. We call this deliberate engagement with technology, Bitfulness.’

The primary experience for most people on the internet today is that of feeling utterly overwhelmed. We are glued to our phones and computers and cannot seem to look away. Very few of us can honestly say we know how to thrive in this new, noisy normal. This book acts as a personal guide that will enable us to do so.

Tanuj Bhojwani says, ‘We understand that, for most people, entirely disconnecting is impossible. Instead of railing against social media, we show you privacy strategies that let you be yourself online and simultaneously undercut their constant need for your attention. Bitfulness, like mindfulness, requires a modicum of self-awareness, and an initial investment of time. We focus on principles and techniques that help you set your own boundaries effectively. With practice, the result is a calmer, more meaningful experience on the internet on your own terms.’

We have heard that on the internet, we are the product. But do we really understand how we are processed, packaged, and sold? The authors help us understand how exactly convenience weaponizes our human instincts against our own economic and mental well-being. Rather than merely raising alarm, the authors propose perennial principles to help maintain equanimity in our digital life.

Commenting on the book, Meru Gokhale, Publisher, The Penguin Press Group, says, ‘The Art of Bitfulness is exactly the book we need right now. It goes to the core of the anxieties and conversations at the heart of the Indian digital experience. It will change your relationship with the internet.’

About the Authors:

Nandan Nilekani is the co-founder and chairman of Infosys Technologies. He is also the Co-founder and Chairman of EkStep, a not-for-profit effort to create a technology-based platform to improve basic literacy and numeracy for millions of children. He was most recently the chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in the rank of a Cabinet Minister. His earlier books with Penguin Random House India include the bestseller Imagining India (2008), Rebooting India (2015) with Viral Shah.

Tanuj Bhojwani is a Fellow at iSPIRT Foundation. He works on architecting and implementing foundational digital infrastructure for India. His primary research areas are financial inclusion and data privacy. Most recently, he helped the design of an air-traffic management platform for commercial drones. Currently, he’s working on LokOS – a collection of open technologies that brings women self-help groups into the formal financial system.

Jairam Ramesh’s new book to capture the history of a poem that inspired everyone, from Gandhi and Nehru to Churchill

New Delhi, 10 December 2020: Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of award-winning writer, economist and politician Jairam Ramesh’s new book. Titled The Light of Asia: The Poem that Defined the Buddha, it will be published under the Viking imprint in May 2021.

The Light of Asia is an epic poem by Sir Edwin Arnold that was first published in 1879. It quickly became a huge sensation and has continued to resonate powerfully across the world over the last century and a half. Weaving together literary, cultural, political and social history, Jairam Ramesh uncovers and narrates the fascinating story of this deeply consequential and compelling poem that has shaped our thinking of an ancient sage and his teachings. He brings into this unusual narrative the life of the multi-faceted poet himself who, among other things, was steeped in Sanskrit literature. Sir Edwin Arnold’s English rendering of the Bhagavad Gita was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s abiding favourites. Sir Edwin was also in many ways the man who shaped Bodh Gaya as we know it today.

Commenting on his new book, Jairam Ramesh says, ‘For long I have been struck by why and how The Light of Asia, which was a milestone in Buddhist historiography, got translated into over thirty languages, impacted so many public personalities in different countries, inspired movements for social equality and incarnated itself in music, dance, drama, painting and film. I have been wanting to tell this story for quite some time and have finally got around to doing so.’

Meru Gokhale, Publisher, The Penguin Press Group, says, ‘The original The Light of Asia by Sir Edwin Arnold took the literary world by storm. Jairam Ramesh offers context to better understand why it became a phenomenon and, through his biography of Arnold, opens up an important portion of world history. Well-researched and peppered with wonderful insights, Jairam Ramesh’s The Light of Asia, much like his acclaimed A Chequered Brilliance, will breathe fresh life into forgotten historical icons.’

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About the Author:

JAIRAM RAMESH, a Rajya Sabha MP, was Union minister between 2006 and 2014, holding several key portfolios including environment and forests. He is the author of several well-known books including Indira Gandhi: A Life in Nature and Intertwined Lives: P.N. Haksar and Indira Gandhi.

