BOOKS AND US

Season 3 of 'Books and Us' begins in Sikkim, a region shaped by its diverse communities, layered history, and the sacred presence of Khangchendzonga ( or Kanchenjunga). In this episode, I revisit the landmark book ‘Khangchendzonga – Sacred Summit' with its co-author, journalist Pema Wangchuk ( [email protected] ), to explore the cultural, historical, and spiritual stories that define the Eastern Himalayas. Pema's co-author was Mita Zulca.
In this interview, the non-fiction author takes us through Sikkim’s defining moments — the 14th‑century 'Treaty of Blood Brotherhood' between the Lepchas and Bhutias, the coronation of the first Chogyal, and the deep relationship between the people and their guardian mountain.
We also look at early explorer-writers like Joseph  Hooker (Himalayan Journals) and Douglas Freshfield (Round Khangchenjunga), and how their contrasting styles reveal two very different moments in British engagement in Sikkim and beyond.
In this conversation, Pema patiently guides us through Sikkim’s multi-layered and nuanced cultural and historical landscape and its deep, almost familial relationship with its sacred summit, Khangchendzonga, the highest peak in India, rising to 28,196 feet.
Pema has been reporting from Sikkim since 1994 and currently serves as Consulting Editor at Summit Times, Gangtok. He has also co-edited 'The Birds Have Lost Their Way', a collection of essays on hydel projects and climate change in the region.
 This conversation brings alive a Sikkim where myth, memory,and geography are inseparable. The book is a rich tapestry, bringing forth the many facets of this land — its mysteries, its ethereal beauty, and the stories that have inspired countless travellers over the past few centuries. It certainly calls for a second episode, one in which we will journey deeper into the great mountaineering expeditions, the Western travellers who tried to make sense of these high valleys, and of course, the enduring legend of the Yeti.
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“If you’ve been to Sikkim, what memory or moment from your time there has stayed with you?”
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In the final episode of Season 2 of Books and Us, we welcome back author and conservation architect Anisha Shekhar Mukherji. Listeners will remember her from our earlier conversations on the 'Red Fort of Shahjahanabad'. This time, she joins us to discuss her remarkable book Jantar Mantar - Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh’s Observatory in Delhi — a work that uncovers the layered history and meaning of one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.
Built in the early 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh of Amber, the Jantar Mantar has long been recognised as an observatory, yet its precise functions and architectural significance remained elusive. Anisha’s research brings clarity to these mysteries, revealing how the site embodies both scientific ingenuity and cultural symbolism.
Today, Jantar Mantar is not only a monument of astronomical heritage but also a living space in the heart of Delhi, often associated with civic gatherings and public memory.
As we close Season 2, this episode feels like a fitting finale — weaving together history, architecture, and storytelling. With three episodes this season featuring Anisha, her insights have truly shaped our journey.

In this episode of Books and Us, poet and essayist Sumana Roy ( Sumana Roy ), author of Provincials: Postcards from the Peripheries, joins us to explore the emotional and cultural landscapes of small-town life. Raised in Siliguri, Sumana reflects on what it truly means to be “provincial.”
We discuss:
The quiet power of provincial geographies
Literary lives shaped by small towns
Whether cosmopolitanism and provinciality can coexist

Sumana’s book explores the desires, ambitions, and uniquecharacteristics of people from the provinces — those often overlooked geographies where creativity quietly flourishes. Through literary and personal reflections, she connects us to poets, writers, and artists from around the world who emerged from small towns and villages, carrying their landscapes within them.
Sumana’s other works include How I Became a Tree, VIP: Very Important Plant, and Out of Syllabus. Her writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Granta, and in many other publications.
Tune in for a thought-provoking journey into the heart of the peripheries.
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In this episode, we enter a different kind ofconversation—one that blends financial understanding with practical steps to ensure a loving and smooth transfer of legacy.
We feature Let’s Talk Legacy: A Financial Planner forYour Loved Ones by Monika Halan (MonikaHalan – A trusted personal finance writer, speaker and television personality )  —a book that isn’t just read, butlived. As Monika reminds us, it’s a workbook you’ll return to again and again, revisiting the details of your financial life with growing awareness. It’s a companion, a gentle guide, and a sacred space for organising the information that often remains scattered or unspoken.
Monika Halan is one of India’s most trusted voices inpersonal finance. A certified financial planner, she holds a master’s in economics from the Delhi School of Economics and a master’s in journalism studies from Cardiff University, UK. Her career spans over three decades, during which she has worn many hats—journalist, podcaster, TV anchor,chairperson of SEBI’s Advisory Committee for Investor Protection and Education, and author of three widely translated books.
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In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kruti S. Dhirwani,a consulting homeopath, clinical nutritionist, and author of Millets - The Trending Ancient Grains. With over 15 years of experience, she is a passionate advocate for including millets in the diet. She discloses that these simple cereals are nature’s answer to many of the world’s problems. Whether itis wholesome nutrition or sustainable agriculture, millets can take care of these quite well. Very systematically, she deals with the various types of millets and their benefits in her book and also gives many easy-to-make recipes. Listen to her give her favourite recipe in the podcast.
Dr. Kruti is the co-founder of Sunshine Homeopathy Clinic in Mumbai and the founder of wellness initiatives such as MagicOfMom.com and C.A.R.E., which focus on holistic women’s health. Her work bridges traditional wisdom and modern lifestyle through millets. . Learn more about her work at drkrutidhirwani.com, and follow her on  https://www.instagram.com/dr.krutidhirwani/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkruti/You can also check out her YouTube channel for more information on millets: https://youtu.be/ua6oxeon35k?feature=shared

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