a mischievous diarist records the crazy escapades of bureaucrats, diplomats, jurists and captains of industry during their student days in allahabad. a mughal princess and a betel selling woman collaborate to protect jehangir's eldest son, prince khusrau. a modest jeweller experiences the warmth of family bonding in a serendipitous group of allies at the kumbha mela. the last telegram of allahabad becomes the last testament of love from a man who has lost his speech, and a young man relives the tortured love that he shared with his long dead alcoholic father. acclaimed author neelum saran gour spins eight irresistible stories that celebrate her city, allahabad, its nostalgic memorabilia and its lively idiosyncracies