BANARAS : A Civilisational City

This is Manickarnika, where death is auspicious,
 where life is fruitful,
where one grazes the pastures of heaven. 
There is no tirtha like Manikarnika,
There is no city like Kashi,
There is no linga like visheshwara, 
not in the whole universe.

Banaras: City of Light is written by Diana L. Eck. Before we proceed further to review the book, it is pertinent to discuss the credentials of the author. She is a professor of comparative religion and Indian studies in the Harvard University. She has written books on spirituality, religion, especially on India. The book was published in 1981. 

The book is divided in eight chapters dealing with different aspects of the city. The chapters range from discussion on Shiva temples of Banaras to the events, on Ganges and the seasons. The book richly contains appendix and a detailed notes and glossary which gives it a complete treat for someone who is new to India or wants to explore the city in a holistic manner on its own. The author has not limited herself to the hearsay but studied Indian texts and learned Sanskrit. She got trained under noted academicians of the time in BHU and pandits having command over texts. The references from recent times as well as Kashi Khandas, puranas call for a deeper study of the book. 

At one place, the book originally distinguishes the type of Brahmins who have their own cutout tasks like Pandits (teachers), Pujari (temple priest), Pandas (Pilgrim priest), Mahant‘s (heads of large Temple complex) and Vyas (story tellers) which is not even known to most of the Indians. 

The scholarship of the book can be caused from the fact that it has reproduced maps from the times when Ghazi invaded India years and accounts of British officers and historical data available in Gazateers and journals of James Princep. Though lot of changes have happened on the ground level stii it gives a fair idea of how the city looked like in 1800s.

Mark Twain once wrote "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together!". Lewis Mumford once remarked about Benaras that "it is a energy converted into culture."

The author while emphasising on the need for taking religious trips for grahasthas mentions that God Indra in Aitreya Brahmana urges Rohita:

"There is no happiness for him who does not travel, Rohita! Thus, we have heard. Living in the society of men, the best man becomes a sinner... therefore wander!

 The feet of the wanderer are like the flower, his soul is growing and reaping the fruit; and all his sins are destroyed by his fatigues in wandering. Therefore, wander!

The fortune of him who is sitting, sits; it rises when he rises; it sleeps when he sleeps; it moves when he moves. Therefore, wander!

The book introduces names of Kashi which I've heard for first time even though I've visited more than a dozen time. It includes, Kashi : the city of Light, (Kash is a long grass with silver colored flower); Varanasi : the area lying betweeen Varuna and Assi river (Banaras is derived from the corrupted name of Baranasi), Avimukta : the never forsaken (Shiva never leaves the city, the concept of Kshetra Sanyas is discussed which a unique concept); Anandvana : the forest of Bliss (where Sat, Chit, ananda are always present); Rudravasa : The city of Shiva; the Mahashamshana : the great cremation ground (where dead can be cremated anywhere and at anytime. Infact it is the only place where Hindus can cremate even at night). Sham means shava (corpse) and shana refers to Shayana (a bed). 

In the chapter 2, "Banaras in historical Perspective",  the evolution of the city from Aryan times to Mauryan - Guptan empire days and upto Muslim rulers and colonial rule is discussed. It was one of the Mahajanapadas. The author mentions that once the muslim age started the greatest temples of Krittivasa, Omkara, Mahadeva, Madhyamaheshwara, Vishveshvara, Bindu Madhava and Kal Bhairava were destroyed and most of these temples didn't saw resurgence after that. Few idols were hidden in nearby houses but most of the temples were razed to the ground. Later on the Maharajas of Benaras, the Singh family and Marathas especially rebuilt Benaras as it was this city which sheltered Shiva ji. 

In chapter 3 "The City of Shiva" the author devotes entire chapter to the Lord Shiva. It is for him that he "challenges any faciles distinctions between sacred and profance, rich and poor, high and low."  It is here where the author introduces to the concept of Chala and achala lingas, kshanika linga, svayambhu and sthapita lingas. A basic introduction to all the Shiva temples in the city is in this chapter. from Avimukteswara to Kedareshwara. Chapter 4 titled "The sacred Circle of All the Gods", the discussion ranges from King Divodasa to Gods and Goddesses' residing in the city like Annapurana, Shitala, Durga, Sankata Devi, Vishalakshi, Ganesh, Adi Keshava, Vishnu. 

