News Wire
HarperCollins India presents ‘The War Diary of Asha-san: From Tokyo to Netaji’s Indian National Army’ by Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay Choudhry, translated by Tanvi Srivastava
NEW DELHI, Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — In June 1943, seventeen-year-old Bharati “Asha” Sahay, a headstrong Indian teenager living in Japan during the Second World War, decides to join the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army after meeting Subhas Chandra Bose. She starts to jot down her thoughts in a diary, and thus begins one of the most significant personal accounts of the Indian freedom movement.
Biography, Memoir and True Story | History | Non-fiction
Hardback | 252 pp | Rs 599 | Releasing 28th Oct 2022
“Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay Choudhry—Asha-san in her first home in Japan—tells the gripping story of her unusual life. As the eldest daughter of a couple of Indian expatriate freedom fighters, she had burned with the desire to fight for the independence of her faraway motherland, India. She was allowed to leave her war-torn first home, Japan, to join the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army by her commander-in-chief Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, at the age of only seventeen, in March 1945. After the defeat of the Indian National Army in August 1945, she came to India in 1946, where she made her new home in the country to which she had devoted her love and her wish to sacrifice everything. With her indomitable spirit she is a true Rani of Jhansi in her ripe age.”
— Anita Bose Pfaff, daughter of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
ABOUT THE BOOK
In June 1943, seventeen-year-old Bharati “Asha” Sahay, a headstrong Indian teenager living in Japan during the Second World War, decides to join the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army after meeting Subhas Chandra Bose. She starts to jot down her thoughts in a diary, and thus begins one of the most significant personal accounts of the Indian freedom movement.
Together with her father, Anand Mohan Sahay—a close companion of Bose—and others committed to the cause of Indian independence, Asha forges a path that takes her from war-torn Tokyo to the jungles of Thailand. She learns how to hold a rifle and shoot the enemy, and she discovers what it means to be a patriot fighting for the liberation of a country she has no memories of but carries deep in her heart.
Written in Japanese between 1943 and 1947, and translated into English for the first time by Tanvi Srivastava, The War Diary of Asha-san is a memoir of courage, honour and love, by a young girl who must grow up quickly in the midst of war.
Lt Bharati “Asha” Sahay Choudhry says, “When I originally wrote the Hindi version of my war memoirs in 1972, it was from scraps of paper and from my memories of my tumultuous teenage years in Japan, the country of my birth, in the 1940s. That it has now been translated into English by my granddaughter-in-law, Tanvi, is especially gratifying—she has been able to capture my emotions and the passion of those days. I have always wanted the youth of today to know the sacrifices of those freedom fighters who gave us free India. While this book is a personal story, encapsulated within it is the history of our struggle for freedom. I hope that the love for India will propel our youth to make it a ‘sone ki chiriya’ (golden bird) once again. I hope The War Diary of Asha-san is read by every young Indian, especially our girls.”
Tanvi Srivastava says, “It is an honour to share The War Diary of Asha-san with a new generation of readers. Translating this book, however, was a fortuitous accident. Sometime last year, I read an article by Jhumpa Lahiri advising emerging writers to try their hand at translation, treating it as a form of ‘literary apprenticeship.’ On my bookshelf was my grandmother-in-law’s war memoirs. I thought translating it would be a good way of getting to know her better while improving my craft. Little did I know then that translation is all about discovery—discovering Asha-san’s state of the mind, discovering myself as a writer and translator, and discovering the historical context of the story—the remarkable world of the Azad Hind Government. It was a privilege to research the Indian National Army and to learn about young men and women like Asha-san who sacrificed everything for Netaji’s idea of independent India—an inclusive, pluralistic India.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE TRANSLATOR
Lt Bharati “Asha” Sahay Choudhry was born in Kobe, Japan, in 1928 and joined the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army at the age of seventeen. Her father, Anand Mohan Sahay, was a minister in the cabinet of the Azad Hind Government and a political adviser to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Asha is currently ninety-four years old and lives in Patna with her son, Sanjay.
Tanvi Srivastava is a writer of fiction and has published short stories both online and in print. She is also a travel entrepreneur specializing in African expeditions. Tanvi is married to Asha’s grandson and lives in Bangalore with her two wild children.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
“Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay’s war diary is a deeply moving first-hand account of the patriotic fervour of the Azad Hind movement led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as seen through the eyes of an idealistic teenager as she travelled from Japan via Taiwan to Thailand to join the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. It documents the dramatic impact of the saga of Netaji and the INA on the Indian people in the aftermath of World War II, as she travels across India with her father Anand Mohan Sahay and is eventually reunited with her mother Sati Sen in 1947. This evocative translation of a diary originally written in Japanese will be an inspiration for the younger generation of Indians on the 75th anniversary of independence.”
— Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs, Harvard University, and author of His Majesty’s Opponent: Subhas Chandra Bose and India’s Struggle Against Empire
“A valuable first-hand account of an important part of history, still relatively untold, when the struggle for Indian independence crossed paths with the war in the Far East. Asha-san’s memoirs bring out her love for Japan, as well as her fierce love for India, and provide a cultural cross-reference that is not available in Allied accounts of the Second World War. Seen through the unfiltered lens of a seventeen-year-old who signs up for the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, it is a glimpse into the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose in the Far East and the organization of the INA. This translation will bring a complicated story to a wider readership. It shows that the narrative of war and independence is never black-and-white, and not always the one told by the victors.”
— Shrabani Basu, author of Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant
“This is a beautiful, engrossing book that I wholeheartedly recommend to every Indian. The role of militant women in national liberation struggles is forgotten all too soon, and they become mere footnotes in history. Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay Choudhry, of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army, is a historical figure in our nation’s freedom struggle, and this memoir, in her own words, makes for exhilarating reading. It is humorous (as when she learns Hindi) and exciting (as when she learns to fire a machine gun)—and I urge you to pick up this brilliant memoir.”
— Meena Kandasamy, author of When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife
About HarperCollins India
HarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian Subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live! Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet. HarperCollins India is now the recipient of five Publisher of the Year Awards – In 2021 and 2015 at the Publishing Next Industry Awards, and in 2021, 2018 and 2016 at Tata Literature Live. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.
For reviews, excerpts, interviews, and more information, please contact Vandana Rathore at vandana.rathore@harpercollins.co.in.
News Wire
Agoda Highlights Cool Escapes Across India to Beat the Summer Heat
NEW DELHI, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the summer approaches across India, digital travel platform Agoda highlights a selection of refreshing hill stations and highland retreats offering cooler climates and scenic landscapes. From the Nilgiri Hills to the Himalayas, these destinations provide travelers with a welcome escape from the heat while showcasing India’s geographic diversity.
Travel interest for hill destinations typically increases between April and June as travelers seek milder temperatures, fresh air, and nature-led experiences. Agoda’s latest recommendations reflect a growing preference for quick getaways and lesser-crowded alternatives to traditional summer hotspots, with travelers prioritizing accessibility, weather comfort, and cultural depth.
In southern India, Coonoor offers a quieter alternative to the more frequented Ooty. Surrounded by tea plantations and rolling hills, the town’s temperate climate and colonial-era charm make it an appealing retreat. Visitors can explore viewpoints such as Dolphin’s Nose or take scenic walks through tea estates, where the cool breeze provides relief from the summer heat.
Also in Tamil Nadu, Yercaud sits within the Shevaroy Hills and remains one of the region’s more understated summer destinations. Known for its lake, coffee plantations, and shaded forests, Yercaud attracts travelers looking for a relaxed pace without long travel times. Its relatively lower altitude still offers a noticeable drop in temperature compared to nearby cities.
Further north, Lansdowne provides a serene Himalayan foothill experience. This cantonment town is characterized by pine forests, quiet walking trails, and panoramic mountain views. It offers an unhurried atmosphere and offbeat appeal to travelers seeking a quieter alternative to busier hill stations in Uttarakhand.
For those willing to travel farther, Ladakh offers a dramatic contrast to India’s summer heat. With high-altitude deserts, expansive landscapes, and cool daytime temperatures, Ladakh has become increasingly popular during summer months. Beyond its scenery, the region’s monasteries and local culture provide a deeper travel experience.
In Karnataka, Coorg, also known as Kodagu, remains a perennial favorite. Its mist-covered hills, coffee estates, and forested terrain create a consistently cool and refreshing environment. Seasonal rainfall further enhances its greenery, making it especially appealing for nature-focused travelers.
Western India offers its own escape in Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. Surrounded by the Aravalli Range, Mount Abu provides a significant temperature drop compared to the desert plains. Attractions such as Nakki Lake and the Dilwara Temples combine natural beauty with cultural interest.
In the eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling continues to attract visitors with its cool climate and panoramic views of Kanchenjunga. Globally renowned for its premium tea, often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas,” Darjeeling holds a special appeal for travelers seeking both natural beauty and cultural richness. Its iconic tea gardens, heritage railways, and colonial architecture contribute to its enduring charm, while the elevation ensures comfortable temperatures even during peak summer.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda said, “Summer travel in India increasingly reflects a shift toward destinations that balance climate comfort with meaningful experiences. Hill stations and highland regions continue to resonate because they offer both immediate relief from the heat and a deeper connection to nature and local culture. At Agoda, we are passionate about helping travelers discover these unique places and create unforgettable memories. With our extensive range of accommodations and activities, we make it easy to plan the perfect travel experience.”
