New Delhi: Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena underscored the tragic yet transformative impact of Partition at a literary event celebrating Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri’s bestselling novel Swallowing the Sun. The event, held at the Partition Museum in the historic Dara Shukoh Library Building, emphasized the importance of preserving history through literature and collective memory.
Speaking at the gathering, Saxena said, “Partition was a monumental tragedy, displacing over 20 million people and altering the demographic fabric of Delhi. The Partition Museum is not just a memorial but a living testimony to the resilience and stories of those who endured this upheaval. Through oral histories, documents, photographs, and personal artifacts, it preserves a chapter of history that must never be forgotten.”
The event was organized by The Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust in collaboration with The Lalit and featured a discussion moderated by author and Partition Museum founder Kishwar Desai. Also present was Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, who highlighted the power of storytelling in shaping historical consciousness.
‘Swallowing the Sun’: A Story of Resilience and Hope At the heart of the event was Swallowing the Sun, Lakshmi Puri’s gripping historical novel that follows Malati, a fearless young girl navigating the challenges of pre-independence India. The book delves into themes of resilience, sisterhood, and the struggle for equality, offering readers a deeply personal and historically rich narrative.
Reflecting on her novel, Puri said, “Swallowing the Sun is a tribute to the resilience and courage of individuals who endured Partition and the struggle for independence. Through the journey of Malati, my protagonist, I wanted to showcase the human spirit’s ability to rise above adversity.”
Dr. Jyotsna Suri described the book as “a beacon of hope, inclusion, and empowerment,” emphasizing how literature can bridge generations by keeping history alive. Kishwar Desai also praised the novel’s ability to weave personal stories into the broader historical framework of India’s fight for independence.
A Tribute to Refugee Rehabilitation Efforts A significant moment of the event was Lakshmi Puri presenting a copy of the Refugee Rehabilitation Law drafted by her father, Shri B. G. Murdeshwar, to the Lieutenant Governor. This historic document, instrumental in structuring refugee resettlement post-Partition, will now be preserved in the museum’s Gallery of Rehabilitation.
Shri Murdeshwar played a crucial role in formulating policies that secured evacuee properties for rehabilitation purposes, a move that provided stability to displaced families and saved the governments of Punjab and India substantial financial resources. “There is a deep connection between this museum and Lakshmi Puri’s family,” remarked Kishwar Desai. “Her father’s contributions to refugee rehabilitation are an important part of our history.”
Women in Leadership: Voices of Change The event also served as a platform to celebrate women leaders in literature, business, and heritage preservation. Lakshmi Puri, a former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and an accomplished diplomat, joined Dr. Jyotsna Suri and Kishwar Desai in a discussion on the role of women in historical storytelling and social transformation.
Ensuring History is Remembered The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees engaged with Lakshmi Puri on her research process and the historical context of her novel. The discussions reinforced that Swallowing the Sun is more than a work of fiction—it is a crucial contribution to understanding Partition’s lasting impact and ensuring that the lessons of history remain relevant today.
As Lt Governor Saxena aptly stated, “It is our duty to remember, to learn, and to ensure that history never repeats itself. The Partition Museum stands as a bridge between the past and the future, reminding us of the cost of division and the power of resilience.”
