The Supreme Refuge: Durgā’s Transformation into the Hindu Great Goddess

by Hillary P. Rodrigues

The Supreme Refuge: Durgā’s Transformation Into the Hindu Great Goddess by Hillary P. Rodrigues (SUNY Press, 2025) presents the first comprehensive academic study of how Durgā evolved from a relatively minor deity into the supreme Mahādevī of Hindu tradition. Drawing on textual, inscriptional, and iconographic evidence, the book traces her development across historical phases—from early references in pre-epic literature to her iconic form as Mahishasuramardini and her theological elevation in Purāṇic texts.

A central focus is the Devi Mahatmya, which Rodrigues analyzes in depth to show how it establishes Durgā as the ultimate, all-encompassing divine शक्ति (Shakti). The study also explores “Proto-Durgā” forms and early goddess traditions, revealing how imagery and worship practices shaped her expanding identity.

Rodrigues, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Lethbridge, integrates multiple disciplines—art history, textual studies, and religious practice—to present a nuanced narrative. The book ultimately demonstrates how Durgā became a universal protector and spiritual refuge, revered by both rulers and common people, and a central figure in Hindu theology.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman Hardcover – Picture Book

by Vijay Goel

Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman (2026), authored by Vijay Goel and released by C. P. Radhakrishnan, is a richly illustrated coffee table book that presents a visual and personal portrait of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Launched on February 21, 2026, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, it serves as a “moral archive” rather than a conventional biography.

The book features rare photographs, archival records, and anecdotes tracing Vajpayee’s journey from a young parliamentarian in the 1950s to India’s 10th Prime Minister. It highlights defining moments such as the Pokhran nuclear tests and major infrastructure initiatives like the Delhi Metro. Above all, it emphasizes his eloquence, bipartisan respect, and ability to disagree without discord. Published by the Heritage India Foundation, the work portrays Vajpayee as a poet-statesman whose legacy continues to shape modern India.

Gods, Guns & Missionaries: The Making of the Modern

By Manu S. Pillai

Manu S. Pillai’s Gods, Guns and Missionaries (2025) examines how modern Hindu identity evolved through encounters with European colonialism and Christian missions. He argues Hinduism transformed from a fluid, plural tradition into a more cohesive and political identity. Missionary expansion, backed by colonial power, provoked both resistance and adaptation among Hindu thinkers. Over centuries, this interaction reshaped religious self-understanding, especially during the British Raj. Through diverse historical figures, Pillai presents a nuanced narrative showing how conflict, dialogue, and adaptation collectively shaped the foundations of contemporary Hindu identity and nationalism.  

The Indian Knowledge System: Creative Dialogue on Intellectual Traditions in the 21st Century

Edited by Manindra Nath Thakur and Shailja Tandon

Manu S. Pillai’s Gods, Guns and Missionaries (2025) examines how modern Hindu identity evolved through encounters with European colonialism and Christian missions. He argues Hinduism transformed from a fluid, plural tradition into a more cohesive and political identity. Missionary expansion, backed by colonial power, provoked both resistance and adaptation among Hindu thinkers. Over centuries, this interaction reshaped religious self-understanding, especially during the British Raj. Through diverse historical figures, Pillai presents a nuanced narrative showing how conflict, dialogue, and adaptation collectively shaped the foundations of contemporary Hindu identity and nationalism.  

From Engagement to Vidaai

A Complete Guide to Planning Your Indian Wedding in America

By Raj Shah

Planning an Indian wedding in the United States is not just about traditions — it’s about strategy.

From negotiating with parents to managing a six-figure budget…
From understanding venue contracts and fire codes to selecting vendors who truly understand your vision and Indian rituals…
From balancing Mehendi, Haldi, Sangeet, and Reception schedules within American time constraints…

Indian-American weddings are beautiful, but they are complex.

In From Engagement to Vidaai: The Complete Indian Wedding Planning Guide in the U.S., Raj Shah delivers a practical, culturally intelligent roadmap designed specifically for couples planning their big day in America.

This book walks you step-by-step through:

• Realistic budgeting in U.S. dollars
  • Managing expectations across generations
  • Choosing vendors who understand Indian ceremonies
  • Understanding marriage licenses and legal requirements
  • Avoiding costly mistakes
  • Protecting yourself with smart contracts
  • Blending tradition with modern American realities

Whether you are planning a grand ballroom wedding in New Jersey, a beach mandap in Florida, a California vineyard ceremony, or a destination celebration in Mexico, this guide ensures you celebrate with confidence — not chaos.

Before you sign a single contract, read this book.

Your wedding is sacred.
Your planning should be smart.

How to Build Character, Culture, and Confidence in the Next Generation

By Raj Shah

Every Hindu parent in America knows this moment: Your child walks into school wearing a Diwali T-shirt or carrying a Krishna book, and you silently hope they will feel proud—not different. You want them to shine in this land of opportunity, yet stay rooted in the values your parents lovingly poured into you.

