At last, The Relic is in my hands. When Santosh Bakaya—an acclaimed poet and author—invited me to contribute to this anthology of reminiscences, I realized that the very meaning of the word ‘relic’ could be expanded. Traditionally, a relic is an antiquity, a treasured object from the past. But in this collection, memories themselves—whether expressed in prose or poetry—become relics, precious fragments of lived experience preserved in words.
This book, with contributions from 122 writers, has become a literary relic. Each piece can be savored on its own, offering glimpses into poignant, warm, adventurous, and tender moments. Memories, after all, are what keep us alive. They become companions in solitude, helping us cherish time with loved ones who are no longer with us, reconnect with family and friends who live far away, and revisit cherished objects linked to our personal histories. They even allow us to reflect on mistakes, find closure, and chart a way forward. Introspection, as this anthology reminds us, is a powerful tool to relive the past and renew the present.
My sincere gratitude goes to Meenakshi Mohan and Santosh Bakaya for envisioning this project and bringing together such a wealth of voices, and to Meenakshi Mohan for the evocative cover painting, beautifully complemented by Sarbajit Sarkar’s design; and not to forget, to Haoajan Publishers for their immaculate publishing. I also want to appreciate the opening poems by Dr K Sachidanandan for subtle messaging and setting the tone for the relics to unfold. It is an honor to find my own story—an experience with my parents that shaped lifelong lessons—within these pages.”
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr Surinder K Tikoo is currently President, Academy of Indian Horticulture & Director at a not for profit foundation ATPBR. He has over 56 years’ experience as a breeder, teacher, research & development leader in both public and private sector at Asia and Global levels. He is a hobby photographer and has of late started expressing his thoughts in short poems accompanying his photographs
