Beyond the Rainbow – Murli Melwani

Description

In 1947, India was partitioned, and Pakistan was formed on the basis of religion. The Hindu Sindhis, rendered homeless by this act, scattered and settled in different places where they established themselves as an enterprising and hardworking people and became financially successful in a surprisingly short period. Behind this façade, the history of this ethnic community was obscured and has only recently begun to be investigated, and many fascinating facts have emerged. Murli Melwani was a professor of English Literature until circumstances led him to become a businessman in middle age. In this collection of beautifully written and gripping short stories, he depicts various aspects of his community through strong characters and engaging plots. Murli Melwani’s stories take the reader into the lives of real people, showcasing intricacies of thought and feeling, exploring the impact of loss of culture and identity alongside the tremendous achievement of life as global citizens who speak local languages and are immersed in communities in countries around the world. This book is not just an exceptional work of fiction with strong characters, gripping plots, and an unwavering vein of humour, it also incorporates a range of sociological and anthropological insights. In addition, the book unwittingly also forms a practical manual of insights into how Sindhis do business. A skilled businessman himself, Murli Melwani’s stories provide practical never-fail tips on selling, exposure to business cycles, and the understanding that large investments, even the most obvious, could turn out to be ruinous.