About the Book
Book: The Undying Light
Author: Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Publisher: Aleph Book
Company
Price: Rs 999/-
The Undying Light by Gopalkrishna Gandhi is a deeply personal and panoramic account of India’s journey from Independence to the present. With the quiet dignity and precision that characterise his public life, Gandhi weaves together memoir, political commentary, and historical reflection into a work that is both intimate and illuminating.
The book begins with the tragic memory of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, which the author witnessed as a three-year-old-a haunting prelude that sets the emotional tenor for what follows. Across eight distinct sections, he traces the milestones and missteps of independent India through the lens of one who has served at the highest echelons of government, from secretary to two Presidents to governor of West Bengal and Bihar.
The volume moves through the seismic shifts in India’s post-Independence trajectory — Partition, the framing of the Constitution, the Emergency, communal violence, the rise of coalitions, and the emergence of majoritarian politics. Gandhi filters these moments through a moral and reflective lens. His writing is meditative and grounded, offering a perspective shaped by first-hand observation and an enduring faith in democratic values. The Emergency is dissected with the same rigour as the demolition of the Babri Masjid; the idealism of the Nehruvian era is weighed alongside the complexities of the present. His reflections on federalism, secularism, and democratic ethics serve as poignant reminders of the principles upon which modern India was built-and the forces now testing their resilience. The book was recently launched by Sharmila Tagore, who described it as a profound reflection on India’s rich history and values. The launch also featured a panel discussion with Aruna Roy, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and Rudrangshu Mukherjee, who shared insights that added depth to Gandhi’s perspective.
The Undying Light does not aim to dazzle with dramatic flourish, but to illuminate the path of a nation that continues to evolve. It is a considered work-layered, compassionate, and quietly urgent. For readers seeking a deeper engagement with modern Indian history through the lens of a scholar — statesman, this book offers a compelling narrative rooted in lived experience and thoughtful observation.