With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda enables travelers to plan and combine every part of their journey in one place. Running from 7 May to 21 May, Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with a special flash sale of up to 70% on 19 May and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 3 May to 6 May. Discover more on Agoda’s mobile app or at Agoda.com.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/agoda-highlights-cool-escapes-across-india-to-beat-the-summer-heat-302763691.html
News Wire
Lumina Datamatics Wins IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service Category
MUMBAI, India, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lumina Datamatics, a strategic partner to global publishers and eCommerce retailers, has won the IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service category. The award was presented at a prestigious ceremony held at the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai on 30th April 2026.
This esteemed recognition is part of the IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality (RBNQ) Awards for 2025, one of India’s most respected benchmarks for organizational excellence. The award underscores Lumina Datamatics’ unwavering commitment to business excellence, quality-driven processes, and continuous performance improvement. Notably, Lumina Datamatics Limited is the only organization recognized in the service segment this year, representing excellence across the Business Process Management spectrum.
The selection followed a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process conducted by an eminent panel of judges, assessing organizations on key parameters such as leadership, strategy, customer focus, operational effectiveness, and overall business performance.
Speaking on the achievement, Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO, Lumina Datamatics, and Vice Chairman & CEO, TNQTech said, “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition. This achievement reflects the collective dedication, collaboration, and relentless focus on quality demonstrated by our teams across the organization. It reinforces our commitment to delivering consistent value to our clients worldwide while continuously striving for excellence in everything we do.”
The milestone highlights Lumina Datamatics’ strong foundation in operational excellence and its ongoing efforts to set new benchmarks in service delivery across global markets.
About Lumina Datamatics:
Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing digital Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are among the largest service providers in the Content space, and our customers include 8 of the top 10 academic publishers and 3 of the 5 largest Retailers and Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics’ expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 7,500 professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Philippines, and India. This integrated global capability enables the company to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions to clients worldwide.
Photo: https://oyefilmy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/lumina-datamatics-wins-imc-rbnqa-performance-excellence-trophy-2025-in-the-service-category-1.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2674666/5956151/Lumina_Datamatics_Logo.jpg
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/lumina-datamatics-wins-imc-rbnqa–performance-excellence-trophy-2025-in-the-service-category-302764010.html
News Wire
HOP Events, helmed by Kalpesh Kinariwala, bridges Indian talent and global prestige at the Shows of India 2026 Conclave
- The anchor sponsorship of the Shows of India 2026 Conclave marks HOP Events’ official pathway into the Indian subcontinent; the UAE-based premium live entertainment company aims to source and showcase extraordinary Indian talent in the markets it operates in.
- This move will bridge the gap between iconic Indian artists — rooted in Indian and South Asian culture — and world-class international venues and global audiences.
- In addition to headlining the conclave as its anchor sponsor, HOP Events also made its presence felt in crucial conversations and networking hubs, with Founder and Chairman Kalpesh Kinariwala gracing the conclave as a speaker.
NEW DELHI, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HOP Events, a UAE-based premium live entertainment company, made landfall on Indian shores through the eagerly awaited Shows of India 2026 Conclave. The sixth edition of the event, which drew to a close on May 2, brought together high-profile industry veterans, change-makers, and disruptors who are shaping the future of India’s live entertainment economy.
Led by industry trailblazer Kalpesh Kinariwala, HOP Events not only participated as the anchor sponsor for the conclave but also broke new ground by offering Indian talent and agencies unprecedented inroads into global markets and prestigious productions.
Held at Delhi’s upscale The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, the two-day Shows of India 2026 Conclave is India’s most anticipated flagship gathering focused on the live entertainment, events, and experiential segments. It brings together key players from across the industry’s value chain, including event professionals, artist managers, promoters, brands, and creators, and facilitates industry-shaping conversations and collaborations.
HOP Events’ rationale for backing the Shows of India 2026 Conclave was simple but powerful – as a hub for some of the greatest artistic talent in the world, India stands to benefit immensely from HOP Events’ proven expertise in the premium live entertainment industry. With the conclave sitting at the intersection of India’s creative excellence and its commercial ambition, it is the perfect avenue for HOP Events to seek the artists, managers, collaborators, and cultural voices they want to elevate and present to the world. This anchor sponsorship is thus a declaration of HOP Events’ intent to champion Indian talent and carry it far beyond India’s borders.
