'OTHER' SHANGRI-LA: English 2020

Want to know more about the world's highest town that is also the birthplace of important lamas; the world's largest monastery and highest slum; a "Beauty Valley" famed since antiquity for its good-looking and strong-minded women; a pilgrim circuit once terrorized by bandit monks; and a small town that gave birth to China's favourite love song? Then grab a copy of The "Other" Shangri-La. It is a lucidly-written narrative of Shivaji Das and his wife's adventurous journey through the Sino-Tibetan frontier land of western Sichuan. For India-born Shivaji Das, who now calls Singapore his home, travelling is an opportunity to converse with others whom he barely knows. Despite his busy schedule as a Management Consultant, he finds time to travel to lesser-known places around the world. He loves to interact with locals and learn their fascinating stories. It also helps in suspending preconceived judgments of other cultures.