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Durbar
A revealing account of our political past that holds crucial lessons for today's India
In the summer of 1975 Tavleen Singh, not yet twenty-five, started working as a junior reporter in the Statesman in New Delhi. Within five weeks, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared the Emergency, suspending fundamental rights and imposing press censorship, and soon reckless policies said to be authored by the prime minister's younger son were unleashed on India's citizens. As the country suffered under the iron fist of an elected icon and her chosen heir, Tavleen observed that a small, influential section of Delhi's society people she knew well remained strangely unaffected by the perilous state of the nation. Before long, members of this circle were entrenched in key positions in the Indian government.
In 1984, following Indira Gandhi's assassination, Rajiv Gandhi became prime minister, fortified by a huge mandate from a nation desperate for change. But, belying its hopes, the young leader chose for himself a group of advisors, friends and acolytes from the drawing rooms of Delhi, as inexperienced as him and just as unaware of the ground realities of a complex nation. It was the beginning of a political culture of favouritism and ineptitude that would take hold at the highest levels of government, stunting India's ambitions and frustrating its people well into the next century.
Seasoned reporter and distinguished newspaper columnist Tavleen Singh's Durbar is a sharp account of these turbulent years. Describing the Nehruvian era of her childhood, the Emergency of her youth and the political shifts that followed, Tavleen writes of the birth and evolution of insurgencies in Punjab and Kashmir, the blood spilt in assassinations and massacres, of crises internal and external and the clumsy attempts to set things right. A remarkable memoir, vivid with the colour of election campaigns and society dinners, low conspiracies and high corruption, Durbar rewards us with this truth: that if India is to achieve a better future the past can no longer be ignored or forgotten.
In the summer of 1975 Tavleen Singh, not yet twenty-five, started working as a junior reporter in the Statesman in New Delhi. Within five weeks, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared the Emergency, suspending fundamental rights and imposing press censorship, and soon reckless policies said to be authored by the prime minister's younger son were unleashed on India's citizens. As the country suffered under the iron fist of an elected icon and her chosen heir, Tavleen observed that a small, influential section of Delhi's society people she knew well remained strangely unaffected by the perilous state of the nation. Before long, members of this circle were entrenched in key positions in the Indian government.
In 1984, following Indira Gandhi's assassination, Rajiv Gandhi became prime minister, fortified by a huge mandate from a nation desperate for change. But, belying its hopes, the young leader chose for himself a group of advisors, friends and acolytes from the drawing rooms of Delhi, as inexperienced as him and just as unaware of the ground realities of a complex nation. It was the beginning of a political culture of favouritism and ineptitude that would take hold at the highest levels of government, stunting India's ambitions and frustrating its people well into the next century.
Seasoned reporter and distinguished newspaper columnist Tavleen Singh's Durbar is a sharp account of these turbulent years. Describing the Nehruvian era of her childhood, the Emergency of her youth and the political shifts that followed, Tavleen writes of the birth and evolution of insurgencies in Punjab and Kashmir, the blood spilt in assassinations and massacres, of crises internal and external and the clumsy attempts to set things right. A remarkable memoir, vivid with the colour of election campaigns and society dinners, low conspiracies and high corruption, Durbar rewards us with this truth: that if India is to achieve a better future the past can no longer be ignored or forgotten.
324 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
98 people are currently reading
1771 people want to read
About the author
Tavleen Singh
9 books90 followersTavleen Singh is the author of three books, Kashmir: A Tragedy of Errors, Lollipop Street: Why India Will Survive Her Politicians and Political and Incorrect. She spends her time between Delhi and Mumbai and writes four weekly political columns, in Hindi for Amar Ujala and Jansatta, and in English for syndication and an exclusive column for the Indian Express.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
April 27, 2019
A good book to read for someone who is interested in Indian politics written from a journalists point of view. Durbar is a first-person account of some of the most impactful incidents that took place at the hands of the Central Government. It begins with an account of the Emergency in 1975, when the author began her career as a reporter then followed story of Gandhi's family.
The Emergency was a landmark event that set the course of the spiral of incidents that followed it: Indira Gandhi’s assassination followed by Rajiv Gandhi’s ascent to power, a period fraught with struggles and turbulence in the government. He was accused of following nepotism in the corridors of power, and was associated with many controversies such as the the anti-Sikh riots, the Bhopal Gas tragedy and the Bofors scam, which served to tarnish the impeccable image of the Congress in the days to come.
Durbar really provide inside story of politics. This book basically unmasked the Gandhi family and dynasty politics. I do not understand how people who had no clue of what India really is and did not understand the problems our country faced and how to solve them. Our country was ruled by people who did not deserve to rule us.
Really good book. Everyone should read it.
The Emergency was a landmark event that set the course of the spiral of incidents that followed it: Indira Gandhi’s assassination followed by Rajiv Gandhi’s ascent to power, a period fraught with struggles and turbulence in the government. He was accused of following nepotism in the corridors of power, and was associated with many controversies such as the the anti-Sikh riots, the Bhopal Gas tragedy and the Bofors scam, which served to tarnish the impeccable image of the Congress in the days to come.
Durbar really provide inside story of politics. This book basically unmasked the Gandhi family and dynasty politics. I do not understand how people who had no clue of what India really is and did not understand the problems our country faced and how to solve them. Our country was ruled by people who did not deserve to rule us.
Really good book. Everyone should read it.
September 28, 2013
I completed reading Durbar the very day when Rahul Gandhi let hell loose with his amateurish protest against 'his government's" ordinance to shield criminal MP/MLAs from disqualification. And the lines, " it all began with Rajeev" ironically came alive. Durbar is a fascinating and disturbing tale of how independent India lost almost six decades of it's development to dynastic politics, to the whims and fancies of politicians who have proved to be worse than their colonial counterparts and how the Indian national congress became family property of the Gandhis. The author couldn't be more honest. Her account isn't a personal reflection or theoretical conception but a memoir replete with facts. It's a brilliant composition where the reader is not shadowed over by her views but let free to decide. Durbar is a must read for anyone, a common Indian citizen who at times keeps wondering what went so fundamentally wrong with our system? But generations and generations of politicians have made promises and failed to deliver. This is one of the most powerful books of the decade and an absolutely sharp read.
May 10, 2014
I had come to know about this book when I watched an interview of Ms Tavleen Singh on a youtube channel. The way Ms Tavleen Singh went about presenting her side of the story and answered the questions was a good enough reason for me to buy this on FlipKart. My observations.
What I liked:
One, reminded of my childhood listening to my maternal uncle recount his experience through the emergency and the later decades following it. I somehow found that connect with this book as Ms Tavleen Singh has filled this book with so many personal anecdotes stitched to the major events of post-independence Indian history that as a reader one would find themselves glued to this book.
Two, last but not the least, one must bow and applaud this dare devil of a lady for the kinda work she has done. I don't want to give away too much but in the book the author recounts a particularly close call she had with a certain bad person in a very dangerous situation which gave me goosebumps just reading it. Hats off.
What I did not like:
Just one, way too many people mentioned. I am sure there is a reason for the inclusion of so many people but at some point in time, it was distracting me from enjoying Ms Tavleen Singh's core message.
Closing thoughts:
In the end, I believe it falls upon us - the so called X-gen - to ensure we listen to our stalwarts such as Ms Tavleen Singh and understand how our country came to be as it is. We owe it to all those innocent people who died for it, unwittingly and maybe even unwillingly in communal riots when those whose job it was to stop them stood by and watched it all happen, either for want of capability, motivation or just maybe plain sincerity; an analysis and diagnosis of that problem is the core message in this book.
Four stars. Buy first hand please.
What I liked:
One, reminded of my childhood listening to my maternal uncle recount his experience through the emergency and the later decades following it. I somehow found that connect with this book as Ms Tavleen Singh has filled this book with so many personal anecdotes stitched to the major events of post-independence Indian history that as a reader one would find themselves glued to this book.
Two, last but not the least, one must bow and applaud this dare devil of a lady for the kinda work she has done. I don't want to give away too much but in the book the author recounts a particularly close call she had with a certain bad person in a very dangerous situation which gave me goosebumps just reading it. Hats off.
What I did not like:
Just one, way too many people mentioned. I am sure there is a reason for the inclusion of so many people but at some point in time, it was distracting me from enjoying Ms Tavleen Singh's core message.
Closing thoughts:
In the end, I believe it falls upon us - the so called X-gen - to ensure we listen to our stalwarts such as Ms Tavleen Singh and understand how our country came to be as it is. We owe it to all those innocent people who died for it, unwittingly and maybe even unwillingly in communal riots when those whose job it was to stop them stood by and watched it all happen, either for want of capability, motivation or just maybe plain sincerity; an analysis and diagnosis of that problem is the core message in this book.
Four stars. Buy first hand please.
September 7, 2013
I am an equally opportunity reader, I read all genres, all types of books. And absolutely love political books. When I read excerpts of Tavleen Singh’s Durbar, my interest was piqued. Luckily, I was in India at that time, and easily got hold of it. The book spans from around 1975 to the Rajiv Gandhi coming into Politics. It is less of a political commentary, more of a book born of Singh’s observations and experiences at a time when she was close to the powers that be, in the centre. She writes of the Nehruvian era of her childhood, the Emergency of her youth and the political shifts that followed. Of the birth and evolution of insurgencies in Punjab and Kashmir, the blood spilt in assassinations and massacres, of crises internal and external and the clumsy attempts to set things right. A very interesting book. A page turner, and not a boring moment in it and I think it gives you a perspective, maybe from the author’s point of view, but still, a perspective worth having, I would say.
June 25, 2013
One of those unsolved mysteries of India to me has always been how democracy has survived so long in this country. In this subcontinent, the word diversity itself becomes a cliché. Mine is a relatively small state in the map, an area of 15,000 square miles with 14 major districts included in it. There is only one spoken language called Malayalam but it is spoken in countless different tones and slangs that an outsider would be perplexed ( to put it mildly !) in no time. Now apply this to the larger states like Bihar or Madhya Pradesh and you will understand the enormity of this nation and the complexity that will face any government or central agency. It is this vastness and diverse nature that also protects democracy in this nation for no two states or no two sets of people think alike.
The problems are as different as chalk and cheese. The Maoist insurgency in the northern areas does not spread to the others, the secessionist forces at play in Kashmir cannot spread its effect elsewhere, communism in Kerala and Bengal does not find a foothold in any other states are but minor examples of how India makes life difficult for ideologies and political forces. There is however one dynasty that everyone knows in India : the Nehru – Gandhi family. As I had written in the review for Katherine Frank’s Indira, they will always be known as India’s first family. The seeds of dynasty politics began with them and the rest is part of the history of post-independence India. Tavleen Singh has taken a slice of history for her book which encompasses : The state of emergency – Sanjay and Indira Gandhi’s later years – Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as the Prime Minister and the assassinations.
To begin, I can say that the content of this book is what can be termed as immensely readable. India’s history from 1970’s to 1990’s have been extremely turbulent in terms of the impact it brought to the general populace. Economically the country was grumbling and moaning on its path along, foreign direct investment was frowned upon, external affairs policy was about being a satellite of the Soviet Union and there was strife from within. The state of emergency remains a very dark and disturbing chapter in the history of this nation and at the center stage of this tragedy was Sanjay Gandhi.In the state of Punjab, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale began the demand for the separate state of Khalistan and violence was unleashed in the aftermath. The course was set for the botched and extremely messy military operation in the golden temple and eventually to Indira Gandhi’s assassination. To use Mark Tully’s words, Amritsar was Mrs. Gandhi’s last battle. At the same time, the seeds of armed insurgency were sown in Kashmir. The stage was then set for the political entry of the prodigal son : Rajiv Gandhi. India again went through a period of turbulence which included charges of corruption, the rise of religious fundamentalism and a terrifying end to the most charismatic PM to ever lead India. Take a look at this broad spectrum of topics and you could write volumes on them.
The author is a seasoned journalist and I was expecting a ring side view of these times but what I got was hard boiled criticism of the Gandhi’s. This is not to say that these leaders are beyond criticism but the entire course of the book is set on saying Indira Gandhi did not do this or Can you imagine Sanjay Gandhi did this ? and Of all things, Rajiv Gandhi had to do this etc. It makes tiresome reading and is heavily biased in content. A lot of potential is wasted here as the author was an audience for most of these historic occurrences but fails to capture the soul of them. I found her to be wasting words and usages on criticizing Rajiv and Sonia ( Rajiv did not talk to me after that or Sonia ignored me pointedly are not very heinous crimes !) rather than trying to give the reader more insight into the events that shaped India. Well written but the content is not up to the mark for a veteran journalist.
If you are a newbie to the field of Indian politics, try it out .If however,you have kept a track of how this country became what it is today then this might not be a good one for you.
The problems are as different as chalk and cheese. The Maoist insurgency in the northern areas does not spread to the others, the secessionist forces at play in Kashmir cannot spread its effect elsewhere, communism in Kerala and Bengal does not find a foothold in any other states are but minor examples of how India makes life difficult for ideologies and political forces. There is however one dynasty that everyone knows in India : the Nehru – Gandhi family. As I had written in the review for Katherine Frank’s Indira, they will always be known as India’s first family. The seeds of dynasty politics began with them and the rest is part of the history of post-independence India. Tavleen Singh has taken a slice of history for her book which encompasses : The state of emergency – Sanjay and Indira Gandhi’s later years – Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as the Prime Minister and the assassinations.
To begin, I can say that the content of this book is what can be termed as immensely readable. India’s history from 1970’s to 1990’s have been extremely turbulent in terms of the impact it brought to the general populace. Economically the country was grumbling and moaning on its path along, foreign direct investment was frowned upon, external affairs policy was about being a satellite of the Soviet Union and there was strife from within. The state of emergency remains a very dark and disturbing chapter in the history of this nation and at the center stage of this tragedy was Sanjay Gandhi.In the state of Punjab, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale began the demand for the separate state of Khalistan and violence was unleashed in the aftermath. The course was set for the botched and extremely messy military operation in the golden temple and eventually to Indira Gandhi’s assassination. To use Mark Tully’s words, Amritsar was Mrs. Gandhi’s last battle. At the same time, the seeds of armed insurgency were sown in Kashmir. The stage was then set for the political entry of the prodigal son : Rajiv Gandhi. India again went through a period of turbulence which included charges of corruption, the rise of religious fundamentalism and a terrifying end to the most charismatic PM to ever lead India. Take a look at this broad spectrum of topics and you could write volumes on them.
The author is a seasoned journalist and I was expecting a ring side view of these times but what I got was hard boiled criticism of the Gandhi’s. This is not to say that these leaders are beyond criticism but the entire course of the book is set on saying Indira Gandhi did not do this or Can you imagine Sanjay Gandhi did this ? and Of all things, Rajiv Gandhi had to do this etc. It makes tiresome reading and is heavily biased in content. A lot of potential is wasted here as the author was an audience for most of these historic occurrences but fails to capture the soul of them. I found her to be wasting words and usages on criticizing Rajiv and Sonia ( Rajiv did not talk to me after that or Sonia ignored me pointedly are not very heinous crimes !) rather than trying to give the reader more insight into the events that shaped India. Well written but the content is not up to the mark for a veteran journalist.
If you are a newbie to the field of Indian politics, try it out .If however,you have kept a track of how this country became what it is today then this might not be a good one for you.
November 11, 2013
There is a reason Tavleen Singh is not taken seriously by a generation much older than mine. The 40-50 year old Indian intellectual and business elite regard her as nothing more than a Congress-basher. I feel they are not doing her justice.
Tavleen Singh comes from the old Indian guard, the people and families who had access to the upper echelons of the government during the formative stages of the Indian democracy, and that she chose to be a journalist must have followed from there. It was the natural thing to do for a well-heeled, educated, ambitious woman at that time.
I loved the way she started the book, in which she explains the difference between people from her convent educated, affluent background, and the rest of the country. This is a recurring theme in the book, the distance between the people who run India and the people who actually live in it, and that encapsulates the whole book.
She starts with Indira Gandhi's reign, and does not give you any time to brace yourself. She attacks the Indian National Congress, its leaders and its politics with the rage of a wounded tigress, and in doing so, gives us (at least us kids. I'm a millennial, born in 1987, years after the events of the book) a history lesson we desperately need; one of India's documented, much commented upon idiosyncrasies is its total blindness to its rich cultural and political history.
The Punjab troubles that led to Operation Blue Star, and the Kashmir issue are explained intricately; I did not say history 'lesson' lightly. And through all this, she is just getting warmed up. It is time for Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi. And this is when it becomes really engrossing reading. Tavleen Singh knows these people, the prince and his ministers - Rajiv Gandhi and his coterie of Doon school educated bureaucrats who've arrived to run a country they barely understand. She tells stories of Delhi drawing rooms and power plays, big journalistic egos and unbelievable conspiracy theories.
I knew of Aatish Taseer long before I'd heard of a journalist called Tavleen Singh. I mention this to underline the insulation that we young people have from politics today. It is a sort of filter bubble - the one I had got in Aatish Taseer and his books, but held out Tavleen Singh, because politics is the sort of quagmire we young people are taught to keep away from.
