Probashir Golpo Songroho

When suave writing is interwoven with simplicity, then we get a book like Probashir Golpo Shongroho. A collection of 21 stories from the author of the much-appreciated autobiography, Jana Awjanar Majhe, they peek into the author’s life, his thoughts, and his soul. The stories are layered beauties – how else would you explain a horror story speaking of ‘sorry is still so tough to say’ or the tale of how the author had gotten saved from many neardeath experiences talking subtly about ‘when the Lord protects us, we can defy death’. Each story is not more than three to four pages long, but the music that he plays with the words, moving from one note to another, surprising the reader with the unexpected, shows the deftness of the author’s writing skills. He might be a fan of the stalwarts of Bengali literature, but he, himself, is definitely one too.

India and The Changing World Order

India and the Changing World Order breaks free from conventional boundaries, delving fearlessly into the realms of emerging civilisational, religious, and historical matters. Its purpose lies in sparking essential conversations about broader matters, such as civilisational, cultural, and social diversity issues that have been overlooked in the shaping of the post-World War II and post-Cold War global order. As the existing global order confronts unprecedented challenges, this book serves as a catalyst, fuelling a discourse that captures the essence of a rapidly evolving world.

 

Through a comparative study, the book offers fresh insights into the contrasting approaches of short-termist liberal democracies and long-termist autocratic China, shedding light on the distinctive qualities of a liberal and civilisational democracy as exemplified by India. Within its illuminating pages, the reader will uncover the critical challenges that Indian democracy faces while navigating the complexities of its relationship with both autocratic China and the liberal West. Additionally, the book examines the fundamental differences between market economics and market societies. It artfully unravels contemporary geopolitical, geo-economic, and geo-strategic issues, offering intricate analyses of India’s strategic connections with select nations and its ever-growing ties with the USA. Moreover, it dares to propose innovative solutions like astronomy-based education as a means to foster conflict resolution.

 

With an invitation that resonates deeply, India and the Changing World Order calls upon the reader to partake in a discourse that re-evaluates the past, contextualizes the present, and ultimately shapes the trajectory of our shared future.

Modian Consensus

Modian Consensus: The Making of New India maps the Indian political trajectory of the last 150 years. It locates various periods of consensus that developed in Bharat from time to time and drove the policy, planning and politics of the day. Four of these consensus phases of the past have been identified as Civilisational Consensus, Gandhian Consensus, Nehruvian Consensus and Secular Consensus. The fifth and ongoing phase, the book argues, is Modian Consensus. The book examines how the politics of the day finds itself willy-nilly amidst a consensus around the politics of Narendra Modi. In the current phase, parties and politicians diametrically opposed to Modi’s ideas are compelled to follow the line of policies and programmes set by him. The impact of this consensus can be observed far beyond the domain of politics as it stands on the three postulates of cultural rootedness, assertive nationalism and welfare for all. The book explores various manifestations of Modian Consensus, including the challenges it faces and what it augurs for the future of Indian politics.

HINDUS IN HINDU RASHTRA (Marathi Edition)

To those who claim we are now living in a totalitarian, fascist, Hindu Rashtra, one must ask: What kind of a Hindu Rashtra is this where a billion-strong Hindus have been, through our parliament, through our courts, our education system, and our constitution, reduced to not just second-class but, rather, eighth-class citizens? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Durga pooja processions, and even Garba celebrations, are attacked and stoned with impunity? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where a sitting Prime minister says minorities have the first right to resources? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where Hindus are forced to be refugees in their own land, where one can settle 40,000 Rohingya Muslims but not 700,000 Kashmiri Hindus, the land’s original inhabitants; where the judiciary says it is too late to prosecute those who raped, murdered, and ethnically cleansed lacs of Hindus? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where Hindu temples are exclusively controlled by the State, where Hindus must beg for Waqf land to celebrate their festival while the government usurps hundreds of thousands of acres of temple land and is responsible for more than 100,000 temples losing lacs of crores in rental income? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where Right to Education Act discriminates only against Hindus and their schools, forcing tens of thousands of them to shut down? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where monsters like Aurangzeb and Tipu who perpetrated large-scale Hindu genocides are eulogised through State sponsored publications, naming of roads and cities, and organising of festivals? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where a law was about to be enacted through with only the Hindus would have been held guilty in a communal riot even if they were in a minority for example in Kashmir? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where court judgments like the Sabarimala and legislative enactments like the Hindu Code Bill purport to reform only Hindu religious practices but dare not touch practices of other religions, and if they do, the decisions are promptly reversed like in the Shah Bano case? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where The Places of Worship Act continues to deny the Hindus their legitimate right to correct historical injustices and reclaim thousands of demolished temples? What kind of Hindu Rashtra is this where the Waqf Act gives overarching powers to Muslims to declare a 1500-year-old Hindu temple to be on Islamic land when Islam is only 1300 years old? If this is how a Hindu is rewarded in a Hindu Rashtra, he’d much rather be in a Muslim Rashtra because then at least there’d be no pretence of equality – a Kafir will get what he deserves. In this searing commentary penned with clinical precision, the author shreds to smithereens once and for all the guilt-tripping, self-loathing fake narrative that Hindus have been duped with since Independence. There is no pretence, no political correctness, only unvarnished truth – that the Hindus are living under State-sanctioned Apartheid.

