Leaves from a Diary contains the autobiographical writings of the prominent political personality and well-known parliamentarian Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. His writings chronicle important eventy of the period between 1937 and early 1946.

The English entries in the diary detail Syama Prasad's role as a political leader, and his experiences as Finance Minister in Bengal (1941-42). He resigned from office because of political differences with Nehru and formed a new political party, the Bharatiya Jan Sangh. he espoused the cause of the All India Hindu Mahasabha, becoming its principal spokesman, and was virtually the leader of the oppositions in the Lok Sabha.

The entries translated from their original Bengali are moving reflective vignettes of his personal life and provide insights into the mind of an astute parliamentarian.

About the Author:

Syama Prasad Mookerjee, born in 1901, was a brilliant academic. At the age of thirty he was appointed Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University and gradually emerged as a leading political figure. His remarkable career ended with his death in 1953.

Excerpts from Reviews:

'The volume illuminates a crucial chapter of India's pre-Independence history.' - India Today

'The merit of the diary lies in what it tells of the subdued ambiguity of everyday politics in times of war, civil uprisings, famine, and communal killings.' - Sunday Financial Express

'The text is valuable, in places moving, and in other places revealing. Perhaps the most relevant parts of the book are those that reveal Mookerjee's view of Hinduism and of nationhood in India.' - Indian Express

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since 2nd Oct, 2008