The Concept of Ikigai

Ikigai is a Japanese concept which add meaning to life or finds purpose of this life. The book Ikigai was written by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. They both bring out the secret of Japan’s centenarians to you and gives you a tool to find your own ikigai. People those who wants to find their Ikigai and if they discover, have everything they need for a long and joyful journey throughout their life.

Japanese believing that everyone has their own Ikigai. Our Ikigai is hidden deep inside each of us to find out we need patience in us. In Okinawa (island) people with the most centenarians in the world hopes that Ikigai is their only reason for wake up in morning. People who knows their Ikigai will brings them satisfaction, happiness, and meaning to oru lives. People living Japan will remain active after they retire. In fact, many Japanese people never really retire they keep doing what they love for as long as their health allows.

The Blue Zones:

Okinawa (Japan) holds first place among the world’s Blue Zones. A research clearly says that the Okinawan’s focus on ikigai gives a sense of purpose to each and everyday and plays an important role in their health and longevity. Sardinia (Italy) this island as in Okinawa, the cohesive nature of this community is another factor directly related to longevity. Sardinia (Italy) this island consume plenty of vegetables and a glass of wine. Loma Linda (California) a group of seventh day Adventist who are among the longest – living people in the United States. Among these Blue Zones, paying special attention to Okinawa and its so-called Village of Longevity.

Key features of their longevity is their ikigai. Members of these communities manage their time well in order to reduce stress, consume little meat and they take alcohol in moderation. People always involves them in low-intensity movement, they all practice in common. Ikigai thought us life has some purpose do. It always awoke a question why are we doing this? what’s the reason? Answer is when you get to know your Ikigai. This book will get you to your purpose (Ikigai).

The Stranger by Albert Camus – A critical commentary

“My mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don’t know.”
The Stranger , Albert Camus

Albert Camus lures his readers in like a moth to a flame with his powerful diction, giving the reader a fair idea of the whirlwind of emotions they will be descending into. In this masterpiece, Camus puts forth the absurdity of life through the eyes of Meursault, a peculiar shipping clerk residing in French Algiers. It doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult themes of death, dissociation, and sociopathy

Part 1

L’Étranger introduces us to Meursault, a man bearing an astonishingly apathetic worldview that is completely detached from society. We witness this when the protagonist doesn’t display any signs of mourning throughout his mother’s funeral instead, maintaining a stolidly indifferent demeanour while smoking a cigarette. This outlandish attitude is met with contempt and hatred from others.

Meursault is merely a spectator of the events around him, leading a life devoid of meaning and emotions. Through this narrative we examine his perceived alienation, relating it with how he is a stranger to the norms of society.

Throughout this narrative, Meursault conducts himself absurdly and often immorally, not putting much effort to assimilate into the world around him. His indifference is mainly pointed towards women which are affirmed through many instances. He comfortably turns a blind eye to his friend’s ex-girlfriend who was brutally beaten, his loveless relationship with his girlfriend which he pursued mainly for physical gratification and finally his refusal to mourn over his mother.

The scorching Algerian sun is revealed to have some form of unusual hold over the protagonist that brings to the surface his irrationality.

Often calling the sun ‘oppressive’ and ‘inhuman’, it can be seen how the heat disorients him. The force of the sun eventually makes him commit murder.

Part 2

As the murder trial proceeded, the jury was aghast seeing Meursault’s utter lack of remorse for his actions and his disregard for human life. He talked about death in a frigid manner with his jailer, emphasising that death is an inevitable phenomenon. In his words, “I wasn’t unaware of the fact that it doesn’t matter very much whether you die at thirty or at seventy since, in case, other men and women will naturally go on living, for thousands of years even. Nothing was plainer, in fact. It was still only me who was dying, whether it was now or in twenty years’ time. “

Although after he is sentenced to death we see a paradigm shift in this attitude. The readers witness his cold exterior shattering when he realises that his time had come to an end. He is angry at the unfairness of the world, reproaching how he, a simplistic man with such little needs, is unfairly condemned to death. This rage-filled outburst is followed by passivity. While being isolated in a jail cell he is made aware of how he had isolated himself from the world. Upon a priest’s visit before his execution, Meursault’s aversion to religion is disclosed. He found no sense in religion but didn’t outrightly reject it either, believing that the world would descend into chaos without the principles of religion. After letting the priest know that he would rather not waste his last moments praying, he spent his time reflecting on his actions instead and contemplating the worthlessness of life. A newer, more intellectual Meursault was born, quite ironically, only mere moments before his death. He wished to break free from the alienation and hoped that his execution would attract a huge crowd.

Eventually coming to terms with his impending death, he concluded that he doesn’t regret anything and is ready to live his life all over again.

Conclusion

Leading a life sans personal values, morals kept Meursault satisfied. He went through his life without truly living. He questioned the purpose of life, declined the societal conventions and still managed to emerge happy, proving himself to the readers as an existentialist anti-hero.

BOOK REVIEW-THE KITE RUNNER BY KHALED HOSSEINI

BY DAKSHITA NAITHANI

The Kite Runner is a remarkable and compelling novel that has become a cherished, yet another classic. It is a sweeping narrative of family, love, and friendship set against the terrible background of Afghanistan’s history during the previous three decades.

The Kite Runner is a riveting and dramatic narrative of treachery and redemption that left the readers both excited and touched. It depicts the narrative of Amir and Hassan, two best friends who are also specialists in the art of kite flying and are as close as brothers. The two young boys reside in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan and this year they’ll try harder than ever before to win the local kite-fighting championship, a traditional Afghan pastime—which is Amir’s last hope of regaining his father’s affection. But, like the kites fighting in the skies, conflict descends on Afghanistan, turning the nation into a deadly region.

In this work, the kite was utilised as a metaphor. Amir wants to please his father by winning the game, while Hassan demonstrates his naive allegiance by being a kite runner, in the early stages of the storey. Khaled Hosseini’s words are quite solemn, like as Hassan’s dialogue “For you, a thousand times over” when Amir replied “Hassan, come back with the kite.” It expresses Hassan’s earnest commitment to their friendship. Baba is a hero to his son, treating his servant’s son as if he were his own. Amir attempts to amaze him for the most part and becomes exhausted, but Hassan makes it look easy As a result, he despises Hassan for that reason alone. “There is just one sin, only one,” Baba said of lying. That is thievery. Theft is the root of all other sins. When you kill a guy, you take away a life… you take away his wife’s right to a husband, and you take away his children’s right to a father. When you tell a falsehood, you are robbing someone of their right to know the truth. Cheating robs you of your right to justice… there is no more heinous conduct than stealing.” In the second part of the storey, he develops into an irony.

People are frequently compelled to make enormous sacrifices in battle, and the young Amir himself commits a treachery, directed at his best mate Hassan, that will plague him for the rest of his life. When Amir and his father are forced to escape Afghanistan for America, The Kite Runner has become the narrative of Amir’s search for atonement, as he seeks to atone for the wrongs he did as a child in Kabul.

The tale is fast-paced and never dull, and it brings us to a weird, intriguing, yet oddly familiar world, the world of Afghan life. Not only is the storey itself brilliantly constructed, but the book also explores the very art of storytelling. Hosseini’s writing strikes a great balance between being clear and yet powerful, and not only is the story itself brilliantly constructed, but the book also explores the very art of storytelling. Amir becomes a writer himself, and he reflects on his experiences in the tale as if his lifetime were a work of fiction.

The kite runner’s finest feature is its feeling of fate and justice, of virtue triumphing over bad in the end, despite all obstacles. Without giving anything away about the plot, Amir returns to Afghanistan and undertakes a new series of sacrifices in order to put things right. The message underlying the finale might be taken differently by various readers, but it gives a glimmer of hope for the characters’ futures, as well as possibly for war-torn Afghanistan.

Khaled Hosseini writes with a heart that recalls, and remembers well, his motherland. Though most of us think of Afghanistan as war-torn and exhausted, obsessive and confining, even terrifying, Hosseini recalls what it was like before all of that. He provides the Afghan community a face, which has the potential to be quite strong.

He doesn’t offer us a narrator that is pleasant, admirable, or even excusable, but he does give us a narrator who is real, fragile, and suffers as a result of his flaws. There is no atonement for certain sins, just pardon.

BOOK REVIEW – THE BLUE UMBRELLA BY RUSKIN BOND

BY DAKSHITA NAITHANI

The Blue Umbrella has received widespread acclaim from readers and reviewers alike, and is considered one of Ruskin Bond’s best works. The narrative is brief and straightforward, yet it eloquently hits on a fundamental quality of humanity: compassion. Binya Ruskin instils a spirit of kindness in youngsters via his work. It’s a fantastic book that everyone should read. The author’s writing style is admirable since it is basic yet effective, and his imagination is warm and inviting. This collection of lines captures the enthusiasm of people living in mountainous places, a location dear to the author’s heart as his birthplace.

Binya is a poor little girl who lives in a tiny mountainous village in Garhwal with her mother and older brother, Bijju. She comes upon some city folks enjoying a picnic in the valley one day while herding her two cows back home. She is captivated by their well-groomed appearance and wealth. She aspires to be like them, and amid their numerous possessions, a blue frilly umbrella strikes her eye. She has a strong desire for it. The city folks, on the other hand, are drawn to her naive beauty and the necklace around her neck. The pendant is made of a leopard’s claw, which is generally regarded as a mascot in the hills. Binya exchanges her necklace for a blue umbrella.

The blue umbrella is so lovely that it quickly becomes a topic of talk among the villagers, and the youngsters admire her umbrella so much that they want to touch or hold it at all times. Binya is in seventh heaven and only shuts it once in a while since she thinks it looks so lovely while it’s open.

Ram Bharosa owns a tiny shop without a refrigerator where he sells food, groceries, and soft beverages. He is so enamoured with the umbrella that he decides to acquire it under all circumstances. As a result, he makes Binya an offer to buy the umbrella. She, on the other hand, declines the offer. He is turned off by the refusal. He quickly recruits a youngster from a nearby hamlet to work in his business. Binya is out in the forest gathering porcupine quills when the boy, who is devoted to him, snatches the umbrella from her.