This ignorance of our own political history is more than a shame, it is something that can take our whole country down with it. If we don't know our past, how can we learn from the mistakes we made in the past? Tavleen Singh's Durbar is a book about the past, certainly, but it is also a book about our future as a nation, and I hope everyone reads it.
Tavleen Singh comes from the old Indian guard, the people and families who had access to the upper echelons of the government during the formative stages of the Indian democracy, and that she chose to be a journalist must have followed from there. It was the natural thing to do for a well-heeled, educated, ambitious woman at that time.
I loved the way she started the book, in which she explains the difference between people from her convent educated, affluent background, and the rest of the country. This is a recurring theme in the book, the distance between the people who run India and the people who actually live in it, and that encapsulates the whole book.
She starts with Indira Gandhi's reign, and does not give you any time to brace yourself. She attacks the Indian National Congress, its leaders and its politics with the rage of a wounded tigress, and in doing so, gives us (at least us kids. I'm a millennial, born in 1987, years after the events of the book) a history lesson we desperately need; one of India's documented, much commented upon idiosyncrasies is its total blindness to its rich cultural and political history.
The Punjab troubles that led to Operation Blue Star, and the Kashmir issue are explained intricately; I did not say history 'lesson' lightly. And through all this, she is just getting warmed up. It is time for Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi. And this is when it becomes really engrossing reading. Tavleen Singh knows these people, the prince and his ministers - Rajiv Gandhi and his coterie of Doon school educated bureaucrats who've arrived to run a country they barely understand. She tells stories of Delhi drawing rooms and power plays, big journalistic egos and unbelievable conspiracy theories.
I knew of Aatish Taseer long before I'd heard of a journalist called Tavleen Singh. I mention this to underline the insulation that we young people have from politics today. It is a sort of filter bubble - the one I had got in Aatish Taseer and his books, but held out Tavleen Singh, because politics is the sort of quagmire we young people are taught to keep away from.
This ignorance of our own political history is more than a shame, it is something that can take our whole country down with it. If we don't know our past, how can we learn from the mistakes we made in the past? Tavleen Singh's Durbar is a book about the past, certainly, but it is also a book about our future as a nation, and I hope everyone reads it.
June 14, 2017
The Period from 1975 to 2000 has been very turbulent one in the political scenario of India. Taveleen singh a very seasoned author & journalist and part of the inner circle of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi covers it in a very interesting way in this book. It gives a first hand account of emergencey years, sanjay gandhi era, his death , Indira gandhi assasination, Operation blue star, kashmir insurgency , rajiv gandhi's landslide victory and eventual disenchantment of public with him .The book also gives passing reference to all major event during that period, also peels the layers and reveals personality of sonia & rajiv gandhi .The book is laced with wonderful anecdotes, and writing is so good that u don;t feel like reading a non fiction book , this was the fastest i would have read any non fiction book .
January 23, 2015
For anyone interested , this book is available for 13 Rupees on Kindle today, on Amazon..
http://www.amazon.in/Durbar-Tavleen-S...
Definitely worth it.
http://www.amazon.in/Durbar-Tavleen-S...
Definitely worth it.
August 31, 2015
Tavleen Singh, the writer of Durbar, emerges as a brave journalist with high contacts and privileged access to high profile drawing rooms and she generously used these capabilities to make the book an interesting chronicle of the time when Indira and Rajeev ruled the country and strengthened the root of dynastic politics. Many of the events described in the book had already taken place when I was born and many of them happened when I was too young to make any sense of them. So, there has always been a curiosity to get some first-hand account of incidents like emergency, operation blue star, sikh riots, assassination of Mr. Gandhi, Bofors scandal and of course gossips of those times. The book offers them all and even more. It is her memoir of political events and being a political journalist of vast experience, her portrayal of the characters of those times appears quite authentic and believable. She does not shy away from putting Mr. Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi in dock for the extremities of emergency, holding Rajiv Gandhi responsible for not being able to contain the riots post the assassination of his mother. Few gossips like - Sonia Gandhi was fond of fur coat and used to purchase them from Soviet Union but did not like the stitching and used to send them to fashion house Fendi to get it re-stitched- and many such juicy drawing room discussions provide comic relief in the book and give an insight into the human frailties of the high and mighty of Delhi Dynasty. But it does not mean that author spares herself. On the contrary, she is brutally honest about her own ignorance of the Indian society and how she was part of the same high-class social circles but her journalistic engagements enabled her to see the real India long hidden by the high-walled building of Lutyen’s Delhi. On the expense of sounding hyperbolic, let me tell it anyway, Tavleen Singh appears to be a character from the novel Midnight Children, her fate and presence always crossing the epoch making moments of her time. Incidentally, her own personal story is very interesting especially her relation with irresistible suave Mr. Salman Taseer ( our own charming Simi Garewal also dated him) and a very well-known author came to this world thanks to this brief affair- Atish Taseer who later based his bestselling memoir cum travelogue on this personal story.
May 21, 2013
BOOK REVIEW- DURBAR: WHY TAVLEEN SINGH’S TIMING COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE CORRECT
“It was with Rajiv that it all began”. With these words Tavleen Singh’s memoirs in her latest journalistic account ‘Durbar’ come to an end. Durbar is a roller coaster journey where one of India’s indomitable journalists presents an honest report of the years that rooted India’s deep-seated problems. To berate it as political gossip is missing the point of why she wrote it in the first place. Context is the underlining point in all of Tavleen Singh’s writings. Context is what forms the basis of political understanding. If the reader can understand the setting of each part of the memoir, use of the phrase ‘political gossip’ will reflect a woolly understanding of how social politics can shape the leaning of a nation. With the Congress electing Rahul Gandhi as Congress Vice President and BJP still debating on Modi as PM, this book becomes all the more relevant so that mistakes like Blue Star, IPKF, Kashmir, pseudo-socialism are not committed again by apolitical inheritors of political lineage.
The title of the book ‘Durbar’ is a relevant one describing the nexus between Delhi’s upper strata and the politics shaping the country. Durbar is a court held by a king or an officer of high rank with the aim to genuflect on those in a position of power. So when Rahul Gandhi quotes Sonia Gandhi that power is poison, the Gandhi family has been stubbornly holding this powerful mantle rather non-poisonously. Sanjay Gandhi’s forced sterilization program in the name of family planning peppered with bull dozing the residents of Turkman Gate, all bring to the fore childlike behavior of princely politicians; kicking the sandcastle when courtiers fail to bring in their favorite toys.
When Mrs Gandhi came back to power in the 1980s post the flash in the pan success of the Janata government, similarities can very well be drawn with the UPA government suddenly gaining foothold due to the fleeting anti corruption movement led by the once joint now divided forces of Hazare, Kejriwal and the Bhushan duo. In a recent television interview on the book, Tavleen Singh convincingly stated that Kejriwal’s movement may be genuine but when have true intentions really played off in the misty politics of Delhi. The need of the hour is brutal and undivided focus on proposing policies for good governance instead of focusing solely on corruption.
The word Kashmir and problem became synonymous when Rajiv Gandhi’s government did not allow fair democratic elections in 1987 by gaving Farooq Abdullah two choices; either his National Conference allies with the Congress or forgets about elections that very year. It was an obtuse move and did much to hamper peace in the valley. This lead to the mushrooming of secessionist parties and fanned the simmered religious conflict.
One of the most insightful parts of the book was her coverage of the 1987 Orissa famine, when the people residing in the villages of ‘the Soul of India’ were surviving purely on birdseeds and grass. The conditions were so appalling that many had to also survive on ants. When the Chief Minister of the state at that time was questioned on this dietary habit, he replied rather nonchalantly that it was a delicacy of Orissa. When the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi came to see the condition of the famine, only healthy children were trudged along his cavalcade to portray the hauntingly similar ‘India Shining’ picture once proposed by the BJP in 2004. He later on rubbished the famine as a conspiracy plot by the opposition.
In Durbar, Tavleen Singh also talks about a ‘Rajiv Wave’, which can be paralleled with the ‘Rahul Wave’ gnawing the nation. The argument of people wanting change and of having had enough of the usual mockery of corruption and mis-governance was cited then and is again being taken as Congress’s campaign argument. But there is a slight change; he wants to bring fresh ‘youthful’ changes with the UPA government at the helm. The likes of A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi are still on the loose; another ‘Chintan Shivir’ maybe.
