An Indian's Blog: India Was One, page 18
December 31, 2012
School Libraries
My book, India Was One, was submitted to be considered for inclusion in ALL the School Libraries across America (over 26,000). There were 15,000 books submitted, and after passing through all the rounds, India Was One has entered the final round.
November 27, 2012
November 14, 2012
October 27, 2012
Can love really conquer all?
Can love bring together diverse cultures that seem at times to mingle only out of necessity but at other times be forcefully territorial about their differences and claims of originality?
India is a diverse country and one of its mottos is ‘Unity in Diversity.’ This clichéd theme can bring together all Indians or drive them apart along linguistic, regional, cultural, geographic, religious, caste, sect, and countless other borders.
This complex theme coupled with the search for a single Indian identity is a theme I pick up from the book “India Was One” by the anonymous writer known only as “an Indian.”
The story narrates the theme through the two main characters Jai and Kahani who meet in college, fall in love, marry and like many other Indians in their socio-economic and educational bracket, end up moving off to America. Jai being from South India and Kahani being from North India represent the quintessential bringing together of the cultures of North India and South India.
For those who want to understand some of the background and mindset of the diversity of India; this book will fill in many gaps. Throughout most of the book, these gaps appear not to be filled in by the characters dialogue, thought process or external scene narration but by a third party akin to a tour guide. For someone new to the Indian context, this kind of narration can be helpful to understand some of the dichotomies, intricacies and everydayness of India.
Capturing the characters emotions and approaches to life felt more natural to me as a reader once Jai and Kahani began their journey from India to the US. Moving between cultures and countries always conjures up emotions and takes people out of their comfort zone. This was well highlighted in the characters once their global journeys began. Probably the most memorable character from my point of view would be Mr. Shah, Jai’s employee who helped them settle down their first few days in the US. Mr. Shah was akin to Jai and Kahani’s “cross-cultural coach” once they landed in the US; taking them around, orienting them to subtle details of American ways. This character was able to offer the accounts of lifestyle and culture through the word of mouth of a character; which made it more interesting and natural to the development of the story.
After some of the ‘dream life’ in the US; completing some Desi tourism and making an American friend, is when Jai and Kahani learn of India’s north south divide and rush back to India to be with their family. The climax and ending of the story will keep any reader hooked through the chaos, emotion and drama that ensues. All that begins so fast without any warning, also ends in pretty much the same fashion. The reader is left in a state of mixed emotions wondering if the conflict really has been resolved or not?
The author’s post script and reflections offer the readers a lot to think about in regards to India, Indian identity and the struggle to pass an Indian identity onto the generations into the future that over the generations will lose touch with India and it’s rich, diverse, complex and beautiful culture.
India is a diverse country and one of its mottos is ‘Unity in Diversity.’ This clichéd theme can bring together all Indians or drive them apart along linguistic, regional, cultural, geographic, religious, caste, sect, and countless other borders.
This complex theme coupled with the search for a single Indian identity is a theme I pick up from the book “India Was One” by the anonymous writer known only as “an Indian.”
The story narrates the theme through the two main characters Jai and Kahani who meet in college, fall in love, marry and like many other Indians in their socio-economic and educational bracket, end up moving off to America. Jai being from South India and Kahani being from North India represent the quintessential bringing together of the cultures of North India and South India.
For those who want to understand some of the background and mindset of the diversity of India; this book will fill in many gaps. Throughout most of the book, these gaps appear not to be filled in by the characters dialogue, thought process or external scene narration but by a third party akin to a tour guide. For someone new to the Indian context, this kind of narration can be helpful to understand some of the dichotomies, intricacies and everydayness of India.