 

Dr Randeep Guleria, Dr Gagandeep Kang and Dr Chandrakant Lahariya are writing a book about India’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic

Penguin Random House India are proud to announce the timely publication of Till We Win, the definitive account of India’s fight against COVID-19 and how to deal with the Pandemic in the days to come. Written by three of India’s best-known doctors, Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, a leading public policy and health systems expert, Dr Gagandeep Kang, a world-noted vaccine researcher and virologist, and Dr Randeep Guleria, a globally renowned pulmonologist, this book will be released in November 2020 under the Penguin imprint.

Till We Win is a book of hope. It will show how India has continued to persevere in her fight against this deadly virus. It will answer many essential questions. How long will we have to go on wearing masks? Will we need to wear a mask even after we get a vaccine? What if there is no effective treatment against COVID-19? From the general public to political leaders, policymakers and physicians, each and every kind of reader will be enlightened by this powerful book which has the potential to transform public health in India.

Dr Randeep Guleria, who is the Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, says, ‘There has been talk of a pandemic for many years. Yet, we never really thought it would cause so much disruption till COVID-19 hit our country. Till We Win is a story of how no country was fully prepared for a pandemic of the nature of COVID-19, yet India pulled together despite all odds, and is continuing to successfully tackle the pandemic. The book deals with the realization of inner strength and unity amongst people of all walks of life in a country known for its cultural and linguistic diversity.’

Commenting on the scope of the virus and its future, Dr Gagandeep Kang says, ‘Viruses emerge and sweep through the world because of human action, but scientists now have the ability to recognize new infections early, track their spread, and develop tools for diagnosis and prevention quicker than ever before in history. The scale of SARS-CoV2 was surprising, but in just a few months, our increased understanding and effective approaches have been able to better prevent infections and treat those who are severely ill. We will handle this pandemic and use what we learn to do better next time.’

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, sharing his view about the pandemic and the need for the book, says, ‘One of the key developments during the COVID-19 pandemic has been that the health became a mainstream discourse. The need for stronger health systems and a better provision of public health (preventive and promotive) services has been recognised by political leaders, policy makers and public alike. There is emerging learning that the countries with stronger primary health care services had more effective pandemics response. The book delves into how learnings from COVID-19 pandemic can be used to strengthen Indian health system, for better, forever. It is up to all of us to convert the challenge posed by pandemic as an opportunity to strengthen health systems. We (all authors) are glad to publish Till We Win with Penguin Random House India. We sincerely hope that everyone will find the book helpful in their day to day life.’

Meru Gokhale, Publisher, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India says, ‘Dr Randeep Guleria has been at the forefront of India’s fight against coronavirus, while Dr Chandrakant Lahariya has played a

pivotal role in designing and scaling up primary healthcare services and strengthening health systems in Indian states . Dr Gagandeep Kang is one of the most eminent virologists, vaccine expert and medical microbiologists in the world. They are sharing their incredible breadth of knowledge and wisdom in this new book, which will work as a ready reckoner for general readers. We are honoured to publish this book.’

Commenting on the book, Premanka Goswami, Executive Editor, Penguin Random House India says, ‘Dr Randeep Guleria, Dr Gagandeep Kang and Dr Chandrakant Lahariya are the most authoritative figures to talk about how we, as a nation, fought and continue to fight against the novel virus. In the book, they have offered a clear roadmap for future. The book will work as a useful guide for general readers. We sincerely hope that Till We Win will find a place in every household.’

About the authors-

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya is a medical doctor and leading public policy and health systems expert. He has received advanced trainings in epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology and public health. He has extensive experience in disease control & elimination though his work on polio elimination, routine immunization strengthening as well as outbreak and epidemic investigations. In the last fifteen years, he has worked closely with India’s leading health policy makers to develop and implement several health policies and programs at union and state levels. At present, his work focuses upon universal health coverage, primary healthcare and health systems strengthening. In the year 2012, he received Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Dr BC Srivastava Foundation Award for his work on translating community-based health research in public policy interventions. He is the youngest fellow ever elected to the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA).

