tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649324572209255132024-03-13T03:48:16.145+01:00StrangerA Raving Lunatic, No Less
krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-26712834497045585612024-02-27T09:28:00.000+01:002024-02-27T09:28:31.675+01:00HELP<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Helping
others is the way we help ourselves”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: right;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oprah
Winfrey<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> </span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">HELP<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Velayudham
entered the small kitchen-cum-dining room and saw what he had always seen. The
tables with 4 seats were all taken up. He went to an unoccupied table and sat
down for his lunch. No one invited him to join. No one made an attempt to pull
the table and chair to expand the table to house 6 instead of 4. No one took a
peek into what was in his lunch box, nor did they offer what they had brought
in their lunch boxes. The ostracization was never blatant. There were the usual
“hi”s and the acknowledgments through a nod or a simple eye contact.
Velayudham was used to this cold treatment by now. Familiarity by itself does
not reduce the hurt. His place of employment can be loosely labeled as “IT
industry”. It is a small firm. Highly successful, driven by the relentless
energy and the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, Sarangapani, the CEO. It
has eleven employees, including the CEO; Ten men, and one woman. All of them
brahmins. Velayudham is the only employee who belongs to the Scheduled Tribe, a
member of the Irular community, hailing from a village whose name would not even register
with most people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was
the same in his school. He sat alone or among his tribe. It was unwritten but
understood by all. Solitude became his constant companion, and he had grown
accustomed to it. Most rules he followed in his village were never written down
but were clear. There was a temple that he was never allowed to visit. Not that
he ever wanted to. Poverty and social injustice make you an atheist faster than
books and discussions. On the rare occasions a friend invited him home, he
spent the time on the “Dhinnai” ( a space outside every home, under a slanting
extended roof, but outside the main door); either playing with him or studying
together. The grandmother never thought it insensitive to splash the dhinnai
with a bucketful of water even before he left the premises. Early on in his
life, Velayudham learned the lesson that knowledge gained through acquaintance
was Teflon coated to stay immune to caste pollution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sarangapani
never came to the common dining area and did not know about the discrimination
that was blatantly being followed in his firm. Velayudham is now used to eating
alone. Either the rest distributed themselves with no space for him to join, or
someone came in, had a look, and suddenly remembered that they had something
else to finish and went back when they saw that they would need to go to
another table and sit alone or share the table with Velayudham. Left alone at
your dining table is the smallest of the insults that Velayudham was exposed to
all his life. Discrimination followed him like a faithful shadow throughout his
conscious life. When he was young, he foolishly believed that money would solve
all his problems. He did not know that the amount of money needed to make it
happen would be at Bill Gates and Jeff Bozos level. True, money came and made
his life easy. But the recognition and acceptance that he expected to follow
from society never happened. He was always the “paraiyan” (a derogatory
Tamil word that encompassed all untouchables into a single term) who made it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“We
are the new SC and ST,” said his friends who belonged to the upper caste when he
entered the engineering college. Centuries of oppression, and years of privileges
in the past were all irrelevant to these boys who believed in a distorted
version of history that suited them. “You and your clan can get into the
engineering stream with only 65% while “our people” are left out even after
scoring 85%” was one grandiose statement used regularly. A few attempts to
explain the background, the logic of empowerment, years of oppression,
equality, the need for upliftment, and the requirement for seamless integration
were all meaningless. “You can lecture all this and more. After all, you have access to gain these insights, thanks to the education that you gain now, at
the expense of a more deserving Brahmin boy who sacrificed his future for you.”
Some rabid ones made it even more gruesome with a flair for imagery. “At some
point in your life, you will look back on the road you traveled. The
bloodstains you will notice are from the Brahmin boys who bled so that you
could walk”. The victim game was played out endlessly in various disguises. One
thing was certain. There was not a single day when he was not reminded that he
was enjoying a privilege that was not rightfully his: but plucked from a more
deserving candidate. “You hit the birth lottery” was one unkindest cut of them
all. He was so stunned that he did not even know how to react to everything so wrong in such a short statement. Solitude that was a shadow became
a lover in these years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was
his birthday. His wife Shanthi made some sweets (Mysorepak) at home and made
individual packs for his colleagues. He never got to meet his boss regularly.
There was not much need for it and also Sarangapani was a frequent traveler.
That day, however, he was in office. Velayudham distributed the packs that his
wife had sent with him for his colleagues, who all wished him heartily with a
casual handshake or a friendly pat on his back, never a hug. Then he ventured into
Sarangapani’s office. Sarangapani stood up, came around the table clasped his
hands firmly, and asked him to sit down. He went back to his seat only after
Velayudham was seated. Velayudham extended the small pack to him and sheepishly
said “This is homemade. My wife made it last night. Today is my birthday”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sarangapani’s
face broke into a wide grin. He stood up so briskly, that he almost toppled his
chair back. He rushed around the table, grasped his hand, pulled him up, and
gave him a hug. Velayudham had no recollection of when someone outside his
family hugged him. Still standing and talking he picked up the box from the
table<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“May
I?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Of
course, SP (that is how everyone addressed him in the office). It is for you “
stammered Velayudham.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Wow!
Mysorepak! My favorite. There is one thing I can never resist and that is
sweets” saying this SP took a piece and tasted it. His face broke into a wider
grin <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“This
is bliss. The last time I had a Mysorepak like this was when my grandmother
made one when I was in school. Alas, my mother never got the exact skill needed
to make like her. I have been consigned to readymade ones from the shops that
are more useful as bricks in a building. Tell your wife that I am jealous. And
also let me call HR and I will instruct them to include “Deliver one box of
Mysorepak to SP each month” into your job description”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If SP
was ecstatic with the sweet Velayudham was delirious with joy. He came back to
his seat with a stupid grin and the grin never left his face throughout the
rest of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not
even when he spotted the watchman eating from one of the boxes when he left the
office. So, what if he had forgotten the watchman. One of his colleagues
(probably more than one) has corrected that oversight by dropping theirs with
him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was
one of the first shocks after he moved into a city. He expected a metropolis to
be more inclusive and mature. The city did not take long to smash his
misgivings. The neighbors who opened the doors wide for them when they went to
introduce themselves failed to control their body language when the name was
mentioned. The face revealed what their minds were thinking. The quick mind
equated a name to a caste and to a strata of society and immediately arranged
the social pyramid in which they sat above their new neighbors. After all,
almost anyone will sit above an Irular community. Invitations for dinners were
politely refused and in the regular gatherings in the society, the position of
Velayudham and Shanthi was made clear without spelling it outright. The
security guard who stood up and saluted every passing vehicle soon learned that
the car that brought in Velayudham could be easily ignored. Should he go and
challenge him? What would that achieve? Society has developed enough
mechanisms to manage such situations. How do you fight a ghost? No one will
confront you. No one will tell it openly. They will outright deny any of your
allegations. Converting the victim to an unreasonable imaginative aggressor and
the instigator to a victim of reverse casteism. If, how do you fight is a
complexity too complex to unravel, then how long can you fight is already a
lost battle even before it starts. It did not take them long to realize that
solitude could also be experienced by a pair. The strange mathematics demonstrated
that the solitude expressed by two individuals did not add up but multiplied in intensity. Isn’t this how this malady keeps growing. It is never in the
open; always subtle and always vague, left to multiple interpretations. After
all the upper caste has been practicing this art form for centuries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“If
you are free this Sunday, could you join us for lunch at my place?” asked
Sarangapani when Velayudham and he were going down in the elevator at the end
of the week, on a Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“By
you, I mean you and your wife”, he added. The mirrors on the three walls of the
elevator reflected the surprise on Velayudham’s face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Certainly
SP, any occasions? “<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“None
whatsoever. It just occurred to me that our families never met each other. Do I
take that as yes for an answer” inquired Sarangapani with an impish smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Any
allergies? Any restrictions?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“None
SP”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“See
you then on Sunday”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Velayudham
and Shanthi were not used to being invited for lunch to a place that was not one
of their relatives or one of their people. They had no idea what to bring
along. They finally settled on a simple flower vase and a bouquet of lilies and
orchids. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Where
is my Mysorepak?” screamed Malathi as she gave a bear hug to Shanthi. The
flowers were immediately arranged in the vase and left on the table. Shanthi
kept apologizing for not bringing the sweets. She had no idea that Velayudham
had given it to Sarangapani or that the latter liked it or even took it home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The
couple made Velayudham and Shanthi feel at home without doing anything
outwardly superficial or unnatural. Their living room was simple and beautiful.
The main color theme was white and gray with dashes of bright red dotting
unobtrusively. There was a huge floor-to-ceiling bookshelf that covered an
entire wall. There was one section entirely devoted to Hannah Arendt and
another to Walter Isaacson. There was a huge collection of Tamil writers –
Jayakanthan, Sujatha, Perumal Murugan……<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“I am
a member of the Music Academy and SP never accompanies me to those concerts. He
finds them boring. It would be lovely if you can accompany me. That is assuming
you like Carnatic music”, said Malathi to Shanthi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“I
would love to. I have the same issue at home. My husband listens only to Jazz
and it gives me a great headache”, smiled Shanthi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sarangapani’s
eyes lit up. “Did you say, Jazz?!!, how lovely” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He
stood up and selected a record of Herbie Mann and placed it on his Rega
turntable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Before
switching it on, he sought the permission of Shanthi, who blushed with
embarrassment and nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Let
us go see our garden,” said Malathi as both the women escaped Memphis
Underground while the men were already in a trance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“There
are still decent people left in this world,” said Shanthi to Velayudham that
night before they went to sleep. Some people are so disillusioned that a mere
act of normalcy amounts to a great act of benevolence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A
reciprocal invitation was accepted. Shanthi had a new friend and enjoyed those
musical evenings. Professionally, nothing differed. Sarangapani never mixed
personal relations with work. Velayudham was smart to keep it the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Books
were exchanged. A few vinyls were gifted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“I am
often reminded of the similarities between our lives and a mythological one.
Karna was the same. Shunned by society, never acknowledged; did not even
possess the “entrance ticket” to arenas where he could show that he was no less
than others. A Duryodhan came along and gave him the priceless gift of friendship.
Treated him as his equal. For that Karna was loyal to him all his life, even
dismissing a chance to join the Pandavas. He could have become the king of
Hastinapur as the eldest Pandav child if he had shifted his loyalty. I wish I
could do something like that to you. But what can I offer you other than my
friendship” said Velayudham to Sarangapani one evening when the wives were away
at the Music Academy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Miles
Davis was playing in the background.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Well,
you can” said the epitome of decency and a pillar of equality<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Shanthi”. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-72903906736221511922024-01-24T13:40:00.000+01:002024-01-24T13:40:03.390+01:00One Ordinary Day, Please.........<p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sunday,
12<sup>th</sup> April, 1987.</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Four in the afternoon is not a
nice time to be waiting outside Matunga railway station on a Sunday. But,
Murali and I had no choice. This was our weekly rendezvous that normally
culminated with boarding the last local from VT station, the last local
actually leaving, officially, on Monday morning. We were waiting for Mohanan
(called Anna by all, probably even by his parents) and Sapkal (called Chotu by
all, including his parents). Anna was a stickler for punctuality and he would
arrive soon; we were early. Chotu would arrive about an hour beyond the agreed
time and would believe as if nothing amiss had transpired. This stop in Matunga
was a ritual. We visited RamAshray for their divine Vada and Dosa and the
nectar-laced filter coffee. Waiting outside Matunga station was a pain in the
ass. The pavement bookstalls were near the King Circle, a 10-minute walk away. Go
there and we will miss Chotu. The street (actually it was more of a lane) outside
the station had only some fruit shops and juice centers. Only a moron would
spend money on fruit juice when RamAshray was just 3-minute away. We were
doing the full-page jumbo crossword in the Afternoon Dispatch & Courier
till Anna joined us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Optical illusion,” Murali said
for 2 down – the clue was “unpolitical soil presenting something that was not,
maybe”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The crossword gave way to
tentative plans for the evening when the duo became the trio. We did the same
thing every week, but still, the future managers in us liked to plan things.
Chotu surprised us by turning up just 32 minutes after the agreed time. We were
past the period where lame excuses were made anymore. We proceeded to RamAshray
and the place was packed with people waiting outside. The day could be wasted,
but evenings and nights were precious to us. Chotu led us to the family
section and occupied a table. The waiter strode confidently to us and declared<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Sir, this is the family section.
Only families are allowed”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Chotu replied<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“We are family, we four are
brothers”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In spirit yes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There was not one feature that we
could agree was in common, other than the fact that we were all clearly
males.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The waiter’s training had not
factored in the wily ways of Chotu and his likes. He faced a question or a
statement that was out of his syllabus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Er.. Hmm.. but Sir, there is no woman” he blurted
out with a certainty of Lord Subramanya who circumnavigated the world and
returned to collect the sacred fruit and was equally disappointed when Chotu
replied with all the pseudo-indignation he could muster<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“A woman could make us complete
and the assembly of four brothers is not enough for you! Call the manager”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The waiter was by now not only out
of syllabus but out of his depth too. He
swallowed his pride and set about serving us. For the three of us, it was an
exceptional victory but for Chotu, it was just another day in office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The distance from the VT station
to the Café Royal (there is a new swanky one in the same location today,
visited by billionaires before 40, Obama, and the likes – but in our time it was
a simple adda – chosen for the singular reason that they served alcohol by
quarter and not by pegs) should not take more than 30 minutes when your legs
were young and the evening still fresh with last traces of dying daylight. We
never traveled like an arrow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We meandered like Brahmaputra. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Checking the films being shown
(Excelsior / Sterling), bargaining for tees with AC/DC or Pink Floyd on them,
stopping at the footpath book collection near Flora Fountain, where the
shopkeeper was well versed in anonymous as well as Satre! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The routine once we were seated in
Café Royal was always the same. Order as much alcohol as you can consume in
the time available. It must be the Indian genes that make you drink as if to
quench your hunger instead of nursing a drink. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Billy Joel could have sung “Makin
love to his tonic and gin”, but we were usually violating! This was never the
time to sip, savor, swirl in your mouth, slip into bliss kind of a thing. It
was always a competition between how quickly you could drink and how fast the
waiter could serve your table.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Two hours and an obscene amount
of alcohol later, Anna could not hold his bladder any longer. The toilet at the
back lived up to the levels of sanitation you could expect from such a joint. Once
drunk, your sensibilities could be heightened. You could not demean yourself by
relieving yourself in such a filthy squalor. Anna stood up and went left. There
was a poetic equivalent of the first class passengers turning left while
economy mortals turned right on an airplane. Not for Anna the ill-lit, reeking
of stench, filthy assembly of pissoirs. He was looking forward to the cacophony
of Bombay traffic horns, the bustle of the never-ending movement of humans, and the
caressing breeze of the zephyr coming off the Gateway Of India on his sweat-drenched back as he would unload his bladder, which was ready to burst. His crab-like movements, influenced by nearly 600 ml of alcohol, took him to a wall
with iron railings, just off the footpath across the road. He unzipped his fly
and heaved a sigh of relief as a steady stream hit the wall and slid down to
the pavement. He needed to widen his legs to avoid the stream soiling his
slippers. He may have been drunk, but his senses were still sharp. All was
well. Well, almost…..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Murali was the first one to raise the alarm when Anna had not returned, even after allocating additional time in
perambulation to reach his First Class piss pot! Chotu was a rare specimen!