One account was the general apathy portrayed by the prince in crowning on the mass killings during the 1984 riots and how brutalities by Congress party stalwarts were justified. Similarly, the ‘mopping up’ operations of the Indian Army during Operation Blue Star and lack of correct information on the part of bureau chiefs of Delhi sure depicts shoddy governance. Rahul Gandhi probably needs to study a copy of history book not edited by a Congress courtier before quoting his party as the paradigm of secular politics in the recently concluded ‘Chintan Shivir’. He spoke about Congress not standing for any religion and totally forgot about the shocking appeasement of the Muslims during the Shah Bano Case with the enactment of the regressive Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986. Despite certain ruling governments having failed to ward off religious animosity, the compensation could have been a bona fide effort in alleviating poverty and unemployment instead of introducing one obscure government program after another. At the same time, Tavleen Singh also signifies certain disenchantment with the Opposition parties. Even if they did come to power post the Emergency of 1977, they were more obsessed in ‘prosecuting Mrs Gandhi’ than taking the bull of governance by its horns. So was the case with the VP Singh government who can be credited for fuelling the concept of reservation in a ‘secular’ nation. BJP’s blatant ‘India Shining’ image during the 2004 campaign in the face of bleak poverty and unemployment became its nemesis. A weak opposition has always been notorious for perching a haywire government at the top. “Tag you’re it” politics has time and again evidently repeated itself in India.
By the time one finishes reading the book several analogies like in the above can immediately be drawn. India today has in one sense or the other become a hotbed for dynastic politics. A politician’s son, nephew, neice, wife or any other relative handles the portfolio assigned to him by the government. What Tavleen Singh intends to point out is that a normal person like you and me cannot sit in Parliament unless we have the grace of a godfather. The right way is replete with scandals and government threats. Aspiring politicians like Arvind Kejriwal may have clear intentions of ridding the nation of graft and nepotism, but a comprehensive focus is missing. Narendra Modi may have developed Gujarat astoundingly but the shadow of the 2002 riots never fails to leave him. With a divided opposition, governments such as the UPA will rule the roost. 2014 is an important year for India, not because we get to choose the Prime Minister, but a moment of awakening for the common man. Someday this Durbar has to end, which is exactly why Tavleen Singh’s memoirs could not have been better timed.
“It was with Rajiv that it all began”. With these words Tavleen Singh’s memoirs in her latest journalistic account ‘Durbar’ come to an end. Durbar is a roller coaster journey where one of India’s indomitable journalists presents an honest report of the years that rooted India’s deep-seated problems. To berate it as political gossip is missing the point of why she wrote it in the first place. Context is the underlining point in all of Tavleen Singh’s writings. Context is what forms the basis of political understanding. If the reader can understand the setting of each part of the memoir, use of the phrase ‘political gossip’ will reflect a woolly understanding of how social politics can shape the leaning of a nation. With the Congress electing Rahul Gandhi as Congress Vice President and BJP still debating on Modi as PM, this book becomes all the more relevant so that mistakes like Blue Star, IPKF, Kashmir, pseudo-socialism are not committed again by apolitical inheritors of political lineage.
The title of the book ‘Durbar’ is a relevant one describing the nexus between Delhi’s upper strata and the politics shaping the country. Durbar is a court held by a king or an officer of high rank with the aim to genuflect on those in a position of power. So when Rahul Gandhi quotes Sonia Gandhi that power is poison, the Gandhi family has been stubbornly holding this powerful mantle rather non-poisonously. Sanjay Gandhi’s forced sterilization program in the name of family planning peppered with bull dozing the residents of Turkman Gate, all bring to the fore childlike behavior of princely politicians; kicking the sandcastle when courtiers fail to bring in their favorite toys.
When Mrs Gandhi came back to power in the 1980s post the flash in the pan success of the Janata government, similarities can very well be drawn with the UPA government suddenly gaining foothold due to the fleeting anti corruption movement led by the once joint now divided forces of Hazare, Kejriwal and the Bhushan duo. In a recent television interview on the book, Tavleen Singh convincingly stated that Kejriwal’s movement may be genuine but when have true intentions really played off in the misty politics of Delhi. The need of the hour is brutal and undivided focus on proposing policies for good governance instead of focusing solely on corruption.
The word Kashmir and problem became synonymous when Rajiv Gandhi’s government did not allow fair democratic elections in 1987 by gaving Farooq Abdullah two choices; either his National Conference allies with the Congress or forgets about elections that very year. It was an obtuse move and did much to hamper peace in the valley. This lead to the mushrooming of secessionist parties and fanned the simmered religious conflict.
One of the most insightful parts of the book was her coverage of the 1987 Orissa famine, when the people residing in the villages of ‘the Soul of India’ were surviving purely on birdseeds and grass. The conditions were so appalling that many had to also survive on ants. When the Chief Minister of the state at that time was questioned on this dietary habit, he replied rather nonchalantly that it was a delicacy of Orissa. When the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi came to see the condition of the famine, only healthy children were trudged along his cavalcade to portray the hauntingly similar ‘India Shining’ picture once proposed by the BJP in 2004. He later on rubbished the famine as a conspiracy plot by the opposition.
In Durbar, Tavleen Singh also talks about a ‘Rajiv Wave’, which can be paralleled with the ‘Rahul Wave’ gnawing the nation. The argument of people wanting change and of having had enough of the usual mockery of corruption and mis-governance was cited then and is again being taken as Congress’s campaign argument. But there is a slight change; he wants to bring fresh ‘youthful’ changes with the UPA government at the helm. The likes of A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi are still on the loose; another ‘Chintan Shivir’ maybe.
One account was the general apathy portrayed by the prince in crowning on the mass killings during the 1984 riots and how brutalities by Congress party stalwarts were justified. Similarly, the ‘mopping up’ operations of the Indian Army during Operation Blue Star and lack of correct information on the part of bureau chiefs of Delhi sure depicts shoddy governance. Rahul Gandhi probably needs to study a copy of history book not edited by a Congress courtier before quoting his party as the paradigm of secular politics in the recently concluded ‘Chintan Shivir’. He spoke about Congress not standing for any religion and totally forgot about the shocking appeasement of the Muslims during the Shah Bano Case with the enactment of the regressive Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986. Despite certain ruling governments having failed to ward off religious animosity, the compensation could have been a bona fide effort in alleviating poverty and unemployment instead of introducing one obscure government program after another. At the same time, Tavleen Singh also signifies certain disenchantment with the Opposition parties. Even if they did come to power post the Emergency of 1977, they were more obsessed in ‘prosecuting Mrs Gandhi’ than taking the bull of governance by its horns. So was the case with the VP Singh government who can be credited for fuelling the concept of reservation in a ‘secular’ nation. BJP’s blatant ‘India Shining’ image during the 2004 campaign in the face of bleak poverty and unemployment became its nemesis. A weak opposition has always been notorious for perching a haywire government at the top. “Tag you’re it” politics has time and again evidently repeated itself in India.
By the time one finishes reading the book several analogies like in the above can immediately be drawn. India today has in one sense or the other become a hotbed for dynastic politics. A politician’s son, nephew, neice, wife or any other relative handles the portfolio assigned to him by the government. What Tavleen Singh intends to point out is that a normal person like you and me cannot sit in Parliament unless we have the grace of a godfather. The right way is replete with scandals and government threats. Aspiring politicians like Arvind Kejriwal may have clear intentions of ridding the nation of graft and nepotism, but a comprehensive focus is missing. Narendra Modi may have developed Gujarat astoundingly but the shadow of the 2002 riots never fails to leave him. With a divided opposition, governments such as the UPA will rule the roost. 2014 is an important year for India, not because we get to choose the Prime Minister, but a moment of awakening for the common man. Someday this Durbar has to end, which is exactly why Tavleen Singh’s memoirs could not have been better timed.
October 27, 2014
Quite an incisive, provocative but well-thought out view of India in a crucial two decades and the way the nation has progressed - or has not! Ms Singh paints a cruel but quite a true picture of the dangerous drift - aimless, or left, or right that has been the bane of India in the last few decades of the 20th century and has left an imprint on the present even as we advance well into the 21st, but doesn't provide too many palliative prescriptions and also doesnt dwell much on the theme with which the book begins - the problem of a proper identity for Indians. Also a couple or so howlers are annoying - Gen Kaul as the Indian army chief in 1962? But on the whole, a stirring story of two crucial decades peppered with illuminating anecdotes - the comparison of the durbars of the PM Morarji Desai, his deputy Charan Singh and of Indira Gandhi is morbidly funny....
July 31, 2019
This is by far the most unbiased political narrative I have ever read. The author has analyzed the political scene and drama purely based on logic and reasoning.
It is all the more valid and live when she had all first hand informations of Lutyen’s Delhi’s innermost and lost circle and gradually deflected to India which is totally different.
