Governor MC Bhandare releases the fresh edition of Uma Vasudev’s Indira Gandhi: Revolution in Restraint. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11: A new edition of author Uma Vasudev’s book Indira Gandhi: Revolution in Restraint was recently released at the Raj Bhavan here.

The biography of India’s only woman Prime Minister was first published in 1974. It was out of print for sometime and has been launched again by New Delhi-based Shubhi Publications.

The author and the governor, M.C. Bhandare, graced the launch ceremony in the city. Governor Bhandare shared his memories of Indira Gandhi as a great leader and a humble person.

“I had first read Uma’s book almost two decades ago. But, I decided to go through it again. She has presented Indiraji’s various facets with vivid descriptions. I feel touched especially on reading the extracts that deal with Indiraji’s feelings on her husband’s death,” he said.

Overall, the content of the book was still the same, said Vasudev.

“I had spent about six years to come up with the book and will not want to change anything in it. I used to travel with Indiraji and whenever she would get time, we would sit and chat for hours. She was a charismatic leader. But at the same time, she was very friendly with people. However, it is true that when she hated or disliked someone, she would deal furiously with them,” said the author.

The book narrates Indira Gandhi’s life from 1917 to 1971. “The period where the biography ends was a crucial time in her career. At that time, she had just won the elections after the Bangladesh war.

Vasudev shared some anecdotes with the readers during the launch ceremony.

“I remember Indiraji was once so fascinated by a Nagaland handloom top I was wearing that she enquired through her secretary where I had got it from. On another occasion, when I was talking to her and taking notes for the book, she offered me to sit on the arm of her chair since there were no more chairs in the room,” she said.

Apart from the biographies of Indira Gandhi and eminent flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Vasudev is also known for her books on music and art.

“At present, I am compiling a book of select short stories by well-known authors. I am also working on another book on Indian classical musicians,” said the author who has also written some fictions.

“Fiction has its own appeal. But, non-fiction books, mainly those that are related to history, are very important as all of us learn from the past,” she said.

Last year, her book of translated Kashmiri poems In Step With Paradise was also released at the Raj Bhavan here.

“I hold governor Bhandareji in high respect and admiration, and thus keep coming to Odisha time and again,” said Vasudev.