India`s parliamentary democracy on trial

Madhav Godbole (b. 1936), MA in Development Economics (Williams College, Mass., USA) and MA and PhD in Economics (University of Bombay) joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1959. His earlier assignments included secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas; and secretary, Urban Development in Government of India; and principal finance secretary and chairman, Maharashtra State Electricity Board in the Government of Maharashtra. He has also served a five year stint (1980-85) in the Asian Development Bank, Philippines.

India is the world’s most vibrant and stable democracy. This is largely because of Nehru’s vision and firm commitment to parliamentary democracy and his carefully nurturing of it in the formative years. But there is a widespread disenchantment in the country today about parliamentary democracy. Nehru had described the parliament as the highest temple of democracy and the grand inquest of the nation. However, over the years it has been marginalized, devalued and made dysfunctional beyond recognition. The downhill journey began during the Indira Gandhi regime and has continued since then. India’s Parliamentary Democracy on Trial analyses these disturbing developments. It takes a close look at the experiences of Western democracies on issues relevant to India. The book provides comprehensive analysis of critical issues and concerns, and suggests well-considered and sound reforms with a view to improving the functioning and time management of parliament and its public image, credibility and relevance. The author argues that this will not be possible unless a stake is created for all political parties in orderly functioning of Parliament. This perceptive, analytical and penetrating book is a must read for parliamentarians, politicians, academics, researchers, media persons, opinion-makers, bureaucrats and civil society

ISBN: 9788129118042
Author: Godbole Madhav
Published by: Rupa & Co
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ASHOKA THE GREAT

Wytze Keuning (Author) was a Schoolteacher and Headmaster of a primary school in the Netherlands since 1897, when, in1937, he decided to dedicate his further career to writing the historical biography of Ashoka.The three-volume biography was published between 1941 and 1948. He died in 1957.Elisabeth Steur (Translator) worked as a Child Psychologist between 1962 and 1995 and was fascinated by Keuning’s book and her experiences in the surroundings of one of India’s great spiritual masters in the late eighties. She took upon herself the task to make these forgotten books available to the Indian reader by taking care of the translation after her retirement.

Ashoka The Great chronicles the life of Emperor Ashoka. It is fictional biography and more accurately can be called historical fiction. The original Dutch version was a trilogy, published separately in three volumes. The trilogy was written between1937-1947 by a Dutch scholar Wytze Keuning in Groningen in the Netherlands. These three volumes – Ashoka: The Wild Prince, Book I, Ashoka: The Wise Ruler, Book II and Ashoka: The World’s Great Teacher, Book III – are now brought together and presented in this single volume Ashoka The Great. The book is an exhilarating, spiritually edifying and deeply Moving story of one of India’s greatest emperors. It recreates the life and times of the Mauryas with an authenticity that is remarkable. The book presents a plausible vision of the past balanced by captivating story. It is said that a great book if it is to endure cannot do without profound ideas. Keuning perfectly fuses facts and thoughts, Mauryan customs and mores, life and reflection on the meaning of life as seen through the vision of Ashoka’sgurus and the history of personal influences upon Ashoka that marked his rule and legacy. This and more makes it a rare and distinguished book.

ISBN: 9788129117328
Author: Wytze Keuning
Published by: Rupa & Co
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History of Indian and Eastern Architecture:A Set of Two Volumes

JEMES FERGUSSON was born in 1808 in Scotland and educated in Edinburgh. He emigrated to Kolkata where he worked as a partner in a merchant house. He became a highly successful indigo planter, which enabled him to retire after 10 years in India, settle in London, and get trained as an architect. During his travels across India he became interested in its architecture. Between 1834 and 1843 he made published The Rock-Cut Temples of India (1845). A prolific writer, Fergusson’s other books include The Handbook of Architecture (1855),History of Modern Architecture (1862),Palaces of Nineveh and Persepolis Restored(1851), Trees and Serpent Worship (1868).and The Temples of The Jews in Jerusalem (1878). He also presented papers at the British Institute of Architects on the architecture of southern