Nothing made him nervous. His first reaction was “he will come”. That was his
only reaction. I was easily excited and this trigger from Murali was enough to
push my state from a slightly worried to an absolute paranoia. We both stepped
out, just in time to see a police constable escorting (actually pushing him
ahead with a firm grip on his neck) Anna away from Café Royal! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This time they turned right!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Chotu reacted to our description
as if every person who left a café for an open-air piss jaunt usually ended up
with a police escort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Chotu was always practical. An
excited duo like us would have deserted our table still laden with unfinished
drinks (and free on-the-house peanuts)
and bolted in the general direction of where we last saw Anna. Chotu’s
mind could evaluate all combinations and arrive at possible conclusions like Bobby Fisher fashioning his checkmate after Karpov moved his pawn to Q4. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As the two of us waited
nervously, imagining Anna being tied and hung upside down, with lathi-wielding
burly policemen hitting the soles of his feet (no specific reason – just the
image that came to our fertile imagination), Chotu kept his calm. He finished the rest of what was on the table, including the last unfinished drink of Anna.
If we had not acted in time, he would have finished ours too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With a certainty that bordered on
the supernatural, he led us to the Colaba Police Station which was about half a
km away. How the gears and the cogs whirled inside his cranium and spat out the
right answer is beyond the understanding of lesser mortals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There we saw an indignant Anna
slouched on a wooden bench, with his trademark smirk of disapproval, surveying
the surroundings with complete disdain. He physically distanced himself from
the other undesirables who occupied the same bench alongside him. Pimps, pickpockets, peddlers and drug addicts.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The sub-inspector, P.Patankar,
was seated on his throne, the seat did not deserve the name throne but can only
be described thus the way he occupied it, with his legs stretched out, half his
ass hanging outside the edge of the seat, further descent arrested by his belly
encountering the desk, seriously exploring his nostril with his right thumb
inserted deep inside while his index finger held on to the area of interest
from without. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Only Chotu could have the courage
to interrupt such a deep meditative exercise and he did <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Saheb, To amcha manus ahe! Tyala
jau de”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mr. Patankar was not happy that
he was interrupted from his nasal excavation and that too without any decorum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> He looked over at the bench that Chotu’s arm
indicated and quickly made out Anna as the topic of interest from among the
various suspects. He had not become a sub-inspector for nothing!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Do you know what he did? IPC 115
is the charge against him. Not only did the royal highness pee on the compound
wall of the Maha Nagar Palika, he asked the constable to wait till he
finished.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anna made a face that said, “How
can one stop mid-pee?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To see Chotu working a hot-headed
stubborn and insulted sub-inspector into a meek understanding smiling comrade
is to watch a work of art. The exchange of money was unnoticeable even though
the transaction happened in plain sight. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After the highlight of IPC 115,
the rest of the evening did not have many surprises. The pitcher of beer at
Café Mondegar, while marveling at Mario’s murals and listening to “The End” by
Doors on their jukebox was the next ritual that was maintained. Here the restroom met with the approval of Anna and there was no subsequent threat of yet
another visit to the Colaba Police Station.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We made our way to Bade Miyan for
our last stop for the usual diet of juicy kebabs and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Monday,
13th April, 1987<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">chicken legs. The last local to home was eventless too.
Murali and I went to bed at 2.30 in the morning hours. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We were woken up by our neighbor
at 4 in the morning <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Your roommate Ganesh called. He
wants you to come to the VT railway police station. He wants you to bring some
money to pay for the penalty”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We looked at each other to make
sure that it was not a collective illusion. Our neighbor had no more
information. Ganesh was on the afternoon shift on Sunday and must have returned
home by 1 in the morning. We were too drunk to realize his absence when we
returned. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What is it with the police and us? We
wondered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">First Anna and now Ganesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For the second time in less than
12 hours, we made our way back to VT station. Ganesh was in a lock-up. Real
deal. No pathetic benches for him. In fits of anger and frustration, he
narrated how he ended up in the VT station lock-up instead of in his bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The afternoon shift was
exhausting. The Sunday shifts were maintenance shifts. We called them graveyard
shifts. Every possible machine that could break, broke. And then some. A
hydraulic hose came off its fitting and he was drenched in oil. By the time he
scrubbed himself clean, he knew he was running late to catch the 23:34 train.
Miss that and the next one would not be around for another 40 minutes. He
entered the station as the train left and he jumped into the first compartment
that he could get into and was surprised to find it almost empty. He did not
mind it and rested for the first time in the preceding nine hours. His rest did
not last long as two constables rounded him up in the next station and took him
all the way to VT railway station and then to the lovely cell that he was
presently standing in narrating to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">His crime: He was in a ladies-only compartment!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Zeus must have been in a foul
mood that night. What are the odds, else, of law enforcement agencies targeting
two of our small group of friends, booking for acts that we had seen a countless
number of times before?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The constable on duty, fresh from
a night’s sleep, waiting for his reliever to come, told us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“He will be taken to the court at
11.00, where the judge will let him go with a fine. You pay the fine and take
him”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There was nothing else to do but
wait. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At 11.00 Ganesh was taken to
court and we waited along with other people who came to bail out their friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">11.00 became 12.00 and 12.00
became 12.45 and we were getting restless. At this rate, none of us would make
it back to work in time for the afternoon shift. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As the judge concluded his 7<sup>th</sup>
case that morning, and when the bailiff called the 8<sup>th</sup> one as
“People of Maharashtra vs Prashant Bhosle” instead of the anticipated “People
of Maharashtra vs Ganesh Krishnasamy” we exhaled a resigned sigh and started
thinking about lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ganesh felt the cumulative amount
of injustices against him had crossed a threshold and decided to act. Indian
cinema has taught us what to do in similar situations, we have seen countless
protagonists represent themselves in courts of law, where a considerate judge
often listened and steered the wayward path of straying injustice towards the
correct path of righteousness and restored the balance in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Before the said Prashant Bhosle
could take the stand, Ganesh Jumped the queue, occupied the witness stand,
raised his right hand, as if calling out his childhood chum across the sands of
Chowpatty beach, and hollered<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Your Honor! The charge against
me is unfair. Mine was an act of omission, not one intentionally committed. The
enervation was the sole cause of my ingress into the incorrect compartment and
not out of any malicious or puerile intent. I am willing to…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He could not complete it because the judge banged his gavel and told the constable to take him away on
“contempt of court”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The judge’s decision came because
of many reasons. He was running late for his lunch. He never liked Hindi Cinema.
He did not know the meaning of the words “enervation”, “ingress”, “malicious”, or “puerile”.
The words that he did not understand would have been more significant if he had
allowed Ganesh to continue. Ganesh was (and still is) our resident Shakespeare with
an awesome vocabulary. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One moment we were all looking at
a quick lunch and back to work. The next, we were left wondering what in the
hell just happened while Ganesh was escorted back to his cell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">His turn eventually came at 3 in
the afternoon. We skipped our lunch not knowing if we had enough cash to bail
him out. We were talking about multiple charges now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A tired trio walked back to the VT
station, relieved ourselves in the designated restrooms, and boarded a compartment
that was not “ladies only”, not “First class”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A vendor came along displaying an
unbreakable, flexible plastic comb which broke into two when he demonstrated
its flexibility leaving him red-faced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A second vendor came with sliced
mangoes, a third with plastic pouches for passports, ID cards, and season
tickets; the stream of vendors on a Bombay local is endless but all we wanted
was just an ordinary day with no more adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-58019046913477191002024-01-19T14:47:00.001+01:002024-01-19T14:47:45.944+01:00US & THEM<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What’s in a name?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The bard had no idea about<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The crazy times that were yet to come<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Everything is in a name!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What is this place?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A temple<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No, but before it was a temple?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was a mosque<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But before it was a mosque?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was a temple<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Before it was a temple?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Someone’s home<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A place of worship<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A palace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A kennel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A manger<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wait.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How far back do I have to go?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It depends on where you want to take your stand<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is it really important?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That question is again relative.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is it right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That is an irrelevant question!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is this the place where
Palestinians lived?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Depends on where you stand?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You mean this place belongs to
the Jews<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I did not say that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What about October 7<sup>th</sup>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What about October 8th, 9th,
10th …?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Leave these two questions aside<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What about children and civilians?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is not a relevant question!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is Russia right in invading
Ukraine?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Depends on where you want to stand?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, Russia is right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I did not say that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Then Ukraine is right<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You are saying it, not me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Once again, what about children
and civilians?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do not you ever learn?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How many times will you ask irrelevant questions?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When two countries fight, what
do we do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We take sides<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On ethical ground?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course not! We decide who we supply arms to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is that right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am getting tired of your naivete<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Will Trump be elected again?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Probably, yes!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What about fraud, mocking the
disabled,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Disrespecting the women,
insurrection, lying under oath?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You think the two are related?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Don’t they!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Facepalm!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Will we phase out fossil fuels?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do we need to?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Don’t we?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You tell me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I think we need to<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Because!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do not play with words<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The evidence is plain<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Says who?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Well.. everyone who believes in
science<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is a hoax!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Says who<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So there is no way to agree on
this<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I did not say that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am saying let us continue till<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We find a common ground<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ah! You agree to stop burning
fossil<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Till we come to an agreement<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No, I am saying let us continue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To burn till we reach an agreement<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At this rate there will be
nothing<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Left to burn soon<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Precisely, Precisely!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We are heading towards the sixth
extinction<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What do you mean<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the Anthropocene era<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is not even an official name<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We are destroying the only world
we have<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do not be a fearmonger<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At this rate, we will all die
soon<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, why bother?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do we need a religion?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Why?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How else can you control?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, it is not about God<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Never was, never will be<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, it is just a tool<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A very powerful tool<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Isn’t it wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Depends on where you stand<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What do you mean?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">People are stupid, we need to control them<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They do not know what is good for them<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do you know what is good for
them<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Irrelevant question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But you are using it to control
them<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, because I can<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And why do people need to listen
to you<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They do not need to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But they do<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That is because they are stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, you mean if they are clever,
you will stop to matter<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ha Ha Ha! How naïve can you be<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The clever ones will be silenced<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But why will people allow that<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Because, they are stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You are destroying this world<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I know<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There will be no future<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Sure, I know that too<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Whatever it is, it will get worse!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0033cc;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">History will judge you<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What is history?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is what we repeat endlessly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Morons of the past wanted to shape the future<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They all failed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We are the new masters<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We shape history. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We work on it till it reaches what we want it to be<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Shape it again when the time comes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some people believe that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Birds are spy robots<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">9/11 was a conspiracy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Democracy is for the weak<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nationalism is good<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Immigrants are cockroaches<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There is us and the rest is “them”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And “them” is evil<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You read George Orwell, Ece Temelkuran , Jason Stanley,
Arundathi Roy and Timothy Snyder<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hoping they expose the rot<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We read them as guidebooks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You need a great mass to realize, rebel, and raise<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We need a small group to remain steadfast<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You believe that the right shall prevail<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We know violence works<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You want permanent peace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We rely on eternal war<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You need proofs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We need only doubts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You must win<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Just<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Need<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fail!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjZ73hdt9A4QvKLnmZ6pI3jGA_TrAB0RUUq0zmB3_JYVN078yEhtZ2ENKtWBjdelUe2CjGaQSkegJ-i2zDq4Yog5oCcEOFqakzaDvKlcIVn_zQ-XOnWsF3NFQITwCtyCYHYLDNCZzemAFazOIMP79x96GR2vYwpoj1GDR1zZJEqpv0p16mONpwMoL6a6s/s461/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="461" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjZ73hdt9A4QvKLnmZ6pI3jGA_TrAB0RUUq0zmB3_JYVN078yEhtZ2ENKtWBjdelUe2CjGaQSkegJ-i2zDq4Yog5oCcEOFqakzaDvKlcIVn_zQ-XOnWsF3NFQITwCtyCYHYLDNCZzemAFazOIMP79x96GR2vYwpoj1GDR1zZJEqpv0p16mONpwMoL6a6s/w400-h398/11.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pic Courtesy: npr</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-60979000363717594972023-12-30T00:01:00.001+01:002023-12-30T00:22:12.929+01:00Books read in 2023<p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hello,
a happy 2024 to everyone.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Continuing
the habit, here is a list of books I read in 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Fall of the Ottomans – The Great War in the Middle East 1914 - 1920(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Eugene Rogan</span>; Reading it immediately after Musa Dagh
helped. One is often left to wonder how many great empires or regimes met their
nemesis in Russia. The research is exhaustive. A definitive book on Ottomans. The
post-war repatriations that would serve as the base of the 2<sup>nd</sup> World
War somehow spurred Ataturk to launch an immediate resistance and formed modern Turkey. The immoral British and French stand exposed for their shady
dealings and promises they made that they had no intention of keeping. The
continuing simmering cauldron that is the Middle East today is the sole
creation of the certified troublemaker of the modern world, The British. A
brilliant book. The withdrawal of Russia after the Bolshevik revolution from
the Entente forces that changed the course of the war is something I learned
from this book. The Ottomans were so close to a different outcome so many
times. The fleeing of the three pashas and the Armenians tracking them down to
avenge is poetic judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 18<sup>th</sup> December and
finished on 21<sup>st</sup> Jan<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Arko
and Vivek</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">R.N.Kao: Gentleman Spymaster
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Nitin A Gokhale</span>; What
a shoddy piece of writing. Mr. Kao deserved a better biographer than Gokhale.
After reading Walter Isaacson’s brilliant narratives in countless biographies,
this comes across as poor. A comparison to WI is not fair, but even on its own,
this is pathetic writing. The author says he finished writing in 2 months, and
the result is evident. I wish someone else would write another biography on Mr.
Kao that would do justice to his stature and achievement. The chapters on
Bangladesh and Sikkim were better than the others. The appendix was entirely
meaningless.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 21<sup>st</sup> Jan and finished
on 25<sup>th</sup> Jan<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Arko</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Body- A Guide for Occupants
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Bill Bryson</span>; Such a
lovely read. Who would have thought that a book on how one’s body functions could
be such a breeze. The anecdotes. The wit. Fantastic read. For a book that
endlessly repeats, “this we do not know”, “for which science has no answer” and
so on, it transfers a great deal of information and makes you much wiser about
your own body. The more you look at what your body does, the more you stand in
awe at the completeness, the functions and the industriousness of it. If I
start sharing one quote a day, I will have quotes left after my time is up.
Fabulous writing at its best. We owe so much to chance, that played a crucial
role in most inventions to improve our health. And, as usual, out of the blue
comes certain references that drag me back to the holocaust and unit 731. Sigh.
Humans, how vile can they get?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 25<sup>th</sup> Jan and finished
on 5<sup>th</sup> Feb<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian and Krish Ashok (his tweet on race being a sliver of epidermis first
drew me to this work)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Thursday murder club (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Richard Osman</span>; After three non-fiction works, I needed
a fiction break. Fun, before anything else. Easy to read and clever at the same
time. Subtle humor on almost every page. This one is my fav though “It would be
the most uncomfortable chair that Chris had ever sat in, had he not just made
the flight to Cyprus on Ryanair”. The whole novel is a wonderful tease. A
highly satisfying read. Such a complicated plot, with so many characters, all
neatly woven in. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 5<sup>th</sup> Feb and finished on
11<sup>th</sup> Feb <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Shilpa</span>
(though this was on the news for a long and I had made a note of it earlier on
too)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Remote Sympathy (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Catherine Chidgey</span>; Did not expect this book to be such
a fast read. Brilliantly written. So subtle in most places. In one of the pages
she describes the photographs of the inmates as “the stubble-headed and pebble-eyed”. How very perfect. This will stay with me forever. It describes the
countless photographs that I had seen at Auschwitz-Birkenau. I am no stranger to
books about/around the holocaust but this one is so special, so unique,
unlike any that I have read before. With alternating records between the
doctor, Frau Hahn, the recordings of Dietrich Hahn from the Dachau trials, and the
impressions of the 1000 men from Weimar, the novel unfolds exquisitely tenderly and unflinchingly. The climax is BEAUTIFUL! It is only February but I
can’t imagine another book challenging this for the best book of the year’s
reading. This is likely to be the image on the year-end blog post. Would love
to meet the author one day and salute my admiration. So truthful to the
Buchenwald account. Simply mind-blowing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 11<sup>th</sup> Feb and finished
on 19<sup>th</sup> February.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Braided River A Journey along
the Brahmaputra (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Samrat
Choudhury</span>; A lovely easy read. The humor is subtle and a constant presence.
