If British India had not been partitioned in 1947, its population would today be the world’s largest. At around 1.5 billion, midnight’s descendants South Asians already outnumber Europeans and Chinese; and they are growing faster than either. They comprise all the peoples of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Midnight’s Descendants: South Asia from Partition to the Present Day is the first history of the region as a whole. Correlating and contrasting the fortunes of all the constituent nations over the last six decades. Keay will share unique insights into one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
John Keay was formerly a special correspondent for the Economist, and a documentary-maker for the BBC. He is the author of several books on the Indian subcontinent, including the bestselling India: A History.
Extra Words: Nepalese Indian author Prajwal Parajuly will join us to speak about his debut novel, Land Where I Flee.
To commemorate Chitralekha Nepauney’s Chaurasi – her landmark 84th birthday – three of Chitralekha’s grandchildren are travelling to Gangtok, in Sikkim, to pay their respects. All three harbour the same dual objective: to emerge from the celebrations with their formidable grandmother’s blessing and their nerves intact – a goal that will become increasingly difficult thanks to a mischievous maid and a fourth, uninvited guest.
