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Covid-19 brought global economy in a downward spiral, particularly when major economies were already looking inward and world trade was affected by a US-China trade war. The impact on the Indian economy, already showing signs of uncertainty, was much greater. This timely volume, edited by Sanjaya Baru, examines the crisis created by the pandemic and the government policies. In their essays, 22 experts write about various aspects of the economy and offer solutions. Baru has wisely selected from a diverse range of writers, including government functionaries, its critics as well as economists and analysts. Their perspectives may differ but they all agree on one thing — strong and sustained economic reforms are needed to restore growth.

He might have left the Indian Police Service barely a decade after he joined, but there is a lot he has to share about policing and police reforms. This is why K Annamalai, then known as Singham of Karnataka, where he served, and now BJP vice-president in Tamil Nadu, has come out with his memoir, ‘Stepping Beyond Khaki’. He writes about the real-life heroes he encountered during his service and prescribes the changes needed in politics, policing and governance mechanisms. The book could be read by anyone eager at a peek into the policing world with its good, bad and ugly innards.

Any narrative about new India would be incomplete without talking about the institutions that played a role in making what it is. Supreme Court lawyer Ashok Panda chooses to trace the evolution of the highest seat of justice, the custodian of our Constitution and the defender of our fundamental rights — the Supreme Court. Having witnessed most of the defining moments in the history of the SC, he is uniquely placed to write this book. Over the last seven decades, the SC has dealt with numerous complex issues borne out of India’s changing landscape. However, as questions are raised over the judiciary itself, the book becomes an important read.

Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray was never his father, he couldn’t have been one. That is why, when it came to choosing an alliance partner to become Chief Minister for the first time, he chose the Congress over the BJP. In the changed Hindutva narrative, which places Narendra Modi at the forefront, Uddhav presented a secular face. ‘Trail of the Tiger’ tracks his journey against this backdrop. But then, it is not just his story. It is the story of saffron ‘tiger’ Thackeray’s own family battle for political power. Based on news analysis, it explores intertextuality to bring readers the authentic account of Shiv Sena’s saffron to secular trajectory under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray.

Emperor of Kashmir: Lalitaditya the Great is, perhaps, the first book to be penned on the 8th century ruler. Forgotten today, he built the largest empire after Ashoka. He is credited with creating the great city of Parihaspur, the ruins of which can still be seen in Kashmir, and controlled the international trade routes to China by repeatedly defeating the then powerful Tibet. Written originally in Marathi by historian Sanjay Sonawani, the book has now been translated into English by Prashant Talnikar. The latter has also collaborated with the publishers on another book, ‘Bonding with Kashmir’.

Along life’s journey, there will be failures, there will be heartbreaks, there will be despair and there will be restlessness. This is true for everyone, yet everyone’s story is different. One such story is narrated in ‘The Miracle’ by Canada-based author Kamal Dhillon, who weaves a tale of relationships, self-discovery, tours and detours inspired by the changing kaleidoscope of life itself. Told in simple prose, it is peppered with poetry. The book, says the author, is her way of shrugging off the mundane, the everyday weight we carry on our shoulders, without realising the burden. What could possibly break that monotony? Only a miracle.