Dr Gagandeep Kang is an infectious disease researcher, who links community-based research to high quality laboratory investigation. With thirty years of research at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, she has built collaborative programmes focused on enteric diseases, nutrition and the environment. She supported the development of two rotavirus vaccines made by Indian companies through clinical and laboratory testing. She serves on many advisory committees in India and internationally. She was the Executive Director of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad from 2016 to 2020. A fellow of many prestigious academies in India and internationally, in 2019, she became the first woman working in India to be inducted as a Fellow of Royal Society, London.

Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, is an MD in Medicine and the first DM in Pulmonary Medicine in the country. A leading and world recognized pulmonologist, he has been the chairperson and member of various policy and health forums. He has been a member of Joint Monitoring Group of Govt of India created for pandemic and outbreak management in India since 2005 and has been at the forefront of the Government of India efforts on COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response in the country. He has published more than 350 research papers and popular articles in reputed National and International medical journals. Recipient of many awards and honours including the ‘Padma Shri’ (2015), ‘Dr. B.C. Roy National Award’ in the category of Eminent Medical Person (2014), Times Healthcare achievers award in the ‘Legends’ category (2017), ‘Doctor of the Decade’ award by the Indian Medical Association (2017) and “National Excellence Award” by the TP Jhunjhunwala Foundation (2017-2018), Dr. Guleria has delivered more than 8 national orations.

 

Phoolsunghi: The first English translation of a Bhojpuri novel

Penguin Random House India proudly announces the acquisition and publication of Phoolsunghi, the English translation of Bhojpuri writer Pandey Kapil’s exquisite historical novel. This is the first time ever that a Bhojpuri novel will be made accessible to an English readership. The book will be published under Penguin’s Hamish Hamilton imprint in November 2020, and is currently available for pre-order on e-commerce websites.

 

This fascinating historical novel is considered to be the most loved Bhojpuri novel of all time. Set in colonial Bihar, it narrates the tale of an unfulfilled love between Mahendra Mishra, one of the most popular yet enigmatic Bhojpuri poets, and the tawaif Dhelabai. The two protagonists are brought together by unexpected circumstances, but they also suffer due to them. Their own actions pull them further apart. Filled with mujras, mehfils, legal battles and intrigues, the novel makes for a gripping read. The book will bring alive the cultural ethos of a forgotten world.

 

Welcoming the publication of Pandey Kapil’s iconic novel actor Manoj Bajpayee, two-time recipient of the National Film Award and an advocate for Bhjopuri said ‘Phoolsunghi’s greatest triumph lies in bringing the pulsating soul of an artist to life. I hope that this translation draws mainstream’s attention towards the long neglected language, literature and culture of the Bhojpuri speaking people of the world.’

 

‘I am absolutely thrilled that Penguin Random House India is going to publish the English translation of Phoolsunghi. Translating this phenomenal novel brought together a community of authors, language scholars and Bhojpuri enthusiasts. I am glad the rest of the world would now be able to discover an aspect of Bhojpuri culture they had never imagined and hopefully appreciate its richness,’ says Gautam Choubey, the translator of the book.

 

Ananya Bhatia, Associate Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Ever since Phoolsunghilanded upon my desk, it has been an exciting journey of discovering the abundant literature of a language we do not know enough about. Anyone who picks up this book will be charmed by the beauty of its lost world.’

 

About the Author and Tranlsator

 

Pandey Kapil (1930-2017) was a doyen of Bhojpuri literature, best remembered as the long-serving visionary editor of Bhojpuri Sammelan Patrika and the founder of Akhil Bharatiya Bhojouri Sahitya Sammelan (est.1973). To promote young authors, he established his own publication house, Bhojpuri Sansthan (est.1970), which brought out some of the best writings in Bhojpuri. Phoolsunghi is his finest work, and perhaps, of Bhojpuri literature too.

 

Gautam Choubey is an academic, translator and columnist. He teaches at A.R.S.D College (University of Delhi) and writes on Gandhi, popular culture and Indian literature. He has previously translated the writings of Andre Beitelle into Hindi. Presently, he is working on a history of Bhojpuri literature and a monograph tentatively titled Using Mahatma.

