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DATELINE DEHRA DUN: THE SCHOOL TOWN OF INDIA
What was Dehra Dun like in the 1930s? What was then its administrative structure? Who was its first District Magistrate? And who was its first Superintendent of Police? Who are its prominent citizens? And who are its well known authors? What is the origin and growth of its famous schools that has given Dehra Dun the sobriquet of THE SCHOOL TOWN OF INDIA? What are its world-famous Institutions and how and when those were established? How and when Dehra Dun became the headquarters of the Oil & Natural Gas Commission and in what way that changed the town’s face? Why did Jawaharlal Nehru love Dehra Dun, and why did Indira Gandhi frequently visit the town? And what were those early struggling days of well known author Ruskin Bond, and why did he visit the main Post Office so frequently? I believe that not many of my fellow residents know what Dehra Dun was like in those early years and how it grew from a small town into a flourishing city. DATELINE DEHRA DUN answers those questions.
749 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 6, 2020
The author connects British liking to Dehradun, Pune and Bangalore because of their weather. Coming from Bangalore, I like Dehradun because of its cosmopolitan culture.
This book is well documented because the author seems to know more better the back of his hand. Each Indian city deserves a book like this.
That Doon School could have come to Bangalore makes me feel a bit jealous about Dehradun 🤪
Expulsion of a scion of the Political family of India from Doon School tells the reader that once people had backbone to take tough decisions , and that the powerful had the grace to accept a harsh decision.
This book is well documented because the author seems to know more better the back of his hand. Each Indian city deserves a book like this.
That Doon School could have come to Bangalore makes me feel a bit jealous about Dehradun 🤪
Expulsion of a scion of the Political family of India from Doon School tells the reader that once people had backbone to take tough decisions , and that the powerful had the grace to accept a harsh decision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2020
"Dateline Dehra Dun is a proud tale about the history of Dehra Dun valley."
Nostalgia is a sweet and savory way of remembering places and people and things because we wish that they hadn’t changed while sometimes we accept that they changed for the good and the needful. Raj Kanwar’s Dateline Dehra Dun, rubs nostalgia, memories and love, deep into the reader’s skin. Raj Kanwar, appropriately, calls the book ‘a fascinating amalgam of the past and the present.’ It is a proud tale about the history of Dehra Dun valley; its globally acknowledged institutions, inspiring citizens and the stories hidden in the city’s nook and cranny are captured aesthetically through the writer’s microscopic lenses.
It is aptly believed that Dehra Dun homes even the passersby. The old custom of the city, to embrace its multicultural ethnicity, adds peculiar charm to its breathtaking beauty and striking weather. The book harks back to the days of Dehra Dun as a model town nestled in the scenic greenery and mountains with spacious bungalows, tongas and the time when bicycle owned the roads and ‘electricity was a scarce commodity ’.
The book is a vast chronicle of Dehra Dun as the ‘School Town of India’ in good capacity as the city has been home for years to path breaking majestic educational institutions. The writer has furthermore included the telltales of a wide spectrum of renowned personalities from Dehra Dun who have helped in shaping and uplifting the city and its people. It also entails a detailed discussion on the history and expansion of the city’s exemplary government institutions and organizations which helped profoundly in modeling the India of today. Some of the included ‘middles’ in the book are an added bonus for the readers who get a wider glimpse into Raj Kanwar’s writings and interactions over the span of his life.
The authenticity of any book lies in it being true to its emotion and Dateline Dehra Dun abides by this. The writer’s love for the city is perceptible and evident in this book as he captures its essence deftly. The book, besides being the tale of a city, is a medley of history, literature, art and storytelling which makes it a rich read for readers globally, even if they share less or no connection with the city of love, that is, Dehra Dun. Raj Kanwar’s courteous, warm and precise writing, makes the book an engaging read which you can savour while sipping hot tea on a rainy afternoon as it fills you with hope and admiration.
Nostalgia is a sweet and savory way of remembering places and people and things because we wish that they hadn’t changed while sometimes we accept that they changed for the good and the needful. Raj Kanwar’s Dateline Dehra Dun, rubs nostalgia, memories and love, deep into the reader’s skin. Raj Kanwar, appropriately, calls the book ‘a fascinating amalgam of the past and the present.’ It is a proud tale about the history of Dehra Dun valley; its globally acknowledged institutions, inspiring citizens and the stories hidden in the city’s nook and cranny are captured aesthetically through the writer’s microscopic lenses.
