New role

There are no full stops where Chetan Bhagat is concerned. The prolific — and bestselling — writer is all set to publish another book. But, wait, it’s not going to be another fast-read fiction this time around. Bhagat, who is said to be a youth icon and is a huge hit among young Indian readers, is now offering his take on what they want from their leaders and their society. What Young India Wants, by Rupa Publications, is a collection of his essays and columns on issues ranging from corruption to economics. So will this bestseller churner work his magic on his non-fiction offering too? Let’s wait and watch.

Two worlds

When she moved to the US, Ashidhara Das underwent the usual period of adjusting and adapting to the mores of another country. Now the California-based cultural anthropologist has put that experience to good use by coming out with a book titled Desi Dreams: Indian Immigrant Women Build Lives Across Two Worlds. The book looks at the identity tussle Indian women face when they move to the US and start to work there. While they have to change themselves to suit the professional work atmosphere of the US, they also have to retain their Indian values at home. No doubt the book will strike a chord among thousands of Indian women who have migrated to the US to build a life there.

Double bill

It takes two to tango. It could also take two to produce a piece of literature. That’s what author Anita Nair and Malayalam actor-scriptwriter Anoop Menon have done by penning the English version of the latter’s Malayalam novelette, Arthur Gopal Relton. The collaboration started with a simple congratulatory call. Nair read Menon’s story about a piano teacher and his student, which was published in a Malayalam magazine. When she called him to congratulate him on it, he suggested that they do a detailed English version together. And it seems Nair isn’t the only one who enjoyed the story. Menon claims a Hollywood production firm has expressed interest in it. Clearly, this could get to be a threesome soon.

Wish list

What do you do when, er, you’re not exactly setting Bollywood on fire? Just send heaps of good luck messages to our Olympic team in Old Blighty. Take Bhoomika Chawla, known for her Miss Goody Two Shoes roles in films such as Tere Naam (with Salman Khan in 2003) and Run (with Abhishek Bachchan in 2004). She is now busy conveying her good luck messages to the Indian Olympic contingent in London through the media. Sample this. “It will be exciting to see the Olympics because this time we will see 200 countries participating in more than 300 sporting activities!” Illuminating, what? But Chawla, who is an avowed sports freak, hasn’t stopped there. Before Saina Nehwal lost in the semis, she was also rooting for India’s ace shuttler. Of course, Chawla isn’t alone in sending out gush messages to the Olympics team. She has the likes of Claudia Ciesla for company.

Flute fest

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is not only a renowned flautist. He has also been helming a movement to regenerate interest in the flute. He is a prime mover of the Raasrang World Flute Festival that will take place in Delhi from August 9 to 11. Held by the Krishna Prerna Foundation in association with the Indian ministry of culture, the festival will be attended by flautists from across the world. The theme of the flute fest — Love Peace Water — will be depicted through special artworks and will celebrate the culture and heritage of different nations. What’s more, the festival will give a fillip to tribal and folk musicians by bringing them into the spotlight. Now that seems to have all the makings of a fine show.