This book was born from that feeling.

Hindu Parenting in the USA is the story of how families like ours keep culture alive—through bedtime tales of Rama and Krishna, through shlokas whispered before school, through festivals celebrated in living rooms far from India. It shows how children can grow up grounded in dharma while embracing the best of American life.

With warmth and wisdom, this book helps parents raise children who are kind, confident, resilient, and deeply connected to their heritage.

Because our children deserve both: the wings to soar—and the roots to stay strong.

For More information or to buy this book, please visit

https://deshvideshpublishing.com/

“Inshallah Bangladesh: The Story of an Unfinished Revolution” is a new book that tells a dramatic and controversial story about the political unrest that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Deep Halder, Jaideep Mazumdar, and Sahidul Hasan Khokon are journalists who wrote the book. It contains shocking claims by former Bangladesh home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who says that Hasina’s removal was part of a carefully planned American CIA plot.

The book says that Kamal claims the events were part of a “perfect CIA plot” that was carefully planned over a long period of time. He says that General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the head of the Bangladesh Army, was secretly working with American intelligence and “stabbed” Hasina in the back at a crucial time. Kamal also says that the country’s intelligence agencies didn’t tell the prime minister about Waker’s plans, which makes it seem like high-ranking officials in those agencies may have been involved as well.

The book looks at Kamal’s claim that the US wants weaker governments in South Asia instead of strong, independent leaders like Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, or Sheikh Hasina. He also brings up a more immediate strategic issue: St. Martin’s Island, which Hasina had said the U.S. wanted in exchange for political stability.

Kamal compares Hasina’s fall to Abhimanyu’s tragic entrapment in the Mahabharata. He says that General Waker worked with fundamentalist groups to bring about her fall. He also says that Pakistan’s ISI got into Jamaat-e-Islami and caused violence in June 2024, even though Hasina was told that the army would handle the situation. Kamal says that her trust cost her life the next day.

Growing Up Hindu in the U.S:

A Step-by-Step Guide for the New Generation

By Raj Shah

The book “Growing Up Hindu in the U.S—A Step-by-Step Guide for the New Generation” is a warm and engaging introduction to Sanatan Dharma, commonly known as Hinduism, created especially for children of the New Generation who are growing up outside India but want to stay connected to their spiritual roots. This book will instill pride, peace, and understanding in their hearts.

With 15 inspiring chapters, reflection activities, and vibrant cultural insights, this book is a perfect companion for a Hindu dad or mom raising kids outside India, home libraries, interfaith education, Bal Vihar classes, Hindu school programs at the Hindu temples, and giving gifts for birthdays, Diwali, or religious milestones.

Written in friendly, easy-to-understand language, this beautifully crafted book covers every aspect of Hinduism.

The book also includes

Parent’s Guide: Step-by-Step Guidelines for Parents Who Can Support Their Child’s Journey.

Teacher’s Guide: Chapter-wise guidelines for teachers who can guide young hearts on the Hindu path in their classroom.

For More information or to buy this book, please visit

https://deshvideshpublishing.com/

Dhruva Jaishankar’s Vishwa Shastra: “India and the World has emerged as a timely and significant contribution to the study of India’s foreign policy.“ In the wake of shifting global power dynamics and the resurgence of Donald Trump, global anxiety is rising over issues such as NATO’s future, a tariff war with China, and immigration policy changes. Against this backdrop, Jaishankar’s book offers clarity, grounded analysis, and a distinct Indian perspective on global affairs, making it relevant for scholars, diplomats, civil service aspirants, and engaged citizens alike.

A Dual Approach: History and Strategy
Vishwa Shastra neatly divides into two main parts: the historical evolution of India’s foreign policy and its current strategic priorities. The historical section covers the phases of Indian foreign policy development — from pre-Independence times and non-alignment (1947–71), through the Cold War alignments and liberalization era (1971–2008), to the present scenario dominated by China’s rise and global multipolarity (2008–2024). Jaishankar uses India’s civilizational ethos, cultural strengths, and geographical position to explain the strategic logic behind India’s choices over time.

The strategic part of the book elaborates on concepts such as “Neighborhood First,” “Act East,” and “Think West,” and how these ideas fit into India’s ambition to be a “leading power.” Jaishankar’s key message is that India’s foreign policy is maturing into a comprehensive global strategy that factors in domestic needs, economic aspirations, and global realpolitik.

Contextual and accessible.
Both reviewers highlight how Jaishankar avoids abstract, theoretical jargon and instead opts for a clear, accessible writing style. Rather than wrapping India’s foreign policy in esoteric terms, the book explains India’s behavior and choices in straightforward terms, backed by historical context, cultural insights, and realpolitik. This approach democratizes foreign policy discourse, bringing it out of the corridors of New Delhi’s intelligentsia and into the awareness of youth and citizens across the country.

