On the occasion of the Third Mohandas Moses memorial lecture, his biography ‘A Stranger In Paradise’, was launched by Mr Sudhakar Rao, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, at NIAS here on Monday.

Civil servant and author, Achala Moulik, wrote about her husband's life after his passing using the material he had left behind. As advisor to the Governor of J&K, Mohandas was inspired by Kashmiri poet Kalhana's Rajatarangini and began writing a book on Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh.

Achala said she faced a difficult task when she decided to write the book. She had to finish what he had set out to do. “The saddest thing for a writer is an unfinished book.” She culled out reports from his colleagues, used his notes and his diary.

Prof B V Sreekantan of NIAS said 'Stranger' is a remarkable book by a remarkable man. The book is not only about the achievements of an individual but also an insight into India after Independence.

Mr Rao, who has worked with both Mohandas and Achala, spoke about the kind of man Mohandas was - “He never complained about anything. He did not comment on intrigue that typically goes with bureaucracy.”