Chapter 5 is on the lifeline of Benaras and North India, River Ganga titled "The River Ganges and the Great Ghats". The author quotes from Kashi Khanda as "I am Vishwanath, the Lord, Kashi is the light of liberation. The waves of the River of Heavenare the wine of immortality. What can these three not provide?" The introduction to the tirthas and ghats along the river are revelation with brief histroy of each major ghat like Panchganga ghat, Kedara ghat and the greatest of all The Manikarnika ghat. 

In "Seasons and Times" the relevance of seasons and festivals falling in that particular period are mentioned. Like chaturmasa, Kajali Tij, Lolarka Shasthi, Sorahia Mela, Shravan maas celebrations and Annakuta. While in "City of All India" and "City of the Good Life" and "City of Death and Liberation" the general information of the city and scriptures mentioning the mahatmya of the city. 

The 6 appendixes that follow the main text enlists some important factual information which is further strengthened by glossary and notes. For someone who intends to visit Banaras or not, if he wants to know about the oldest civilisational city in detail, this is a must read. It is  must have in collection of books.

 

ANNUAL DAY ADDRESS IN DMPS, RAEBARELI

ADDRESS ON THE ANNUAL DAY OF DAYAWATI MODI PUBLIC SCHOOL , RAEBARELI (MY ALMA MATER) ON 18.12.2024

Today's arrival is not as chief guest but more of a homecoming. After the demise of my father, this school, teachers, and staff were like extended family. Being a boy in his adolescence there was plenty of room for departure from what we call a good boy but timely intervention has helped to take corrective action. 
I remember how  as a small kid I entered these hallowed campus and Mr. BR Dubey was the principal. Modi school was the pride of Raebareli and neighbouring districts. Over the years, Mt Rodrigues, Mr RMD Abreo have served the campus. We spent a few years in the guest house school where Mrs. Rodrigues was the sole teacher. So many things change but yet everything remains the same.
Today amongst us we have parents and students. This occasion does not call for a lecture but I am tempted to give a few sermons to my younger friends. First try to expand your thinking from just rote learning to understanding. Remember curiosity is the key creativity, be curious even for the smallest of things. As to why your body shivers when you encounter a cold? Remember it is the open mind which can take you places. The entrepreneurs of the 21st generation will not be the one who have money but the one who has an idea, a thought which can transform. Today's giants Amazon, Tesla, Nvidia all are first generation entrepreneurs and they have left the traditional industrialist miles away. Learning by doing.
Focus on health and sports as a healthy body provides and nourishes a healthy mind. There is a saying that if you have 100 problems in life until you have a health problem, then you have only one problem. 
Personality development:
What is personality is not describable in words. Why is it when sometimes a person enters a room you adore him/her? There are few checkpoints which you can tick and which will yield you exponential results:
Punctuality
Honesty  
Clear speaking
Command over any language
Now coming to very hot topics these days, the advent of Instagram reels, tiktok and youtube shorts. You must have read that recently Australia has banned social media for kids below 16 years. I must admit reels are very addictive, they are akin to drugs. It has not only affected kids, it has overbearing nature over all walks of life. Everyone is affected, some are creating and others consuming. The security personnel are watching reels on duty, students watching in school, drivers scrolling while driving. This divided attention has caused several accidents. For a kid, the kind of havoc these social media is playing is not evident completely. We have to use it sensibly, it is a powerful tool but there is a certain age which it can assist. If you use social media there is an obsessive urge to check what is going on . the FOMO factor kicks in. We need to focus on our careers first. Thankfully in our times there was no Insta. 
Parents have to say that don't chain your kid to some competitive exam, see what are his strengths and weaknesses. If maths is good and english is bad, then put focus on maths, it'll give you results. Let him play for some time. Ask him to read newspaper, general reading. Tell him about mythology, culture, family history. COMMUNICATE. We have observed that one kid reaches 15-16 years, parents only talk about studies, how it is going, when the exam is. Don’t limit your parenting to exams only. Talk with him/her. Even if there is negativity around, don't put your child in such an atmosphere. Be positive and talk positively. It’ll help him make a better social person, a good citizen. 
Teachers  are real heroes, they may not realise because they also are humans first. I remember how this school has been shaped by its teachers and staff. When I look upon Siddhu Ma’am I wonder what she is made up of. Do we chisel such personalities now? In the last 35 years or so I have seen her with the same discipline and enthusiasm, she has called dozens of times just to ensure everything is in place. We need that grit in today's teachers and students and even if we have few then it is a blessing for institutions. It said that it takes a village to raise a child, it’s even true today. Only the village has been replaced by a community. I remember in our times anyone can correct us if we were wrong no matter what his position was.
I have already taken a lot of your time but having a captive audience is such an attractive proposition that I could not hold back. 
Sky is not the limit and believe yourself, you all are special. Have a certain go getter attitude. The young have changed the world and you can.