This accessibility is especially important now, as India finds itself at a pivotal juncture. With increasing global attention and internal aspirations, Jaishankar emphasizes that foreign policy is no longer just about diplomacy but a vital extension of domestic priorities such as development, security, and industrial policy. The aspiration of a “leading power” must be supported by a robust domestic base, military modernization, and economic self-reliance.

Rethinking India’s Strategic Culture
A major strength of Vishwa Shastra, according to both reviewers, is its challenge to the notion that India lacks a strategic culture. Jaishankar asserts that India has always had a vibrant tradition of statecraft, shaped by realism and rooted in both ancient philosophy and modern pragmatism. From Kautilya to Nehru, and from non-alignment to contemporary multilateralism, India has continually adapted its foreign policy to suit internal needs and external pressures.

This argument is significant in a world where geopolitical power is rapidly shifting and where India must constantly negotiate its position vis-à-vis China, the United States, and regional groupings like BRICS, QUAD, and the Indo-Pacific framework. Jaishankar underlines that prosperity cannot be separated from security — global integration has benefits but also exposes vulnerabilities, whether from supply chains, climate change, terrorism, or technological disruptions.

Continuity and Change Under Modi
The second review, titled “The New Change Agent,” underscores how Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar (the author’s father) have infused a new confidence and assertiveness into Indian foreign policy. This transformation is not just about optics or rhetoric, but a deeper shift in how India positions itself globally. The strategic vocabulary has changed, and foreign policy has become a topic of public discussion, particularly among the younger, aspirational generation.

Traditional wisdom held that moral idealism or bureaucratic inertia drove Indian foreign policy, but Vishwa Shastra suggests otherwise. Under Modi, India has adopted a pragmatic, interest-based diplomacy that simultaneously roots in civilizational pride and prepares for future challenges. However, the book also leaves room for debate on what the main drivers of this transformation are: structural global shifts, domestic political changes, or leadership style.

Key Themes and Strategic Questions

Among the central themes Jaishankar addresses are:

• The importance of the Indo-Pacific and maritime security.
• Managing a revisionist Pakistan and an assertive China.
• Building new coalitions and revitalizing old institutions.
• Expanding India’s strategic autonomy while enhancing global influence.

The book also raises pressing questions that remain open-ended, such as:

• How will India balance Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) with the need for foreign investment and military modernization?
• How can India deepen regional connectivity when China’s economic footprint is growing across South Asia?
• How can New Delhi manage its dependency on China for trade while confronting it geopolitically?

These question1s are not fully answered in the book, but they are raised in a way that invites public dialogue and intellectual engagement — an achievement in and of itself.

A Strategic Primer for a Rising India
Vishwa Shastra is more than a chronicle of foreign policy — it is a strategic primer for India’s evolving role in the world. Jaishankar’s pedigree as a thinker with deep roots in India’s strategic tradition adds gravitas to the book. His ability to explain complex global shifts through an Indian lens makes this work an indispensable guide, as it offers practical frameworks for future action to those seeking to understand India’s global ambitions.

The author’s intellectual depth is evident throughout the book, a trait that clearly reflects his distinguished lineage—his grandfather, Krishnaswamy Subramaniyam, was regarded as a pioneer in India’s strategic community, while his father, S. Jaishankar, currently serves as the chief architect of India’s foreign policy.

At a time when the world is uncertain and India is ascending, Vishwa Shastra serves both as a mirror to the past and a compass for the future. Whether one is a student, policymaker, or curious citizen, the book encourages a grounded but ambitious approach to India’s foreign policy — one that begins at home but reaches far beyond.

About the Author

A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a managing editor of Desh-Videsh Magazine and co-founder of Desh Videsh Media Group. Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his motto ever since he arrived in the US in 1969.

He has been instrumental in starting and promoting several community organizations such as the Indian Religious and Cultural Center and International Hindu University. Raj has written two books on Hinduism titled Chronology of Hinduism and Understanding Hinduism. He has also written several children books focusing on Hindu culture and religion.

by Arjun Singh Kadian

The Modi Disruption by Arjun Singh Kadian is a thought-provoking exploration of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has redefined Indian politics, governance, and cultural identity. Kadian argues that Modi’s leadership has disrupted entrenched political narratives and revived India’s civilizational ethos, long marginalized by political correctness and Western notions of secularism.

Central to the book is the idea that Modi’s initiatives—such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok, Char Dham projects, and PRASAD scheme—are not just infrastructure upgrades but symbols of cultural rejuvenation. Kadian positions Modi as a leader who sees spiritual and cultural pride as vital to national strength.

The book critiques elite intellectual circles like the Lutyens’ Zone for distancing governance from India’s cultural roots. It also highlights the Ram Mandir movement, portraying its realization and the 2024 consecration of the Ram Lalla idol as a moment of national unity and pride, not just a political victory.

