The journey so far…

I was mid-point in a much longer journey. I had set out six months earlier in the hope of understanding my deep estrangement from my father..

What does it mean to be a young Muslim in the 21st century? Aatish Taseers Stranger to History is the story of the journey the author made to answer many questions

I was mid-point in a much longer journey. I had set out six months earlier in the hope of understanding my deep estrangement from my father: what had seemed personal at first had since shown itself to contain deeper religious and historical currents. And it was to discover their meaning that I travelled from Istanbul,on one edge of the Islamic world,through Syria,to Mecca at the centre and the Grand Mosque itself. The remaining half of my journey was to take me through Iran and,finally,into Pakistan,my fathers country…

What began as a personal journey,to answer several questions that Aatish Taseer was trying to deal with in his head and heart became a bigger picture,one that transcended several borders. Part memoir,part reportage and travelogue,Stranger To History: A Sons Journey Through Islamic Lands,is an investigation of the question: What does it mean to be a young Muslim in the 21st century? And its a journey that changed me immensely, Aatish was here at the Capital Book Depot for the release of his debut novel and also read excerpts from it. Raised by his Sikh mother in Delhi,a journalist,for Aatish his Pakistani father was only a figment of his imagination,until he crossed the border when he was 21,to meet him. And this relationship made Aatish,who has worked as a reporter with Time Magazine to ask larger questions and gain a better understanding of Islam and Pakistan. What I knew about Islam was an empty space, the author writes how caught between feeling provoked and needing to act,he thought of making an Islamic journey,one that takes him through Turkey,Syria,Saudi Arabia and Iran,before ending in Pakistan,where his estranged father lives…

Weaving fact and fiction,personal and political perspectives,issues of religious identity,faith and belief,the constant struggle between tradition and modernity,Taseer strives to answer larger questions why being a Muslim means that your allegiances went out to other Muslims before the citizens of your country,Why did Muslims see modernity as a threat? What made Islam a trump identity…Published by Picador India,the book is a narrative that will move you.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
chandigarh