This book is a sweeping volume of captivating true incidents arranged chronologically. Starting with my childhood in a remote village, where nature was a fabulous teacher; The book relates of my tryst with Lady Death on more than two occasions, as well as my close encounters with Jawaharlal Nehru, India's First Prime Minister, Dr. Rajinder Prasad, the first President of an Independent India, Lord Mountbatten India's last Viceroy, Raja Gopalacharya, India's first Governor, and dozens others, who made a difference in my life. There are chapters on my teenage, graduation in the sole American campus in Southeast Asia. The rioting on the train to Bombay, when my ticket for travel by ship to UK was robbed during severe Hindu/Muslim riots. The partition of India was the most cruel, vicious, and poisonous scorch earth policy, which sandwiched India between two fanatic, hateful Muslim wings, speaking different languages. I was a non-violent Satyagrahi Student volunteer under Mahatma Gandhi, participating in his "Quit India" scheme. Yet I traveled like a stow-away sardine, squeezed between 10000 British Soldiers, who had to Quit under that very scheme. My postgraduate training in England was most rewarding, having finished four plus year's course in 1-1/2 years. I also had the pleasure of a dance with Princess Elizabeth (present Queen) at the only Graduation ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, in 1948 to honor the war veterans.Becoming a world class citizens I traveled on work, on large projects around the world for 35 years since age 23, before settling down in USA. The last phase of my life ended in a combination of social volunteering; running a Printing Corporation and authoring books.I have openly described some lessons learnt during tough assignments/episodes and my meetings with Lady Luck. As well as my analytical successes with the stock market. The short stories of my travels are captivating and thrilling. The political and economic facts are made simple. I have illustrated the book with wise words of wisdom from international personalities as and when appropriate. Some examples are: a) I wish to live, because life has within it that which is good, beautiful and that is love.b) What lies behind and what lies before us? Are small compared to what lies within us?c) Nature's law dictates that, in order to survive, bees must work together. As a result, they instinctively possess a sense of social responsibility. They have no constitution, no law, no police, no religion or moral training but, because of their nature, the whole colony survives.d) Learn to judge the situation at hand using your training and intellect! The evil is round the corner!e) One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.This is not a narrative, nor an Atlas, a single story, or only an account of one person, but covers an incredibly wide range of mind illuminating, soul stirring and politically sensitive topics. Wishes from actor Sidney Poitier" May the wind beat your back in all your undertakings. And may the most you wish for be the least you receive from a long Happy and Useful Life." Comments by Prof. Kashyap. UCI.A remarkable memoir by an Indian American writer who has captured through his life, a multidimensional slice of the twentieth century starting with pre-partition India and ending in the current decade. It is a fascinating story of a many-faceted well-traveled man: a brilliant engineer by training, an artist, political analyst, economist, philosopher, historian, entrepreneur and family man. Chapters are filled with vivid commentaries and meetings with internationally renowned politicians and celebrities. Fantastic reading!This book is fresh, crisp and current on sociological events.The matchmaking of centuries past is gone. I have described two recent weddings in this book in artistic details, with poetic justice and my own open, free and mild attitude, skipping at least two generations.
About the Author: I was born 85 years ago on July 3rd, the eve of Americas Birthday. I was brought up in a tiny village in the Punjab, India. The Carefree, Clean and tough beginnings of the first 4 years of my childhood, did set the precious foundations for the rest of my life. Remember it takes a village to bring up a child. My granny brought me up with abundance of love and care. I also learnt that a twig from the Neem (Azadirachta Indica) tree, on chewing served both as toothpaste and a toothbrush. That habit has helped me in having fillings-free set of strong teeth to this day. She told me: Do not let failures get to your heart, Nor successes to your head! Also Keeping my mouth shut played a major role in the successes in my versatile and ever so tenacious life. My academic objectives were to specialize in scientific subjects such as Mathematics, Sanskrit, and Physics, to achieve highest possible scores. It resulted in my ranking in the top 2 percentile and finally completing the 4-1/2 years B.Sc. Engineering course at the London University in 1-1/2 years, in June 1948. That was the year Diplomas were awarded by the reigning Queen and her Uncle at the Royal Albert Hall, to honor the graduating British Ex-servicemen. Sir Thomas Beecham conducted the Opera, in the presence of over 30 royal family members. I had the unique pleasure of swirling with the Princess Elizabeth (the Present Queen, ) followed by Princess Margaret who tapped my shoulder. Social and Community services ranked supreme in my life and still do. I was happy when I could help the handicapped, the needy, and the underdog. I was on the Board of the Harbor Foundation for Retarded, in Los Angeles and the Fundraising committee of the British and American Woman's Association in India. We produced Pantomimes on the Broadway Show themes, Rock-and Roll, and the popular Musicals of the sixties in the backyards of the Rich and Famous, raising funds from the ever willing and kind audiences. I started earning my living from age 22 till today, working on the largest International Projects in the Electrical and Oil industries, and have traveled to over 20 countries. In my assignment in Venezuela I conducted design projects in Spanish, in Caracas and Maracaibo, as an Assessor De Ministry De Petrologist. I in Libya as a top executive with Exxon, where I was Up-Close with Col. Gaddafi from 1980-1983, and saved a Lebanese contractor from the Gallows. Since then I have been self-employed in the Printing Industry in USA.