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Syeda Saiyidain Hameed and Gunjan Veda

Authors, Beautiful Country

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On dreams, despair and development: The India story

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Gunjan, how does it feel to be a published author at such a young age? Asked by: kapil dev
Hey Kapil, in one word…awesome :)
Could u briefly tel us what is the book aboout?? Asked by: ANONYMOUS
In a nutshell, Beautiful Country is about the faces of India that we don’t usually encounter- faces and facets that are not necessarily hidden but nonetheless, we never see them. It’s about the weavers living in the gallis of Varanasi, the Jarawa in the pristine forests of Andaman, the women of Nagaland and Manipur, the children trekking to schools in Ladakh, the people living on the closed tea estates in Jalpaiguri, the woman panchayat leader from Kerala. It is a book that looks at the problems that continue to embroil different parts of our country and yet it is a book that talks about the resilience of us Indians; about how ordinary Indians across the country are bringing about extra-ordinary changes.
What inspired you to write the book? Asked by: Alisha
Hi Alisha. Our inspiration was the people of India. When we travelled across the country and saw how much talent they had and yet how deprived they were; when we experienced their misery and witnessed their courage and their relentless pursuit for change, we were compelled to write about it.
Hi Gunjan and Syeda, Can you please share the inspiration for your book? Asked by: Sunita
Hey Sunita. Already answered earlier.
Gunjan, I am 25, the age when you started travelling and making policies. I was very inspired by your book. Now I want to act. Tell me how can I help India along the arduous journey that leads from despair to dreams? Should I also join the planning commission? Is that the way forward? Asked by: Karthik
This is a question that I have been asked many times over the last few months. Indeed, a few people have confided how they want to quit their jobs and join the administrative service to serve the country. But look around you. Do you honestly think that only Planning Commission consultants or IAS officers can bring about a change? We need doctors, teachers, engineers, IT professionals who can harness the power of technology to provide solutions. Whatever your field, you can make a difference. Just look around, understand the problems and then see how you can use your skills to bridge the gap. And of course, if you feel that your skills lie in administration, then I am sure the PC will be very happy to have you as a consultant!
Dr Hameed, while it is simple to see that Gunjan must have learnt a veteran like you, what did you in turn learn from Gunjan while co-writing this book? Asked by: durgesh kumar
Gunjan inspired me to see our universe with youthful eyes and never allowed me to plead the excuse of being old or tired, she made me relentlessly pursue our objective.
What was our motivation to take such a long journey around the country? Asked by: Vardaan Aggarwal
Dear Vardaan, both of us believed that policies could not be made from the air conditioned rooms of Delhi. So we decided to go out and assess the situation on the ground. The more we saw, the more we learned, the more we felt the need to keep exploring. I must say that we never intended to write the book when we set out.
Congratulations on writing such a beautiful book.In your journeys which was your brightest moment and which was your most heart wrenching encounter? Would appreciate if both of you indicated your favorites. Asked by: Tarini
Thanks Tarini. Gunjan- Each moment and encounter was special for us but if I had to choose one I would say the seven women – 3 nurses, 3 cleaners and 1 pharmacist - in a dark Primary Health Centre in a remote block of Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu. They stayed together day and night in an area known for alcoholism and crimes against women, conducted deliveries by the candlelight, used their meager income to buy medicines but ensured that no patient was turned back. We had always heard about the inefficacy and corruption of government employees, but the dedication of these women left me speechless. And my most disturbing encounter was the time I spent in Manipur after the killing of Th. Manorama Devi. The entire state was in a lockdown and the misery, anger and deprivation of the people was heart-wrenching. It is difficult to describe the situation here in a few words. Syeda: I was moved to see 8 doctors who had left highly prestigious and well paying jobs in the country’s premier institution located in the capital city. And moved to bring health to the poorest of the poor, the most deprived people, namely the tribals of the Chattsigarh, the Bhil, the Gonds, the Santhals. And the hospital that they built in Ganiyari, 30 kms from Bilaspur was simple, dignified and welcoming. And more over, used simple ways of developing technology, which was effective, cheap and affordable. Depressing: In Benaras, we had reached the Circuit House at night. Very tired. We were told that a group of handloom weavers had walked all the way 6 kms to see us and present their case. We realized that they would not have had any dinner that night and we were able to offer them nothing more than tea and biscuits . it was at that moment, that an old weaver, Nizamuddin spoke a line which will stay with me till my dying day. He said, “Bunkar umar bhar bunta raha. Apna kafan na bun saka. Nanga hi jiya, nanga hi mar gaya.” (The weaver weaved all his life, could not weave his own shroud. He was born naked, he died naked.)