The author has covered a vast canvas. From the Ahom empire to the Muslim
immigrant issues, NRC lives of people in villages, towns, and cities along the
river, the rhinos and elephants. He has a keen eye and a tremendous capacity to
listen and write what he has witnessed. The Bangladesh part was surprisingly
small and appeared as if he hurried to finish it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 19<sup>th</sup> February and
finished on 1st March<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self </span>but
also a gift from <span style="color: blue;">Savitha Shetty</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">7.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Alai Osai (Fiction – Tamil)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Kalki</span>; On my waiting-to-read list for a long time. The
foreword itself was gripping. This book was special fun as I could read it in
Tamil. What a wonderful book. The conversational tone, the ideas, and the narration
are all spellbinding. Kalki holds you in his grip and never lets you go. Most
ideas were so far ahead of time for the 1950s and it pains one to see that most
of the customs and practices ridiculed in the book still prevail. The character
sketches are brilliant. There is no singularly good or bad person. Sita comes
across as a strong candidate for such a complex character sketch. While Lalita
comes across as a symbol of innocence and trust, Sita is a kaleidoscope of
characters. No one is unidimensional. A correct portrayal is that people do change
over a period of time. Vast in its scope, and difficult to identify or slot it
into a genre. A family story, a mystery, a historical novel, and to have managed
to leave a final twist after 950 pages is no easy task. He must have written the
whole novel in longhand (950 pages) back then – mad respect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 1<sup>st</sup> March and finished
on 21<sup>st</sup> March.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> Self
and this particular copy was gifted by Raja.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">8.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">A Calling for Charlie Barnes
(Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Joshua Ferris</span>; A
writer's son writing about his father who died around 2008-2009. What is fiction
and what is real? The power lies with the one who drives the narrative. Facts
are rearranged, life embellished, events exaggerated or outright redacted.
People vanish or compress into one new version. The ending when it happens,
all too fast, takes your breath away. (Serendipity – I wrote a book about my
father who died in 2008. I traded the same fiction and fact balance and many
members of my family who would read it would feel that the story was my version
of the life as I was controlling the narrative). Like V S Naipaul said, “Truth
can be edited, only fiction never lies!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 21<sup>st</sup> March and finished
on 3<sup>rd</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">9.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Embers </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">by <span style="color: red;">Saba Khan</span>; A book of poems. The author is a friend. So
bought and read on the same day. Mothers and Pockets and Purses struck a
chord immediately. Other poems will slowly grow on me. I am not much of a poem
person. So will read it a few more times. But to hold in your hand a book written
by your friend is a special feeling<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on 24th March<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by the <span style="color: blue;">author
herself.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">10.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Range – How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">David Epstein</span>; A great
read with a lot of anecdotes and insights. Early specialization is to be
avoided and late specialization (if at all) is more rewarding. Makes absolute
sense. I can feel it as I grew in my organization. I had to develop different
skills than my core competence to perform. Came to a point where my core
competence was no longer put to any use. But, how many will take this step? An
essential book for everyone. If I leave my job anytime soon, this book would
have been a catalyst. It is also a stroke of serendipity that I finished the
book on the day my beloved friend who recommended this book ran the London
Marathon for a charity! The book itself was a compelling read, alternating
between well-known sports personalities, obscure management leaders and
pioneers in science, and unknown female musicians of ancient Italy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 3<sup>rd</sup> April and finished
on 23<sup>rd</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Arun
Krishnamoorthy</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">11.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="color: blue;">Foster (Fiction)</span>
by <span style="color: red;">Claire Keegan</span>; In her typical short novella
style. As gripping as the other book, small things like these. A simple tale.
Told beautifully. A satisfying read. We all could have wanted a cinematic shock
event that almost came to pass or an ending that would have been more
predictable and satisfying but one that would not have been fair. A satisfying
read and the power of her books is that they are a quick read, leaving you
wishing it were longer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on 23<sup>rd</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">12.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Cutting for Stone (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Abraham
Verghese</span>; The novel lived up to the expectations. A glorious read on the human psyche, family, relationships, and the ultimate fact that “the world turns
on our every action, and every omission, whether we know it or not”. Made me
smile and cry in equal measure. Will now proceed to devour everything he has
penned. Reminded me a bit of Amor Towles in his writing style and what is it
with doctors and literature? So many great books are written by doctors!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 25<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 10<sup>th</sup> June<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">13.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Psychology of Money (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Morgan Housel</span>; Never thought that a book on money and
finance would be such an easy read. No magical formula or a panacea, but
everyday wisdom so obvious that we often miss them. The way the book was
constructed, anecdotal, was a nice ploy to keep you engaged. You know some of
those names, the incidents and it is easy to connect and identify. I picked up
a few good points, which is win enough for me. More importantly, a few
revelations like “The illusion of control is more persuasive than the reality
of uncertainty that we choose to believe a narrative that reinforces our sense
of control”. A lovely book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 11<sup>th</sup> June and finished
on 16<sup>th</sup> June<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">14.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Silence is My Mother Tongue (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Sulaiman Addonia</span>; Punches you in your gut and kicks
you while you struggle to gain normalcy. Powerful and gut-wrenching. “was
expecting womanhood to arrive through my education, character but it came via
my vagina”, “we treat women like goddesses; Treat us like human beings and half
the problems are solved” and “women were the colander through which the
suffering of their nations was purged” are just a few examples. The ending of the
book “full of generous people” is dripping with sarcasm. And the
acknowledgments where he talks about "his being an Arsenal fan was punishing
enough" reveal that the author can smile after all that he had been through! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 16<sup>th</sup> June and finished
on 30<sup>th</sup> June<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">15.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">How fascism works – The Politics of Us and Them (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jason Stanley</span>; Similar in scope to Ece Temelkuran’s 7
steps to lose your country and equally powerful. His clarity is stunning. One
feels so helpless when the problem and the approach of the fascists are so
clearly laid out and we still can’t do much. The book is so full of quotable
quotes, that this must be the most underlined and margin-noted book. This one line
so simply sums up everything about us and them. “We make mistakes, they are
criminals”. The world is falling apart right in front of our own eyes and we
just watch with shock at how stupid people can be or should it be gullible?
Either way, we do not learn from our history is evident. The fact that we have
a war raging in Europe (400+ days) just 80 years after the devastating WW II is
an indication that we have learned nothing. But can one lose hope? Certainly
not. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 30<sup>th</sup> June and finished
on 4<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">16.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">You made a fool of death with your beauty (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Akwaeke Emezi</span>; Disappointing! What a fall after
Freshwater! Read more like Harold Robbins writing a book over a weekend after
watching Masterchef Australia! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 5<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 9<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">17.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Africa is not a Country – Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Dipo Faloyin</span>; Earlier
I had said, How Fascism Works should be part of the school syllabus and we can
add Dipo’s book to the list. So relevant and well researched and extremely
clear in laying out facts. As an Indian, I can relate to the colonial excesses
and the colonial baggage that we all carry. The grief expressed while visiting
the British Museum and the shamelessness of the museums all over the world in
refusing to return is absolutely spot on. A review would not be complete
without his humor. Brilliant. Isn’t humor the only coping mechanism that we all
have in facing our troubles? A satire on a Hollywood guide to making movies on
Africa stands out. I laughed as much as I sat and pondered. And wept.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 9<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 19<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">A random airport pick-up</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> (as
I finished Emezi, I started this book on the flight back – A book bought and
begun at once, while earlier purchases are waiting their turn!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">18.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Vajpayee – The ascent of the Hindu Right 1924-1977 (Non-Fiction</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">) by
<span style="color: red;">Abhishek Choudhary</span>; Biography done right. The
author brings the much-needed nuance and kudos to him for having resisted the
urge to paint everything in black or white. Was surprised to learn that Babri
Masjid was an issue in 1949 and DeMo was suggested as a solution to rein in
black money in 1970. I can confidently say Walter Isaacson and R Guha have a
competent contemporary. Hope the part 2 does not disappoint. A relevant read to
understand the slow but dangerous ascent of Hindu right!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 20<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 4<sup>th</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Panicker
(Twitter)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">19.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Lincoln Highway (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Amor
Towles</span>; Does the author need an introduction? After the magnificent
Gentleman in Moscow and the brilliant Rules of Civility (the order in which I
read them) the 3<sup>rd</sup> book was naturally on the cards. “For kindness
begins where necessity ends” is a statement that shall stay with me for a long
time. Original plot and excellent writing. Chekov’s gun principle is practiced
unerringly. A lovely read. There is every potential for a Lincoln Highway part
2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 4<sup>th</sup> August and finished
on 15<sup>th</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">20.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="color: blue;">The association of
small bombs (Fiction)</span> by <span style="color: red;">Karan Mahajan</span>; How
a small bomb impacts so many lives. The eternal Hindu–Muslim divide laid
bare. A wonderful study of human behavior. “They should all die” to “let us go
and support them” in a span of a few hours is a classic rendition of how humans
behave. Rationality is not one's forte ‘when personal tragedy clouds your mind.
A nice tie-up of all the events and characters in the end, though it felt that
the author rushed the ending. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 15<sup>th</sup> August and
finished on 21<sup>st</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span>,
a random pick-up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">21.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">A pocketful of happiness (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Richard E Grant</span>; CRAP. If I write more, I will become
more agitated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 21<sup>st</sup> August and
finished on 27th August<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">22.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Pedro Paramo (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Juan
Rulfo</span>; Picked up the book as the foreword was written by Garcia Marquez
and his effusive praise. The book started well and had great potential but
became weirder and weirder. Can’t say I enjoyed reading it. Too non-linear, and
the dreaded magic realism in an uncontrolled way. Thankfully, it was a slim
volume.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 28<sup>th</sup> August and
finished on 31<sup>st</sup> August.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">23.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">House of Glass – The story and secrets of a twentieth-century
Jewish family(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Hadley
Freeman</span>; Started on the day the Second World War broke and the Glass
family starts their lives in a town, Chrzanow, 80 km from where I live. After
William Shirer introduced me to the 1000-year Reich, my life had been a
constant engagement with WW II and the Holocaust. Seven trips to Auschwitz Birkenau
and multiple volumes later, any book on Jews cca 1930s still packs a punch. “Individual
lives are always more complicated than sweeps of history” and “Being Jewish is
something to be endured, never flaunted” are two statements that define the
book. No stranger to family tragedies, still the lives of Jacques, Mila, and
Lily make your jaw drop. Alex – from stealing meatballs to getting personalized
sketches from Picasso – what a life! A most satisfying book. Shed the usual
tears. Another book that illustrates the complex nature of individuals and the
fact that there are always shades of gray; life is never black or white. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 1<sup>st</sup> September and
finished on 9<sup>th</sup> September<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">24.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The End of Faith – Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Sam Harris</span>; Not for
anyone seeking subtlety. He has taken a sledgehammer and never once puts it
down. Written immediately after 9/11, the anger and the rage is palpable.
Religion is laid bare here for what it is, EVIL! And this time he appeals to
the rational men (and women) not to tolerate the nonsense anymore. Certain
parts (his exploration of pragmatist and realist for example) were a bit dense
but an honest piece of work. “The religious moderate is nothing more than a
failed fundamentalist; by failing to live by the letter, while tolerating the
irrationality of those who do, he betrays both faith and reason equally”
“Theology is ignorance with wings” and “the more educated we become, the more
second hand our beliefs are" are some of the quotes that describe how
scholarly this book is. He has not diluted his anger and this book must be
mandatory for everyone and more so for a fence sitter!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 10<sup>th</sup> September and
finished on 24<sup>th</sup> September<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">25.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">All the light we cannot see (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Anthony Doerr</span>; Superlative work. I loved all those
small chapters. I also have a bias towards authors who name their chapters
instead of numbering them. The alternate chapters flitting between the two main
characters and jumping timelines were both done so effortlessly that one never
feels lost. The author says in acknowledgments that it took almost a decade to
write this book and the result is evident. A thoroughly researched book. A
different kind of war book. Saint-Malo must be visited soon. I wanted to finish
this book before the Netflix series/film comes out in November.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 25<sup>th</sup> September and
finished on 3<sup>rd</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">26.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">So Late in the Day (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Claire
Keegan</span>; The third Keegan book after the brilliant Small Things Like These
and the taut Foster. She does not waste words, and one sits back and wonders at
the simplicity of the book, its short length, and the powerful messages all packed
so neatly into such a small volume. Brevity becomes beautiful in Keegan’s hand.
She is unbelievably good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on the 4<sup>th</sup> of October. Will read it again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">27.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Our Freedoms – essays and stories from India’s best writers
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> edited by <span style="color: red;">Nilanjana S Roy</span>;
This has been on my to-buy list but Amalia decided to gift it to me. An
engaging read. “Necessity stayed on the street while privilege went home “ and
“I became an atheist when I started to think” came across loud and clear.
Gautam Bhatia and Annie Zaidi set the tone, Perumal Murugan had his signature
caste relevance, Yashica was incisive in her freedom exchange, Vivek Shanbhag
was at his usual best, Roshan Ali’s “agendas” I would rate as the best in this
collection, Salil Tripathi was brilliant, Aatish Taseer’s pain was palpable,
Suketu Mehta was extraordinary bristling with rage – how can Gandhi and Amit
Shah both come from Gujarat? -, Gyan Prakash’s probing of the untouchability from
a different pov was mesmerizing, T M Krishna was his usual reliable stuff and
Priyanka Dubey’s one on forgiveness was breathtaking. A good compilation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 5<sup>th</sup> October and
finished on 10<sup>th</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Gifted by <span style="color: blue;">Amalia</span>,
so counts as her recommendation, even though it was on my “to buy” list <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">28.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Nine rupees an hour – Disappearing livelihoods of Tamil Nadu
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Aparna Karthikeyan</span>;
Been following the works of the author on PARI and am now familiar with her
style of storytelling. It is engaging. A lot has been written about the extinction
of species but this is probably the first book to record the extinction of
skills/professions. Almost every single profession she has recorded will
cease to exist, sadly, in the coming decades. What is the price of
self-respect? 36% per annum. Confused? Read the farmers’ story and understand
why they avoid banks. Groundwater issue
– Summed up in one sentence. Punjab gets tanker water from Rajasthan! Which
doctor do you go to? Not based on experience or reputation but the one who will
not humiliate us. Sainath gives a unique perspective on why museums have not
picked up in India and also nails it when the topic is inequality and skilled labor. Also, do you know the origins of the names chickpea, cowpea,
pigeon pea, etc.. – Ask Sainath. The surprise package was the T. M. Krishna
interview. “The terms classical and folk must be abolished” and “it is you and
I who decide that poor needs no art” – with just these two quotes he had blown
to smithereens centuries of bias. Bravo! A heartbreakingly beautiful book with
so much of the inherent bias laid bare. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 11<sup>th</sup> October and
finished on 21<sup>st</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span>
(after following the author on Twitter)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">29.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="color: blue;">The Ministry for the
Future (Fiction)</span> by <span style="color: red;">Kim Stanley Robinson</span>;
Was not sure about reading a book that came under the genre of science fiction.
What a marvelous book. A beacon of hope in the middle of all pessimists and
naysayers. It is simple to sit back and criticize but it takes a willingness
and an enormous knowledge to come out with solutions that are not far-fetched.
That chapter towards the end that spoke eloquently about dignity from the point
of view of a refugee/immigrant was so beautifully written. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 21<sup>st</sup> October and
finished on 3<sup>rd</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Krish
Ashok.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">30.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Strokes of genius – Federer, Nadal and the greatest match ever
played (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">L. Jon Wertheim</span>;
It had everything I admire. Tennis. Federer. Nadal. Wimbledon. It was
inconceivable to me that a book could be written about ONE match, even with a
bit of background to fill up the pages. It transported me 15 years back in my
life and to that wonderful afternoon when sports reached its perfection.
Effortless writing, even if some comparisons with American sports (NFL and
Baseball) did not land well. A must for any sports enthusiast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 4<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 13<sup>th</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span>
and gifted by <span style="color: blue;">Savitha</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">31.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Really good actually (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Monica
Heisey</span>; Funny in parts. The new generation with its social media online
culture may appreciate this more. Many observations and behavioral observations
were spot on. A decent read. Nowhere near the superlative level that the
reviews claimed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 13<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 25<sup>th</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">A random airport pick-up, <span style="color: blue;">so self-recommended.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">32.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The uncontrollability of the world (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Hartmut Rosa</span>; A scholarly look at resonance and the
conflict between our desire to control everything and the resulting
frustrations whether we manage to control or not. His exploration of
self-efficacy was outstanding, even, or especially, to inanimate objects. As in
“we not only read but begin to process a book”. And the conclusion nails it
efficiently. Our exasperation has its roots not in what is still denied to us,
but in what we have lost because we now have it under our control. ! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 26<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 4<sup>th</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Met this lady <span style="color: blue;">Ana</span>
<span style="color: blue;">Maria</span> at Dubai airport and she was reading
this. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">33.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Catch and Kill – Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Ronan Farrow</span>; Another
brilliant book along the lines of Bad Blood. The perseverance and fortitude
shown by the reporters are commendable. And people like Harvey Weinstein make
you sick and angry at the same time. The only complaint I have is far too many
names to keep track of. The famous/notorious ones were easy but the remaining
multitude was confusing. Had to keep a record of names for reference (who was
the lawyer, who worked for NBC, New York Times, New Yorker, etc.…) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 4<sup>th</sup> December and
finished on 17<sup>th</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">33
is not a bad number, I would say. Hope you pick up some from this list.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">See
you around the same time next year. Insha Allah!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc4Cn7ZeU0kDVgb-fXPgsPUQr6vXKqqcEy3zqCsNJsxxKHuEcgLiZdq_xPYKV23JM1KsPoQclKu1-oKMIObM5GCuRys3rESrLJfw0h2sY-bH-OVqJC3UF0XVMdNdbP-FEFxABqqx-NBfBXycMbMquFbbZbpZT35iERrSSNV9tBFUXGQQe9_1Igz4ovRPy/s798/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc4Cn7ZeU0kDVgb-fXPgsPUQr6vXKqqcEy3zqCsNJsxxKHuEcgLiZdq_xPYKV23JM1KsPoQclKu1-oKMIObM5GCuRys3rESrLJfw0h2sY-bH-OVqJC3UF0XVMdNdbP-FEFxABqqx-NBfBXycMbMquFbbZbpZT35iERrSSNV9tBFUXGQQe9_1Igz4ovRPy/w422-h640/2.JPG" width="422" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-12049554693464311722023-11-02T11:23:00.002+01:002023-11-02T11:23:49.833+01:00Polynary<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am often stumped when someone poses this question.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Is he a good guy?”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How does one answer that question? I recently wrote a statement, trying to describe the world, and realized that it could apply to individuals too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here it is.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“The stupidity of reducing complex things to a simple binary when the devil lies in the nuances is the biggest tragedy of this world”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The human mind craves simplicity and targets to reduce everything to a simple binary.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Good; Bad. Love; Hate. Intelligent; Stupid. And so on……..</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Amor Towles explained it beautifully in his book “The Gentleman from Moscow”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>“After all, what can a first impression tell us about someone we’ve just met for a minute in the lobby of a hotel? For that matter, what can a first impression tell us about anyone? Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli. By their very nature, human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory, that they deserve not only our consideration, but our reconsideration—and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at every possible hour.” </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Absolutely true, right?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Even Stalin had his well-wishers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And someone shot Gandhi.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And people forget that humans are inherently manipulative by nature. Forget manipulation, they are often indecisive, which is not the same as deliberately manipulating. And they can be indecisive by very nature or due to different circumstances.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One can love dogs. And get furious when one reads about a child who is killed by a stray dog attack. So, what is he? A dog-lover or someone who has no empathy for animals.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A person who has lost a family member or a friend to an attack can never reconcile to acknowledge the counterview of the party involved to justify why they had done what they did.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Try justifying the point of view of an Azerbaijani to a distraught Armenian. Try telling the parents of Unnikrishnan that a gang of rabid Muslims does not represent the whole of Pakistan. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Does it mean that the Armenian and the parents of Unnikrishnan in question are not stable individuals? Do they fail to qualify your litmus test of being good or bad people? How do you evaluate them? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Armenian in question may be the most sensible individual that you come across but may still be totally unconvinced to agree to a counterview that an Azerbaijani could mean well. Here the issue is not if A or B is right or wrong? How do you judge if A or B is good or bad? It is impossible, right? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The examples taken are just samples. Given the deep rifts between various societies, we can fill this blog with thousands of examples.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When you are not personally impacted, it is possible for you to take a middle ground and evaluate the right reaction and conclusion towards any incident. It is not possible for some who have a personal stake. When you are personally invested, it is not possible to expect logic to be consistent. One can pardon the same act by X and rage with fury if the same act is committed by Y. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is safe to say that every person in this world is bound to be disliked (or even hated) by another person. Their reasons could be as valid as yours for liking the same person. Here an agreement is impossible. The more you discuss the more acrimonious the arguments are going to be.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One does not have to venture out into the wide wicked world to see such incongruities. Haven’t you seen your parents display traits that are not expected of them? Islamophobia, intolerance for religious positions, and casteism, to name just a few. What does one do? Has your father and/or mother suddenly become the scum of the universe? That surely is the epithet we throw at an outsider whom we do not know intimately. How can the mentioned three traits (a microcosm of the bulk that can be raked up) be ignorable in some and ignoble in others? And used to decisively label one as such and such and glossed over in the other due to extenuating circumstances?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Parents, siblings, close relatives, at times even friends. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We are all guilty here of using two different sets of measurements before we consign them under G or B. Whereas we rush to label a total stranger rather quickly (and hence likely to be more erroneously). The focus is not on some non-existing standards of evaluation but the futility of trying to find one. Because it does not exist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Can not exist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is rather tempting to make a universally sweeping statement saying “There are no good or bad people in absolute”. We should not venture in such a direction, because the reality is that we do not know. The possibility of such a statement being true is rather high but a wise one will stay away from making such sweeping statements. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We live in a world where one can get killed for</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Supporting the wrong club</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Celebrating a win</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stating his religious leanings</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Demanding equality</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Demonstrating his sexual preference</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This means it is the same world, where another person exists who is ready to kill for the same reasons. I agree that not everyone is going around killing people. But, like Orwell mentioned, the thoughts are as important as the thoughts form the base for convictions and convictions lead to actions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Back to the question that started this blogpost; when you ask me if someone is good or bad, I refuse to answer. Not because I am afraid to take a stand. But because the truth is there is no way I can know. Anyone can know. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A binary is impossible. The more you interact, it is more likely you reach stages of tertiary, quaternary, quinary, senary and so on…….</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The truth lies in the polynary. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is not an existing word, but you understand what I mean.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq1AA1tloQWZxiM-hNFG6pQn3pU8J12altjlIQpQARNhzak_xgsoYolsLqwUJt_iN2Phs_6zfL9fZi75vKLFyr8SZR2QZQHRg32EHdXUm1jTUxurtTK2B1KENOsoni15dkH7wU8JfFMzwjJlzfuiYuKshWQBuoda06yOjN55QPzvm14BO0kjP1fHYqVz2/s578/Nocola%20Jayne%20Seddon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="383" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq1AA1tloQWZxiM-hNFG6pQn3pU8J12altjlIQpQARNhzak_xgsoYolsLqwUJt_iN2Phs_6zfL9fZi75vKLFyr8SZR2QZQHRg32EHdXUm1jTUxurtTK2B1KENOsoni15dkH7wU8JfFMzwjJlzfuiYuKshWQBuoda06yOjN55QPzvm14BO0kjP1fHYqVz2/w265-h400/Nocola%20Jayne%20Seddon.JPG" width="265" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Artwork by Nicola Jayne Seddon</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-36599650756056785012023-10-26T14:14:00.004+02:002023-10-26T14:14:39.420+02:00JULIE<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Julie shivered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Julie was not comfortable with noise. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Firecrackers made her jump. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And the nonstop barrage of bombs and explosions that
followed petrified her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She is now reduced to a constant state of tremors. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Her whole family had perished in the overnight bombing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She was spared as she chose to sleep on the lawns as the
weather was suffocatingly hot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The neighbors were spared too and they were kind. They asked
her to go over to the other side. They told her no harm would come to her. She
wore a funny belt, heavy, and a small placard around her neck declaring “I am
innocent”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She crossed the border. No one shot at her. It was like the
old times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The soldiers gathered around her; something beeped and Julie
blew up, killing the soldiers and herself in an instant. No time to even
register or regret what had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The “humans” on the other side cheered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now, even dogs have a nationality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq_uUm45L4GVCw5i2CSCCNon0F0WawjfNeZXebYMDngIJ-a136RCRiNut10WGpK6RIy05_XwPBRs9FJ1SQa3yi-W2xbyblSg2ywlQH1Pacz_31BbKm_waPBlC1YEdT_GiBF61tp3_9WEqJeXXUV2Rm7mA2OC7RaN_6VUR0PdBeH9sTgBUwAOLXApSAaND/s502/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="502" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq_uUm45L4GVCw5i2CSCCNon0F0WawjfNeZXebYMDngIJ-a136RCRiNut10WGpK6RIy05_XwPBRs9FJ1SQa3yi-W2xbyblSg2ywlQH1Pacz_31BbKm_waPBlC1YEdT_GiBF61tp3_9WEqJeXXUV2Rm7mA2OC7RaN_6VUR0PdBeH9sTgBUwAOLXApSAaND/w400-h290/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-21734499700829649362023-10-13T09:35:00.005+02:002023-10-13T09:35:48.367+02:00Children Of War<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How do I play with soap bubbles</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When the buildings are rubble</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How can I soar on the swing</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When my eyes sting</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My console is broken but</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The games are live</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The scenes are black and white</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But the blood is red</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I lost my markers to proceed</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To the playground</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A level playing field has a</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Literal meaning now</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There is no one to stop me from</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Going to the ground</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They are all gone!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Even if I make it to the playground</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Who do I play with</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They are all gone too!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have read that people go to</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lonely places seeking solitude</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am now willing to trade anything</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For some company</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This solitude is unbearable</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The silence deafening</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I used to curse the smog</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I will trade it now for this smoke</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Could someone rewind the clock</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And take me back to the age of foraging</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The predators of the past are</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">An upgrade to the present ones!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSw4xTsfRMyFDKRfzB9BsUZ89uCqAB3zTltoU49kSnCxoVZA2Ywc2mvnl1fWLA5dHOET9Py-dtggPNf9CwcCHue_xXm71om4tx7qLCZToJIZ4UezlRFc_4-s79EAfMYhxBONciwYQaJ5pqXMHCuXaWo5JNPJsutNAIkck5pJos1sVBiXk_GR0WNvYniL_/s1022/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1022" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSw4xTsfRMyFDKRfzB9BsUZ89uCqAB3zTltoU49kSnCxoVZA2Ywc2mvnl1fWLA5dHOET9Py-dtggPNf9CwcCHue_xXm71om4tx7qLCZToJIZ4UezlRFc_4-s79EAfMYhxBONciwYQaJ5pqXMHCuXaWo5JNPJsutNAIkck5pJos1sVBiXk_GR0WNvYniL_/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Pic Credit: The Sun, NewYork<br /><div><br /></div><span style="color: #888888;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-27378174393713072302023-10-07T21:54:00.001+02:002023-10-08T10:08:28.776+02:00Requiem<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How do you bury a childhood friend?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With a heavy heart of course! That goes without saying.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is never easy but you can compose yourself if the death
was due to natural causes. It gets more difficult when you know it has been a
murder. A swift one at that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It gets Kafkaesque when the childhood friend who is dead is
still alive!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the late '70s and early '80s, I was glued to the transistor
listening to the running commentary of most of India’s cricket matches, played
in India. I had company. My brothers, at times my neighbors. All India Radio
used to broadcast commentaries in both English and Hindi, half an hour each. It
was unbelievably tense, those 30 minutes of Hindi commentary! I did not know
Hindi then, even now my Hindi is not at the literature level but I am able to
converse and understand, and it was more of a guessing game and trial and error. I
learned numbers in Hindi via those slots of 30 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ek, do, teen, char, paanch, che.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This was enough. Out was fortunately out!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I used to keep a notebook and mark each over, ball by ball,
with runs scored.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOX_XJISHEOG0YJUHCMkGK9OyjabtV2tHfdLDAnh97moZc6uV12s5VGRqTB4VaFL9fw_BG4k35OepSwITOGSJ6dZqw4CnBxEXsNv2mA688NmH98rK1kRPMGnpwWiL0PxFsLt695hSNKKNcEMan1eJ-Amsh79Tqm7Vc-GW-sFN-8OpXiaifSrVAWwTsTo3/s1888/20231006_110351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1888" data-original-width="1260" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOX_XJISHEOG0YJUHCMkGK9OyjabtV2tHfdLDAnh97moZc6uV12s5VGRqTB4VaFL9fw_BG4k35OepSwITOGSJ6dZqw4CnBxEXsNv2mA688NmH98rK1kRPMGnpwWiL0PxFsLt695hSNKKNcEMan1eJ-Amsh79Tqm7Vc-GW-sFN-8OpXiaifSrVAWwTsTo3/w268-h400/20231006_110351.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When the English commentary resumed, I corrected the total
score, accounting for all the errors I had accumulated with my limited
Hindi. Those were still the years when the original version, the test match,
ruled. The one-day internationals, the 50-over matches, were a new entrant. That
version rocketed to the top-notch with a combination of assured results in a day’s
work, plus television coverage. The fact that India won the 1983 Prudential World Cup, at Lords, converted almost every single Indian into a die-hard
cricket fan. And we had stalwarts then. The most fearsome and complete assembly
of such a team came from the, then, invincible West Indies. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Gomes, Lloyd, Dujon, Marshall,
Holding, Garner, Roberts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">40 years later, I can still recall this team without referring
to Google! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When we were almost certain that the thrill of a World Cup
win can never be paralleled, we were exposed to an early morning telecast of those
unbelievably green pitches from Australia via channel 9, which defined world-class coverage to us. And the commentary, fully in English.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Packer series drew a few greedy players to go and sell their
wares (and souls) in South Africa. It did not have much of an impact on a
regular cricket aficionado like me and millions of others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The ODIs were just in time as the original version, the test
cricket, was slowly dying. Dead tracks in the sub-continent were one of the
main reasons. Exciting test cricket prospered only Down Under and of course in
the Ashes series.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When the Benson and Hedges series of ODIs ended, the
cricketing world needed an alternative, and little did the world body know then
that they were making the first moves that would alter the nature of cricket
forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The ODIs had already undergone a lot of modifications,
day-night matches, colored clothing, white ball, field restrictions, etc., and
were in a healthy stage with each successive World Cup becoming bigger and
better, throwing new champions (Pakistan, Sri Lanka) while Australia consolidated
its grip as default favorites with India slowly emerging as a serious
contender. The West Indies, once a terror, were reduced to part players (and
not even qualifying for the current 2023 tournament)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Buggles had a song called "The video killed the
radio star”. That defined a change of an era. Thus if ODIs nearly killed the
Test Matches, the next mutation (similar to the biological mutations, with each
new mutation becoming deadlier than its earlier avatars) the despicable T20
destroyed the other two versions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It killed all other forms of cricket, for all practical
purposes, and even destroyed the fundamentals of the gentlemanly game. It came
to represent all that is ugly in modern sports; greed, uncouth conduct,
brazenness, lack of class. It simply reduced a once beautiful game where wily
bowlers teased and taunted staunch batsmen, who in turn started with respecting
them, then slowly mastering them and finally mastering them, into a showdown
between willow-wielding madmen wildly heaving at anything that was pitched at
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There were extraordinary players from the time of the test
matches and ODIs. Willis, Hadlee, Botham, Gavaskar, Vishwanath, Chandrasekhar,
Venkatraghavan, Taylor, Waugh brothers, Boon, DeSilva, Jayasuriya, Kapil Dev,
Gooch, Gilchrist, Crowe, Mc Grath, Donald, Dravid, Laxman, Cronje, Jonty Rhodes, Klusener,
Lara, Richardson, Warne, Murali, Gower, Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Inzamam………..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am trying to remember a single player from the T20 circle today and failing naturally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My interest in cricket started to
die along with the birth and the monstrous growth of the abomination called
T20. The richest board in the world, the BCCI, spotted an opportunity before
anyone else could, and launched the IPL, the final nail in the coffin. By that
time, I had already stopped following cricket in almost all its forms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Gone are the days when Neville Cardus had seen through his
romantic eyes when the test match report read like a piece of literature when
watching the left-handed David Gower stroke the ball, almost caress it to the
boundary with the least effort, who could make batting look effortless and
elegant make you swoon. No more 140 deg turns that defy physics from the wily
wrist of Shane Warne, no more “eyes popped so big, they at times appeared
bigger than the ball” Murali, no more frog in the blender Adam <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now it is bang bang bang bang, pause, more bang bang bang<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">T20 has reduced this one beautiful game to a procession of
muscular thugs who wield heavy bats, whose eyes rest beyond the boundary line,
who swing at every ball, connect more often they miss, the balls sailing into
the stands, sending an already stupid crowd further deep into raptures of ecstasy.
