#NationalGirlChildDay

 

The 24th of January is #NationalGirlChildDay.

Our children are precious assets, even in a country like ours, where patriarchy has ruled over centuries. In many places, boys are idolised while girls are looked upon as burdens, meant to be given away in marriage. Boys are considered the wealth of the family, while girls are dubbed 'paraya dhan'. All this has done is to make society a skewed one, where the chips are firmly in favour of the boy.

Everywhere we look, we find that girls have to prove their worth, and come up the hard way, their 'hard' way being harder than it is for their male counterparts. The world has become an immensely hazardous place for them.

What can we do to make the world safer for the girl child and the woman she grows up to be? There is only one long-term solution.

Educate parents across the board. Prove to them that boys and girls are equally precious. Both need nurturing, both need protection. Both need to be taught the right values of life - self-respect, and respect for one another, respect for the old and the young, respect for all living creatures. These values cannot be taught like school lessons; they need to be caught as children grow, and it is up to all the adults they come in contact with to ensure that they reiterate these values constantly.

The most difficult thing to change is a stagnant mindset. For it to flow freely, much work has to be done - digging, watering and seeding, along with constant encouragement. Words can create a positive change. Hopefully, actions will then follow...

The 24th of January is #NationalGirlChildDay. Let's make it count.

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Unkahi: The Unsung – An Anthology of Poems from the Armed Forces - Edited by Dr. Pragya Bajpai and Lt. Col. Salil Jain

 With the 73^rd Republic Day round the corner, and 75 glorious years of Independence, what better tribute could there be than a bilingual anthology of poems dedicated to the trials and the tribulations, the valour and the spirit of this wonderful powerhouse known as the Indian Armed Forces? Who else could know better about the sacrifices made by our brave warriors than the people who make up this esteemed universe – the veterans, the serving officers and their family members?

‘Unkahi: The Unsung’, a remarkable volume of poems has been conceptualized, curated and edited by the intrepid Dr. Pragya Bajpai, and co-edited by Lt. Col. Salil Jain. The foreword, and the first few inspiring poems, are by Major General (Dr.) G D Bakshi, SM, VSM (Veteran), himself a poet and motivational speaker. The book has been endorsed by several senior officers, who call the effort an inspiring one that brings out the essence of the Armed Forces. Sketches and photographs by various officers enhance the read even more.

The stirring poem on NDA, “a galaxy of destinations,” and “of dreams born in the boulevards of Khadakwasala” gives a fitting start to a book that was conceived here. 

The cover design by Subham Kumar Dev showcases the tricolour, evoking the emotion of patriotism which flows across the gamut of the book through the rousing war descriptions and the fervour that still galvanize the intrepid veterans as they traverse through memory lane in Section One. The poems speak of the synergy that brings the country together. The beauty of the lines below adds a touch of nostalgia.

 “Hours of wakefulness, stretches of sleep,

Let the Bukhari sigh, let it weep.” (Bukhari Nights)

‘The Charade of Choice’ is reminiscent of ‘The Charge of The Light Brigade’ (Tennyson) as it describes an adventure in the air.

Where there is gallantry, the spectre of death hovers around, as is brought out in the poignant poems titled ‘The War Widow’, ‘Journey of a Paper’ and ‘The Hold’.

Section Two by the serving officers is a cornucopia of well penned poetry, both in English and in Hindi. They reminisce about celebrating Holi on the border, exhort their comrades to keep advancing with courage, and sing ‘An Ode to a Fighter Pilot’. They speak of greedy battles for territory, bloodshed in the valley, the deadly silence of the battlefield, and the glory of the Tiranga. One striking line goes “There is always a last man standing first/ Against all that threatens his land.” (‘I Do Not Understand’)

‘The Good Old Fauji’ is respected by even those across the fence and ‘Lest We Forget’ reminds us that “we were, and forever are in/ Your profound debt”, referring to the valour of the martyrs who remain ‘Forever Young’.

References to Kashmir and Kargil, the bukharis, the maple trees and the Chinars, appear in all three sections, highlighting how vital a role has, and still is, being played by both.

The third section validates the saying that behind every great man, stands a great woman, be it his mother, his wife or his daughter. It is a collection of poetry by the family members. It begins with a tribute – ‘In Memory of Captain Vikram Batra’ and goes on to proclaim ‘Enough! No More!’ referring to the martyrdom of young soldiers, the anguish of seeing “another tricolour draped/ Young coffin”. The same poignant idea is carried on in ‘Call of Duty’.

