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Matters of Discretion: An Autobiography

Matters of Discretion: An Autobiography

Rs. 299.00
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An absorbing, authentic and definitive account, by a former prime minister, of crucial events that had a significant impact on the nation’s destiny after independence.

I K Gujral has penned his life story in a forthright and candid manner. He entered the political fray as a freedom fighter in the British era and after the tumultuous events that rocked the Indian subcontinent in the wake of the partition in August 1947, crossed over from Pakistan to India, where he had to begin life from scratch. Despite facing tremendous odds, on the basis of his perseverance, resilience and never-say-die attitude, Gujral’s achievements allowed him to witness and shape India’s contemporary history.

Gujral joined Congress Party and was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1964. He was the Information and Broadcasting Minister when emergency was imposed, which entailed arbitrary press censorship. Since he refused to bow down to the de facto powers, he was unceremoniously replaced and later sent by Indira Gandhi as India’s ambassador to the USSR, a post he handled with commendable tact and finesse. After his stint in Moscow, he returned to India and re-entered the ‘political whirlpool’ by joining the Janata Dal. He became minister for external affairs under V P Singh (1989) and Deve Gowda (1996).

Gujral reached the pinnacle of his career when he became the prime minister on 1997. During his priministership, despite the exigencies and pressures of running a coalition government, he endeavoured to achieve progress in many spheres. The Gujral Doctrine (a set of five principles to guide the conduct of foreign relations with India’s immediate neighbours) was widely acclaimed in both India and the West.

This volume, a valuable addition to the literature on contemporary history, provides a deep insight into the political scene as it unfolded after independence and delineates the roles played by a wide spectrum of politicians, bureaucrats and many others.

A meticulous autobiography which records in intimate detail India’s political history from the rise of Indira Gandhi to the ascendancy of the BJP…. Serves as a timely reminder that fractured verdicts lead to zero governance and political chaos. The labyrinthines intrigues of rival politicians belonging to successive Janata combines, United Front or National Front, as well as their supporting parties (most since been dumped into the dustbins of history), make for distressing reading. However, his detailed recollections of those turbulent times would prove an invaluable source for research scholars of the future…. Gujral makes a perceptive study of Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s insecurities, intolerance even of benefactors, contempt of most fellow Congress leaders and domineering temperament. Few have been able to make a dispassionate assessment of Mrs. Indira Gandhi and to that extent, the author must be complimented for coming lose to it…. A balanced narrative [and] a candid chronicle of chaotic times.
- The Times of India

A fascinating account of the post-Nehruvian period by a gentleman politician. I. K. Gujral, by virtue of a combination of age, circumstance and intellect, was a ringside witness and participant to a period of Indian history when systems were made and destroyed, democracy flourished and yet saw some of its darkest periods and politics in India touched New highs and lows…. The book is a saga of the working of political minds, how courageous and thoughtful they can be, yet, how petty and machinating they are, of the manipulation of people, the rank lies that are spoken, the lack of principles often shown.
- India Today

There has been no book on contemporary politics and history that has been as anecdotal and informative as this autobiography. A lucid account of the incidents that the author witnessed as an activist and during his long career in politics, the book has not sparked off any controversy solely because Gujral has been candid and forthright in expressing himself. What distinguishes his work from the autobiographies and biographies of several other politicians is that he has allowed things to come out in the public domain as he saw them. His transparency is tangible. Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in India’s contemporary politics and history.
- The Hindustan Times

Gujral is the only Indian prime minister to keep a diary and write an autobiography. Also a rare politician with an intellectual bent, fond of art and poetry, sophisticated, at ease at home and abroad, broad minded and fluent in English, Urdu and Punjabi. His is a sordid tale of endless politicking, intrigue and back-stabbing…. The whole political tribe is shown as unscrupulous and unprincipled except V. P. Singh and Morarji Desai – who had faults of a different order. The book is without any trace of rancour by a sentimental and large-hearted man who was badly treated and undervalued by his political colleagues. It is an essential record of this period for studying the naked ambition of our politicians and will confirm the worst fears of the public.
- The Statesman

I.K. Gujral swam in the current of Indian politics for four decades – as MP, ambassador, foreign minister and prime minister…. His autobiography is welcome as an engaging anecdotal account of his years in public life…. An eventful story of a life and era that makes for very interesting reading.
- Outlook.

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