Penguin to release the new book on trend prediction in the ‘Non-Obvious’ series by Rohit Bhargava

We are delighted to announce the acquisition and release of award-winning, bestselling author and marketing expert Rohit Bhargava’s new book, Non-Obvious Megatrends: How to See What Others Miss and Predict the Future from the US-based Ideapress Publishing. This book is the tenth edition of the Wall Street Journal bestseller and trend report featuring ten bold new megatrend predictions that will shape our world in the coming decade. It is slated for release on 10th December 2020. Along with this title, going forward Penguin will be also selling and distributing the new additions to the Non-Obvious Guide series in Indian and subcontinent markets. The first book from the Guide series, The Non-Obvious Guide to: Virtual Meetings and Remote Work is scheduled to be released out on 15th October 2020.

Rohit Bhargava’s signature annual Non-Obvious Trend Report is considered a game-changer that has helped a million readers discover more than 100 trends affecting our culture. With this new book, Rohit and his team of Non-Obvious trend curators will reveal ten revolutionary megatrends that are transforming our lives. Readers can expect a myriad of topics to be addressed in this book, from inconspicuous developments to remarkable innovations in business, technology, society and every other facet of life. This revised tenth-anniversary edition of the Non-Obvious series will also offer an unprecedented look behind the scenes, at the author’s signature Haystack method for identifying trends. It will attempt to guide readers to curate and predict trends, and inspire them to grow businesses, revolutionize organizations, expand personal horizons and become non-obvious thinkers.

Commenting on the acquisition of this title, Nandan Jha, senior vice president, product and sales, PRHI, says, ‘Non-Obvious Megatrends is beyond a business or strategy book. It is an insight into the potential of prediction and its impact on transforming businesses and people. This is an exciting addition to our robust business and economic genre, and we are excited to sign Rohit Bhargava and bring his book to a wider audience. We hope readers will not only enjoy reading this book but also find it useful, actionable and impactful when it comes to their lives and organizations.’

In addition to being an award-winning author, Rohit Bhargava is an innovation and marketing expert, and the founder of the Non-Obvious Company. He spent fifteen years as a marketing strategist for Ogilvy and Leo Burnett, is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of six business books and also teaches marketing and innovation at Georgetown University. He is also the winner of seven international book awards, besides being selected as a finalist for the Berry-AMA Book Prize sponsored by the American Marketing Association.

‘Since releasing Non-Obvious Megatrends earlier this year, we have been blown away by the global interest in the topic and all the trends we presented. After the pandemic, the insights from our decade long research efforts to understand human behaviors and their impact on business has become even more relevant. I’m thrilled to be partnering with the team at Penguin Random House to bring this new edition of the book, along with a completely updated introduction, to the Indian market,’ says Rohit Bhargava.

We are going to publish Neena Gupta’s memoir Sach Kahun Toh in 2021

Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of award-winning actor Neena Gupta’s memoir, Sach Kahun Toh. This deeply intimate account of her extraordinary personal and professional journey will be published in the summer of 2021 under the Ebury Press imprint of Penguin Random House India.

This memoir will chronicle her childhood days in Delhi’s Karol Bagh, through her time at the National School of Drama, moving to Bombay in the 1980s and dealing with the struggles to find work. It will detail the big milestones in her life, her unconventional pregnancy and single parenthood, and successful second innings in Bollywood. A candid, self-deprecating portrait of the person behind the persona, it will talk about her life’s many choices, battling stereotypes, then and now, and how she may not be as unconventional as people think her to be.

Commenting on writing her first book, Neena Gupta says, ‘In the first half of 2020, when the country went into lockdown to battle the Covid-19 crisis, I found myself in Mukteshwar, a beautiful, scenic village in Uttarakhand. It was here  I realized I had nothing to do other than battle my own thoughts. I started to reflect and relive my life’s journey. Taking long, winding walks every day, appreciating the sounds of the birds and basking in the chill of the mountain air, I asked myself, “Why should I write a book? What do I have to say that could help and inspire someone?” And I realized two things, which made me immensely hopeful. My life has been festered with so many incidents that have made me and also broken me, and I needed to free myself by getting them out. Reflecting about my life, my journey and the things I’ve had to overcome will make me feel better and lighter. Secondly and more importantly, through the book I also want people to know that despite my flaws, my broken relationships and my circumstances in life, if I can get up, get going and look really good while doing so, so can you!’

