Synopsis
Delhi's Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena celebrated the launch of Lakshmi Puri's bestselling book 'Swallowing the Sun' at the Partition Museum. The event emphasized the importance of literature in preserving history, featuring discussions on the novel's themes and the legacy of the Partition.Key Takeaways
- Significant attendance by Delhi L-G V.K. Saxena.
- Launch of Lakshmi Puri's bestseller 'Swallowing the Sun.'
- Importance of the Partition Museum highlighted.
- Discussion on maintaining historical narratives through literature.
- Recognition of women's leadership in historical and contemporary contexts.
New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, attended the launch of Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri's book 'Swallowing the Sun', which has achieved national bestseller status. The event took place at the Partition Museum, located within the Dara Shukoh Library Building in the capital.
Hosted with L-G Saxena as the Chief Guest, the book launch was organized by The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust in partnership with The Lalit, emphasizing the novel's historical context and themes.
L-G Saxena remarked on the importance of the Partition Museum, stating: 'The Partition was a significant tragedy, displacing over 20 million individuals and altering Delhi's demographics. Thus, the Partition Museum serves as both a memorial and a museum, safeguarding the history of a traumatic period, including oral histories, documents, photographs, artifacts, and personal stories.'
Also in attendance was Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, who emphasized the necessity of preserving historical narratives through literature.
The discussion was moderated by Kishwar Desai, an author and playwright, and founder of the Partition Museums in Amritsar and Delhi.
The conversation delved into the novel's inspiration, literature's role in preserving history, and the lasting impact of Partition on contemporary generations.
L-G Saxena further remarked on the significance of the venue, pointing out: 'The location of this event in this historical building is captivating. We are currently in a historically rich space—Dara Shukoh Library Building—where the Partition Museum was established by the NGO led by Kishwar Desai. This award-winning museum exemplifies a successful public-private collaboration.'
'Swallowing the Sun' narrates the story of Malati, a courageous young girl facing the trials of pre-Independence India.
During the dialogue, Lakshmi Puri expressed her motivations for writing the book and discussed the challenges associated with crafting historical fiction and its relevance today.
While addressing the audience, Lakshmi Puri stated, 'I’m thrilled to be present at the Partition Museum, which stands as a living memorial to one of our most traumatic historical episodes. It is crucial to memorialize such events to ensure we remember and prevent history from repeating itself. I pay tribute to the founder and director of this museum, Kishwar Desai, whose vision and dedication made this possible. Here, we witness the events of the Partition, the human tragedy that unfolded, and the resilience and humanity that emerged.'
Jyotsna Suri praised the novel, stating: 'Lakshmi Puri's 'Swallowing the Sun' embodies resilience, bravery, and the quest for equality amid India's struggle for independence. Through the perspective of a young girl, the novel explores themes of sisterhood, friendship, and revolution, capturing the essence of her journey. This book transcends mere storytelling; it serves as a beacon of hope, inclusion, and empowerment.'
During the event, Lakshmi Puri presented a copy of the Refugee Rehabilitation Law, drafted by her father, B.G. Murdeshwar, to the Delhi L-G.
This historic document will also find a place in the Gallery of Rehabilitation at the Partition Museum in Delhi.
B.G. Murdeshwar was instrumental in the resettlement of Partition refugees, drafting and advocating for a policy that froze evacuee properties for rehabilitation.
His initiatives, which were adopted by various provinces, saved the governments of Punjab and India significant amounts while ensuring an orderly resettlement process.
Kishwar Desai noted the connection between the choice of the Partition Museum for the celebration of Lakshmi's book, emphasizing that her father played a crucial role in the refugee rehabilitation process.
The panel discussion also focused on Women in Power, highlighting the leadership of Lakshmi Puri as a diplomat, author, and former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations; Jyotsna Suri as a business leader influencing the hospitality sector; and Kishwar Desai as an accomplished author and playwright, dedicated to preserving the stories of Partition survivors for posterity.
The event wrapped up with a Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to inquire about Lakshmi Puri's research methodology and the historical backdrop of 'Swallowing the Sun.'
