The Distant Dreams

The Distant Dreams: Elusive Hopes' is a collection of short stories written during three decades of author's career in the government service. Most of his stories are based on the impressions gained from the people and places he has visited. His stories have Indian/ Asian and African backdrop and the narration generally covers the rural working class. Two stories are set in the back drop of former Soviet Republic of Georgia where the author worked as an International Monetary Fund's...
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The Distant Dreams: Elusive Hopes' is a collection of short stories written during three decades of author's career in the government service. Most of his stories are based on the impressions gained from the people and places he has visited. His stories have Indian/ Asian and African backdrop and the narration generally covers the rural working class. Two stories are set in the back drop of former Soviet Republic of Georgia where the author worked as an International Monetary Fund's Treasury Advisor for three years. The conditions in Georgia during 1994-1996 were appalling. The new economic order had shattered the life of the common man, leaving no jobs, gas or power in the bitter winters. The author says, I was amazed by the indomitable will power of the Georgians to survive in such conditions. I also saw the refugees from north-western Georgia, driven out from their homes by the Abkhazians suffering under wretched conditions. A few stories reflect the effect of economic globalization on poor countries like Malawi where also, the author worked for three years. Its main export of tobacco leaves shrinked with growing global opinion against smoking and its tourism potential was never harnessed since the British who left the country in 1964 were not interested in creating any infrastructure to boost its economy. Prejudice, harsh and insulting behaviour towards the local natives by Asian settlers is the theme of some other stories. The title of the book has been taken from one of the stories depicting dismal living conditions in rural India even after six decades of independence.