The translator selected six short stories by modern Indian writers and compiled them as a reader for advanced students of Hindi and Area Studies. The Hindi text on the right-hand page is translated into English on the left. The stories were selected to include vignettes of urban and rural life and characters from both middle and lower class backgrounds with varying occupations. The tales reflect cultural problems in modern India where there is often a conflict between old world ideas and modern changes. The contents are: (1) "Paper Flowers" by Usha Priyamvada; (2) "A Difference" by Nirmal Verma; (3) "Dinner for the Boss" by Bhisham Sahni; (4) "Idgah" by Prem Chand; (5) "Married Women" by Mohan Rakesh; and (6) "The Third Vow or 'Gulfam is Slain'" by Phanishwar Nath 'Renu'. A glossary of obscure terms and a long list of vocabulary and definitions are included, along with a biographical sketch of each author. (CHK)