THE GOLDEN ROAD : A GOLDEN ERA

THE GOLDEN ROAD : 

HOW ANCIENT INDIA TRANSFORMED THE WORLD

WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, BLOOMSBURY, 2024

William Dalrymple does not need an introduction. Every reader has heard his name even if he hasn't read his works. His readership spreads from serious history researchers to casual history enthusiasts, from serious UPSC Civil services aspirants of History optionals to general studies specific students, from Indians interested in their cultural revivals to global readers interested in South-East Asia and especially India. 

Recently, I have read his "The Golden Road" published by Bloomsbury which is about India's golden era where the dominance extended from Central Asia to China to South East Asia. The extent of influence was such that the entire cities were built on the patterns as in Bharatvarsh and Kings ruling in the name of Hindu dieties what he broadly terms as Indosphere.

The book is presented in 10 chapters revolving around the common theme of Indic influence transcending geographical borders. In "A Gale of Stillness", the author traverses through the discovery of Ajanta to the influence of Buddhism on Alexander and further Europe. He mentions, 

"the doctrine of Buddha was at once a philosophy, an ideology and a method, a practical spiritual path of mental training and discipline..."

The reason Ashok became Buddhist and recommended to common people was that he regarded Buddhism as best path to tolerance and pluralism by adopting non-violence, morality and moderation. He further analyses role of Viharas (monastry) and wealthy upper class as instrumental in the spread of Buddhism. 

In "India : The Sink of the world's most precious metals", he talks about how the trade with Europe was favourable for India and items like spices, ebony, sandalwood, diamonds, silk, elephant tusk, rubies and Indian Cotton were in huge demand. The excavations have revealed the extent of inroads made through trade. The situation led to adverse balance of payments that emissaries were sent for settlement of debtas Romans were unable to pay (yes, its true). This Gold drain reaced such a stage that for a certain period export to Rome was halted. 

The third chapter "The Great King, King of Kings, Son of God" deals with Kushan empire and Kanishk. The reference of Kumarjiva and his travel to China is a new insight which I have not read before. In "The Sea of Jewels" and "The Fifth Concubine" the discusssion how Buddhism reached and dominated China after stiff competition with Daoism and Confucianism and role of Wu Zetian (an interesting historical figure) in spread of Buddhism is discussed. The detail with which Dalrymple has woven the book is remarkable. We have to commend the kind of diverse reading he had to done.  

"The Diaspora of Gods" and "In the lands of Gold" is dedicated to the outreach of Southern Empires of Pallavas to Cambodia, Sumatra and Java, expanse of Khmer Empire and how the climatic and geographical similarities led to convergence. The construction of Angkor Wat, use of Mandala rules in the construction of Borobudur. He writes 

"The two shores of the ocean formed part of one integral maritime unit, an Indosphere sharing a common culture and sacred language, a sanskritic union of monsoon Asia. ... At this eastern terminus of the Golden Road, the monsoon-blown waters of the Bay of Bengal did not divide but instead connected and united."

