Pune Book Discussion: Ajay Singh’s ‘Through Orphaned Eyes’ Explores India-Pakistan History
Pune, 12th October 2025: The Spectrum Book Club, a dynamic community of avid readers, hosted an engaging discussion on the acclaimed novel Through Orphaned Eyes by Ajay Singh at the Poona Club.
Written by international award-winning author Ajay Singh, Through Orphaned Eyes is widely regarded as one of India’s finest allegorical novels. First published in 2015, it went on to become a national bestseller, earning widespread critical acclaim. The book tells the story of two brothers — one, an unnamed Indian, and the other, left behind in the chaos of Partition, who eventually rises to head Pakistan’s ISI.
Through their intertwined journeys, the novel narrates the turbulent histories of India and Pakistan — from the bloodshed of Partition to key turning points such as the wars of 1947, 1965, 1971, and Kargil. It explores India’s Emergency, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the anti-Sikh riots, the nation’s economic transformation, and its ongoing battles against terrorism and corruption.
On the other side of the border, it traces Pakistan’s military coups, its wars with India, its descent into fundamentalism, and its role in cultivating terrorism in Kashmir and Afghanistan — and how those policies eventually turned inward. The narrative also captures glimpses of culture, music, dance, and cricket, painting a vivid picture of the shared and divided destinies of the two nations.
A short presentation by the author set the tone for the evening, followed by an insightful conversation with Ms. Naina Kanal, who moderated the session with finesse. The discussion explored the author’s creative process, the emotions behind the writing, and the symbolism embedded in the narrative. It also touched upon the current political climate and the possible future of Indo-Pak relations.
A lively audience interaction followed, drawing several emotional responses. Many attendees connected deeply with the trauma of Partition through stories passed down by their parents, while others related to more recent events such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The hour-long exchange delved not only into the novel’s themes but also into the state of contemporary India-Pakistan relations — especially against the backdrop of rising tensions after Operation Sindoor.
Reflecting on this, the author remarked, “There was hope earlier, but now that seems to have given way to an atmosphere of permanent hostility.”
The evening’s discussion underscored the novel’s continued relevance, offering a poignant reminder of how history, politics, and human emotion remain deeply intertwined in the subcontinent’s story.
(About the Author: Ajay Singh, a former Army officer, has authored eight books across genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, history, and warfare. A noted public speaker and television commentator, he has also written screenplays for film and television. He is a recipient of the Rabindranath Tagore International Award for his contribution to Indian literature.)
