India is nearly the second-largest consumer market in the world, with a buying middle class of over half a billion. Yet at least 200 million Indians remain poor, illiteracy rates are high, communal violence is widespread, and corruption endemic. This book examines what makes Indians tick and what they have to offer the world.

Being Indian: Inside the Real India

History

Pavan K. Varma

Asia

Arrow Books

This Book is Brand new international softcover edition delivered within 7-12 working days via UPS/USPS/DHL and FEDEX.(FOR SALE ONLY U.S. & U.K.)

Krishna: A Playful Divine

Penguin Books, Ltd.

Great Indian Middle Class

In this powerful and insightful critique, the author examines the evolution of the Indian middle class during the twentieth century, especially since Independence. He shows us how the middle class, guided by self-interest, is becoming increasingly insensitive to the plight of the underprivileged, and how economic liberalization has only heightened its tendency to withdraw from anything that does not relate directly to its material well-being.  An essential read, this fresh edition updated with a new introduction analyses the transformation of the middle class in the decade since 1997 and seeks to reconcile the seemingly dichotomous aspects of our economy and polity.

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Penguin Books Australia

In the 21st century, every sixth human being will be Indian. India is very close to becoming the second largest consumer market in the world, with a buying middle class numbering over half a billion. The Indian economy is already the fourth largest in terms of purchasing power parity. It is in the top ten overall GNP. Yet at least 200 million Indians remain desperately poor. Illiteracy rates are high. Communal violence is widespread; corruption endemic. Brides are still tortured and burnt for dowries; female infanticide is common. The caste system has lost little of its power and none of its brutality. How are we to make sense of these apparently contradictory pictures of India today? And how can we overcome the many misconceptions about India that are fed by western stereotypes and Indians' own myths about themselves? Pavan Varma turns a sharply observant gaze on his fellow countrymen to examine what really makes Indians tick. How, for example, does the indifference of most middle-class Indians to the suffering of the poor square with their enthusiasm for parliamentary democracy? How can a people who so supported Mahatma Gandhi's strategy of non-violence during the struggle for independence burn young brides for their dowries and beat domestic servants near-death? Why do Indians have a reputation for being spiritual and 'other-worldly' when their traditions so exalt the pursuit of material well-being as a principal goal of life? Drawing on sources as diverse as ancient Sanskrit treatise and Bollywood lyrics, Pavan Varma creates a vivid and compelling portrait of India and its people. "Being Indian" is an essential book for anyone who wishes to understand Indians, and for Indians who wish to understand themselves.

Being Indian

Penguin??Books

A brilliant biography of nineteenth century India s greatest poet Mirza Mohammad Asadullah Khan Ghalib began writing poetry in Persian at the age of nine and the pre-eminent poet of the time, Mir, predicted a great future for the precocious genius when he was shown his verse. But success and material rewards did not come to Ghalib easily for the times were against him, and he did not suffer fools gladly even if they occupied positions of importance. Ghalib was at the height of his powers when events took a turn for the worse. First came the decline of the Mughal court, then the rise of the British Empire and, finally, the Revolt of 1857. Though Ghalib lived through the upheavals and purges of the Revolt, in which many of his contemporaries and friends died and his beloved Delhi was irrevocably changed, he was a broken man and longed for death. When he died, on 15 February 1869, he left behind some of the most vivid accounts of the events of the period ever written. In this illuminating biography Pavan K. Varma evocatively captures the spirit of the man and the essence of the times he lived in.

Ghalib: The Man, The Times

Biographies & Memoirs

Professionals & Academics

In this powerful and insightful critique, the author examines the evolution of the Indian middle class during the twentieth century, especially since Independence. He shows us how the middle class, guided by self-interest, is becoming increasingly insensitive to the plight of the underprivileged, and how economic liberalization has only heightened its tendency to withdraw from anything that does not relate directly to its material well-being. An essential read, this fresh edition updated with a new introduction analyses the transformation of the middle class in the decade since 1997 and seeks to reconcile the seemingly dichotomous aspects of our economy and polity.

The Great Indian Middle Class

Bharatiyata Ki Ore (Hindi) (Becoming Indian)

Penguin books.India

About the book: becoming indian: the unfinished revolution of culture and identity a highly acclaimed follow-up to the best-selling being indian, now available in paperback what are the consequences of empire? do they ever fade? in this follow upto his bestselling book being indian, pavan k varma takes a longhard look at our cultural psyche, sixty years after indias political liberation from western colonial masters examining modern history, contemporary events and personal experience, he demonstrates, with passion, insight and impeccable logic, why india, and other formerly subject nations,can never truly be free-and certainly not in a position to assume global leadership-unless they reclaim their cultural identity about the author: pavan k varma pavan k varma is a writer and diplomat who is at present indias ambassador to bhutan his books include ghalib: the man, the times; krishna: the playful divine; the great indian middle class; the bookof krishna and being indian: why the 21st century will be indias, all published by penguin he has also translated gulzars (selected poemsand neglected poems), kaifi azmis and atal bihari vajpayees poetry in english for penguin reviews a book every young man and woman of the country should read- thetelegraph simply for the clarity of thought, the ease of writing, the depth of concern, and the necessity of articulating unpleasant truths about ourselves, thisis a book worth reading- urvashi butalia in mail today

Becoming Indian The Unfinished Revolution of Culture and Identity

Literature & Fiction

Essays & Correspondence

Being Indian The Truth about Why the Twenty-First Century Will Be India's

Krishna, the playful divine

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