The chapters details how Cambodia and India had shared ancestry and how Ramayana and Mahabharat became most celebrated topics, Sanskrit became the official language of the government.

"The Treasury of the books of the Wisdom" and "Fruits of the Science of Numbers" deals with the contribution of India in the field of mathematics and numeracy, science with contributions of Aryabhata, Brahmagupta. The import of Indic knowledge system of Ayurveda, mathematucs, astrology and philosophy to Central Asia. The dedication of the rulers of Baghdad to build a respository of all world knowledge led to development of a great library titled "Bayt al-Hikma". Its tragic that Baghdad has fallen from such a height. The impact of Indian Knowledge System was so much that India was recognised as "The first nation to have cultivated science is India." Infact the Fibonacci Sequence is attributed to the initial work done by Aryabhata. one intersting fact which finds mention in the book is that Md. Ghuri who destroyed sacred temples and repurposed them as mosques belonged to a Sunni Sect called Karramiya, which was regarded as heretical and his coins featured Goddess Laksmi. The chapter draws down to the adventures and capture of India by Europeans. He adds that the India's Golden Road spread its influence not through the sword but through the ideas. The cultural and civilisational transformations of the nations, societies it touched was through philosophy, religion, scholarship, art and skill sets.

The book explores India's journey from ancient to medieval to modern era. Reading history from various sources as precursor to civil services examination was a must. Good thing is that the history as a subject even today has its charm for me and this is where I found this book as a compulsory read. Dalrymple has been recognised as one of the few authors whose scholarly work has appeal amongst masses also. His podcast is hugely popular. There was debate sometimes back as to why historians failed in India to carry everyday history to the masses and popularise it. This postion is more challenging today due to advent of incessant knowledge flow from WhatsApp university of the Globe. The author has a unique way of describing events and sites wherein he seems to take readers on a 3D virtual ride. While describing Borobudur he writes, 

"At this point, the pilgrim emerges from the labyrinthine maze of the mandala on to the highest elevated platform, surrounded by seventy-two hollow, latticed and performated stupikas and inside each, a void - the goal of the pilgrimage to enlightenment that the architect has been taking the pilgrim on -  and inside that, an image of the meditating Buddha".

At factual level, the book offers stunning revelations about the rich civilisational antiquity which was exported not only to Central Asia and Europe in the West but also to Java, Cambodia and Sumatra in the East. The kind of research and scholarship which went into the book can be gauged from the fact that almost 150 pages have been dedicated to notes on references. The rich illustrations are added positives as book frequently refers to archeology, artfacts, paintings and architectural designs. 

For 2024, this is the best book I've read and I think everyone interested in History should read it. It may arouse your interest in exploring certain unravled frontiers of Indic civilisational. 

 

Photos clicked by me:

THE LUMUMBA PLOT : A COLD WAR ASSASSINATION

THE LUMUMBA PLOT 

The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination 

The race of one-upmanship between USA and USSR during the cold war era was heating up. The competing blocks fought for the supremacy in all aspects of life and at any cost. The roles of their agencies CIA and KGB was very crucial and is well documented in the now declassified files. 

This book is written by Stuart A Reid who is executive editor of Foreign Affairs magazine and is now associated ith CFR. It revolves around the Democratic Republic of Congo which was also known as Zaire for some time. The central African country is one of the largest country in the world criss-crossed by River Congo. The country was a personal estate of King Leopold of Belgium before becoming the colony of Belgium. 

After a brief struggle, the country got its Independence on 30 June 1960 but due to absense of administrative machinery and institutions to support the sudden withdrawal of Belgians, the country fell into a chaos. The USA-Soviet blocks and cold-war era politics had taken Congo as a casualty and even today it is not stable.