Ultimately, Kadian presents The Modi Disruption as a chronicle of India’s ideological transformation, where Modi fuses governance with heritage. The book offers a compelling, policy-backed narrative for readers interested in India’s evolving identity under Modi’s leadership.

‘From Genome To Om’: A Dharmic Discussion On Science From A Place Of Self-Confidence

From Genome to Om by Bhushan Patwardhan and Indu Ramchandani offers a groundbreaking Dharmic perspective on science, aiming to harmonize modern scientific inquiry with the wisdom of Hindu spirituality. The book serves as a Vedic guidebook for both planetary sustainability and personal spiritual evolution. Drawing a parallel between “Genome” as empirical knowledge (apara vidya) and “Om” as meta-scientific wisdom (para vidya), the authors present an integrative framework that encourages ethical science rooted in spiritual values.

Each chapter follows a structured approach: outlining a problem, presenting the dominant Western view, identifying scientific gaps, and offering Vedic insights. Topics range from technology’s ethical pitfalls and cosmology to evolution, consciousness, identity, and death. The book critiques reductionist science, advocates a holistic view of life, and emphasizes the relevance of Vedic concepts like Prana, Kundalini, and the Purusharthas.

Spiritual leaders should thoroughly understand the treatment of Darwinian evolution and consciousness studies, which is particularly insightful. While cautioning against pseudoscientific claims, the book maintains intellectual rigor. Its vision for a meta-society—transitioning from the Anthropocene to “Omcene”—is both a collective and individual journey of Sadhana. Despite minor distractions, Genome to Om is an inspiring confluence of science and Sanatana Dharma.

Hindu Culture Educational Books for Kids

Published by Desh-Videsh publishing

This vibrant set of five books introduces Hindu culture, festivals, and epics to children in an engaging, age-appropriate way, particularly suited for kids growing up in the West.

Holi Hai! explains the story and significance of Holi, the colorful spring festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Through tales of Prahlad and Holika, as well as Radha and Krishna, the book connects young readers to Hindu traditions, rituals, and the festive joy of playing with colors and enjoying sweets.

We Love Diwali! offers a multicultural view of Diwali as celebrated by Hindu, Jain, and Sikh families in America. Children narrate their excitement in performing the Diwali pooja themselves and highlight the customs of lighting diyas, sharing sweets, and enjoying fireworks, giving a personal and relatable touch to the Festival of Lights.

Welcome to Our Beautiful Mandir introduces the temple (mandir) not just as a place of worship but also as a center of learning. Seen through the eyes of children, this book highlights how temples help them understand the core values and principles of Hinduism in a joyful and accessible manner.

The Complete Ramayan in 100 Tweets and The Complete Mahabharata in 100 Tweets retell the great Hindu epics in a modern, social-media-friendly format. Using 100 tweets, each book simplifies the rich stories of Rama and the Pandavas, preserving their timeless lessons while making them easy and fun for today’s tech-savvy generation to understand and enjoy.

The Practice of Immortality: A Monk’s Guide to Discovering Your Unlimited Potential for Health, Happiness, and Positivity

by Ishan Shivanand

Rooted in the story of his own transformative journey, a monk and internationally beloved founder of Yoga of Immortals shares the methods he uses to help us tap into our unlimited potential.

Ishan Shivanand was born into an ancient lineage of yogis spanning twenty-one generations, and spent the first twenty years of his life in a Himalayan monastery. Grounded in the traditions of yoga, meditation, martial arts, storytelling, and herbal medicine, he developed the Yoga of Immortals (YOI) protocol, which is designed to help followers combat stress, anxiety, depression, and create healthy individuals and healthy communities. The Practice of Immortality shares these lessons and practices. ​In a world suffering the effects of fear, competitiveness, and anger, Ishan encourages us to take a step back.

Structured as a thoughtful narrative with practices based in the true intentions and meaning of yoga, The Practice of Immortality will help you achieve that which you never thought possible.

By Raj Shah

Former Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister Modi, Krishnamurthy Subramanian, in his book  India@100: Envisioning Tomorrow’s Economic Powerhouse imagines a daring economic future for India: a $55 trillion GDP by 2047, the centennial of India’s independence. With little inflation and minor currency depreciation, his forecast depends on an 8% annual GDP growth rate. Subramanian predicts that if the economy doubles every six years, it may quadruple in size by 2047 given India’s present GDP of $3.73 trillion. But he also admits more moderate options: with 5.6% per capita GDP growth, India will reach $29 trillion; at 6.6%, it might achieve $40.9 trillion. To meet the most optimistic predictions, the GDP per person would have to grow by an average of 7.5% per year. This is a big problem that many other countries also face. Notably, China grew at such rates from 2007 to 2020.

