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The book, written by a very experienced journalist, is an excellent addition to the literature on the history of post-Independence India, with a focus on certain crucial events. The book has several important features, which make it necessary reading for those interested in the period. Often, books written by journalists are an impression and narration of their experience, and do not have complete referencing. But this book is replete with necessary references and gives a very detailed account of crucial parts of modern Indian history.
Sudeep Thakur
Das Saal: Jinse Desh Ki Siyasat Badal Gai (Hindi)
Sarthak/Rajkamal Prakashan
In some ways, it is a reference document for students of post-Independence India. For example, it describes in a very interesting fashion how Sardar Patel went to Orissa accompanied by his secretary VP Menon and was able to get the instrument of accession signed by the princes there. It gives a fascinating account of privy purses and why the Constituent Assembly agreed to the device, though it was against the spirit of the rest of the constitutional provisions.
The book traces the story of coal right from the beginning to the controversy surrounding the allocation of coal blocks. It describes the issue very objectively, gives different views on it, and explains why it was criticised by civil servants and others. The book describes the family planning saga in the context of the Emergency and its impact on the programme. It finally deals with events leading to the imposition of Emergency, the role of Sanjay Gandhi during it and some of its implications at that time.
The book has several very positive features. Though it selects only a few events of our history, while providing background to it, it covers a very wide canvas. In the process, it describes developments which in a way give almost the full account of post-Independence India. The author’s style is very engaging and makes it very interesting for the reader. It, at times, almost recreates historic events before your eyes, as if one is seeing them through visual media. The book often raises questions addressed to the reader. Perhaps the author does not want to take sides, but only to show the implications of some decisions. For example, his description of conditions of labour in the coal mining belt touches the reader’s heart and makes him think of the coal economy and people engaged in it. He describes the events as they happened, and leaves it to the reader to make up his own mind based on facts.
A highly readable book, it is a valuable addition to perspectives of history of post-Independence India.
B.K. Chaturvedi is former cabinet secretary, Government of India.