Book Review [87] : Liberation and Beyond

It is said that 'The Revolution always devours its first children', it was true in the case of French Revolution and it was equally true in the Liberation of Bangladesh and its aftermath. France lost all its heroes of Revolution in the bloody years of guillotine and Robespierre, and so was Bangladesh in the bloody months of post monsoon season of 1975.

'Liberation and Beyond' is a brilliantly written book by J. N. Dixit (1936-2005), an eminent Indian diplomat who had first hand information on Bangladesh affairs during those critical years of 1970s. J. N. Dixit was posted in Dacca as Deputy High Commissioner of India and before that posting he played a key role in liberation movement as well. Later he became Foreign Secretary and National Security Adviser of India.

This book provides details about the circumstances that led to the liberation war of Bangladesh, the role played by India in the movement, the help given by Soviet Union to India, the hurdles and pressure exerted by USA and China and the genocide perpetrated by likes of General Yahya Khan, General Niazi Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Bangladesh paid a very heavy price for its independence, millions of people died because of the atrocities of Pakistani army and Al Badars, millions of women were raped, intellectuals were systematically wiped out amidst the deep silence of UN and the proponents of Human Rights and Democracy. At one time USA sent its 7th fleet led by Aircraft Carried Enterprise on 13th Dec (3 days before the end of the war) to Bay of Bengal but USSR came to India's rescue and the threat was warded off. Bangladesh won its independence on 16th Dec 1971 and it appeared that day that it would only have glorious future and certainly it was until March 1974, the mishandling of the economy and politics by Mujibur Rahman led to deep discontent and the rise of Pro-Pakistani elements that eventually led to the extermination of the entire leadership of Awami League in later half of 1975 precipitating the degeneration of Bangladesh. Things have been improving since 1990s but the ride has been zig-zag so far.

Its a must read book for any Indian and the student of diplomacy can not afford to ignore it.

Highly Recommended (9/10)

Book Review [86] : The Makers Of Modern India

Ramachandra Guha is a writer who knows how to write books that can sell. 'The Makers Of Modern India' is a very good book though this book is not "written" by him in a strictly technical sense. This book is perhaps better than "India After Gandhi". 

In 'The Makers Of Modern India', Guha talks about 19 great Indians who played a key role in nation building. Although he has missed some great names like Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad etc yet the truncated list is a worthy list. He writes a brief biography of these 19 Indians and then produces excerpts from their major speeches and works. These 19 Indians are (not in any order) - Raja Rammohan Roy, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, C. Rajagopalachari, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lokmanya Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Verrier Elwin, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Hamid Dalwai, Tarabai Shinde, M. S. Golwalkar, Jotirao Phule, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, E. V. Ramaswami, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore. 

I have not read before in detail about Jayaprakash Narayan, Rajaji, Verrier Elwin and Hamid Dalwai, so their writings and thoughts have been a revelation to me. These three Indians were much ahead of their times, JP was uncompromising democrat, advocate of decentralization and defender of human rights, Rajaji was perhaps the first advocate of free economy and electoral reforms, Verrier Elwin was defender of tribals against the encroachment of "modern civilization" and Hamid Dalwai was perhaps the first uncompromising secular leader after 1947. Well i knew JP and Rajaji before but this book introduced Kamaladevi, Tarabai, Hamid Dalwai and Verrier Elwin to me and for this i thank Guhaji.This book is a must read for everyone and i regret why i have not read this book before.

Highly Recommended (9/10)