The book is a piece of research and yet it retains the charm of a true spy novel. The author has used his vast knowledge of association with diplomatic world, research on Africa, classified files, cables, private letters, government archives, Congress Committees proceedings, record and interviews. He has beautifully intertwinned the academic research and lay-men story telling format to give a classic work otherwise it would have become a work with a limited readership. 

The book traces origins of the Congo's independence and emergence of its first  Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba who lead the freedom struggle. The author states "He was his country's greatest politician and perhaps its worst statesman." He was one of the earliest literate native who organised and agitated for independent Congo which was divided on racial and ethnic lines. However he was murdered by fellow Congolese with active role of Belgium and conspiracy of CIA as the book points about role of Devlin, station head of CIA in Congo. His friend Joseph Mobutu whom he trusted and appointed as the Army chief was the one who turned against him and assumed role of country head by Coup. He ruled for decades after deposing Lumumba.

The book is rich source on how cold war poltics worked out and how African nations were on platter for blocks is lucidly explained along with the role of UN which was in a nascent stage and evolving for world peace. Lumumba was PM of Congo for a brief period but could not see his country prosper and stable and lead Africa. He was assassinated at the age of 35 in January 1961. The book presents clear evidence of meddling by foreign powers in the domestic affairs of a newly born country and instead of helping it to grow and develop, the energies were pulled out to destablise and capture the natural resources or make them pawn in the power games. The tragic life loss of UN Chief Dag Hammarskjold in a mysterious plane crash made the matters worse. 

The book navigates the readers through the internal politics of Congo like between Katanga whose leader Moise Tshombe was opposed to independecne and Lumumba, as former wanted to have a separate country Katanga which was rich in minerals and controlled by Belgian companies, skirmishes in UN between Soviet and US blocks, role of newly independent countries like Ghana and leaders like Nkrumah who supported Lumumba like a wall, role of Indian peace keeping force and diplomat Rajeshwar Dayal in trying to work out a middle ground and establish peace, the emerging continent of Africa whose division by colonial power was done while sitting on the table and drawing lines without considering ethic and linguistic divisions due to which the continent is still at war with their own.

In authors own words "it is a story of a fearful United States, its view clouded by racism and reductive Cold War thinking, lashing out against threats more imagined than real. It is, at base, a story of how a moment of unprecedented hope gave way to unrelenting tragedy." 

The book is a recommended read for those having interest in old school diplomatic stories, international politics and Africa. You'll thank me.

GUNS, GERMS AND STEEL : 3 DRIVERS WHICH CHANGED COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY

 A Scholarly Work

Guns, Germs and Steel - The Fates of Human Societies written by Jared Diamond and published by Penguin Random House in 1998 is a brief history of evolution of human civilization. Before we delve into the specifics of the book, we must introduce the author Jared Diamond, for he is one of the prolific author writing on evolution, human history. He is professor of Geography at UCLA and won Pulitzer Prize for this book. In order to explore the evolutionary process deeper he studied anthropology, biology, genetics, linguistics, ecology and history. His scholarship leaves an indelible mark which is evident in the book.

The book revolves around the quest of the author to find answer as to why human development proceeded at such different rates in different continents and societies. What factors have caused this differential rate of evolution where even nearly placed societies experienced different growth trajectory. He spent 33 years in New Guinea for understanding the society. He specialises in the study of bird evolution, which he has studied in South America, southern Africa, Indonesia, Australia, and lastly New Guinea. 

The book which starts with prologue of his discussion with native Guinean Yali leads to main body of the book which is divided into 4 parts on different themes:

Part 1 titled from Eden to Cajamarca:  consists of three chapters. Chapter 1 provides a overview of human evolution and history, extending from our divergence from apes, around 7 million years ago, till the end of the last Ice Age. The author discusses what is civilisation and its contexts and what the term "rise of civilization" means. It turns out that human development in some parts of the globe got way ahead as compared to others. Chapter 2 explores effects of continental environments on history over the past 13,000 years, by briefly examining effects of island environments. When ancestral Polynesians spread into the Pacific around 3,200 years ago, they encountered islands differing greatly in their environments. 

