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Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories
322 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2025
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January 24, 2026
-From Bihar to rest of the world-
Review of "The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories" by Ehtesham Shahid
Quote Alert
"𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕. 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲. 𝐌𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭."
In some ways, The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories is a travelogue. But this travel happens in multiple ways, on multiple paths, in multiple times. It's about as much as traveling inwards as it is about traveling outwards. As much as traveling in the now as it is about traveling in the 'then', the days that are nothing more than yellowing smudge of memories. It's as much about living the stories as it is about making new ones. As much about meeting new people as it is about bidding adieu to the ones who now live only in the stories, the ones that have been pushed out of the cradle of memories. The ones not even memories can hold. Because it takes two to make a memory. In the mind of just one, when it can't be shared, it's not a memory. It is reduced to a thought. And this book is about taking those thoughts back into the backyard of memories. To meet people with shared histories. And to silently celebrate, lament, sigh and share together.
The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories starts and ends in Bihar. And in between, it subsumes a major portion of the world. Running on nostalgia, news, politics, anecdotes, opinions and migration, the book builds upon the vast experience of journalist who left India at the cusp of 9/11 and found himself working for an office whose building read: "Saudi Bin Laden Group". Naturally, consternation and fear followed. What happened then? Well, I am not going to tell you everything here. Pick up the book and find out more.
Although it has its roots firmly stuck in a sense of migration, the book is not about building a home away from home. Ehtesham Shahid describes himself as 'an education migrant from Bihar'. He arrived in a country that author Tim Marshall described in his book The Power of Geography as 'the world's largest country without a river and the interior dominated by two vast deserts'. The book is largely about lived experiences, anecdotes and political and personal opinions. And it's shattered with trivia:
"Did you know that about 25% of the world's cranes workes in Dubai, sir the number of construction cranes reaching 1,25,000."
From riding in a car with Paulo Coelho to seeing a structure blowing up in flames on the launch day of Palm Springs, from buying a villa to going to Hajj, from breaking a story of surrendering Indian passport by MF Hussain with an emotionally resounding headline (You cannot take India out of MF Hussain, says son) to being aware of the possibility of encountering pickpockets in Makkah, the book is strewn with nostalgia galore.
About Burj Khalifa, he writes:
"A dramatic twist preceded the inauguration. Initially, the project was being marketed as 'Burj Dubai'. Our newspaper had prepared page after page of features and congratulatory messages for the launch. Then came a sudden announcement that the tower would be named 'Burj Khalifa', in honour of the then president of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan."
One of the most emotionally appealing parts of the book was where Shahid described how people estranged after partition from India and Pakistan visit UAE to meet. UAE is also home to many people whose either spouse is from the other side of the border.
He writes:
"Sometimes, people from across the borders bring their elderly parents to the UAE to reunite them with lost relatives It is not rare to find even first cousins, who became strangers due to Partition, meeting in Dubai after fifty years and even more. While complaints pertaining to lack of visa access are routine, I have also witnessed the visa authorities on both sides being lenient towards people across the border."
"In the Gulf, he writes, one gets to see the best and the not so good of both Indians and Pakistanis. Their encounters throw up some surprises, but, usually, it is a response to stimulus, sometimes with minced words and heated exchanges too. Other variants of convoluted subcontinental cultural identity are also routinely on display."
He also came across many stories from the time of partition. He shares:
As prospects of Partition simmered, a business patriarch in Lahore shuddered at the prospect of selling his family business and moving to India. So, he came up with a seemingly brilliant plan. He looked for and found another family business similar in size and scale in Calcutta. Believe it or not, the two families chose to swap their businesses and migrate to each other's countries with the peace of mind few had during those horrific times."
He talks about corruption in Dubai and failure of Trump towers. About Modi's seven visits to Dubai and why Tiger woods couldn't make a mark there. He writes about why cricket fizzled out in Sharjah. And he shares about the new customers he learned about in UAE.
He writes:
"Subsequently, I learned that Mohammed is neither strictly nor entirely a Muslim name. It is primarily associated with Muslims because it's the name of the Prophet of Islam. However, some Christians in Lebanon, Syria, and other Levant countries proudly go by that name, too. My preconceived notions about the region were already being challenged."
Author talks in detail about the behaviour of Indians in a foreign land. How they compartmentalize themselves into their regional selves, resorting to smaller identities of states and not of a larger identity of the country. Indians are no strangers to commenting on other
cultures--at home and abroad, the author writes. They may live and die by the pledge of unity in diversity in the homeland, but strangely, once abroad, they often search for avenues to underline their differences.
He shares:
"During my brief stay in Riyadh, I witnessed Indians from all walks of life coexisting, socializing, and making merry. They indulged in healthy and mostly entertaining banter.
However, often, they would also judge each other's cultural and traditional norms. They would often try to outdo each other in stingy behaviour and not always stand by their compatriots in conflict with people of different nationalities at the workplace."
Shahid writes about the reluctance or inability of the people to return to India after being an expatriate in Saudi for years.
"Once you convince yourself that you are the rare sane person in an otherwise 'mad' world, you will be deluded to believe that it is not me but the surroundings that need to change. For me, the idiosyncrasies associated with Saudi living reached their peak during a chat with a Saudi colleague who coyly admitted:'The transition from camel to Camry happened too quickly for us, and that is at the root of most of our social peculiarities.'"
Pick it up this week.
Review of "The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories" by Ehtesham Shahid
Quote Alert
"𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕. 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲. 𝐌𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭."
In some ways, The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories is a travelogue. But this travel happens in multiple ways, on multiple paths, in multiple times. It's about as much as traveling inwards as it is about traveling outwards. As much as traveling in the now as it is about traveling in the 'then', the days that are nothing more than yellowing smudge of memories. It's as much about living the stories as it is about making new ones. As much about meeting new people as it is about bidding adieu to the ones who now live only in the stories, the ones that have been pushed out of the cradle of memories. The ones not even memories can hold. Because it takes two to make a memory. In the mind of just one, when it can't be shared, it's not a memory. It is reduced to a thought. And this book is about taking those thoughts back into the backyard of memories. To meet people with shared histories. And to silently celebrate, lament, sigh and share together.
The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories starts and ends in Bihar. And in between, it subsumes a major portion of the world. Running on nostalgia, news, politics, anecdotes, opinions and migration, the book builds upon the vast experience of journalist who left India at the cusp of 9/11 and found himself working for an office whose building read: "Saudi Bin Laden Group". Naturally, consternation and fear followed. What happened then? Well, I am not going to tell you everything here. Pick up the book and find out more.
Although it has its roots firmly stuck in a sense of migration, the book is not about building a home away from home. Ehtesham Shahid describes himself as 'an education migrant from Bihar'. He arrived in a country that author Tim Marshall described in his book The Power of Geography as 'the world's largest country without a river and the interior dominated by two vast deserts'. The book is largely about lived experiences, anecdotes and political and personal opinions. And it's shattered with trivia:
"Did you know that about 25% of the world's cranes workes in Dubai, sir the number of construction cranes reaching 1,25,000."
From riding in a car with Paulo Coelho to seeing a structure blowing up in flames on the launch day of Palm Springs, from buying a villa to going to Hajj, from breaking a story of surrendering Indian passport by MF Hussain with an emotionally resounding headline (You cannot take India out of MF Hussain, says son) to being aware of the possibility of encountering pickpockets in Makkah, the book is strewn with nostalgia galore.
About Burj Khalifa, he writes:
"A dramatic twist preceded the inauguration. Initially, the project was being marketed as 'Burj Dubai'. Our newspaper had prepared page after page of features and congratulatory messages for the launch. Then came a sudden announcement that the tower would be named 'Burj Khalifa', in honour of the then president of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan."
One of the most emotionally appealing parts of the book was where Shahid described how people estranged after partition from India and Pakistan visit UAE to meet. UAE is also home to many people whose either spouse is from the other side of the border.
He writes:
"Sometimes, people from across the borders bring their elderly parents to the UAE to reunite them with lost relatives It is not rare to find even first cousins, who became strangers due to Partition, meeting in Dubai after fifty years and even more. While complaints pertaining to lack of visa access are routine, I have also witnessed the visa authorities on both sides being lenient towards people across the border."
"In the Gulf, he writes, one gets to see the best and the not so good of both Indians and Pakistanis. Their encounters throw up some surprises, but, usually, it is a response to stimulus, sometimes with minced words and heated exchanges too. Other variants of convoluted subcontinental cultural identity are also routinely on display."
He also came across many stories from the time of partition. He shares:
As prospects of Partition simmered, a business patriarch in Lahore shuddered at the prospect of selling his family business and moving to India. So, he came up with a seemingly brilliant plan. He looked for and found another family business similar in size and scale in Calcutta. Believe it or not, the two families chose to swap their businesses and migrate to each other's countries with the peace of mind few had during those horrific times."
He talks about corruption in Dubai and failure of Trump towers. About Modi's seven visits to Dubai and why Tiger woods couldn't make a mark there. He writes about why cricket fizzled out in Sharjah. And he shares about the new customers he learned about in UAE.
He writes:
"Subsequently, I learned that Mohammed is neither strictly nor entirely a Muslim name. It is primarily associated with Muslims because it's the name of the Prophet of Islam. However, some Christians in Lebanon, Syria, and other Levant countries proudly go by that name, too. My preconceived notions about the region were already being challenged."
Author talks in detail about the behaviour of Indians in a foreign land. How they compartmentalize themselves into their regional selves, resorting to smaller identities of states and not of a larger identity of the country. Indians are no strangers to commenting on other
cultures--at home and abroad, the author writes. They may live and die by the pledge of unity in diversity in the homeland, but strangely, once abroad, they often search for avenues to underline their differences.
He shares:
"During my brief stay in Riyadh, I witnessed Indians from all walks of life coexisting, socializing, and making merry. They indulged in healthy and mostly entertaining banter.
However, often, they would also judge each other's cultural and traditional norms. They would often try to outdo each other in stingy behaviour and not always stand by their compatriots in conflict with people of different nationalities at the workplace."
Shahid writes about the reluctance or inability of the people to return to India after being an expatriate in Saudi for years.
"Once you convince yourself that you are the rare sane person in an otherwise 'mad' world, you will be deluded to believe that it is not me but the surroundings that need to change. For me, the idiosyncrasies associated with Saudi living reached their peak during a chat with a Saudi colleague who coyly admitted:'The transition from camel to Camry happened too quickly for us, and that is at the root of most of our social peculiarities.'"
Pick it up this week.
December 31, 2025
Book Review : "The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories" by Ehtesham Shahid
Ehtesham Shahid’s The Roaming Bihari and His Bag Full of Stories is an intriguing marriage of memoir, travelogue, and cultural commentary. Replete with emotion and honesty, it examines issues related to migration, identity, and a sense of belonging. Drawing upon almost two decades spent living in the Middle East, the author draws upon personal recollections along with astute journalistic observations so that readers may have an up-close-and-personal view of the Gulf cultures that have been shaped by oil wealth, politics, and world events.
The strength of this book lies mainly in the unforced manner in which Shahid has chosen to convey his stories; each story feels as if it has been collected from many different sources (newspapers, streets, conversations, and introspections) rather than being told in a linear fashion. Instead of providing judgements about the stereotypes created during and after 9/11, Shahid allows the complexities of the situations to speak for themselves by using his own experiences. His ruminations on Bihar add another layer of emotion to the overall global storyline by grounding it in a sense of nostalgia, roots, and pride.
The writing itself is thoughtful and accessible, while often containing wit throughout various passages. Some passages will make you smile while others encourage contemplation. However, each passage is rooted in the author's personal life experiences and resonates with the reader as being a true-to-life depiction of many of the circumstances faced by the followers of the marginalised immigrant experience in search for connections to others. The author provides a compassionate view into the world of those who have found themselves displaced, as well of those who suffer from the effects of being connected to someone or something. This book is an enlightening read for anyone interested in the topic of migration as well as those interested in social realities of the time in which we exist.
Ehtesham Shahid’s The Roaming Bihari and His Bag Full of Stories is an intriguing marriage of memoir, travelogue, and cultural commentary. Replete with emotion and honesty, it examines issues related to migration, identity, and a sense of belonging. Drawing upon almost two decades spent living in the Middle East, the author draws upon personal recollections along with astute journalistic observations so that readers may have an up-close-and-personal view of the Gulf cultures that have been shaped by oil wealth, politics, and world events.
The strength of this book lies mainly in the unforced manner in which Shahid has chosen to convey his stories; each story feels as if it has been collected from many different sources (newspapers, streets, conversations, and introspections) rather than being told in a linear fashion. Instead of providing judgements about the stereotypes created during and after 9/11, Shahid allows the complexities of the situations to speak for themselves by using his own experiences. His ruminations on Bihar add another layer of emotion to the overall global storyline by grounding it in a sense of nostalgia, roots, and pride.
The writing itself is thoughtful and accessible, while often containing wit throughout various passages. Some passages will make you smile while others encourage contemplation. However, each passage is rooted in the author's personal life experiences and resonates with the reader as being a true-to-life depiction of many of the circumstances faced by the followers of the marginalised immigrant experience in search for connections to others. The author provides a compassionate view into the world of those who have found themselves displaced, as well of those who suffer from the effects of being connected to someone or something. This book is an enlightening read for anyone interested in the topic of migration as well as those interested in social realities of the time in which we exist.
January 14, 2026
* Genre: non-fiction memoir and travelogue anchored in journalism, expanded through history, sociology, and reflective analysis.
* Trope: the curious wanderer. The narrator is not merely moving through geographies but through layers of power, belief, silence, and self-questioning. Observation here is not a passive act; it is an ethical one.
* Vibe: Measured, introspective, and intellectually grounded. The warmth of memory coexists with restraint, shaped by years of reporting in environments where what remains unsaid often matters more than what is spoken.
* What It’s About
Ehtesham Shahid draws on his lived experiences across the Middle East to explore how individuals navigate their identities under the pressure of history, politics, religion, and migration. Beginning with his arrival in Riyadh shortly after 9/11, the book situates a personal journey within a global rupture. Rather than centering spectacle, it focuses on aftermaths: silence in public discourse, emotional containment, and the quiet recalibration of daily life. Airports, pilgrimages, and megacities become analytical spaces where modernity, faith, and ambition intersect.
* What Readers Will Like
* A voice that resists certainty. The narrative consistently questions its own assumptions, allowing understanding to emerge through encounter rather than conclusion.
* A layered reading of cultures where systems of control, devotion, aspiration, and compromise are examined from within lived experience rather than external critique.
* A rare balance between reportage and reflection, where personal memory becomes a tool for understanding larger social and political structures.
This is not a memoir driven by self-celebration, nor a travelogue built on exoticism. It is an inquiry into how people live inside constraints, how cities are engineered through ambition and belief, and how wandering becomes a method of thinking.
A thoughtful, weighty book that treats movement not as escape, but as a way of seeing the world more clearly.
* Trope: the curious wanderer. The narrator is not merely moving through geographies but through layers of power, belief, silence, and self-questioning. Observation here is not a passive act; it is an ethical one.
* Vibe: Measured, introspective, and intellectually grounded. The warmth of memory coexists with restraint, shaped by years of reporting in environments where what remains unsaid often matters more than what is spoken.
* What It’s About
Ehtesham Shahid draws on his lived experiences across the Middle East to explore how individuals navigate their identities under the pressure of history, politics, religion, and migration. Beginning with his arrival in Riyadh shortly after 9/11, the book situates a personal journey within a global rupture. Rather than centering spectacle, it focuses on aftermaths: silence in public discourse, emotional containment, and the quiet recalibration of daily life. Airports, pilgrimages, and megacities become analytical spaces where modernity, faith, and ambition intersect.
* What Readers Will Like
* A voice that resists certainty. The narrative consistently questions its own assumptions, allowing understanding to emerge through encounter rather than conclusion.
* A layered reading of cultures where systems of control, devotion, aspiration, and compromise are examined from within lived experience rather than external critique.
* A rare balance between reportage and reflection, where personal memory becomes a tool for understanding larger social and political structures.
This is not a memoir driven by self-celebration, nor a travelogue built on exoticism. It is an inquiry into how people live inside constraints, how cities are engineered through ambition and belief, and how wandering becomes a method of thinking.
A thoughtful, weighty book that treats movement not as escape, but as a way of seeing the world more clearly.
January 3, 2026
Ehtesham Shahid's The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories masterfully combines memoir, reportage, and cultural reflection, offering a nuanced portrayal of an Indian journalist's experiences in the Middle East over two decades of transformation. With a narrative that begins in irony, unease, and dark humor, the book showcases its core strength: transforming personal experience into astute observations. Rather than a straightforward tale of success, Shahid's journey from Bihar to the Gulf unfolds as a complex exploration of identity, perception, and belonging.
What stands out is the author's observational approach rather than a preachy tone. Shahid uses anecdotes from newsrooms, public encounters, and personal reflections to explore life in a region influenced by global politics, migration, and unspoken rules, navigating the complexities of the post-9/11 world without resorting to easy conclusions and instead revealing contradictions between opportunity and restriction, acceptance and suspicion, all conveyed in a voice that remains grounded, curious, and quietly defiant, particularly when challenging stereotypes linked to his nationality and profession.
At its core, this book explores the themes of movement and transition across diverse borders, cultures, and personal landscapes, balancing nostalgia for one's homeland with a keen awareness of the need for change and adaptation. With its blend of wit and deep reflection, The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories encourages readers to look beyond the headlines and engage with the human stories that shape global narratives, making it a compelling read for those interested in migration, journalism, and the real life stories behind the news.
What stands out is the author's observational approach rather than a preachy tone. Shahid uses anecdotes from newsrooms, public encounters, and personal reflections to explore life in a region influenced by global politics, migration, and unspoken rules, navigating the complexities of the post-9/11 world without resorting to easy conclusions and instead revealing contradictions between opportunity and restriction, acceptance and suspicion, all conveyed in a voice that remains grounded, curious, and quietly defiant, particularly when challenging stereotypes linked to his nationality and profession.
At its core, this book explores the themes of movement and transition across diverse borders, cultures, and personal landscapes, balancing nostalgia for one's homeland with a keen awareness of the need for change and adaptation. With its blend of wit and deep reflection, The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories encourages readers to look beyond the headlines and engage with the human stories that shape global narratives, making it a compelling read for those interested in migration, journalism, and the real life stories behind the news.
December 20, 2025
Ehtesham Shahid’s book The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories, is an interesting memoir and a report of sorts. It also reflects on the culture of the Indian expat who is roaming the Middle East after the 9/11 attacks. The book opens with Shahid’s move from Bihar to Riyadh and through a series of evocative personal, political and human vignettes, we traced two decades of living, working and changing in the Gulf.
The warmth of approach and honesty in this book is remarkable. Shahid does not try to smooth contradictions, but rather embraces them. He talks about his work pressures of the newsroom, how geopolitical situations take place and his nostalgic moments for home. In the observance of post-9/11 silences in Saudi, commentary on the everyday life of migrant workers or reflections on the resilience and identity of bihar, the writing is grounded and accessible.
In the narrative, there is a slight humor that punctuates heavier issues of displacement, belonging and negotiation. The memorable portraits of workers, dreamers and expatriates lend much of the book’s emotional power. In the end, it is neither travelogue nor a political memoir; rather, it is an account of identity and migration and silently adjusting to unfamiliar worlds through the act of staying where one belongs. An engaging look at migrations, identity, belonging and more, this book takes readers on a warm journey from Bihar to the Middle East, mixing personal anecdotes with history, humour and hard facts about the current state of affairs. This is a deeply human book that lingers after you have finished reading it.
The warmth of approach and honesty in this book is remarkable. Shahid does not try to smooth contradictions, but rather embraces them. He talks about his work pressures of the newsroom, how geopolitical situations take place and his nostalgic moments for home. In the observance of post-9/11 silences in Saudi, commentary on the everyday life of migrant workers or reflections on the resilience and identity of bihar, the writing is grounded and accessible.
In the narrative, there is a slight humor that punctuates heavier issues of displacement, belonging and negotiation. The memorable portraits of workers, dreamers and expatriates lend much of the book’s emotional power. In the end, it is neither travelogue nor a political memoir; rather, it is an account of identity and migration and silently adjusting to unfamiliar worlds through the act of staying where one belongs. An engaging look at migrations, identity, belonging and more, this book takes readers on a warm journey from Bihar to the Middle East, mixing personal anecdotes with history, humour and hard facts about the current state of affairs. This is a deeply human book that lingers after you have finished reading it.
January 15, 2026
Some books slowly earn your attention, page by page, until you realize you’re quietly invested; this book did exactly that for me. What begins as a personal journey soon unfolds into a layered, thoughtful account of migration, identity, and the spaces people occupy between home and the wider world.
The book draws from nearly two decades of the author’s life as an Indian journalist in the Middle East. The stories feel lived-in and honest, shaped by newsroom chaos, street-side encounters, policy rooms, and quiet moments of reflection. Some chapters made me smile, others felt heavy, and a few stayed with me long after, especially if, like me, you enjoy reading about cultures, people, and lives beyond familiar borders.
What I appreciated most is the author’s sharp yet compassionate voice. The author observes closely, questions boldly, and never hesitates to examine uncomfortable truths, including those about his own homeland. The author’s narrative isn’t loud or preachy; it’s firm, reflective, and deeply humane. The post-9/11 atmosphere, expat anxieties, and unspoken rules of Gulf societies are explored with nuance rather than judgement, allowing contradictions to exist as they are.
Running quietly through the book is a deep emotional connection to Bihar - the nostalgia, pride, and longing for home give the narrative its soul. That sense of rootedness balances the constant movement across borders and identities.
This isn’t a dramatic memoir or a flashy travelogue. It’s calm, insightful, and quietly powerful. For readers who enjoy true stories, journalism-based narratives, and human perspectives behind global headlines, this book is a rewarding and memorable read.
The book draws from nearly two decades of the author’s life as an Indian journalist in the Middle East. The stories feel lived-in and honest, shaped by newsroom chaos, street-side encounters, policy rooms, and quiet moments of reflection. Some chapters made me smile, others felt heavy, and a few stayed with me long after, especially if, like me, you enjoy reading about cultures, people, and lives beyond familiar borders.
What I appreciated most is the author’s sharp yet compassionate voice. The author observes closely, questions boldly, and never hesitates to examine uncomfortable truths, including those about his own homeland. The author’s narrative isn’t loud or preachy; it’s firm, reflective, and deeply humane. The post-9/11 atmosphere, expat anxieties, and unspoken rules of Gulf societies are explored with nuance rather than judgement, allowing contradictions to exist as they are.
Running quietly through the book is a deep emotional connection to Bihar - the nostalgia, pride, and longing for home give the narrative its soul. That sense of rootedness balances the constant movement across borders and identities.
This isn’t a dramatic memoir or a flashy travelogue. It’s calm, insightful, and quietly powerful. For readers who enjoy true stories, journalism-based narratives, and human perspectives behind global headlines, this book is a rewarding and memorable read.
January 22, 2026
#bookreview
This book,"The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories" by Ehtesham Shahid is an absorbing, heartwarming and exhilarating self memoir.
The book covers an inspiring journey full of both challenges and successes something which we all have a lot to relate and learn from.
The author pens his story with honesty which highlights what it basically means to live in places where identity is always being questioned, watched and quietly judged by others.
The book covers his journey from Bihar to Mumbai and then to Middle East and this journey is not only physical but also emotional one. Cities like Riyadh, Makkah and Dubai are shown as real places with rules, pressure, ambition and many contradiction.
His arrival in Riyadh just after 9/11 further adds to the challenges as fear, caution and silence shaped his everyday life. Still he writes everything in a tone which is calm, sharply observing and often quietly humorous.
The book stands out in it's emotional honesty from other migrant memoirs. He has neither romanticised migrating abroad nor shown the same as some dream fulfilled.
The language of this book is simple and easy to read and the book does have contents of global politics which may feel heavy. And at times feel very personal and emotional. His memories of Bihar appear softly throughout this book and make the story more heart warming.
It's a must read as it shows human side of migration, it values observation over argument and it also proves that clarity can exist without noise. Do grab your copy from Amazon 😍
Book : The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories
Author : Ehtesham Shahid
Genre : #biography #autobiography
Ratings : 5/5
This book,"The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories" by Ehtesham Shahid is an absorbing, heartwarming and exhilarating self memoir.
The book covers an inspiring journey full of both challenges and successes something which we all have a lot to relate and learn from.
The author pens his story with honesty which highlights what it basically means to live in places where identity is always being questioned, watched and quietly judged by others.
The book covers his journey from Bihar to Mumbai and then to Middle East and this journey is not only physical but also emotional one. Cities like Riyadh, Makkah and Dubai are shown as real places with rules, pressure, ambition and many contradiction.
His arrival in Riyadh just after 9/11 further adds to the challenges as fear, caution and silence shaped his everyday life. Still he writes everything in a tone which is calm, sharply observing and often quietly humorous.
The book stands out in it's emotional honesty from other migrant memoirs. He has neither romanticised migrating abroad nor shown the same as some dream fulfilled.
The language of this book is simple and easy to read and the book does have contents of global politics which may feel heavy. And at times feel very personal and emotional. His memories of Bihar appear softly throughout this book and make the story more heart warming.
It's a must read as it shows human side of migration, it values observation over argument and it also proves that clarity can exist without noise. Do grab your copy from Amazon 😍
Book : The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories
Author : Ehtesham Shahid
Genre : #biography #autobiography
Ratings : 5/5
March 9, 2026
The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories is a calm yet deeply affecting book that stays with you long after you finish it. Ehtesham Shahid traces his journey from Bihar to the Middle East and back again in memory, blending memoir, travel writing and cultural commentary into one thoughtful narrative.
The book starts and ends in Bihar, with everything in between stretching across a large part of the world. Through stories of migration, news, politics and everyday encounters, Shahid reflects on what it means to leave home without ever really letting it go. He arrived in the Gulf around the time of 9/11 and even worked in a building marked “Saudi Bin Laden Group,” a detail that captures the irony, unease and dark humour that run through the book.
What I appreciated most is the tone. This is not a loud or dramatic memoir. It is measured, introspective and emotionally honest. Shahid writes like a curious wanderer, moving not just through countries but through layers of power, belief and silence, always questioning his own assumptions. His experiences as a journalist give the book a strong sense of observation, and he uses personal memory to illuminate larger questions of identity, belonging and global politics.
There is a deep, constant thread of love for Bihar, the nostalgia, pride and quiet longing for home give the book its soul and balance the restlessness of migration. If you enjoy real stories, nuanced perspectives on the Middle East and thoughtful writing about home and exile, this is a rich and rewarding read.
The book starts and ends in Bihar, with everything in between stretching across a large part of the world. Through stories of migration, news, politics and everyday encounters, Shahid reflects on what it means to leave home without ever really letting it go. He arrived in the Gulf around the time of 9/11 and even worked in a building marked “Saudi Bin Laden Group,” a detail that captures the irony, unease and dark humour that run through the book.
What I appreciated most is the tone. This is not a loud or dramatic memoir. It is measured, introspective and emotionally honest. Shahid writes like a curious wanderer, moving not just through countries but through layers of power, belief and silence, always questioning his own assumptions. His experiences as a journalist give the book a strong sense of observation, and he uses personal memory to illuminate larger questions of identity, belonging and global politics.
There is a deep, constant thread of love for Bihar, the nostalgia, pride and quiet longing for home give the book its soul and balance the restlessness of migration. If you enjoy real stories, nuanced perspectives on the Middle East and thoughtful writing about home and exile, this is a rich and rewarding read.
February 15, 2026
Beyond travel writing, The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories is a thoughtful, subtly potent narrative. Although the title initially implies a light collection of tales, the book eventually exposes itself to be a multi-layered story of faith, migration, identity, and survival in the wake of 9/11. Ehtesham Shahid, a journalist with more than 20 years of experience in the Middle East, combines keen observation with personal experience to make everyday events such as newsroom silences, airport checks, pilgrimages, and city routines have enormous significance.
Moving smoothly from Bihar to Mumbai, Riyadh, Makkah, and Dubai, the story presents each location as a living process influenced by ambition, belief, and power rather than as a symbolic location. Rather than being defensive or spectacular, Shahid's writing is composed, honest, and frequently subtly amusing. Rather than romanticizing or denouncing migration, he gently accepts its paradoxes.
Not as a hero, but as a perceptive, changing presence, Ehtesham Shahid is my favorite character in the novel. Because of his readiness to unlearn, adjust, and pay attention, the path is incredibly relatable and human.
Because it emphasizes empathy over noise and observation over argument, I suggest this book. Readers who like migrant narratives, thoughtful nonfiction, and stories that demonstrate how history is lived rather than shouted through ordinary lives will find it excellent.
Moving smoothly from Bihar to Mumbai, Riyadh, Makkah, and Dubai, the story presents each location as a living process influenced by ambition, belief, and power rather than as a symbolic location. Rather than being defensive or spectacular, Shahid's writing is composed, honest, and frequently subtly amusing. Rather than romanticizing or denouncing migration, he gently accepts its paradoxes.
Not as a hero, but as a perceptive, changing presence, Ehtesham Shahid is my favorite character in the novel. Because of his readiness to unlearn, adjust, and pay attention, the path is incredibly relatable and human.
Because it emphasizes empathy over noise and observation over argument, I suggest this book. Readers who like migrant narratives, thoughtful nonfiction, and stories that demonstrate how history is lived rather than shouted through ordinary lives will find it excellent.
February 12, 2026
After a long time, I read memoir that felt very very honest. Set against the backdrop of lived experience, this memoir explores the life of a Bihari who had a bagful of stories to tell. The Roaming Bihari and his bagful of stories tells us the tale of an Indian who lands in different spaces of the world, embracing new phases of his life and career, navigating his way out in the Middle East.
I think one of the most not talked about form of storytelling is journalism. A thrilling profession that tell stories based on good and bad realities. The author has spent over 20 years of his life as a journalist, editor and columnist, storytelling about his surrounding. The book is divided in 30 chapters that inculcates the delicate play that goes in politics, opinions, religion, stereotypes, personal accounts, takeaways from his professor, so many thrilling anecdotes and just a person talking about his voyage that he lived. I appreciate the fact how much importance the author gave to the other’s perspective and want understand it before making it a part of his book.
Of course all the stories didn’t get my equal attention and some stories where more interesting than the other one and at times, I did lose the flow of reading may be because of the historical detailings but overall I thought the stories were real and captivating and easy to read
I think one of the most not talked about form of storytelling is journalism. A thrilling profession that tell stories based on good and bad realities. The author has spent over 20 years of his life as a journalist, editor and columnist, storytelling about his surrounding. The book is divided in 30 chapters that inculcates the delicate play that goes in politics, opinions, religion, stereotypes, personal accounts, takeaways from his professor, so many thrilling anecdotes and just a person talking about his voyage that he lived. I appreciate the fact how much importance the author gave to the other’s perspective and want understand it before making it a part of his book.
Of course all the stories didn’t get my equal attention and some stories where more interesting than the other one and at times, I did lose the flow of reading may be because of the historical detailings but overall I thought the stories were real and captivating and easy to read
February 12, 2026
After a long time, I read memoir that felt very very honest. Set against the backdrop of lived experience, this memoir explores the life of a Bihari who had a bagful of stories to tell. The Roaming Bihari and his bagful of stories tells us the tale of an Indian who lands in different spaces of the world, embracing new phases of his life and career, navigating his way out in the Middle East.
I think one of the most not talked about form of storytelling is journalism. A thrilling profession that tell stories based on good and bad realities. The author has spent over 20 years of his life as a journalist, editor and columnist, storytelling about his surrounding. The book is divided in 30 chapters that inculcates the delicate play that goes in politics, opinions, religion, stereotypes, personal accounts, takeaways from his professor, so many thrilling anecdotes and just a person talking about his voyage that he lived. I appreciate the fact how much importance the author gave to the other’s perspective and want understand it before making it a part of his book.
Of course all the stories didn’t get my equal attention and some stories where more interesting than the other one and at times, I did lose the flow of reading may be because of the historical detailings but overall I thought the stories were real and captivating and easy to read.
I think one of the most not talked about form of storytelling is journalism. A thrilling profession that tell stories based on good and bad realities. The author has spent over 20 years of his life as a journalist, editor and columnist, storytelling about his surrounding. The book is divided in 30 chapters that inculcates the delicate play that goes in politics, opinions, religion, stereotypes, personal accounts, takeaways from his professor, so many thrilling anecdotes and just a person talking about his voyage that he lived. I appreciate the fact how much importance the author gave to the other’s perspective and want understand it before making it a part of his book.
Of course all the stories didn’t get my equal attention and some stories where more interesting than the other one and at times, I did lose the flow of reading may be because of the historical detailings but overall I thought the stories were real and captivating and easy to read.
February 15, 2026
The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories by Ehtesham Shahid is the kind of memoir that quietly unsettles your expectations of non-fiction. The cover, light and almost playful in its appearance, gives little indication of the gravity that lies within. What unfolds instead is a series of narratives rooted in lived realities, serious, insightful, and deeply informative, far removed from any romanticised idea of Bihar or migration.
The memoir travels across geographies, moving from the heartlands of Bihar to the bustling chaos of Mumbai, and further into Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. These shifts in place are handled with a seamless narrative flow, each location adding a distinct layer to the author’s journey while contributing to a cohesive whole. The personal and the political, the intimate and the observational, are woven together with restraint and clarity.
I picked up this book purely for its cover, unaware of the emotional and intellectual terrain it would lead me through. As someone who doesn’t naturally gravitate towards non-fiction, memoirs least of all, this reading experience felt refreshingly different. It stepped outside my usual comfort zone and, in doing so, offered something rare: a quiet, honest account that lingers long after the last page. It was, undeniably, a good change.
The memoir travels across geographies, moving from the heartlands of Bihar to the bustling chaos of Mumbai, and further into Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. These shifts in place are handled with a seamless narrative flow, each location adding a distinct layer to the author’s journey while contributing to a cohesive whole. The personal and the political, the intimate and the observational, are woven together with restraint and clarity.
I picked up this book purely for its cover, unaware of the emotional and intellectual terrain it would lead me through. As someone who doesn’t naturally gravitate towards non-fiction, memoirs least of all, this reading experience felt refreshingly different. It stepped outside my usual comfort zone and, in doing so, offered something rare: a quiet, honest account that lingers long after the last page. It was, undeniably, a good change.
December 7, 2025
The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories is one of those books that quietly enters your life, and before you realise it, you’re smiling at one page, pausing at another, and feeling a little tug in your chest by the end of it.
Ehtesham Shahid takes you through his journey from Bihar to the Middle East two worlds that could not be more different yet he connects them with so much warmth, humour, and honesty that you feel like you’re travelling with him.
What I loved most is how real the book feels.
He doesn’t hide the chaos, the culture shocks, the stereotypes, or the unexpected kindness he finds along the way. Whether he’s navigating newsroom madness in the Gulf, adjusting to life right after 9/11, or reflecting on the memories of home, every story feels personal and lived in.
There’s a beautiful balance here sharp observations about society mixed with simple, touching moments. His portraits of people are especially lovely: workers, dreamers, wanderers all carrying their own little universes. You end up caring about them even though you’ve never met them.
And beneath everything, there’s a gentle nostalgia for Bihar its humour, its struggle, its charm, its people. The pride is quiet but powerful, and it gives the book a heartbeat.
Ehtesham Shahid takes you through his journey from Bihar to the Middle East two worlds that could not be more different yet he connects them with so much warmth, humour, and honesty that you feel like you’re travelling with him.
What I loved most is how real the book feels.
He doesn’t hide the chaos, the culture shocks, the stereotypes, or the unexpected kindness he finds along the way. Whether he’s navigating newsroom madness in the Gulf, adjusting to life right after 9/11, or reflecting on the memories of home, every story feels personal and lived in.
There’s a beautiful balance here sharp observations about society mixed with simple, touching moments. His portraits of people are especially lovely: workers, dreamers, wanderers all carrying their own little universes. You end up caring about them even though you’ve never met them.
And beneath everything, there’s a gentle nostalgia for Bihar its humour, its struggle, its charm, its people. The pride is quiet but powerful, and it gives the book a heartbeat.
March 7, 2026
This book is a fascinating and honest account of Ehtesham Shahid’s life and experiences in the Middle East. As a journalist who spent more than twenty years in the region, Shahid shares stories that are not only about news and politics but also about the everyday realities of living and working there.
What makes the book engaging is the way the author combines personal experiences with larger social and political changes happening in the Middle East. From the tense atmosphere after 9/11 to the cultural and professional challenges of being an Indian journalist in Riyadh, the narrative feels real and insightful.
Shahid also reflects on how the Indian diaspora has grown in the Gulf and how their presence has slowly changed perceptions. The book discusses stereotypes, cultural differences, and the restrictions that shape public life in the region, but it does so with honesty, humour, and thoughtful observation.
Overall, this is an informative and engaging read that gives readers a closer look at the Middle East through the eyes of someone who has lived, worked, and reported there for decades. It is not just a journalist’s story but also a reflection on identity, culture, and the changing dynamics between India and the Middle East.
What makes the book engaging is the way the author combines personal experiences with larger social and political changes happening in the Middle East. From the tense atmosphere after 9/11 to the cultural and professional challenges of being an Indian journalist in Riyadh, the narrative feels real and insightful.
Shahid also reflects on how the Indian diaspora has grown in the Gulf and how their presence has slowly changed perceptions. The book discusses stereotypes, cultural differences, and the restrictions that shape public life in the region, but it does so with honesty, humour, and thoughtful observation.
Overall, this is an informative and engaging read that gives readers a closer look at the Middle East through the eyes of someone who has lived, worked, and reported there for decades. It is not just a journalist’s story but also a reflection on identity, culture, and the changing dynamics between India and the Middle East.
February 15, 2026
Residing in a different country to earn a living here and there is a bit difficult. But many Indians opt for going out and working for their families over here. But their journey of cutting down their expenses for living and trying to save more is not a piece of cake. In this book, I get to read about the author who went to Saudi Arabia after the 9/11 attacks.
The author shares interesting anecdotes from the lives of diverse personalities, even the fascinating career and contributions of the UAE's ruler, Sheikh Zayed, and many other implications of influential persons. He has explored how Indians have bonded with one another and accommodated the demands made upon them by the diverse rules, norms and cultural mores that prevail in different Gulf states.
Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the dynamics of West Asia for travellers, businesspeople, and those seeking fortune beyond their native shores.
The author shares interesting anecdotes from the lives of diverse personalities, even the fascinating career and contributions of the UAE's ruler, Sheikh Zayed, and many other implications of influential persons. He has explored how Indians have bonded with one another and accommodated the demands made upon them by the diverse rules, norms and cultural mores that prevail in different Gulf states.
Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the dynamics of West Asia for travellers, businesspeople, and those seeking fortune beyond their native shores.
March 9, 2026
THE ROAMING BIHARI AND HIS BAGFUL OF STORIES by Ehtesham Shahid is a powerful non fiction memoir that blends journalism, migration studies, cultural commentary, and geopolitical analysis.
Ehtesham Shahid traces his journey from Bihar to the Middle East, beginning in Riyadh just after 9/11. Through newsroom experiences, public silences, migrant realities, and policy shifts, he documents how identity is negotiated under scrutiny, power structures, and global politics. The narrative examines oil economies, expat life, media ethics, faith, and post 9/11 tension with clarity and restraint.
The strength of this book lies in its observational depth. It avoids sensationalism and focuses on lived experience. Cities like Riyadh, Makkah, and Dubai are presented as structured spaces shaped by ambition, regulation, aspiration, and control. Migration is shown as adaptation, negotiation, and resilience rather than fantasy.
His connection to Bihar grounds the global narrative with cultural memory and regional pride. The writing is accessible, sharp, and journalistically precise.
Recommended for readers of memoir, travel writing, diaspora literature, migration narratives, Middle East politics, and narrative journalism.
Ehtesham Shahid traces his journey from Bihar to the Middle East, beginning in Riyadh just after 9/11. Through newsroom experiences, public silences, migrant realities, and policy shifts, he documents how identity is negotiated under scrutiny, power structures, and global politics. The narrative examines oil economies, expat life, media ethics, faith, and post 9/11 tension with clarity and restraint.
The strength of this book lies in its observational depth. It avoids sensationalism and focuses on lived experience. Cities like Riyadh, Makkah, and Dubai are presented as structured spaces shaped by ambition, regulation, aspiration, and control. Migration is shown as adaptation, negotiation, and resilience rather than fantasy.
His connection to Bihar grounds the global narrative with cultural memory and regional pride. The writing is accessible, sharp, and journalistically precise.
Recommended for readers of memoir, travel writing, diaspora literature, migration narratives, Middle East politics, and narrative journalism.
February 5, 2026
This book feels like a conversation with a well-travelled journalist as well as a reflective blend of travel and reporting. What stayed with me were his observations on Dubai- not just as city of real estate but as cultural midway for India and Pakistan where connections are rebuilt through sports and shared histories. His comparison of village panchayats with international democracy was sharp and thought-provoking showing how power struggles each other across scales.
Having travelled across multiple countries, the author brings a layered worldview to the book. At the same time, his identity as a Bihari is never diluted. Instead, it anchors his foreign living and global experiences
Overall, an insightful read for anyone who is interested in journalistic anecdotes, migration and the Gulf region politics
Having travelled across multiple countries, the author brings a layered worldview to the book. At the same time, his identity as a Bihari is never diluted. Instead, it anchors his foreign living and global experiences
Overall, an insightful read for anyone who is interested in journalistic anecdotes, migration and the Gulf region politics
March 4, 2026
The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories is a vibrant blend of memoir, journalism, and cultural commentary. Written by veteran journalist Ehtesham Shahid, the book chronicles his two-decade journey from the heart of Bihar to the high-stakes newsrooms of the Middle East.
The book follows the author's personal and professional evolution, starting with a striking anecdote: landing in Saudi Arabia just days after 9/11 and finding "Osama Bin Laden" inscribed on his new company's headquarters.
The Roaming Bihari is essential reading for anyone interested in the Indian Diaspora, the modern Middle East, or the evolution of journalism. It is a "bagful" of wisdom that proves stories are the best way to bridge the gap between two very different worlds.
The book follows the author's personal and professional evolution, starting with a striking anecdote: landing in Saudi Arabia just days after 9/11 and finding "Osama Bin Laden" inscribed on his new company's headquarters.
The Roaming Bihari is essential reading for anyone interested in the Indian Diaspora, the modern Middle East, or the evolution of journalism. It is a "bagful" of wisdom that proves stories are the best way to bridge the gap between two very different worlds.
December 21, 2025
This book weaves together personal experiences, sharp observations and geopolitical commentary. It examines the rise and transformation of Gulf societies, oil wealth and excess, real estate, and major political events.
Author's reflects on Bihar's history and culture which adds warmth to the narrative.
Overall, it's a part travelogue and part political - cultural analysis. Offers understanding of the Gulf and its relation with India.
Author's reflects on Bihar's history and culture which adds warmth to the narrative.
Overall, it's a part travelogue and part political - cultural analysis. Offers understanding of the Gulf and its relation with India.
December 25, 2025
The Roaming Bihari and His Bagful of Stories by Ehtesham Shahid is an amazing book about his personal journey and views. He describes the cultural clashes, the diversity among various regions through his migration due to journalism. We get to know the various stereotypes and ideologies of different people which is knowledge and empathy inducing. This book altogether is rich in culture, diversity and opinions and will leave with you with a mind filled with wit by the time you finish it.
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