It is aptly believed that Dehra Dun homes even the passersby. The old custom of the city, to embrace its multicultural ethnicity, adds peculiar charm to its breathtaking beauty and striking weather. The book harks back to the days of Dehra Dun as a model town nestled in the scenic greenery and mountains with spacious bungalows, tongas and the time when bicycle owned the roads and ‘electricity was a scarce commodity ’.
The book is a vast chronicle of Dehra Dun as the ‘School Town of India’ in good capacity as the city has been home for years to path breaking majestic educational institutions. The writer has furthermore included the telltales of a wide spectrum of renowned personalities from Dehra Dun who have helped in shaping and uplifting the city and its people. It also entails a detailed discussion on the history and expansion of the city’s exemplary government institutions and organizations which helped profoundly in modeling the India of today. Some of the included ‘middles’ in the book are an added bonus for the readers who get a wider glimpse into Raj Kanwar’s writings and interactions over the span of his life.
The authenticity of any book lies in it being true to its emotion and Dateline Dehra Dun abides by this. The writer’s love for the city is perceptible and evident in this book as he captures its essence deftly. The book, besides being the tale of a city, is a medley of history, literature, art and storytelling which makes it a rich read for readers globally, even if they share less or no connection with the city of love, that is, Dehra Dun. Raj Kanwar’s courteous, warm and precise writing, makes the book an engaging read which you can savour while sipping hot tea on a rainy afternoon as it fills you with hope and admiration.
July 16, 2020
The compendium encapsulates the charisma of Dehradun.
The author, Raj Kanwar, a multifaceted and phenomenal personality, has put his heart and soul into the book.
Voluminous but full of wisdom
Every page is enlightening and unravels before the reader, multidimensional facets of the city. The book is voluminous no doubt, but is full of precious content.
The splendid town
Meticulous details about the town, it's origin, its past and present have been depicted painstakingly in the book. It tells us why people are fascinated by the small town, surrounded by the hills, beautiful serene and breathtaking! In the writers own words it is " an amalgam of the past and the present and literally clings like a creeper on its denizens".
Institutes of Dehradun
The veteran journalist has written about the unique institutes of Dehradun. The Doon School, Welham Boys, RIMC, St. Joseph's Academy to name a few, are the reason why the town has earned the sobriquet, "the school town of India".
Important offices of the town
ONGC, IMA, FRI, Survey of India are famous Institutes that have been dedicating their service to the nation. Not to mention the teachers who have been mentors to so many people who are serving all over the world now.
Luminaries of Dehradun
The eminent personalities in the field of literature, education, industry and all who have contributed to the development of the town, have been given a fair share.
Storytelling makes the book interesting
The interspersed amusing anecdotes, spice up the details.
Pearls of wisdom
The author has also provided the reader with pearls of his wisdom,he says "odour of sweat is intoxicating when it brings success ".
Effortless style
The lucid style and the effortless depiction, enables the reader to peruse through the book
easily.
The attractive cover
The cover of the book is magnificent, a signature picture of Dehradun,the grand building of the Forest Research Institute which overwhelms as well as fills one with awe.
Recommendation
The book must be read by all the people who are even remotely connected with Dehradun. It is recommended for those who wish to know about the quaint and fascinating Dehradun-The School Town of India
The author, Raj Kanwar, a multifaceted and phenomenal personality, has put his heart and soul into the book.
Voluminous but full of wisdom
Every page is enlightening and unravels before the reader, multidimensional facets of the city. The book is voluminous no doubt, but is full of precious content.
The splendid town
Meticulous details about the town, it's origin, its past and present have been depicted painstakingly in the book. It tells us why people are fascinated by the small town, surrounded by the hills, beautiful serene and breathtaking! In the writers own words it is " an amalgam of the past and the present and literally clings like a creeper on its denizens".
Institutes of Dehradun
The veteran journalist has written about the unique institutes of Dehradun. The Doon School, Welham Boys, RIMC, St. Joseph's Academy to name a few, are the reason why the town has earned the sobriquet, "the school town of India".
Important offices of the town
ONGC, IMA, FRI, Survey of India are famous Institutes that have been dedicating their service to the nation. Not to mention the teachers who have been mentors to so many people who are serving all over the world now.
