“Books open doors to different worlds and new thinking,” said Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, as he launched Continuum, a science fiction novel by author and civil servant Sadhna Shanker, in the capital.
The book, published by LiFi Publications, was unveiled at an event that also featured acclaimed authors Vikas Swarup and Padma Shri Mamang Dai.
Continuum, Shanker’s second sci-fi novel and third work of fiction, is set in the imaginary city of Mrugjala and explores themes of love, ambition, conflict, and hope across the vast expanse of time—from the Mahabharata era to a futuristic world on another planet. The Minister praised the book for intertwining ancient Indian wisdom with speculative storytelling, calling science fiction “a philosophical delving.”
Encouraging the expansion of the genre in India, Rijiju expressed his hope to see Continuum in an animated adaptation. The event, which coincided with International Women’s Day, also sparked discussions on promoting women writers in science fiction and the role of technology in advancing gender equality.
The launch saw an impressive gathering of dignitaries, including Justice A.P. Sahi, President of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission; Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Member NHRC; Ved Mani Tripathi, CEO of the National Skill Development Corporation; and Achla Dewan, Chairperson of Primus Hospital.
As India’s sci-fi landscape grows, Continuum stands as a testament to the genre’s power to blend history, imagination, and futuristic possibilities.
Published on March 8, 2025