The architecture of India is rooted in its history, culture and the numerous religions worshipped by the people. The information on architecture was, however, available only in the silpa-shastras, which concerned themselves largely with theoretical and religious matters, and not the forms of existing buildings. A systematic study of Indian architecture and its principles only began in the 19th century through the painstaking works of British scholars and engineers using for the first time, the newly-invented photography and the use of site plans. James Fergusson’s two-volume History of Indian Architecture and History of Eastern Architecture in India, China and Japan, which first appeared in 1876, was the result of such efforts, and was the first-ever major publication of its kind. Fergusson examined and classified ancient Indian architecture into Buddhist, Himalayan, Dravidian and Chalukyan styles, noting that differences in architectural styles could be attributed to differences in religion. A pioneering classic, Fergusson’s History sheds light not only on the forms of ancient Indian architecture, but also the mental landscape of the British scholars who studied it. Though subsequent scholars such as EB Havell and Ananda K Coomaraswamy have criticised Fergusson’s conclusions, the value of his detailed presentation has always been acknowledged. The text is that of the 1910 edition, revised and expanded by James Burgess and R. Phene Spiers.

ISBN: 9788129117359
Author: JEMES FERGUSSON
Published by: Rupa & Co
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Memsahib's chronicles

Dr Suchita Malik teaches English language and literature in the Government College for Men, Chandigarh. Having graduated from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, and then completing her post graduation from Delhi University, she also got a diploma in Journalism from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan. A keen academic, Suchita did her doctorate thesis in the genre of 'Faction' and earned her PhD from Punjab University. She has been writing Middles, feature articles and travelogues, which have been published in various newspapers. Indian Memsahib is her first novel.

Memsahib’s Chronicles… a story of Grit and Gulmour, attempts to present the amazing world of these civil servants as it is- full of grit, glamour, tension, temptations and privileges. Sunaina, despite being an integral part of the system, looks at this world with dispassionate eyes and provides a peep into this zealously protected world. She takes the reader along her journey with the ease of a garden walk.

ISBN: 9788129117496
Author: Suchita Malik
Published by: Rupa & Co
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Presentation excellence 25

Carlton C. Casler brings to this project nearly three decades as a public speaker, presenter, and trainer. In addition to being an attorney specializing in real estate and contract low, he is a professional member of the prestigious National Speakers Association.

Professional speaker or novice, trainer or teacher, Presentation Excellence, by Carlton C. Casler, is the last word on preparing, delivering, and succeeding. This book will provide all you need to know about: * Determining the optimum presentation format. * Choosing the best software / technology aids. * Interacting with the audience. * Facing the challenge of the Q&A. * Learning the secrets used by high-visibility speakers. * And so much more…!

ISBN: 9788129117373
Author: Carlton C. Casler
Published by: Rupa & Co
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Fish in paneer soupa

DEEP GHATAK is a communications professional with extensive experience in Corporate Communications, PR and Journalism. Interested in literature and performing arts, he has been writing since he was a student. He works for an MNC and is a guest lecture at the Haaga Helia University, Helsinki.

A romantic idealist, Somashish Mukherjee a.k.a. Som learns the first lesson of his life when he is spurned in love. Crestfallen, he leaves Kolkata and heads to Delhi in search of better luck. The Capital has many surprise in store for Som. He finds a job in a public relations firm and makes friends, only to lose everything in a sinister conspiracy. Like a fish pulled out of water and flung straight into hot soup, Som struggles for survival. He tries to get back what is rightfully his, including the love of his life. Will he succeed in this game of one-upmanship?

ISBN: 9788129117465
Author: DEEP GHATAK
Published by: Rupa & Co
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The all bengali crime detectivesa

Suparna Chatterjee was born and brought up in Kolkata. She has traveled extensively, having lived in three continents, before finally moving back to India. The All Bengali Crime Detectives is her first published work. She also writes short stories, poems and adventure stories for children and young adults. Her first musical play Anand and Benaifer has been staged in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Her other passions include traveling, art, music and meditation. She is a volunteer with the Art of Living Foundation. She currently lives in Bengaluru with her husband and daughter.

In a middle-class Calcutta neighborhood, the lives of four recently retired men take an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a crime. Will the unlikely ‘detectives’ be able to catch the criminal? Or will they unravel something even more sinister? The Protagonists grab this exciting opportunity to rise above their mundane existence. They defy the ordinary, stretch their boundaries, and in the process discover something precious. Meanwhile, a lot is going on in the Paara (neighborhood)-a rather difficult match-making process for a ‘wheatish complexioned’ daughter, rivalry between two neighboring clubs over Durga Pujo, squabbles between the ‘ outdated’ seniors and the younger members of the local club, attempts at an impossible romance by a road-side Rome…

ISBN: 9788129117823
Author: Suparna Chatterjee
Published by: Rupa & Co
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