The Granny & Other Stories

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P.V. Narasimha Rao, the former Prime Minister of India, was a polyglot who could read and write in fourteen languages. He was also an acclaimed translator who translated several books from Marathi to Telugu and from Telugu to Hindi and English. 'Sahasraphan', his Hindi translation of the Telugu epic 'Veyi Padagalu' written by Jnanpith awardee Vishwanatha Satyanarayana, won the National Sahitya Akademi award. His penchant for learning and mastery of Indian literature is too well known to be repeated. Apart from being an accomplished translator, he wrote poetry, authored books - both fiction and non-fiction, and penned many short stories in Telugu, English and Spanish.

Shri Narasimha Rao's literary activity began very early in his life. In addition to be a prodigious student, he was keen participant in various cultural activities, including drama. In the 1940s, he ran a monthly magazine 'Kakateeya Patrika' from Warangal. The purpose of this magazine was to expose the misdeeds and misrule of the Nizam in the princely state of Hyderabad. He was branded as a revolutionary and had to work incognito for several years under the leadership of Swami Ramananda Teertha, the prime mover of the anti-Nizam movement. He remained a revolutionary at heart throughout his life. To him, writing was a means to point out the shortcomings of the political system and administration of his days. He did so skilfully, using subtle humour, irony and satire to express his observations and criticisms.

It is heartening that the Govt. of Telangana is celebrating a year- long birth Centenary of late Sri P.V. Narsimha Rao, the former Prime Minister of India (June 28, 2020-2021). P.V. is pride of India and a rare jewel of Telangana. He was a philosopher-politician, Parliamentarian, literati, a multi-lingual, a reformist, a diplomat and an ideologue - all moulded into one and more. He donned various portfolios as Minister in the State and Centre, before becoming the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Prime Minister of India.

Modern India owes much to PV - politically, economically and strategically. His deft handling of political forces enabled him to stabilize Indian politics. His economic reforms led to creation of greater wealth than ever before; helping India emerge as an Economic power with the second fastest growth rate. His strategic foresight led India steer clear through the choppy waters of post cold war global politics.

Myriad programs are designed in India and abroad to commemorate his legacy and unfold his multifaceted personality: like Publications, Seminars, building Memorials, Exhibitions & Science Parks etc. The present volume is part of such a scheme and reflects PV's literary and intellectual fervor.

Rising from humble position of a Patwari, he rose to be the Prime Minister; ascending the high office at a crucial time in most unexpected fashion. PV remade India and its history. The Indian politics was in chaotic transition. The economy was in doldrums. Militancy in parts of the Country was prevalent.