The third chapter introduces us to conquest of South America by Europeans. The capture of Inca emperor, Atahuallpa, in the presence of his whole army, by Francisco Pizarro of Spain and his tiny army at Cajamarca. The author identifies factors like germs (yes! a prime factor), horses, political organization and technology (especially ships and weapons). The author has done threadbare analysis and its a revealing one. He writes, "Throughout the Americas, diseases introduced with Europeans spread from tribe to tribe far in advance of the Europeans themselves, killing an estimated 95 percent of the pre-Columbian Native American population. The most populous and highly organized native societies of North America, the Mississippian chiefdoms, disappeared in that way between 1492 and the late 1600s, even before Europeans themselves made their first settlement on the Mississippi River. A smallpox epidemic in 1713 was the biggest single step in the destruction of South Africa's native San people by European settlers. Soon after the British settlement of Sydney in 1788, the first of the epidemics that decimated Aboriginal Australians began. A well-documented example from Pacific islands is the epidemic that swept over Fiji in 1806, brought by a few European sailors who struggled ashore from the wreck of the ship Argo. Similar epidemics marked the histories of Tonga, Hawaii, and other Pacific islands. I do not mean to imply, however, that the role of disease in history was confined to paving the way for European expansion."

Part 2 "The Rise and Spread of Food Production" discusses how organised agriculture led to rise of nation states and bureaucracies. Chapter 4 sketches how food production—that is, the growing of food by agriculture or herding, instead of the hunting and gathering of wild food. But it varied around the globe. In Chapter 5, peoples in some parts of the world developed food production by themselves; some other peoples acquired it in prehistoric times from those independent centers. Chapter 6 discusses factors driving the shift from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle toward food production. 

Part 3 discusses, the evolution of germs characteristic of dense human populations. It points that far more Native Americans and other non-Eurasian peoples were killed by Eurasian germs than by  guns or weapons. the author has pointed recent molecular biological studies hint linking germs to the rise of food production in Europe as copared to America. Also food production led to writing, which made sapiens as unique in animal world. Writing has evolved de novo only a few times in human history, in areas that had been the earliest sites of the rise of food production in their respective regions. By enabling farmers to generate food surpluses, food production permitted farming societies to support full-time craft specialists who did not grow their own food and developed technologies. Besides sustaining scribes and inventors, food production also enabled farmers to support politicians. It also led to the rise of chiefs, kings, and bureaucrats. Such bureaucracies were essential for governing large population, armies and organizing wars of conquest. 

Part 4 titled "Around the World in Five Chapters,"  In chapters 16-19 the author discusses the polynesian Islands and nearby Australia and how the conquest shaped the both society, China, Africa. He discusses Africa in detail in How Africa became Black and a case for Bantu tribe expansion destroying Khoisan tribe which was more in number.

The Epilogue, entitled "The Future of Human History as a Science," the author identifies 4 set of environmental factors for differecnes in response as:

The first set consists of continental differences in the wild plant and animal species available as starting materials for domestication. A second set of factors consists of those affecting rates of diffusion and migration, which differed greatly among continents. They were most rapid in Eurasia, because of its east-west major axis and its relatively modest ecological and geographical barriers. A third set of factors influencing diffusion between continents, which may also help build up a local pool of domesticates and technology. Ease of intercontinental diffusion has varied, because some continents are more isolated than others. Within the last 6,000 years it has been easiest from Eurasia to sub-Saharan Africa, supplying most of Africa's species of livestock.

The fourth and last set of factors consists of continental differences in area or total population size. A larger area or population means more potential inventors, more competing societies, more innovations available to adopt—and more pressure to adopt and retain innovations, because societies failing to do so will tend to be eliminated by competing societies. 

He mentions that "One can think of other individuals whose idiosyncrasies apparently influenced history as did Hitler's: Alexander the Great, Augustus, Buddha, Christ, Lenin, Martin Luther, the Inca emperor Pachacuti, Mohammed, William the Conqueror, and the Zulu king Shaka, to name a few. To what extent did each really change events, as opposed to "just" happening to be the right person in the right place at the right time? At the one extreme is the view of the historian Thomas Carlyle: "Universal history, the history of what man [sic] has accomplished in this world, is at bottom the History of the Great Men who have worked here." 

The book is a treasure. It is full of new insights and how the relationship evolved between different factors in different manner in different geographies. Though all the chapters are connected to the central theme of evolution but you can read any chapter and it'll offer a complete picture of the aspect dealt in.

 

BLAZE : A Son's Trial by Fire

Every book for that matter offers others perspective about either fictional, or on worldly matters. Readers may agree or disagree with the content, opinion or even factual matrix presented by the author. Every reviewer over a period of time must have felt that it is difficult to reveiw few books because you become a participant in the writers journey and lose objectivity. Objectivity infact is not necessarily to be imposed on each and every aspect. Few reads are catharactic, few are enlightening and few are to be lived.  

One such book which I completed recently is "Blaze : A Son's Trial by Fire" written by Nidhi Poddar and Sushil Poddar. The book publised in 2021 by Rupa Books and is available in English, Hindi and Marathi edition. It is worth mentioning that I've known the authors forehand before I've read the book so the book came as a shocker on knowing what they have gone through. 

Its intriguing how people hide the emotions, the tumult they undergo and yet appear so calm before the world. It's not a inbuilt quality in humans but something which a person deliberately chooses, though not an easy task to hide his/her pain and engage with societal chores. 

The books revolves around the prodigous boy Divyansh who crossed path with life threatening diseases not once or twice but multiple times. His battle or I should say "war" lasted for a decade until his Moksh. But what about his parents? How will their tryst with the battle conclude? Long back I've read Arun Shourie's "Does he know a mother's heart" about his family's struggle growing up with a special child. Infact I could not complete the book at that time. Recently, I've recently read "When Breath becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi which is author's own account of his mortal battle. It was my second attempt on this book and somehow could travel to the last page. But the uniqueness of current read is its way of composition where authors have interweaved Divyansh's thought process, his creativity and vision in form of poems on relevant places. 

The book is divided in 3 parts where in the first part mother's heart speaks, the second one is father's thoughts and third is poems of Divyansh. Though the poems have been reproduced in between the foregoing parts of the chapters, in last part they are in completeness.

The struggle of the family, grit and liveliness of the main character, his creativity forms the core of this book. Its not an easy read as authors have lived the book and reading certain parts takes your heart out. Can God be so cruel? Why is destiny like this? Can we alter the God's path? Readers may break down if they have lost someone close to their heart. The family's ordeal from Mumbai to Israel to USA especially in these difficult scenarios is a rare one. His words in Catharsis

"I will have unconditional implicit faith, 

In your grand design, 

and never blame you, or fate,

for misfortune that may become mine...

I will be miling and singing all along,

and catching the horns of what comes my way,

with an unrelencting, aggresive battle cry."

Couple of lines from "Halfway down the path not Untaken"

"Unfanthomable are the ways of God

He is a whimsical artist

who sways his brush as he wishes.

I was about to plant my feet,

On the lush, green track,

But I guess He has other plans for me,

For he chose to change my track."

The concluding lines of Blaze sum up the person Divyansh was:

"Nerves of Steel

a rock-strong resilience,

burning determination,

radiant visage,

Are all the various traits,

carefully tested by this master,

who can burn those who give up,

and strengthen those who don't.

Look into the fire, my friends,

Look at its profoundness,

and rekindle the fire in you,

to make the spirit strong,

Stronger than ever before."

It is a unique book where poetics in midst of a true story is blended providing it a lived experience. If we see the book has 3 composers namely Mrs and Mr Poddar and Divyansh. 

Bachchan Ji has so craftfully written the foreward along with preface by Khalid Mohamed in which he shares his profound thoughts on the book and his personal connect. Do read. 

 

  

Alexander the Great : The Man who didn't knew where to Stop.

 Alexander the Great : The Man who didn't knew where to Stop.