Bijju, ironically, catches the youngster. When the child discloses Ram Bharosa’s involvement in the theft, the locals shun him and refuse to visit his business. As a result, Ram Bharosa suffers a setback, and his livelihood is jeopardised. Binya is saddened by Ram Bharosa’s predicament and feels guilty for his suffering. She then gives Ram Bharosa her umbrella. In exchange, Ram gives her a pendant with a bear’s claw embedded in it, which is thought to be fortunate than a leopard’s.

When it comes to little children, various individuals with varied perspectives account for a sense of belonging when it comes to what is good and what is wrong.

In this narrative, it is a lovely trip of the umbrella, rather a risk worthy umbrella, from one hand to another, encapsulating a confusing attitude to how to cope with its beauty from the perspective of a youngster.

On the list, it is a highly recommended book. Adults may use it to educate themselves that power by empathy, rather than power via arrogance, is the only road to succeed. The author has flamboyantly inflated the setting and people, according to a mild critical viewpoint. Apart from that, everything is very gentle and enticing. The enthusiasm for the umbrella is a metaphor for our desire for small pleasures in life.

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BOOK REVIEW- ROOM BY EMMA DONOGHUE

BY DAKSHITA NAITHANI

The extraordinary novel “Room” by Emma Donoghue is constructed on two extreme constraints: the narrator’s constrained point of view, a 5-year-old child named Jack, and the limits of Jack’s physical environment, an 11-by-11-foot room where he lives with his mother. We begin the book with our feet firmly planted in these constraints. We only know what Jack knows, thus the tension is palpable, as is our perplexity as to why these individuals are at this location. Jack appears to be content in a routine that he finds reassuring, in a location where he can see his mother at any time of the day. For him, she has devised an organised, energetic routine that includes exercises, music, and readings. The room’s primary items are given letters — Rug, Bed, Wall — which is an excellent decision because they are named beings to Jack. In an environment where his mother is his only other company, Bed is as much a buddy as anything else. In this manner, Jack is a super-charged form of a typical youngster, giving infinite pleasure and purpose to everything he does.

Donoghue gracefully directs these constraints. Jack’s voice is one of the novel’s true accomplishments: she has created a kid narrator in him who is one of the most fascinating in recent memory, his voice so ubiquitous that I could hear him chattering away throughout the day when I wasn’t reading it. Jack is lovable simply because he is lovable, as Donoghue reworks language to reflect the delicacy of a child’s learning without making him coy or excessively adorable. Donoghue gives us a glimpse into Jack’s world through dialogue and well placed hints of eavesdropping, without relying on heavy-handed or clumsy narrative. The reader understands together with Jack, and we frequently learn more than he can comprehend, yet the gap between his knowledge and ours is a zone of emotional resilience, as it is in most children’s stories.

Her creativity rises even further when she animates the novel’s physical environment through her protagonists’ rituals: they run around a handmade track; they watch Television, though not much since “it rots our brains”; they tie eggshells together with a needle to form a snake. Toys and books are regarded as valuable as gold. A lollipop is a discovery, and the tale shows early on that Room is truly a jail, with an antagonist having the key, and Ma being held captive.

The meticulous, methodically built structure of the characters’ days takes on a new tone once it is apparent that Ma does not want to be there. Ma becomes a heroic character because she can engage and fascinate a vibrant, intelligent kid despite enduring the sadness of their position.

Jack doesn’t have to change because this is his normal. The space works as a large womb, a real extension of a mother’s body in many respects, a small region of absolute intimacy and care. It’s a child’s paradise for a while, but it’d be his horror if he grew up there.

Overall, Donoghue goes the extra mile with “Room,” bringing her narrative to a dramatic conclusion that seems just right. This is a remarkable work that may be seen through a variety of perspectives: psychological, social, and political. It offers a fresh, comprehensive perspective on the world we live in while presenting an absolutely unique approach to talk about love. Never before has a modern literary classic portrayed a child’s innocence, inventiveness, and perseverance as well as this novel does.

Ma, the main character, has made numerous significant decisions regarding Jack’s upbringing. He’s been raised to think that the sound-proofed shack where he and Ma live, the ‘Room,’ is the sole reality. For example, he believes Ma is the only woman in the world and that he is the only ‘Jack’. This tough choice by Ma enables Jack to have a relatively normal upbringing. Jack is a cheerful, curious youngster like any other because of this decision – he is kept unaware of the tragedy wherein he lives for his own safety. The story then does take a turn and the author handles issues like as schooling, upbringing, and dealing with PTSD symptoms with remarkable humility, leaving the reader with a profound sense of respect and compassion for the protagonists.

We could talk about Room for hours if we wanted to, that’s how essential it is. Room will linger with you long after you put it back on your bookshelves, emotionally compelling, troubled, and with a ray of hope.

BOOK REVIEW- THE BOOK THEIF BY MARCUS ZUSAK

BY DAKSHITA NAITHANI

It’s the year 1939 Germany during the Nazi era. The country is gasping for air. Death has never been busier, and it will continue to be so.

Marcus Zusak’s gripping debut novel tells the storey of Liesel, who sees her younger brother’s death while travelling through Germany on a locomotive. Liesel clutches a volume she finds concealed in the snow while standing at her brother’s grave, regardless of the fact that she has yet to learn to read. When Liesel is placed with a foster family on Himmel Street, she quickly settles into a happy but impoverished life. The risks, however, are raised tremendously when news of the inevitable war and Hitler’s impact on Germany and the Jewish race reaches Liesel and her foster family, posing a significant threat to the family because they take on a Jewish soldier and hide them in their home as an act of honour for an old friend. Soon, Liesel, her family, and her friends on Himmel Street are pushed into the adversities that only war can bring, experiencing devastation and misery but ultimately making memories that will help them survive Nazi Germany’s challenges.

The importance of the plot was one of the reasons why this work was able to accomplish all of the aforementioned goals. I discovered that allowing readers to explore Liesel’s romance through words provides a significant reprieve from the war-focused storey, giving us glimpses of the carnage while deflecting skillfully with other crucial plot points, such as the relationships between the children on Himmel Street, Liesel’s tense relationship with her foster mother, or Liesel’s infatuation with stories and words. Zusak achieves a nice medium in between dark, tortured horror thriller and the study of youth and Liesel’s coming-of-age storyline by doing so. Thereby, Zusack guarantees that ‘The Book Thief’ transcends a single genre, offering readers who enjoy a variety of reading styles a sample of a novel from every perspective.

I was taken aback when I first opened this book and saw that Liesel was not the narrator. I wasn’t sure how attached I would feel to the protagonist’s rise and fall in Nazi Germany without hearing it directly from her. I realized how important it was having Death as the narrator which only enhanced my love for the work tenfold. Death provided a genuine insight into the impact of war on society, giving readers a look into the tragedies that may rip men, women, and children apart. One of the hallmarks of a great novel is how it makes the reader think about a particular topic, and I can confidently say that not only did Zusak give an opinion on the insufficient disparity between social classes and demographics, but he also managed to give voice to something that–in our lives–will never be given a chance to speak, much like the oppressed people who were suppressed during Adolf Hitler’s reign.

This book was quite eye-opening for me. It is among the first novels about the war that I have read that is written from the perspective of someone who lives in Germany. It makes you realise that so many people in Germany suffered as a result of the war, and that they weren’t all as bad as they are frequently depicted. The grief surrounding Liesel’s narrative sneaks up on you until you realise how common it was and continues to be for so many others.

Overall, I found this to be one of the most pleasant and powerful novels I have ever read. All authors aim to strike all of the correct notes in their novels, but it’s uncommon for an author to nail every single stride on the first try. The narrative gives the storey an unusual viewpoint. Death says a lot of things that are intellectual and even beautiful.

In some respects, The Book Thief leaves you with a feeling of guilt when you think about it. Because it is British bombs that fall on Germany, and it is British bombs that murder so many people in the narrative, leaving the reader’s cheeks wet in tears.

BOOK REVIEW: PHOTOBOOTH ( A GRAPHIC NOVEL)

Description

He wanted to change the past, but first he would have to alter the future…

A new deadly drug is about to flood the streets of New York City. The police have no leads on who is producing the drug, or where it is coming from. As far as Praveer Rajani, a reckless Interpol agent, is concerned the only way to prevent countless deaths lies in a handful of mysterious photographs.

Within the photographs, Praveer can see images of places he has never known, and people he has long forgotten. But what are the photographs leading him to? Is Praveer being told that his life is spiraling out of control, and he now has one chance to put things right?

Or are the photographs related to a murder that Praveer is desperate to solve? Perhaps they are showing the love that his brother, Jayendra, let slip away or even the family that his sister, Nisha, wants back?

The mystery will finally be solved in this exciting romantic thriller from Campfire.

Review

“This is a highly recommended comic-book thriller with a well-paced, well-produced, and well-characterised plot that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The artwork by Sachin Nagar is fantastic, and the book is well-made… Campfire is a new to me Indian-based publisher with a terrific selection of original graphic novels and classic adaptations.
If this is representative of their work, anyone looking to expand their graphic book library should look into them.”

Rahul Kumar (Rahul Kumar) (student)

“Campfire’s comics come highly recommended. They accomplish their goals and do it in a way that piques children’s interest in classic literature.”

Author Information

Lewis Helfand was born in Philadelphia on April 27, 1978. Lewis’ first comic book, Wasted Minute, was written with a political science degree and a passion for comic books. It told the storey of a world without crime where superheroes are forced to work regular jobs. Following the success of the first issue, he began collaborating with other artists and issued four further issues over the next few years. Lewis is still a freelance writer and reporter for several national print and internet magazines.

Things to know about B.A English.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A) English. It is an undergraduate degree for three years. The course would focus on the main aspects of the language and it will help us develop creative and independent thinking. The course helps us to enhance our communication skills.

Why English Literature?

English Literature introduces us to a world of creativity. You would get a chance to discover poems, novels and plays. You get to read incredible novels as per your prescribed syllabus. You get the knowledge of the history of literature. You will be able to think without confinement. There are no particular reasons but;

If you are drawn to literature.
If you are interested in the language.
If you love reading books.
If you want to make a career based on this course
If you would love to learn about the wide range of cultures.
It will help you broaden your boundary.

The actual answer lies in your perspective and interest.

B.A English Literature Subjects

Literature students will have major, allied and core subjects. The subjects may differ in correspondence to where you are studying. The subjects are as interesting as it sounds. We will get the flavour of distinct eras. The subjects will pull out the self-reliant sense.

History of English Literature.
American Literature.
Victorian Literature.
Feminism.
Women’s Writing.
Linguistics.
Indian writing.
Poetry and
Literary Criticism.

Best College to Study Literature

Loyola College.
Stella Maris College.
Madras Christian College.
Ethiraj College for Women.
Meenakshi College for Women.
Women’s Christian College.
Patrician College of Arts and Science.

When it comes to college, we have a few things to consider. The accommodation, fees structure, reputation of the institution, etc. In that case, I have listed out colleges in Tamil Nadu, Chennai. The chrome will help you sort out colleges in your location.

Job Opportunities After B.A. English Literature.

Content writer.
Educator.
Editor.
Writer.
Journalist.
Public relations.
Blogging.
Creative writing.
Language translator.
Media and advertising, etc…

The career opportunities are impressive and you can be a freelancer too. Although, many prefer to do Masters in Literature. There are alternatives.

Books for Literature Students

The books may vary according to the syllabus prescribed. Classics to add to your never-ending reading list are;

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Jane Austen’s works.
Shakespeare’s works.
A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, etc.

As literature students, we might have the self-expectation of reading a particular genre. You need not read only classics to be acknowledged as a literature student. Try to savour the stories.

To know the history of English literature, you can refer to;

1. An Outline History of English Literature by William Henry Hudson.

BUY NOW.

2. A Critical History of English Literature Vol 1 & 2 by David Daiches.

BUY NOW.

Side Hustles for Litreature Students

I’m no expert, but I do have few ideas. Book lovers know the pain of having N number of books on their wishlist and not being able to get them all. Well, with side hustles we will be able to squeeze in extra books while buying.

Content Writing.
Freelancing.
Book logging & Bookstagram.
Bootubing (although the channel will take some time to get monetized.)
Copywriting.
Proofreading.
Affiliate Marketing.
Social Media Marketing.

However, the above-stated side hustles won’t make you rich but will be more like pocket money. There are plenty of internships that will pay you with a certificate.

For clear ideas, consult your counsellor, teachers and mentors. Is Literature tough? No, it is neither easy nor difficult. Unlike the olden days, we have technology and the internet facility. Literature is a wonderful way to know history.

“When in doubt, go to the library.”
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling.

Book Review: Ponniyin Selvan, By Kalki Krishnamurthy.

Ponniyin Selvan (The Son of Ponni) is a historical novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy, written in Tamil. In five volumes, or about 2210 pages. The simplest explanation of this novel is that it’s historical fiction about the Chola dynasty, specifically, the royal succession from Rajendra Chola to his younger son Raja Raja Chola (but with a brief interlude of Raja Raja’s uncle Uthamar Chola’s rule). That’s also a grossly inadequate explanation. The best description of Ponniyin Selvan comes from another book, The Princess Bride, in which the narrator’s father explains that the book-within-book The Princess Bride is about: “Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautiful ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles.” The book took more than three years to write. Kalki visited Sri Lanka three times to gather information for it.

Ponniyin Selvan is widely considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written in Tamil literature. It was first published as a series in the Kalki, a Tamil language magazine, during the 1950s and was later integrated into a novel. The craze for the series which was published weekly was such that it elevated the magazine circulation to reach a staggering figure of 71,366 copies – no mean achievement in a newly independent India.

Even today, the novel has a cult following and fan base among people of all generations. The book continues to be admired and garners critical acclaim for its tightly woven plot, vivid narration, the wit of the dialogue, and how the power struggle and intrigues of the Chola empire were depicted. This was originally published in Tamil, but thanks to the translation by C.V.Karthik Narayanan, non-Tamil reading people can enjoy this classic work. People who can read Tamil have certified that this translation is excellent. Though this book is quite lengtly, (6 books, each of about 300 pages), it is a page turner.

A film and a separate web series adaptation of the Novel is in production and is directed by the renowned Indian filmmaker Mani Ratna.

History behind the fiction

The magnum opus of Kalki, the Ponniyin Selvan however being imaginary the plot unfurls dependent on some notable realities and characters. Subsequently center around the set of experiences behind the fiction.

With the development of middle age Chozha realm established by Vijayalaya Chozha, the Chozha domain spreads over by catching the Pallavas and the Kongu realm. Later on, his replacements (Parantaka I, Aditakarikala pseudonym Aditya II and Rajarajachozha) do expound the tradition with the triumph over Banas, the Ganges, the Pandya, and the King of Ceylon. Toward the finish of the standard of Parantaka I, the Chozha realm sets about for destructions of elimination in view of Gandaraditya, who was a Shaivite not keen on administering the realm. Thus Gandaraditya reluctant to be a ruler, his siblings Rajathitha and Arinjaya both incapable to be delegated after him, Sundarachozha (Paranthaka II), Arinjaya’s child has been enthroned as a Chozha Emperor. Sundarachozha who was remarkably attractive has administered very well up until he turned out to be lethally sick and laid up because of loss of motion. Aditakarikala, Rajaraja and Kundavai are his kids.

Aditakarikala as the senior child and an obvious beneficiary of the Chozha Empire is delegated as ruler, however his life has finished in a strange passing by virtue of the bad form at the sambuvarayar maaligai in Kadambur. Uttama Chozha (Madurantaka) child of Gandaraditya and Sembian Mahadevi managed for a time of 12 years however he was reluctant to be delegated. Then, at that point Rajarajachozha enthroned after his demise and his rule is a brilliant time for the Chozha Empire as it was seen with the best flourishing, wonder and exceptional popularity.

The wellsprings of verifiable data for PS have experienced stone engravings, copper plates and a large group of books. A stone section in the Thanjavur Periya Koil, Tanjore with the accompanying engraving expressed as, “The respected senior sister of Rajarajachozha, the partner of Vandiyadevan Azwar Paranthakar Kundavaiyar” actually exists. A book named, ‘History of Later Chozhas’ has alluded about Vandiyathevan, who was a Bana sovereign showing that his was a genuine chronicled character as unfurled in the masterpiece of Kalki. A stone engraving has referenced the names of the backstabbers, for example, Ravidasan and engravings likewise was found giving data about different other rulers’ standard. The copper plates at Anbil and Thiruvalangadu have been noticed expressing, “The Chola public were sharp that after Sundarachozha, Arulmozhivarman ought to climb the seat and rule their nation.” But Arulmozhivarman surrendered his privileges to regard his uncle Uttama Chozha, the child of Gandaraditya and astutely made him to enthrone as a King of Chozha Empire.

MORAL FROM THE BOOK.

It is obviously, somewhat imaginary. Still it is enlivening to have the plot about some firm dutiful connections that were esteemed and protected. It is truly gladdening to understand that the men in the Chozha tradition remained together and battled their shared adversaries. None of the Emperors appears to have had the greed and ache for throning at the penance or enduring of their own family. Most likely the rulers were yearning for extension of the realm however with ethical quality again as an uprightness. The epic explains ethics suchlike dedication, kinship and love. Intrinsically, the ladies people of Tamil culture praise to the sky statures for penance and virtuousness however some might be clearly unimportant.

The preeminent basic certain is to serve mankind in every conceivable mean. As and when the brain and the heart go together, resistance and love embraced, and moral obligation to serve the humankind remains maintained.

BOOK REVIEW : Jessica Barry’s Freefall

About the author :

Jessica Barry is a pseudonym for an American author who grew up in a small town in Massachusetts was raised on a steady diet of library books and PBS.

She attended Boston University , where she majored in English and Art History , before moving to London in 2004 to pursue an MA from University College London.

Preface of the Novel ” Freefall” :

Freefall by Jessica Barry is published by HarperCollins on 8 January in U.S and wii be released by Penguin on 7 March in the U.K.

This book is a thriller about a plane that crashes amidst the Rocky Mountains and the woman who is the sole survivor and has a reason much bigger than herself to stay alive.

Summary of Freefall :

Maggie Carpenter’s world is shattered when she learns that her 31-year old daughter, Allison , has been in a plane crash over the Colorado Rockies and is presumed dead. Maggie and Ally haven’t spoken since Maggie’s husband , Charlie , died of cancer two years ago , and Maggie blames herself for that.

The reason for the disconnect is heartbreaking , but Maggie didn’t realize that her heart could be broken even more. It turns out that Ally was in a private plane with fiancé , pharma CEO Ben Gardner, and although Ben’s body has been recovered, Ally’s has not, which kindles a small flame of hope in Maggie’s heart. However, that hope dies when an explosion consumes the plane, leaving no doubt, at least in the minds of authorities, that both passengers of that plane didn’t survive.
However, in her wildest dreams, Maggie could never have imagined what really happened when that plane crashed. Ally survived, and getting out of the unforgiving woods is her first order of business. Once Ally gets free of the wreckage after realizing she’s the sole survivor, she assesses her physical state.

Things could be better, but Ally is, as readers will discover, a survivor, and she has a reason much bigger than herself to get out of those woods.

As the neighbors start sending casseroles to Maggie’s front door (Owl’s Creek, Maine is nothing if not insular), Maggie is climbing the walls. Her Allison was strong. Her Allison is a survivor. But one thing is blindingly true: Maggie didn’t really know Allison anymore, not since she moved to San Diego after her dad’s death. To cope, Maggie sets out to find out who Allison was.
By all appearances, Allison was living a glittering life with the handsome, ridiculously wealthy Ben Gardner, but all that glitters is certainly not gold. As Allison reveals, her life before meeting Ben was grim: waitressing at a club that catered to rich and powerful men yielded plenty of cash, but self-respect was collateral damage, and it becomes obvious in her telling that Ben saw Allison as a beautiful doll meant to be on his arm, charm his friends, and fulfill his every fantasy. It’s an empty existence that the formerly vibrant Ally chafes against, even as she tries to convince herself that she truly loves Ben. However, that love is called into question when a man approaches her with explosive information on Ben’s company. He claims that a drug meant to help women with postpartum depression is causing alarming (to say the least) side effects and that Ben and his cronies are covering it up. It’s unconscionable, and the old Ally never would have stood for it, but can she break free from the life she’s fallen into?
As thriller readers know, large sums of money tend to attract really bad people, and they are determined to keep their dirty secrets under wraps. Ally certainly isn’t safe, and neither are the people she loves, especially Maggie. Luckily, Maggie, a retired librarian, has some skills of her own up her sleeve, and she’s determined to find out what really happened to Ally, at any cost.
Readers that are looking for a lightning-paced read, with a mother/daughter relationship at the core, will find a lot to like. Maggie and Ally’s alternating chapters create urgency, and Barry does a particularly great job with Maggie, a woman who is suffering debilitating grief, but finds strength and purpose in finding the truth. This one will keep readers turning the pages, and there’s even a nifty twist in the final act.

!! HAPPY READING !!

It all comes down to who’s by your side.

Fifty-seven-year-old London Carter takes us back to his teenage life in North Carolina, where he still lives. He is a son of a Congressman and a complete stranger to his father. Jamie Sullivan, daughter of Hegbert Sullivan, is misunderstood by all the kids of her age. Fate brings them together through unexpected turns and events. The religious fanatic falls for the young naughty Landon and changes him. Eventually, they promise to accompany each other in life’s walk. Nicholas Sparks does not fail to make the readers cry. Jamie Sullivan is found to be ill. Did death steal her else did a miracle save her? Either way, their walk is to be remembered forever…

“First you will smile, and then you will cry — don’t say you haven’t been warned.”
– Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

Youth is never fun without mistakes, but there comes a time when incidents strike your heart so hard and make you feel regret. Nicholas Sparks does magic through his words and takes the readers forty years back through Landon’s voice. By this, the readers get to see the development of Landon over the years and his eventful seventeenth year in North Carolina, “one of the beautiful places in the world.” A Walk to Remember is not just a book about love. It is a story about growth and forgiveness in which the protagonist undergoes a massive change after a turbulent youth. Jamie Sullivan is boring and seem to have an uneventful life. As the plot progresses, her real character is revealed, her interests make the readers develop respect for her.

When the universe decides to make hearts collide, there is not a single thing that could stop it. In such a way, Landon and Jamie are thrown together and made to take chances. Even the smallest of the incidents in one’s life make way for a change and how one reacts to the changes is all about growth. Decision-making plays a role in shaping the future. The author reminds the readers that one must listen to his heart while making decisions. Life’s surprises make the heart suffer and heal, but importantly it makes you believe. Love makes one grow a belief in his soulmate, his friends, his family, and himself. The themes, logic, and love must not be missed out while analyzing the text. Landon always tells himself that Jamie is just a religious fanatic. Yet he finds her strangely attractive and, it is all the heart takes to fall in love defying logic. A walk to remember makes the readers smile, love, and weep at the same time.

“I’m sorry she never got her miracle. She did get her miracle, Landon, her miracle, was you.”
– Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember.

A Walk to Remember revolves around love and friendship. This book will strangely attract anyone irrespective of age and specific genre reader. Readers will want to finish the book in a single sitting and get lost in the pages to find themselves. It might be a bittersweet love story, but you will definitely fall in love with the book. I would strongly recommend anyone to read Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember and never forget. Happy remembering!

Think and Grow Rich by Napolen Hill

Napoleon Hill, a young special investigator for a well-known business journal at the time, was dispatched to meet with Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie quietly hinted to a master power he utilized during the interview—a magical law of the human mind, a little-known psychological principle—that was amazing in its strength. Carnegie proposed to Hill that he base his concept of all personal achievement on that idea, whether measured in terms of money, power, position, status, influence, or wealth growth. That portion of the interview was never published in Hill’s magazine, but it did set the young author on a twenty-year research quest.

Author

Napoleon Hill was a New Thought development writer who was one of the first makers of the current classification of individual achievement writing and is broadly viewed as one of the extraordinary essayists on progress. Slope’s works centered around the significance of individual thoughts in accomplishing individual accomplishment. From 1933 until 1936, he filled in as a counselor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Lessions

“Think And Grow Rich,” written in 1937 following a 25-year study of some of the world’s wealthiest people, is one of the most widely recognized personal development classics (more than one hundred million copies sold worldwide, according to recent estimates). The philosophy of the book is based on the belief that success may be achieved via mental vision and imagination in any effort. To put it another way, you can become everything your mind believes is possible; as a result, your mind becomes the only thing that can either stop or propel you toward becoming your best self.The most important lessons from the book are outlined and discussed here.

Thoughts are really powerful.Hill argues in the opening paragraph that thinking, rather than money, education, or specialized understanding about something, is more conducive to success. The man who “believes” he can do anything has already taken a step toward the finish line. However, thinking may be an overly broad phrase. As a result, Hill defines thinking as a combination of initiative, faith, resolve to win, and resilience.

Desire.How much do you desire it?

Of course, we each have our own set of objectives and dreams, but have you ever asked yourself this question? It may appear unnecessary at first, but it is only when we truly desire something that we will go to any length to obtain it. As a result, desire is the one stage that connects thoughts and actions in a hypotethic scheme.

Faith is the visualization of and belief in achieving one’s desires.

You can build the emotion of trust, which is required for transmuting your aspirations into physical or monetary equivalents, by using affirmations or repeated reminders to the subconscious.

AUTO-SUGGESTION The Subconscious Mind’s Influence Medium

In an attitude of unwavering faith, the principle of auto-suggestion conveys our desires straight to the subconscious mind.We can regain complete control over the material that reaches our subconscious mind by repeating our conscious thoughts and desires (as mentioned in the “Faith” section above) to ourselves on a regular basis. This allows us to exercise control over our decisions, feelings, and actions.

Personal Experiences or Observations: Specialized Knowledge

General knowledge, such as that taught in schools, and specialized knowledge, on their own, will not help you accumulate wealth. Rather, once you’ve acquired knowledge, you’ll need to learn how to arrange and apply it. If you lack the particular knowledge needed to grow your business or achieve your objectives, you can form a “Master Mind” group to enhance your own knowledge with that of others.

The Mind’s Workshop: Imagination

The imagination is humanity’s one-of-a-kind ability to mold, create, and act on desire. Hill distinguishes two modes of imagination: the synthetic imagination, which does not create but rather arranges old concepts, ideas, or plans into new combinations; and the creative imagination, which picks up thought vibrations from other humans and the ether, connects with Infinite Intelligence, and develops new ideas when stimulated by strong desire.

The Crystallization of Desire into Action through Organized Planning.

You must create a specific, practical plan and put it into action in order to translate desire into its physical or monetary counterpart. This chapter explains how to create plans and make sure they’re working for you.

The Mastery of Procrastination is a decision.

Failure is frequently caused by procrastination and indecisiveness. Wealthy men and women, on the other hand, have the ability to make firm decisions rapidly and then alter their views slowly. This chapter teaches you how to avoid being swayed by others’ opinions and instead rely on your own (and your Master Mind group’s) judgment to make solid, productive decisions that will secure your success.

Persistence: The Consistent Effort Required to Inspire Faith

At the first indication of disagreement, the majority of individuals will give up. Willpower mixed with desire, on the other hand, is required to achieve one’s goals. Hill outlines four methods for building the habit of perseverance, which serves as a form of failure insurance.

The Master Mind’s Power: The Motivating Force

Individuals can gain and use power by forming a Master Mind group, which is an alliance of people with varied abilities and views who pool their knowledge and efforts to achieve a specific goal. Master Mind groups provide both financial (wealth) and psychological benefits.

The Link Between the Subconscious and the Conscious Mind

The subconscious mind, according to Hill, serves as an intermediate between man’s finite intellect and Infinite Intelligence, allowing individuals to tap into the Universal Mind’s forces. He underlines that it is the only means of converting mental impulses into spiritual and bodily forms.

Thought Broadcasting and Receiving Station: The Brain.

“Every human brain is capable of picking up vibrations of thought which are being released by other brains through the medium of the ether, in a manner similar to that utilised by the radio broadcasting principle,” Hill says. In this chapter, he discusses how external vibrations influence the mind and provides a strategy for increasing the mind’s sensitivity to these sensory impulses by employing emotions.

The Temple of Wisdom’s Door: The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense is a subconscious capacity, also known as Creative Imagination, by which humans receive communications from Infinite Intelligence without exerting any effort on their own.

How to Outsmart the Six Fearful Ghosts

To put these thirteen success principles into action, you must first prepare your mind to accept the idea. The first stage in priming your mind is to research, evaluate, and comprehend the three foes you’ll be fighting: hesitation, uncertainty, and fear. This chapter outlines and explains how to overcome the six basic fears that hold people back in their pursuit of wealth, despite the fact that they are often hidden in the subconscious: the fear of poverty, the fear of criticism, the fear of ill health, the fear of losing love, the fear of old age, and the fear of death.

summary

One of the best-selling books of all time is Think And Grow Rich (1937). It investigates the psychological power of thought and the brain in the process of advancing your profession for financial and personal gain. Take a look at the overview of this timeless self-help classic!

Shakuntal by Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Mahakavi Laxmi In about three months, Devkota completed Shakuntala, his first epic poem and the first “Mahakavya” (epic poem) written in Nepali. Shakuntala, a massive work in 24 cantos based on Klidsa’s classic Sanskrit play Abhijnakuntalam, was published in 1945. Devkota’s command of Sanskrit meter and diction, which he significantly assimilated although composing largely in Nepali, is demonstrated in Shakuntala. Shakuntala is one of David Rubin’s greatest achievements, according to the late scholar and Devkota translator.

The Sanskrit masterwork Abhijnanasakuntalam by Kalidasa, based on the Mahabharata’s Shakuntala narrative, was written over 1,500 years ago. In 1789, it was translated into English for the first time, and then into 12 other European languages. But, among the various translations into South Asian languages, Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s adaption into Nepali, whose 110th birthday is on Sunday, October 27th, stands out.Shkuntal Mahkvya (1945) by Devkota is the most faithful to the original shrigara ras traditional poetic form in Nepali. According to experts, Devkota’s Shkuntal is a ‘transcreation,’ not a translation or adaptation.

Devkota’s Shakuntal is one of three versions he worked on, the other two being Dushyanta Shakuntala Bhet and an English Shakuntala. It’s remarkable that a poet can make three different versions of the same piece in two different languages. Devkota, who died in 1959, is also the only poet to produce an English Shakuntala with a distinct poetry structure and style than Kalidasa’s dramatic form.The epic has been translated into Persian, Arabic, classical Tamil, and modern Urdu poetry and prose, as well as other Indian regional languages. Aside from Devkota’s three versions, there are eight other translations of Abhijnanasakuntalam in Nepali.

Reading Devkota’s Shakuntal Mahakavya creates the impression of two-way contact between two great poets from two independent but connected cultural and poetic traditions separated by centuries.When Devkota and Kalidasa discuss the meaning of Shakuntala’s “recognition” (abhijnana), they engage in a spiritual and poetic discussion. Kalidasa’s mystical symbolism and lyrical rhythms are only discernible through suggestion (dhvani), which Devkota’s writing catches quietly yet well.Shakuntala was born as the abandoned daughter of the sage Vishwamitra and the celestial singer Menaka, according to Kalidasa’s epic. The king of Hastinapur meets her in the forest and gives her his ring, which she will receive when she arrives at his palace. Vishwamitra is forced to forget about Shakuntala’s pregnancy, and she misplaces the ring on the way to the palace.The first words of Devkota’s Shakuntal bring the reader closer to Kalidasa’s Kumarasambhavam, where the erotic tension between Shiva and Parvati is the source of world creation and celebration.Kalidasa’s text has various Shaivism symbols, which Devkota not only translated into Nepali but also filled with the original epic’s meaning. The final lines of Devkota’s version bring the idea of ‘kalyan’ as Shakuntala’s bliss full circle.

Even if Devkota does not duplicate the dramatic form, his invocation to the Shiva/Shakti principle that produces the cosmos keeps the original’s sense and aim. Devkota’s Shakuntala, like Kalidasa’s, ceases to be a person or a character and instead becomes the embodiment of Shakti, whose happiness is the fulfillment of the universe.Devkota’s Shakuntal Mahakavya is loaded with the shringara style’s force, with its different elements colliding in creative explosions. The long and detailed account of Menaka seducing Vishwamitra is lyrically astounding in its use of sexual imagery, both visual and aural.

While the story of the seduction is implicitly mentioned or assumed to be comprehended in all other Kalidasa translations, only Devkota concentrates on both the poetic and symbolic implications of the scene. Shakuntala’s birth is regarded as a unique cosmic occurrence since it is the result of the Vishwamitra’s unfinished tapas. Shakuntala’s anguish was described by Rabindranath Tagore as her own struggle to achieve complete understanding of love by continuing her father’s interrupted meditation.

The meditation reaches its pinnacle when the male tapasvi gives way to the female tapasvi. While Vishwamitra was lured by the fact that he was unaware of Indra’s plot, Shakuntala’s anguish stems from her ignorance about Durvasa’s visit to the ashram. Dushyanta abandons his child (in the womb) and briefly leaves Shakuntala, while Menaka abandons her child and leaves Vishwamaitra. This sense of continuity and poetic harmony is only apparent in Devkota’s Nepali translation.Devkota’s brilliance rests in his meticulous delineation of many chhandas for each part, which has more diversity and intricacy than Kalidasa’s original.

In the beginning, Devkota claims that his goal is to elevate Nepali mahakavya to a higher degree of quality, and he achieves. The English Shakuntala by Devkota is a long poem divided into nine cantos, each with a different theme, ranging from ‘Vishwamitra: the Terror of Heaven’ to ‘Strife and Unity.’ In this piece, Devkota maintains his focus on Shakuntala in the Romantic tradition of heroism and self-discovery.Devkota is a famous South Asian poet for a variety of reasons, but his interpretation of Shakuntala is particularly noteworthy.

Shakuntal Mahakavya is a modern-day classic due to his use of comprehensive meters, both classical and folk, the detailed refinement of shringara rasa, stunning descriptions of events, and delicate use of symbolism.

Wings Of Fire

You have heard of the name Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The entire world is aware of this great human. A human without any haters. A human whose only aim was to flourish his motherland. That human who breathed all of his life only for science and humanity. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was one of the most loved and respected President of India. But before that, he was a highly talented scientist. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam did a lot of struggle in his young days. But his firm will and love for his country did not stop him from succeeding. ‘Wings Of Fire’ is a biography of Dr Kalam written by Arun Tiwari. It is one of the finest works by the writer.

The book begins with the early life of Dr Kalam from Rameshwaram in the year 1930. Dr Kalam’s family had his parents, four brothers, and one sister. This book also describes the role played by the family, relatives, society, and friends in Kalam’s life. Kalam says there was no religious discrimination in his village at that time. He says the highest priest of Rameshwaram temple was very close friends with his father, a Muslim.

At first, Dr Kalam aspired to join the Indian Army. But due to his poor physique, he couldn’t join. Instead of being demotivated, he focused on his studies and did Aeronautics. Later, he developed a hovercraft for which he was invited to NASA on a training program. But his love for his country pulled him back to the nation. He joined ISRO and there he met Dr Vikram Sarabhai. the book also sheds light on the leadership quality and teamwork of Dr Kalam and his team. He has always been an excellent leader in success and in failure. Dr Kalam said, “Great leaders absorb the failures instead of putting the blame on others.” When the space launcher was failed, Kalam took the entire blame on himself. On the contrary, when the project was successful, he gave the credits to his entire team. This reflects the greatness of this man.

The book also includes a detailed description of his work in the fields of missiles and rocketries. Some people may find this part boring but it is an important storyline of their life. It shows the success path of Dr. Kalam. His dedication and love for his country are described in one incident. When his father died he went to Rameshwaram. But he was supposed to return the other day after his father’s death. In the book, he said, he felt really bad looking at his mother and wished to stay with her for few days. But his mother herself insisted to leave and go back to his work saying the country needs you more. We cannot deny the fact that we got such a dedicated scientist not only because of his talent but also because of the support he got from everyone.

At the beginning of his career, he served the nation by bringing missiles for the safety of the nation. After his retirement, he became the President of India so that he can and he did his best for his country till his last breath. Overall, the book covers leadership behaviour, religious equality, dedication and hard work, positive approach, and patriotism of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. There are also a lot of poems by Dr Kalam included in this book. He motivated young minds by saying “If you want to become unique, defeat fear and become the captain of the problem. You want to become unique but the world around you is making its best efforts to make you just anybody else”.

Winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Muna Madan Book Review

Introduction

Scarcely any individuals haven’t knew about Devkota’s most popular creation, the Muna Madan. This short epic about Muna and Madan is notable in Nepali, however its English interpretation is similarly notable. Madan, a helpless rancher, chooses to go to Tibet as a vendor to get cash, leaving behind his old mother and love bird spouse, Muna. Muna beseeches her husband to stay, however Madan withdraws with expectations of aggregating abundance for the family. The sonnet is a deplorable portrayal of the challenges Muna and Madan experience while they hold on to rejoin with one another. Muna Madan, while being a short epic, has become a business achievement and is viewed as an exemplary in Nepali writing.

About Book

Muna-Madan recounts the account of each Nepali family whose male person fantasies about acquiring sufficient cash to meet the family’s necessities and wants by leaving for a far off country. Madan, the hero of this jhyaure society meter story, chooses to take a shot in Lhasa, however he neglects to get back on schedule, bringing about a family misfortune.

About Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Maha kavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota (1909-1959) was one of Nepal’s most renowned writers. He composed sagas like Shakuntala and Sulochana, just as various enormous account sonnets like Muna-Madan, Maina, Mayavini Sarsi, and others. Notwithstanding verse, he composed self-portraying papers, which were assembled in Laxmi Nibandba Sangraha and Dadimko Rukhanera. Also, he has wrote a few plays, the vast majority of which are beautiful, just as one-act plays and a novel named Champa. The title Laxmi Katha Sangraha was given to an assortment of his short stories. He set up the act of writing in English first and afterward making an interpretation of Nepali works into English.

Story

Muna Madan is a people epic written in a melodious version in 1935 by Nepalese writer Laxmi Prasad Devkota that tells the heartbreaking account of Muna and Madan. It is one of Nepali writing’s most notable works. “It would be okay if every one of my works were singed, save for Muna Madan,” Devkota broadly said not long before his passing in 1959. It is the best Nepali book at any point created as far as deals. It’s anything but’s a customary Jhaurey song. The story follows a man (Madan) who leaves his significant other (Muna) and goes to Lhasa to bring in cash. Madan is a delegate of all Nepalese young people who move abroad to get by.

Muna, Madan’s wife, is the queen of love and sacrifice. She adores her Madan and is heartbroken that she must send him to Lahsa, a land filled with dangers and hardships. But, in the end, she embraces the challenge and stays in the country with her elderly and frail mother-in-law.Madan falls ill on the way back to his house. His buddies abandon him on the route and return home to inform him that he has died. Finally, he is rescued by a Nepalese man who belongs to a lower caste. That is why a man is said to be wonderful not because of his caste or race, but because of his heart, which is full of love and humanity.

Madan comes to Kathmandu after regaining his health to find that his mother and beloved wife have passed away. Madan eventually realizes that money has no meaning at that time.The story also depicts the lives of a poor widow who went through a lot without her spouse and eventually died of despair. Devkota has written on the most pressing issues confronting Nepalese society at the time in this poem.Laxmi Prasad Devkota wishes to stabilize the truths of traditional societies, unscientific ideas, and the detrimental effects of unemployment and poverty in Nepalese society via the story of Muna and Madan. By writing about Muna and Madan’s relationship, the poet has beautifully characterized love.

The work has proven to be a significant contribution to Nepalese literature. This is a must-read work in Nepali literature, in my opinion.

7 important tips to manage aggression in children

Manage child aggression: To develop a sound value system, tell them stories. For very small children, stories should be pleasant, free of fighting and violence, about animals and nature, sharing and caring. When they are five or six, it is okay to introduce stories with good people and ‘bad’ people.

child, who wanted to be perceived as the strongest of all, would speak loudly, look angry and hit everyone to prove his strength. When his grandfather came to visit, he behaved in the same way with him. However, his grandpa was never agitated and just smiled at his actions. The child was bewildered as he was only used to getting yelled at for what he did. The more he was yelled at, the stronger he would become, is what he thought!

Grandpa shares the Buddha story

The grandfather asked him if he would like to hear a story and the boy agreed. “Once upon a time, there was an enlightened master called Buddha. He travelled across the country teaching people how to be peaceful. Once while he was going through a forest, a tribesman called Angulimala came to him. He was a frightening man. He wore a garland of fingers of people whom he had sacrificed so he would be the strongest and feared the most. He wanted to have Buddha’s finger as the hundredth and complete his sacrificing ritual. Buddha smiled at him and said, “I am happy to be of use to you”. There was no trace of fear in him. Nobody had ever smiled at Angulimala. No one had ever spoken to him so kindly. The very presence of Buddha did something to him. Angulimala felt very weak for the first time in his life. He felt like a feather in front of a mountain. He realised that real strength is in having unshakable calmness, peace, and in compassion. He fell at Buddha’s feet. He was changed completely.” The child listened to every word from his grandpa with rapt attention.

