Raghav Chandra's Blog - Posts Tagged "kali-s-daughter"
The Importance of Castelessness
One of the biggest tragedies of the world is the prevalence and persistence of man-perpetrated inequality. Indian society is a classic example of one that has been held back from achieving its true potential for thousands of years because of such fissures and fractures. The key reason for such distinction is the deep-rooted systemic division caused by the all pervasive sociological phenomenon of caste.
KALI'S DAUGHTER is a love story that reveals our attitudes of prejudice, pride and privilege even in the highest echelons of the elite civil services -- the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Administrative Service.
I am happy to share some of the praise for KALI'S DAUGHTER:
Raghav Chandra has written an exquisite novel- Kali's daughter - which is closer to reality with the ubiquitous influence of caste - a curse of India, which needs to be challenged in all its aspects, if India has to make its mark in 21st century. It is a sensitive portrayal of a dalit lady diplomat depicting the trials and tribulations in her life due to her caste and her courage to overcome it against all odds. This fascinating story has been enriched with Raghav's vast experience in bureaucracy. This thought provoking novel with lucid writing has contemporary relevance. The author's understanding of the nuances of caste discrimination in life and in bureaucracy is commendable. Modern India needs to confront it adequately as caste issues will also continue to be raised at international fora. The novel is a masterpiece. A must read – Ambassador Ajit Kumar, Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva
Caste politics is given a new spin in this thoughtful novel set within the portals of the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Administrative Service. Raghav Chandra exposes the power structures of the bureaucracy even as he reveals the vulnerabilities of those who live within a so called ‘charmed circle’. A compelling and important novel for our times -- Malashri Lal, author and Professor Literature Delhi University
A powerful story, superbly told; surely a book destined to launch a thousand debates – Anthony de Sa, author, poet, former Chief Secretary Madhya Pradesh and Chief RERA, MP
Love in a world of contradictions-elite civil servants, harbingers of modernity and development, trapped in the compulsions of a hierarchical orthodoxy, a gripping read, Kali’s Daughter sketches a powerful and fascinating picture of society and a leadership class in transition in modern India -- Amitabh Pandey, author and retired civil servant
Kali's daughter is powerful, profound and an entirely engrossing work of art that deserves to be read and re - read. A brave take on the ancient evil that is the caste system, it is going to be one of the most discussed and dissected books of the year and rightfully so – Anuja Chandramouli, Author and Columnist
‘Eyes blazing with ethereal light, her bindi changing colour from black to red like a painting, Kali’s Daughter is all about courage and what happens, when she rises above the caste system and reaches great heights with her intellect and sharp sensibilities. In the process, she overcomes personal hurts, defeats, disappointments and emerges victorious. She creates an identity of her own, as she moves from Bhopal to the world, through Raghav Chandra’s engaging narrative, which sheds light on her spirit. There are very few novels on this subject and that makes it special’ – Esther David, Sahitya Akademi awarded author of The Book of Rachel, Bombay Brides and others
Raghav Chandra has candidly and boldly bared the bitter truth of casteism that doesn’t even spare the educated class of our society. Kali’s Daughter is a masterfully crafted thought-provoking book, much needed to amend the archaic mindset – Anita Krishan author
Kali’s Daughter is a fast-paced page-turner that draws in the reader completely. Raghav Chandra is superbly adept in holding a mirror to our society, bringing into focus with unnerving clarity, all our hypocrisies, racism, and deeply embedded casteism” – Sumit Mullick, author, Chief Information Commissioner Maharashtra and former Chief Secretary
Kali’s Daughter is a compelling insider’s view of life within the country’s elite Indian Civil Services. Interweaving his gripping narrative with moments of glory and frustration, romantic liaisons, passion and heartbreaks, Raghav Chandra takes well-aimed, humorous swipes at a service that is fast losing its gilded trappings, and a hard look at a system that keeps caste and class distinctions alive. The narrative is lightened with mischievous, tongue-in-cheek comments that could only have come from one within the ranks! -- Vinita Dawra Nangia, Literary Editor, Times of India
‘After 70 years of existence as a democracy, India and every Indian have to not only address its inner contradictions but also think of some bold solutions to resolve them. Upward mobility of people who were once untouchable and oppressed is part of success story of independent India. But what about the annihilation of caste system? India has miles to go on this count. This novel of Raghav Chandra, from one who has been a keen practitioner at the ‘development’ level can help us to get some sense of things to come, as a new and more integrated young generation takes over the reins of power. This work will allow us to see us in a new perspective’ – Dr Dhyaneshwar Manohar Mulay, former Ambassador, Secretary Ministry of External Affairs, author and currently Member of the National Human Rights Council
Kali’s Daughter is a story of aspiration, hope, survival and endurance told with great empathy. A young woman diplomat is embroiled in complex personal and professional situations that reveal the worst and the best in the social milieu of India and of human nature. It depicts a triumph of the human spirit, highlighting Deepika Thakur's laudable determination to turn centuries of oppression and despair into success and happiness on her own terms. A compelling read -- Sunit Tandon, Director India Habitat Center and Dean of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication
KALI'S DAUGHTER is a love story that reveals our attitudes of prejudice, pride and privilege even in the highest echelons of the elite civil services -- the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Administrative Service.
