Former PM IK Gujral releases book by J Bhagyalakshmi

New Delhi, July 11 (UNI) Former Prime Minister I K Gujral released a book 'That's OK Tammanna and other Reveries' by Dr J Bhagyalakshmi at India International Centre (IIC) here yesterday.

The book is a collection of middles earlier published in various newspapers. The narration is very prosaic and engaging with wit and humour, tackling a range of issues such as Delhi traffic, road rage, power cuts, pollution etc.

Speaking at the function organised by Indian Society of Authors (ISA) and Alokparv Prakashanoccasion, Mr Gujral congratulated the author and hoped that the readers would also appreciate her efforts.

He stressed the importance of newspapers and recalled the writing style of Urdu dailies in pre-independent Lahore. He spoke of their dilemma of choosing between pro-British and anti-British stance during the freedom struggle.

Dr Abid Hussain, former ambassador to US, recalled his personal ties with the author and extolled her adroit writing skills in both English and Telugu. He quoted late Satyajit Ray "in small detail of things you pursue and see great matter," he said. He praised the simple style in which the book was written.

"The book is in the form of a conversation between the author and her creator on serious issues, yet no solutions are given to those problems. She has captured the reality of life," said Dr Hussain.

Mr Manohar Bandopadhyay, noted poet-writer, said writing prose was more difficult that poetry. He described the writing style of the author as 'conversational style of writing' and traced this style to the days of Rig Veda.

Dr J Bhagyalakshmi is a freelance journalist writing on developmental issues. She is a bilingual writer in English and Telugu and was formerly with Indian Information Service (IIS). She has also taught at Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

She has received many awards including Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award, RK Narayan Award by Authors Guild of India and Katha Award for Translation.

UNI