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| Jiwan's son took the picture. A writing colleague, Dr. Omar Ghazali (2nd from right), and other friends came along. Omar, a linguistics lecturer at the local college, and Jiwan, a writer, and I struck up a conversation walking in a monsoon downpour. They showed me the library, the oldest building in Darjeeling. The reference section is a collection of crumbling, dusty books, but the library has current publications and newspapers. The staff gathered around while we talked and offered tea, during which both men asked me to write a foreword for the flap of their books. Jiwan is writing his 10th book about little-known but important personalities who have contributed to India (artists, social workers, musicians, etc.). Omar compiles and edits his books and is currently writing a book about Jiwan himself. I guess endorsement by an American living in Paris is worthy. They particularly liked my title of former editorial director of the American Institute for Foreign Study. Flattery? Or will I be published in India? Weird, but why not? |