Gurveen Chadha, senior commissioning editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Neena Gupta is a treasure and I’ve been a huge fan of her work, her wit and repartee over the years. On social media, she drops truth bombs with perfect poise—whether it be her views on motherhood, the norms of ‘unladylike’ behaviour, or an out-of-work actor seeking roles! The best memoirs are as unsparingly honest as this and I’m so happy that Penguin will be publishing it.’

Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Neena Gupta is someone I deeply admire for her indomitable spirit, originality and immense talent. She has, during the course of her life and career, faced innumerable challenges with fortitude, and has overcome them with elan. Neena is an inspiration to women across generations, and I am delighted that she has chosen Penguin Random House India to share her incredible life story.’

About the author

Neena Gupta is a two-time National Award-winning actor, film-maker, producer and television personality. She started her career in Delhi’s booming theatre scene in the 1980s but decided to switch to film and television after acting in the 1982 Academy award-winning Gandhi. She went on to star in several critically acclaimed television shows such as Khandaan and Mirza Ghalib. She also worked extensively in art-house and independent films such as Mandi, Trikal and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. Neena has directed, produced and acted in several television shows, including Saans, Siski and Son Pari. Her most recent works include award-winning performances in Badhai Ho, Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan, Panchayat and The Last Colour. She currently stars in Netflix’s Masaba Masaba with her daughter Masaba Gupta where they play versions of themselves in a playful, fictional peek into their lives in fashion and film.

Penguin to publish Sadhguru’s revelating new book about Karma

A new perspective on the overused and misunderstood concept of ‘karma’

New Delhi, 23 September 2020: Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of a book on karma, or action, by spiritual master and bestselling author Sadhguru, titled Karma: A Yogi’s Guide to Creating Your Own Destiny. In this book, the founder of the Isha Foundation—a non-profit, spiritual organization—is going to demystify karma and its many aspects. The book will be simultaneously launch in USA and India in early 2021 and in India, it will be published under Penguin’s literary imprint on mind, body and spirit, Penguin Ananda.

This book is a deep dive into understanding karma and its consequences, albeit in a new perspective, which will give people the opportunity and awareness to navigate the course of their own destiny. Sadhguru’s words of wisdom will be an education and an exploration for readers who wish to understand karma in its original potential for freedom and empowerment instead of as a source of entanglement. Growing beyond the concept of reward and punishment, this book will teach us to live consciously, intelligently and joyfully in a challenging world while fully inhabiting each moment.

Commenting on the theme of his upcoming book, Sadhguru says, ‘When I looked at the variety of misconceptions surrounding the word ‘karma’, I saw that it is one of the most misunderstood aspects of life. This needed clarification. People need to see that karma is not just bondage, it can also become a process of liberation. This book has been conceived as a manual of this process.’

Vaishali Mathur, Publisher, Indian Language Publishing, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘It is with great excitement and anticipation that I look forward to sharing Sadhguru’s next book on Karma — a subject which needs deeper level of understanding and accounts for much of the existential debate these days. And who better than Sadhguru to provide that insight’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Sadhguru has a unique ability of explaining the most complex concepts simply and lucidly, and that is what makes his reach global and his impact long lasting. Karma is one such concepts. This will be a perfect gift for all his readers, and I am delighted that he has chosen Penguin Random House India to publish his book.’

Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. Sadhguru’s talks are considered passionate, insightful, logical and unfailingly witty and have earned him the reputation of a speaker and opinion-maker of international renown. His astute and incisive grasp of world affairs, as well as his unerringly scientific approach to human well-being have had a transformative influence at establishments such as the World Bank, the House of Lords (UK), the World Presidents’ Organization, to name a few. With a celebratory engagement with life on all levels, Sadhguru’s areas of active involvement encompass fields as diverse as architecture and visual design, poetry and painting, ecology and horticulture, sports and music. He is the designer of several unique buildings and consecrated spaces at the Isha Yoga Center, which is known for its strikingly innovative eco-friendly aesthetics. Sadhguru is also the founder of Isha Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of the individual and the world for the past three decades.