The Road Ahead: Structural Hurdles and Growth Challenges

Achieving sustained high growth is complex. The law of diminishing returns implies that as an economy matures, maintaining rapid growth becomes harder. India must overcome deep-seated challenges such as governance inefficiencies, infrastructure bottlenecks, outdated labor laws, and limited innovation to replicate China’s remarkable growth. “The $5 trillion GDP goal, which was supposed to happen in 2024–25, now looks like it could happen in 2026–27″. However, getting to $55 trillion will take a lot more than steady growth.

Beyond numbers, India’s transformation into a developed nation requires more than just GDP expansion. Today, India is a lower-middle-income country with a per capita income of $2,600. To become a high-income country by 2047, it needs to have a Human Development Index (HDI) of over 0.800 and a per capita income of more than $13,205. This means that education, healthcare, and the distribution of income must all get a lot better.

“India @100”: The Four Pillars

Subramanian organizes India @100 around four strategic pillars that are essential for building a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

1. Macroeconomic Growth
2. Inclusive Development
3. Ethical Wealth Creation
4. A Virtuous Cycle Driven by Private Investment

This book is more practical than many others in the policy discourse because each pillar includes specific policy suggestions based on real-life government experience.

Pillar 1: Growth with Governance Reform

One main point of Subramanian’s argument is that the courts and government agencies need to be reformed right away. The judicial system, clogged with over 50 million pending cases, acts as a drag on the economy. Cases take decades to resolve—sometimes even generations. The Malda District Court’s 65-year-old partition suit is a telling example. Legal uncertainty deters investment and impedes contract enforcement, hurting economic dynamism.

Subramanian proposes streamlining the judiciary by filling existing vacancies rather than expanding judicial positions. But he says that bigger changes are needed, like giving judges Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), evaluating them based on how well they do their jobs, and using global best practices like the International Framework for Court Excellence. Real progress, he argues, will come only when judicial performance becomes measurable and accountable.

Bureaucratic reform is another critical area. We need to overhaul the current system, which is characterized by generalism, hierarchical inertia, and paper-based processes. Subramanian wants a system where people are promoted based on their performance and real-time KPIs. He also wants digital governance using AI and blockchain, decentralized decision-making at the local level, and rewards that are tied to performance. These changes, he asserts, are essential for reducing red tape and improving policy execution.

Pillar 2: Inclusive Development

Subramanian debunks the notion that welfare spending and economic growth are mutually exclusive. He highlights how technology has enabled the better targeting of subsidies, reducing leakages, and improving outcomes. The Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which created 6 million new jobs, is an example of how the government can help the job market.

A major focus is on job creation. India’s labor market is distorted by “dwarf firms”—businesses over 10 years old that remain small. These firms constitute 58% of all businesses but contribute only 14.8% to employment and 6.3% to value addition. In contrast, large firms make up just 16.8% but generate nearly 79% of jobs. Subramanian suggests shifting incentives from “dwarf firms” to “infant firms” with high growth potential and shifting lending toward industries that need a lot of labor, like electronics, clothing, and leather.

However, several obstacles remain. Labor law reforms are pending state-level notifications. Formalization costs are high. Skilling initiatives have yielded low placement rates. India might not be able to create the millions of jobs it needs every year without making the job market more flexible, improving vocational training, streamlining rules, and creating sector-specific FDI strategies.

Subramanian also talks about digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a force that can change things by making it easier for people to get money and help with their needs. He advocates for equitable climate policy and stronger support for small farmers through increased productivity and market access. Data and behavioral economics tools like Thalinomics and the Bare Necessities Index must underpin these efforts.

Pillar 3: Ethical Wealth Creation

India’s socialist past left behind two problems: people don’t want privatization to happen, and they think that money means favoritism. Subramanian says that the government should stay out of areas that aren’t important and should instead create a system based on rules that encourages honest, merit-based wealth creation.

In practice, this means making it easier for businesses to compete and promoting “creative destruction,” which is the process by which new technologies replace old ones. India lags in innovation, with the government shouldering most research burdens. While private sector involvement must increase, we also need to address inefficiencies in public R&D.

He highlights privatization as a key reform that can inject efficiency, raise investment, and fuel productivity growth. He says that creating wealth in an ethical way is important for restoring faith in capitalism and ensuring long-term support for market-driven reforms.

Pillar 4: A Virtuous Cycle Fueled by Private Investment

The final pillar highlights the importance of a robust financial system. For an economy to grow, it needs capital markets that work well, banks that serve everyone, and easy access to credit at low costs, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Currently, India faces limited credit penetration, high borrowing costs, and inefficiencies in financial intermediation.

Subramanian recommends reforms to deepen financial markets, improve credit allocation, and enhance banking infrastructure. These changes would boost private investment and help entrepreneurs scale, driving innovation and job creation.

What Sets the Book Apart

Unlike many policy books that remain abstract, India @100 is rich with concrete policy recommendations. Subramanian’s insider perspective—combining academic rigor with governance experience—makes his ideas both ambitious and realistic. He addresses the institutional, political, and bureaucratic constraints that determine the feasibility of reforms.