40 overs (or less if you are fortunate) of such madness later, there is not
even a piece of carcass left to perform the last rites.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The only silver lining to this extremely dark scenario is
the recent resurgence of nail-biting, last-day suspense and results in The Ashes!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Long live Ben Stokes!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some might call me anachronistic, say that the game has
evolved and I chose to stay back. I have been following two other sports from
the late 70s. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Football and Tennis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Those two games have still retained their core beauty and
continue to remain relevant. While I have moved from Borg to Federer, Martina
to Iga, Socrates to Mbappe, Zico to Messi, and Lothar to Xavi, the games by
themselves have not self-combusted into a meaningless oblivion. Yes, commercial
interests have crept in there too, the football World Cup had grown from 24 to
32 to now (shudder) 48 I think in the next edition. The 2030 World Cup is going
to be played in three continents and six countries. FIFA appears to have picked
up enough cues from BCCI on “How to kill a sport” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But, as I write this today, Football still appears
enjoyable, With petrodollars pouring in, with almost most top-tier teams owned
by Oil nations, with Saudi Arabia strengthening its grip on the future of
football, (there is a serious possibility that Saudi Arabia will host 2034
World Cup) Thankfully, I will be 70 years old by then, and may have lost my
senses to follow any game. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, in the end, in my lifetime, I would have seen the fall
of two of the best team sports of my generation. One is already done and dusted.
One is a slow work in progress.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tennis may be all that would be left. And there is every
possibility that Djokovic would still be playing in 2034 gunning for his 50<sup>th</sup>
Grand Slam!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And, by the way, T20, even in name, sounds so much like a
cyborg world destroyer of James Cameron’s creation!</span><o:p></o:p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-10587581633949400792023-08-28T10:24:00.006+02:002023-08-29T09:08:49.109+02:00Pri Pri Prigozhin (Sing to the tune of Ra Ra Rasputin)<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There lived a certain man in Russia a while ago</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was mean and wrong, in his team a band of crooks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Most people looked at him with terror and with fear<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But to Putin the dick, he was such a lovely dear<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He could bomb the towns like a monster<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">24 by 7 on hire<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But he also was the kind of monster<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Duma would desire<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There lived a certain man in Russia a while ago<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was mean and wrong, in his team a band of bros<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Most people looked at him with terror and with fear<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But to Putin the dick he was such a lovely dear<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He could bomb the towns like a monster<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">24 by 7 on hire<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But he also was the kind of monster<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Duma would desire<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Darling of dear Putin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was a bat that was out of hell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Russia’s meanest war machine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It’s a miracle that he lived so long<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He took what he wanted without any care<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And dealt with bazookas and drones<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">From east to west, he was the real beast<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But he shone brighter when he had a Ukrainian to shoot<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For Putin, he was not just a tool<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And we all know that Putin’s no fool<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He believed he was a loyal soldier<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Who could merely toe the line<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Darling of dear Putin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was a bat that was out of hell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Russia’s meanest war machine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It’s a miracle that he lived so long<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But when his shooting and bombing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And his independent mind<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Started to annoy the powerful few<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Putin began to think on<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How to control this man<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Firmly and once and for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He must go, no other way thought Putin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But the Wagners roared, don’t you dare<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Though he was bad, Putin was worse<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That’s why the soldiers went with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One day then, Putin called him to a place<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A venue of his choice<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“We need to discuss” he kept saying<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And he really came<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Darling of dear Putin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was a bat that was out of hell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Russia’s meanest war machine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It’s a miracle that he lived so long<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Darling of dear Putin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Putin always wanted just one thing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pri Pri Prigozhin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Darling of dear Putin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And so they shot down the whole plane.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh, these Russians<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2g80NyO-Iy5Ozk7nCtSnAVzt3onlIeeKnP7-ic2S_Tq2EIGUkdouL_ypK6rdpPdnnHnH1nMrm1h1boUqjInH4pUeCQ5GVYQQ08Iggu2zzuPXc7ucpAPGnM9Hu3CQjWw1HbXfDtefclCeM7pUfXTn4QyuHd4avqkpMVawxlBKZfb5jNhLDKaV4FnDTJ4aJ/s386/Capture1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="386" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2g80NyO-Iy5Ozk7nCtSnAVzt3onlIeeKnP7-ic2S_Tq2EIGUkdouL_ypK6rdpPdnnHnH1nMrm1h1boUqjInH4pUeCQ5GVYQQ08Iggu2zzuPXc7ucpAPGnM9Hu3CQjWw1HbXfDtefclCeM7pUfXTn4QyuHd4avqkpMVawxlBKZfb5jNhLDKaV4FnDTJ4aJ/w400-h359/Capture1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">PC: The Guardian.<br /><br /></span><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-29942861238748886232023-06-27T11:31:00.000+02:002023-06-27T11:31:07.465+02:00Chasing Shadows<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Men, who can never conceive</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Decide on whether a woman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Can abort a child or not!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The second amendment is more important<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Than countless lives<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Extinguished in their prime!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Real people are expendable<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In defending imaginary beings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the name of religion!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lives of 5 individuals <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Below the Atlantic<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Are worth more than<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">800 in the Mediterranean!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Five killed in France<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is headlines, while<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A thousand dead in Mogadishu<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is on page 5!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A War in Mainland Europe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is more newsworthy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Than wars in Afghanistan, Sudan or <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Anywhere in Africa!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Refugees are persecuted<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Instead of being protected!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Say no to small boats</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They have no votes!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Make (insert nation name) Great Again<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Distort history and lie regularly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Reward cruelty and punish
honesty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Right-wing is now the RIGHT wing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nationalism triumphs logic<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Myopia is the new vision<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Climate change is a hoax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Vaccines kill people<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Books spoil kids<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So ban them<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(The books, not the kids!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cheating is good<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So long as you are not caught<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, cheat cleverly!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When did we become like this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Or, have we always been like this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have been thinking long and hard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Trying to address the cause<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hoping to find an answer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am running toward the sun<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Chasing my shadow!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8tBuxbMa5d_Te1ojSk-9s0rylrLYD2dQc0Uf1owFgDCxUsiastcHnh_lQ9NXJA_IhCmZXI9yi6-KFlAeCCetwxDwvPOHfOFlS3F-jrQlh7TszipMPeZSGsUoV3Fq8yvSm2joGBElTKwrgHl8i0dceKqrBhHOEi7i17zA0sPScU2x_XUcztmTzJwLl3s5/s310/Capture1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="222" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8tBuxbMa5d_Te1ojSk-9s0rylrLYD2dQc0Uf1owFgDCxUsiastcHnh_lQ9NXJA_IhCmZXI9yi6-KFlAeCCetwxDwvPOHfOFlS3F-jrQlh7TszipMPeZSGsUoV3Fq8yvSm2joGBElTKwrgHl8i0dceKqrBhHOEi7i17zA0sPScU2x_XUcztmTzJwLl3s5/s1600/Capture1.JPG" width="222" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pic Courtesy: Wikipedia.</div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-21611728529125809772023-06-12T11:21:00.001+02:002023-06-12T11:41:00.525+02:00Chasing rainbows<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As a newborn
you wanted</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nothing
except a little food <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And
a lot of sleep<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As a toddler, the want expanded to toys<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In early
school, it was nice dresses<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And plenty of
playtime<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In school, it
was grades and ranks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not your own
choice, but still…..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With awareness
crept in envy and greed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In college,
it was rank<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And girls (or
boys)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After college,
one wanted what<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A better
student achieved<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Overseas education<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fancy jobs
and a hefty pay slip<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Soon, it was
time for marriage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Why? Because everyone
else did!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Time to settle
said your parents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Really,
settle!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Taking responsibility
for another human<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And probably a
few offspring to boot<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Acquire property
and debt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is this someone’s
idea of settling?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Then comes
the period of amassing things<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Why? Because A
has it or B has it<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Peer pressure
is the euphemism<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For this
inane endeavor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Chase dreams,
chase money<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Move away, go
places, buy things<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bring up
children<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rejoice,
endure heartbreak<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the blink
of an eye<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You are 60<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Look back and
what do you see?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A house, few
cars, child/children on their way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Probably still
a little debt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Contemplating
retirement but<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unable to
conclude<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Few memorable
holidays<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Missed funerals
and pets lost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Accumulated junk<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Physical and
metaphorical<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wealth gained
and health lost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Arguments won
and friends lost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You retire
anyway<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not because
that is what you want<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But because no
one else wants you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Empty nest
and loss of zest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lots of time
and nothing to do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wow – you are
70<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And no longer
nifty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">People avoid
you as you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Have become a
garrulous bore<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Your memory
is fading<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And so are
your faculties<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You have lost
track of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How old you
truly are<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Your memories
are different<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Each time you
revisit them<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You call a
cousin long dead<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Reach for the
dog that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Perished a
decade ago<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wonder why
the news is familiar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not realizing
that you are <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Reading the
news a second time<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You wished
you had<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lived differently!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did not know
then<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And not sure
even now<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And as you
approach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The inevitable
end<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All you want
is<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nothing
except little food <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And
a lot of sleep<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3L3L8MXQaNSOuZQUnEMCmgixDDjCq40JAsCmxFyIggOJhEvOBWSY-9oMqNBLL0UeI1fGtAPwX1lezV3emNPwug5eZQ2ElKxGPMnafcbn2y-QV9ncXbwHFbUglFiKMrdvRGg7R3y49M3zUieckFgzFwue-YsWPaRW0k_-L7j5l8KH9lithD8BZCE9qQ/s939/Capture1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="939" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3L3L8MXQaNSOuZQUnEMCmgixDDjCq40JAsCmxFyIggOJhEvOBWSY-9oMqNBLL0UeI1fGtAPwX1lezV3emNPwug5eZQ2ElKxGPMnafcbn2y-QV9ncXbwHFbUglFiKMrdvRGg7R3y49M3zUieckFgzFwue-YsWPaRW0k_-L7j5l8KH9lithD8BZCE9qQ/w400-h121/Capture1.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-72920953563859884532022-12-30T14:54:00.001+01:002022-12-30T14:54:14.681+01:00The Books read in 2022<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Hello,
a happy 2023 to everyone.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Continuing
the habit, here is a list of books I read in 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The brief wondrous life of Oscar
Wao (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Junot Diaz</span>; Came to
know about yet another dictator! The world is really a shitty place if there
had been so many. Too much Spanish made reading the book exasperating at times,
but you always get the drift. Old-style footnotes at the bottom of the page were
great. A good book. Surely not great or worthy of recommendations or to be
gifted immediately like The Return.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 28<sup>th</sup> December and
Finished on January 6<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Picked the book from <span style="color: blue;">Akshaya</span>’s
library; so, counts as her recommendation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Why I write (Non-Fiction) </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">by<span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: red;">George Orwell</span>; “The
English are not wicked; they are just unteachable” This is just one line from
the slim volume. What a genius. “England is a family with the wrong member in
control”. He also recommended nationalizing industries with justifications like
“will ensure a shift from ownership to management and privilege to competence”.
That could have been his vision during wartime Britain, but does sound naïve
now. His pages concerning freedom in India are surprisingly clouded with a
superiority complex that one can’t associate with him. While he has not spared
the British their wrongs, his approach towards Indians appears condescending and
not allocating them their due. The short story Hanging is marvelous. The book
is worth just for the last essay “Politics and the English language” – a
masterpiece.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 7<sup>th</sup> January and
finished on 9<sup>th</sup> January<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The invisible life of Addie LaRue
(Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">V.E.Schwab</span>; The book
had been recommended on the 6<sup>th</sup>, purchased on the 6<sup>th</sup> and I
started to read it on the 9<sup>th</sup>. Must be a record. The premise looked
interesting and the recommender is no ordinary reader. A fast and gripping
read. The art references are almost supernatural. “That life is the minutes you
want minus one” is so beautifully written. Just as I was getting a tad
disappointed as the story was meandering to a predictable filmy end, it goes
ahead and ends with a BANG!. What an imagination. Lovely book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 9<sup>th</sup> January and
finished on 17<sup>th</sup> January.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Navdurga – 9 goddesses, 9 women
(Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Natasha Ramarathnam</span>; It
is not easy being a woman in this world. Natasha brings out the hope, the
fight, the frustration, the disappointments, the rage, and every other possible
emotion effortlessly to this slim volume. A satisfying read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 17<sup>th</sup> January and
finished on 18<sup>th</sup> January<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">The author is a friend, so count it as <span style="color: blue;">her</span> recommendation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga
of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Erik Larson</span>; The research that must have gone into the
writing of this book is staggering. The perspective is unique. Looking at the
blitz from the pov of someone who is running the country, to someone who is
watching it as a spectacle unfolding from the river banks to someone who
decides enough is enough and plans to lose one’s virginity, lends the whole
book an earthly feel. WW II is a treasure that never stops giving. And the more
you read about the war, the more you realize how much the world owes William
Shirer for his records. A splendid book. And those Nazis who were unrepentant
till the end! Goebbels and his wife poisoning their six children, though a
known fact, still tugs at your heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 18<sup>th</sup> January and
finished on 4th February.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">April 1865 – The month that saved
America (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jay Winik</span>;
Having read FDR, 1944 this supreme work comes as no surprise. Wonderful work
on the intricate events of the civil war. I have had just the general outlines
and was rich with many revelations from the book. The exemplary behavior of South,
General Lee in particular, how reconciliation came about eventually. Mr. Winik
is a gifted raconteur. The research and the reference material are
mind-boggling. The decision of the publisher to print the notes session in
smaller fonts is not understandable, what do you save? 30 pages? A strain on
the eye. I had to go stand next to the windows to get the full light, and at
times needed to resort to magnifying glasses or taking a picture on my mobile
and then enlarging it. </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">😊</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 5<sup>th</sup> Feb and finished on
20<sup>th</sup> March<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Self </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Nutmeg’s curse Parables for a
planet in crisis</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> (<span style="color: blue;">Non-Fiction) </span>by
<span style="color: red;">Amitav Ghosh</span>; It is always difficult to
categorize a book by Amitav Ghosh. I went ahead with non-fiction anyway. There
were certain parts that were pure academia where I needed to read and re-read
(on some instances, I was not successful even after multiple readings). But let
that not take away anything from this book. Original thinking is such a rare
gift/talent. Mr. Ghosh stuns you with his clarity and an absolutely new way of
looking at issues. “White people is a project and not related to a group of
people” is a statement that would stay with me for a long long time. A relevant
book for the times we are living in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 21<sup>st</sup> March and finished
on 12<sup>th</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">I am not here to give a speech
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Gabriel Garcia Marquez</span>;
If someone had told me that Garcia could be funny I would not have believed it.
But this book was such a gem. A pure delight. Few speeches stand out as
extraordinary but all of them were excellent. Few samples. The whole chapter of
My Friend Mutis and the story about the woman having a premonition that
something bad was about to happen to her town were brilliant. “It is possible
to be a poet without dying in the attempt”, “Europeans think that everything
that is not like them is an error and they sat about correcting it” and “as if
it were written with goose feather by the goose himself” - such gems abound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 12<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 16<sup>th</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> Self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Lessons in chemistry (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Bonnie Garmus</span>; What a marvelous book! Had the same
sense of satisfaction I had after I read Catch-22 and Garp for the first time.
The book is a fast and entertaining read and resonated at so many levels. I can
dig up endless quotes but this one line is enough “but faith is not based on
religion”. An unwed mother, a dog named six-thirty, a girl who reads a lot, few
toxic bosses… bliss. And it is a debut. I smiled, laughed, pondered, and cried
through the book. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 19<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 23<sup>rd</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Krish
Ashok.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">10.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Night (autobiography)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Elie
Wiesel</span>; Will WWII ever stop haunting me? I had stood at the very place
where the selections were made by the angel of death. Go right to die
immediately or go left to suffer and die. “I trust only Hitler – he is the only
one who had kept all his promises to the Jews” – What a powerful line! How
cynical one must have become to reach this point. The blurb says “A slim volume
of terrifying power” – absolutely true. The acceptance speech on receiving his
Nobel at the end somehow fits like a perfect epilogue. I am not sure if Mr.
Wiesel had ever slept in his life after the ordeal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 23<sup>rd</sup> April and finished
on 25<sup>th</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">11.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Red Famine – Stalin’s war on Ukraine (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Anne Applebaum</span>; An astonishing book. How oppressive
regimes can suppress such massive humanitarian catastrophes so easily is an eye-opener. That Pulitzer prize-winning articles can be mere propaganda is another
shocker. Anne Applebaum writes with clarity, and authority and in an unflinching
way. The chapters describe the worse of the famine years when people
descended into cannibalism, killing their own children and eating them, boiling
shoes and belts to chew on the leather… gut-wrenching. There are two man-made
famines in the memory of modern history. Holodomor has been excellently
chronicled here. The Bengal famine
perpetrated by Churchill does not even have a name!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 30<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 15<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">12.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The Honjin Murders (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Seishi
Yokomizo</span>; A normal murder mystery. Nothing extraordinary, the usual
twists, red herrings, and a Hercule Poirot sort of an ending. The clever
wordplay by the author in the initial chapters is nicely explained in the end.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 15<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 17<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Picked up from some random Tweet – so
recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Twitter!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">13.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Deep sea and foreign going – Inside shipping the invisible industry
that brings you 90% everything (non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Rose
George</span>; I became a Rose George fan after her excellent Nine Pints and
this book did not disappoint either. The best part is not the book per se, but
her concept that such a book should be written and could be written. Her
sparkling wit is abundantly evident throughout the book (the signal gives the
details of the ship, which is captured by other ships, coast guards, and well-equipped pirates, he does not take lunch and forgets others do). The moral code,
the pirates, exploitation, and the lack of scruples all vie with each other to provide
a complex mosaic that is the shipping industry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 17<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 2<sup>nd</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">14.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">A case of exploding mangoes (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Mohammed Hanif</span>; A recommendation from Arko can never
be below par. This was such great fun. A minor disappointment was the way it
ended rather abruptly. An engaging read nevertheless.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 2<sup>nd</sup> August and finished
on 15<sup>th</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Arko</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">15.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Salt (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Mark
Kurlansky</span>; My imagination of how Mark must have written this book is like
this; Start from home, make up your mind that you are going to write a book
about salt, and observe everything on the way, relate all of them to salt,
relate salt to money, wars, possessions, mysteries and so on. The volume of
research is mind-boggling. At stages, it felt like a recipe book but a
wonderful read. The word Salary comes from salt, Indian independence movement
had a pivotal moment around salt, the civil war had salt as one of the main
players, pickling de-icing, gourmands, and on and on. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 16<sup>th</sup> August and
finished on 11<sup>th</sup> September<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Madeline</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">16.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The uncommon reader (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Alan
Bennet</span>; What a lovely bit of writing. This part of the monologue from
the Queen, “One has met and indeed entertained many visiting heads of state,
some of them unspeakable crooks and blackguards and their wives not much
better.’ This at least raised some rueful nods. ‘One has given one’s white-gloved hand to hands that were steeped in blood and conversed politely with men
who have personally slaughtered children. One has waded through excrement and
gore; to be Queen, I have often thought, the one essential item of equipment is a
pair of thigh-length boots. ‘I have at the instance of my various governments
been forced to participate if only passively in decisions I consider
ill-advised and often shameful. Sometimes one has felt like a scented candle,
sent into perfume a regime, or aerate a policy, monarchy these days just a
government-issue deodorant.” this is wishful thinking though. I do not think the
monarchy ever expressed regret for the empire!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on 12<sup>th</sup>
September<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> Nuts</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">17.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Aria (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Nazanine
Hozar</span>; A book full of lyrical imagery. And statements like “the poets
write and people go and die” are plenty. The epigraph with the line Ï saw a
woman pounding light in a mortar” is stuck in my mind forever. The only problem
is, when it comes to books on Iran the inevitable comparison with Persepolis
crops up, and no book can survive that ordeal. On its own, this book and the
carefully etched characters are a delight. A lifetime of the girl punctuated by
periodic tragedies and extreme acts of kindness in the backdrop of the Shah / Khomeini
era grabs you and holds your attention. A lovely read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 12<sup>th</sup> September and
finished on 17<sup>th</sup> September<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Gifted by <span style="color: blue;">Goutam</span>,
so counts as his recommendation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">18.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Mothers – An essay on love and cruelty (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jacqueline Rose</span>; Exploding the myth of a perfect
mother! Incisively analyzing the irrationality of the societies since time
immemorial to now demanding the impossible from the mothers and then crucifying
them when they inevitably fail. One will tend to become less critical of motherhood
after reading this book. A wonderful book picked up from the strangest of the
recommendation corners, a clip from a film! “When a woman becomes a mother, she
loses her freedom” will continue to haunt people with a conscience who are
party to placing that cross on her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 18<sup>th</sup> September and
finished on 2<sup>nd</sup> October.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">a
scene from the film C’mon C’mon. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">19.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The grownup (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Gillian
Flynn</span>; What a delightful little book, actually a short story. Reminded
me so much of the spy who came in from the cold, so many twists, you are not
even sure what to believe anymore as truth. Do you even know when the story ended? I, myself, am not sure.
Killer of a book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on 2<sup>nd</sup>
October<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Left behind for me by <span style="color: blue;">Sambit</span>, so counts as his recommendation<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">20.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The forty days of Musa Dagh (historical fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Franz Werfel</span>; While everyone knows about the
holocaust, few know the full extent of the Armenian Genocide. I was one of
those who were ignorant and hence my thanks to Asia for bringing this book to
me. The style of writing is nearly a century old and is slow to read. But what
a momentous book. The last four sentences knock out any daylight still left in
you. Achieving that impact in a book 870 pages long is no mean task.
One of those books that will stay with you for a long long time. Gabriel enters
your life and stays forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 2<sup>nd</sup> October and
finished on 24<sup>th</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Gifted by <span style="color: blue;">Asia Dima</span>
(An Armenian) and hence counts as her recommendation<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">21.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The forty rules of love (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Elif Shafak</span>; First it was Pamuk and now Ms. Shafak who
confused me with first-person narrative in many chapters with the person in the
name of the chapter. Took a while to understand the many “I”s. </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">😊</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">. A
brilliant book. It is like she has the capacity to peep into most households. I
loved those small chapters after 80-page long chapters in my previous book.
“Are you the Shams? – Where is the Rumi to see” captures the essence of the
book. A lovely read. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 25<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 16<sup>th</sup> Dec, extended by the world cup </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">😊</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by – Author recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Toker</span>, the book was selected by <span style="color: blue;">Selin </span>but long ago <span style="color: blue;">Savitha
Shetty</span> also discussed this book. So, that makes it three people who
recommended this book to me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">22.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Small things like these(Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Claire
Keegan</span>; What can one say about this gem of a book that has not already
been said. The last page that explains the mental arguments that Furlong makes
is so beautiful. A highly satisfying read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on 16<sup>th</sup>
December.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hope
you find some good picks from what I could manage this year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wishing
you all a wonderful 2023 and see you again same time next year.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt8ibhgGezqB_h2-wxiR7H5NRDIjLxSx33wn318x9VleNZy0LLHWV6xqqNEoI0gClojCv_pbr6PrWfqpu0FH6LJn4lrB38x54HK2LrZUIZWE2uS7D40EtGfwWlucP9GJWFlZFLiJqq-Jfls1N_qwVv_scT8ejJFk3kyaYgrfk1NhcBOWzO8nYR8Remw/s1819/MD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1819" data-original-width="1207" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt8ibhgGezqB_h2-wxiR7H5NRDIjLxSx33wn318x9VleNZy0LLHWV6xqqNEoI0gClojCv_pbr6PrWfqpu0FH6LJn4lrB38x54HK2LrZUIZWE2uS7D40EtGfwWlucP9GJWFlZFLiJqq-Jfls1N_qwVv_scT8ejJFk3kyaYgrfk1NhcBOWzO8nYR8Remw/w265-h400/MD.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-10139131181564055742022-10-12T14:15:00.004+02:002022-10-12T15:31:17.345+02:00The DART we need!<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">What’s in a name?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was ok for him to spew such <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nonsense in the 17<sup>th</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Little did he know that one day <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Everything would be in a name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A name could decide if<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You are us or them<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You get a place to stay or not<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can settle in some place or not<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You get arrested more easily<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You will get interview calls or not<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Add color of skin and</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some outward manifestation of your faith<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The vitriol gets ratcheted a thousandfold.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Add a gender <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It worsens by another thousand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Stay neutral and you are <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A traitor for one and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A wannabe for the other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Get aggressive <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You get slotted into any<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Convenient stereotype.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Give up and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You are a loser.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Write about it and you are an<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Armchair critic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Wish for a just world<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A la Imagine by Lennon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You are a dreamer or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You end up like Lennon. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Or a Gandhi. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Or a King.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Or a Gauri.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The hatred and the othering<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Had gone on for too long.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Something etched in stone<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Is not rubbed away by an eraser.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The slime that is covering the world<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Can’t be hosed away by gentle streams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We need a reset<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hope we perform better in the next round.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">NASA – could you send a 2<sup>nd</sup> DART<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This time to direct a meteor <span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>TOWARDS</b></span> the earth!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRSJAv1kDEKb4nP6UY4uGgwuVTuAtdAk6_lNYvL7alPovIXhfe4cAvYZcydkoq379c-rPxJb5GI3GMr4NBAl0_RVYFDgvIg3-9LKv1HgYNV6QKdyMXCB_8AbzH1Cua8y2xZmsJIckJxhMjUKZdZT_wcxhoT14tlaZrR4F5z8F1HpQvsqEN6JLWi3wDQ/s301/space.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="301" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRSJAv1kDEKb4nP6UY4uGgwuVTuAtdAk6_lNYvL7alPovIXhfe4cAvYZcydkoq379c-rPxJb5GI3GMr4NBAl0_RVYFDgvIg3-9LKv1HgYNV6QKdyMXCB_8AbzH1Cua8y2xZmsJIckJxhMjUKZdZT_wcxhoT14tlaZrR4F5z8F1HpQvsqEN6JLWi3wDQ/w400-h231/space.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pic Courtesy: Space.com</div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-79167030642753589252022-09-24T17:21:00.007+02:002022-09-26T18:51:58.553+02:00Roger That! (Sing to the tune of American Pie)<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not long a while ago, we can still remember</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mExHw1oTP8Y&t=2s" target="_blank">THAT</a> tennis used to make us smile </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And we knew if he had his chance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He could make us all dance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And maybe we’d be happy forever!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But September made us feel wretched</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With every clip we rewatched</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bad news on each link</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We could not even sleep a wink</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We do remember that we felt amiss</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When we thought about the widowed tennis</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And something killed us deep inside</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The day tennis died</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So bye-bye dear gem of a guy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rode our bike to Basel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where we saw a crying Nadal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We, good old boys, were singing along</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Singing, this is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Did you write the Book of drops?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And who can face your return of serve</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If even Mr. Borg says so</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do you believe in all those line calls?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Can you still serve us, mortal souls?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And can you teach us how to play real slow?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Well you know that we are in love with you</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">'Cause you saw us standing in the queue</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You pulled those shots out of blue</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And we stood with our jaws askew </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We were the lucky canines in total awe</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Watching your every muscle and sinew</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But we knew we were out of luck</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The day the tennis died</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We started singing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bye-bye dear gem of a guy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rode our bike to Basel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where we saw a crying Nadal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We, good old boys, were singing along</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Singing, this is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now for ten years, we will be on our own</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Watching just Matteo and Cameron</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But how can that ever be</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Most clairvoyants were the King and Queen</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They knew what was coming soon</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And took leave from the barren scene.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh and while the King was looking down</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Queen was just on the way up</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The nations stood stunned</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They lost a queen and now another King!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And while Nick read a book on sport</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The rest had practiced on the court</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And we sang eulogies in parts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The day the tennis died</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We were singing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bye-bye dear gem of a guy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rode our bike to Basel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where we saw a crying Nadal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We, good old boys, were singing along</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Singing, this is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Melbourne New York Paris & London</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Will now happen weighing a ton</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Frequently barren and fading fast</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The players will try to play on grass</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And aim for that elusive class</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With the King on the sidelines seeing it pass</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now the O2 arena was cast in dark</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Glowing in the embers of a dying spark</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We all got up to dance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh, but we never got the chance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now all of the players try to put on a show</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But the fading giant still shines in his glow</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And did we realize what was revealed</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The day the tennis died?