Another book on India! That certainly requires an explanation, if not an apology. For already the shelves and cases of libraries and bookshops are groaning under the weight of variations on this theme. Nevertheless, like the proverbial hope of most parents that their newly-born is a special "arrival" and God's very own creation, the hope of the Publishers and the Author is that this is a book with a 'difference'. What that difference is, or wherein it lies-whether in the three-in-one combination of general reading matter, statistical data and the pictorial element; in the elegant cover-design and the over-all get-up; or, again, as the Author fondly imagines! in the 'literary' part of the work it is for the reader to judge and for the critic to establish. All that we can say is that we have done our best to make this book on India the best in its class.From the point of view of production, a book like 'This is India' is, a strenuous job. Regarded by some as 'Pictures with some reading matter', and by others as a 'Book with many pictures', it presents peculiar difficulties. While the Author is busy writing, someone has to be taking pains over collecting, selecting, arranging and rearranging the pictures which have to be put in. Conversely, if the work is treated as a pictorial publication, someone has to prepare the text, tell the enigmatic story of this vast and complex country. Withal, that which is written must not only conform to, but, fit in with the 'scheme' of the book, exactly and accurately, down to the last syllable. Thus whatever the approach, the work requires the kind advice and even, indulgence of many, and the publishers and the author feel sincerely obliged to all who have been associated, in one way or another, with the planning and production of this publication. They are specially indebted to the Publications Directorate, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi and to the All India Handicrafts Board, New Delhi for the loan of blocks for pictures on pages 96, 97, 100, 101 & 102 and on pages 104, 105, 106 & 107 respectively. Of other acknowledgements I have to make two. The first one is in respect of all the 'quotations' I have used. I have freely quoted from others whenever I felt that it helped to put a point across, or wherever I found that something worthwhile had been said and said well. I have done this in the spirit of getting at the truth, and I trust that the Publishers, Authors or others who hold copyrights of such quotations will regard their use as "for fair purposes. All the same full and grateful acknowledgement is made for all quotations included. Finally, I wish to thank my friend and teacher, Shri M. M. Bhalla, Head of the Department of English, St. Stephen's College, Delhi, for having looked through the manuscript and for his valuable advice on countless points.
The Author Kanwar Lal is on the teaching stail of a College of the University of Delhi, and though his subject is English Literature, he has been keenly interested in Oriental thought ever since he studied History and Sanskrit for his graduation. Born in 1921, in the then undivi-ded Panjab, he has been resi-dent in Delhi for 20 years, and, like others of his generation, has been deeply affected by what-ever our world and our country have gone through during the last two momentous decades. He brings, therefore, to the treatment of his theme all the knowledge and understanding and sensitivity it required. Besides, he has written with a candour of opinion and an objectivity of approach which are to be found, if at all, in academic circles only. His other publications include studies in India's great cities: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Khajuraho ...all published by Asia Press.
ASIA PRESS is Northern India's leading Pictorial Press. For beautiful calendars, attrac-tive diaries and picture post-cards, especially, and for all manner of quality printing. generally, it is a name which is trusted and respected. Entering on its programme of publica-tions but recently a year ago, to a day-it has already brought out several profusely illustrated books on important cities of the country and has now come out with 'This is India', its first major publication. In bringing out this book, the Publisher's aim has been to provide text, statistics and pictures-all in one volume which in its get-up as well as in its contents should rank with the best pro-duced anywhere. Naturally, all possible care has gone into its making and it is hoped that 'This is India' will be welcomed by the public as a graceful addition to ali bookshelves.
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