About the Author
Grahame Dryden is a Scottish writer and passionate traveler whose deep affection for India was inspired by the stories of his father, who served with the Royal Air Force in India during the Second World War. Growing up surrounded by his father's memories, photographs, and souvenirs, Grahame developed a lifelong fascination with the country's history, culture, and people. Years later, he embarked on a journey across India with his wife, Muriel, retracing the footsteps of his father while discovering his own connection to the land.
Book Description
Chai Jaldi! In the Footsteps of My Father is a deeply personal and moving journey through India, inspired by the author’s father, who served in the RAF in India during the Second World War. Guided by memory, history, and a lifelong curiosity, Grahame Dryden retraces emotional and cultural footsteps across the country, discovering not only his father’s connection to India, but also his own.
Blending travel, nostalgia, history, and heartfelt observation, this book is more than a travel memoir. It is a tribute to family, to remembrance, and to the enduring bond between people and places. Through stories of encounters, heritage, language, food, and the changing face of India, the author offers readers a warm, thoughtful, and affectionate portrait of a country that left a lasting mark on his life.
Rich in personal reflection and filled with genuine admiration, Chai Jaldi! is a journey of love, discovery, and connection that will resonate with readers who enjoy memoir, travel writing, and India’s many-layered spirit.