by S.G. Kashikar

The book 'Dialogue With Pakistan' written by Prof. S.G. Kashikar, a scholar of repute from Nagpur, critically analyses the two-nation theory, the role of the British in the creation of Pakistan and the nature of Indo-Pak relations and conclusively shows how the remedy of partition has proved to be worse than the disease. The author asserts that the people of India and Pakistan are one community with common blood, common history and common culture of thousands of years. The core issue between India and Pakistan is not Kashmir but Pakistan's hatred for India arising from false history. The solution therefore lies in setting the history right. The Jehadi part of Islam is another factor that contributes to hatred of non-Muslims and so it will also have to be abrogated.

These measures will open the way for an enduring, just and peaceful solution of all Indo-Pak problems including Kashmir, which would be a broad con-federal framework. The book might appear to give a Hindu point of view. But the author's contention is that it is an objective point of view. He has quoted Muslim authors profusely in support of his view. The author favours a deeni state for Pakistan and a Dharma-rajya for India.

He has therefore discussed the concept of Hindutva and the role of the Indian Muslims also. The book carries a foreword by Shri Hari Kishore Singh, former Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India. He has praised the book as 'brilliant' and 'thought-provoking'. The book has been published by India First Foundation of New Delhi and was released at the hands of Shri L.K. Adwani, Deputy Prime Minister, Government of India, at New Delhi on February 28, 2004. In his speech Shri Adwani categorically stated that the book shows that a Confederation of India and Pakistan is possible. The book is the result of over fifty years of extensive study and deep cogitation and adopts a totally innovative and refreshing approach. It is thus a 'must' reading for those who desire a permanent and just solution of the Indo-Pak and Hindu-Muslim problems.

Pages: 148. ISBN 81-89072-02-1. Price: Rs. 250 (US $ 12)

by D.C. Nath

"Intelligence Imperatives for India" written by Shri D.C. Nath, an ex-intelligence officer, is a bold attempt at identifying the security threats as well as defining the intelligence imperatives for India against the background of myriad threats - both in the present and as visualised for the coming decades. The book has attempted to cover at one place all aspects of security, such as, interplay of national security interests vis-à-vis overall geo-strategic scenario, especially in the context of neo-terrorism, information security, maritime security, environmental security and nuclear vulnerability of India. All these have been critically analysed through the eyes of an intelligence specialist.

A distinctive feature of the book is an indepth analysis of the complexities of internal security concerns and the mechanism available to handle the same. Many eyebrows may be raised at the thought-provoking views and suggestions offered by the author.

Matters of economic intelligence have also been duly focused. And in the context of the e-commerce world, the book appropriately deals with the importance of application of science and technology in the fields of security and intelligence.

Threats from terrorism have been analysed from the point of view of practical reality. Suggestions of how terrorist threats can be tackled with the commonsense approach have been very well brought out. There has been a clear emphasis on peoples' participation in handling this scourge to civilization.

Mr. K.C. Pant, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Government of India, has quite fittingly concluded his foreword to the book by stating that "the author has brought out in a lucid style the various facets of the fast changing security environment and the role of intelligence in taking suitable measures to protect national interest. This book would prove useful for experts as well as students of national security."

Pages: 288. ISBN 81-89072-04-8. Price: Rs. 400 (US $ 20)

by Purnima Singh

The book "Indian Cultural Nationalism" is written by Ms. Purnima Singh, a Allahabad based Research Scholar. The central idea of the book, according to the author, is to spread message among the Indian masses to rejuvenate, preserve and strengthen their cultural heritage. The author emphasises that culture and nationalism are interwoven and one cannot even imagine nationalism without culture. While spiritualism is the essence of Indian culture and nationalism, materialism influences Western culture and nationalism. Whereas Indian traditions are based on principles of ethics, morality, truthfulness, sacrifice and penance, the Western Culture is dominated by individualism and materialism.