Luminaries of Dehradun
The eminent personalities in the field of literature, education, industry and all who have contributed to the development of the town, have been given a fair share.
Storytelling makes the book interesting
The interspersed amusing anecdotes, spice up the details.
Pearls of wisdom
The author has also provided the reader with pearls of his wisdom,he says "odour of sweat is intoxicating when it brings success ".
Effortless style
The lucid style and the effortless depiction, enables the reader to peruse through the book
easily.
The attractive cover
The cover of the book is magnificent, a signature picture of Dehradun,the grand building of the Forest Research Institute which overwhelms as well as fills one with awe.
Recommendation
The book must be read by all the people who are even remotely connected with Dehradun. It is recommended for those who wish to know about the quaint and fascinating Dehradun-The School Town of India
August 17, 2020
Dateline Dehradun is a cavern filled with knowledge and information about a seemingly trivial town which has managed to leave its mark in history.
THE AUTHOR'S VISION BEHIND THIS BOOK IS TO CELEBRATE DOON'S CULTURE AND DIVERSITY.
Raj Kunwar is a well-established resident of Dehradun and has, over the years, gathered interesting facts, experiences and stories about the town and its people. The foreword of the book is written by Navtej Sarna, an ex-Indian Ambassador to the USA, whose words give a special insight into the nostalgia shared by the book. At its core, the book seeks to invoke a feeling of brotherhood among all Doonites, for their hometown.
THIS IS A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF CHRONICLES THAT SYMBOLIZE THE CITIZENS OF DOON.
From taking a deep dive into the Administrative Structure of Dehradun, to starting a conversation about the well known members of its society, the book rather than just sprouting facts, offers the readers a chance to analyse the social and economic factors that impact a small town.
A foremost highlight of the book is the innate focus on the schools of Dehradun. The Col Brown Cambridge School, St. Joseph's Academy, The Doon School, The Welham Boys and Girls School, RIMC are some of the schools that the author portrays, have influenced Dehradun into achieving its prominent status and glory as 'THE SCHOOL TOWN OF INDIA'.
THERE IS UTMOST HARMONY BETWEEN THE TITLE AND THE NARRATIVE.
Just as the title suggests, the book contains the very spirit of Doon. The author shows his appreciation for Dehra Dun, and how even after facing tremendous upheavals and turbulence, it still retains its quaint laidback ambience.
The relevance of this book rests in the heritage of the town, which Dehradun has in abundance. From the origin and growth of its schools to the notable success of its Industries, there is always a new story to tell.
THE SOUL OF THE BOOK LIES IN THE STRUGGLES OF DOON'S PEOPLE.
Through all the tales of hardship and difficulty, the essence of Dateline Dehradun rests in its message on overcoming adversity. The author, via numerous examples, convinces the reader that one has to traverse through multiple challenges in order to become successful.
THE AUTHOR'S VISION BEHIND THIS BOOK IS TO CELEBRATE DOON'S CULTURE AND DIVERSITY.
Raj Kunwar is a well-established resident of Dehradun and has, over the years, gathered interesting facts, experiences and stories about the town and its people. The foreword of the book is written by Navtej Sarna, an ex-Indian Ambassador to the USA, whose words give a special insight into the nostalgia shared by the book. At its core, the book seeks to invoke a feeling of brotherhood among all Doonites, for their hometown.
THIS IS A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF CHRONICLES THAT SYMBOLIZE THE CITIZENS OF DOON.
From taking a deep dive into the Administrative Structure of Dehradun, to starting a conversation about the well known members of its society, the book rather than just sprouting facts, offers the readers a chance to analyse the social and economic factors that impact a small town.
A foremost highlight of the book is the innate focus on the schools of Dehradun. The Col Brown Cambridge School, St. Joseph's Academy, The Doon School, The Welham Boys and Girls School, RIMC are some of the schools that the author portrays, have influenced Dehradun into achieving its prominent status and glory as 'THE SCHOOL TOWN OF INDIA'.
THERE IS UTMOST HARMONY BETWEEN THE TITLE AND THE NARRATIVE.
Just as the title suggests, the book contains the very spirit of Doon. The author shows his appreciation for Dehra Dun, and how even after facing tremendous upheavals and turbulence, it still retains its quaint laidback ambience.