The poem ‘Wars’ reveals the painful truth that “But ‘Loss’ it is for either side/Whether you are a Victor/ Or there is a vanquished by your side.” Once again, the idea is echoed in another poem titled ‘A Soldier’s Daughter’ which ends with the stark truth – “This war or that war/ The war can never be a gain! / As life never remains the same/ For neither the friend nor the foe.”

“I Miss the Letters That You Wrote” is a wonderful ode to that forgotten art that used to bring to the recipient “a world of hopes and joys”.

‘A Game, Hopefully, Well Played’ spans across the lives of three generations, reiterating that “There’s no life that’s more adventurous, no life that’s more blest/” than that within the Armed Forces. And finally, isn’t that the absolute truth, when all is said and done?

 

 

 

 

Kings, Saviours & Scoundrels by Anupama Jain

 Delving into the past is always intriguing, given the immense wealth of knowledge and folklore that resides there, both in the oral and the written tradition. Sifting through these timeless gems and putting them down in the form of stories that can be savoured by readers today is a task truly praiseworthy. That is exactly what the talented Anupama Jain has taken it upon herself to do. Kings, Saviours & Scoundrels is the result of meticulous filtering, and the stories shine forth, free and unfettered.

The exquisite purple cover immediately catches the eye, and as one browses through the book, the illustrations, done artfully by the author, add to the value of the book, and its stories.

The narrator is Somadeva, the poet-courtier of King Ananta of Kashmir, and the stories themselves originate from his most famous work – Katha Saritha Sagara, extolling qualities like bravery, faith, sagacity and friendship. When moral wisdom is imparted in the form of entertaining content, it goes down like a sugar-coated pill.

On the other hand, the readers are immensely amused when some of the protagonists cut a sorry figure through sheer folly, like poor Mandabuddhi who ascended to heaven holding a celestial bull’s tail, or the inane donkey who lost his life due to the machinations of a wily jackal and a selfish lion.

“Sometimes, a lack of proper mental vision could lead to utter destruction.” Like the three men who bring a dead lion back to life, there are times when being skilled but senseless can be fatal. One of the most amusing tales in this wonderful collection is that of Mauna Muni, the false ascetic and his tryst with a fierce monkey.

Some stories chosen here have been told in the Panchatantra as well, but the way they have been treated is different – the classic tale of Simhabala, the lion and the hare who outwitted him, the ‘heartless’ monkey and the porpoise, the mice who chewed the iron balance and the like.

The touching story of how the squirrel got its stripes from Lord Rama conveys the beautiful lesson on how mighty love in one’s heart amounts to more than mighty strength without love. Another intriguing story is ‘The Three Suitors of a Dead Maiden’ which gives a logical, yet heartwarming, ending on the judgment of who should marry the beautiful Mandaravati.  (The complicated names roll off the tongue with a cadence of their own - Vishakhila, Makaramukha, Chitragriva, Buddhisarira, Makaramani, Dhavalamukha, Karkotaka, Pingalaka, Jimutavahana, Bahusuvarnaka etc.)

Prahlada and his descendent, Aniruddha, and the saga of King Nala and his beauteous Damayanti find a generous mention. Kunti also has a role to play here, as the author points out how history sees her through varied eyes, as a warm mother versus an opportunistic woman, according to the narrative one chooses.  

I could go on and on about the stories in the book, but given my reputation as a thriller writer, I found the saga of King Trivikramasena and the Vetala right up my alley – eerie, intriguing and macabre.

What comes out throughout the whole book is the painstaking research and the hard work that has gone into it.

In the end, I would like to recommend this book to the young ones who look for adventure and entertainment, adults who wish to recreate their grandmothers’ stories, and to everyone who enjoys a good read, replete with common sense, moral instruction, and above all, humour.

 

 

 

 

 

Driftwood - Stories Washed Ashore by Beetashok Chatterjee

 

“Seamen are basically simple men. They have faith in God and their superiors. In that order.” The Hijack

The title and the cover image are reminiscent of the shore and the sea; the tagline brings in the salty tang of the blue waters. Twelve stories leap off the page and keep the readers engrossed, their themes ranging from love and romance to adventure and intrigue.

