ure who will change the new name once again, and "then what is to happen to the man who tried to find his way about the town depending upon familiar landmarks?" (96).
This idealistic/realistic juxtaposition reflects the reality of life and politics in a democratic but profoundly troubled India in the last quarter of the twentieth century, when the author penned most of his essays. The question might be asked, What possible impact could a book of charming, subjective, and very brief "personal" essays have on such a profound and monumental field as international relations? However, when we reflect that the greatest problem among nations is misunderstanding of one nation and culture by another nation and culture, the question answers itself---the reader comes to a clearer understanding of the cultural and political reality of India by reading these essays.
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