Book Review [157] : Amritsar - Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle

Amritsar - Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle by Mark Tully and Satish Jacob is a brilliant book on Operation Blue Star. 

Mark Tully was known to almost every news loving Indian specially in 1980s and 1990s. Operation Blue Star left a deep scar on India's soul and created a lot of bad blood between brothers - Sikhs and Hindus. How Mrs Gandhi appeased Bhinderwale and how he became a threat to her in less than a decade.  

The Golden Temple or Hari Mandir was built in the middle of Sarovar by fifth Guru Arjun Dev in 1589. Foundation stone was laid by Mian Mir from Lahore. His successor Guru Hargobind built the other shrine within Temple Complex - The Akal Takht. Ahmad Shah Abdali blew up the Golden Temple and filled the holy pool with the carcass of slaughtered cattle. Akal Takht was also razed to ground. The Temple was rebuilt later and it reached its zenith during Maharaja Ranjit Singh era. After Independence the identity politics nurtured the ground for the communal politics of Bhinderwale. The reign of terror was unleashed in Punjab and many hundred people were killed in that madness. Finally Indian Army stormed the Temple Complex on 5th June 1984 killing the extremists hiding in the Temple Complex. The Akal Takht and Golden Temple suffered damage. Indian Army suffered about 300 casualties. By 7th June the Temple Complex was sanitized. The Sikh soldiers mutinied but they were checked. The madness did not stop at this Operation. Madness caused the killing of Mrs. Gandhi. Finally Rajiv Gandhi was able to reconcile the Sikhs and the festering problem was put to an end. Its a must read book. It talks in detail about the root cause of Punjab Problem, How Mrs Gandhi failed to tackle it and in the end caused Operation Blue Star and lost her life. 

Highly Recommended (9/10).

Book Review [94] : The Accidental Prime Minister

Welcome back  and a very happy new year; i am sorry for keeping you waiting. These months have been tough on me and caused tremendous tension and troubles including a terrible personal loss but as they say life must go on so here i am with you guys. 

I started reading this book by Sanjaya Baru - 'The Accidental Prime Minister' a little after finishing my 23 days long Bharat Darshan (travelogue will follow soon). This book comes straight from the horses's mouth and puts a focussed light on the functioning  of the PMO and the politics of the high echelons of the government during 2004-2008. Sanjaya Baru was the media adviser of former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2008. Its bit surprising if not altogether shocking to know that the major appointments at a very high level are done based on political inclination of the person concerned not on his ability or talent and these appointments include the most important office of NSA (National Security Adviser) itself.
Its a commentary as well as observation on the politics so it will not be appropriate for me (being a civil servant) to comment on this but i feel this is a must read book. We are proud of our democracy but our leaders as well as we as citizens fail to give respect to our opponents. In US, the President can make his bitter rival the Secretary of State while in India its not possible even in wildest of the dreams.

Highly Recommended (8/10)