Book Review
By Upendra Arora
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Barlowganj And Beyond
Tales Bitter & Sweet
By Dr BK Joshi
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When Tethys Books, New Delhi, announced the publication of ‘Barlowganj and Beyond: Tales Bitter & Sweet’ by BK Joshi, we immediately placed an order for copies for our bookshop.
The book carries a generous and perceptive endorsement from the noted historian Dr Ramachandra Guha, who succinctly captures its spirit: “This charming memoir of a scholar-turned-institution-builder traverses a wide arc, geographically and thematically. His idyllic boyhood in the Himalaya, his journeys across the country and overseas, his encounters with friends, mentors, and colleagues, and his nurturing of a pioneering library-cum-research centre are all narrated with affection and insight.”
Further endorsements on the cover by distinguished writers Stephen Alter, Allan Sealy, and Dr Arvind Krishna Mehrotra underline the book’s rich thematic spread and literary appeal, making it an inviting read for any serious reader.
Having known the author for nearly three decades, and being well aware of his achievements, his contribution to society in the fields of education and development, and the many offices he has held with dignity, poise, and quiet confidence, I chose to read the book on priority.
Dr Joshi traces his life’s journey from the small suburb of Barlowganj near Mussoorie— where he grew up and went to school—to Allahabad, Shimla, Honolulu, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Nainital, and finally Dehradun, where he has chosen to settle. The reader is offered a vivid sense of the peaceful, unhurried lifestyle of a small Himalayan hamlet in the early 1940s, alongside poignant and evocative accounts of the years surrounding Partition.
The narrative includes engaging portraits of long-time residents of Barlowganj — individuals who were institutions in themselves and held in great esteem—such as Melaram, Chamanlal, and Gulzar, the cobbler at St George’s College, where the author studied. Interwoven with these personal recollections is a rich historical account of Mussoorie and Dehradun, offering insights into what these towns once were and how they have evolved over time. Dr. Joshi also recounts lesser-known yet fascinating historical anecdotes, including the origins of the name Basmati rice and the circumstances that led to the establishment of the famous tea gardens in the Doon Valley.
During his professional assignments across different parts of the world, Dr Joshi has consistently used his pen to illuminate the social and cultural ethos of the regions he encountered. His experiences in Honolulu, USA—where he pursued his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin—as well as his extensive travels across Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Osh, and Batken, are particularly illuminating. These journeys were undertaken while he worked as a consultant for Save the Children UK and UNICEF Central Asia, implementing participatory, child-centred programmes aimed at addressing the challenge of out-of-school children in South and Central Asia.
These accounts are both informative and engaging, especially given that relatively few Indian travellers have visited these regions. The book is likely to encourage readers to explore them further. Dr Joshi provides clear and thoughtful insights into the nature of his work, the objectives set, the outcomes achieved, and the functioning of administrative and bureaucratic systems in these countries—offering lessons that are relevant and instructive for developing nations such as ours.
The book also documents, in thoughtful detail, the history and establishment of the Doon Library & Research Centre (DLRC), Dehradun, including the early challenges it faced and the solutions that enabled it to flourish. The then Chief Minister of the state, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, took a keen and personal interest in the project and ensured that it saw the light of day. The contributions of several book-loving bureaucrats who helped shape the institution are gratefully acknowledged.
Today, the DLRC stands as a well-stocked, prestigious, and widely respected institution in the city and the state. Over time, it has evolved into a vibrant social and cultural hub, in addition to providing exemplary library and research services.
Barlowganj and Beyond: Tales Bitter & Sweet is, ultimately, an inspiring account of a life well lived—rich in memory, experience, service, and reflection.
(Published by Tethys Books, New Delhi. Distributed by Natraj Publishers, Dehradun. Price- Rs. 699.)
