Mrs. Mridula Sinha (Governer of Goa)
Vinita has exceptional writing skills, and a remarkable ability to capture how others speak and behave. These skills - among others - can be seen in her forthcoming novel, "31," which will be published by Rupa in 2016. I've read an early draft, and was mesmerised. Vinita also has other novels forthcoming, this time in Hindi. Readers are in for a huge cornucopia of literary treats.
Pranay Gupte (Bestselling author, historian, biographer and a veteran foreign correspondent who worked for the New York Times)
31 Miles has strong reverberations of the twin forces of the contemporary life in Indian cities- the scientific and the mythical. Mansa, the protagonist, bounces on the limits of both in her journey to discover her secrets. This is a very relatable story set in the magical world of a real Indian woman. It is an exhilarating movement from belief in the known to trust in the unknown.
Imtiaz Ali (A noted Indian film director, actor and writer)
I’m asked to write a lot of foreword of books. I mostly refuse. Not because the author is not known to me, or that the work is terrible. I refuse because I don't see anything different or unique in that work. I am a skeptic by nature and usually seek something out of the ordinary in a fairly mediocre and conventional world. Thus when I was asked to write the foreword of this book, the same lack of conviction and search for something unique was first on my mind. The fact that I’ve written the foreword is proof enough that I found it.
That’s my part of why I wrote this opening. Now comes your part, the reader who is right now on this foreword. Let me try and guess what you're thinking right now. Why would a TV show host and a Technology Journalist write a foreword to a book like this. Well, the answer lies in the question. It’s because ‘its a book like this’. I’ve always been fascinated by good stories, tales that transform you to lands unknown and make you meet people you've never met before. To lose yourself in their lives, their universe, their events and happenings - is magical. Thats the magic I felt as I started on my journey of 31 miles. It’s the magic you are about to feel.
31 Miles is a rare gem; a layered journey of a middle-aged, traditionalist called Mansa, written by debutant author, sociologist, and activist Vinita Bakshi. In our popular imagination, the word magic is usually associated with the lives of younger urban women, in particular millennials, who by virtue of living in a globalized and relatively more liberal South Asia, can afford to enjoy higher levels of freedom, and bend if not break convention. Mansa’s story is one of self-discovery, of the intellectual, physical and metaphysical spheres, and how their cross-section changes the life of the protagonist forever.
That being said, 31 Miles provides a riveting and candid commentary on the dynamics of a rapidly modernizing urban Indian society and the aspirations of its members – women, men, the young and the old. As you join Mansa, I invite you the audience, to read between the lines, to discover a world seeped in tradition, mysticism and ritual which blends, albeit not always seamlessly, with rationality and westernization.
The themes in this book are omnipresent in the lives of modern Indians; the reader will quite often find a reflection of themselves or that of a loved one, or acquaintances in the pages of this narrative. Yet, the concept of the everyday hero who exists in the ethos of the midlife, bourgeois woman has not been dealt with the right sensitivity in India’s popular media, art or literature.
The author has vast experience working for women’s rights and empowerment, which has brought her in contact with hundreds of individuals who aspire to emancipate themselves economically and socially using channels of education, awareness and work ethic. I can infer from my discourses with Vinita, that the protagonist of 31 Miles - Mansa has been conceived as a unification of these experiences.
I commend Vinita for the uniqueness of this book’s theme and highly recommend 31 Miles for it’s fascinating narrative, valiant characters and most importantly the call for self-discovery.
It’s time for you to start your journey of 31 Miles. I promise you an amazing adventure of the mind and heart.
Rajiv Makhni (A noted Indian technology TV host, columnist and celebrity)
A gripping story where the past and present collide to give exciting glimpses into the future. Vinita Bakshi sets a racy tone to a narrative where she plumbs the depths of a woman's psyche and explores her extreme vulnerability.
Vinita Dawra Nangia (Editor, Columnist, Director, Write India)
"In a compelling voice, Vinita weaves a riveting and passionate tale of a woman caught in the vortex of a virtual love that is both an escape and a punishment for her."
Kuldeep Yadav (Best selling Indian author)
Vinita Bakshi's 31 miles will certainly create ripples in the contemporary literary landscape trending in India today. Her writing is quite honest with beautifully etched characters and the narrative has a range of metaphors and layering. 31 miles has its share of intrigue for those interested in a life beyond the cushioned zone of our material ecosystem. I wish her best of endeavours.".
I would be fascinated to read about how the author portrays online relationships because this is a topic close to my heart.
A melting pot of Mystique mantras of South Asia with digitalisation and modernization.
Well, the novel is much more than a plain and simple extra marital story which one may think it to be! The character of Mansa has so well been portrayed that you tend to fall in love with her. She is a very loving and sensitive person, who could be just another girl from the neighborhood, whom you would adore. Mansa is in quest of life and it is this search which leads her to the climax of the story. Lucidly written, "31 MIles" is a very interesting novel and I loved it.
The author, Vinita Bakshi beautifully describes the thoughts and the psyche about a women's mind during a mid-life crisis. One thing about this book is that it does showcase the differences between virtual life and the actual life we live in. 31 Miles does deal with how we attract or get attracted to an unknown group of people by just words and flattery.
Vinita Bakshi has wonderfully capsulated a story with this book, talking about the lead character Mansa and her love story. Each feature of Mansa’s life has been portrayed in quite an outlandish, yet interesting manner. Falling in love with a man on the internet, going about with her family in an unruly manner, and her high-flying career form the crux of the plot. You never know, a few who’d be reading this book might be seeing themselves in Mansa’s place as they read. It sure did turn out to be a good feast.
'31 miles' is a story of a woman who committed herself to her family after marriage. The story is binding and engaging with new twists and turns with every turn of a page. You feel like completing it in on sitting. It is a beautiful story of Mansa and her dilemma of life. The climax is the beginning of the new book and looking forward to the sequel. Grab your copy before the sequel came and be ready for the next read.
This sure is a brilliant story of a lady with her hubby and kids. Talk about her hopping around with a new mate, that too, online. I’m still turning pages in the middle of the book, and the story keeps getting interesting.
I like the sound of this book. Coming out of a mid-life crisis, then setting up one’s own business and an online relationship – sounds like an interesting pot pourri.
I like the sound of this book. Coming out of a mid-life crisis, then setting up one’s own business and an online relationship – sounds like an interesting pot pourri.
Book is nice, story describes a traditional girl who fell in love with a stranger on a social site, which is pretty much happening all over the world. The convérsation b/w both characters is what i loved most. Good read for girls and boys of any age. I would rate it 11 out of 10.
Excellent feature!!!! Vinita's book is a soul searching journey of every woman. We all have a Mansa inside us. It caused me to reflect, ponder and evolve. Her writing is confident , with a paradox of starkness in its bold venture. Mum and me are eagerly waiting the sequel, Vinita. Kudos to you and Rupa for delivering us this Masterpiece.
This sure is a brilliant story of a lady with her hubby and kids. Talk about her hopping around with a new mate, that too, online. I’m still turning pages in the middle of the book, and the story keeps getting interesting.
Amazing read. Finished reading this book in 4 days. Realistic and totally relatable for many Indian women. A must read for all.