Vartanchya Zalya Katha

Rajiv Sawade, who spent 34 years in journalism during an era when print media held complete dominance, reported firsthand on numerous events and developments, ranging from local issues to matters of global significance. During his career, he had the opportunity to interact with several prominent political leaders. He witnessed, experienced and reported on the devastating consequences of many events and incidents that shook the nation.

Drawing upon his earlier reporting experiences and enriching them with a literary style of narration, Sawade has presented these articles in a way that brings the incidents vividly before the reader. Whether it is the Joshi-Abhyankar serial murders in Pune, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the massacre of Sikhs in Delhi, or his visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, Sawade recreates each episode with remarkable vividness. His descriptions are so compelling that news reports once read in newspapers seem to come alive like stories.

Other articles in the book are equally engaging. These include Bawaji's contribution to Pune's development, the close relationship between TELCO and Pune, the golden era and subsequent decline of the Rajneesh Ashram, and memorable moments he experienced with Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Each article touches the reader and brings an entire period vividly back to life.

In keeping with the words of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, “I have embraced truth and falsehood with discernment, and have not accepted something merely because it is approved by the majority,” the author has also expressed his candid and uncompromising opinions, even when they may not be agreeable to everyone.

Although these narratives differ from one another, they share a common thread: the perceptive vision of an analytical journalist. These are stories that have emerged from multifaceted reporting—news reports that have transformed into narratives. In other words, the news has become stories!