Syeda ji, cna you please tell me why you wrote such a book? Asked by: smriti
Dear Smriti, as we said earlier, the inspiration behind the book is the courage and resilience of ordinary INdians
Gunjan, what inspired you to become a writer? The book, I must say, is awesome. Asked by: Renuka Kumari
Thank you so much Renuka. I love writing and I had once been a journalist but I never thought of becoming a writer. It is just that when we travelled across India, when we saw the beauty and the misery of this land, we had to write. The muse created the artist.
I live in Mumbai. I tried at some bookstores but could not find the book. Is the book only available in Delhi? Asked by: mayank
Dear Mayank, the book should be available across the country, especially in stores liek Landmark, Crossword etc. You can also buy it online from various websites.
I have a few ideas for a non-fiction book. Is there any advice you can give me with regard to writing? Asked by: Anida
Writing is about passion, about believing in your subject and finally about sticking to good grammar to communicate your thoughts.
what impact has your book created so far in terms of awareness, and change in attitude of government agencies. Asked by: anuj g
It is too early to comment on the impact or change the book has brought about. But during our 5 years of reporting on our visits, which is essentially the raw material of the book, we could see attitudes changing towards women, children, physically and mentally challenged, minorities, ST/SCs. The change was palpable and reflected in the policies that became part of the government system.
What was the story that moved you the most in your travels across India? Asked by: Akriti
Dear Akriti, please check the chat transcript. We have answered this question
Why did you chose such a topic for your book? Asked by: rohan
Dear Rohan, we did not choose the topic, it chose us. We never set out to write this book. But when we saw the misery, and innovation, hope and despair of this country, we were compelled to write
What,do you think , is the biggest problem faced by INDIA? Asked by: Dheeraj
Syeda: The biggest problem is the growing divide between the rich and the poor, the urban and the rural. Essentially, it is the lack of distributive justice which makes inclusive development a real challenge for us planners. Gunjan: I see one more dimension to the problem and that is the unwillingness of most of us to take responsibility for what is happening around us. I firmly believe that if we need to improve our lot, if we need to bring about inclusive development, we need to start with ourselves, because the one thing that India has taught us is how eah one of us can make a difference.
Ma'am ,with the population of the country increasing manifold, do we really see a solution to all these issues? Asked by: Tariq
Syeda: Increasing population is a very good question. Having just returned from North America where Indians in particular and South Asians in general are virtually the drivers of growth. I feel that India’s growing population if properly educated and trained can be the most invaluable source of supporting humanity at the global level. It can truly become the demographic dividend.
What do you think makes India a Beautiful country? Asked by: Saba
It's people - their never say die attitude, their willingness to carry on despite all the obstacles that come their way, their skill seen in their weaves, crafts and in the monuments that adorn our country.
Do you think that the planning that happens in Delhi actually percolates down to the ground? How often were you frustrated to see that the reality on the ground was a lot different from what you had been told in delhi? Asked by: nikhil
We were frustrated very often to see that the reality was in fact very different from what we heard in the presentations and reports in Delhi’s Yojana Bhawan. But we also saw some signs of change howsoever rudimentary. As the poet philosopher Rumi says, “Slow constant change, teaches us to keep going.”
Do you think that a readership for book like this exists in India? Who do you think can use this book? Asked by: namrata
There is a huge readership for this book in India because it was written with a view to reaching the general public; it is not niche literature. It's idea was to reflect the reality of India in an easy narrative style, full of information and fact, minus tables and charts so that it could be read seamlessly by maximum number of people – Indians/non-Indians.
how is the response to your book so far? Asked by: yubf
It's too early to give sales figures but a book like this is not about numbers. Recently at a mall in Banaglore, two young professionals told me (Gunjan) how the book had inspired them to do something for their country. A few people wrote in from different parts of the coutnry to say how they want to be change agents. That for us is the true measure of the book's success.
Syedaji, who do you think should be the President of India? Asked by: Gaurav Kapil Kumar
Now you have got me!!!
You talk about the Jarawa. What should be done about pristine tribes like them. Should we leave them completely alone or assimilate them? Asked by: ashwin
That is a very tricky question and there are no right or wrong answers. But we honestly believe that this decision should be made by the tribes themselves. We have met the Jarawa in their natural homes and in government institutions, we have seen the condition of the Great Andamanese, the Onge. We have met the Upper Bonda and we strongly believe that the kind of assimilation that is being done will finish them - their spirit and everything that they stand for.
anything that an ordinary citizen do to make this country really beautiful? Asked by: Ramita
Ramita, we see a similar question ahed and will answer them together.
The book gives a deep insight about the REAL India. But what is the solution to all these problems? We are well aware that "charity begins from home". What do you think could ordinary citizens do to reduce the miseries of their brothers. Asked by: Drishtee
Dear Ramita and Drihtee your concern is very well founded. There are million of things that ordinary citizens can do which would make them extraordinary citizens of this country. Issues like sanitation, child labour, dignity for the girl child, violence against women, sexual harassments are encountered everyday by each one of us in one form or another. It takes 2 minutes and huge courage to stand up for the weak, vulnerable and deprived. But we can do it and we truely believe that this is what makes our country beautiful. Each one of us can make a difference by contributing in our individual capacities.
I have read your book and I must say that it is an outstanding book. One of the better non-fiction books that I have read. The scope of the book is astonishingly expansive. Heartiest congratulations! Asked by: Adarsh Singh
Thank you Adarsh :)
You talk about handlooms and weavers in this book? You think such dying crafts have a future? Asked by: ashwin
Ashwin we strongly believe that they do have a future. The weaves are not just clothes but pieces of art. Also remember the hands that weave these. There are people, families dependent on these "dying crafts." Do they have to die? Not necessarily. Look at Maheshwar and the Rehwa society. The day we give the weavers their due, think of them as "designers" and artists (like Aamir Khan said in Cahnderi), the crafts will thrive and teh craftspeople will survive.
Why does the book not cover all the states in India? Asked by: siddharth
This is our greatest regret. We desperately wanted to cover all the states. For eg, we had travelled to the remotest parts of Orissa and gathered the most extraordinary experiences. But another book, another time. Something in reserve, some surprise in store.
Ma'am, why do you think Government policies are not proving to be that effective in handling such issues? Asked by: Prakhar
Prakhar, there was many gaps in government policies that need to be bridged but having a good policy is not enough. How effective a policy is will depend on the people who are implementing it. We have seen first hand, how much difference an efficient and innovative administrator can make. And then the people need to be aware of their rights, to demand them; undertake community based monitoring to ensure that they get their due.
It's not all sad. There are success stories too. You've written about them in your book. What's the most inspiring success story, that makes you go -- this story needs to be told? Asked by: Muskaan
You are right. There are many success stories. Let me remind you about a young Anganwadi worker, Ms. Jili from Darang district, Assam (see Assam chapter) who cycled all the way in oppressive heat to tell us that there were no rations in her Anganwadi for the last 6 months. Heart-warming to see the conscientiousness of a “lowly paid” government functionary who is the lowest person on the totem pole
Summing all your experience across the length and breadth of the country, does the hope outweigh the despair? Or vice versa? Asked by: satish
To be honest, it's difficult to say. Can you imagine that even today in our country, people are being mauled to death by animals in tea estates that have neither electricity nor fencing? And yet, in the same country there are groups of students who have formed patrols to safeguard their communities and friends. We would say that the despair and the hope go hand in hand. And we truely believe that with their resilience our people will soon ensure that hope wins.
DO you think that reservations for the scheduled tribes ,scheduled castes and other backward classes is an effective move? Asked by: Enakshi
This is a very contentious issue. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Centuries of deprivations and decades of reservations. What have we achieved? People have immolated themselves on this issue. Now the issue of reservation for Muslims has become a moot point. Do you really think we could give an answer that would satisfy a probing mind such as yours?
Do you think the title of the book is apt? Asked by: deva g
There is a strange thing about titles. We had half a dozen titles and no clarity on which one would be apt. Now that we have chosen Beautiful Country: Stories from Another India, it really seems to exemplify the theme. Don’t you think so?
purpose for writing this book? Asked by: anuj g
In our five years of travel across India, we learnt a lot - we saw faces of India that are not usually seen, we saw innovation that needed to be replciated and such immense cultural wealth. We strongly believed that these stories needed to be told; the change agents supported. Hence the book
Why do you think initiatives such as NREGA have not been much of a success. Ineffeciencies in implemenatation will always remain. Don't you thik, it is more of a burden on the government's budget? Rather, money be spent on building schools, education, to develop the human capital of the country. Population doesn't have to be a hindrance, it can be an asset for growth. Asked by: Nameera
We agree with you one hundred percent when you say that population need not be a hindrance. It can be the greatest asset. As for NREGA, it is a qualified success because it puts money in the hand of the poorest of the poor in the remotest part of the country during seasons when there is no other form of livelihood. All the social infrastructure that you are referring to could be built using that very scheme, NREGA. Don't dismiss the scheme, we just need to tweak the guidelines a little based on our learnings from the field.
Women empowerment has been a positive development. But it is still in its nascent stage, and progressing like a turtle. What are your opinions on it. Asked by: Arnav
We couldn’t agree with you more Arnav. We wish there was a magic wand to truly translate the concept into reality. It is far too slow and sometimes even regressive. We are trying to use gender as the cross cutting theme in all sectors in the planning process as one way of affecting women’s empowerment.
who is you favourite author? why? Asked by: amitava
Syeda:My favourite author for all times is Jalaluddin Rumi, poet, philosopher, Sufi. Gunjan: That's a tough one.I like trying new authors. So I often end up with favourite books rather than favourite authors. Still, I definitely enjoy books by Amitav Ghosh, George Bernard Shaw, P.D. James and P.G. Wodehouse.