Arc of Governance

Governance is a 360-degree process; this book is an arc. “New India” dawned on 26 May 2014 when the Union government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi was sworn in by the president of the Republic of India. Its governance agenda was unveiled by the president in Parliament on 9 June 2014 with this stentorian statement: “My government is dedicated to the poor…. With a firm belief that the first claim on development belongs to the poor, my government pledges itself to the principle of sabke saath, sabka vikas…. My government will function on the mantra of ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, and we will work together to re-establish the credibility of the institutions of democracy.”

 

The government got a second mandate in 2019. This book, which is a compilation of the author’s articles and papers, will take the reader through different dimensions of governance, government, institutions, democracy and development critically, analysing the flavour of New India in them.

Gods Dancing Among Men

Theyyam, an ancient tradition of North Malabar, is a captivating blend of folk art, religious ritual, and profound spirituality. Gods Dancing Among Men: The Mystical World of Theyyams of North Malabar delves deep into the rich history of theyyam, exploring its roots and relevance in contemporary belief and worship. This book sheds light on both the luminous and shadowy facets of this tradition as well as the enigmatic grey areas that define it.

 

Every aspect of the theyyam cult, from the vibrant and intricate costumes to the wild and transcendent dances, is fascinating. The practitioners of theyyam display astonishing abilities, including clairvoyance, prophecy, and the power to fulfil wishes. The pantheon of theyyam includes Shaivite and Vaishnavite manifestations alongside a diverse array of Bhagvathy theyyams. Popular deities such as Muthappan, Muchilot Bhagavathi, Thee Chamundi, Gulikan, Kuttichathan, and Pottan Deiyvam hold a special place in the hearts of the people. Additionally, the theyyam tradition incorporates animals into its repertoire with performances featuring monkeys, tigers, buffaloes, crocodiles, bees, and snakes. One of the most astonishing aspects of theyyam is the fearless interaction with fire. Performers nonchalantly walk on embers and even hurl themselves onto immense mounds of fire, known as meleri, repeatedly. Despite the influence of Aryanization, the sanitizing impact of British colonial rule, the teachings of social reformers, the remarkable literacy rates, and the prevalent communist ideology in the region, the sanctity of the theyyam tradition remains unblemished. Theyyams are living gods, cherished and revered by the people of North Malabar, and their blessings hold immense significance.