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We started singing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bye-bye dear gem of a guy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rode our bike to Basel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where we saw a crying Nadal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We, good old boys, were singing along</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Singing, this is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh, and then we were all over the place</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">An era that faded into space</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With no chance for the like of it ever again</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So come on, Nick be quick, Nole be fast</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Carlos and Stefanos cruising past</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">'Cause old reels are our only friend</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh, and as we watched him leave the stage</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our hands were clenched in fists of rage</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">No Nadal nor Gasper</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Could help us ever recover!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And as the fans kept crying through the night</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To try to light the darkest with all their might</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We saw Satan laughing with delight</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The day the tennis died</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was singing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bye-bye dear gem of a guy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rode my bike to Basel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where I saw a crying Nadal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We, good old boys, were singing along</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Singing, this is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We met Mirka doing her chores</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And we begged her for some happy news</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But she just smiled and turned away</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We went down to the courts of past</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where we had witnessed enormous feats</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But the man there said the tennis wouldn't play</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And in the cities, his fans were lost</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The scribes wrote not and the players stopped</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not a racquet was taken</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The ball boys all were broken</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And the three men we admire most</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Federer, Roger, and the only GOAT</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They caught the last train for the coast</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The day the tennis died</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They started singing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bye-bye dear gem of a guy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rode our bike to Basel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where we saw a crying Nadal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We, good old boys, were singing along</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Singing, this is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">They were singing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Bye-bye dear gem of a guy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rode our bike to Basel</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Where we saw a crying Nadal</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We, good old boys, were singing along</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Singing, this is the end of it all</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the end of it all</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmLmRRSVoVU2YkkoONLt9loS6c9-H5MwTFwjKP_hc983oAQ2rFLeBPec6U5Nj8sEIjCGwjSSoAw2yJybRsoyUc5kYoiF25vBlL-CVTHyXy1l671o8ElryyNTGzJYwfalT4M8MDDL4N4oCHE3yn8pUKsrKy6rag1bcePMNqrW2puVPeB5YJ_bL0o7iQA/s811/RF.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="811" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmLmRRSVoVU2YkkoONLt9loS6c9-H5MwTFwjKP_hc983oAQ2rFLeBPec6U5Nj8sEIjCGwjSSoAw2yJybRsoyUc5kYoiF25vBlL-CVTHyXy1l671o8ElryyNTGzJYwfalT4M8MDDL4N4oCHE3yn8pUKsrKy6rag1bcePMNqrW2puVPeB5YJ_bL0o7iQA/w400-h264/RF.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Pic Courtesy: Google Images<div>Thanks to Don McLean for his epic American Pie.<br /><p><br /></p></div>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-3496948247623171522022-09-14T09:27:00.006+02:002022-09-14T12:15:09.991+02:00Who Am I?<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Kicked the sun from its horizon crawl to a little higher in the sky.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Gathered the wind and sent it in the right direction</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That turned a potential hurricane into a calming breeze.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Calmed the ferocious sea to a caress of lapping waves.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rejuvenated a tree here,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And nudged a reluctant flower to blossom.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Redirected the breeze to get a wandering bee to the honey of a flower.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Made a poacher step on a thorn and alerted the prey.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A constable got a sudden burst of nostalgia to turn into a lane</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And a child was saved from its molester.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The scorching sun inexplicably went behind a cloud.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A child dropped a butter biscuit and the dog aborted its chase;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A car sped by; both the dog and the squirrel were saved.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Seasons changed as they should.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Earth rotated and revolved as it must.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pushed the adamant sun down on the other end</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And lit up the moon for its night vigil.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some call me fate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some destiny.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some science.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But, I just am.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvC2aUGS_rMPeXkCIHLuT7TE5lVIvv5P-a_Lg1U3ji4PmFrL3joP40urvZC9cb3qhuxrRDjsN4_fPkVhbVtcpwkOg24tWo2tLUK21B2nj-wm2YVV6QcPagvGrctpPqwqHRnHUlf8v-ypAllYdTRPTneQbT95e_dtmYLgZbLQiI3VnsWL6MZwM1bw_Zw/s508/Capture%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="286" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvC2aUGS_rMPeXkCIHLuT7TE5lVIvv5P-a_Lg1U3ji4PmFrL3joP40urvZC9cb3qhuxrRDjsN4_fPkVhbVtcpwkOg24tWo2tLUK21B2nj-wm2YVV6QcPagvGrctpPqwqHRnHUlf8v-ypAllYdTRPTneQbT95e_dtmYLgZbLQiI3VnsWL6MZwM1bw_Zw/s320/Capture%201.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>PC ; Google Images.<br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><span style="color: #888888;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div></span>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-41584237444541026982022-08-25T13:08:00.003+02:002022-08-25T13:47:00.083+02:00If - 2022<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can keep your riches when all about you</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can enrich your coffers when all opposition doubts you,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>But make more riches from them too;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can lie and not be tired from lying,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Lying endlessly, blatantly, and don’t deal with the truth,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Or being loved, don’t give way to loving,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And yet always look good, never talk wisely;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If your friends can dream and make you the one to deliver;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>If you never think, and never make sense your aim;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can meet with Hate and Bigotry</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And treat those masters as your claim to fame;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can smear the truth that others have spoken</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And twist it further for your group of fools,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Or watch things others have given up their life for, broken,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And stoop and stoop even further to break it in full;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can take the entire rich of the nation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And risk it on just two of your chums,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And lose every wealth of the great nation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And never breathe a word about the loss;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can force every established institution</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>To serve you long after their semblance is gone,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And still, hold on when there is nothing left</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>For the nation, except your greed that says “Hold on!”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can talk to crowds and make them lose their virtue,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And walk with oligarchs and stoop to their legs to touch,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If neither courts nor patriots can hurt you,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>If all crooks count with you, but not one sane soul;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you can fill the four long years</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>With every second’s loot in the urn,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>And—which is more—you’ll be a Bhakt, my son!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsh0pxBTHcRDsNyr-iHSQDaJRKQQ02BePfH1Es_eY8E2ib9nSmwOj8XeWP3Z8JEo7Ps4Z8hVlsTVdR00FF_NgFAM3HodYzvjCoIgcjlJ4hBDVWdAU2XYzUDo7K4I3xOrky_nKCsA_ky4Fp8jNVolQuCtf8LrXi_wy7PdQ0FVEVoLbgkOHoma9yE8WHPQ/s4032/20220815_114059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsh0pxBTHcRDsNyr-iHSQDaJRKQQ02BePfH1Es_eY8E2ib9nSmwOj8XeWP3Z8JEo7Ps4Z8hVlsTVdR00FF_NgFAM3HodYzvjCoIgcjlJ4hBDVWdAU2XYzUDo7K4I3xOrky_nKCsA_ky4Fp8jNVolQuCtf8LrXi_wy7PdQ0FVEVoLbgkOHoma9yE8WHPQ/w400-h300/20220815_114059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Photo of the Lily pond from the gardens of Claude Monet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Footnote: Unconditional apologies to Mr. Monet and Mr. Kipling.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-34950574891424979702022-06-28T12:09:00.005+02:002022-06-28T15:04:19.139+02:00Hope is a four letter word!<p> <span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Hope is a four-letter word!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">How many <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Lives have been lost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">People have been ruined<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Kingdoms compromised<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Clinging on to this chimera!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is a tool used by despots and dictators<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To lull a gullible population<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Into temporary submission<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And eternal captivation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that anesthetic to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Lull the sting of the needle<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Gradually drowning you into an<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Endless state of comatose<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that four-letter word<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Cleverly orchestrated by<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Governments and systems<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To capture your soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that intoxicant that you imbibe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To dull the throb of a stab<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A make-believe that convinces you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">That the knife is administered for your own good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that mirage that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is dexterously created<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To fool you to keep running<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Long after your soul is dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that wonderful double speak<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To convince you that <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We fight for peace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We suffer to enjoy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We trade our today for a better tomorrow<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We sacrifice a few for the good of the many<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Not realizing that the few are the real good<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And the many are the ones that need to be exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that parlor trick<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">That pulls an<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Imaginary rabbit out of a<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Non-existing hat<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Convincing you that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The rabbit is real sweet <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And you played your part<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In liberating it from the devil of a hat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Is that illusion that makes you believe that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A is not A<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Logic is insane<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hate is good<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">History is wrong<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Legal is greater than moral<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The herd is greater than the individual<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope, once a beacon of light<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Has been reduced to a Lucifer’s toy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So, when you tell me <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Do not be a cynic<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Do not give up<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The horizon is near<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The future is bright<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Do not lose hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Yada yada yada<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you very much<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">To me, it is just another four-letter word!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyOuruxuPXY07pbBaCeSlrmva9G5azbJa7AYgh7uv4rpoUU8-JLIG7MPSHBxiiYjy3ILhCCL41FB9XxzN94mATgq7MtJwp-1t9uC-UaT5PYeMYhe34_GSiDWUs_eLYkfTg3tyENkImWhBDwjLFLIevrbw0j8QlKAuKXOwL1JCYsZp6s1IR2MsButDvA/s203/Capture.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="203" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyOuruxuPXY07pbBaCeSlrmva9G5azbJa7AYgh7uv4rpoUU8-JLIG7MPSHBxiiYjy3ILhCCL41FB9XxzN94mATgq7MtJwp-1t9uC-UaT5PYeMYhe34_GSiDWUs_eLYkfTg3tyENkImWhBDwjLFLIevrbw0j8QlKAuKXOwL1JCYsZp6s1IR2MsButDvA/w400-h304/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Image Courtesy: Wikipedia.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-43456555384867579872022-03-03T13:10:00.001+01:002022-03-04T13:41:12.595+01:00Your Skin color is your passport<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> The war in Ukraine has exposed the hypocrisies of the world like never before. Before anyone starts jumping on me as Pro-Russia, let me clarify that I am proud to be in Poland today as they had opened their borders to the fleeing Ukrainians. As did the Czech Republic and Romania, the two other countries I have lived in in the last 14 years. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Commendable indeed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The world is excited about the unity we had demonstrated, condemning Russia, imposing crippling sanctions, and even taking unprecedented steps of arming Ukraine. I am for all of them. Let the world stand united in the face of oppression and not play to appease the aggressor with the hope that a concession made now will avert a bigger conflict. In fact, it is precisely a concession made to an aggressor that leads to greater miseries. If one does not forget history, Hitler, Chamberlain, and Czechoslovakia will remind them of what I am talking about.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While all this is good, let us not forget the double standards that are now blatantly put out on display.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> <span> </span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"><span> <span> </span></span></span>No one condemned China when it crushed Hong Kong </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> <span> </span></span>• <span> </span>No one condemned China when it invaded Indian territory of Arunachal Pradesh</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>o<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span></span>I can’t blame others as even the Indian Government did not acknowledge the invasion</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>• <span> </span>No one boycotted China’s Winter Olympics even though the atrocities on Uyghur are common knowledge to everyone who can read.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No one is going to condemn China when it will soon invade Taiwan. (The man is taking notes on what is happening on the Ukraine fiasco)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No one is remembering that Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania closed their borders when refugees were pouring in from Afghanistan and Syria.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We choose to ignore the RW targeting blacks and Asians at the border, humiliating them, harassing them, even physically assaulting them which resulted in at least one being admitted to the hospital.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We allow the FIFA WC 2022 to take place in Qatar after all the evidence of human rights violations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We are ok with F1 in Saudi Arabia in spite of the regime’s association with the killing of Khashoggi.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No one raises (or raised) an eyebrow at the persistent state-sponsored Islamophobia across many nations, India topping the list.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Taliban is allowed to strangle Afghanistan again once the USA was bored with spending more time there, placing their own collaborators on the Taliban altar as a sacrifice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The devastation in Syria hardly makes it to the news.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The majority of the people are still good. I firmly believe this. The problem with such good people is that they choose to be optimists. They would see the greater good and choose to ignore the sporadic evil as an exception. This is where they err. The sporadic, unchecked, unchallenged evils accumulate and become the norm over a period of time. This is why,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>700 killed in a Mogadishu bombing does not even make it to the front page while 5 killed in France is trending. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Uyghur incarceration is not news anywhere.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lynching of Muslims is considered not worth highlighting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Racism in all its subtle forms is tolerated.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hatemongers are allowed to roam free.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Targeted state-sanctioned killing is digested as evil too difficult to fight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Caste oppression is considered integral to society.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As if ingrained prejudices and selective dispensation of justice is not lethal enough, we have a new tool to ratchet the misery to a higher level. Fake news. All of a sudden, people have stopped taking the trouble to research and read. All their education comes from their Facebook feed and/or WhatsApp forwards. Unless we all make an effort to form our own opinions after a pragmatic approach to a given problem, superficial gestures and shallow understandings shall prevail.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let no Ukrainian suffer in the current meaningless (is there another kind?) war. In the process of ensuring that, if we can also ensure</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let no Uyghur suffer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let no African suffer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let no Muslim suffer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let no women suffer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let no downtrodden suffer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let no Afghan suffer</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let no …..</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>……</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>……</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That would be a comprehensive victory!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am closing this with the powerful message from Periyar, a most misunderstood, often vilified, individual from my homeland.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN12ZgNRx_ASA7jNmtV69OXCSmIDOEwKHFOp8jcFJzzKNbirW4HO2BgRsWRWBKx0A9LQ_9OD_k0AZUmB6m9Wz1qt1mUBmAJRVd7YlSV8XQigoRQvqoa_Q9ydpU_RPMJbtFhGtW4vs8dvAL3xxn0lUO_V1qIjON4P3eo3vl0wxrPxhYTtI3HCE8wirjoQ=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="475" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN12ZgNRx_ASA7jNmtV69OXCSmIDOEwKHFOp8jcFJzzKNbirW4HO2BgRsWRWBKx0A9LQ_9OD_k0AZUmB6m9Wz1qt1mUBmAJRVd7YlSV8XQigoRQvqoa_Q9ydpU_RPMJbtFhGtW4vs8dvAL3xxn0lUO_V1qIjON4P3eo3vl0wxrPxhYTtI3HCE8wirjoQ=w400-h283" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> The title is from my daughter. When she mentioned it in one of our family chats, this simple sentence captured so much, I felt the need to expand its full meaning. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-20722954525716067912022-01-03T17:56:00.002+01:002022-01-03T18:04:57.655+01:00Books read in 2021<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <span style="text-align: justify;">Hello,
a happy 2022 to everyone.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6Reohpn0ZV-qNj_IZusB0OaQDDfiJLfEBLPyJYyYN50riy5FYLS8TTnmNGE59YBmCAgMy1q8HSTEE8cuK04wIxANRU1726TuL-WdLPfJg5bxinGqGfV3STCWBujOlu091tBOfovy-lrIj1jCOfGlasrqgF5V6UsvchO8PSwcTpqzRUt9WJcr_0bjunw=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6Reohpn0ZV-qNj_IZusB0OaQDDfiJLfEBLPyJYyYN50riy5FYLS8TTnmNGE59YBmCAgMy1q8HSTEE8cuK04wIxANRU1726TuL-WdLPfJg5bxinGqGfV3STCWBujOlu091tBOfovy-lrIj1jCOfGlasrqgF5V6UsvchO8PSwcTpqzRUt9WJcr_0bjunw=s320" width="231" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Continuing
the habit, here is a list of books I read in 2021.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The English Patient (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Michael Ondaatje</span>; Was a disappointment. There is
consistency in the last 3 years, as the first book continues to fail to
impress. I do not understand all the acclaim the book had gathered. Probably I
am too dumb to appreciate this book. Am taking nothing away from the author. We
did not click, that’s all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 3<sup>rd</sup> January and
Finished on 20<sup>th</sup> January <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">People, A-Z drabbles for every
occasion (Fiction) </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">by<span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Natasha Ramarathnam</span>; The foreword says drabbles is a
story of 100 words, not about 100, not nearly 100 but exactly 100. Trying to
write a story in exactly 100 words will be a task. And then you raise the bar
by saying I will to 26 by running through the alphabet. Like solving a Rubik’s
cube blindfolded. A wonderful task. And that each story is a gem by itself. I
am likely to be biased as I know the author well. But my reviews are usually
honest. A breeze of a read. A relief after the previous one which was
incredibly slow at times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 21st January and finished on 21st
January<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by the <span style="color: blue;">author</span>
(How often does one get to say it)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">How not to be wrong – the power of
mathematical thinking (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jordan
Ellenberg</span>; A wonderful book with interesting anecdotes, case studies,
and a writing style that is so easy to relate to. Some basic grasp of
mathematics is needed, but most possess that. A compelling topic and an easy
read. Would strongly recommend this to anyone. Statements like “Linear
regression to social science is like a screwdriver to home repair” and “Torture
the data till it confesses” are so effortlessly written. At least two or three
birthdays are taken care of from the gift point of view.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 22<sup>nd</sup> January and
finished on 14<sup>th</sup> Feb<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Bill
Gates</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Buddy and papayi – The true story
of an Indie pup and his best friend (Non-Fiction - Biography)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Lalita Pulavarti</span>; What a fantastic book. Tugged at my
heart and then ripped it open. Felt personal at so many levels. I can write a 10
000-word review about what this book meant to me but enough is to say that this
is BEAUTIFUL. Will surely feature in my top 10 list and maybe this should not
have a number. It is above such trivialities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on 14<sup>th</sup> Feb<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended and gifted by <span style="color: blue;">Savitha </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Gandhi – The years that changed
the world 1914-1948 (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Ramachandra
Guha</span>; At 930-pages (without notes), it was never meant to be a quick
read. But it was a pleasure to read this one. This is one of those books that
requires two bookmarks. One for the reading part and one for the notes section.