I am happy to share some of the praise for KALI'S DAUGHTER:
Raghav Chandra has written an exquisite novel- Kali's daughter - which is closer to reality with the ubiquitous influence of caste - a curse of India, which needs to be challenged in all its aspects, if India has to make its mark in 21st century. It is a sensitive portrayal of a dalit lady diplomat depicting the trials and tribulations in her life due to her caste and her courage to overcome it against all odds. This fascinating story has been enriched with Raghav's vast experience in bureaucracy. This thought provoking novel with lucid writing has contemporary relevance. The author's understanding of the nuances of caste discrimination in life and in bureaucracy is commendable. Modern India needs to confront it adequately as caste issues will also continue to be raised at international fora. The novel is a masterpiece. A must read – Ambassador Ajit Kumar, Former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva
Caste politics is given a new spin in this thoughtful novel set within the portals of the Indian Foreign Service and the Indian Administrative Service. Raghav Chandra exposes the power structures of the bureaucracy even as he reveals the vulnerabilities of those who live within a so called ‘charmed circle’. A compelling and important novel for our times -- Malashri Lal, author and Professor Literature Delhi University
A powerful story, superbly told; surely a book destined to launch a thousand debates – Anthony de Sa, author, poet, former Chief Secretary Madhya Pradesh and Chief RERA, MP
Love in a world of contradictions-elite civil servants, harbingers of modernity and development, trapped in the compulsions of a hierarchical orthodoxy, a gripping read, Kali’s Daughter sketches a powerful and fascinating picture of society and a leadership class in transition in modern India -- Amitabh Pandey, author and retired civil servant
Kali's daughter is powerful, profound and an entirely engrossing work of art that deserves to be read and re - read. A brave take on the ancient evil that is the caste system, it is going to be one of the most discussed and dissected books of the year and rightfully so – Anuja Chandramouli, Author and Columnist
‘Eyes blazing with ethereal light, her bindi changing colour from black to red like a painting, Kali’s Daughter is all about courage and what happens, when she rises above the caste system and reaches great heights with her intellect and sharp sensibilities. In the process, she overcomes personal hurts, defeats, disappointments and emerges victorious. She creates an identity of her own, as she moves from Bhopal to the world, through Raghav Chandra’s engaging narrative, which sheds light on her spirit. There are very few novels on this subject and that makes it special’ – Esther David, Sahitya Akademi awarded author of The Book of Rachel, Bombay Brides and others
Raghav Chandra has candidly and boldly bared the bitter truth of casteism that doesn’t even spare the educated class of our society. Kali’s Daughter is a masterfully crafted thought-provoking book, much needed to amend the archaic mindset – Anita Krishan author
Kali’s Daughter is a fast-paced page-turner that draws in the reader completely. Raghav Chandra is superbly adept in holding a mirror to our society, bringing into focus with unnerving clarity, all our hypocrisies, racism, and deeply embedded casteism” – Sumit Mullick, author, Chief Information Commissioner Maharashtra and former Chief Secretary
Kali’s Daughter is a compelling insider’s view of life within the country’s elite Indian Civil Services. Interweaving his gripping narrative with moments of glory and frustration, romantic liaisons, passion and heartbreaks, Raghav Chandra takes well-aimed, humorous swipes at a service that is fast losing its gilded trappings, and a hard look at a system that keeps caste and class distinctions alive. The narrative is lightened with mischievous, tongue-in-cheek comments that could only have come from one within the ranks! -- Vinita Dawra Nangia, Literary Editor, Times of India
‘After 70 years of existence as a democracy, India and every Indian have to not only address its inner contradictions but also think of some bold solutions to resolve them. Upward mobility of people who were once untouchable and oppressed is part of success story of independent India. But what about the annihilation of caste system? India has miles to go on this count. This novel of Raghav Chandra, from one who has been a keen practitioner at the ‘development’ level can help us to get some sense of things to come, as a new and more integrated young generation takes over the reins of power. This work will allow us to see us in a new perspective’ – Dr Dhyaneshwar Manohar Mulay, former Ambassador, Secretary Ministry of External Affairs, author and currently Member of the National Human Rights Council
Kali’s Daughter is a story of aspiration, hope, survival and endurance told with great empathy. A young woman diplomat is embroiled in complex personal and professional situations that reveal the worst and the best in the social milieu of India and of human nature. It depicts a triumph of the human spirit, highlighting Deepika Thakur's laudable determination to turn centuries of oppression and despair into success and happiness on her own terms. A compelling read -- Sunit Tandon, Director India Habitat Center and Dean of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication
