Madhu Bhaduri’s Lived Stories gathers selected memories from her years in the Indian Foreign Service and her later public life. The 2021 memoir ranges from diplomatic postings across several countries to episodes about gender discrimination, political upheaval and activism, offering a personal view of a career in a male-dominated service.
What is Lived Stories about?
Published by Orient BlackSwan in 2021, Lived Stories is a 152-page English-language paperback by former Indian diplomat Madhu Bhaduri. The publisher presents it as a selection of memories and episodes that connect personal experience with social and political questions. The book’s ISBN is 9789354420825. See the publisher’s book listing.
Rather than a continuous account of every stage in a career, the book is arranged around episodes and places. Its chapter sequence moves through postings and public-life moments from Vienna in 1970 to Aam Aadmi Party involvement in 2012. Harsh Mander, reviewing the book in Scroll on 5 December 2021, described it as a series of vignettes whose fragments together create a portrait of a life and a world in transition. That is the reviewer’s reading of the book’s form.
From diplomatic postings to public life
The publisher’s chapter outline traces Bhaduri’s experiences across postings and assignments, including New Delhi, Vietnam, Mexico City, Hamburg, Minsk, Lithuania and Lisbon. It also identifies episodes at the National Defence College, her work in the Right to Information movement, and her association with the Aam Aadmi Party.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
According to the publisher, Bhaduri retired from the Indian Foreign Service as Ambassador to Lisbon in 2003. It says she later became involved in the Right to Information movement and was a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party in 2012, leaving within a year. Harbans Mukhia’s review in The Wire likewise notes the book’s movement from diplomacy into Bhaduri’s later public life.
Gender discrimination inside the foreign service
One of the memoir’s central subjects is the treatment of women in the IFS. Orient BlackSwan says the book recounts gender discrimination that led to upheaval in the service in 1979. Mander’s review discusses marriage-related constraints imposed on women officers and frames these experiences as part of the book’s account of navigating a male-dominated institution. These are accounts presented by the publisher and reviewer; they should not be mistaken for independent archival verification of every event narrated in the memoir.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The subject gives the book’s career stories a broader focus than diplomatic protocol or overseas postings. The episodes, as described in the publisher’s material and reviews, ask what professional life looked like for a woman officer within institutional rules and expectations that treated men and women differently.
Political questions beyond career memoir
The publisher identifies majoritarianism, religious and ethnic prejudice, and democratic crisis among the themes Bhaduri addresses. It also points to her reflections on nationalism and patriotism in the context of events such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, as well as her experiences in Vietnam. The publisher says the book includes the story of the Abu Salem extradition.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
These subjects place individual memories alongside changes in India and the wider world. The book’s design, as represented by its selected episodes, allows personal recollection to sit beside questions about political identity, state power and public life without presenting itself as a comprehensive history of those events.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is this the right memoir for you?
Lived Stories is a strong fit for readers interested in women’s experiences in public institutions, Indian diplomacy, or memoirs that connect a personal career to political change. Its vignette structure may suit readers who prefer focused episodes over a single, uninterrupted life narrative. Readers seeking a fully documented institutional history should treat the book as memoir and consult historical sources separately.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
To identify the edition, look for Orient BlackSwan’s English paperback, ISBN 9789354420825. The publisher’s catalog lists a price of ₹580, which can change; check the listing or a bookseller for current pricing and stock.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
