BOOKS OF THE WEEK

Politics, Policy and Predictions: Views from the Front Row of Parliament 

by Derek O'Brien 

ABOUT THE BOOK

In his compelling new book, firebrand parliamentarian Derek O'Brien tackles some of the
most pressing questions confronting our democracy under the ruling dispensation.

How have the inner workings and processes of Parliament changed?

In what ways have dissent and discussion within Parliament been 'muzzled'?

How have lofty political promises converted to law?

O'Brien bravely follows in the footsteps of the argumentative Indian to interrogate the false media narratives and power politics rampant in the country. His astute observations, backed by thorough research and statistics, present not only a history of one of the most sacred institutions in India, but also trace a fact-for-fact erosion of that status in the last decade.

Powerful and incisive, the essays in this book will inspire each of us engaged in the ceaseless and often disenchanting battle against misinformation and false political guarantees to keep striving for a better tomorrow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Derek O'Brien is a twice-serving member of the Rajya Sabha from Bengal, representing the Trinamool Congress. He is national secretary and chief national spokesperson of his political party, as well as leader of the Trinamool Congress' parliamentary party in the Upper House. O'Brien has spoken at, among others, Harvard, Yale and Columbia Universities in the US, and several IIMs, IITs and other premier educational institutions in India.

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BOOKS OF THE WEEK

Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History by Vikram Sampath 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Fifteen Brave Men and Women of Bharat who Never Succumbed to the Challenges of Invaders But were Lost and Forgotten in the Annals of History. These are the stories of those Bravehearts who Fought to Protect their Rights, Faith and Freedom.

History has always been the handmaiden of the victor. 'Until the lions have their own storytellers,' said Chinua Achebe, 'the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter!' Exploring the lives, times and works of the fifteen long-forgotten and mostly neglected unsung heroes and heroines of our past, this book brings to light the contribution of the warriors who not only donned armour and burst forth into the battlefield but also kept the flame of hope alive under adverse circumstances.

Narrating the tales of valour and success that India, as a nation and civilization, has borne witness to in its long and tumultuous past, the book opens a window to the stories of select men and women who valiantly fought against invaders for their rights, faith and freedom.

Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Jai Singh of Manipur, Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir, Chand Bibi of Ahmednagar, Lachit Barphukan of Assam, Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh, Rani Abbakka Chowta of Ullal, Martanda Varma of Travancore, Rani Rudrama Devi of Warangal, Rani Naiki Devi of Gujarat and Banda Singh Bahadur are some of the 'bravehearts' who fought to uphold the tradition and culture of their land.

Pacy and unputdownable, Bravehearts of Bharat chronicles the stories of courage, determination and victory, which largely remained untold and therefore unknown for a long time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

VIKRAM SAMPATH, a Bangalore-based historian, is the author of ten acclaimed books, including: Splendours of Royal Mysore: The Untold Story of the Wodeyars. His two-volume biography, Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past and Savarkar: A Contested Legacy, and his latest books, Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History and Waiting for Shiva: Unearthing the Truth of Kashi’s Gyan Vapi, have all gone on to become national bestsellers. In 2021, Vikram was elected a fellow of the prestigious Royal Historical Society. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi’s first Yuva Puraskar in English literature and the ARSC International Award for excellence in historical research in New York for his book My Name Is Gauhar Jaan: The Life and Times of a Musician. Vikram was among four writers and artists selected as writers-in-residence at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2015.
He has a doctorate in history and music from the University of Queensland, Australia, and was a senior research fellow at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. He was also a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, an Eisenhower Global Fellow and a visiting fellow at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. Currently, he is an adjunct senior fellow at Monash University, Australia. Vikram is the founder of the Archive of Indian Music (AIM) and the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR).

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Our mail order service ships books in India and Overseas

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Highway To Swades

Brewing Knowledge Friday

Author Bhairavi Jani discusses her book “Highway to Swades” and her 18,000 km journey across India.

Key Takeaways

• The Journey: Jani’s 18,181 km, 51-day drive across India was a quest for a firsthand understanding of the country, inspired by the ancient Indian principle of pratyaksha (witnessing).

• The 12 Superpowers: The book identifies 12 core strengths of India, with “Power of Assimilation” highlighted as uniquely Indian—the ability to adopt external influences while retaining its own identity.

• The Raft Analogy: India’s Republic is a raft on the eternal river of its civilisation. Citizens must pick up the oars and actively participate in its progress, as the country is run by its people, not just politicians.

• The “Chappan Bhog” Philosophy: Jani advocates for a life of diverse experiences—a “chappan bhog” (56-dish feast)—by challenging comfort zones and saying “yes” to life, avoiding the mental walls that create stress.

Topics

The Journey: “Highway to Swades”

• Inspiration: A lifelong practice of pratyaksha (witnessing) for learning, seeded by childhood travel with her parents and school.

• Catalyst: A question about policymakers’ understanding of India’s people and their choices.

• Scope: 18,181 km over 51 days, from Nagaland to Kutch and Kashmir to the Deccan.

• Method: An organic, anticlockwise parikrama (circumambulation) averaging 360-370 km/day, with 15-20 interviews daily.

• Key Discoveries:

  • Undakoti, Tripura: A hidden 6th-century rock-cut sculpture site, a major historical gem that was largely unknown.

  • Nalanda, Bihar: A watchman’s reverence for the ruins as a “temple of knowledge” revealed a deep cultural value for learning.

  • Safety: The journey proved that India is safe to travel in, with people across the country offering help and hospitality.

The 12 Superpowers of India

• Core Insight: A common thread of strengths binds India’s diverse people.

• Key Superpowers:

  • Enterprise: Entrepreneurship is a pervasive trait, seen from tribal women in Eastern Ghats markets to tech CEOs.

  • Nature: A reverential partnership with nature, contrasting with the anthropocentric view common elsewhere.

  • Knowledge: A deep cultural reverence for learning, not just education.

  • Creativity: An inherent aesthetic drive, from truck art to rangolis.

  • Assimilation: The unique ability to adopt external influences while retaining identity (e.g., Gobi Manchurian).

  • Inclusion: A natural acceptance of diversity, reflected in holidays for all major faiths.

• Internal Contradictions: Jani also questioned why a country that values beauty struggles with cleanliness and why, despite vast arable land, malnutrition persists.

Philosophy & Outlook

• India at 100: An India where 1.4 billion people are individually empowered (Swaraj) to realise their full potential, creating a gift to the world.

• The Raft Analogy: India’s Republic is a raft on the eternal river of its civilisation. Citizens are the sailors who must pick up the oars and actively participate in the progress.

• The “Chappan Bhog” Philosophy: Life should be a “Chappan Bhog” (56-dish feast) of diverse experiences. This is achieved by challenging comfort zones and saying “yes” to life, which eliminates the stress of “juggling.”

• Love Defined: Love is about receiving with an open heart and no expectations. This openness allows for a floodgate of love and warmth, leading to gratitude.

FATHOM AI-generated content, read with care.