What will you learn from this book
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Political Journey: Gujral traces his political journey from his early days as a student activist to his rise in the Indian National Congress and later his association with the Janata Dal and other political parties.
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Foreign Policy: The memoir delves into Gujral's tenure as India's Minister of External Affairs and his contributions to shaping India's foreign policy, including his advocacy for the "Gujral Doctrine" emphasizing non-interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries.
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Coalition Politics: Gujral provides insights into the challenges of coalition politics in India, reflecting on his experiences as a coalition partner in various governments and the complexities of managing diverse political alliances.
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Economic Reforms: The book discusses Gujral's views on economic reforms and development policies, including his efforts to promote liberalization, privatization, and globalization during his time in government.
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Social Justice: Gujral reflects on his commitment to social justice and inclusivity, advocating for policies aimed at empowering marginalized communities and addressing issues of poverty, inequality, and discrimination.
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Regionalism: The memoir explores Gujral's views on regionalism and federalism in India, highlighting the importance of accommodating diverse regional aspirations within the framework of a united and pluralistic nation.
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Personal Reflections: Gujral shares personal anecdotes and reflections on his interactions with political leaders, diplomats, and other public figures, offering readers insights into the human side of Indian politics.
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Crisis Management: The book discusses Gujral's approach to crisis management and conflict resolution, including his efforts to defuse tensions with neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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Legacy: Gujral reflects on his legacy as a statesman and public servant, assessing his contributions to Indian politics, diplomacy, and governance, and the enduring impact of his ideas and initiatives.
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Lessons Learned: "Matters of Discretion" offers readers valuable lessons in leadership, statesmanship, and the challenges of navigating the complexities of Indian politics and governance in a rapidly changing world.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 9380480806 |
| ISBN-13 | 9789380480800 |
| No of pages | 519 |
| Font Size | Medium |
| Book Publisher | Hay House |
| Published Date | 01 Jan 2011 |
About Author
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An absorbing, authentic and definitive account, by a former prime minister, of crucial events that had a significant impact on the nation’s destiny after independence. I K Gujral has penned his life story in a forthright and candid manner. He entered the political fray as a freedom fighter in the British era, and after the tumultuous events that rocked the Indian subcontinent in the wake of the partition in August 1947, crossed over from Pakistan to India, where he had to begin life from scratch. Despite facing tremendous odds, on the basis of his perseverance, resilience and never-say-die attitude, Gujral’s achievements allowed him to witness and shape India’s contemporary history. Gujral joined Congress Party and was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1964.
He was the Information and Broadcasting Minister when emergency was imposed, which entailed arbitrary press censorship. Since he refused to bow down to the de facto powers, he was unceremoniously replaced and later sent by Indira Gandhi as India’s ambassador to the USSR, a post he handled with commendable tact and finesse. After his stint in Moscow, he returned to India and re-entered the ‘political whirlpool’ by joining the Janata Dal. He became minister for external affairs under V P Singh (1989) and Deve Gowda (1996). Gujral reached the pinnacle of his career when he became the prime minister on 1997. During his priministership, despite the exigencies and pressures of running a coalition government, he endeavoured to achieve progress in many spheres.
The Gujral Doctrine (a set of five principles to guide the conduct of foreign relations with India’s immediate neighbours) was widely acclaimed in both India and the West. This volume, a valuable addition to the literature on contemporary history, provides a deep insight into the political scene as it unfolded after independence and delineates the roles played by a wide spectrum of politicians, bureaucrats, and many others.