The relevance of this book rests in the heritage of the town, which Dehradun has in abundance. From the origin and growth of its schools to the notable success of its Industries, there is always a new story to tell.
THE SOUL OF THE BOOK LIES IN THE STRUGGLES OF DOON'S PEOPLE.
Through all the tales of hardship and difficulty, the essence of Dateline Dehradun rests in its message on overcoming adversity. The author, via numerous examples, convinces the reader that one has to traverse through multiple challenges in order to become successful.
August 6, 2020
Dehradun, a city full of love and warmth, mountains and institutions, cafes and culture is known for its tranquility, cultural richness and historical importance. Through Dateline Dehradun, author Raj Kanwar has beautifully unraveled the back stories behind the city’s most amazing institutions, people, places, etc. The book begins by talking about the city’s weather, important destinations, famous institutions and then moves on to discuss Dehradun’s men of eminence women of substance, ancient schools and so much more, in a gripping and thought-provoking manner. Now I was a bit apprehensive about reading the book as history and literature are a deadly combination. But as I gathered the courage and finally read it, it came across as a smartly written book with finely-drawn details, interspersed with interesting instances, arousing a lot of curiosity. The book revolves around the city’s heritage and talented personalities. It instills in us, respect and love for Dehradun . It tells us the stories of people we have known for long, like Ruskin bond, Roshen dalal, etc. I found the book full of inspiration and knowledge, therefore worth the money. The best part about the book is that it is full of nostalgia . The title and cover are both pretty suitable. Raj kanwar states “in a way, the town and I grew in a togetherness of sort, and I seriously felt as if the town was my sibling.” Quotes like these make sure the readers stay connected to the book. The author’s writing techniques are impressive, along with a good vocabulary, great presentation skills and and the ability to connect with the readers. On a personal note, I would definitely recommend this book to other people as well!
September 12, 2020
There is a very famous quote by Sir Francis Bacon, “Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.” For readers who want leisure read to learn about history, famous educational and official institutions, personalities, stories and experiences related to Dehra Dun city then Dateline Dehra Dun is the book for you which can be chewed and digested leaving you with a stomach full of almost everything to know about Dehra Dun.
Raj Kanwar is a popular journalist, a businessman turned author who has shared his rich experiences and life's journey through his writings, and his book Dateline Dehra Dun is the perfect example of it. This book takes you on a journey across the city of Dehra Dun over the years while you cherish both major or minor elements that made Dehra Dun like it is today.
The stories about Dehra Dun's old buildings, government institutions, schools, hotels, bungalows surrounded by orchards, the charm of old streets and other stories take you on a trip to the charisma of the city.
The major section of the book is devoted to the history of pathbreaking schools of Dehra Dun that have contributed immensely in shaping the future of education in India. The book holds the wisdom of the writer and the citizens mentioned in the book. As the book includes snippets of the life of some well-known personalities belonging to Dehra Dun who are contributing in their own way to the society.
If you want to flaunt the knowledge and information about the wisdom of the city and much more then you are just a read away from this book which will grant your wish. Highly recommended for the book lovers who want to connect with the city or are interested in the history of it.
Raj Kanwar is a popular journalist, a businessman turned author who has shared his rich experiences and life's journey through his writings, and his book Dateline Dehra Dun is the perfect example of it. This book takes you on a journey across the city of Dehra Dun over the years while you cherish both major or minor elements that made Dehra Dun like it is today.
The stories about Dehra Dun's old buildings, government institutions, schools, hotels, bungalows surrounded by orchards, the charm of old streets and other stories take you on a trip to the charisma of the city.
The major section of the book is devoted to the history of pathbreaking schools of Dehra Dun that have contributed immensely in shaping the future of education in India. The book holds the wisdom of the writer and the citizens mentioned in the book. As the book includes snippets of the life of some well-known personalities belonging to Dehra Dun who are contributing in their own way to the society.
If you want to flaunt the knowledge and information about the wisdom of the city and much more then you are just a read away from this book which will grant your wish. Highly recommended for the book lovers who want to connect with the city or are interested in the history of it.
December 19, 2020
A well researched book. Apparently a lot of work has gone into writing this authoritative book on Dehradun. A must have for anyone interested in knowing all there is to know on Dehradun.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews