31 Miles by Vinita Bakshi

Rupa Publications In Collaboration With Literature Corner And Piali, The Curry Bistro Launch Vinita Bakshi’s Debut Novel, 31 Miles- Can We Ever Win Against Ourselves?

“..It is an exhilarating movement from belief in the known to trust in the unknown.” – Imtiaz Ali, noted Indian film actor and director on 31 Miles

New Delhi, 10 November, 2016

A Perfect evening was hosted by Rupa Publications in association with Leher Sethi to celebrate the unveiling of the book 31 Miles. The book authored by Vinita Bakshi saw esteemed guests engrossed in an interactive session on the book.

The evening took place at Piali, The Curry Bistro, Connaught Place.

Vinita Bakshi said, “……………………………………………………………”

Leher Sethi says, “This is a book that echoes the life of the new age woman in today’s India. It reflects on the realism of everyday life while divulging into the unknown realsm of mysticism in a very interesting way. ”

Siddharth, Owner of Piali says, “We are glad to be associated with Rupa Publishing and Leher sethi for this book launch event. At Piali, we embrace all forms of art and literature being one of them, we are glad to be promoting it through this event at Piali- The Curry Bistro,”

The renowned personalities who were part of the session were the famous Gadget Guru, Rajiv Makhni and Vani Tripathi Tikku. While Rajiv discussed the book with Vinita, Vani read a passage from the book followed by an enactment from a passage from the book, 31 Miles, by Dramatech.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

What prompts people to begin online relationships? Can there be commitment and bonding in such relationships?
“Mansa has the perfect family life—a husband, two daughters and a big house. But she feels that something is missing. Her frustration with being just a homemaker intensifies. After shifting to a major city, she decides to take the reins of her life in her own hands, she decides to step out and seek a career. While enjoying the new-found freedom and confidence, she completely immerses herself in her work and her new life. Till one fateful day when she finds herself embroiled in a passionate affair—with an online lover. And then everything falls apart!

Will she give it all up for the elusive mirage created by the stranger? What turn will her life take next?”

31 Miles is a book that will be thoroughly loved by everyone. The book explores how the onslaught of technology into the most personal and intimate spaces will impact human relationships and the dynamics of established intuitions like marriage. The book has already received advance praise from international journalists, senior media personalities, filmmakers and people from different spectra of life.

“31 Miles has strong reverberations of the twin forces of the contemporary life in Indian cities- the scientific and the mythical. Mansa, the protagonist, bounces on the limits of both in her journey to discover her secrets. This is a very relatable story set in the magical world of a real Indian woman. It is an exhilarating movement from belief in the known to trust in the unknown.” – Imtiaz Ali, noted film Director, Actor and Writer on 31 Miles.

“Vinita has exceptional writing skills, and a remarkable ability to capture how others speak and behave. These skills — among others — can be seen in her forthcoming novel, “31,” which will be published by Rupa in 2016. It’s a guaranteed best seller. I’ve read an early draft, and was mesmerized. Vinita also has other novels forthcoming, this time in Hindi. Readers are in for a huge cornucopia of literary treats.” – Pranay Gupte Bestselling author, historian, biographer and a veteran foreign correspondent who worked for the New York Times

“In a compelling voice, Vinita weaves a riveting and passionate tale of a woman caught in the vortex of a virtual love that is both an escape and a punishment for her.” – Kuldeep Yadav, Best Selling Indian Author
“A melting pot of Mystique mantras of South Asia with digitalization and modernization.” – Rahul Saini, Best Selling Indian Author

“A gripping story where the past and present collide to give exciting glimpses into the future. Vinita Bakshi sets a racy tone to a narrative where she plumbs the depths of a woman’s psyche and explores her extreme vulnerability.” -Vinita Dawra Nangia Editor, Columnist & Director, Write India

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

An award winning sociologist and a passionate social entrepreneur Vinita Bakshi is an alumnus of the prestigious Delhi School of Economics. She has published a myriad of papers on gender and feminism.

Vinita Bakshi is the founder of AAMBRA Foundation, an Non-profit organization dedicated to women empowerment and skill development. She is the architect and brain behind She Speaks, a triannual seminar series dealing with the issues faced by contemporary South Asian women. She has also founded AAMBROTSAVE, an annual cultural festival which brings to the fore not only literature but also the visual and performing arts, crafts, cuisines, weaves and many waning traditions of India.

ABOUT THE VENUE:

If there is one thing culinary experts from around the world swear by it is the Indian ‘curry’. But the curry is not just limited to India. With each passing generation, new countries and regions have added their own specialities and entered the curry genre of food. Piali- The Curry Bistro is all set to bring about a revolution around this world famous ‘curry’.

“Different types of curry have travelled from around the world and evolved over the ages. This is why we decided to give a little more attention to the curry by making it the dish in focus at Piali- The Curry Bistro,” said Mr. Siddharth, co-owner of the Bistro bar that is all set to open its doors at CP in the heart of New Delhi this month.

Over centuries, spices and curries moved across the world. With every place passing, new ingredients and concepts were added by the natives and Piali is setting the platform for food-lovers to come and try out these traditional as well as contemporary dishes.

Designed with the most contemporary architecture with an old school feeling, wooden furnishings, an artificial fireplace and incandescent lighting, Piali’s guests- both young and old- will remember it as a cosy fine dining place for family gatherings and a vibrant youthful place for pleasant evenings to be spent after college. The place would remind them of the good old times they had together and the memories each passing moment they make with some great food.