हिन्दू राष्ट्र: हिन्दुओं की रामकहानी

जो यह दावा करते हैं कि हम एक अधिनायकवादी हिंदू राष्ट्र में रह रहे हैं उनसे यह पूछा जाना चाहिए कि यह किस प्रकार का हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहां एक अरब शक्तिशाली हिंदू यहाँ की संसद, अदालतों, शिक्षा व्यवस्था और हमारे संविधान द्वारा न सिर्फ दोयम दर्जे के नागरिक करार दिए गए हैं बल्कि उससे भी नीचे धकेल दिए गए? यह कैसा हिंदू राष्ट्र है जिसमें दुर्गा पूजा और गरबा के आयोजनों पर बेरोकटोक पत्थरबाजी की जाती है और प्रधानमंत्री की कुर्सी पर बैठा एक शख्स कहता है कि इस देश के संसाधनों पर पहला हक अल्पसंख्यकों का है? यह कैसा हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहाँ हिंदुओं को अपनी ही धरती पर शरणार्थियों की तरह रहना पड़ता है और जहाँ कोई 40 हजार रोहिंग्या मुसलमानों को तो बसा सकता है लेकिन इसी देश के धरतीपुत्र 7 लाख कश्मीरी पंडितों को नहीं और जहाँ अदालतों का कहना हैं कि हिंदुओं की हत्या, बलात्कार और जातीय संहार करने वालों पर मुकदमा चलाने के लिए अब बहुत देर हो चुकी है? यह किस तरह का हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहाँ हिंदुओं के मंदिर सरकारों के कब्जे में हैं और अपने त्यौहार मनाने के लिए हिंदुओं को वक्फ बोर्ड के सामने जमीन के लिए हाथ फैलाने पड़ते हैं? यह किस तरह का हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहाँ शिक्षा का अधिकार अधिनियम में केवल हिंदुओं के स्कूलों के साथ भेदभाव किया जाता है और उन्हें ताला लगाने को मजबूर कर दिया जाता है? यह किस तरह का हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहां औरंगज़ेब और टीपू जैसे बर्बर शासकों को लेकर सरकारी खर्चे पर प्रकाशन किए जाते हैं, सड़कों के नाम रखे जाते हैं और त्योहारों का आयोजन होता है? यह किस तरह का हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहाँ एक ऐसा कानून बिल्कुल बन ही जाने ही वाला था जिसमें केवल हिंदुओं को, जबकि वे अल्पसंख्यक थे, सांप्रदायिक दंगों के लिए दोषी ठहराया जाता जैसा कि कश्मीर में देखा गया? यह किस तरह का हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहाँ सबरीमाला प्रकरण में अदालतों के फैसले और विधायी कानून केवल हिंदुओं के धर्माचारों में सुधार के लिए किए जाएँ लेकिन दूसरे धर्म को छुआ तक न जाए और अगर ऐसा कोई करे भी, तो वहाँ शाहबानो के मामले की तरह फैसले को पलट दिया जाए? यह किस तरह का हिंदू राष्ट्र है जहाँ हिंदू पूजा स्थल अधिनियम आज भी हिंदुओं को उनके प्रति हुए ऐतिहासिक अन्यायों को दुरुस्त करने के उनके विधिसम्मत अधिकार पर रोक लगता है जबकि वक्फ एक्ट मुसलमानों को एक 1500 वर्ष पुराने हिंदू मंदिर को इस्लामी संपदा घोषित करने की अनियंत्रित शक्ति दे देता है, गो कि इस्लाम अपने आप में महज 1300 वर्ष पुराना है? अगर एक हिंदू राष्ट्र में हिंदू को इस तरह नवाजा जा रहा हो तो इससे अच्छा है कि वह एक मुस्लिम राष्ट्र में रहे क्योंकि वहाँ कम से कम बराबरी का ढोंग तो नहीं होगा, एक काफिर को वही मिलेगा जो उसे मिलना चाहिए। अपनी इस कड़वे बयान में आनंद रंगनाथन आजादी के बाद से हिंदुओं के साथ धोखेबाज़ी करने वाली ग्लानि भरी झूठी कहानी और आत्मदोषानुभूति पर एक निर्णायक प्रहार करते हुए उसे चकनाचूर कर देते हैं। यहाँ कोई स्वांग या राजनीतिक शुचिता नहीं है, अगर है तो केवल राज्य प्रायोजित नस्ल भेद की वह ठोस सच्चाई जिसके साथ हिंदू जी रहे हैं।

