Mother Pious Lady- Making Sense of Everyday India Book Description

A new India is visibly emerging from within the folds of its many pasts. This new India needs to be seen with new eyes, free from the baggage of yesterday's characterizations. This is exactly what Santosh Desai, one of India's best-known social commentators, does in this warm, affectionate and deliciously witty look at the changing urban Indian middle class.

Writing as an insider, from personal experience, Desai cuts through the chaos and confusion of everyday India both yesterday and today, and suddenly, makes us see things clearly. Holding a mirror to our inner selves, Desai makes us see what drives us, what makes us tick, what makes our hearts beat, and how our mindsets and attitudes are changing, even as the past never quite leaves us. And Desai does so in short masterful essays, written with great humour and sensitivity. A big book about small things that truly matter. 'This is a rare and captivating book, wise and witty, on the inner lives of middle class Indians. Desai both enlightens and entertains through his insight, elegant writing and disarming humour.'
Sudhir Kakar , psychoanalyst and author, most recently, of Mad and Divnie: Spirit and Psyche in the Modern World

' full of brilliant and insightful observations. This is a fine and enjoyable study of the Indian middle class!'
- Nandan Nilekani , chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India and former CEO and MD of Infosys

'Santosh Desai writes with wit and wisdom -- a rare combination. He shines the torch on ourselves making us laugh, agonize and shudder, but all with a delightfully light touch.'
- Dipankar Gupta , sociologist and member of the National Security Advisory Board

'This book puts together the seemingly insignificant details that
collectively help explain the enigma called India, in a manner that
only Santosh Desai couldit is total paisa vasool and much more.'
- Kishore Biyani , Group CEO, Future Group

'This book is charming, thorough, funny and thoughtful. No aspect of new India's popular culture escapes its scrutiny.'
- Rama Bijapurkar , author of We Are Like This Only - Understanding the Logic of Consumer India.