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S.Y. Quraishi’s India and I Recounts 100 Memories
S.Y. Quraishi wrote a book about important moments from his life.
It is not a full autobiography that tells everything in order.
Instead, it has 100 short stories or memories.
These memories describe his childhood, work as a civil servant and time at Doordarshan.
They also explain his work with elections.
Some stories discuss what it was like to be a Muslim officer in India.
Quraishi describes a case in which his religion was considered a reason to remove him temporarily from a post.
He also writes about meeting Mohan Bhagwat and says that talking can help reduce division.
The review says the book is easy to read, entertaining and thought-provoking.
S.Y. Quraishi’s India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir presents 100 short, self-contained essays rather than a conventional autobiography.
The vignettes cover Quraishi’s childhood, college years, civil-service career, mentors, administrative experiences and passion for guitar.
Several essays recall his work as a young district officer in Haryana and his tenure as director-general of Doordarshan.
A significant section examines his service as chief election commissioner, including election-observation assignments in India’s neighbourhood and other countries.
Quraishi also discusses religious identity in the civil service and his 2022 meetings with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.
- Who
- S.Y. Quraishi, former civil servant, chief election commissioner and director-general of Doordarshan.
- What
- Quraishi’s book presents 100 memories and reflections in short essays rather than as a conventional autobiography.
- Where
- The experiences span India, including Haryana, Gurgaon—now Gurugram—and the Election Commission of India, as well as election assignments in other countries.
- When
- The book includes his 2022 meetings with Mohan Bhagwat; the review does not specify its publication date.
- Why
- Quraishi uses selected life and career episodes to explore administration, elections, identity, prejudice, dialogue and personal memories.
Key facts
- Book
- India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir
- Author
- S.Y. Quraishi
- Publisher
- Hachette
- Price
- Rs 699
- Structure
- 100 self-contained short essays or vignettes
- Former position
- Chief election commissioner
- Other major role
- Director-general of Doordarshan
Quotes
S.Y. Quraishi
Author of India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir
“That Haryana file probably still exists somewhere, yellowing in some record room. It contained a few sentences of administrative reasoning that treated a citizen’s faith as grounds for exclusion. Sometimes the most dangerous prejudice wears the mask of reason. It passes through processes and decisions — endorsed with the confident clarity of someone disguising bias as judgement.”
telegraphindia.com
“This is not an autobiography and it does not pretend to be one. It is closer to what life actually feels like when you look back: a collection of moments, some funny, some uncomfortable, some instructive, each carrying its own moment of truth…”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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