Have you ever heard of or come across a 'Republic of Dust'? A corner in the land of 5 Cs- Coalition, Commission, Committee, Corruption and Cricket - where 'dust' reigns supreme, ules and lords over the land and people. Freely. Unchallenged. Unquestioned. A corner in the world's largest democracy where 'dirtyisation' is a process and 'dirtism' a way of life. More han seventy years of independent India's five-year developmental planning have not been able to rein in the reign of dust in the highways'-national and international - the street, the anes and by lanes. So, resilient is the 'Republic of Dust'. So rooted is the republic of dirt.

Letters from the Republic of Dust" takes you for a trip to 'a corner in India' - the land of Loktak. The land of Polo. The land of Sangai. Not to forget the land of 'Khadaangs'.

First Professor of Sociology in Manipur, Rajendra Kshetri (b. 1959) did his Masters in Sociology from Bombay University. As Doctoral Fellow of Indian Council of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), he earned his doctorate degree from the Centre for Social studies, Surat.

He is, at present, Professor and Head, Department of Sociology, Manipur University, Imphal, India.

He also taught as Professor of Sociology at Nagaland University. He has authored three academic books, co-edited one, and also authored a (prose- poetry) book of non-fiction poetry. He has to his credit several articles/research papers published in journals of repute apart from presenting papers at national and international seminars and conferences.

His published books include "The Emergence of Meetei Nationalism", "District Councils in Manipur: Formation and Functioning", "Sociology: Perception and Conception", "Cry of a Dying River", "State, Civil Society and Social Movements in North East India". Prof. Kshetri is the founding President of the Manipur Sociological Society (MSS).

"Letters from the Republic of Dust' the latest offering from Rajendra Kshetri is a collection of articles published in the local papers; both in Manipuri and English with those in Manipuri rendered into English by the author himself. Those who had the opportunity to read both the Manipuri original text and the English rendering will without hesitation say that the author is a skill translator as none of the nuances in the original was lost, in fact both are extremely readable.

The Prelude to the articles which is addressed to "Dear Friends" sets the tone and this is a must read as it not only indicates the things to come but also the author's concern about the decaying system prevailing in the country and particularly in the state of Manipur and why call the 'Republic of Dust'. His comparison with happenings in Manipur with those in other parts of the world shows the author's knowledge in world affairs as also those of the state. His extreme concern on the 5Cs-Corruption, Commission, Committee, Cricket, and Coalition which is the bane of the nation indicates a sincere love for the state and the country.

The articles are incorporated in two sections, section I having 18 articles and Section II with 13. As a professional sociologist, the happenings in this part of the world were analysed using sociological tools and his interpretations indicate that the author is the "Conscience Keeper of present day Manipur.

It would be unfair and almost next to impossible to discuss each and every article in the foreword as justice cannot be done, but every article deserve a deep reading to understand the purpose of each article. Not only the lines, what are between the lines will force the readers to introspect on what is happening in Manipur particularly. The articles cover a large gamut of topics from politics, to society, to ethnocentrism, to Hijam Irawat (Irabot as per his name in his educational certificates), to Women's Movement vis a vis July 15 2004 incident, to Pan Mongoloid Movement, and what not. The author's incisive examination of the issues and his articulation in many a case led to the thinking to have a relook into the various incidents.

In conclusion, it is to say that the articles included in this book presents analyses of major happenings during the period from the middle twentieth century till the start of the twenty first century and on going through the articles, the readers will agree with this foreword that the author is verily a Conscience Keeper of modern Manipur.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages