Friday, April 29, 2022

Something I'm waiting to tell you


Something I’m Waiting To Tell You

 

An enthralling narration of loss, longing, and love, Something I’m Waiting To Tell You by Shravya Bhinder takes its readers through an exciting journey along with its protagonists, Adira, and Ronnie.

Beyond the initial sparks and butterflies, love provides comfort and serenity. After nearly losing her to a terrible accident, Ronnie realizes how much he loves Adira. Something I’m Waiting To Tell You captures Ronnie going through a roller-coaster ride as he fights for his second chance with her. Heartbroken and guilty for what he has done to Adira and faced with her overprotective mother who doesn’t like him being with her, he begins his journey to win her back, with patience in his mind and hope in his heart.

Page Count: 248

Cost: INR 250.00

Dr Ambedkar’s wife and social activist Savita Ambedkar

PENGUIN ACQUIRES THE FIRST ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SOCIAL ACTIVIST SAVITA AMBEDKAR AND WIFE OF DR B.R. AMBEDKAR

To commemorate the 131st birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution, on 14 April, Penguin Random House India has acquired the first English language translation of the autobiography of Dr Ambedkar’s wife and social activist Savita Ambedkar. Originally written in Marathi, the book has been translated by critically acclaimed and award-winning translator Nadeem Khan. Titled Babasaheb: My Life with Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the book will be released in late 2022 under the Vintage imprint. 

A tenacious fighter, an outstanding scholar and an iconic leader, Dr B.R. Ambedkar was all that and more. In the book, his wife Savita brings alive a different side of Ambedkar—a man who wrote romantic letters, dictated what she should wear, whipped up delicious mutton curry, played the violin, and even tried his hand at sculpting. This is a book that humanizes Ambedkar as no other book has done yet.

Born in a middle-class Sarasvat Brahmin family, Dr Sharada Kabir met and got to know Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar as a patient riddled with life-threatening diseases. She eventually married him on 15 April 1948 and got rechristened as Savita Ambedkar. From the day of their marriage to the death of Dr B. R. Ambedkar on 6 December 1956, she aided him in some of his greatest achievements—drafting the Constitution of India, framing the Hindu Code Bill, writing some of his most celebrated books, including The Buddha and His Dhamma, leading millions of Dalits into Buddhism. Following his death, she was hounded into obscurity by some of Dr Ambedkar’s followers who saw her as a threat to their political ambitions. She re-emerged into public life in 1970 and got back to working on the mission to which her husband had devoted his life—the welfare of the Dalit community. Savita Ambedkar was given a state funeral when she passed away on 29 May 2003. Her autobiography, Dr Ambedkaraanchya Sahavaasaat, was first published in Marathi in 1990.

Translator of Babasaheb, Nadeem Khan says, ‘Since it opens another important (and certainly the most personal) window into Dr B. R. Ambedkar's life, it is easily the most significant book I have translated.’

Commenting on the upcoming book, Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, Penguin Random House India, says ‘Dr Savita Ambedkar’s book on her husband and the father of our constitution Dr B.R. Ambedkar has been expertly translated by Nadeem Khan from Marathi to English. I am delighted to acquire this hidden gem that will give us a fresh and intimate insight into one of the most iconic Indians of the twentieth century through some of the most defining moments in Indian history.’

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

'The Warrior Pack' - war stories in comic published by Harper Collins India

A tribute to the men and women who don the uniform in service of the country and exemplify the message of service before self

The Ashok Chakra is India's highest peacetime military decoration. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), and is awarded for the ‘most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice’ other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration maybe awarded either to military or civilians.

These comic books depict what our warriors have to endure in order to provide victory, freedom, honour, and dignity to the country in their fight against the enemy, both foreign and domestic, in the most hostile conditions ranging from deserts to snow mountains and all the way into the jungles.

These war stories are a combination of Martyrs' Tribute, Military History, War, Geopolitics, and Art merged into real-life illustrated stories that will make any reader proud of their armed forces and inculcate a strong message of "country first and always". The Stories will emphasize the contemporary military history of our country.

The objective of these illustrated stories is to bring our war heroes into public consciousness.

Do read the opinions about this collection below:

I am very happy to know that Rishi Kumar's illustrated stories on the Ashok Chakra are getting the attention they deserve. It is about time that the citizens of India are made aware of the courage and gallantry of those who have given their all for the nation. The box pack containing 24 stories of winners of the Ashok Chakra is a brilliant idea.
-- Major General Ian Cardozo, AVSM, SM

If there is something conspicuous by its absence it is the availability of contemporary military history in the everyday discourse. There is a genuine shortage of literature not just for researchers but also for the common citizen. This is where the “The Warrior Pack” by AAN comics fills in with 24 tales of valour covering the Ashoka chakra recipients. The collection is not merely a comic book series but military history chronicled in a unique style that should be considered as part of the Indian military history and culture. It tells us about the tradition of valour courage and sacrifice that has been the hallmark of Indian soldiers since times immemorial.
--Colonel (Ret'd) Divakaran Padmakumar Pillay, Shaurya Chakra, PhD., Military Historian and Research fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence and Strategic Analysis

As a war veteran of the 1971 War and counter insurgency operations in the North East I know that the line between war and peace are getting blurred and gallantry whether fighting an internal or external foe is gallantry. Because peace time operations do not get the coverage that wartime operations get, quite often the courage displayed by our men goes un-noticed. AAN Comics must be commended for bringing out this series of illustrated books on the Ashoka Chakra winners which bring to the notice of our public the heroism displayed by our soldiers on almost a daily basis. Heroism is displayed not only by soldiers in fighting an enemy, it is also displayed by soldiers and civilians alike in other situations where they risk their own lives at stake to save that of their fellow citizens. The Ashoka series of medals are applicable to them also and as such are inspiration to all.
--Major Chandrakant Singh, VrC., Author and Veteran