It is very easy to understand because the era had been looked at from a common man’s perspective. It gives the sense of a movie at times. Tavleen’s understanding of the Indian civilization or Hindu culture may not be perfect, but her analysis of the-then political drama was. At no point of time did she side with a political party. Throughout the highlight was, all the opportunities which leaders had then and how all those were lost in dynasty politics. The way she has described the rise and fall of hope of millions of Indians with each newly elected leader is very discreet.
This is a book which actually throws light on how and why India went down from being a nation gaining independence and momentum to poverty, while other nations in the world after coming out of WW2 rose to riches from poverty at the same time. This is a book which shows you the seeds of corruption and a new kind of dictatorship in the name of democracy, shows you how leaders took an entire country as a private property.
The beginning of each of the political nuisances as described, can be clearly seen to have taken a full growth in today’s society. The prudence of the author is amazing here.
It was a very interesting read with free flowing thoughts and incidents. Once started I couldn’t keep it down until finished.
It is all the more valid and live when she had all first hand informations of Lutyen’s Delhi’s innermost and lost circle and gradually deflected to India which is totally different.
It is very easy to understand because the era had been looked at from a common man’s perspective. It gives the sense of a movie at times. Tavleen’s understanding of the Indian civilization or Hindu culture may not be perfect, but her analysis of the-then political drama was. At no point of time did she side with a political party. Throughout the highlight was, all the opportunities which leaders had then and how all those were lost in dynasty politics. The way she has described the rise and fall of hope of millions of Indians with each newly elected leader is very discreet.
This is a book which actually throws light on how and why India went down from being a nation gaining independence and momentum to poverty, while other nations in the world after coming out of WW2 rose to riches from poverty at the same time. This is a book which shows you the seeds of corruption and a new kind of dictatorship in the name of democracy, shows you how leaders took an entire country as a private property.
The beginning of each of the political nuisances as described, can be clearly seen to have taken a full growth in today’s society. The prudence of the author is amazing here.
It was a very interesting read with free flowing thoughts and incidents. Once started I couldn’t keep it down until finished.
August 19, 2016
This is the first book that I’ve read of Mrs Tavleen Singh and I must say that she promised a lot and delivered as well. For a novice reader like me, it turned out to be a gold mine of information and insights which helped me to form an opinion on the indelible political events which took place between the periods of 1970s and 1990s, in India, through a critic’s lens. I would be lying if I deny that this book in the garb of criticizing the Dynasty Democracy, Crony capitalism and public disenchantment from the leaders, negatively portrays the Gandhi family but the sound logic and hypotheses makes it easy to absorb and hard to disagree with. Memoir is the right genre for this book. The emotions with which the macabre events of history like Emergency Operation Blue star, 1984 Sikh riots have been expressed is heart wrenching and unbelievable at the same time. Surprisingly, a notion mentioned in this traces the roots of sycophancy and hypocrisy in our country back to the era of 70s and 80s which still persists in almost every walk of life. You can expect a lot of revelations regarding Indian politics, how power hungry participants contributed towards the continuance of wrong precedent once it started, and how very easy it becomes to act upon a popular perception rather than the reality as they say “Perception never requires verification”.
February 5, 2016
Durbar is a chronicle of Tavleen Singh's take of the events from the Emergency to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi from the vantage point of her journalistic career and proximity to the Who's-who of Delhi. While most of the racy sections are the ones devoted to the juicy gossips of the parties of Lutyen's Delhi with the likes of Naveen Patnaik, Rajiv, Sonia, Farooque Abdullah etc participating, the book has quite a few well written sections. The chapter on the 77 elections left a permanent impression on me and one of the most riveting sections of the book was the anticipation of a relatively unknown Atal Vajepayee rising to make a speech at the Ram Lila grounds. The Bhindranwale problem and its repercussions is also well covered in my opinion. The crumbling of Rajiv's tenure was entertaining but superficial, it being seen from the bitterness of a friendship gone sour.
While a lot can be said of Tavleen's Singh's falling out with Sonia Gandhi and her 'rants' against dynastic politics, my take is that Durbar is too frivolous a piece of work to be taken without a pinch of salt.
While a lot can be said of Tavleen's Singh's falling out with Sonia Gandhi and her 'rants' against dynastic politics, my take is that Durbar is too frivolous a piece of work to be taken without a pinch of salt.
January 10, 2014
A personal memoir more, less a serious historical account of Delhi politics and power-circle, this immensely readable, enjoyable book is not without its flaws. Some of the issues I had with the narrative was the author's own elitist nature, while detailing India's problems and blaming them on the unwashed masses and the elites of the country. Also, she is not immune to petty gossips and some generalizations. The almost non-existence of South India from this account and the singular focus on Delhi and the Gandhi dynasty might lead the reader into believing that no India existed beyond the hallowed walls of Delhi, in the 70s and 80s.
But, inspite of all this, I have to admit that I really enjoyed reading the book. It was more irreverent than erudite, more honest than factual and more engrossing than encompassing, blissfully ignoring the huge diversity and complexities of India at times.
Part gossip, part,history, part opinion piece. Simplistic at times, profound at others. With flaws and all, the best read so far this year.
But, inspite of all this, I have to admit that I really enjoyed reading the book. It was more irreverent than erudite, more honest than factual and more engrossing than encompassing, blissfully ignoring the huge diversity and complexities of India at times.
Part gossip, part,history, part opinion piece. Simplistic at times, profound at others. With flaws and all, the best read so far this year.
May 30, 2019
In 2019, India still has 250-300 million people living in abject poverty. It has been 70 years since the British left, who perpetuated the poverty the British created?
The countries which gained independence at the same time as India grew at rates of 8-10% in 1960-90, while the Indian growth stagnated at 3.5%. While India kept waiting for an economic miracle like Taiwan and South Korean, she was chained by the shackles of socialist policies of the Nehru family. What made them perpetuate the poverty? How did the successive Gandhi governments operate?
This book offers an insight into the Durbar of the Nehru family governments. It explains how powerful were the Lutyen's elites who let inside only those who spoke fluent English and who were born into the elite families. The Durbar which kept India illiterate and poor so that the elites could be in power, that's what the book talks about.
Reading the book makes you wonder,
when are we going to talk about the millions who died because of the policies of Nehru Gandhi family?
India grew only when a non-Nehru family government was at the helm of affairs. Be it PVN in 1991 or Atal Bihari Vajapayee in 1998. After PV Narasimha Rao in 1991, it was Vajapayee who introduced system wide reforms like increasing FDI to 26%, a slew of tax reforms, built important infrastructure like the Golden quadrilateral. UPA-1 in 2004 reaped the benefits of Vajapayee. In UPA-2, again the Sonia Gandhi government adopted a slew of anti-growth policies like retrospective corporate tax and the growth rate slowed down to 5-6%, inflation increased to 12-15%. The policies of Nehru family led Congress have been and will remain anti-growth. As Nehru himself once said, he hated capitalists, he saw all businessmen as profiteers who need not be supported and clamped down on them very hard. The story of perpetuation of India's poverty needs to be told to everyone. And the glorification/perpetuation of poverty was made possible by the DURBAR.
The people of India booted out the entitled dynast in 2019 election. Hope it stays that way and more and more people come out of poverty.
The countries which gained independence at the same time as India grew at rates of 8-10% in 1960-90, while the Indian growth stagnated at 3.5%. While India kept waiting for an economic miracle like Taiwan and South Korean, she was chained by the shackles of socialist policies of the Nehru family. What made them perpetuate the poverty? How did the successive Gandhi governments operate?
This book offers an insight into the Durbar of the Nehru family governments. It explains how powerful were the Lutyen's elites who let inside only those who spoke fluent English and who were born into the elite families. The Durbar which kept India illiterate and poor so that the elites could be in power, that's what the book talks about.
Reading the book makes you wonder,
when are we going to talk about the millions who died because of the policies of Nehru Gandhi family?
India grew only when a non-Nehru family government was at the helm of affairs. Be it PVN in 1991 or Atal Bihari Vajapayee in 1998. After PV Narasimha Rao in 1991, it was Vajapayee who introduced system wide reforms like increasing FDI to 26%, a slew of tax reforms, built important infrastructure like the Golden quadrilateral. UPA-1 in 2004 reaped the benefits of Vajapayee. In UPA-2, again the Sonia Gandhi government adopted a slew of anti-growth policies like retrospective corporate tax and the growth rate slowed down to 5-6%, inflation increased to 12-15%. The policies of Nehru family led Congress have been and will remain anti-growth. As Nehru himself once said, he hated capitalists, he saw all businessmen as profiteers who need not be supported and clamped down on them very hard. The story of perpetuation of India's poverty needs to be told to everyone. And the glorification/perpetuation of poverty was made possible by the DURBAR.
