Tag Archives: India

In My Hands Today…

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The Silent Coup: A History of India’s Deep State – Josy Joseph

‘They were not expected to behave like the terrorists they were hunting. Even in the thickest fog of war, the law-abider and the law-breaker must be distinguished.’

India is justly proud of a parliamentary democracy that has never been threatened by a military coup. This is no mean feat in a neighbourhood where coups are common and notions of constitutionality are shaky. However, for decades now, India’s democratic standing has been steadily declining. An international analysis recently rated the country as only ‘partly free’, while another deemed it an ‘electoral autocracy’.

Josy Joseph investigates this decline and comes away with a key insight: that the process of confronting militancy has warped the system. As insurgencies erupted across India and grew increasingly sophisticated in the 1980s and ’90s, the security establishment struggled to keep up. Increasingly overwhelmed, the police forces, intelligence agencies, federal investigation agencies, tax departments, and the like came up with ingenious—at times sinister—solutions, from faking and framing evidence to staging massive terror attacks and even creating terrorist organisations. Over time, militancy became a flourishing, multi-faceted business enterprise.

From the Kashmiri militancy to the Sri Lankan civil war, from the attack on Mumbai to the long-term unrest in the Northeast, India’s ‘war on terror’ has made its security institutions more nationalistic and chauvinistic and, inevitably, more corrupt. Most dangerously, there is a near-complete capture of the security apparatus, whether investigative agencies, police, or intelligence, by the political executive—serving as stormtroopers with no accountability rather than as defenders of the Constitution.

The result of more than two decades of reporting on insurgencies, terrorism, and the security establishment, The Silent Coup is a wake-up call to the nation. You do not need a military coup to subvert democracy, Joseph says—in India, it has already been subverted.

In My Hands Today…

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Nawabs, Nudes, Noodles: India through 50 Years of Advertising — Ambi Parameswaran

This is as much the story of Indian advertising as it is about India. Ad veteran Ambi Parameswaran looks at how advertising has evolved, reflecting the country’s culture, politics, and economy in the last fifty years.

From sartorial taste and food habits to marriage and old age, music and language to celebrities and censorship, Ambi examines over a hundred ads to study how the Indian consumer has changed in the past five decades and how advertising and society have shaped each other.

Combining anecdotes and analyses to give us a slice of modern history, Ambi evaluates the relationship between affluence, aspiration, and desire in India. Exploring trends and impacts, he covers the ads that captured the imagination of the entire country. From ‘Only Vimal’ and ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ to ‘Jo biwi se kare pyaar’ and the controversial Tuffs Shoes campaign, the book is a memorable journey through brands, consumers, and the world of advertising.

In My Hands Today…

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Lady Doctors: The Untold Stories of India’s First Women in Medicine – Kavitha Rao

At a time when medicine is a highly sought-after career for Indian women, it is hard to imagine what it was like for the pioneers. The story of how firmly they were bound in fetters of family, caste, and society and how fiercely they fought to escape needs to be told. In Lady Doctors, Kavitha Rao unearths the extraordinary stories of six women from the 1860s to the 1930s who defied the idea that they were unfit for medicine by virtue of their gender.

From Anandibai Joshi, who broke caste rules by crossing an ocean, to Rukhmabai Raut, who escaped a child marriage, divorced her husband, and studied to be a doctor; from Kadambini Ganguly, who took care of eight children while she worked, to child widow Haimabati Sen, who overcame poverty and hardship—these women had a profound and lasting impact. And in their forgotten lives lie many lessons for modern women.

In truth, the compelling stories of these radical women have been erased from our textbooks and memories because histories have mostly been written by men, about men. In an immensely readable narrative and with impeccable research, Lady Doctors rectifies this omission.

In My Hands Today…

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Dashavatar : Stories of Lord Vishnu – Piyusha Vir

Did you know that each avatar of Vishnu arrived with a specific purpose?

Time and again, Vishnu has manifested in different forms to fulfil his role as a ‘protector’ of the world. Among the long list of 24 avatars, 10 have captured our imagination for centuries together—Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parshuram, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.

But how exactly did these avatars impact society? And how do they link to the Charles Darwin theory of evolution?

While each avatar has its own set of legends that extoll their characteristics and deeds, the stories behind them are just as interesting and informative.

Presented from a contemporary and unbiased perspective, these stories of the 10 avatars of Vishnu are an attempt to make mythology more believable and relevant to the world that we live in today.

