Contributors respond to an invitation from <i >Outlook</i> to revisit their memories and describe their defining Indian experience.
Is it possible to get beyond current buzzwordslike India Shining, or Not Shining, and 9 per cent growth, with or withoutequity, and 60 years of this, that and the other, while writing and reflectingon India? The short answer is yes. The long answer is contained in this seriesof memorable essays by contributors who have experienced India in differentways. They all responded to an invitation from Outlook to revisit their memoriesand describe their defining Indian experience. A Pakistani experience of Indiawas sorely needed, repeatedly promised, but alas, not delivered. Perhaps theyhave other things on their minds. Meanwhile, what did arrive was delightfullyvaried, ranging from the uproariously funny and wry, to the sentimental andsombre.
And should we be surprised that no twoexperiences are the same?