In My Hands Today…

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Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia – Sam Dalrymple

A history of modern South Asia told through five partitions that reshaped it.

As recently as 1928, a vast swathe of Asia – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Yemen, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait – were bound together under a single imperial banner, an entity known officially as the ‘Indian Empire’, or more simply as the Raj.

It was the British Empire’s crown jewel, a vast dominion stretching from the Red Sea to the jungles of Southeast Asia, home to a quarter of the world’s population and encompassing the largest Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Zoroastrian communities on the planet. Its people used the Indian rupee, were issued passports stamped ‘Indian Empire’, and were guarded by armies garrisoned in forts from the Bab el-Mandeb to the Himalayas

And then, in the space of just fifty years, the Indian Empire shattered. Five partitions tore it apart, carving out new nations, redrawing maps, and leaving behind a legacy of war, exile and division.

Shattered Lands, for the first time, presents the whole story of how the Indian Empire was unmade. How a single, sprawling dominion became twelve modern nations. How maps were redrawn in boardrooms and on battlefields, by politicians in London and revolutionaries in Delhi, by kings in remote palaces and soldiers in trenches.

Its legacies include civil war in Burma and ongoing insurgencies in Kashmir, Baluchistan and Northeast India, and the Rohingya genocide. It is a history of ambition and betrayal, of forgotten wars and unlikely alliances, of borders carved with ink and fire. And, above all, it is the story of how the map of modern Asia was made.

Sam Dalrymple’s stunning history is based on deep archival research, previously untranslated private memoirs, and interviews in English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Konyak, Arabic and Burmese. From portraits of the key political players to accounts of those swept up in these wars and mass migrations, Shattered Lands is vivid, compelling, thought-provoking history at its best.

Sacred Stones, Spaces, and Stories: Jyotirlingas Part 10 – Vaidyanath Temple

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Located in the tranquil town of Deoghar in Jharkhand, the Vaidyanath Temple, also known as Baba Baidyanath Dham, stands as one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, signifying the Lord of Physicians, who heals all ailments through divine grace. This sacred shrine is a powerful symbol of faith, healing, and redemption, revered by devout Hindus across India and beyond. Situated amidst the serene landscapes of eastern India, Vaidyanath Temple has long been a beacon of spiritual power, pilgrimage, and cultural heritage, drawing millions who seek divine blessings for health and salvation.

The mythology of Vaidyanath Temple is rich with cosmic drama, devotion, and divine intervention. A central legend tells of Ravana, the mighty demon king of Lanka and ardent devotee of Shiva, who sought to bring Shiva’s presence to his kingdom. After intense penance on Mount Kailash, Shiva granted Ravana the Atmalinga, a powerful self-manifested lingam, granting immense spiritual energy. Shiva warned Ravana that the lingam must not touch the ground until it reached Lanka, lest it remain fixed forever.

As Ravana travelled with the Atmalinga, the gods feared his growing power and enlisted Lord Vishnu’s help, who disguised himself as a shepherd boy named Baiju. Vishnu tricked Ravana into giving him the lingam, which he promptly set down at Deoghar, where it became firmly rooted. When Ravana tried to reclaim it, the lingam broke, and in frustration, he pressed his thumb upon it, leaving a mark visible to this day on the lingam’s surface. After Ravana’s penance and efforts, Shiva appeared at this site to heal his injuries, earning the title “Vaidyanath or the Lord of Physicians. This emphasises Shiva’s role not only as a destroyer but as a benevolent healer who cures ailments; both physical and spiritual.

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Vaidyanath is also celebrated as a shaktipeetha, where the heart of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen after Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra dismembered her body to pacify Shiva’s grief and cosmic fury. The nearby Jai Durga Temple enshrines this divine feminine power, reinforcing the temple complex’s sacredness and its emblematic union of Shiva and Shakti.

Vaidyanath Temple’s history is woven into the spiritual and cultural fabric of eastern India. Historical records trace the temple’s origins back to the Gupta period in the 8th century AD, highlighted by inscriptions during the rule of Emperor Adityasena Gupta which affirm the sanctity and royal patronage of the shrine. The temple complex, comprising the main temple and 21 surrounding shrines, reflects medieval Indian architectural sensibilities with evident Mughal and Hindu stylistic influences. Raja Bijay Sen, a ruler from the Lohara dynasty, is credited with constructing the current prominent temple structure in the 16th century, combining devotional purpose with grand aesthetics.

Subsequent rulers, including the Palas, Senas, Mauryas, and others, contributed to its upkeep and embellishment. The British colonial era saw the temple maintain its religious importance despite political upheavals, under the care of local trust bodies.

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The Vaidyanath Temple is renowned for its architectural grace, blending spiritual symbolism with artistic finesse. The temple stands approximately 72 feet tall with a large shikhara or spire that invokes the symbolic lotus, a motif reflecting purity and spiritual awakening. The main temple houses the lingam in a sanctum sanctorum approachable by devotees through spacious courtyards enclosed by high white stone walls. The complex includes an array of 21 smaller shrines dedicated to various deities, enhancing its spiritual ecosystem. Intricate carvings and frescoes adorn the inner and outer walls, displaying scenes from Shiva’s legends, abstract floral motifs, and geometric designs inspired by medieval Mughal and Hindu architectural styles. The temple’s golden vessels atop the shikhara, donated by various patrons, glisten under sunlight, symbolising prosperity and devotion. Devotees often notice the distinctive thumbprint on the lingam, marking Ravana’s historical bond with the temple.

The temple’s spiritual rhythm is a blend of age-old rituals and dynamic pilgrim activity. The ritual bathing of the lingam with milk, water from holy rivers, ghee, honey, and sandalwood paste is performed multiple times daily, accompanied by chants and hymns. Sacred lamps, conches, and devotional songs fill the temple atmosphere morning and evening. Devotees present fruits, flowers, bilva leaves, and coconuts, seeking health, prosperity, and spiritual welfare. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in a grand way at the temple with night-long vigils, chants, processions, and masses, drawing vast crowds regionally and nationally. The Shravan month heralds fervent fasting and increased devotion to mark this auspicious lunar month. The temple observes Kartik Purnima and other major Hindu festivals with fervour. Local priests and families maintain a continuous tradition of active worship and pilgrim support, blending spiritual guidance with social welfare.

Pilgrimage to Vaidyanath is an immersive encounter with faith and nature. Deoghar town is well connected by road and rail, with nearest airports at Ranchi and Patna. Pilgrims often combine their visit with eastern India’s wider spiritual routes, including other Jyotirlingas and neighbouring shaktipeeths. Dharmashalas, hostels, and restaurants warmly welcome pilgrims, offering simple vegetarian foods and spiritual camaraderie. The temple’s atmosphere is enriched by surrounding greenery, gardens, and quiet spaces for meditation. Many pilgrims narrate personal stories of healing, familial blessings, and purification, attributing these blessings to the temple’s special healing power and divine energy.

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Vaidyanath’s influence permeates eastern Indian religious culture, arts, and communal life. Traced in Puranic texts and local folklore, the temple inspires bhakti poetry, devotional songs, and annual storytelling performances. Folk dramas and music performances during festivals narrate the story of Ravana’s penance and Shiva’s grace. Temple motifs influence local arts and crafts, including stone carving, textile weaving, and devotional iconography. The shrine serves as a cultural and spiritual anchor for Deoghar and the surrounding regions, uniting diverse communities through shared rituals and festivals.

Today, Vaidyanath Temple is a living centre of faith, tourism, and heritage preservation. The temple is administered by local trusts, ensuring the smooth conduct of worship, pilgrim services, and conservation efforts. Safety, sanitation, and infrastructure have been significantly upgraded to accommodate growing pilgrim numbers. Millions of pilgrims visit annually, especially during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan, bolstering the local economy and cultural visibility. Eco-tourism and heritage preservation efforts balance the influx with environmental concerns. Ongoing restoration works maintain the temple’s structural integrity and the vibrancy of its art and iconography.

Vaidyanath Temple in Deoghar stands as a luminous symbol of Shiva’s healing and compassionate power. The temple’s deep mythological roots, rich historical tapestry, and intricate architecture embody a sacred trust passed down through the ages. For countless pilgrims and devotees, Vaidyanath offers hope, health, and salvation, securing its place at the core of India’s spiritual geography. It remains a vital beacon within the Jyotirlinga circuit and a testament to the enduring bond between faith and healing.

