Livia Rodríguez Delis, Chief Correspondent in India, Prensa Latina Agency, interviewed me about my latest book Mad About Cuba: A Malayali Revisits the Revolution (Penguin Random House India).
The interview talks about my journey from Kerala, India, to Cuba, documenting my admiration for Cuba’s revolutionary leaders and the parallels between Kerala’s and Cuba’s socio-political landscapes. I spoke to Livia about how, influenced by Kerala’s Communist history and stories of Fidel Castro and Ernesto Guevara, I developed a deep connection to Cuba.
My book recounts my June 2023 visit to Cuba, during which I observed the country’s resilience against the US blockade and its socio-economic challenges. Livia and I talked about the diverse Cuban perspectives that I found in my discussions with scientists, diplomats and young people with aspirations beyond the island. I also dispel myths about Cuba, noting its stability, lack of major social issues like drug problems, and openness to diverse opinions, contrasting it with the challenges I observed in the United States.
Ullekh NP 