When Nandita Haksar and her husband started for their
once in a lifetime cruise to the Antarctica it was to
escape from ugly reality of the contemporary political scenario.
The cruise was a visual feast of stunning scenes but it
turned out to be also a discovery of the complex geo-
political battles which have been going on for two
centuries in the frozen continent.
Haksar discovered that Antarctica is the site for
penguins, seals and whales but it is also the site of
secret missions, territorial conflicts and rivalries
between explorers. She documents how these territorial
claims are kept alive through ingenious ways such as
running a post office, encouraging permanent
settlements and promotion of tourism.
What makes this book unique is that Haksar weaves into
her travelogue stories of exploration, scientific
investigations and the contentious claims over
territory with the history of India’s role in
Antarctica.
The stories of the first Indians in Antarctica, the
setting up of Indian stations, Dakshin Gangotri,
Maitri and Bharati make this book relevant for children
and adults. It is timely intervention in the debates
over the future of Antarctica and India’s role in
determining that future.