Connecting With the Mahabharata

Neera Misra, an Independent Research Student, focused since 2000 on the research and propagation of Bhartiya Sabhyata, Sanskriti evam Itihasa, to link and nourish the roots of our historical journey. Deep ancestral links to the Vedic kingdom Kampilya, the place of birth and Swayamvaar of Maharani Draupadi, gave rise to her interest in the Vedic, Ramayana, and Mahabharata period history, culture, and its socio-cultural impacts. The misperceptions about our past, especially about our prominent female protagonists disturbed her. Her experiences as a SIDBI-selected and DST trained Entrepreneur, exposed her to such misconceptions. To bring out facts of bygone personalities it was necessary to revisit those times in a structured way. The Founder - Chairperson of Draupadi Dream Trust, established in 2003, she works to create a better understanding and appreciation of ancient heritage legacies, history, geography, and social issues. The Dwapara Itihasa engulfs her being and this is her fifth book on this specific theme, after having published Mahabharata: Its Antiquity, Historicity and Social Impact, Draupadi and Her Panchala, Indraprastha Revisited, Mahabharata Manthan. She is a postgraduate having studied English, Political Science, and PGDBA for better analytical skills.

Air Vice Marshal Rajesh Lal (Retired), born 27 May 1948, was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 1968 as a fighter pilot. He fought actively in the 1971 war with Pakistan and headed an operation base during the Kargil war. A qualified Flying Instructor, Production test pilot, and a graduate of the National Defence College, India, he commanded a frontline MiG 21 Bis fighter squadron and two fighter bases. He held staff appointments at the Air Headquarters level, and at the Ministry of Defence. On his retirement from the IAF in 2006, he joined the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Akademi, Fursatganj, Raebareli, as its Chief Pilot. He retired from active flying in 2013 after spending 46 years in aviation. He has authored 'Glimpses of India: Some 5000 Years Ago'(2017) and 'Still Researching at 96: BB Lal' (2018). He has also co-edited 'Indraprastha Revisited' (2017), 'Draupadi and Her Panchala' (2018), 'Mahabharata Manthan'(2 vols., 2019), and 'Felicitating a Legendary Archaeologist: BB Lal' (3 vols., (2019).