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Book Review
Asian studies
ASIA ANNUAL, 2002 — Annual Publication of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata: Mahavir Singh — Editor; Shipra Publications, 115-A, Third Floor, Vikas Marg, Shakarpur, Delhi-110092. Rs. 550.
THIS BOOK, the inter-disciplinary annual publication of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies and the third in the series, contains 17 essays relating to major developments in India's neighbourhood.
The contributors, who include foreign scholars also, analyse inter-related themes pertaining to changing strategic environment, regional co-operation and security, and social, economic and political issues of contemporary relevance. The volume is an excellent source of reference for specialists in Asian studies.
In addition to articles pertaining to Asian affairs, this compendium includes two excellent contributions relating to the seminal role played by two great leaders in the Indian national movement, V.K. Krishna Menon and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Prof. Suhash Chakravarty, who has authored the study of Krishna Menon and the India League (three volumes), has succinctly summed up the activities of the U.K. based India League and the role played by Krishna Menon in galvanising the organisation.
Menon's struggle was an endeavour "for the independence of India as an integral part of the struggle for human freedom." Through his tireless efforts, the voice of Indian freedom was carried to the very heart of the mighty empire, "at once haughty, subtle and imperious".
The last essay in the book, written by the well-known journalist, Hiranmay Karlekar, sums up the basic features of the nationalism of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Born in Mecca to Arab parents, Abul Kalam Azad identified himself completely with the political aspirations of the Indian nationalists.
Delivering the presidential address in the Ramgarh session of the Indian National Congress, he proudly proclaimed: "I am a Muslim and am profoundly conscious of the fact that I have inherited Islam's glorious traditions... I am not prepared to lose even a small part of that legacy... I am equally proud of the fact that I am an Indian, an essential part of that indivisible unity of Indian nationhood".
He was sensitive to the fact that partition would bring about incalculable harm to the minorities in both countries.
With prophetic vision, the Maulana told the Cabinet Commission in 1946: "I have examined its likely effect upon the fortunes of Muslims in India... I have come to the conclusion that it is harmful not only for India as a whole, but also for Muslims in particular. And in fact it creates more problems than it solves. Two states confronting one another offer no solution to the problem of one another's minorities but only lead to retribution and reprisals by introducing a system of mutual hostages".
Equally interesting are the essays by Prof. Devendra Kaushik analysing the political transformation in Central Asia after September 11 and Sanjana Joshi on 50 years of India-Japan relations.
The American scholars, Mary Burdman and Mark Burdman, have contributed an interesting article on U.S. policy towards Asia. Mahendra Ved and Subha Singh have analysed, from their own perspectives, the turbulent developments in Afghanistan.
Savita Pandey provides insights into Musharaff's India policy. Soma-Goshal has traced the linkages between insurgency and drug trade in the north-east. This book is a welcome addition in the field of Asian studies.
V. SURYANARAYAN
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