The people of India booted out the entitled dynast in 2019 election. Hope it stays that way and more and more people come out of poverty.
June 6, 2015
A close up revelation of the kind of occurrences that happen in the elite circles of Indian polity, Durbar sheds light on things that the ordinary Indian would be so blissfully unaware of.
A reflection of how Tavleen Singh got her press credentials, and how her family background helped her move about the highest echelons of government and politics is fascinating and makes one realise the concept of entitlement in India.
Ms. Singh's story is interesting no doubt, with a lot happening on numerous fronts, it deals very little with her personal life although written in an autobiographical style and more with the Gandhi family than anything else. Her attempts to portray herself as a believer in the need for wider welfare and more development and so on sounds hollow however.
The book focuses on Indira Gandhi quite a while and has a fair bit to say about her. It does not criticise her freely but there is some antagonism reserved in the background.
The real anger seems to be towards Sonia Gandhi whom Ms. Singh sees as an embodiment of everything wrong with India and Indian politics, but I guess that is based more on Sonia's actions post 2004 than at the same time.
However, for Tavleen Singh, Rajiv is a hero. She criticises him, but then defends him in the very next sentence, never to blame him directly and even if she does she automatically shifts the onus on to his advisers. There is too much of "Rajiv, Rajiv and Rajiv" in the book, giving Ms. Singh a obsessed teenage girl character with a clear infatuation visible.
Understanding that Durbar is about the Gandhi family and their coterie, it is ominous that Ms. Singh spends little time on the real coterie and describes its members in very little detail and does not talk about them much, rather focusing on the "King/Queen" itself nearly all the time.
But criticism apart, the interweaving of her journalist work with how the government action/inaction led to such a situation makes for an interesting viewpoint, a seldom seen perspective otherwise.
What disappoints me, is that the book takes a very non-critical attitude overall and thus does not do justice to the word Durbar in reflecting the disconnect between the needs/wishes/aspirations and problems of the people and the leaders who survived and thrived in sycophancy.
And so I would give it 3.5 stars, but then Goodreads doesn't allow that, and so as always the optimist that I am Durbar gets 4 stars on the scale.
A reflection of how Tavleen Singh got her press credentials, and how her family background helped her move about the highest echelons of government and politics is fascinating and makes one realise the concept of entitlement in India.
Ms. Singh's story is interesting no doubt, with a lot happening on numerous fronts, it deals very little with her personal life although written in an autobiographical style and more with the Gandhi family than anything else. Her attempts to portray herself as a believer in the need for wider welfare and more development and so on sounds hollow however.
The book focuses on Indira Gandhi quite a while and has a fair bit to say about her. It does not criticise her freely but there is some antagonism reserved in the background.
The real anger seems to be towards Sonia Gandhi whom Ms. Singh sees as an embodiment of everything wrong with India and Indian politics, but I guess that is based more on Sonia's actions post 2004 than at the same time.
However, for Tavleen Singh, Rajiv is a hero. She criticises him, but then defends him in the very next sentence, never to blame him directly and even if she does she automatically shifts the onus on to his advisers. There is too much of "Rajiv, Rajiv and Rajiv" in the book, giving Ms. Singh a obsessed teenage girl character with a clear infatuation visible.
Understanding that Durbar is about the Gandhi family and their coterie, it is ominous that Ms. Singh spends little time on the real coterie and describes its members in very little detail and does not talk about them much, rather focusing on the "King/Queen" itself nearly all the time.
But criticism apart, the interweaving of her journalist work with how the government action/inaction led to such a situation makes for an interesting viewpoint, a seldom seen perspective otherwise.
What disappoints me, is that the book takes a very non-critical attitude overall and thus does not do justice to the word Durbar in reflecting the disconnect between the needs/wishes/aspirations and problems of the people and the leaders who survived and thrived in sycophancy.
And so I would give it 3.5 stars, but then Goodreads doesn't allow that, and so as always the optimist that I am Durbar gets 4 stars on the scale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2013
Recommended for anyone from my generation who wants to get atleast some sense of the political scenario of the mid 70s and what followed - Tavleen writes with disarming candor and the book is every inch a memoir and not a deep political analysis. In that sense, it works well for those who are seeking to merely get some perspective/ understanding of Indian politics and how it came to be where it is today. what is also refreshingly nice is that the author's voice is not filled with rancor or a personalization so deep that the book becomes a virtual tirade against everything wrong with the Congress and its ruling elite - while she does write about her personal opinions as well every odd page or so, it is always in a manner that doesn't sound as if she's getting personal or has a vendetta of sorts, thus keeping the perspective and approach of the book a fairly balanced one.
Do not pick this up if you are looking for a deep dive or a comprehensive analysis of events like the Emergency, Operation Blue Star, the Kashmir issue etc...the book functions at its best when read as a first person account of the politics that began when Indira Gandhi suspended fundamental rights across the country and that continues as a legacy of dynastic succession in what once was the first and foremost bastion of pure merit - the opportunity to ask for and win the right to represent the people of India.
Do not pick this up if you are looking for a deep dive or a comprehensive analysis of events like the Emergency, Operation Blue Star, the Kashmir issue etc...the book functions at its best when read as a first person account of the politics that began when Indira Gandhi suspended fundamental rights across the country and that continues as a legacy of dynastic succession in what once was the first and foremost bastion of pure merit - the opportunity to ask for and win the right to represent the people of India.
December 15, 2012
They say,not to trust a memoir,if it contains no dirt on oneself.On that count Durbar is not book to be trusted.The lady seems to be on the right side..well almost always.
Taking out 2 days to read a memoir in middle of hectic schedule is not worthwhile,unless there is something new you learn at the end of the journey with the writer.And Durbar sure provides that in the form of the description of the origins of the Kashmir and Punjab problem.
It has helped me place the 1984 Sikh pogom in perspective,especially since the normal narrative of a singular event of Indira Gandhi's death triggering it seemed rather far fetched.
One odd thing that stood out though was even as the author repeatedly talks about the cucooned and isolated ruling class making decisions and having views of things they are not necessarily in touch with,I found it strange in which a mainly Hindi belt political reporter passes of her expert comments on the LTTE issue with just a single visit to the Island nation.But then this is a memoir (and quite a readable one at that )is always authors POV and no one can deny him/her the space.
Taking out 2 days to read a memoir in middle of hectic schedule is not worthwhile,unless there is something new you learn at the end of the journey with the writer.And Durbar sure provides that in the form of the description of the origins of the Kashmir and Punjab problem.
It has helped me place the 1984 Sikh pogom in perspective,especially since the normal narrative of a singular event of Indira Gandhi's death triggering it seemed rather far fetched.
One odd thing that stood out though was even as the author repeatedly talks about the cucooned and isolated ruling class making decisions and having views of things they are not necessarily in touch with,I found it strange in which a mainly Hindi belt political reporter passes of her expert comments on the LTTE issue with just a single visit to the Island nation.But then this is a memoir (and quite a readable one at that )is always authors POV and no one can deny him/her the space.
June 9, 2013
Whatever the faults Durbar maybe guilty of (such as those being of social gossip), it is a very readable book. Writing is smooth and lucid, a reader happily runs along the lines, reading sentences, paragraphs. Durbar is not a erudite political analysis, but I don't think it intends to be. It covers Indira-Rajiv era, and provides a glimpse into the drawing rooms of the affluent Delhites where most of these political leaders shaped up, emerged out of. She has Rajiv and Sonia, Navin Pataniak, Vasundhara Raje etc amongst her when they were young and hip.
Punjab militancy and events before and after Bhindarwale are best covered in this book. She also had the opportunity to talk to Bhinderwale and General Sauhbeg. She makes subtle fun of some of our political caricatures: Morarji Desai, for one. M. J. Akbar too has been portrayed as grumpy boss with his ever ready carror-and-stick.
She mentions how Rajiv could have brought change, but policies were as archaic. After a long time, I once again read the debacle of Shah Bano among other things.
I felt that book was a fine visit into politics of 1970-90s.
Punjab militancy and events before and after Bhindarwale are best covered in this book. She also had the opportunity to talk to Bhinderwale and General Sauhbeg. She makes subtle fun of some of our political caricatures: Morarji Desai, for one. M. J. Akbar too has been portrayed as grumpy boss with his ever ready carror-and-stick.
She mentions how Rajiv could have brought change, but policies were as archaic. After a long time, I once again read the debacle of Shah Bano among other things.
I felt that book was a fine visit into politics of 1970-90s.
