Jul 23, 2003 06:59 PM
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(Updated Jul 23, 2003 06:59 PM)
Khushwant Singh is a legendary writer and journalist who has been there in the Subcontinent wherever it mattered. Essentially an aristocrat, Khushwant Singh had the opportunity to meet, wine and dine with some of the greatest minds produced by South Asia. For example His wedding in 1938 was attended by Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who later on offered him the position of High Court judge in Pakistan.
He lived through Partition, and there he has given his personal evidence that Mohammed Ali Jinnah didn't want a theocratic state as Pakistan has sadly become today. He proves conclusively that Jinnah didn't want the Hindus and Sikhs of Pakistan to be driven out but rather depended on them to run the machinery of a newly born fragile state. Khushwant Singh was there when Gandhi got assassinated. He was there throughout the Nehru years, he was even there in Pakistan when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was taken to gallows...
Overtime he made friends with many great lawyers, journalists (A G Noorani for example), politicians, and some really hot women as well... For all these reasons and more his autobiography becomes a must read book...
For Pakistani readers, the book is available at Variety for Pakistani Rupees 800. Its a great investment. I think there is a paperback version that can be found around and about the High court area of Lahore. Also available at Najam Sethi's Vanguard books.
