Escapades of a Self-Styled Gandhian

Escapades of self-serving do-gooders, national leaders, babus, and other frauds, Indian and International.

Endorsements

Dr. Y.V.Reddy, writer, economist, and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India:

This book is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read. It is full of refreshing humour but with deep and subtle messages on the interface between Government and Civil Society. I am delighted to recommend to one and all to buy, or at least to borrow, and read this book.

Ms Sherise Hobbs, Fiction Editor, Headline, UK:

I thought it was charming - intelligent, witty and wry.

Prof. Shyamala A. Narayan, Jamia Millia University, New Delhi, and Reviewer, Journal of Commonwealth Literature:

Vithal Rajan’s forte is creating characters like Vedavyas Sharma. His novel, Sharmaji, Padmashree is structured as a collection of short stories centred on ‘Shri Vedavyas Sharma, M.A.(London)’, the director of an NGO he founded. The book has enjoyable satire directed against self-serving social workers and corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.

Dr. Suman Sahai, Convenor, Gene Campaign, New Delhi:

I scream with laughter every time I take up the book ! It is written so beautifully...a great pleasure to read. I can almost identify Sharmaji …but there must be lots like him.

Ms Gita Ram, Executive Chairperson, Crafts Council of India:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sharmaji Padmashree! The portrayal of the protagonist is brilliant!

Prof. Sachidananda Mohanty, Dept of English, University of Hyderabad:

Vithal Rajan is widely known for his Civil Society initiatives. His literary works mirror his love of life, his cosmopolitan background and empathy for the human condition

Vithal Rajan has worked with civil society organizations both in India and abroad for five decades. He has served as a mediator for the Church in Belfast in the 1970s; as a member of the founding faculty at the School of Peace Studies, University of Bradford; as Chair of World Studies, International School of Geneva; as Director, WWF-International, Switzerland; and as Executive Director, the Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Sweden (also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize). He founded the Deccan Development Society, Confederation of Voluntary Associations, and several other Indian NGOs. In 2006, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for life-long service to humanity. He has written ten books, mostly whimsical subaltern fiction for pleasure and hopes his readers will laugh along with him.