Look out for the media children are exposed to

When you feel helpless or weak, the need to assert your strength comes out as violence. Where do children get the idea of violence? They see their parents, neighbours, friends, so many programmes on TV or videos on the mobile phone — all this exposure leaves impressions and has a strong impact on the minds of children, more than we know. They are sensitive even to suppressed violence. If you are angry inside but still act as if everything is okay, children will know it.

Handling aggression

Children get angry or show aggression for seemingly very silly reasons. But the real reason is something else, a sense of insecurity that has crept in somehow. That is why in olden days, parents would never show anger in front of a child. They would not even argue or use harsh words. Public display of anger was considered a weakness. Today, anger and aggression comes up at the drop of a hat. Any minor difference of opinion is enough to prompt the arrows to fly. We don’t know how to draw a line between expressing a difference of opinion and displaying aggression. If your child is aggressive, look into your own lifestyle. What are you doing? Are you yelling at your housekeeper or at your pet? Are you yelling at your own spouse? Or any one for that matter in front of the child? Are you sad? What is your reaction? And it does not matter that out of the 365 days, you have acted in aggression may be only a couple of times. Those few days are equally important for the child. This is why we need to meditate and practice pranayama or deep breathing techniques. Heyum Dukham Anagatam — stopping the misery before it comes — that is the benefit of yoga, because in life prevention is better than cure.

Engaging children in meaningful activities

The other important thing is to engage them in meaningful activities, and sports that allow them to channel their energy constructively. Just playing video games or watching TV with no physical activity only increases restlessness and makes them prone to aggression. You will notice that the day your child has more screen time, the more difficult he or she becomes to handle. Encourage them to go out and play, engage with real people, run and fill their lungs with some fresh air. In the olden days, movies were classified as suitable for watching only under parental guidance. Parents would control what a child can see. Today, it is a common occurrence that the elders are all engrossed in watching soaps on TV and are oblivious to the child who is also watching and taking in all the exaggerated emotions that are projected. It is very important to be sensitive about what their tender senses are exposed to. They should not be bombarded with heavy impressions.

What kind of stories are we telling our children?

To develop a sound value system, tell them stories. For very small children, perhaps around three or four, stories should be pleasant, free of fighting and violence, about animals and nature, sharing and caring. When they are five or six it is okay to introduce stories with good people and ‘bad’ people. Every culture has its stories of heroes who protected the innocent and fought villains who were up to no good. Through these stories they understand that the purpose of strength is to protect and not to hurt. They learn that the hero, the stronger one, is calm and collected.

While it is important to reprimand anger, it is equally important to recognise when they are gentle and appreciate them. When I was a child and would sometimes get angry, my grandmother would ask me to go to a certain corner of the house and leave my anger there. She would say that the angel in that corner would take the anger from me and go far, far away. I would believe her, go stand there and in a minute, come back smiling! Schools today don’t teach children how to deal with negative emotions. This is an important aspect of moulding the character of the child. Teachers should be strict about encouraging the right attitude in children. They should recognise the strength of a child who is able to walk away from a fight and not just react and hit back. They should reward and give attention to calmness in a child. Many times, an aggressive attitude in a child comes out from simply wanting attention. So, you can teach them by ignoring their sulking or shouting, and praising them and giving extra attention when they are well-mannered. And parents should give teachers the space to discipline the child if necessary. It is okay if your child has been naughty and the teacher has disciplined him or her. Parents must encourage reverence towards the teacher. If they say, “Who is he or she to tell my child what to do!” the child will not listen or respect the teacher anymore. When this happens, learning stops.

Food is important

The food that we give to our children also has a role to play. Too many sweets, fried food (like chips) and oily food increase restlessness in a child. Also, their food must be freshly cooked as far as possible and not packaged items kept in cold storage. Encourage them to enjoy fruits as much as chips; perhaps one chip-one fruit can be the deal! Where possible, it is advisable to avoid food products made from genetically modified grains and vegetables. The food has a direct impact on the mind and when consumed over a period of time, has a definite impact on the nature or attitude of the child.

Above all this, as parents, it is important to spend quality time doing ‘nothing’ with your child. Just sitting with them without looking at our mobile phones, giving complete attention to what they have to say, just being with them 100 per cent gives a great sense of security to the child. An insecure child is more likely to succumb to aggression than one who feels secure and attended to.

Teach children that the one who smiles come-what-may is stronger.

Show them when to stand up for what is right, and when to walk away from a fight.

As much as you can, protect their innocence.

As much as you can, give them pride in non-violence.

Thinking like a startup aids the Governments to decipher more problems.

Weiss clarifies in nine parts how business visionaries both inside and outside of government can handle issues by review them as promising circumstances, attempting novel thoughts, increasing them, and improving public life.”I’m not saying we should take every one of the practices of business visionaries and import them into government. Be that as it may, we ought to adjust the abilities and practices of business for the public area,” he says. Prior to joining the HBS personnel and making the MBA course Public Entrepreneurship, Weiss was head of staff to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. In 2010, Weiss helped to establish the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, one of the primary huge city development workplaces in the United States.

In April 2013, he helped guide the city hall leader’s office’s reaction to the assaults on the Boston Marathon. At HBS, he has helped construct the Young American Leaders Program and is a consultant to the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.One thing he has picked up during his years in broad daylight administration: Officials don’t release projects when they are coming up short, nor do they scale projects when they are succeeding.”Anybody who has at any point been near the public area will perceive this issue of pilots that are left to wait,” Weiss says. So it’s fundamental for us to attempt new things in fast and productive manners and continue forward from them, in the end, if the first thought doesn’t demonstrate productive.

Probability government is the quest for novel projects and administrations by open authorities and their external private accomplices that, by ethicalness of their curiosity, are simply conceivably liable to work, which implies they most likely will not work. This is as opposed to likelihood government, which is the quest for projects and administrations that “work” yet regularly accomplish mediocre results. Likelihood government is the thing that we have more often than not in many spots, and probability government is the thing that we need a greater amount of in the event that we will really take care of public issues anyplace. In the event that there were ever a period for it, this is it. Given the deficiency of confidence in governments all throughout the planet, we need another methodology. Also, given advances in innovation, there are openings for us to attempt to utilize them in suitable and accommodating manners now. There’s the blend of a not insignificant rundown of issues, expected arrangements, potential arrangement suppliers among business visionaries in and outside of government that is a source of inspiration. What we’ve seen in the course of the several years is individuals turning on one another, and I figure probability may bear the cost of a route for them to really cooperate and take care of issues.

This is as of now occurring, with pockets of public business venture from one side of the planet to the other. In the US, there are stunning public business people in certain spots. What’s more, it is additionally evident somewhere else. We would all be shrewd to think about the thing they are doing. At the point when I am with chairmen across the globe through our Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, I have met unimaginably inventive pioneers whom a portion of my American partners and partners could gain from. Indeed, even where we ought not repeat definitely what they do in various nations and systems, we do have to up our desire to move quickly, and a piece of that is seeing and gaining from what others are doing.

Be kind to everyone

It is humbling to think that I have so much to give, when the truth is I have so much more to learn.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is that each and every one of us can change the world!

It’s not results that soothe our souls; it’s actions. In a difficult world, kindness has amazing power.

Every day people endure stressful jobs, demanding relationships, and backbreaking responsibility. Every day people battle life threatening disease, face uncertain futures, and struggle to survive.

Each moment of our lives, someone, somewhere, is in need of kindness.

What you do for others energizes the universe. What you do for the universe energizes you.

Go slowly. Breathe, smile, and be present. Seek opportunities to make a difference, embrace the moments, and be grateful for every choice you make.

Breathe.

Opportunities for relaxing meditation exist in every episode of your life.

One that I particularly enjoy is strolling through a bustling airport. Always surrounded by a whirlwind of activity I become entranced in a guessing game of intentions. Where have travelers been? Where are they going? Are they smiling or crying, bundled up or in flip flops? Conquering the world, or leaving the world behind?

One can choose to be engulfed by the mayhem, or detached, able to savor each moment.

Smile when you check in, even if the person behind the counter has obviously had a bad day. Help someone stow their carry-on luggage, even if it takes the space you had spotted for your own.

Accept a delay as a chance to slow down, even if it means missing a connection. I doubt that pilots and flight attendants enjoy delays any more than passengers, and life will continue on its merry way with or without us.

My favorite moment is when the aircraft door closes. The past disappears and the future becomes real. I sit back, relax, and as the jet engines spool up, close my eyes and welcome the vibrations of another new journey.

Smile at everyone you meet.

A smile is a miracle worker.

It makes us more attractive and can change our mood. No one can deny that smiling is contagious. Many have written that smiling relieves stress, boosts your immune system, and releases endorphins and serotonin. A smile can light up your face and make you look younger. A smile is a gift that we receive only by giving to others!

The greatest gift of a smile is that it keeps nothing for itself. Its purpose is to give, to console, to inspire, to cherish, to love, to multiply. Give yours freely to others. Spread happiness and feel it grow inside you. Be contagious.

Your smile brings light to the world. Would you deny the world moments of brightness?

Share your thoughts.

My thoughts are my own, and unsolicited.

Contribute to Tiny Buddha and other sites that inspire your spirit.

Submit your best effort at expressing your thoughts. Post a comment on the efforts of others. Why wait until there’s a free book giveaway to share a few words? The world wants to hear what you have to say.

As I’m sure you’ve read here many times, blog posts can arrive at just the right moment in a person’s life. Send your thoughts on their way. Someone may welcome them with open arms.

It takes courage to put your thoughts out there. Be courageous. It only takes a few moments.

Practice compassion.

Many years ago my niece died of cancer at the age of twenty-one. She was an adventurous spirit, confident and vocal. I spent many afternoons and evenings with her hand in mine as she rested uncomfortably. Her facial expressions unmasked the pain that spread within her dying body.

On better days she would tell me how she loved her visits with other patients, most of them much younger than her. These same young children I passed in the hallways, brave young children wheeling their life support beside them, and almost always smiling. I have no doubt that my niece helped create a few of those smiles.

