Anoushka Jain does not treat history as a static archive. For her, it is memory, identity, and inheritance. A trained historian, author, and founder based in Delhi, she grew up in a home where conversations revolved around politics, culture, and lived experience. Stories were currency. Yet she noticed a pattern early on: women’s narratives were often softened, sidelined, or erased. “I realised history wasn’t just a subject for me,” she reflects. “It was about whose stories survive.” An introvert by nature, Anoushka listens more than she speaks, a quality that has shaped both her writing and her leadership. Restoring Women to the Frame Anoushka is the author of Badass Begums, published by HarperCollins, and the founder of Enroute Indian History, a heritage initiative she launched in 2019. The idea stemmed from frustration. “History was being reduced to dates and dynasties,” she says. “I wanted it to feel alive.” Through her book and curated heritage walks, she works to restore visibility to women historically romanticised, villainised, or forgotten altogether. “If women are erased from history, they are erased from imagination.” History, Felt Before Analysed What sets her apart is her narrative lens. “I tell history like it is lived, not like it is memorised,” she explains. Her work explores emotional landscapes, power, gender, rebellion, love, and resistance, rather than mere chronology. Her leadership style mirrors this intimacy. She invites questions, encourages disagreement, and prioritises community over hierarchy. The goal is dialogue, not distance. Building Quietly, Persistently Enroute began without spectacle, early morning walks, solo logistics, research, finances, and self-doubt. “I chose this path because I couldn’t choose it,” she says. The breakthrough came when audiences returned not just for information, but for perspective. The publication of Badass Begums marked another milestone, proof that these layered stories belonged beyond city streets. Her

My Friends by Fredrik Backman Backman has always written about ordinary people and the extraordinary tenderness hidden inside them. My Friends continues that legacy. Set in a small Swedish town where everyone knows everyone and everything. This novel unravels the tangled lives of four friends as they stumble into adulthood and the painful beauty of growing up. It’s not just a story of friendship. It’s about how we hold on when life changes its rhythm. Backman’s prose is gentle yet piercing, like being hugged and gutted at once. If A Man Called Ove made you cry, My Friends will leave you staring at the ceiling, smiling through the ache. This is the kind of book that feels lived-in, human, humble, and quietly magnificent. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros The queen of dragon fiction is back, and she’s not holding back her fire. Onyx Storm, the third in Yarros’s Empyrean saga, is pure combustion: romance, rebellion, and raw emotion. The stakes are higher, the dragons fiercer, the heartbreak deeper. Yarros understands something most fantasy writers forget that world-building means nothing if you don’t make the reader feel. Every battle has a pulse; every kiss, a consequence. Beneath all the fire and flight, this is a story about power who wields it, who pays for it, and who dares to challenge it. Expect sleepless nights and shredded nerves. Circle of Days by Ken Follett Ken Follett has never been content to tell small stories. Circle of Days, a monumental historical novel about the creation of Stonehenge, is a towering return to the kind of storytelling that built civilizations. He takes you back five thousand years, into a world where faith and fear were indistinguishable, where men built monuments not for glory but for gods. Follett’s detail is cinematic: the sound of chisels,

There’s something magical about watching beloved characters leap from pages to pixels, transforming the theatre of our imagination into a shared visual experience. While the debate over the book rages on, certain adaptations transcend comparison. They become masterpieces in their own right, honouring the source material while embracing the unique possibilities of cinema and television. Dhanush Kumar writes about six adaptations that didn’t just meet expectations; they soared beyond them. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy When Peter Jackson announced his ambitious plan to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s sprawling epic, sceptics predicted disaster. How could anyone compress Middle-earth’s intricate world-building, complex languages, and philosophical depth into film? The answer was simple: by treating the source material with reverence while understanding cinema’s different language. Jackson’s trilogy became more than an adaptation; it became a cultural phenomenon that introduced Tolkien’s work to millions who might never have picked up the books. The films captured the essence of friendship, sacrifice, and the corrupting nature of power that made the novels timeless. What makes this adaptation brilliant is its ability to capture the soul of the work. Two decades later, these films remain the benchmark against which all fantasy adaptations are measured. The Shawshank Redemption Stephen King’s novella Shawshank Redemption was already a powerful tale of hope and friendship. Frank Darabont’s adaptation transformed into what many consider the greatest film ever made, a title it has held on IMDb’s Top 250 for years. The film expands on King’s lean narrative, giving depth to the relationship between Andy and Red, two prisoners who find redemption in the most unlikely place. What elevates this adaptation is its patience. The famous rooftop scene, Adny’s opera moment, and that glorious finale on the Pacific Coast aren’t just cinematic moments; they are emotional moments that understand the assignment. Hope is

Diwali, the festival of lights, is more than just a celebration of lamps, sweets, and fireworks; it’s also a time for reflection, learning, and the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. Just as we brighten our homes with diyas, we can illuminate our minds with stories and insights from mythology that hold timeless lessons. This festive season, here are five books that combine storytelling, philosophy, and practical wisdom, making them perfect companions or gifts for Diwali. 1. The Bhagavad Gita: As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada At its heart, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, and the Bhagavad Gita embodies this essence. Presented as a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, the text explores duty, courage, and self-realization. This edition, with detailed commentary, makes the teachings accessible for both seekers and casual readers. 2. Ramayana: The Game of Life (Series) by Shubha Vilas The Ramayana isn’t just a tale of Rama’s journey it’s also a guide to relationships, leadership, and life’s challenges. Shubha Vilas retells the epic in a way that emphasizes its life lessons, offering practical takeaways for readers. This makes the series especially meaningful during Diwali, when Rama’s return to Ayodhya is celebrated. 3. The Complete Mahabharata (Condensed Retelling) by Ramesh Menon Grand, complex, and deeply human, the Mahabharata is a treasure trove of wisdom. Menon’s retelling brings the epic alive with rich storytelling while making it approachable for modern readers. It’s a reminder of how choices, dharma, and destiny intertwine a theme worth reflecting upon during the festival of lights. 4. The Seven Secrets of Vishnu by Devdutt Pattanaik In this book, Pattanaik explores Lord Vishnu’s avatars and their symbolic meaning. Each chapter decodes how these stories mirror human evolution, spiritual growth, and the balance between chaos and order. It’s a fascinating read for those