The first story titled ‘The Piano Man’ sets the stage for all the others to come, with a twist that brings a smile on the face. It reminds one of Coleridge’s famed ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’, a reminder that is carried on in another story titled ‘Transition’, which throws up a contrast between the past and the present, the Ancient and the Modern Mariner, as seen through the eyes of a young boy, Keenan, who loves the adventurous tales narrated by his lively ‘grampa’.

 Beetashok Chatterjee’s love of the sea comes out vividly in the way his protagonists find themselves at home on board. His descriptions mirror this point. Whether it is Paul in ‘Sapphire Blue’ and his mystery women or Jay and Chow in the wonderful ‘Stairway to Heaven’, whose deep friendship starts at sea and is continued even after, the lure of the blue is unmistakable.  

A clear picture of the quintessential seafarer shines through the book. In the heartwarming tale ‘The Visitor’, ‘the superstition of the seamen’ is palpable. They live out their lives with “the sun, the moon and the stars for company”. In ‘Stairway to Heaven’, the protagonists “saw Heaven that night”, an image that the author has put across thorough his evocative words.

Adventure runs like a thread through stories like ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’, ‘The Hijack’, and ‘Reach for the Stars’, all of which highlight the perils that seafarers are superstitious about. For finally, a seaman is “Just a Seaman”.

The theme of love and romance is secondary, but enjoyable as seen in “Miss Me?”, a story written in a different style, and in the heart wrenching “Little Girl Lost”.

Beetashok Chatterjee has an engaging style that brings in the music of the sea. Even his metaphors are nautical.

“He sat down and began to play a slow sad tune, the sound of music filling the room like a tide rushing in.” The Piano Man

“The breeze blew in from the sea bringing him the kiss of a mermaid.” Transition

“The guilt comes and goes… like a wave around his ankles during a rising tide.” Little Girl Lost

And the most poetic one of all…

“He waited till the boy sailed across the dark oceans of sleep to dream of things that should never change.” Transition

Written by a sea captain who has spent his entire adult life at sea, this book is one that can be read by anyone who likes “a ripping good yarn” as the blurb goes!

 

 

The Circus Trap by Sindhu John

 

The cover leaps out at you in all its glory as a smirking Miss Scaly cracks her whip at a snarling black panther. The illustrations, that follow in quick succession, have been drawn by the author's daughters, Gia and Anita, and create an image in the readers’ minds as they gear on to enjoy another intriguing adventure from the undaunted four – Ethan, Lucy, Penny and Jack. The Circus Trap by The Write Place is a sequel to The Hunters’ Trap, a book that introduced the children to their readers through another fast-paced adventure.

Sequels are always a difficult act, and the author needs to hang on, tooth and nail to pull it off. However, Sindhu John seems to have done the unimaginable by not only holding the interest, but once again, whetting the appetite for more. She receives requests from young fans pleading with her to write her next book, a good idea, no doubt!

The names of the chapters are intriguing – ‘Make Him Jump!’, The Big Little Secret” and ‘The Rat-t-t-t-t-t-t-t Attack’ being some of them.

 The adventurous four are enjoying themselves at their grandparents’ beautiful home in the countryside when Toby, the live-in help, mentions that a circus is in town. Like all children, they love going to the circus, but when they discover that Majestic, a magnificent black panther, is being kept captive and mistreated by Miss Scaly, their nimble minds take over as they devise an audacious plan to rescue him.

The book is populated with characters designed to hold the attention of its young readers – twin thugs Zorro and Borro, the clowns Blink, Blike and Blonk, the fat lady Fatty and Tiny Tim, and the tattooed Gator.

What, however, keeps the attention of the readers is how deftly Sindhu John blends adventure with humaneness. The protagonists are lively, as children are, but they are guided by good hearts and common sense. They think it is unfair to use wild animals for entertainment, and they stand up against bullies and body shamers. They understand that people need to be respected, not ridiculed, lessons that children need to learn as they grow up.

As the story unfolds, the suspense grows as well. Who is Veronica and what is her relationship with Majestic? What devious plans does Miss Scaly have? What does young Sam have to do with the fate that awaits Majestic? These and many other threads come together in this exciting story, making it one to be savoured and read.

For those who love adventure and animals, this book is a must-read.