The Letter to Lahore (Songs of Freedom Series)


Book Description

Sarchi, 1921 When Dak Chacha comes to visit, Luxmi feels only joy and excitement. But this time, there is something dark underfootChacha is worried and there are policemen coming to search their house. Luxmi learns that both Dak Chacha and her mother are involvedin their own small waysin the struggle for liberation from the unjust laws and practices that the British regime forces on all of them. This makes her determined to be part of it too. Even if that means undertaking a risky mission which no one else is able to do . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.




Postcard from the Lushai Brigade (Songs of Freedom Series)


Book Description

Aizawl, 1942 The world that the young boy at the heart of this story is growing up in is filled with magic and the simple joys of life with his brother Kima. Even the British presence in the Lushai Hills, so resented by some, does not affect him, except as a source of interesting and different things and people. But as the Japanese prepare to invade their land, Kima joins up with the British Indian Army, and the days of simple joy are over . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.




A Melody in Mysore (Series: Songs of Freedom)


Book Description

Mysore, 1932 The rest of India is ablaze with the fervour of the freedom movement, but Mysore remains tranquil under the maharaja's benevolent rule. For twelve-year-old Leela, the movement feels distant, just words in the pages of newspapers—until Malathi Akka moves into her neighbourhood, bringing with her thrilling ideas, new perspectives, and . . . a gramophone! As Leela gets swept up by the winds of change, it dawns on her that participation in the freedom struggle can take on forms she hasn't even imagined . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.




Rebellion in Ranchi (Series: Songs of Freedom)


Book Description

Ranchi district, 1915 Sibu's life is changing as the Oraons who live in the forests of Chota Nagpur, are slowly moving to the Tana Bhagat movement, where they begin to protest the injustices that the zamindars and the British Raj perpetrate on the Adivasis. And by stories of German Baba, who will help defeat the British in the Great War and bring freedom to the Oraons and to India. Yet, though the Tana Bhagats follow the path of non-violence, violence is rearing its head in the world around them . . . The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.




That Year at Manikoil


Book Description

Madras, 1944 While World War II rages in Europe and the Japanese army draws closer to India, Raji and her sisters are sent off with their mother to stay in Manikoil, her mother's family village. But with her brother now a soldier in the British Indian Army and refugees fleeing from Malaya, Burma and other eastern countries back to India, Manikoil is no longer the peaceful haven it once was. And while there is hope of Independence in the air, Raji is uncertain whether it will come to pass-and what it will truly mean for her and her family. The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.




The Chowpatty Cooking Club


Book Description

Bombay, 1942 With Mahatma Gandhi's call to the British to Quit India, the city has become a hotbed of revolutionary activity-student protests, secret magazines and even an underground People's Radio which broadcasts news that the British want concealed. Sakina and her friends Zenobia and Mehul desperately want to be part of this struggle for freedom. But there is little that they are permitted to do. But at least, they are trying to do something useful, while their mothers are only running a cooking club ... The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.




Nyagrodha


Book Description

Nyagrodha! Command the wind to be still. And in the silence that follows the tree will shake down stories. . . As their train puffs away into the distance, three runaway children—Lily, Vicky and Aman—are led by Makhmal Khan the monkey into the shimmering world of the forest... Deep within its shadows, beyond the last cloud on the horizon, stands Nyagrodha, the ancient banyan. Within its magical labyrinth the children encounter monarchs and mice, dreamers and scholars, paupers and fortune-seekers, braggarts and burglars, foppish fish and bloodsucking bugs, gory battles and incredible flying machines... But none of these can distract them from the dangers that threaten Simha the fierce young king and his friend Jeev, the musical bull. For the story of their tangled lives is very like the childrens' own. Will Aman, Vicky and Lily find their way back home through the maze of stories? Or will treachery destroy the friendship between Simha and Jeev, and leave the forest wounded and bleeding forever? 'This is an upside-down story,' Hanumanta the Langoor warns the children. 'A story that will turn you inside out. Will you hear it unafraid?'




Darkless


Book Description

On a night when the moon shone and the little specks of light danced on the ceiling, Ani lay awake. 'It's dark,' he said. Everything has turned dark in Ani's life. Dobby, Nani, friends - he has them all by his side. But he pulls away from them. Will Ani ever find his way out of the darkness?




Songs of Freedom


Book Description

The people of Travancore and Kochi led two separate movements for responsible government. Malabar, under direct British rule, joined the National Movement for freedom. The struggle for responsible government was also part of the national struggle for Independence. The struggle in the three areas of the Malayalam region, after reorganisation of the states linguistically, after independence, ran parallel to one another. In this gripping narrative of the growth of democracy and the humbling of Sir C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer, the late K.C. John, veteran journalist who had a ringside view of the evolution of modern Kerala takes you through the convulsions for freedom that the state went through over the last century.




Ruling Dynasties of Independent India - Volume 1


Book Description

This book is written to give an overall idea of dynastic politics in India, keeping in mind that a citizen of India should know more about the politicians who are in the government and form policies and so on to take the country in the proper direction. Even if there are two related members, it is considered as dynasty and is included in this book. Wherever possible, family trees, as well as the assets of our politicians, are shown. It was natural to start with the Nehru Gandhi family, being one of the largest and longest-ruling families at the helm of all affairs. Then state wise, the families are chosen and the account is presented. As the content is extensive, the book is published in two volumes. States are chosen alphabetically. So even if Nehru Gandhi family is in Volume 1, Tamilnadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh are in Volume 2. Early rulers in Indian history used to hand over the throne to their sons and then to the next generations for generations till some significant event upset the process, mostly conspiracies by persons like very close aides of the king or a revolt. Similar lines were followed even during our democracy, passing on the rule to the next generation, which gave rise to dynastic rule. Indian politics has witnessed a large spectrum of politicians from various fields. Initially, it consisted mainly of leaders from the field of law. Now, we find that we have eminent personalities from sports fields, actors, actresses, superstars from the silver screen. The literary field is no exception; we have writers, poets, and so on. Economists find a special place in the political arena. Politics does not shun even criminals or a few dacoits who then turned to politics after surrendering. Businessmen, kings or princes from princely states, as the British decided to call them, are also found here. We have learned people in politics as also the illiterate people (angutha chhaap) who learned to sign only after assuming the office on being elected. People are interested in knowing the assets of politicians. This point is covered by using the asset declaration given by the politicians at the time of the election.