Neelima cuts off from her world of idealism and romance

New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) There was an unusual candid grace about Neelima Dalmiya Adhar as she launched her book, 'The Merchants of Death', with a bewitching aura of confidence sauteed with the perfect blend of witticism.

At the launch of her book last night, Neelima indulged the audience with the histronics of her second scintillating masterpiece on the Marwari tribe which she said, 'have seldom been written on'.

Those who have read the book desribe it as 'hell raising' and 'mind boggling' and though she has managed to ruffle the feathers of the tribe to which she herself belongs, Neelima doesn't flich when she says, '' I hold my head up high to say I am a Marwari''.

In The Merchants of Death, Neelima touches upon the sensitivities of a Marwari family unperturbed with a zealous passion which will ultimately lead them towards their destruction.

For Neelima, writing this story meant cutting off from her defined world of idealism and romance.

'' The Marwari race is born out of a struggle. Wealth is incidental. Women lead promiscious lives and are strong and independent. The characters are based on my own perception of women''.

Neelima is unfazed by the rave reviews her first book, "Father Dearest: The Life and Times of Ramkrishna Dalmiya" garnered. By any reckoning, it told the story of the most flamboyant enterpreneur in league with the Tatas and the Birlas but with a dark side to him. Everything from his six wives and 18 children to his two-year jail term was penned by Neelima, perhaps in vengeance or perhaps with a satiating hunger to prove herself.

'' Those who know me have accused me of being a bad judge of people. I have made some grievous mistakes but I can say in hindsight that those highs and lows have only enriched me to bring colour to the canvas of words.'' She believes what is right for one may not be right for another.

It may mean having to stand on your own and do something strange in the eyes of the other. '' No one likes to speak about the Marwaris, I dont intend to hurt anyone's sensibilties'', she said.

Gracing the occasion of the book release were Balram Jakhar, Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mani Shankar Aiyar- Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Sports, Rao Inderjit Singh- State Minister for Defence Production and Aitzaz Ahsan, MP-ex Home Minister Pakistan.

UNI