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A strong state for day-time growth?
Reviewed by Nirmal Sandhu
THE choice of the title makes one think Gurcharan Das shares the belief that India grows at night when bureaucrats and politicians – whom he so viciously derides — are asleep. But he also makes “a liberal case for a strong state”, which means a greater role for these very gentlemen, who are accused of holding back reforms and perpetuating corruption. He says Gurgaon grew rapidly because the government focussed on Faridabad and neglected it. The growth, however, is chaotic in the absence of a strong state.
Passing through cruel theatre of life
Reviewed by Deepti
HOW much of change in life is too much? Can change of place, surroundings and job really impact the inner life? Does one change as one grows up or do we all follow some patterns in life because of some inner turmoil or own innate nature? Anjali Joseph's Another Country addresses such questions and leaves the interpretation open to the readers.
Dilemma of an expat
Reviewed by Aradhika Sharma
Return to India is the story of an expat family that decides to return to India. The tale describes how the 18-year-old, starry eyed Shobha made her way to America, set up a life and profession there, got married, had two daughters — Malini and Ranjini and lived there for 20 years. And then, one day, the family decided to return, lock, stock and barrel, home to their motherland.
World of volunteers
Reviewed by Jayanti Roy
Compassionate helping of fellow human beings without any selfish motive, is an instinct which is innate in man. In India, we have a long tradition of social work which can be traced back to the Rig Veda. The word seva is ingrained in our psyche and clearly projects inclinations to serve society selflessly.
Evolution of a star
Reviewed by Nonika Singh
let's get it out straight away. This is not really a biography. So there are no colourful details one would associate with the life of a film actor and a superstar. Hardly any skeletons stumble out and no nasty gossip overtakes the prime purpose of the endeavour.
Bend it like White
The Ghost: In Search of My Father the Football Legend
By Rob White and Julie Welch
Yellow Jersey Press
£8.99
John White was one of the great British footballers of his time: an elegant midfield playmaker at the heart of the successful Tottenham Hotspur double-winning team of the early 1960s. But in 1964, when he was just 27 years of age, he was struck dead by a bolt of lightning while sheltering under a tree on an Enfield golf course during a thunderstorm, leaving behind his wife and a six-month-old son, Rob.
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