In its 75 years since Independence, India has had to fight five wars and defend itself in innumerable acts of terrorism and conflict situations threatening its peace. Although courage and supreme sacrifice for India and its people has been unending, the stories of valour and glory of real heroes are not well known among citizens. A land with such a rich tradition of putting nation above all must continue to inspire and motivate its children and youth in an increasingly conflicted world. This exciting and interesting comic book series also chronicles history in a way that is easy to read, understand and to help imbibe the spirit of patriotism that makes heroes rise above mere mortals in any situation that has demanded valour and sacrifice. This fitting Tribute to the Men and Women in service of the country will make every citizen proud and inspire many more to follow in the footsteps of the hallowed heroes.
-- Meghna Girish, mother of a Braveheart and Founder-Trustee, Major Akshay Girish Memorial Trust


Rishi Kumar’s AAN Comics has graphically told the story of India’s greatest War Heroes. Well researched with real life vivid graphics, the courage and valour of the Indian Armed Forces and its men is recounted in the 24 graphic stories. This compendium is a must for schools, libraries, personal reading and worldwide distribution to showcase the valour of one of the finest armies in the world. From the 2 World Wars to defending India’s boundaries against Chinese and Pakistani aggression to the insurgencies within, Indian soldiers have proved that they are second to none.
--Ashali Varma, film maker, journalist and author of The Victoria Cross: A Love Story

 

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The $10 Trillion Dream

The $10 Trillion Dream

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Former Finance Secretary, Subhash Chandra Garg, launches his new book, titled, The $10 Trillion DreamPublished by Penguin Random House India, it provides a wide-angled and comprehensive view of the state of Indian economy and economic policy choices made and offers a bold template of policy reforms with pragmatic possibility of achieving the goal.

 

The $10 Trillion Dream analyses India’s macroeconomy in the light of its evolution since Independence and elaborates on the performance of the economy on macro parameters of growth, inflation, monetary management, credit management, foreign capital inflows, fiscal management, and other crucial fundamentals. Covering major sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, industry and services, the book also captures India’s progress towards becoming a digital economy. With an informative and in-depth approach, the book explores the critical policy issues that India faces today and suggests reforms for it to become a $10 Trillion economy by the mid-2030s.

 

Page Count: 712

Cost: INR 999.00

Shortlisted for International Booker Prize 2022



PENGUIN TITLE TOMB OF SAND BY GEETANJALI SHREE AND DAISY ROCKWELL

SHORTLISTED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE 2022 

 Critically acclaimed author Geetanjali Shree’s novel Tomb of Sand, translated from the Hindi by Daisy Rockwell, has been nominated for this year’s International Booker Prize. The news of the shortlist broke earlier today. This is the first time the translation of a Hindi language book has been nominated for the award. Tomb of Sand was first published in Hindi as Ret Samadhi in 2018 and Penguin India released its English translation in March 2022. This book has also been the winner of the English Pen Award. One of the finest works by Geetanjali Shree, Tomb of Sand has received a lot appreciation from readers, who have reviewed it as engaging, funny and utterly original. Based on a tragic premise, the story however has a playful tone and exuberant wordplay. At the same time, it is an urgent and timely protest against the destructive impact on borders and boundaries, whether between religions, countries, or gender. This book is available for purchase on all leading e-commerce websites and in bookstores near you. Author Geetanjali Shree says, ‘It is recognition of a very special kind. When a work appeals to unknown people sitting in faraway places, then it must have the ability to transcend its specific cultural context and touch the universal and the human. That is true ratification. The work must be good, the translation must be excellent! It is a great moment for Daisy and me. Shows how rich our dialogue has been. That is what translation is about.’ Renowned translator Daisy Rockwell says, ‘I am honoured and overjoyed that the International Booker Committee has chosen to include Tomb of Sand for the shortlist. The longlisting has brought the book many new readers around the world, in English and in Hindi as well. It has also created an awareness of Indian literatures written in languages other than English, and I sincerely hope that awareness will grow into a desire for more. The Subcontinent has so many talented translators and amazing translated works to offer to readers of world literature. Here's to many more International Booker nominations for South Asian literature!’ Rea Mukherjee, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House India says, ‘I am ecstatic that Tomb of Sand has made it to the shortlist! Geetanjali Shree is a master storyteller and probably one of the finest Indian writers currently writing in an Indian language, and Daisy Rockwell is simply incredible at what she does, with her attention to detail and nuance shining through, making this author–translator pairing perfect. This book is truly an insightful and one-of-a-kind Partition novel, and I am pleased and honoured that it found a home with us.’ The International Booker Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in translated literature, giving both the author and translator a platform to showcase their exemplary work in translations. The shortlist for the 2022 International Booker Prize includes six titles and their information can be found here. The jury is chaired by Frank Wynne, an Irish literary translator from French and Spanish. The judging panel consists of Merve Emre, Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford, Zimbabwean lawyer and writer Petina Gappah, translator and author Jeremy Tiang and Viv Groskop, writer, critic, broadcaster and stand-up comedian. The winners of the prize will be announced on 26 May 2022.

Monday, April 11, 2022

11 April : This Day That Year

Napoleon's abdication at Fontainebleau
On this day in 1814, during the Napoleonic wars, Napoleon was facing an invasion of France by forces bent on his overthrow and, pressed by his own officers, abdicated unconditionally at Fontainebleau.

Born on this Day
1953 -Andrew Wiles, British mathematician
1930 - Anton LaVey, American author
1893 - Dean Acheson, United States statesman
1869 - Kasturba Gandhi, Indian political activist
1862 - Charles Evans Hughes, United States jurist and statesman