Capturing the characters emotions and approaches to life felt more natural to me as a reader once Jai and Kahani began their journey from India to the US. Moving between cultures and countries always conjures up emotions and takes people out of their comfort zone. This was well highlighted in the characters once their global journeys began. Probably the most memorable character from my point of view would be Mr. Shah, Jai’s employee who helped them settle down their first few days in the US. Mr. Shah was akin to Jai and Kahani’s “cross-cultural coach” once they landed in the US; taking them around, orienting them to subtle details of American ways. This character was able to offer the accounts of lifestyle and culture through the word of mouth of a character; which made it more interesting and natural to the development of the story.
After some of the ‘dream life’ in the US; completing some Desi tourism and making an American friend, is when Jai and Kahani learn of India’s north south divide and rush back to India to be with their family. The climax and ending of the story will keep any reader hooked through the chaos, emotion and drama that ensues. All that begins so fast without any warning, also ends in pretty much the same fashion. The reader is left in a state of mixed emotions wondering if the conflict really has been resolved or not?
The author’s post script and reflections offer the readers a lot to think about in regards to India, Indian identity and the struggle to pass an Indian identity onto the generations into the future that over the generations will lose touch with India and it’s rich, diverse, complex and beautiful culture.
October 24, 2012
A Must-Read!!!
From the first page to the very last, I was glued to the book. The story takes a reader through an enthralling and captivating adventure that will appeal to anyone, even if they're not from India. As I read each page, I savored each word, and the description was absolutely fabulous. The moral can be understood by anyone, no matter what their age and teaches all of us about the world we live in, through a inspiring and well-told story. Though much of the book takes place in India, people from all over the world can relate to the story line. It tells us all to put away our differences and look at people based not on how they look, but by their actions. Additionally the delightful illustrations provide a detailed visual image of the plot in each chapter. I can guarantee that this book will change the way you perceive the world we live in.
June 28, 2012
An amazing masterpeice.. Must read for everyone
It's one of the amazing books I've read.. Written in simple, lucid language, everyone can connect to Jai & Kaahi (resp).. There were some funny incidences along with the realism in it. The best part was that while introducing the characters, the ethnic description was there, along with considering India as one entity. The use of 'local' language, read as Hindi; Marathi; Gujarati; Kannada; Bangla and many more clearly depicts the background of vast Indian culture.. One thing which I'd suggest to readers is that just even think of an incidence that the closest person to u is in (say) Pakistan or Bangladesh, and u r not able/allowed to communicate with that person.. That person can be ur spouse/parents/child.. watch-out ur reaction.. And consider the same incidence happening in India.. U'll certainly get goosebumps.. One would cetainly realise that even the thinking of dividing India raises a rage in ourselves..
An amazing masterpeice.. Must read for everyone
- Mitul Kathuria, New Delhi, India
An amazing masterpeice.. Must read for everyone
- Mitul Kathuria, New Delhi, India
June 11, 2012
June 2, 2012
The book is now available in the UK
Great news for folks in the UK. In addition to the Kindle version, my book is now available in the UK on Amazon as a paperback version, with free delivery:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/India-Was-One...
India Was One
http://www.amazon.co.uk/India-Was-One...
India Was One
April 20, 2012
Diversity unites India in ‘India Was One’
If 1947 was the year of independence for India, the new dawn came with a flipside too that created boundaries between people of a hitherto united country. India's partition into two geographical identities was an irretrievable consequence to its liberation from British rule. The horrors of partition are still alive in the memory of our older generations that narrate to us the stories of a turbulent historical past that continues to shape the socio-political present of an independent India.
Literature has chronicled the fateful years in chapters of fiction and non-fiction alike for us to know and realise the sheer absurdity of creating lines among people with a shared culture and identity. While Saadat Hasan Manto's Toba Tek Singh (1955) questioned the relevance of borders that mercilessly uprooted inhabitants from their lands of birth to an unfamiliar region 'marked' to be their own, Amitav Ghosh's The Shadow Lines (1988) represented the hostility and animosity weakening emotional ties between communities made to stand against each other at the wake of 1963-64 riots in Dhaka and Calcutta. Following a similar literary vein, an author of the contemporary time has penned a novel, 'India Was One' which imaginatively situates India at a time when diversity no longer binds people together but separates them in different identities.