March 25, 2013
An excellent book with daring insights into some of the reasons why our country (India) is in such bad shape of governance. I call it daring because of the nature of facts (as claimed by the author) revealed is shocking and could well cause a change in the political thought process of the citizens if publicized well!
It is well known that having ruled India for most of the time since Independence, the Congress has not been able to do much to improve the conditions in the rural part of the country. The book shows how and why, instead of tackling poverty and famine, the ruling class went about adding more in juries to the democracy with reckless laws and little understanding of the problems facing the country.
Interpreting an instance this note - in my own words - author says "rather than bring drinking water to people, who had to walk miles together to fetch it, the then Prime Minister thought it was important to build sheds on the river banks so that it is not too hot for those who go there to fetch it!".
It is well known that having ruled India for most of the time since Independence, the Congress has not been able to do much to improve the conditions in the rural part of the country. The book shows how and why, instead of tackling poverty and famine, the ruling class went about adding more in juries to the democracy with reckless laws and little understanding of the problems facing the country.
Interpreting an instance this note - in my own words - author says "rather than bring drinking water to people, who had to walk miles together to fetch it, the then Prime Minister thought it was important to build sheds on the river banks so that it is not too hot for those who go there to fetch it!".
March 20, 2015
I've always admired Tavleen Singh as an outstanding journalist ... Her accounts on various challenges India was facing during emergency and its aftermath including operation blue star and the incidents that followed, are astounding... The efficiency with which Congress had nearly destroyed glory and idea of India is to be looked upon... Her accounts have let people know why in times of Congress (esp Nehru, Indira, Rajiv) the idea of India never flourished ...
The active journalism in the days of stagnant/sulking media is commendable..
The first hand report of post Operation Blue star is so intense.. I'm really feeling ashamed of us being Indians.
Nevertheless, she made sure none of the valid history incidents gets forgotten or gets modified by today's media, by bringing out all the facts critical to those dark days.
As a person who is interested in knowing the sequence of events from emergency and 80's era, this book is a boon.
Hats off Tavleen ....
The active journalism in the days of stagnant/sulking media is commendable..
The first hand report of post Operation Blue star is so intense.. I'm really feeling ashamed of us being Indians.
Nevertheless, she made sure none of the valid history incidents gets forgotten or gets modified by today's media, by bringing out all the facts critical to those dark days.
As a person who is interested in knowing the sequence of events from emergency and 80's era, this book is a boon.
Hats off Tavleen ....
March 4, 2014
Durbar is a personal account of journalist Tavleen Singh talking specifically about the years when Rajiv Gandhi was anointed as the Prime Minister of India. From Indira Gandhi's emergency to the Mandal Commission agitation; 1984 Sikh Riots to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi - the author gives a detailed account of the happenings in India. I was particularly moved by the chapter on 'Operation Blue Star'. For people like me who were born after the Khalistan movement, it's tough to believe that Punjab was once what Kashmir is today.
It also made me wonder that how journalism has changed over the years; from sweating and reporting from the ground zero it is now about debates in air conditioned studios. The author also highlights how dynastic politics has chained India and sycophancy has come to defined the Congress party in India.
A delicious read for all the politics lovers!
It also made me wonder that how journalism has changed over the years; from sweating and reporting from the ground zero it is now about debates in air conditioned studios. The author also highlights how dynastic politics has chained India and sycophancy has come to defined the Congress party in India.
A delicious read for all the politics lovers!
January 5, 2013
What I liked most about the book was that it doesn't pretend to be a history book, it is clear about what it is; the author is pretty candid about the fact that with someone having grown up in the same milieu as the then ruling class, she had privileged access to their drawing rooms and as a result had a vantage point insight as to how and why the ruling class (during the times of Indira, Sanjay and Rajiv) went about things as they did. Interesting read, if you've always been intrigued about some of the darkest days in the history of independent India
March 2, 2013
Sycophancy and Congress have become synonymous now-a-days. The rot started in the 1970's under the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi, when she had almost become synonymous with India. From the emergency to the 1984 pogrom against Sikhs, Operation Blue Star and ascent of The Son to the throne - Tavleen Singh narrates the story she was a part of. May be we can take home the message that was apparent in the events that happened then, and rectify ourselves, so as not to let the history repeat itself.
March 12, 2013
Indians of my generation - specially in North India can use this book to understand the events that shaped our lives and what caused them and what ails our country still. The perspective may be rather narrow but is important as the players who had an impact on what is now history but also were our lives and continue to be, carried more responsibility than anyone else to shape the nation. It is the almost casual attitude - one cannot call it the lack of compassion - the lightness with which the destiny of the nation was shaped, is what is shocking and makes one feels angry and frustrated.
March 22, 2013
Extremely powerful narrative by Tavleen Singh. While it is true that she carries her own opinions and biases in this book (which is fair enough, since this is not a journalistic or objective work), she does manage to shed light on the least controversial member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty - Rajeev.
A must-read.
A must-read.
March 1, 2013
A wonderful book, showed the political events of 70's and 80's from a very different perspective.
Growing up in the era, in the socialist India, without any transparency between the Govt. and the people it was difficult to get the grip on what is happening.
Was too young at the time of emergency to remember anything, but there were stories about emergencies that we grew up with. Our home was located stone throw away from Turkman Gate where a lot of action happened at Sanjay Gandhi's behest. And then our family also got to eat the Laddu's distributed when his plane crashed.
1982 Asian games were such a big event for us at that time, as there was no TV at our home during the day, we saw it all on our neigh-borer's TV set. I got the opportunity to watch live football at Nehru Stadium thanks to my Uncle working with Akashvaani getting the passes of the Kuwait Vs Iraq match, which was an amazing experience for me personally.
I felt so amazed and helpless at time during the 1980's. Was an eye witness to the riots. With my sikh childhood friend wearing his sister's frocks and converting his long hair into a girlish mane to save his life, we were silent observers as the looters broke into the Vedi tailor shop in Connaught Place and get away with stitched clothes and whatever they can get their hands on. The rioters used a lot of young kids to carry the stuff they were looting, saw rows of young kids carrying iron roads on their head walking from the old Delhi, looting the shops of sikh businessmen in construction material industry.
Those were crazy days which I can never forget, my father was suffering advance stages of cancer during those days, which finally took him away from us soon afterwards.
I also witnessed the optimism when Rajiv Gandhi took over and then saw him loosing it all and become a constant source of jokes and ridicules... phrases like Hum Dekhenge, Hume Dekhna hai, become painful reminders of how clueless he is and what damage dynasty politics can inflict on a country. Witnessed and participated in the rise and fall of VP Singh - I was one of the gullible schools boy who believed that he is going to be our savior from the corruption in government. I used to cut political cartoons on Bofors corruption scandal from Indian Express and put them up in the school notice-board, to the displeasure of school authorities and teachers. And then I also actively participated in the anti-reservation campaign.
As an student of Desh Bandhu College, we bore the brunt of police lathi charge and hid in the library when police entered our campus, spent a day at Kalkaji police station. Also witness the self-immolation bid by Rajiv Goswami, but we were through with the agitation soon as we saw the political shenanigans of student unions from close quarters, collection of money in the name of Hunger Strike during the day and then Tandoori chicken and drink party in the night.
I think the events of 80's and early 90's turned me highly skeptical about the congress party due to their Dynasty politics and moved my political inclination 180 degree from Left towards Right.
This book was awesome, it was like peeking behind the stage curtains and see now what was happening on the other side when we were the witness of those events as mute spectators in the past.
A must read...
Regards,
Bhuwan
Growing up in the era, in the socialist India, without any transparency between the Govt. and the people it was difficult to get the grip on what is happening.
Was too young at the time of emergency to remember anything, but there were stories about emergencies that we grew up with. Our home was located stone throw away from Turkman Gate where a lot of action happened at Sanjay Gandhi's behest. And then our family also got to eat the Laddu's distributed when his plane crashed.
1982 Asian games were such a big event for us at that time, as there was no TV at our home during the day, we saw it all on our neigh-borer's TV set. I got the opportunity to watch live football at Nehru Stadium thanks to my Uncle working with Akashvaani getting the passes of the Kuwait Vs Iraq match, which was an amazing experience for me personally.
I felt so amazed and helpless at time during the 1980's. Was an eye witness to the riots. With my sikh childhood friend wearing his sister's frocks and converting his long hair into a girlish mane to save his life, we were silent observers as the looters broke into the Vedi tailor shop in Connaught Place and get away with stitched clothes and whatever they can get their hands on. The rioters used a lot of young kids to carry the stuff they were looting, saw rows of young kids carrying iron roads on their head walking from the old Delhi, looting the shops of sikh businessmen in construction material industry.