Indian thought considers whole universe as one family and prays for universal peace. Drawing examples from the history, the author recounts the impact of songs like 'Vande Mataram' and concept of Ram Rajya on the Indian Independence Movement. The freedom struggle brought into focus as to how cultural nationalism was the principal force behind freedom movement against Britishers. However, this principal force became anaemic after India became free. She prays for resurgence of the spirit of cultural nationalism and the need to rejuvenate our cultural nationalism with great enthusiasm for making India prosperous, powerful and strong. The time has come, says the author, when Indian cultural spirit would be the guiding principle for humanity through out universe.

In the preface Shri. Devendra Swarup gives the gist of this book through the beautiful description from Vishnu Puran "the gods in heaven also feel envious of those who are born in the land of Bharatvarsha because the gods after the expiry of their merits will have to take rebirth on the earth while those born in Bharata will be able to transcend the cycle of rebirth."

Shri. S. Gurumurthy, in his foreword has praised the book by saying that "the work of Purnima Singh is a painstaking effort to relate the present confused national consciousness to the cultural stream of freedom movement. It is signal contribution to the ongoing debate on cultural nationalism in India."

Pages: 290. ISBN 81-89072-03-X. Price: Rs. 400 (US $ 20)

by R.N.P. Singh

The book 'Riots & Wrongs' is the result of R.N.P. Singh's well researched efforts and it is perhaps for the first time that the gamut of communal riots has been studied in such a detail in order to bring out its various possible aspects realistically. Communal Riots, a common occurrence which has been inter-weaved in the social fabric of India needs to be studied properly along with its international ramifications, trends and patterns it reveals, starting from first one apparently in the year 1713 to the present stage. All the reported communal riots, to the best available resources, have been included in the book, in chronological order, to provide in-depth study of the subject.

The book carries a foreword by Shri. K.P.S. Gill. He says, "Much of the 'secular' discourse in India has been based on a 'politically correct' refusal to confront the nature of religious communities and institutions, and their past and present activities; and on the fiction that 'all religions are equal' and that their inherent message is the same. While such a perspective may be useful in dousing transient fires between communities, it cannot even begin to address the sources of such historical conflagrations. The truth is, unless communities acknowledge reality - warts and all - and recognize the transgressions of their own history within a constructive context, no real solution to the issues of communal polarization and violence in India can be brought about.

R.N.P. Singh's Riots and Wrongs is an effort in this direction and offers a particular perspective on the history and dynamics of communal antagonisms and carnage in the South Asian region … Singh's objective through this book has been to inject a measure of realism in a discourse that has long been delusionary."

Pages: 364. ISBN 81-89072-00-5. Price: Rs. 500 (US $ 25)

by Muzaffar Hussain

The book "Insight Into Minoritism" written by Shri Muzaffar Hussain makes an attempt to understand the psychology and behaviour of living people.

The argument is presented with the help of facts of history and a lot of data. There has been an immense research work behind the collection of this data. The whole world is minority. How true, as a minority may be due to religion, language, caste etc. How a majority at one place is a minority at some other place. How minority once in power becomes oppressive. The history of Muslim and Britishers are replete with such examples.

A man is bound by his/her nationality on one hand and by religion on the other. Difficulty in setting the priorities and a balance of both due to self - interests compels them to form separate clan and to be identified as a separate group. This knowingly unknowingly divides the nation and minoritism is encouraged. A blackmail of minority over the majority by way of votes or in the guise of protectionism is dealt in this book in an enhanced manner.

How countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh were created on the basis of two nation theory? How was it propounded by Mohammed Ali Jinnah? What is the status of 'minorities' in these countries? Analysis of the answers of these questions are available in the book.

One of the major problems highlighted by this book is that 'minority' is a relative term even a 49% is minority compared to 51% therefore it is, imperative that there has to be a fixed percentage to know what constitutes minority and majority.

The bricks on the cover of the book symbolises different castes, communities, religions and cultures, which when bonded together forms a strong wall - Nation. The preface by Ex-Chief Justice of Mumbai high court Shri. C. Dharmadhikari gives an insight into the book.

The book will provide a new dimension depending upon the time in which it is read and the mental state of the society.

Pages: 159. ISBN 81-89072-01-3. Price: Rs. 250 (US $ 12)