मोदी का बनारस

मोदी का बनारस -यह सिर्फ़ पुस्तक नहीं यात्रा है। गंगा यहाँ की जीवनरेखा है। गंगा, बाबा विश्वनाथ के बिना इस नगरी की कल्पना अधूरी है। नरेन्द्र मोदी का बनारस से चुनाव लड़ना राजनीति की असाधारण घटना है। बनारस का सामर्थ्य, कर्तव्य को पूरी दुनिया ने देखा है। अगर सोच लिया जाए, ठान लिया जाए, तो कुछ भी असंभव नहीं है। नरेन्द्र मोदी ने बनारस में अपने तप से चुनाव तो जीता ही, साथ ही बनारस में अपने ख़िलाफ़ की जाने वाले दूसरी पार्टी नेताओं की साज़िशो को भी विफल कर दिया। देखते ही देखते मोदी ने अपने जीत का परचम बिहार, झारखंड, बंगाल तक फहरा दिया। मोदी की जीत एवं बनारस को लेकर लिए गए फ़ैसलों की कहानी है यह पुस्तक, जिसे हमेशा याद रखा जाएगा। यह पुस्तक आपको यह भी बताएगी कि बनारस से जीत की पटकथा कैसे लिखी गई, उसकी रूपरेखा किसने तैयार की थी। अमित शाह ने वर्ष 2010 में बनारस में क्या संकल्प लिया था। जिसे पूरा करने के लिए उन्होंने ना दिन देखा ना रात। यूपी और बनारस का चुनाव जीतने के लिए अमित शाह ने राजनाथ सिंह से ऐसा क्या वचन लिया था, जिसे लेकर सबके बीच में उन्होंने कह दिया कि मैं होता तो यह वचन कभी नहीं देता। नरेंद्र मोदी ने कोविड काल के समय को ही बाबा विश्वनाथ मंदिर के कायाकल्प के लिए क्यों चुना। क्या आप को पता है कि बाबा विश्वनाथ मंदिर के लिए जमीन एकत्र करने के क्रम में जमीनों की सभी रजिस्ट्री एक विशेष समय में की गई थी। आखिर क्यों? क्या आप यह जानते हैं कि बनारस के विश्वनाथ मंदिर में कितना सोना लगा है? एक आश्रम का तिलिस्म जिसकी जमीन को खाली करवाने में एक साल लग गया। आखिर कैसे खाली हुई वह जमीन। कैसे पीएम मोदी ने आर्किटेक्ट के पहले बने नक्शे को खारिज कर दिया था। क्योटो में ऐसा क्या है जो उसे बनारस से जोड़ देता है। मोदी ने जापान के शहर क्योटो को ही क्यों चुना? बनारस का ऐसा घाट जहां पर आप हेलीकॉप्टर से पहुंच सकते हैं। फ़्रांस के राष्ट्रपति ने बनारस में ऐसा क्या पूछ लिया, जिसकी पूरी दुनिया में चर्चा होने लगी। इन सब सवालों और जिज्ञासाओं का उत्तर आप को इस पुस्तक मोदी के बनारस में ही मिलेगा।

The Vaccine War

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Dr Bhargava, the director general of Indian Council of Medical Research, assembles a crack team of India’s most brilliant minds, including Dr Nivedita Gupta, Dr Priya Abraham and Dr Pragya Yadav. Together they mount a mission to save humanity from the unseen enemy. The challenges they face are daunting. They must navigate the treacherous waters of international diplomacy and deal with excessive bureaucratic control. Often enough, they find themselves battling against time and misinformation fuelled by fake news. Along the way, they are forced into moral dilemmas to make life-ordeath decisions that affect the nation and its people. As they work tirelessly to develop and distribute a vaccine against the deadly coronavirus that threatened to ravage India, they face opposition from foreign interests and intense scrutiny from the media. The Vaccine War is an inspiring tale of scientific ingenuity, perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit. It celebrates the heroes who fought relentlessly behind the scenes to protect their nation and offers a poignant reminder that unity and science can overcome even the most formidable challenges.

Veda Made Simple

Veda Made Simple is an important book. In a strikingly clear, lucid and straightforward manner, the author reveals the rich and complex philosophy and symbolism of the Veda for anyone who is open in mind and heart to receive the wisdom of humanity’s oldest spiritual scripture. That the author does this in the light of Sri Aurobindo—inarguably among the very few who realized and lived the deepest and highest Vedic truths in their beings—makes it even more significant. This book comes at the right time too, as Indians globally begin to reawaken to their timeless Vedic and Sanatan heritage.

Purvyam

Purvyam is a fantasy fiction novel based in the pre – Ramayan era. It is the story of Vadhrika, who is on a quest to wipe out humanity from the face of the earth. He is driven by the belief (layered over multiple lifetimes) that the end of the earth (Pralay) is hastened due to human greed and lust. Ultimately, all of nature’s creations pay the price for this, as is evident in the world today. Hence, his simple solution for this is that humans must be wiped off the face of earth. The rulers of earth come together to try and thwart Vadhrika’s ambitions. Along the way, they have their own fears, hopes, greed and ambitions to deal with.