In My Hands Today…

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India, Bharat and Pakistan: The Constitutional Journey of a Sandwiched Civilisation – J. Sai Deepak

India, Bharat and Pakistan, the second book of the Bharat Trilogy, takes the discussion forward from its bestselling predecessor, India, That Is Bharat. It explores the combined influence of European and Middle Eastern colonialities on Bharat as the successor state to the Indic civilisation, and on the origins of the Indian Constitution. To this end, the book traces the thought continuum of Middle Eastern coloniality, from the rise of Islamic Revivalism in the 1740s following the decline of the Mughal Empire, which presaged the idea of Pakistan, until the end of the Khilafat Movement in 1925, which cemented the road to Pakistan. The book also describes the collaboration of convenience that was forged between the proponents of Middle Eastern coloniality and the British colonial establishment to the detriment of the Indic civilisation.

One of the objectives of this book is to help the reader draw parallels between the challenges faced by the Indic civilisation in the tumultuous period from 1740 to 1925, and the present-day. Its larger goal remains the same as that of the first, which is to enthuse Bharatiyas to undertake a critical decolonial study of Bharat’s history, especially in the context of the Constitution, so that the religiosity towards the document is moderated by a sense of proportion, perspective and purpose.

Poem: When the City Sleeps

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The city is never truly silent. Even at its quietest hour, when shop shutters are drawn and the last bus sighs its way down an empty avenue, a low hum lingers in the air. It is the breath of something vast that never really stops breathing.

Streetlamps cast their pale halos on the pavement, watching over stray dogs curled into shadows. Windows above glow faintly, holding fragments of private worlds: a child tossing in sleep, a student bent over notes, and a woman waiting for a message that will not come tonight. The rest of the city, weary from the weight of the day, folds itself into slumber.

Walking these hushed streets feels like moving through a cathedral made not of stone but of asphalt and sky. The stars, muted by daylight and drowned by noise, finally find the courage to whisper again.

And in that quiet, it becomes clear: the city never sleeps completely. It merely rests, one eye half-closed, listening with the other, keeping vigil for all who dream, all who hope, and all who wander beneath its watchful gaze.

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When the City Sleeps

When the city finally exhales,
its neon veins dim to a steady hum,
and the streets, once hurried and loud,
lie bare like a body unclothed of worry.

Shutters sigh as they close,
a last bus crawls through empty avenues,
and the night gathers
all the scattered voices into its folds.

Above, windows still glow—
islands of stories unfinished,
a child restless in dreams,
a mother waiting for news that won’t come tonight.

The stray dog curls into its shadow,
lamps lean into silence,
and even the wind slows its pace,
tiptoeing past sleeping doorways.

I walk through this hushed cathedral of asphalt,
where the stars dare to speak again,
and I realise—
the city does not truly sleep.

It only rests one eye,
listening with the other,
holding its people in the quiet,
until dawn stirs it awake once more.

In My Hands Today…

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Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly – Hannah Selinger

What happens when a career you love doesn’t love you back?

As Hannah Selinger will tell you, to be a good restaurant employee is to be invisible. At the height of her career as a server and then sommelier at some of New York’s most famed dining institutions, Selinger was the hand that folded your napkin while you were in the bathroom, the employee silently slipping into the night through a side door after serving meals worth more than her rent.

During her tenure, Selinger rubbed shoulders with David Chang, Bobby Flay, Johnny Iuzzini, and countless other food celebrities of the early 2000’s. Her position allowed her access to a life she never expected; the lavish parties, the tasting courses, the wildly expensive wines – the rare world we see romanticized in countless movies and television shows. But the thing about being invisible is that people forget you’re there, and most act differently when they think no one is looking.

In Cellar Rat, Selinger chronicles her rise and fall in the restaurant business, beginning with the gritty hometown pub where she fell in love with the industry and ending with her final post serving celebrities at the Hampton’s classic Nick & Tony’s. In between, readers will join Selinger on her emotional journey as she learns the joys of fine fine dining, the allure and danger of power, and what it takes to walk away from a career you love when it no longer serves you.