Critics may debate the $55 trillion target, but the book’s true value lies in the roadmap it offers. Whether India ends up at $25 trillion or $50 trillion is secondary; what matters is adopting the right policies to unlock the country’s potential.

A Blueprint, Not a Crystal Ball

India @100 is not just about projecting big numbers; it is a comprehensive strategy to transform India into a developed nation. It insists on inclusive growth, institutional reform, and private enterprise leadership. India can rise not only in GDP rankings but also in human development, innovation, and global standing if it has the right kind of government and keeps up the reform momentum.

Subramanian’s vision is bold, but his blueprint is grounded in policy, pragmatism, and a profound understanding of the Indian system. The question is no longer whether $55 trillion is achievable, but whether India is willing to make the hard choices necessary to realize its destiny.

About the Author:

A software engineer by profession, Indian culture enthusiast, ardent promoter of hinduism, and a cancer survivor, Raj Shah is a managing editor of Desh-Videsh Magazine and co-founder of Desh Videsh Media Group. Promoting the rich culture and heritage of India and Hinduism has been his motto ever since he arrived in the US in 1969.

He has been instrumental in starting and promoting several community organizations such as the Indian Religious and Cultural Center and International Hindu University. Raj has written two books on Hinduism titled Chronology of Hinduism and Understanding Hinduism. He has also written several children books focusing on Hindu culture and religion.

by Prathyush Parasuraman

What does it mean to be in the presence of beauty? And how can one explore and understand this through the filmography of writer, director, editor, music composer and choreographer Sanjay Leela Bhansali?

In this sweeping text, Prathyush Parasuraman walks the reader through the auteur’s films–those hailed, those hauled–like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Padmaavat, Devdas, Ram-Leela, and Saawariya. With sensitivity and finesse, On Beauty examines beauty as an idea, and aesthetics as a philosophy, while simultaneously shedding light on the making of Bhansali’s painstaking frames through conversations with his cinematographers, composers, choreographers and production and costume designers. In these pages, Bhansali’s cinema comes alive.

Echoes of Eternity: Vyasa and the Puranic Tales

by Krishna Prasanth Guttikonda

Embark on a captivating journey through the timeless wisdom of the Puranas, a collection of eighteen sacred Hindu texts attributed to the sage Vyasa.

“Echoes of Eternity” takes you on a captivating journey through:

• The creation of the universe and the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
• The lives and teachings of Hindu deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and the Divine Mother.
• The principles of Dharma and the importance of righteous living.
• The power of devotion and the path to spiritual enlightenment.
• The cyclical nature of time and the journey of the soul.
• The rich tapestry of Indian culture, including mythology, philosophy, art, and religion.

Whether you are a student of Hinduism, a seeker of spiritual wisdom, or simply someone fascinated by ancient myths and legends, “Echoes of Eternity” offers a profound and engaging exploration of the Puranas, their timeless wisdom, and their enduring relevance in the modern world.

Lords of Earth and Sea: A History of the Chola Empire

by Anirudh Kanisetti

The great empire of the Cholas was unexpected. It sprouted out of the blue in the Kaveri floodplain around 850 CE. Till then, the region had for centuries been dotted by self-governing village assemblies. From here, the Cholas established a vast empire, the first – and only – time an empire based in coastal South India was the dominant power of the a perch usually occupied by the Deccan or northern India.

The Cholas were as creative and imaginative as they were unexpected. They built stupendous temples – the tallest freestanding structures on earth after the pyramids of Egypt. Chola queens popularized new forms of gods and worship, such as the iconic Nataraja and the singing of Tamil poems to deities. And they were spectacularly daring, raiding not just the powerful Deccan and North India but also Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. For a dynasty that was so influential – and is so loved today – its actual historical achievements were surprisingly forgotten by the late nineteenth century, for they had faded into myth and legend.

In this book, the award-winning historian Anirudh Kanisetti brings to life the world of the Cholas. Not just the world of kings and queens attended by generals and ‘service retinue’ women – but the stories of the ‘little people’, whose lives were buffeted by big events. What was life like on board a merchant vessel making its way from the Tamil coast to Southeast Asia and China? What kind of food was served at temples to devotees and to soldiers in times of war? What became of a landless peasant who murdered his brother in a fit of rage? Why did a noble woman commit sati holding a lemon over her head? Based on thousands of inscriptions and hundreds of secondary sources, this deeply researched book is not just a procession of dazzling kings and queens but also a portal that transports us to the peasant settlements of over a thousand years ago. In this book, Kanisetti crucially separates fact from fiction and tells us one of the most extraordinary stories in human history.

The Circle of Life

by Sudha Murty

Uttara Rao, Janaki Paranjape, Arvind Shah, K. Subba Rao and Sumitra Iyer first cross each other’s paths at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in 1999. Coming from vividly different backgrounds, the five soon became friends. As they navigate relationships, careers and life, they vow to come back to the campus twenty-five years later.