Author's anonymity: The author's conscious decision to remain anonymous makes a political statement and intends to communicate the insignificance of a particular sect, religion, region or gender over a common identity, i.e. an Indian. Asked about the same, the writer responds, "It's more important to me that this book was written by an Indian. For readers who are non-Indians, sectarian differences are secondary. Although the book is based on India, people around the world identify with the message".
India Was One: The initial chapters of the book concentrate on the love story of two individuals coming from different religious background and culture, carefree days of college, watching nail-biting moments of cricket matches and sipping tea in the evenings over innumerable gossips and chats. Jai and Kaahi are at the centre of the novel through whose eyes we look into an India living in harmony and peace. Little ambitions, career choices, standing up for friends and battling questions on marriage govern the minds of youth in the book. Coming from various corners of a country that boasts of myriad colours in terms of culture, food, language and religion, this group of friends portrays a mini-India.
India divided: When Jai and Kaahi decide to convert their college romance into a lifetime of togetherness, India from being 'one' begins scattering into multiple fragments due to political disturbances explained by the writer in the book. Away for higher studies in the US, Jai and Kaahi are suddenly disconnected from their families in India at the advent of a situation of state intolerance. Their homeland, they are informed later, is divided into two countries: North and South India. Authorities tell Jai that he and his wife would not be allowed to board the same flight to India. The couple was stripped of their identity; a sudden reality imposed on them which they could not come to terms with. The country they once called their own was dissected into two with one half as their own, the other, foreign.
On coming back to an India wounded in barbed wires, hearing Jai Hind at every corner makes Jai's heart sink in grief and remorse. He did not imagine that his own name could inflict him so much pain.
India united: The book is, after all, not about partition but about recognising the indisputable truth of being one with your motherland, being one with India. The realisation comes soon at the outbreak of a terror attack that erases the North and South boundaries, dissolves the fences and re-unites the two provinces toward eliminating a common enemy.
In an age when India seems to be threatened by all kinds of social and political ills, land acquisition rights, administrative corruption, regional divide and religious inconsistencies, 'India Was One' knocks on that door, yearning to be re-opened, the one to universal brotherhood, peace and oneness.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatim...
Literature has chronicled the fateful years in chapters of fiction and non-fiction alike for us to know and realise the sheer absurdity of creating lines among people with a shared culture and identity. While Saadat Hasan Manto's Toba Tek Singh (1955) questioned the relevance of borders that mercilessly uprooted inhabitants from their lands of birth to an unfamiliar region 'marked' to be their own, Amitav Ghosh's The Shadow Lines (1988) represented the hostility and animosity weakening emotional ties between communities made to stand against each other at the wake of 1963-64 riots in Dhaka and Calcutta. Following a similar literary vein, an author of the contemporary time has penned a novel, 'India Was One' which imaginatively situates India at a time when diversity no longer binds people together but separates them in different identities.
Author's anonymity: The author's conscious decision to remain anonymous makes a political statement and intends to communicate the insignificance of a particular sect, religion, region or gender over a common identity, i.e. an Indian. Asked about the same, the writer responds, "It's more important to me that this book was written by an Indian. For readers who are non-Indians, sectarian differences are secondary. Although the book is based on India, people around the world identify with the message".
India Was One: The initial chapters of the book concentrate on the love story of two individuals coming from different religious background and culture, carefree days of college, watching nail-biting moments of cricket matches and sipping tea in the evenings over innumerable gossips and chats. Jai and Kaahi are at the centre of the novel through whose eyes we look into an India living in harmony and peace. Little ambitions, career choices, standing up for friends and battling questions on marriage govern the minds of youth in the book. Coming from various corners of a country that boasts of myriad colours in terms of culture, food, language and religion, this group of friends portrays a mini-India.