The book Alexander the Great written by Jacob Abbott and published by Fineprints Classic is a biography of one of the greatest military general and ruler in the recorded human history. In this book the author has tried to give a chronological introduction of Alexander. The book is written in descriptive style where major life events of Alexander have been touched upon. 

Born in BC-356 to the King Philip of Macedon his mother was Olympias and she also belonged to Epirus empire. The uniqueness of the location of macedonia was that it was situated between Asia and Erurope. The Asiatic side was occupied by Persian , Assyrians and the Medes while the Europeans side was dominated by Greek and Romans. Both these sides were completely different in approach and organisations. The Asiatic side was wealthy, luxury driven while Eureopean side was full of energy, genius and force. Persians have huge army, horses, tents, finest workmen and armoury while Europeans have compact but disciplined troopsfocussed on skills, science and military calculations. She was very strong determined and energetic. 

Character and mental strength was biggest quality of Alexander. In fact it is said that Alexander has inherited greater qualities of his mother as compared to his father.  Her nurse named Lannice has also considerable influence and she treated her with great consideration. His father was one of the ablest ruler in area around ancient Greek.  He wanted to conquer the eastern part of the globe and for that he has combined army of other Greek states.  However, he was assassinated in a procession. It is pertinent to mention that Alexander and his mother Olympias does not have cordial relation with King Philip and Alexander was impatient to take control of the reign.  However, after assassination of King Philip, Alexander was proclaimed as King. Immediately after taking the charge Alexander found the killers of his father and executed them.
 
The book presents the chronological sequence in which Alexander's life unfolded. It also covers several related aspects like Battle of 300 in Sparta, the Leonidus, Troy.  There is a greater emphasis on Alexenders conquest of Persia where a small but well planned conquest defeated the Persian army led by King Darius. He captured the family of kind Darius who fled from the war and extracted huge ransom. He later on married daughter of Darius named Statira. He destroyed the city of Thebes by completely burning it down. He declared himself as the son of Jupiter which meant that he was the son of the God. He was quite impressed with the writings of the great Greek poet Homar and the story of Troy. In earlier part of  life Alexander was focussed, has empathetic heart and was loved amongst his generals and soldiers. However, in the latter part he got drawn in apathy, self aggrandisement and always drunk. He lost the simplicity, the terance, the moderation and sense of justice.  He in fact got his closest general and confident Permenio and his son killed on the frivolous charges of conspiracy. Infact, he killed his great friend and loyal Governor Clitus too in drunken rage. He conquered Egypt, the valley of Euphrates and Tigris and started his conquest for Asia. Around BC 326, He invaded India and conquered till Indus River and approached towards Ganges. However, the army was exhausted and there was insubordination as the soldiers were very far from their native land and had desire to return. While he resolved to return he was wounded in an assault and was treated. He married Statira, the oldest daughter of King Darius. 
Alexander trait was that he rarely listened to sanely advice of his counselors and friends. He made Babylon as his capital inspite of warnings by astrologers, his continuous pursuit of Darius even though he has accepted the defeat and paid the ranson, taking his mother and wife as captive, his adamant behaviour to recognise himself as Son of Jupiter at the Temple of Jupiter Ammon, his forced drinking sessions and his brutal treatment to Betis which has drawn comparison of how Achilles killed Hector in Troy. The writeup would be incomplete without mention of his favorite horse Buchephalus whom he loved and adored. The black beauty was rejected by his father Philip as none could ride it, however Alexander not only controlled it but also made his preferred choice. Infact, Buchephalus saved his life many times and died in battle after taking him to safe place. 
He died after excessive drinking and was given a burial at Alexandria which has been built by Alexander himself. Infact it is the only place where he has created something otherwise his career is marked by destruction only. His funeral procession is mentioned as the grandest in human history with coffins and special carriages made of Gold and Diamonds. His death led to jubilation in Athens as Greeks never whole heartedly accepted his sujernity.

Why you should read the book?
To get a glimpse of life of one of the ablest military General in recorded human history and how in span of 12 years he conquered greatest landmass under one flag.