Those were crazy days which I can never forget, my father was suffering advance stages of cancer during those days, which finally took him away from us soon afterwards.
I also witnessed the optimism when Rajiv Gandhi took over and then saw him loosing it all and become a constant source of jokes and ridicules... phrases like Hum Dekhenge, Hume Dekhna hai, become painful reminders of how clueless he is and what damage dynasty politics can inflict on a country. Witnessed and participated in the rise and fall of VP Singh - I was one of the gullible schools boy who believed that he is going to be our savior from the corruption in government. I used to cut political cartoons on Bofors corruption scandal from Indian Express and put them up in the school notice-board, to the displeasure of school authorities and teachers. And then I also actively participated in the anti-reservation campaign.
As an student of Desh Bandhu College, we bore the brunt of police lathi charge and hid in the library when police entered our campus, spent a day at Kalkaji police station. Also witness the self-immolation bid by Rajiv Goswami, but we were through with the agitation soon as we saw the political shenanigans of student unions from close quarters, collection of money in the name of Hunger Strike during the day and then Tandoori chicken and drink party in the night.
I think the events of 80's and early 90's turned me highly skeptical about the congress party due to their Dynasty politics and moved my political inclination 180 degree from Left towards Right.
This book was awesome, it was like peeking behind the stage curtains and see now what was happening on the other side when we were the witness of those events as mute spectators in the past.
A must read...
Regards,
Bhuwan
January 12, 2013
'Durbar' utterly confused me. First off, 'Dinner Party' would have been a much more apt title, given that a comically large amount of the book describes Singh's schmoozing with politicians and maharajas and socialites in Delhi's drawing rooms. In the first part of the book, especially, it appears that a lot of information is gleaned at these parties, written either with personal contempt or with the breezy malice of a gossip.
Sonia Gandhi's politics may be far from ideal, but how is it relevant that she wore make up to her husband's funeral? Or that she had a darzi in Khan Market? Sanjay Gandhi's forced sterilizations were repulsive, but was it really neccessary to describe one of his female minions' "dumpiness?" It also makes no sense that while she rails against dynastic politics, she romanticizes the Maharajas of yore - whose kingdoms and hideous wealth were also obviously based on inheritance - and alludes that their privy purses should not have been abolished. Her self-aggrandizing is also grating - she lets us know several times that M.J Akbar relied on her for access to Rajiv. She seems to not realize that this is not because of her journalistic merit, but rather her socialite ways.
It is all of this that makes Singh's stubborn position that 'Durbar' is a scathing critique based purely on politics ring hollow. The book often launches into diatribes, criticizing Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi for the pettiest of reasons, ignoring the several valid,intelligent, political reasons to criticize them.
I wish more time had been spent on Bofors and Ayodhya and Sri Lanka and actual political issues, rather than on the broken down friendships and Sonia's 'sulkiness' and 'fear of India', much of which is based on hearsay. Singh is at her best when she is ACTUALLY reporting, instead of gossiping, and the chapters on the violence in Punjab are by far, the most compelling and most interesting in the book. But unfortunately, she soon lapses back into her personal criticisms of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi, rarely backing them up with any solid reasoning or sources.
Durbar is a quick, entertaining and intermittently informative read. But I would read it with a grain of salt and a hyper awareness of Singh's vested interests and her clear anger at not being part of the hallowed Delhi dinner party circle any more.
Sonia Gandhi's politics may be far from ideal, but how is it relevant that she wore make up to her husband's funeral? Or that she had a darzi in Khan Market? Sanjay Gandhi's forced sterilizations were repulsive, but was it really neccessary to describe one of his female minions' "dumpiness?" It also makes no sense that while she rails against dynastic politics, she romanticizes the Maharajas of yore - whose kingdoms and hideous wealth were also obviously based on inheritance - and alludes that their privy purses should not have been abolished. Her self-aggrandizing is also grating - she lets us know several times that M.J Akbar relied on her for access to Rajiv. She seems to not realize that this is not because of her journalistic merit, but rather her socialite ways.
It is all of this that makes Singh's stubborn position that 'Durbar' is a scathing critique based purely on politics ring hollow. The book often launches into diatribes, criticizing Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi for the pettiest of reasons, ignoring the several valid,intelligent, political reasons to criticize them.
I wish more time had been spent on Bofors and Ayodhya and Sri Lanka and actual political issues, rather than on the broken down friendships and Sonia's 'sulkiness' and 'fear of India', much of which is based on hearsay. Singh is at her best when she is ACTUALLY reporting, instead of gossiping, and the chapters on the violence in Punjab are by far, the most compelling and most interesting in the book. But unfortunately, she soon lapses back into her personal criticisms of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi, rarely backing them up with any solid reasoning or sources.
Durbar is a quick, entertaining and intermittently informative read. But I would read it with a grain of salt and a hyper awareness of Singh's vested interests and her clear anger at not being part of the hallowed Delhi dinner party circle any more.
Read
December 12, 2015बाद मुद्दत के मिले हैं दीवाने. कहने सुनने को बहुत हैं अफ़साने खुली हवा में ज़रा साँस तो ले लें, कब तक रहेगी आज़ादी कौन जाने
These lines uttered by the ex-prime minister of India “Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee” during a rally in India were perfect for the politics of that era and somehow with the current political turmoil that India is going through, these lines still stand true.
The author ‘Tavleen Singh’ heard his speech during a rally and mentioned the lines in her riveting book ‘Durbar.' A journalist by profession, Ms. Singh has pointedly explained the era of the Gandhis and the aftermath of the dynasty that ruled India for a very long time after independence. The language of the book is very simple and the author having moved in the elite social circle of Delhi offers a rare insight into the minds of the drawing rooms of the Delhi high society who socialized with Rajiv & Sonia Gandhi.
Starting with the turbulent times of the emergency which plunged India into darkness and then the inability of Mrs. Gandhi to control the insurgency in Punjab leading to ‘Operation Bluestar’ eventually leading to her assassination, the author gives a very brief discernment into the murky world of Indian politics. The reader gets a glimpse of the life & times of the very young & politically untouched Rajiv & Sonia Gandhi and how they changed not just as a couple but also people after he became the Prime Minister of India.
As a very inexperienced leader, Rajiv Gandhi depended on the guidance of his very well to do friends to run a poor country like India. Friends and well-wishers who had no idea of what the life of an obscure Indian living in a village was without the basic amenities helped him shape his policies that had a terrible effect on the common man. The book makes the reader aware of the sad state of the India politics and how our country has been mismanaged by the very people who are supposed to look after it.
Even though as a reader I have no real understanding of the Indian politics I was still hooked by the spunky style of Ms. Singh. I went through anger, shock and disdain as I went through every chapter and as I finished the book, I couldn’t help but wonder what will happen to the country that I call home. A very engaging read, this book is a must have for anyone who has an interest in the past, present and future politics of India.
These lines uttered by the ex-prime minister of India “Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee” during a rally in India were perfect for the politics of that era and somehow with the current political turmoil that India is going through, these lines still stand true.
The author ‘Tavleen Singh’ heard his speech during a rally and mentioned the lines in her riveting book ‘Durbar.' A journalist by profession, Ms. Singh has pointedly explained the era of the Gandhis and the aftermath of the dynasty that ruled India for a very long time after independence. The language of the book is very simple and the author having moved in the elite social circle of Delhi offers a rare insight into the minds of the drawing rooms of the Delhi high society who socialized with Rajiv & Sonia Gandhi.
Starting with the turbulent times of the emergency which plunged India into darkness and then the inability of Mrs. Gandhi to control the insurgency in Punjab leading to ‘Operation Bluestar’ eventually leading to her assassination, the author gives a very brief discernment into the murky world of Indian politics. The reader gets a glimpse of the life & times of the very young & politically untouched Rajiv & Sonia Gandhi and how they changed not just as a couple but also people after he became the Prime Minister of India.
As a very inexperienced leader, Rajiv Gandhi depended on the guidance of his very well to do friends to run a poor country like India. Friends and well-wishers who had no idea of what the life of an obscure Indian living in a village was without the basic amenities helped him shape his policies that had a terrible effect on the common man. The book makes the reader aware of the sad state of the India politics and how our country has been mismanaged by the very people who are supposed to look after it.
Even though as a reader I have no real understanding of the Indian politics I was still hooked by the spunky style of Ms. Singh. I went through anger, shock and disdain as I went through every chapter and as I finished the book, I couldn’t help but wonder what will happen to the country that I call home. A very engaging read, this book is a must have for anyone who has an interest in the past, present and future politics of India.
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