|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nehru’s persona has been attracting a lot of interest among intellectuals within as well as outside India. His socio-economic vision, idealism, sensitivity, statesmanlike qualities and that intangible trait called charisma have left an enduring impact on the national as well as international canvas. Various individuals, who came in contact with him, could not help retaining a lasting impression of his variegated personality. All this one realises while reading the tributes by Dr S. Radhakrishnan, Earl Attlee, Martin Luther King Jr., Pearl S. Buck, Raja Rao, Bertrand Russell, U. Thant and other eminent personages from India and abroad. This collection, first published in 1965, remains relevant even today.
LET alone individuals,
rivalries impel even nations to pinprick each other. This becomes clear
when furlough is described as ‘French Leave’ in the UK but as ‘English
Leave’ in France; and the ‘French Leather’ (condom) becomes ‘English
Hood’. But there are other differences too, chiffon – the much in
demand fabric in India and elsewhere – is merely a rag in French.
Chatrath has listed many such examples. This collection also gives us a
glimpse of French cuisine and culture, as also disputes involving its
colonies in India that defined Anglo-French relations. Sun Signs Astrology can never go out of fashion. People are always curious to know what the future has in store for them. Then there are others who like to compare personality traits of various zodiac signs. How accurate these predictions are is a matter of debate. But, surely, books on astrology help publishers rake in the moolah. Khurrana is a well- known astrologer and this book by him is bound to attract buyers of all shapes and sizes. And, both he and his publishers can go laughing to their respective banks.
|
The Legacy of Nehru
The French Collection
However, this
collection also deals with such non-French topics as academics,
letter-writing, etc. Most of these were published as middles in leading
publications like The Tribune, Deccan Herald, Hindustan
Times and others. Enjoyable stuff.