Diplomat Pavan K. Varma's New Book, When Loss is Gain launched by Queen Mother of Bhutan

Writer/diplomat Pavan K. Varma's new book, When Loss is Gain, set in contemporary India and in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, was launched in the New Delhi by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan in January 2012. After thelaunch, passages from the book was read by columnist Suhel Seth and theatre personality Lushin Dubey.

The book also marked the launch of Rupa Publications’ new premium hardcover imprint, Rain Tree.

About the book

When Loss Is Gain, is a powerful story dealing with life and death, loss and gain, happiness and fulfilment, the physical and the spiritual, the rational and the inexplicable. The book stresses on perennial dialogue between dukkha or sorrow, the key word in Buddhism, and ananda or joy, which animates most of Hindu philosophy. It is set in contemporary India and in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.

The protagonist Anand is wrongly diagnosed with cancer. He quits his high-power job and loses himself in a Bhutanese retreat.
The protagonist of Varma’s novel Anand is determined to make most of his second chance after being diagnosed with cancer. He quits his high-profile job and deliberately loses himself in the myriad simple joys of life for which he never had the time.

Other Books

Varma’s other books include- Ghalib: The Man, The Times, Krishna: The Playful Divine,The Great Indian Middle Class.
He has also translated into English the poetry of Gulzar, Kaifi Azmi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.