Kaleidoscope: Reminisces of the Hon’ble and the Wicked

"About The Book : The book transports one to a bygone era, taking the reader on a captivating journey from pre-independent India to the current times. A colourful fabric of anecdotes and personal narratives inter-twine giving a glimpse of royal eccentricities, strength of character of political stalwarts of yesteryears along with engaging anecdotes that dotted a long bureaucratic career. About The Author : R. K. Puri was born in 1938, his childhood was spent in pre-independence India witnessing the transition of the country to independence; to a developing Nation, rapidly moving towards becoming a global superpower and the World's fifth largest economy . Having served in the government from 1961, in various Ministries of Railways, Defence (Army Headquarters during the 1971 war), Tourism, Commerce and Trade (deputed as Director Tea Board of India at London). The author had a ring side view of the turning wheels within the bureaucracy with some memorable moments which portray strength of character and some, full of joi de vivre ! Post his retirement from the Government of India in 1996, he became the Founder Secretary General of the Hotel Association of India from which he stepped down voluntarily in 2020. He was awarded the 'Vishisht Yogyata Padak' by the Ministry of Railways in 1973; the PATA Gold Medal - Grand Category , 1990 for enhancement of Tourism Education in South East Asia by PATA (Pacific Asia Tourism Association) at Vancouver, Canada and the IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators) - Hall of Fame award in 1995. Contents : Acknowledgements ---------------------9 Preface ----------------------------11 Prologue --------------------- 13 1. Royal Rajputana --------------------- 17 Part I : Resurgent Rajasthan 2. Resurgent Rajasthan ---------------------23 3. The Viceroys’ Wicked Hunt ---------------------27 4. Royal Capers ---------------------29 5. The Coronation of a Maharaja ---------------------31 6. Banquet for the Viceroy ---------------------33 7.