Building Beyond Infra

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transcended the realm of science fiction and become a ubiquitous presence in the mainstream. It has emerged as the new powerhouse for businesses. In his bestselling book, esteemed futurist, strategic business advisor, and author, Akhilesh Srivastava explores how to effectively harness and integrate technology within the construction industry. This book provides invaluable insights into leveraging technology for the growth of infrastructure businesses. By examining real-world trends in Artificial Intelligence, the author demonstrates its potential to drive organizational success. It guides readers on integrating existing advancements while also preparing for upcoming developments, equipping companies with the transformative power of Al applications that fuel success in both present and future endeavors.

Adhyatmikta

Adhyatmikta:Explorations into Hindu Spiritual Practices looks at the fundamental questions and issues faced by a dharmic spiritual practitioner in today’s age. It guides one to navigate the spiritual path with a judicious mix of practical experience and guidance from the traditions and texts. The book also contains detailed articles on devatas in Hinduism.

Invaders and Infidels

When Qutub-ud-din Aibak died in a polo game 1210, he had left behind a rickety, fledgling Muslim kingdom in Delhi. For the next eighty-odd years, its fortunes swayed wildly, witnessing a record twelve kings. It was a period of incessant palace coups and serial political murders. The death of Balban extinguishes the so-called Muslim Slave dynasty and with it ends the shortlived Turkic Muslim imperialism. It also heralds the ascent of the Afghanistan-based Khaljis, classed as “low-born.” A straight line connects the origin of the Khaljis with the military airport built by the US in Zabul in 2006. By this time, Hindu political power in northern India is in total disarray with no unifying leader who has the vision to combat and expel the alien oppressor lodged in Delhi. No Hindu ruler exploits the repeated openings and vulnerabilities provided by internecine Sultanate warfare. Book 2 of Invaders and Infidels traces the unlikely rise of Jalal-ud-din Khalji as an illsuited monarch and ends with the maiden Islamic raid of Devagiri, the gateway to southern India. The incident will have far-reaching consequences for the history of India for the next six hundred years. It is a heady tale of a period rife with bloody intrigues, aggressive campaigns of Islamic expansionism, heroic wars of Hindu resistance and squandered chances for civilizational reclamation. The narrative in this book is marked by a flair of vivid historical storytelling, juxtaposing the oscillating fortunes of both Islamic conquests and the ensuing Hindu responses. It unearths a slew of eye-opening and forgotten details about the socio-political and economic life of the era whose impact is visible even today. Written in a fast-paced and engaging style, Book 2 of Invaders and Infidels is a riveting read of a critical juncture in the history of early Muslim rule of India.

Completing Vyasa’s Mahabharata

Embedded within the primary narrative of the Mahabharata lie numerous sub-tales known as upakhyaanas or upakathas. These lesser known stories play a vital role in completing the grand tapestry of the Mahabharata, thus giving this book its apt title. Unlike verse translations found in unabridged versions, the 67 upakathas presented here serve a different purpose. While they may appear as diversions, these narratives serve as vital threads, connecting the text and offering answers to lingering questions that readers may have. For instance, why did Ambaa, the princess of Kaashi, become the catalyst for Bheeshma’s demise in a later life? The Ambaa upakhyaana holds the answers. Similarly, the stories of Sage Parashuraama reveal why a brahmana like him possessed warrior-like qualities. Two upakhyaanas shed light on this enigma. Additionally, the Yayaati upakhyaana elucidates the reasons behind the Kurus descending from Puru, Yayaati’s youngest son, rather than the eldest. Moreover, the intriguing dialogue between Duryodhana and Shalya, where Duryodhana persuades Shalya to become Karna’s charioteer, is also explored in these Upakathas.

This Is Sanatan Dharma

We speak often of the Hindu religion, of the Sanatan Dharma, but few of us really know what that religion is…This is the Dharma that for the salvation of humanity was cherished in the seclusion of this peninsula from of old. It is to give this religion that India is rising. She does not rise as other countries do, for self or when she is strong, to trample on the weak. She is rising to shed the eternal light entrusted to her over the world. India has always existed for humanity and not for herself and it is for humanity and not for herself that she must be great. 

 

These are the words of Maharishi Sri Aurobindo. But what is this Sanatan Dharma? Is it just the religion and rituals that Hindus follow or is it really the secret of life and consciousness that is embedded in the very fabric of our cosmic existence? This book reveals, layer by layer, the subtler spiritual dimensions of Sanatan Dharma, and its timeless relevance to human existence and civilization.

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