A story of hardships, perseverance, success and disappointment, the book examines the lives of five friends as they look back and reminisce on how life turned out. Life has indeed come to a full circle for them. Inspirational and poignant, The Circle of Life is a moving story of five friends as they deal with life’s great expectations.

Regrets: Letting Go by V.A. Kalki

offers a poignant exploration of the tension between tradition, love, and personal fulfillment—universal themes that resonate deeply across cultures. At the heart of the story is Vish, a middle-aged man who seemingly has it all: a successful career in the U.S. a stable marriage, and fatherhood. Yet beneath this outward success lies a man haunted by unresolved regrets, particularly the painful decision to sacrifice a forbidden love in his youth to meet family expectations.

The novel’s emotional core unfolds when Vish’s visit to the UK for a family wedding rekindles memories of his lost love. Compelled to reconnect with his past, he embarks on a journey to find her, only to uncover the heart-wrenching truth about her fate after he had left her. What sets Regrets: Letting Go apart is Kalki’s nuanced portrayal of how deeply familial and cultural expectations can shape not only life choices but also one’s sense of self.

Kalki masterfully weaves together the past and present, illustrating how Vish’s youthful decisions reverberate through his current life, causing him to question whether he truly made the right choices. The novel delves into universal questions of identity, sacrifice, and the emotional cost of adhering to—or deviating from—cultural norms.
Through quiet but powerful prose, Kalki captures the inner turmoil of a man who, despite outward accomplishments, has never fully reconciled with the life he could have lived. The novel is a heartfelt reminder that it’s never too late to confront the past, seek understanding, and find closure. In Vish’s journey, we see that addressing the unresolved can be painful, but it is also necessary for true peace. The book reminds us that healing is possible at any stage in life—whether through reexamining old wounds, making amends, or simply coming to terms with choices that can’t be undone. Kalki’s story encourages readers to embrace the process of reflection and growth, showing that even the most deeply buried regrets can lead to moments of clarity, understanding, and redemption.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon in both Kindle and print formats: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPC6XDN4/

Hindu nationalism, which is currently so prevalent in the nation, was in fact born as a result of Hindus subverting some of the missionaries’ own instruments and tactics. Manu S. Pillai walks us through these amazing dynamics in Gods, Guns, and Missionaries. This book is ambitious in its scope and provocative in its position, featuring a captivating cast of characters, including politicians, philosophers, clergymen, poets, gun-wielding revolutionaries, maharajahs, and polemicists. Clear and thorough, it is simultaneously a political history, an analysis of Hindu culture, and a study of the social forces that paved the way for Hindu nationalism. The past as it is presented here is more complex and infinitely richer than popular narratives permit, moving away from oversimplified notions of religious evolution and European imperialism.

Gods, Guns, and Missionaries by Manu S. Pillai is an in-depth, highly intelligent analysis of how Hindu identity has changed over the previous four centuries. Fundamentally, the book questions the idea of an eternal, monolithic Hinduism, presenting it as pluralistic, flexible, and regularly reformed by interactions with colonial powers, Christian missionaries, reformers, and indigenous discussions. According to Pillai, Hinduism’s adaptability and ability to take in political, social, and theological change are what give it its resilience.

The story opens with a powerful story about Maharaja Madho Singh II of Jaipur, who defied religious convention by carrying an idol of Śrī Gopalji despite it being forbidden to cross the sea. This incident establishes the tone for Pillai’s larger thesis: Hindu customs have long adapted to the demands of the outside world.

The conflict between Hindu customs and European missionaries is one of the book’s main themes. With their sense of civilizational superiority, missionaries condemned Hinduism as immoral and archaic. However, Hindu academics and reformers retaliated by arguing for an abstract monotheism analogous to Christian theology through the lens of Vedantic philosophy. This theological back-and-forth demonstrated that Hindus were active participants in a complex discourse rather than passive consumers of Western ideas.

Pillai also looks into how the East India Company interacted with Hindu society and missionaries over time. To avoid disturbing the local elites, the company initially upheld a policy of non-interference. However, it eventually gave in to pressure from evangelical organizations and started funding missionary work, which frequently caused hostility among indigenous populations. The codification of Hindu law by colonial Orientalists, particularly William Jones, further altered Hinduism. Imperial control was made possible by their freezing of its religious and legal codes into inflexible texts, which weakened the localized and organic systems of belief and jurisprudence.

The inconsistencies of British policy are brought to light by Pillai’s discussion of individuals such as Reverend Andrew Fuller, who asserted that Hindus lacked unity and were incapable of mass resistance, only to have this claim refuted by the 1857 uprising. The British aimed to reshape India’s social and religious structures in addition to controlling it militarily and economically; this approach sparked unrest and resistance.

