Archive · 20 Sep 2025
Ismat Mehdi's Memoir: A Look at Life in Hyderabad and Beyond
Imagine a lady named Ismat who lived an amazing life!
She wrote a book about it.
She grew up in a special family in a city called Hyderabad, India.
She traveled and worked in different countries.
Her book talks about her family, her job, and the changes she saw in the world.
It's also a look back at Hyderabad when it was beautiful and peaceful.
Through her story, she remembers how things used to be.
Ismat Mehdi's memoir, "I Almost Wasn’t," recounts her life in Hyderabad and abroad.
Mehdi served as a diplomat and held various roles, including professor and managing trustee.
The memoir includes anecdotes from her family, like her patriotic ancestors and her close ties to Hyderabad.
She reflects on the evolution of Hyderabad and laments the loss of its heritage.
The book provides a glimpse into a generation that valued culture, knowledge, and grace.
- Who
- Ismat Mehdi, a scholar and former diplomat
- What
- A memoir chronicling Mehdi's life, family, and experiences.
- When
- The book covers events from the early 20th century to the present day.
- Where
- Primarily in Hyderabad, India, with experiences in Egypt, Europe, and other parts of the world.
- Why
- Mehdi wrote the memoir to share her life story and preserve the memory of a bygone era in Hyderabad.
- Book Title
- I Almost Wasn’t
- Author
- Ismat Mehdi
- Main Theme
- Life in Hyderabad & personal history
- Setting
- Hyderabad, India; various international locations
- Key Topics
- Family, education, cultural diplomacy