 

Chef Vikas Khanna’s new book inspired by his ‘Feed India’ initiative will be out in 2021

We are proud to announce the acquisition of Michelin Star chef Vikas Khanna’s new book about grit, goals and building one of the world’s largest food drives, Feed India. Titled Kitchens of Gratitude, Vikas Khanna will write about his experiences in serving the greater good with the goodness of food during the COVID-19 lockdown. This book will be released in 2021 under the Ebury Press imprint.

Feed India, or barkat, as he calls it, was launched in March with a single tweet by the chef, and has grown to become one of the world’s largest food drives by an individual. In just 120 days, the initiative crossed 30 million meals in more than 135 cities across the country. Kitchens of Gratitude will capture the arduous journey he undertook, surpassing challenges of distance and time zones to bring food to people millions of miles away, helping those who were stranded and vulnerable during these trying times.

Commenting on the upcoming book, chef Vikas Khanna says, ‘Feed India is a symbol of solidarity. When we come together, there is no issue we can’t resolve. Providing more than 30 million meals from thousands of miles away is the proof. I am proud to share this journey in Kitchens of Gratitude.’

A deeply personal narrative, this book will be a testimony of one man’s determination, vision and connection to food and seva. In his own words, chef Vikas Khanna will recount his personal experiences in building Feed India, his efforts to supply rations and essentials, set up makeshift kitchens and ensure millions are fed daily. All this and more while living in the US, changing his sleep patterns to suit India time, working with a small team in India and making the campaign grow by leaps and bounds. This book will combine his food ethics with his experiences and talk about how and what he learnt about serving and making food, its impact on his life and its potential to affect the world at large.

Publisher, Indian Languages Publishing at Penguin Random House India, Vaishali Mathur, who has commissioned this book, says ‘Vikas has spoken several times of the deep impact of Indian traditional and values in terms of his relation to food. It will be the warmth of this attitude of seva that will come out wonderfully in this book.’

Gulzar writes about the people he worked with in a memoir

New Delhi, 17 September 2020: Penguin Random House India proudly announces the acquisition of a new book by renowned Indian poet, lyricist and film director Gulzar. In this book, the working title for which is Actually… I Met Them: A Memoir, the author will recount his encounters with the stalwarts of Indian cinema, art, literature and music. It will be published under the Hamish Hamilton imprint in 2021.

In this fascinating book, Gulzar Saab shares candid anecdotes from his association with some of the most eminent people he had known and worked with over a long period of time. From Satyajit Ray to R.D. Burman, Kishore Kumar, Bimal Roy, Ritwik Ghatak, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Mahasweta Devi and Samaresh Basu, among others.  In addition, there will be chapters on contemporary filmmakers, writers, poets, musicians, singers and actors. The book will open a window for readers to get to know some of the doyens of Indian art, culture and cinema through the lens of the gifted artist as he shares his special memories and experiences of working with them. Studded with rare photographs and scintillating humour, this book will be a compelling tale for a wide spectrum of readers.

The author of the book, Gulzar Saab, says, ‘Memories don’t dry up really. They keep floating somewhere between the conscious and the subconscious mind. It’s a great feeling to swim there sometime. Pick up a few bubbly moments and cherish them again.’

‘I was fortunate to be born in the era of some of the greatest masters, and was lucky that I actually met them. I got a chance to work with a few. There were Gurus, friends and colleagues among them.’

Commenting on the upcoming book, Premanka Goswami, executive editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘We grew up with Gulzar Saab’s works.  His lyrics, poems, short stories and movies are a part of our upbringing and legacy.  He is a wizard with words. Actually… I Met Them will be a valuable addition to India’s publishing landscape.  Just as the author, this book, too, shall be lively, freewheeling, almost lyrical and utterly engaging.  We are thrilled to have Gulzar Saab with us.’

‘Gulzar Saab is a legend. It has been our privilege at Penguin Random House India to have been his publishers over many years and we are delighted to continue our relationship with this remarkable new book. We are confident Actually… I Met Them will be a treat to his huge and devoted fan base and a wonderful introduction for new Gulzar readers,’ says Meru Gokhale, Publisher of Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India.

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