Watching Over

P Chidambaram’s book launch in Delhi made for an incisive commentary on the state of the nation.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambram with J & K National Conference Working President Omar Abdullah, JD(U) member and Author Pavan K Verma, social scientist Shiv Visvanathan, Anant Goenka and Sanjay Baru at the release of his book “Standing Guard – A Year in Opposition” at a function in New Delhi on Friday. Pic By- Neeraj Priyadarshi

IT WAS only fitting that a venue, which houses and celebrates the rich and turbulent history of the Indian independence struggle, must lay claim to a conversation around the country now, as it stands in the throes of change and polarisation.

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The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in Delhi played host to the launch of former Finance Minister and Home Minister P Chidambaram’s book titled Standing Guard – A Year in Opposition on Friday evening. Political leaders such as Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor, Ahmed Patel and Rajeev Shukla, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, former Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, were among the audience that turned a keen ear towards the panel that, besides Chidambaram, comprised former Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah, sociologist Shiv Visvanathan and former diplomat Pavan K Varma, moderated by policy analyst Sanjaya Baru.

A compilation of his 51 columns published in The Indian Express and The Sunday Express (published by Rupa as part of the Express Book Series), the book covers a range of subjects as observed by him — from governance, economy, policy and programmes, to politics, legislation and foreign policy.

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