This book gives the internal reforms within Hinduism the attention they deserve. While defending Hinduism, reformers like Raja Ram Mohun Roy and Dayananda Saraswati also embraced Christian concepts. This cross-pollination produced organizations like the Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj, which combined a renewed Hindu sense of self with Western reason. Pillai admits that both true reform and ideological ambiguity resulted from Hindu reformers’ frequent internalization of missionary criticism, particularly anti-Brahmin rhetoric.

However, Pillai’s interpretive bias occasionally taints his depictions. He downplays the persistence of Hindu royal tradition by portraying Serfoji’s temple patronage as political opportunism rather than devotion. In a similar vein, his empathetic interpretation of Jyotirao Phule’s combative anti-Brahmin views is unbalanced. Reducing the complex reality of caste dynamics to the dichotomy of oppressor and oppressed fails to adequately convey the complexity of Hindu society.

The book also discusses the relationship between Jesuit missionaries and the Mughal emperor Akbar. Pillai presents Akbar as open-minded and inquisitive, but he ignores the historical record of his reign’s forced conversions and temple destructions, including the massacre of Hindus following the siege of Chittorgarh in 1568. A greater historiographical problem in Indian history is reflected in this selective memory: harsh tyranny versus romanticized syncretism, which is frequently determined by the historian’s ideological inclinations.

The history of English education takes up a significant amount of the book. According to the summary critique, Pillai’s assertion that Indians actively sought Western education ignores the coercive environment in which English was imposed as the language of power and native systems were destroyed. The “demand” for English was more about surviving a colonial system than agency.

Pillai’s strongest argument is that the development of Hindu nationalism, often perceived as having an ancient core, actually occurred during colonial times. In response to both missionary activity and colonial classification, individuals such as Tilak and Savarkar brought together a disparate religious landscape into a single, militant identity. Instead of sensationalizing this development, Pillai carefully frames it as the result of ideological pressures rather than historical continuity.

The “protestantization” of Hinduism—the effort by Hindu intellectuals to characterize their faith in terms similar to those of Christianity, which are scriptural, logical, and systematic—is also covered in the book. In favor of a standardized, text-based religion that was simpler to defend in colonial and missionary debates, this shift marginalized local, experiential forms of religiosity while distancing itself from the diversity of Hinduism at large.

The concluding chapters of Gods, Guns, and Missionaries examine the internal divisions within Hinduism—sectarian rivalries, regional variances, and the consolidation of sacred geographies. Pillai criticizes the cynical framing of Brahminical adaptability, which presents Brahmins as manipulative rather than as respectable guardians of tradition. Although he makes a solid case for Hinduism’s adaptability, the tone occasionally veers into ideological territory.

Pillai’s book is a brilliant synthesis of philosophical arguments, historical sources, and cultural observations. It avoids the traps of either glorifying the past or dismissing it as mere fiction. Rather, it provides a fair and insightful analysis of the ways in which the forces of empire, reform, and self-discovery have contested, rebuilt, and continuously reshaped Hindu identity. In the end, Pillai’s point is unmistakable: Hinduism’s power comes from its extraordinary ability to reinvent itself rather than from its rigidity.

Winston Churchill was closely connected with India from 1896, when he landed in Bombay with his regiment, until 1947, when independence was finally achieved. No other British statesman had such a long association with the sub-continent–or interfered in its politics so consistently and harmfully.

Churchill strove to sabotage any moves towards independence, crippling the Government of India Act over five years of dogged opposition to its passage in the 1930s. As Prime Minister during the Second World War, Churchill frustrated the freedom struggle from behind the scenes, delaying independence by a decade. To this day he is ‘the’ imperialist villain for Indians, held personally responsible for the Bengal Famine.

This book reveals Churchill at his worst: cruel, obstructive and selfish. The same man was outstandingly liberal at the Colonial Office, risking his career with his generosity to the Boers and the Irish, and later speeding up independence in the Middle East. Why was he so strangely hostile towards India?

Hinduism and Science in Dialogue: 20 reasons why is Hinduism is very Scientific Religion
by Pankaj Kumar

Hinduism and Science in Dialogue is a book by Pankaj Kumar that provides 20 reasons why Hinduism is a scientific religion.The dialogue model proposes a mutualistic relationship between religion and science.
This model assumes that both fields share common ground, such as methods, concepts, and presuppositions. Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu worldview spokesman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, optimistically declared that “science and religion will meet and shake hands”.

India on a Plate!: Indian Food from A to Z
by Archana Sreenivasan

Fry, simmer, sauté, and create.
I’ll try them all. I can’t wait!
You can’t fit India on a plate!

Kids love learning about food, they need to learn their ABC’s, and this mouth-watering alphabet book covers both in the most delicious way! From spicy achaar to sweet zafrani pulao, flip through food from every corner of India, for all kinds of occasions. Author/illustrator Archana Sreenivasan brings each dish to life with playful rhyming text and bright, engaging illustrations.

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