Śītalā : The Indian Roots of Vaccination

What happens when a search for the truth uncovers the deepest secrets of India's past?
When the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halts Tara’s life, she finds herself trapped at home, overwhelmed by helplessness and anger as the world struggles to survive. But the real spark ignites during an intense conversation with her grandfather. When Nana claims that India has successfully pioneered and enabled its own massive vaccination drive, Tara is incredulous. How could a nation plagued by systemic, decades-old infrastructure issues pulling from the roots of a dilapidated system pull off something so monumental?

Driven by frustration, Tara sets out to prove him wrong. But her quest for answers leads her down a rabbit hole of historical revelations that completely shatter her worldview.

From the harrowing realities of colonial plunder to the hidden resilience of a nation rebuilding itself, Tara’s discovery is an eye-opener. Part contemporary drama, part historical awakening, this book challenges everything we think we know about modern India's capabilities and its past.