Tata Salt celebrates the launch of ‘The Romance of Salt’ by Anil Dharker
April 5, 2005

As India celebrates 75 years of the historical dandi march, Tata Salt, pioneers and leaders in the branded edible salt category, commemorated the occasion with a launch of the book, ‘The Romance of Salt’ authored by Anil Dharker. S M Krishna, governor of Maharashtra launched the book at a glittering ceremony. Writer and columnist, Gerson D'cunha and R Gopalakrishnan, executive director, Tata Sons read excerpts from the book.

Salt, the innocuous substance we dismiss as common salt has played an uncommon role in the history of mankind. The Romance of Salt takes you on a fascinating journey through history featuring this magical substance. When Mahatma Gandhi set off for the historic Dandi March on 12th March 1930, why did he choose salt as a symbol of British imperialism? Why did the East India Company throttle, and then kill the salt industry in Bengal and Orissa? Why did the British build a hedge that stretched over 3000 km just to thwart salt smuggling? You will never look at a salt shaker in the same way again.

Speaking on the launch, Satish Sohoni, Chief Operating Officer, Tata Chemicals Ltd – Food Additives business, said, “To commemorate the platinum year of the historical Dandi March, Tata Salt conducted a six-city slogan and signature campaign that received an overwhelming response of over 10,000 slogans. The book launch is the final chapter of our commemorations and we are pleased to be associated with this book penned down brilliantly by Anil Dharker.”

At various stages in his life Anil Dharker has been an engineer, a film critic, a film censor and a promoter of New Cinema (with the National Film Development Corporation). He has worked in television as producer and anchor, as well as heading a new channel then poised to take off. His television criticism was published in ‘Sorry, Not Ready’ to rave reviews. He is best known, though, as a journalist, as editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Independent, Mid-day and Sunday Mid-day, as well as columnist for The Times of India, The Hindu, Mid-day, Khaleej Times and Gulf News. His column Dharker's Dilemma had a large following amongst both passionate loyalists and infuriated readers. The book published by Roli Books is available across stores in India at a price of Rs 395/-