Festivals of India: Marleshwar Yatra Sangameshawar

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Nestled amidst the emerald embrace of the Sahyadri Mountains in Maharashtra, India, lies the ancient cave temple of Marleshwar, a hallowed sanctuary dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Marleshwar Yatra Sangameshwar is a unique pilgrimage that converges at the sacred confluence of the Marleshwar and Sangameshwar rivers. Located in Sangameshwar in Ratnagiri in the state of Maharashtra, the temple has 300–400 steps, which need to be climbed to reach the cave where the temple is located and has a small viewing platform from which the magnificent Dhareshwar Waterfalls can be admired. Surrounded by the Sahyadri range and the Dhareshwar Waterfalls, the temple has treacherous yet exhilarating pathways and its natural environment makes it a nature lover’s getaway destination. Marleshwar’s name may have been inspired by Maral village.

Every year on the day of Makarsankranti, on January 15, the temple witnesses the marriage of Marleshwar and Girijadevi. This two-day festival, steeped in myth and vibrant tradition, celebrates the divine union of Lord Marleshwar, or Lord Shiva and Goddess Girija Devi, or Goddess Parvati. In a tapestry woven with threads of faith, folklore, and the raw beauty of nature, the celebration draws thousands of devotees from across the country.

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Legend has it that Marleshwar is associated with the sage Parashurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that Parashurama, in search of penance and solitude, created the Marleshwar Linga at this location. The Sangameshwar River, a tributary of the Shastri, flows nearby, adding to the spiritual aura of the site.

The legend behind the yatra is as captivating as the landscape itself. It’s said that Lord Shiva, disguised as a hunter, fell in love with a beautiful cowherd named Girija. Impressed by his strength and unwavering resolve, Girija’s father, King Daksha, agreed to their marriage on the condition that Shiva complete a series of arduous tasks. Undeterred, Shiva conquered each challenge, and the sacred union was blessed.

The Marleshwar Yatra celebrates this divine marriage, with the temple becoming a symbol of their eternal bond. The cave itself, formed by a natural spring, adds a mystical touch to the experience. The ancient carvings and sculptures adorn the walls, whispering stories of faith and devotion, while the gentle flow of the spring water creates a soothing ambience.

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The most unusual phenomenon related to the Marleshwar Temple, which also makes it extremely popular among pilgrims, is the presence of cobra snakes in the temple complex. It is widely believed that Lord Shiva lived here with these snakes. Legend says that these snakes are harmless and do not bite the visiting pilgrims and one can even touch them if they want to. So far, there have been no reports or incidents involving the snakes, and this occurrence makes the temple extremely renowned among devotees. The sighting of these cobras has, however, reduced drastically over the past few years because tourists tend to annoy or scare away the snakes.

The Yatra transcends a mere religious event; it’s a vibrant explosion of colours, music, and cultural immersion. The air thrums with devotional chants and the rhythmic beats of drums. Devotees adorned in their finest attire offer prayers and seek blessings from the deities. The surrounding fairground comes alive with a kaleidoscope of stalls selling traditional handicrafts, sweets, and souvenirs. Cultural performances like dance dramas depicting the story of Shiva and Parvati add to the festive spirit, filling the atmosphere with captivating narratives. There are also fairs on Mahashivratri and Tripuri Poornima.

The journey to Marleshwar itself is an adventure in its own right. Nestled amidst verdant forests and cascading waterfalls, the path to the temple winds its way through breathtaking scenery. The air is crisp and invigorating, and the sounds of nature create a symphony of their own. The trek to the cave temple, although challenging, is a rewarding one, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding Konkan region. For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, the yatra provides an opportunity to explore the surrounding beauty. The cascading Dhareshwar waterfall, a short distance from the temple, offers a refreshing respite. Adventure enthusiasts can trek further to explore nearby forts and ancient caves, each whispering tales of a bygone era.

Central to the Marleshwar Yatra Sangameshwar is the unwavering faith and devotion of the pilgrims. The act of undertaking this pilgrimage is not merely a tradition; it is an expression of deep-rooted belief and commitment to spiritual growth. Pilgrims approach the yatra with humility, surrendering to the divine forces that guide their journey.

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While the Marleshwar Yatra Sangameshwar embodies the timeless traditions of Maharashtra, it is not immune to the challenges of the modern era. Environmental conservation, infrastructural development, and the preservation of cultural authenticity pose complex challenges. Efforts are underway to strike a balance between preserving the sanctity of the pilgrimage and adapting to the needs of the contemporary world. Conservation initiatives, awareness campaigns, and community involvement play crucial roles in ensuring the sustainable continuation of this sacred tradition.

For those who undertake the yatra, it is a transformative experience—a journey that transcends the physical and delves into the spiritual. The Marleshwar Yatra Sangameshwar is more than a pilgrimage; it is a celebration of faith, community, and the timeless connection between humans and the sacred landscapes they traverse.