India the Peacock's Call

The following group of pictures are from the book launch which was held in the summer of 2002.

The location of the book launch

A selection of books at the launch

I would like to read out just some of the good wishes sent to Aline by people who can't be here with us this evening.

1. Martin Bell (who wrote the Foreword to the book): My very best wishes to you Aline, wish I could be there but have to go to Malawi for UNICEF. I've never had a launch in a castle! Warm regards Martin.

2. Libby Purves: The bestest of luck and good wishes LP.

3. Dame Jean Maxwell Scott: So sorry I am away - all my good wishes regards Jean.

4. Michael Moore MP: Sorry I can't be there - good luck and thank you for choosing Tweeddale for your launch.

5. Ian Jenkins MSP and his wife Midge: We have to be in Glasgow and won't get back in time, but our warm good wishes Aline.

6. Eric and Janis Milligan Lord & Lady Provost of Edinburgh: Official engagements prevent us from being there, our best wishes to you Aline.

7. On an amusing note! Aline received the very good wishes of Derry Irvine The Lord Chancellor, but is astonished to say the least because she does not know him personally, nevertheless she is delighted with his taking the trouble to send them.

8. Judith Campbell, Aline's Editor: Recent family events have prevented me being with you. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you on a wonderful book. Warm regards Judith

Aline at the launch with her book

Aline signing a book at the launch

From India:
1. Mrs Sarup Nehru (Delhi): Dear Aline my love and congrats Sarup

2. Champak and Monu Basu (Calcutta): Well done and our love to you.

3. Babli Bhagat (Bombay): Well done and lots of love.

4. Annie & Martin Howard (Delhi): We will raise a glass - congratulations, and Salaams to Rose & Bruce McCarthy!

5. Butterflies Programme for School and Working Children Delhi: Thank you so much for including us in your book, we need that sort of help - Best Wishes

6. Project Mala: So sorry we can't be there, thank you for including us.

7. LifeForce Charitable Trust: Nigel Whittle is able to be with us and very welcome - thank you for making the effort!

8. Indus Travel: Heartiest congratulations from us all.

Graham (Aline's husband) speaking at the book launch

Brigadier Chaudhary, Commandant, The Jat Regimental Centre Bareilly:

I am extremely happy to know that Mrs Aline Dobbie's Book titled India: The Peacock's Call has successfully come out and is being released on Saturday 15 June. On this glorious occasion I wish to convey my heartiest felicitations to Aline Dobbie and all editorial members as well as the publisher.
I would also like to express our appreciation and thanks to Aline Dobbie as she has devoted a whole chapter delineating her visit to the JAT Regimental Centre in India and depicting various features of the Regiment. We here in Bareilly look forward very much to reading the book, as will others within and with connections to the Indian Army.
I am confident that the book will also serve as a supplement to strengthen our mutual trust and confidence between countries. I wish the releasing ceremony a grand success.

The front cover from Mala Sen's book Death by Fire

Mala Sen (author of The Bandit Queen and Death by Fire). Daughter of an Indian General

My dear Aline
     Thank you so much for the copy of your book. I love the cover and the peacock, which I believe comes from your father's collections of pictures. I very much regret that I am not able to attend the launch on Saturday; as you know, I am to leave for India myself within days of the event to do research for my own forthcoming book. I wish you and your guests a joyful evening!
     Your book brought back many memories of my own childhood, evoking images of army life, its precision, elegance and etiquette of manner. Mind you, being me, I always found it a bit 'stiff' as a child, if you know what I mean! Still, you capture the spirit of it and times past. A lovely book with such an eye for amusing details! Many of my own countrymen would miss what you have observed and appreciated.
     Unfortunately, in these times, the military solution is not one I support at global level. We need more understanding of different histories and cultures, and I really do feel your book contributes to that process of evolution.
     Your love for India and its people shines through. You have written a kind of love story. Congratulations! This depth of understanding is what we need in these troubled times. See you soon. All my love Mala.

Aline holding a framed copy of the book cover at the book launch

Aline's speech after receiving congratulations on Saturday 15 June 2002 at Neidpath
Hello Everybody! I am so glad to see so many friends OLD and NEW. Thank you for coming.
     I will share a secret with you….. I have never actually been to a book launch before, so I am awfully glad that you have all come to hold my hand.
     The book speaks for itself, and I very much hope that if you find the time to read it you will enjoy it, either as encouragement to visit India, or as a stroll down memory lane.
     These are troubled times for India, but it is an ancient land and will withstand the current challenges. It is worth saying that its billion inhabitants cannot just choose to leave and flee - the multitudes don't have those options. This is where Indian thinking comes into its own.
     Bear with me, I just want to quote you a few lines from that most ancient of all Hindu Epics, THE MAHABHARATA OF THE HOLY MAN VYASA. This was written thousands of years ago in BC, no-one knows the exact date, but is evergreen for us all.
      From the Eleventh Book: The Women, of The Mahabharata:

'… It is karma that brings joy or sorrow,
Willing or unwilling, we live by our karma.
Observe the potter shaping his pots:
Some break on the wheel,
Some crack after removal from the wheel,
Some spoil when wet, some when dry,
Some burst while being fired,
Some after removal from the kiln,
Some shatter in use …..

So some of us die in the womb,
Some immediately after birth,
Some a day later,
Some a fortnight later, some a month,
Some after one year, some after two,
Some in youth, some in middle age, some old.

Their karma determines it all.
This is the way the world is -
So what is the point of grieving?
Swimmers dive, then emerge from the water;
So creatures sink into, and emerge from the stream of life.'

     INDIA, magnificent, yet appalling, beautiful yet ugly, harsh but happy, material yet everlastingly spiritual - wonderful India. Thank you all.

The Maldives Tsunami Recovery