Manu Bhagavan’s ‘Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit’ is a captivating biography that attempts to map the life of one of the foremost female Indian diplomats. Her life trajectory as a little girl, from what can be called Indian political royalty to the president of the United Nations General Assembly, is intertwined in this book with India’s journey as a participant in world history.
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was more than just a diplomat; she was a force in international relations and an inspiration for women worldwide. A woman who is said to have shattered glass ceilings, she was India’s first female cabinet minister, ambassador to the United Nations, and ambassador to the Soviet Union. She emerged as a global voice for peace and a pioneer for women in various fields.
The author, Manu Bhagavan, is a professor of history, human rights, and public policy at Hunter College and the Graduate Center-CUNY. An authority on global affairs and its historical contexts, he has seven other books to his acclaim.
Bhagavan spent eight years in meticulous research for this book, decoding literature available in five languages. The author’s intention is clear – to present the definitive biography of Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, capturing not only the historical milestones but also the essence of her character. Through a narrative enriched with anecdotes and historical depth, Bhagavan sheds light on the intricate interplay between Pandit’s life and the broader canvas of global history. The biography offers readers a compelling journey through the themes of power, diplomacy, and the personal triumphs of a woman who left an indelible mark on the world stage.
Published by Penguin India, ‘Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit‘ by Manu Bhagavan will be released on 28 February on SoftCover, ThePrint’s online venue to launch non-fiction books.
‘Sidelined by the “great men” school of history writing, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit is brought to life in this vividly written and painstakingly researched biography,’ said Daisy Rockwell, International Booker Prize-winning translator of Tomb of Sand.
Shashi Tharoor called the book “rigorously researched and engagingly written”. The biography, he said, presents a highly readable portrait of one of India’s earliest, and perhaps, most influential women diplomats. Bhagavan has crafted a much-needed intervention into the debates over the evolution of our place in the world.
Also read: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Nehru’s younger sister who slammed Indira for Emergency