A Drop in the Ocean: An Autobiography

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The autobiography is a bitter journey of a Dogra girl of Jammu who fought with the orthodox and men-oriented society. She lived in an era in which women were subjected to torture and were seen suspiciously. She faced a number of turns and twists that came across and achieved the success by her dedication and love of the people.

Born in Jammu, in 1940, the author of this book Ms Padma Sachdev is one of the eminent poets of Dogri language. With positive attitude towards life and strong will- power she has carved a niche for herself in the literary kingdom of Dogri as well as Hindi. Recipient of several literary awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award, Hindi Academy Puraskar and the Jammu & Kashmir Government's Robe of Honour, she has to her credit various Dogri poetry, Hindi prose, novels, short stories, travelogues and more than half a dozen translations.

The translator of this book, Ms Uma Vasudev's writings span a wide range from politics to fiction and the arts. Her novel, 'Shreya of Sonagarh' earned her a review from an eminent novelist, late Shri Mulk Raj Anand. She was the Editor of India Quarterly, the journal of the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Editor of India Today, for a short period.

The other translator Dr Jyotsna Singh is the daughter of last king of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Karan Singh. Being the area of her interest she has written articles on enamelling as a medium of contemporary art, on women and Jammu and Kashmir. Presently, she is the Director of Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts, Srinagar.

ये माना ज़िन्दगी है चार दिन की,

बहुत होते हैं यारों चार दिन भी।

(Life, they say,

is just a matter of four days

But, believe me,

these four days can truly be a bagful.)

This Urdu couplet is a cup brimming with life which should be savoured sip by sip. For those who live every moment with full intensity, these 'four days' are a complete life.

I have always tried to live fully every moment of my life. At this juncture, when I turn back, I see all the faces who showered love and affection that drenched me and gave me strength to step forth in life. The cup of my life bubbles over with moments of union and pangs of separation. But today I regret nothing.

Life has given me its bounties in abundance-lovely friends as well as wonderful enemies. I have cherished both my friends and foes. I have learnt that if it is the job of a flower to fill the world with fragrance, a thorn must prick to justify itself, and at times entangle your being in a bid to hold you somehow. But it has been my detractors and critics who have inspired me more in life.

My memories are autobiographical but perhaps more than me, they are an account of the world I lived in.