A Akhter
Khushwant Singh, famous writer, historian and columnist, we have all read his works in one form or the other. It is well known that he never bogged down by the ‘politically correct’ way, but what shaped him into this personality, what was it that set him so apart as a person?
“Khushwant Singh: In Wisdom and In Jest” a book written by Vijay N Shankar and Onkar Singh, both leading journalists, is an well research attempt to peep into the wisdom of great author and journalist. It gives a close view of the man behind the famous writings from the personal experiences of the authors with Khushwant Singh, Khushwant’s children, his friends, his colleagues, other prominent journalists/editors and Khushwant’s prodigees.
As the title suggests, the book explores the extremes of the personality of this writer, who was at the same time loved and disliked by many. It talks about his sense of humour, his ability to laugh at himself and also his sensitivity towards the problems that affect the Indian society.
One of the most interesting aspects that been discussed in much detail is Khushwant’s religious beliefs or rather the absence of the same in the image projected by him. Readers would find it intriguing that a man who projected himself as a staunch agnostic always kept an open mind to understand the beliefs of others. His experiences of meetings with religious leaders and believers such as the Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa are a delight to read.