30-Day Book Challenge: Day 26

FAVOURITE NON-FICTION BOOK
I hardly read non-fiction... I never end up picking those at bookshops, and it hasn't helped that a lot of the non-fiction books I've read have turned out to be incredibly, terribly boring. There have also been some very good books, but I am not sure if a book like Bitter Chocolate is my favourite... it moved me alright. But my favourite, I am not so sure. I also pondered around Vincent Van Gogh and Marquez for a while... and then decided to take a lighter route.

My favourite non-fiction book is full of laughs, even though its premise is rather sad one. Bhaskar Ghose was director general of Doordarshan when it was still a channel we all watched. He speaks about his experiences, some good and a lot of bad, during his tenure and all the series and developments on the National Channel in those days. He brings forth the corruption and lethargy of the government and the total incompetence (at times) of people working in TV in those days. DD produced some of its best works during those days, and I wonder if they would  have not fallen from grace had he been around longer. So, I am not a big fan of long, non-fiction stories, so this has been among my favourites - it has a serious background, but the writing is engaging, funny, light-hearted and lucid. And despite the carefree narration, it talks about some pretty serious issues that gripped the government and I&B ministry in those days (and possibly, even now).
I heard that Bhaskar Ghose has come up with a new book, and if it's anything like his earlier work, I am picking it up.

Doordarshan Days
Written by Bhaskar Ghose
Price Rs. 385 (Hard-bound)