Lajja: Shame

The book recounts the atrocities faced by the minorities in Bangladesh in the aftermath of Babri Masjid demolition. The author stated the facts and the statistics that were all happened in Bangladesh after 1947 till 1993 in vivid detail. After reading the book, I am wondering, how long a man's principles and ideals can withstand the changing surroundings?

Certainly, Sudhamoy was one of the most Idealistic persons I have ever met(read). His ideals were more suited with my principles. His respect for his Home country even though it had betrayed him all the things in his life. It asked me a simple question. 'If your motherland betrayed you, would you love it all as before?'. Well. I think this is a sort of hypothetical question. But, Sudhamoy blamed himself for the failure of his Homeland to support him. For him, Himself and His Country are inseparable. One of the great patriotic heroes I have ever red. Sudhamoy's telling to his daughter that 'You  are first a human being and then only you are anything' hits the Bulls's eye in his principles.

Suranjan. What would you expect from a man of renowned knowledge, patriotism, well learned principles, at the time of rioting in the name of religion? His ideals, nurtured and brought well by his father, were more of the same as his father, Sudhamoy. Suranjan, who didn't lose his hope in his ideals when his friends were beaten up and killed, who didn't lose heart for his motherland when their fellow religious people were massacred in front of him, had always believed that some day his country would give equal rights to all, irrespective of the religion practiced. But, did he also felt the same when they kidnapped his sister? So, which comes first? Your Home or Homeland? Another hypothetical question.

Kironmoyee. I would say she was the backbone of her family. She is like a black hole which accepts everything coming in the way of it. Like wise, she had accepted her husband's 'inability' after he was made 'sterile' in the enemy camps during the independence struggle. She accepted her son's loafing around without shouldering any responsibility in the house. She loved her daughter as every mother did. She cared for everyone in the family but she never ever expressed her worries to anyone in the family. But what did she do after her daughter was kidnapped? Whether her hardness towards life stood that blow?

Maya. She was the one who really cared to live good. She was a more practical person in contrast to her Father and Brother. Finally she paid the price for being a minority woman at the prime age during the carnage.

The Sense of an Ending

It starts with an awkward recollection of some of the events in Tony's life.The narrator, who is now around 60 years, starts the story with his School life events. Tony, Alex, Adrian and one more guy were close friends in their School. They were voracious book readers. They discuss history and philosophical thoughts frequently. The other friends always thought that Adrian was very clear in his ideas of life.

The book discusses many questions like 'What is History?', 'the moral authority of oneself over the ending of one's own life', the moral scruples of dating friend's ex-girlfriend etc. At each phase in Tony's life, the answers to each of these questions differ and in some cases exactly contradictory to each other. So, is there a concrete answer for a moral question?

The narration is incredible as it depicts a small incident which turned into a chain of events which took a guy's life and the life's of another 2 people were affected terribly. At the climax, you would be wondering who had done what. As a whole, it is a kind of book which makes you think in each paragraph.

A gripping thriller kind of read with moral debates interwoven!!!

The Final Walk!

So, the moment had arrived. We will not see another Sachin's innings. He had gone for 74 in his final innings. It's over.We will not see him taking his guard one more time. When he finally left the pitch to the pavilion what might have been felt by him? Perhaps, he would have thanked the crowd and the billion of his followers, I would rather say his worshipers, for supporting him all through his carrier. How had he taken that this had been the last time he was on the pitch?

The thought of not seeing Sachin any more in the Pitch has not sunk in yet for us. For a man who had spent most part of his life in the cricket ground, how it should have felt when he had finally left the crease. At that time, he might have thinking in retrospect and find privileged that he could don the Indian jersey for such a long time and could represent the country which he thinks, is the greatest achievement of him. Perhaps, he might have worried about the same fact that he will not do that again. Not in this lifetime, at least.

The final walk should have taken him at least 60 feet to leave the ground. In each feet, there accumulates the pain of millions of people who has worshiped him as a demi-God. In each stride, there is denial. Are those pains and denials more greater than the ones felt by the man himself. We might console ourselves by involving ourselves with our day to day chores. But what will console him from this great pain? 

A little tribute to the Master!

The day, the time defying Champion calls it a day, will be the end of an era and after that it will be a new epoch! No wonder if ‘Sachinism’, which already has millions of followers unofficially,  will become a religion one day.

How many of you connect your past two decades with the batting memories of the master blaster. Now thinking in retrospect, I am wondering how a single man could get the love of a billion people. His achievements can be analogous to the great achievements achieved by the other great eminent sports personalities. But, for me, he stands out tall above all of them. I don't think there is a man who can get the attention of millions of watching eyes while he is playing. I don't know another person who is as revered as Sachin in any sports field. His longevity speaks his dedication to the game. In future, there may be thousands who will come and play the game but, I don't think any of them would be revered and worshiped as Sachin. He is the epitome of passion, dedication, humility and love!!

Hail and Salute the man who unified the otherwise multi-diverse country at least at the time when he was at the crease.

Words fail here to portray the greatness of this Little Man!

To Kill a Mockingbird

                                                                                          

Well. Writing a story from the eyes of a 8 year old girl and 13 year old Boy was a very brave attempt. And of course the author has more than succeeded in her attempt. The book is very complex in its story telling and usage of words. If you read it for the first time, you would think you have got the whole meaning. But if you read more of it, you would come to know , each time you are gaining a different experience. A Master Piece!!!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

                                                                                                             

The author transforms you to a different world. Its as if you were living in a different planet while reading the book. The plight of Afghans and the gender discrimination are well portrayed and I think it would reach the intended audience. #Epic

The Kite Runner

                                                                                                  

Senses became numb when I completed reading this book. When 'Sohrab' shaken his head and told 'Tired Of Everything'. Not only Amir slumped in his chair. I too slumped from my position. I cried for him. I longed to stay with him. After completed reading this book, I thought I was living in Afghanistan with all those characters in the book.

Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata

                                                                                        

I wanted to read Mahabharata for a long time. Thanks Devdutt. I really enjoyed reading this book. Its simple and straight forward . Please read this book with out having any Prejudices about Mahabharata.

And the Mountains Echoed

                                                                            

Here comes the master story teller. This book too has that Hosseini trademark of cruelty, betrayal, love, ignorance, innocence and passion. The story is moving in different timelines and time zones. Some part of the story is incomplete like a short story is inscribed in the long narrative novel. But the connection between these short stories to the main theme is frivolous, the one thing that Hosseini might have taken care of. Apart from that, this too is a touching novel like his previous ones.

Shoes of the Dead

                                                                                       

One of the best books I have ever read. I haven't just read the book, I have lived with the characters. Gangiri, Gul, Nazar, these people will give a insight about the choices we make and the complications surrounding it. How long can one go in the pursuit of justice? Will you go to find the truth by mortgaging your family? If you had succeeded in that, then you can at least console yourself by getting the justice . But if you happened to lose, then you will be at the risk of losing your family and also losing the justice. The author has done a great research on the farmers' suicide misery in the country. The final product which she gave in the form of her book 'Shoes of the Dead' will make you rethink your priorities in life and the choices you will make.

The Namesake

                                                                                  

This is not just a book, it is the embodiment of lives with intense emotions. The pain of leaving your homeland and live the entire life in a foreign land is very well portrayed. Dialogues like 'After 20 years of living here, I still don't consider it as my home' are just paying tribute and love for your homeland. The respect for each other between Ashima And Ashoke are just beautiful. The story is not fully Indian or American. 'What's there in a name'. Sometimes everything is in the name'. It can tell the right of parents over their children. A beautiful read which is deeply engrossing and seldom put down-able!