As we all know, cancer spreads far beyond the children’s hospital that lovingly cared for my niece. We can make a difference in the lives of others by sharing our time and compassion.

Jacque’s favorite expression was “cool beans!” I don’t hear it often, but when I do, it’s like turning my gaze toward the sunshine.

Feed the hungry.

like to eat, and I would wager that you do too!

I was raised on meat and potatoes with sit-down family dinners, and never wanted for food on the table. I miss my mother’s cooking and the early evening conversations.

What I’ve never had to do is stand on a street corner and beg for food, dig through restaurant trash bins, or go to bed hungry.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, hunger touches every community.

Every community also has a food bank. It’s very easy to volunteer, and many who are hungry will benefit from your actions.

Live a giving life.

Life becomes complicated when its difficulties overpower our capacity to love others, to share our compassion, and to simply find time in our busy schedules to live a giving life.

Make a difference! Give to receive! Reap what you sow!

No matter what situation you find yourself in, come from a place of kindness and you will always treat others in the way they’re meant to be treated.

Let go of complicated. Choose simple. Make

MAHASHWETA-THE BEST READ

Author: Sudha Murty.
No. of pages: 154.
Publisher’s name: Penguin books India.
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Genre: Fiction
Mahashweta was written by sudha murthy.Sudha Murty was born into a Deshastha Madhwa Brahmin family on 19 August 1950 in Shiggaon, Haveri in Karnataka, India, the daughter of surgeon Dr. R. H. Kulkarni and his wife Vimala Kulkarni. She was raised by her parents and maternal grandparents. It is a Kannada novel which concerns a female protagonist named Anupama. This novel deals with the issue of leukoderma. This story revolves around a lady Anupama who is so beautiful and brilliant. One day when she was acting in the Sanskrit play titled Mahashwetha a rich doctor fallen in love with her. Both of them got married and Anand has to leave to England for higher studies, Anupama stayed in India to attend lakshmi puja. At that time anupama got white patches and it resulted in leukoderma. Her mother in law throwed her out of her house .Even Anand doesn’t support her he left her. Anupama didn’t get any reply from anand for her letters.She stays with her family in her village. Anupamma was very depressed and attempted suicide. Anupamma was a strong person and she decides to rebuild her life. With the help of her friend she comes to Mumbai where she learns to live life again.There she got good friends and worked as a Sanskrit teacher.She built a good carrier.Anand realized his mistake and want to live with anupamma .One day he came to Bombay to attend international medical seminar and he was invited by his friend to see a Sanskrit play.At the play he came to know that it was anupamma’s play.he got her address from a servant and next day he went to meet her. He begs her to forgive him and return to his life. But anupamma makes her decision clear.She said husband, children, love are irrelevant to her. The novel ends with the planning for another drama with one of her student.
Mahashweta is an inspiring story of courage. This novel deals with the social stigma of leukoderma. I loved this book because of the powerful protagonist character that is shown. She faced many challenges and inspires everyone. The words that are used by an author are very simple. This novel gives a social message.This is about finding yourself. It gives message that no matter how hard the circumstances but we should keep yourself positive.Courage and confidence are the real wealth in life.we should have strong mind and kind hearted.This book is very close to my heart.Anupamma is my favourite character in sudha murthy.
My verdict:
I loved this book. I love how powerful the protagonist’s character is shown. She is shown a beautiful person inspite of the many challenges life has thrown at her. She never loses heart and welcomes every day with a smile on her face. I also love how a ‘never say die” attitude she has. Among Sudha Murty’s female protagonist’s, Anupama is my favorite. Do read this book guys. Its a really wonderful story.
Rating: 4.5/5

‘Gently falls the bakula’ by Sudha Murty

Gently falls the bakula is written by Sudha Murty.

The story starts with the two main characters Shrikant & Shrimati who are neighbours in a trivial village Hubli. They both are shown as cut throat competitors in schools and later their story turned into a teenage romance. Though, they were neighbours there was a history of rivalry between Shrimati and Shrikant ‘s families. But their love kept blooming like the bakula flowers on the bakula tree which stand tall between Shrikant and Shrimati ‘s bedroom.

After their schooling, Shrimati decided to study History and Literature at a local college, Shrikant whereas got selected at IIT Bombay and their love story turned into a series of love letters which they wrote to each other.

Despite of the rivalry which existed between Shrikant and Shrimati ‘s family, they both got married. Shrikant got a job in Bombay and Shrimati got an offer to study History in America by Professor Collins. Shrikant accepted his job offer at Bombay whereas Shrimati had to decline the offer to study abroad so that she could move to Bombay with Shrikant. This really highlights patriarchy and how it is sustaining through ages. Shrimati sacrificed her passion for history only because she was married to Shrikant.

Shrikant, who has now entered the corporate world was so self-loathed in his progress such that he was now taking Shrimati for granted. Shrimati, was also being ill-treated by Gangakka (Shrikant’s mother) and was feeling dreadful and lonely in the crowded city of Bombay. Shrikant was always exhausted by his corporate job and had no time to keep his marriage alive.

Shrimati had never imagined her subtle, beautiful and modest life in Hubli would change into loneliness and dark days in Bombay. Moreover, Shrikant’s affection for Shrimati would deteriorate with days passing by, fights and arguments started taking place between them.

Shrimati was tired of her dreadful life in Bombay and decided to look after her first love, History because her second love Shrikant was diminishing. She contacted Professor Collins who had proposed her to study History in Asian university in America. Eventually, Professor Collins proposed the same offer for her but this time Shrimati had made up her mind to follow her dreams, follow who she is and follow what she wants to be.

The story classically ends, Shrimati leaving India and Shrikant not able to change anything about it.

The Bakula flower which was signified as the love between Shrimati and Shrikant had fallen gently as the title says ‘Gently falls the bakula’.

The novel, is a tale of a marriage getting failed due to lack of time, communication and self-pride. Shrimati chose herself at the end signifies how important it is to follow our dreams. Though, the story ends at a sad note, the end of the novel totally gives justice to the title.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen – Book review

Jane Austen (December 1775 – July 1817) was an English novelist. The plots of her novel were often based on the situation of women; how their social and economic status totally depended on the family they are married to. She used social commentary, humor and realism to express her thoughts. Her works were approximately based on her social background. The books that she wrote were highly influenced by moral issues.

Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813, is one of the most recognized works of Jane Austen. The story revolves around Elizabeth Bennet (Lizzy) and how her character changes and develops through. It is a romantic comedy about how a man and woman surrender their pride and prejudice and come to realize their feelings for each other. It also shows how in the 1800, the only way to lead a decent and content life a woman had to marry in a rich house.

Elizabeth is the second oldest daughter out of five of the Bennet family. The Bennet family is a combination of both silly and wise personalities. Mrs. Bennet is a lady of uncertain temper and mean understanding. Jane, the oldest daughter, was very beautiful comparatively among the five. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was quick-minded, cultured and wise. Mary was fond of reading while Catharine and Lydia spent their time flirting with youngmen, especially militia. Mr. Bennet, was the owner of Longbourn state, but he had no son but five daughters. Accordingly, the property would be inherited by a cousin of his leaving the daughters economically unstable. Mrs. Bennet was always keen to find a suitable and wealthy gentleman to marry at least one of her daughters off. It was a matter of great importance as at least one of the five needs to be economically stable to help the others. Elizabeth, considered the wisest, is often ashamed of her mother’s sheepish behavior.

The events take place when the Bingley’s arrive in Hertfordshire where the Bennets reside. The daughter of Bennets and Mr. Bingley were introduced at a ball dance party. Mr. Bingley is attracted to Jane at their first meeting. While Mr. Darcy is a close friend of Mr. Bingley who is also present in the party. Darcy is usually an attractive person but is full of pride and haughtiness. Elizabeth gets provoked by Darcy’s comment on her claiming that she wasn’t pretty enough to dance with him. However, he falls for her wisdom and quick mindedness. Mr. Bingley begins to fall in love with Jane and Jane too. However, Mr. Darcy is logical and believes that Jane is after his money and so plays a role in separating them. The Bennets give up the hope of Jane’s marriage to Mr. Bingley and are disappointed, especially Mrs. Bennet whose aim in life is to marry her daughters.

Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham can be considered the antagonists who have created more toil in Elizabeth’s life. The Bingley sisters are no less; they carried a superior behavior towards Elizabeth. Mr. Wickham first shows interest towards Lizzy filling her up with hatred towards Darcy but then engages someone else. Wickham later elopes with Lydia, the youngest daughter of Bennets. Later demands money to marry her and they have to do the same to save their reputation. Among these events Elizabeth is proposed to by Mr. Darcy and she, ignorant of the truth and full of hatred towards him, refuses him coldly. However, she later comes to know the true character of Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy, and regrets her past actions and prejudices.

The novel provides the reader cognizance through the chapters. It is a piece of reading which is more meaningful and worthy of learning than just entertainment. We learn more while reading it instead of getting a lesson at the end. It shows how even a sharp minded woman is dependent on her spouse to lead a good life. Not only this, but it gives us some life lessons and a new view to someone’s personality.

But to expose the former faults of any person without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable.
– Jane

Doing things we don’t mean to and ending up hurting others. We can never judge a person by what we hear from others.

It is very often nothing but our own vanity that deceives us.
– Jane

One can never be perfect. There is always room to improve. Too much pride may make us blind at times. There are times we skip the options that are right for us by underestimating them.

The novel contains a not rushed story with tons of valuable lessons.

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

Hollowness: that I understand. I’m starting to believe that there isn’t anything you can do to fix it. The holes in your life are permanent. You have to grow around them, like tree roots around concrete; you mold yourself through the gaps.
-Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train

This is for all the girls who have just experienced a breakup. I just want you to understand that it was not your fault, so stop blaming yourself.

Breakups can be a shambles. Breakups can be excruciating. People also use memes to mask their pain and turn it into a source of amusement. They are aware, however, that it will not be easy. The agony you’re experiencing is indescribable, and no one could possibly comprehend it. You’re stuck in a rut, unsure of what to do next. Is it time to move on or not? Was he going to return or not? Is it better if I call or if he calls? Is he going through the same thing I am right now?

All of these questions have the same answer: ‘It doesn’t matter.’