Elaborating further on the sponsorship, Kalpesh Kinariwala, Founder and Chairman of HOP Events, who also spoke at the conclave, shared:
“India is producing some of the most streamed, most loved, and most culturally significant artists on the planet. Arijit Singh ranks ninth among Spotify’s top artists globally. A.R. Rahman has 75 million followers and ranks ahead of global superstars. Rishab Sharma is the number one followed sitar player in the world. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Aditya Gadhvi, Anuv Jain — these are artists with massive, passionate global fanbases.
Yet their presence on international stages, particularly in the Gulf and beyond, remains far below what their stature deserves. That is the opportunity HOP Events is seizing. The UAE is home to a millions-strong South Asian diaspora — professionals, families, and communities who are hungry for these artists and have both the means and the desire to attend premium live experiences. The Shows of India 2026 Conclave gives us the needed platform to engage with this talent ecosystem at exactly the moment when appetite for Indian talent on the global stage has never been higher.”
The conclave’s growing eminence as a premium, high-production-value platform was further underscored by its association with HOP Events, an industry leader in creating large-scale experiential events. Through the years, the Shows of India Conclave has differentiated itself through its trailblazing properties and a star-studded artist line-up. By essaying the role of anchor sponsor for India’s premier business and entertainment conclave, HOP Events is throwing the doors open for partnerships with Indian artist managers, talent agencies, record labels, and creative professionals.
As the force behind the sold-out Etihad Arena concert with Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, and Rishab Sharma, HOP Events knows what it takes to market Indian artists to global audiences, fill premium venues, and create experiences that do justice to the cultural magnitude these artists carry.
In the mid-to-long term, HOP Events aims to become the defining bridge between Indian artistic talent and the global stage. The company is actively scaling across the GCC and extending further into South Asian diaspora hubs globally, with the goal of bringing world-class talent backed by high-end productions and marketing sophistication to deep, passionate, and underserved audiences for Indian and South Asian cultural experiences.
About HOP Events
Founded by industry veteran Kalpesh Kinariwala, HOP Events is one of the UAE’s most prestigious names in premium live entertainment. It is hailed for curating global live experiences across the UAE and beyond. The company brings together eminent international artists, creativity, and immaculate organization on one stage, delivering world-class live concerts and entertainment experiences that make a lasting impression on the cultural fabric of the region. HOP Events’ expertise spans from close-up intimate performances to sold-out iconic arenas and includes notable names such as Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, and Rishab Sharma. The company differentiates itself through the three pillars of innovation, excellence, and a strong community focus. In doing so, it creates experiences that anchor communities, build connection, and foster a stronger sense of belonging, while delighting audiences with seamless execution, elevated experiences, and disruptive thinking.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/hop-events-helmed-by-kalpesh-kinariwala-bridges-indian-talent-and-global-prestige-at-the-shows-of-india-2026-conclave-302762789.html
Agoda Highlights Cool Escapes Across India to Beat the Summer Heat
Lumina Datamatics Wins IMC RBNQA – Performance Excellence Trophy 2025 in the Service Category
HOP Events, helmed by Kalpesh Kinariwala, bridges Indian talent and global prestige at the Shows of India 2026 Conclave
-
News Wire2 months agoCrocs™ brings KL Rahul on board as brand ambassador with ‘Play Hard. Rest Easy.’ Campaign
-
Buzz2 months agoIndia Emerging as Stable Investment Anchor in Turbulent Global Economy, Say Investors at IGF Mumbai 2026
-
News Wire2 months agoBengaluru-based TerraTern Emerges As a Global Hub for AI-Powered Immigration, Work & Study Abroad Guidance
-
Buzz2 months agoIIT Delhi Spinout DeepLase Raises ₹6 Crore Seed Round co-led by Kavachh and Yali Capital
-
News Wire2 months ago
IIT Delhi Spinout DeepLase Raises ₹6 Crore Seed Round co-led by Kavachh and Yali Capital
-
Buzz2 months agoFrom Rural Roots to Global Impact: Ruma Devi on Women, Craft and Purpose on Herbalife India’s Podcast Live Your Best Life, Unscripted
-
Buzz2 months agoDesign POV Returns to Mumbai with its second edition ‘Sense and Sensibility’ – A Celebration of Immersive, Multi-Sensory Design
-
News Wire2 months agoNYUCT Design Labs launches Edible Ventures™, a first-of-its-kind, full stack design and development cell for food & restaurant brands
You must be logged in to post a comment Login