India divided: When Jai and Kaahi decide to convert their college romance into a lifetime of togetherness, India from being 'one' begins scattering into multiple fragments due to political disturbances explained by the writer in the book. Away for higher studies in the US, Jai and Kaahi are suddenly disconnected from their families in India at the advent of a situation of state intolerance. Their homeland, they are informed later, is divided into two countries: North and South India. Authorities tell Jai that he and his wife would not be allowed to board the same flight to India. The couple was stripped of their identity; a sudden reality imposed on them which they could not come to terms with. The country they once called their own was dissected into two with one half as their own, the other, foreign.
On coming back to an India wounded in barbed wires, hearing Jai Hind at every corner makes Jai's heart sink in grief and remorse. He did not imagine that his own name could inflict him so much pain.
India united: The book is, after all, not about partition but about recognising the indisputable truth of being one with your motherland, being one with India. The realisation comes soon at the outbreak of a terror attack that erases the North and South boundaries, dissolves the fences and re-unites the two provinces toward eliminating a common enemy.
In an age when India seems to be threatened by all kinds of social and political ills, land acquisition rights, administrative corruption, regional divide and religious inconsistencies, 'India Was One' knocks on that door, yearning to be re-opened, the one to universal brotherhood, peace and oneness.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatim...
April 16, 2012
Book Review: India Was One by an Anonymous Indian Author
The last line of the excerpt above introduces us to this work of fiction, ‘India Was One’- a story of Jai and Kaahi, whose love story struggles to get on to terms with the cultural jargon in India and of unfolding across distances of space and time.
One very striking feature of this book has to be the anonymity of the author. He calls himself ‘an Indian’. I like the anonymous author’s diction and his subtle observations of the rich Indian tradition and how he manages to weave them into the stories.
The story graphically portrays the intensity of love of the two protagonists from different social backgrounds. Though the premise is most realistic, it draws your heed to the cultural contrasts in the multifarious India.
I whipped through the first section, devouring the bite sized stories of love found at a toll- across India, the USA, and Europe. The joy, the heartache and the persistence of love in all its forms has been somewhat counterbalanced by the author- that’s what makes this book so enjoyable.
My favourite part from the book has to be the wedding and the differences between India and America: “In the western world, a bride wears a white gown when she gets married and in India, plain white is worn by a widow”.
The book can be known as the best reflection of the rich Indian tradition, and the pace and the pitch of the story make this book an extremely enjoyable read!
I am captivated!
About the Author: The author of "India Was One" was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and came to the United States in 1989. Entering the country in New York, he currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. By remaining anonymous, the author hopes that readers understand him only as an Indian and not by his name, community or caste.
http://www.youth24x7.com/art-a-entert...
One very striking feature of this book has to be the anonymity of the author. He calls himself ‘an Indian’. I like the anonymous author’s diction and his subtle observations of the rich Indian tradition and how he manages to weave them into the stories.
The story graphically portrays the intensity of love of the two protagonists from different social backgrounds. Though the premise is most realistic, it draws your heed to the cultural contrasts in the multifarious India.
I whipped through the first section, devouring the bite sized stories of love found at a toll- across India, the USA, and Europe. The joy, the heartache and the persistence of love in all its forms has been somewhat counterbalanced by the author- that’s what makes this book so enjoyable.
My favourite part from the book has to be the wedding and the differences between India and America: “In the western world, a bride wears a white gown when she gets married and in India, plain white is worn by a widow”.
The book can be known as the best reflection of the rich Indian tradition, and the pace and the pitch of the story make this book an extremely enjoyable read!
I am captivated!
About the Author: The author of "India Was One" was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and came to the United States in 1989. Entering the country in New York, he currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. By remaining anonymous, the author hopes that readers understand him only as an Indian and not by his name, community or caste.
http://www.youth24x7.com/art-a-entert...
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