The “Bench Mark” publication house organised the first book reading ceremony for discussion and lecture on young historian Yasir PV’s maiden book Recycle Bin of History: An Illustrative narrative at Kerala House, New Delhi on February 14. Former IFS, Mr AK Damodara Menon was the guest of honour, who very much appreciated the way of the narration of history by the young writer.
The Director General of the National Archive of Government of India, Prof. Mushirul Hassan, said, “Mr Yasir PV is a dedicated young researcher who has explored the rough terrains of the history of the twentieth century.” He further said, “I have read and appreciated his text on Begum Abadi Banu, the mother of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the great Khilafat leader.” He also said that for this kind of intellectual journey, we need such young men who can revisit our past in a creative manner.
Mr Yasir PV says that history is always for winners. Losers hardly find a space. At least, in a football tournament losers’ final is conducted. This book is an attempt on the legacy of losers in modern Indian history.
The book emphasises the importance of re-reading and rediscovering the lives and struggles of some nationalist leaders, who left an indelible mark on history being ambassadors of India’s civilisation and harmony. The lives of Dr MA Ansari, Khan Abdul Gaffar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Dr Zakir Hussain are mentioned in the book with special emphasis.
The writer considers that these nationalist leaders are historically losers and have been marginalised in the narration of the legacy of the nationalist movement as well as in the post-independent history of India.
The book consists of 16 chapters in which the first chapter emphasises the composite nature of the Indian way of life. The chapter points out that many facets of Indian civilisation that challenge the theory of ‘Clash of Civilisation’.
The second and third chapters narrate the life and contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Chapter second is titled “Darshana Sagaram” (Ocean of Vision). The title is extracted from a passage of Jawaharlal Nehru’s condolence article on Abul Kalam Azad. And the third chapter gives a bird’s eye view on the life and works of Azad.
The fourth chapter talks about Khan Abdul Gaffar’s contribution to the nationalist movement and the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters are all about Dr Zakir Hussain’s legacy to the Indian history. Chapter Eight presents Dr MA Ansari as an ambassador of communal harmony. Chapters nine and ten deal with Nehru and in chapter 11 the writer has given a tribute to Shah Ahmadullah, an unsung hero of 1857 liberation struggle.