What matters is how you’re keeping things together. Is it fair to be so harsh on yourself? You weren’t solely to blame. Perhaps you should set aside some time for yourself. What if he doesn’t return? So, what’s the point? You’ve got your friends, family, and, most importantly, you’ve got yourself. “But I just want him,” I know you’re wondering right now. You don’t want him, that’s the truth. YOU DON’T WANT HIM, BELIEVE ME. He abandoned you in this mess. He said he wouldn’t, but he did anyway. He deceived you. It’s time for you to do the same. He walked away without looking back, and it’s time for you to do the same. It’s past time for you to forgive yourself.

This is just like the girl on the train. Rachel, who recently experienced a breakup, is unable to accept the harsh reality. She also believes Tom loves her and that he will return. Everyone assumes she’s just a drunk girl who’s lost her job and has a broken heart.

Is anybody a fan of suspense novels? If you answered yes, you should probably read this at least once. It’s not great, but it’s not horrible either. You won’t be able to figure out who the killer is.

Apart from that, there is a lot of lying in this storey. All is deceiving one another. Many secrets are kept locked in the recesses of their minds. Loved ones are kept in the dark about secrets. However, with all of the lying, I began to doubt the confidence. Who could be trusted by whom? Rachel had faith in Tom. Scott had faith in Rachel. Anna had faith in Tom. Megan had faith in Kamal Abdic. Despite this, they all ended up rejecting each other. Okay, well, Rachel trusted herself in the end.

That’s one of the things I loved about this book: she wanted to see the whole picture and trust her intuition over Tom’s words. This is a tale about three women who were once strong but had become vulnerable as a result of their circumstances. Don’t let it happen to you as well. Have faith in yourself. Fight for your own interests. Because you are the best, girl.

‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’- Book by Khaled Hosseini

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”

Book Review - A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Genre: Contemporary, Historical Fiction
First Publication: 2007
Language: English
Major Characters: Laila, Mariam, Rasheed, Tariq
Setting Place: Herat and Kabul, Afghanistan
Theme: History and Memory in Afghanistan, Suffering and Perseverance, Shame and Reputation, Love, Loyalty, and Belonging, Gender Relations and Female Friendship.
Narrator: The story is told in the third person, alternating between Laila’s and Mariam’s points of view.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a Heartbreaking story of Mariam and Laila. It represents the stereotypes against women and also implies the common quote, ‘Woman is woman’s worst enemy and a best friend’. The Storytelling is perfect and at no moment the reader feels bored or thought of putting it away.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini stretches over decades and talks about the Afghan history in which the Soviets invaded and the Taliban took over and time after that. It revolves around the story of two heroines: Mariam and Laila. Both are born and brought up differently but the severity of the war and their fate brings them together.

While all the characters are fictional in this novel, the reader feels sad after reading it. The story of both the women is heartbreaking, I myself was shoving nails into my head while reading this book. It is a great melancholic representation of the sufferings of the Afghan people.

It deals with various injustices done against women. Most of them are portrayed through Rasheed. Khaled Hosseini explicitly deals with domestic violence, Discrimination in providing education to the girl child (Aziza; Laila and Tariq’s daughter), Exploitation of women’s right to freedom, and many more. He has also glorified the qualities of motherhood and sisterhood among the women.

This novel includes the romance of Tariq and Laila which shortly turns into a tragedy. But maybe Hosseini felt a little pity for his readers and thus united both of them towards the end of the novel.

‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ is a disheartening novel and it may not be a good choice for sensitive readers. Almost 3/4^th of the novel is following a melancholic theme. The reader cries at the agonies and miseries faced by these two women. It is indeed a masterpiece by Khaled Hosseini. If the reader is okay with the gloomy factor of this novel then definitely should give it a try. You can purchase your own copy of this novel from here.

‘I too had a Love Story’

Book: I too had a Love Story

Author: Ravinder Singh

Publication: Penguin Metro Reads

Genre: Romantic Tragedy

Not everyone in this world has the fate to cherish the fullest form of love. Some are born just to experience the abbreviation of it.
‘I too had a Love Story’, Ravinder Singh.

When we think of Romantic Tragedy the stories that strike our minds are Laila and Majnu, Romeo and Juliet, Heer and Ranjha, etc. We admire their passion for love because they chose death over the separation. This book ‘I too had a Love Story’ is also a Romantic Tragedy but unlike those mentioned previously, it does not deal with the death of both the hero and the heroine instead tells us how difficult it becomes when a person in love is left alone.

The Novel consists of 9 chapters marking the different stages of the relationship between the hero, Ravinder, and the heroine, Khushi. ‘I too had a Love Story’ is an autobiography by Ravinder Singh. This book deals with his love life. But unlike the other love stories, this love story is very special to him. It is because of this book that he found his life partner; who met him after she read this novel and fell in love with him.

The Story starts with the reunion of four friends; Amardeep, Manpreet, Happy, and Ravinder. The reunion builds up the plot of Marriage. The story is then diverted to Ravinders’ when he creates a profile on a Matrimonial Site. On the matrimonial site, he meets the love of his life, Khushi. After talking for a while they find themselves madly in love with each other. This novel also tries to break the stereotype against Long Distance Relationships when Ravin had to move to Connecticut. Unlike the sayings, their relationship did not break because of the distance. They managed their relationship off the distance. This novel allows the reader to witness the courtship period between the engagement and the wedding to its fullest. The Author neatly builds up the plot where all the reader expects and excited is for the wedding to happen. But then the Author strikes his final chord when the heroine of the story, Khushi meets with an accident; It breaks the heart of the reader. The final chapters’ reading is equivalent to walking the fiery path. It hurts but you can’t stop until you finish.

The Author precisely plays with the emotions of a reader; The reader sheds tears along with the hero for his loss. It keeps the reader hooked to the love story from the starting till the end. Many readers have credited this book as the one you can’t put down. It is indeed a beautiful love story written by Ravinder Singh. Indian Express remarks about the author, ‘Singh has beautifully portrayed the various emotions of life and love’

If you are a beginner in this reading world and also enjoy Romance or Tragedy, then this book is totally made for you. You can purchase this book from here. Just go for it…!!!

THE ALCHEMIST

Book : The Alchemist
Original Title : O Alquimista (Portuguese)
Author : Paulo Coelho
Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers LLC
Genre : Quest, Adventure, Fantasy

The majority of the people we see are members of a community. In a dynamic and traditional world, When we’re together, when we look around, we notice that most people are doing similar things, even though their priorities are different. However, if we come across someone who matches our criteria when searching, someone who dares to be different, someone who pays attention to their surroundings. I believe we have found the most courageous among us.

The Alchemist is a mystical fable about the importance of pursuing one’s dreams. The tale of a young shepherd boy who longs to travel and discover a secret that no one else has ever found is wonderfully told by the poet. He continued on his search for the lost treasure in the pyramids. He learned a lot on his journey, read a lot of books, battled with those who got in his way, survived the mighty desert, and finally realised that a person’s treasure is where his heart is. He discovered that it is our decisions, not destiny, that determine what happens to us.

The path to find the treasure is jam-packed with life lessons. Paulo Coelho’s – The Alchemist – became an international bestseller after being translated into 56 languages and selling over 43 million copies worldwide. This book teaches us that we are the masters of our own destiny and captains of our own dreams. It’s a must-read for anyone who has ever doubted themselves. So, if you just pick up one book during the lockdown, make it this one.

SITA- THE WARRIOR OF MITHILA

Book: Sita – The Warrior of Mithila
Author: Amish Tripathi
Publisher: Westend Publishers
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology

We’ve grown up hearing exciting mythological stories, whether from the Mahabharat, the Ramayan, or other sagas, and we’ve only ever seen them from this perspective. The book Sita gives us various perspectives on Sita’s life, who is best known to most of us as Lord Ram’s wife. The book chronicles her life and the battles she faced before marrying Lord Ram. Her abduction is the only important aspect of her life that most people are aware of. This novel, on the other hand, shows Sita in a variety of colours that many people are unaware of. Sita is depicted in the book as being as fierce, strong, and witty as her husband. In a world where we struggle for feminism and equal rights, this book is essential reading.

Sita fights for her own and others’ interests. Sita is more than a princess; she is a warrior who was raised for a greater purpose: to protect our dharma and to unite India under her leadership. The author has arranged it in the most beautiful and wonderful way possible, from the depiction of environments to the characters and plot. This work of fiction incorporates all mythological elements thus giving Sita’s character the highest priority and fully explaining it. This is a good book to read if you’re interested in learning more about Indian myths or female warriors.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH

John Steinbeck won a Pulitzer Prize and a Nobel Prize for his novel The Grapes of Wrath, which was inspired by the Great Depression. The story follows the journey of a poor family of Joads who were pushed out of their homes and land in Oklahoma after the banks confiscated them during the Great Depression, leaving the family homeless. In the expectation of better pay, the family and other poor tenants are persuaded to move to California.

Steinbeck aptly captures the farmers’ disappointment as they learn that the California dream they were sold was nothing more than a mirage. We are given a brief overview of life at these migrant camps through the eyes of Tom Joad, the main protagonist. During the gold rush, families could hardly scrape together enough money to feed themselves, while the wealthy profited from their labour.

Throughout the novel, we see the different challenges that these poor farmers face, from being shot for forming labour unions to family members leaving due to poverty’s hardships. When you read about the inequitable care migrant workers get, the heartbreaking injustice they experience, and the bleak and serious consequences of vulturistic capitalism that poor people face, you know that Steinbeck was able to write a book that is still socio-politically important 75 years later.

The miserable living conditions of farmers, as well as the exploitative existence of landlords, can be seen in modern society. The book appeals to many working-class people because of its authentic depiction of their struggles. When the book was first published, it drew a lot of criticism and was largely banned in California, with accusations that Steinbeck was supporting communist propaganda.

I strongly advise people to add this American classic to their reading lists because it is a beautiful story about humanity, hope, and agitation that is particularly pertinent in these times.

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Author

Lessions

summary

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Introduction

About Book

About Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Story

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Grandpa shares the Buddha story

Look out for the media children are exposed to

Handling aggression

Engaging children in meaningful activities

What kind of stories are we telling our children?

Food is important

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Breathe.

Smile at everyone you meet.

Share your thoughts.

Practice compassion.

Feed the hungry.

Live a giving life.

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“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”

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“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”