The Hindu : New Delhi News : Kashmir through the eyes of Nehru and Karan Singh

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Saturday, Nov 18, 2006
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Kashmir through the eyes of Nehru and Karan Singh

Mandira Nayar

NEW DELHI: This book certainly is "politically'' correct. With all the makings of a winner, "Jammu and Kashmir 1948-1964 -- Select Correspondence between Jawaharlal Nehru and Karan Singh'' that will be released here on Saturday certainly has "powerful'' support, especially with Congress president Sonia Gandhi having written a foreword.

The book is a selection of over 200 letters between Dr. Karan Singh and his mentor Pandit Nehru. Apart from revealing the close relationship that the two men shared, the book also offers a glimpse into the thoughts and ideals of the country's first Prime Minister. The book has been compiled and edited by Jawaid Alam and published by Penguin India. Bringing alive the problems of a newly formed State, the letters deal with teething problems of a fledgling country and a newly grafted State, the emerging conflicts between Pakistan and India and the Chinese aggression of 1962.

Giving those interested in politics, history and Kashmir a view of those years from those who know it best, the book promises a new insight into this period. And releasing it in the style that it deserves, excerpts from "Jammu and Kashmir 1948-1964 -- Select Correspondence between Jawaharlal Nehru and Karan Singh" will be read out by Roshan Seth -- better known as the "reel'' Nehru for his roles in "Gandhi" and "Discovery of India" -- and Shashi Tharoor. Written as they were at an important time for the country as well as Dr. Karan Singh as he was just 18 in 1949 when he was appointed regent to Jammu and Kashmir, the letters make a fascinating read.

Apart from just letters, the biographical and explanatory footnotes that Dr. Jawaid Alam has provided add a new texture to the whole period.

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