An Odyssey: My Reminiscences Paperback – 1 January 2009  (Paperback, Pessue Madan)

These memoirs do not follow a strict chronological sequence. Like a landscape of peaks and ridges, peak events merge seamlessly with the ridges of family life without affecting the sequence. It portrays the transit of the twentieth century to the twenty-first century, embracing social changes, and advances in engineering and technology. Initially, the book focuses on the insular and Victorian culture of British colonial rule, accentuated by elaborate social codes and symbols. It then switches to the turmoil, chaos, despair and destruction of Rangoon, a helpless city caught in the fury of the Japanese onslaught after Pearl Harbour and the ignominious retreat of the British forces. Caught in this web, the author, then a twenty-five year old, follows in the wake of the retreating British army, enduring considerable hardship and adventures in reaching India. Commissioned in the British army in India, the author commanded a field unit in the turbulent North-West Frontier Province, the account of which is revealing, sober and entertaining. With the end of the war, he continued to serve in the Indian Army and retired after putting in a total of twenty-seven years. During this period, he directed the planning and execution of the largest defence electronic factory in Ghaziabad, inaugurated by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and for which he received the Padma Shri. During the next 28 years, he contributed to the industrial potential of India, building factories or functioning as Chairman and Managing Director, the chapters on Gujaral Communication and Electronics Ltd and the Tata Power Company deals with this experience. His approach to industrial engineering and management are a succinct and instructive study of the problems in dealing with State governments, politicians, labour unions, and corporate board members, financial planning and management, and project planning and execution.