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It was only in the 14th century that Hindi — today the fourth largest language in the world — became a language of literature. The author examines close readings of literary and scholarly works along with the hundreds of handwritten books from the precolonial era and explores how writing and literacy reshaped the ways the language and its literature have been imagined. He believes that the way books were inscribed, organised, and handled can tell us as much about their meaning and significance as the words within.

From Punjab’s bloodied streets to the volatile battleground of Jammu and Kashmir, and onwards to Pakistan and ravaged Afghanistan, journalist Harinder Baweja has ventured deep into conflict zones. She has borne witness to the fractures that define nations and people. The book reflects her despatches from ground zero and captures the sociology and psychology of violence and the role of religion in radicalisation. It also examines how political decisions and government apathy can stoke and inflame fires and birth fresh fault lines.

From archery to judo, from badminton to shot put, there isn’t a field that Indian sportspersons don’t excel in. In fact, few nations are ahead of India in the medal tally. This book looks at 20 of India’s best-known Paralympians and how they forged their path to success, overcoming obstacles and fulfilling their dreams. In the Foreword, para athlete Deepa Malik writes that these sportspersons are not defined by their disability but their discipline, talent and an unshakeable will to rise.