Open the Book, Close the Chapter introduces an altogether different genre of literary fiction. It takes you on an amazing journey in the hinterland and alongside keeps you riveted to the intriguing human stories of friendship, love, betrayal and deceit.
Previewed by writers, editors, authors, journalists, social scientists, professionals and astute readers highly acclaiming its unusual theme, structure and treatment of the story!
“A thoughtful integration of reality with fiction and a compelling exploration of personal and societal transformation.”
Prakash Bal Joshi (Renowned Journalist, Author, Artist)
“A story of happy-sad, successful-failed walk of life is woven with various threads of blooming and later withering friendship and love. The author has deftly handled and easily stated various aspects of live-in/open relationship, its moral values, understanding and misunderstanding about those values.”
Vinaya Khadpekar (Publisher’s Editor, Author)
“Perfectly scripted story with a well charted out structure on an altogether different theme! Innovative idea of using the otherwise wasted potential of the retirees, for a productive purpose.”
Dr Chhaya Datar, (Social Scientist, Author, Renowned Eco-Feminist)
Amplifying the Grassroots Voices
As a Senior Fellow at the National Institute of Rural Development (2005-2007), she pioneered research in media advocacy, rural communications, and community radio. Her consultancy work includes impactful projects with Tata Trust, UNICEF, Greenpeace, and various government initiatives, offering innovative insights into pressing societal challenges. Surekha’s passion for storytelling extends to her literary pursuits. She has published two books: the first, a compelling collection of 18 real-life development stories, and the second, her debut fiction novel, “Open the Book, Close the Chapter”. Through these works, she continues to explore the intersection of human resilience and social change. A steadfast environmentalist and a member of various development sector networks, Surekha remains dedicated to amplifying voices from the grassroots and creating a platform for meaningful discourse.
About Surekha Sule
Surekha Sule is an accomplished journalist, researcher, writer, and activist with a career spanning over four decades. With 18 years at The Economic Times and 3 years at The Financial Express, Surekha built a strong foundation in journalism before transitioning into independent writing, research, and activism in 2000. Her work focuses on environmental issues, rural development, water, sanitation and advocates for sustainable solutions. Surekha has contributed extensively to both English and Marathi media. Her development stories featured in esteemed publications like Loksatta, Sakal, Maharashtra Times in Marathi and in web media like Indiatogether.org, Infochangeindia.org, Indiawaterportal.org in English.
From Print Media
To Web Media
Surekha Sule worked as a journalist in The Economic Times for 18 years during which she studied and wrote on various subjects viz. Indian Economy, Public Finance, International Trade, Commerce, Business, Industries, Corporate Sector, Commodities, Agriculture, Services Sector, Capital Market, Investment, Socio-economic issues such as employment/unemployment, poverty, women & children, health, education, water resources, environment etc.
Surekha wrote scores of articles on diverse topics through all the pages and columns of the Economic Times and also wrote lead articles on the Edit page.
Surekha Sule worked in the Investment Bureau and the Commodity Bureau of The Financial Express for two years. The mid-nineties witnessed the advent of electronic media and Surekha was attracted to the new and challenging web media. She created and edited content for various business and finance websites. Her stint with some development websites got her interested in the social and development sector. She started writing in Marathi also on issues concerning common people in urban and rural areas.
Transitioning into Social and Development sector
Surekha Sule was selected for Media Fellowship by the Union Ministry of Water Resources to study “Women’s Role in Water Management”. She traveled extensively in interior Maharashtra to perceive grassroots reality and wrote scores of articles on various issues of water in English and Marathi.
Surekha undertook various media-related assignments, event management and advised on communication strategies.
Surekha was active in citizens’ participation in social and environmental issues and has been a member of various formal and informal progressive forums.
Surekha Sule was a Senior Fellow at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) Hyderabad where she worked on media issues of rural development with an objective of facilitating quality enhancement of media coverage of rural development issues, effective networking between different functionaries and stakeholders and improved systems of governance through communications. Various interventions were planned at regional, state and local levels which was a part of her action research on Media for Rural Development. Her other research topics were i) Community Radio ii) Media Advocacy Case studies iii) Development Communication. NIRD being a multidisciplinary organization, she conducted research associating with experts on various topics – agriculture, watershed development, land resources, Panchayat Raj Institutions, forest and tribal issues, Self Help Groups etc using innovative methods of communications, training, awareness creation and sensitization.
Leveraging rich experience in rural development gained during her senior fellowship at NIRD, Surekha offered consultancy on various development issues and took up assignments from development media and development agencies. She wrote research reports deviating from the standard pattern of a dissertation by imbibing journalistic style, especially in executive summary.
SALMORA (ASSAM)
BOAT FERRY TO MAJULI ISLAND
SIKKIM HOUSE
ADOBE MUD HOUSE (VARDHA)
SEWA ICT
BRICK DOME HOUSE
NORTH EAST BAMBOO HOUSE
KUTCH MUD BLOCK HOUSE
KARNATAKA MUD HOUSE
HIMALAYAN HOUSE
1 VILLAGE 1 COMPUTER
FARMERS PRESERVING 1000-YEAR-OLD TRADITION
CHILDREN OF HIV AIDS AFFECTED PERSONS
DZULEKE (NAGALAND)
POTTERY WITHOUT WHEEL
APATANI TRIBAL IN TRADITIONAL ATTIRE
Available On Amazon
Six individuals set out on rural tourism and observe amazing changes in the countryside landscape while gradually exploring their own past connections. “Open the Book, Close the Chapter” recounts two parallel stories intertwined into an intriguing plot that portrays motley characters with disparate traits: an over-ambitious, arrogant, unethical person; an intelligent and rational thinker; a brilliant, humane, principled professional; a docile, vulnerable homemaker; a shrewd, opportunist and exhibitionist socialite; a spoilt, foolish gossipmonger; a good-hearted but gullible friend…. all these characters get alienated from the protagonist by fate and are finally brought together with a purpose to open a new book of success, hope and unity in forging ahead for a promising humanitarian work. “Open the Book, Close the Chapter” is literary fiction with a very unusual theme. This novel narrates human stories realistically against the backdrop of India’s developmental and political journey.
ebook Available On Amazon
Whither Development ? Stories of Hope & Despair Stories of Hope & Despair – is collection of my research based and field-trips based reports published by India Together, (www.indiatogether.org) during 2004-2009. As I moved around the locations, villages, hinterland in India and held discussions with the communities, I learnt a lot from their experiences and from the worldly wisdom of these simple rural folks. I was upbeat over their achievements and shared their joy. I was upset over their sufferings and loss and was moved by their tears.This sample of 18 stories selected from the scores I wrote during my career as a development journalist/researcher/writer evokes hope and despair about India’s development process.
So much has piled up in the head and needs clearance! So here I am thinking aloud, letting my mind fly high and high like a bird in the sky that the nature painted in unimaginable hues of orange, yellow and blue.