Mr. Guha surely is a fine biographer of Gandhi. He is not a blind devotee to
extol everything done by Gandhi as right. He has questioned him often
throughout the book. So much new information (at least for me) – Gandhi’s son
married Rajaji’s daughter, one of his sons wanted to marry a Muslim that was
discouraged by Gandhi, his son converted to a Muslim, his “affair” with
Sarladevi Chaudharani, his secretary Mahadev Desai, the Nehru-Patel friction,
Jinnah, Ambedkar tussle. A great book. One statement stays with me “Assumption
of superiority by any person over any other is a sin”!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 15<sup>th</sup> Feb and finished
on 6<sup>th</sup> April.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">When I hit</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> <span style="color: blue;">you (Fiction)</span> by <span style="color: red;">Dr. Meena
Kandsamy</span>; “Love is not blind, it just looks in the wrong places”. The
last chapters that address the questions “Why did she not walk away” were the
best. To preempt what the readers might think and answer them, and not leave it
open-ended with the author’s license to addressing the matter is amazing. That she
used Tamil in many places makes a closer connection, as it is my first language
too. An essential read to men more than women. And if someone concludes abuse
only means physical abuse, think again. To me, the message is that a woman must
leave a marriage when abuse creeps in, in whichever form! A searing work, and
as relevant as <insert most topical issue>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 6<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 10<sup>th</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Say Nothing – A True Story of
Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Patrick Radden Keefe</span>; History is a delicate matter.
When events as recent as 50 years ago can be so unclear and left to multiple
interpretations, what hopes do we have on the veracity of the history or how
the future generation would read our times as. With spin doctors manipulating
contemporary events and doctor existing narratives, it sure looks scary. Back
to the book; A lovely well-researched book on the Troubles, reads like crime
fiction, with an abduction in the first chapter and the (potential) killer
revealed on the last page. Strongly recommended.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 10<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 22<sup>nd</sup> May.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Rules of civility (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Amor Towles</span>; What a gem of a book. Quotes galore. Mr.
Towles has a grip on writing superlative stuff. “If we only fell in love with
people who were perfect for us, he said, then there wouldn’t be so much fuss
about love in the first place” – this reminded me of his quote about fate in
his second book, the gentleman in Moscow. His command over the language is
something extraordinary, comparable to that of Julian Barnes among his
contemporaries. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 24<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 22<sup>nd</sup> May (due to testing positive for Covid, which robbed 15 days
of reading time)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The name of the rose (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Umberto Eco</span>; This book probably took the longest time
I had ever taken to finish one book. There were multiple reasons. First was my
shuttling between two cities for almost 6 months on a daily basis, and then
spending another 3 months living in two cities, the workweek in one and the weekend
in the other. Secondly, the book was SLOW. The writing style had aged and it is
not easy to stay comfortable with the style. And lastly, there were too many
theological arguments and debates. But on the whole, his wit and his capacity
to weave a stunning story remain intact. Out of the blue pops a statement that
clears what scores of pages can’t. His postscript was hilarious. A typical Eco
albeit a trying one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 23<sup>rd</sup> May and finished
on 3<sup>rd</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">10.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Cold Blood (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Robert
Bryndza</span>; A birthday gift. I was stuck on the rose for so long, I needed
to have a sense of having finished reading something. The book is crap. As
expected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 19<sup>th</sup> September and
finished on 23<sup>rd</sup> September <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Gifted by <span style="color: blue;">Iveta</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">11.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Kim Jiyoung, born 1982 (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Cho
Nam-Joo</span>; “If you must read one book this year, let this be the one” has
been reduced to a cliché but applies well to this book. What a lovely beautiful
book. The last two pages knock off any breath still left inside. One of the
most beautiful books I have read in my life. I thought South Koreans can only
make weird films and TV series and write even weirder books (a la The
Vegetarian) but this one changed that opinion. A GEM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 4<sup>th</sup> December and
finished on 5<sup>th</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Akshaya</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">12.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">The lost decade (2008-2018) (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Puja Mehra</span>; A book that a person like me can
understand is a sure recommendation. If the policy paralysis destroyed the
economy in UPA2 then the speedy implementation of unprepared policies
implemented without preparation spelled the doom in Modi’s years. Can you get any
simpler than this? And then this line – If Mr. Singh’s government ignored the
advice then the Modi government removed the advisers. I learned a lot about
Pranab Mukherjee through this book. A great impartial look at just the economy without
yielding to the temptation of blaming one over the other. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 5<sup>th</sup> December and
finished on 23<sup>rd</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">13.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; line-height: 150%;">Interpreter of maladies (Fiction)</span><span style="line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jhumpa</span> <span style="color: red;">Lahiri</span>; Bit of
an anticlimax. The eponymous story and Mrs. Sen’s were brilliant. The remaining
7 stories were just about ok. Describing daily activities, looking for nuances
and terrific observations capturing most of the gestures and the activities
were all spot on. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Started on 24<sup>th</sup> December and
finished on 27<sup>th</sup> December <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> self</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></span></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-30786907834450109592021-11-15T11:18:00.000+01:002021-11-15T11:18:14.169+01:00Grief<p> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">A close friend of mine
recently lost his mother. He is 66 and his mother was almost 90. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">How does one begin
to understand grief? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Am sure that 10 out of 10 people who called him had
said something along these lines, “it is sad, but at the same time isn’t she
the lucky one to have passed away so peacefully and quickly? She died the way
she wanted to” etc., etc.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Left with no other options I
am sure he also consoled himself by echoing the same sentiments. What are the
options in front of him?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Could he have her forever?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Could <i>he</i> live forever?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How long is long enough?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How soon is sudden?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is there a good death?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How does one evaluate the
inevitable? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If one has to die someday,
how does one evaluate the death? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If someone died without
having experienced life or lived to the full potential, do we grieve that death
more?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we know that death at
an old age is a relief? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One relentless march of time
is accentuated by a drop in the volume of conversations. We end up speaking
less and less with people who are close to us. We strike up interesting
conversations with strangers who bring in fresh ideas and fresh perspectives
and predictably that stranger also becomes a “stranger” after a while. Is it
any surprise that the ones closest to us also end up being a stranger over a
period of time?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Does proximity lead to a
state of taking it for granted? Can only death make the realization complete?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we know that a 90+
had lived one’s life to its full potential and had no ambitions, desires,
aspirations, or goals left? How many times have we spoken to them in our life to
understand what they need? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are consumed by our daily
lives and convince ourselves that we have provided them all that they need – <b><i><span style="color: blue;">from our point of view!</span></i></b><span style="color: blue;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can’t be blamed – we have
our lives and the lives of our children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have not philosophers and
thinkers driven the point home that life moves on and does not linger in the
past?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But, is there a present or a
future without a past?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do we know for certain that
the 90+ had no regrets when her life ended?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did she get the apology she
deserved?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did she get the
acknowledgment she earned?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did she get a listener when
she wanted to talk? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How often she <i>had</i> to talk
when she wanted solitude?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many compromises did she
make, long after they <u>should have</u> been unnecessary?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did she get to do all that
she wanted? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did she still need someone’s
permission to proceed to do certain things?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did anyone ever ask her what
her ambitions were? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Or were people easily
convinced when she answered “I need nothing”?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us move to the grieving
side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can a son or a daughter ever
accept a parent’s death?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reconcile, yes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Learn to live without their
presence, yes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Understand the
inevitability, yes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is a game one does not
win. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like Richard Bach said, “Is
your mission on earth complete? If you are still alive, the answer is no”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A bit fatalistic. But sadly,
true.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One can run through a wide
vocabulary and find many verbs to define the state of mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Accept – surely NO.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Years after the death,
memories will still haunt them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Isn’t that what memories are
meant for? </i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You won’t be able to discard
the physical belongings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The chair will remain
forever empty and unoccupied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You will not be able to
throw the chair away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not yet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not so soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You will not know what to
tell your dad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whatever you say will be
hollow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You will still say it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He knows it is hollow too.
He will still listen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The two of you will play
this charade for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And then the conversations
that suddenly sprang to life, because someone died, will also die, gradually, one
sentence less at a time, till it meanders to a painful halt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not because you have nothing
to say, but because whatever you say is not going to compensate for the loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not for him. Not for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each tragedy is unique.
There is no standard operating manual on how to deal with it. Each one finds a
way to deal with it, come out of it, and braces oneself for the next, and the
next, and the next, till one day you are the next tragedy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let the son grieve; on his
own terms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He will call you if he finds
you worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wait for that call. Do not
force it on him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What can you offer? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Other than empty words and
readymade phrases.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You can never offer him what
he needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His mother.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVJ74mRAYB8/YZIzulCBhUI/AAAAAAAAXIk/MBWDKLWxo6UtVd_umBEg2bm7seeOJa8vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s594/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="594" height="111" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVJ74mRAYB8/YZIzulCBhUI/AAAAAAAAXIk/MBWDKLWxo6UtVd_umBEg2bm7seeOJa8vgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h111/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-43282540053268760822021-07-29T15:43:00.001+02:002021-07-29T15:51:32.939+02:00No Woman No Cry!<p> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">Hear all through your life phrases like “It
is not for you”, “You can’t do this”, “Who do you think you are”</span></p><p><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Resign to the fact that you will be judged<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Constantly and continuously, for no fault of
yours.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The dress you wear defines your character<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Footsteps behind you make you nervous<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Bleed every month for 3 to 5 days for 35
years of your life and not breathe a word about the inconvenience<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Face discrimination within the family and
society for associated taboos due to the above mentioned biological fact<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Suffer the cramps and the pains due to the
same<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Listen frequently that honor and family
prestige is placed on your genitals<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">See another person of the same competency (or
lower) draw a different (higher) salary
just because of “gender”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Carry another life inside you, nurture it,
give birth<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Feed the child – not from a cup, not from a
supermarket shopping – by and from yourself<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Cook three meals a day, almost every day of
the year, for 75% of your adult life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And listen to comments about the poor quality
of the food<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Get used to not finding a decent restroom
while on the road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Acknowledge that sexual intercourse will be
wielded as a weapon<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Accommodate and tolerate patriarchy in all
its vile versions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When people share household chores and call
it “helping” you, learn to accept it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And demonstrate that you are grateful for the
same<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Announce and highlight in every social
gathering such “noble” acts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Get ready to be told by your children that
you know nothing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Or less than the father.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Or the uncles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Or even the neighbors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Even after understanding all such ignominies,
treat your daughter different from your son!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
next time when a man finds the urge to do some mansplaining or enters a
discussion on women by women uninvited or feels the urge to lecture women
about women, it shall be a good idea to
go through this list once.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Bob
Marley needed to repeat 8 times “Everything's gonna be all right” in his song
asking a woman not to cry. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Trust
men to interpret that seminal song to mean “if there is no woman there is no crying
in this world”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">🤦</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ao-Rqq48f2E/YQKv2QNVFHI/AAAAAAAAXFo/ojypFSAVCV0aB2nIjcmfgREBm4efrOJBACLcBGAsYHQ/s499/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="499" height="190" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ao-Rqq48f2E/YQKv2QNVFHI/AAAAAAAAXFo/ojypFSAVCV0aB2nIjcmfgREBm4efrOJBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Capture.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>Pic Credit - Pinterest.<p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-4139310044122972492021-05-31T19:15:00.000+02:002021-05-31T19:15:19.174+02:00I Swear.................<p> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Recently I realized the
depth of the rot called Patriarchy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just the other day, while
discussing with my friends, I corrected one by saying “You want to blame him,
but why are you indirectly targeting his mother”. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This was when my friend
decided to hurl this abuse “you son of a whore” at that despicable scum passing
as a human being. My friend’s reply was this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Almost all abuses are anti-women. What to do? Anyway, the parents bear responsibility for these vermin.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Made me think!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bastard is an abuse. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because it says the
child is the one whose father is not known. Is that reason enough? Why the
identity of the father is important? How does that alone legitimize a child?
Does the mother count for nothing? What if the mother wanted only a child, and
not that emotional unbearable burden called a husband as the package deal? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A la
Jenny Fields!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I soon realized there is not
a SINGLE abuse, that I have been using all my life without even realizing it,
that is how the rot sets in, that does not demean a woman in the process. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Across all the languages! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is like for thousands and thousands of years the
people of the world had unanimously agreed on the syntax for abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Target women! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is one aspect in which
the world had united. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lennon would be proud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mother f***, Sister f***,
son of a bitch, I will f*** your mother/sister/wife/daughter, etc...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It does not just end with
associating them to the act of copulation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They are the go-to adjective
for anything timid, weak, or cowardly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wear bangles – conveys lack
of courage!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Someone, please explain to me
how does this even makes sense?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who wears the pants in the
house is another. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Seriously! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In today’s unisex dress
code.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here the women are equally
guilty, at times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have seen many a mother
telling her son “Don’t be a sissy”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Be a man” is another
example.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All these are commonplace
even when the pain scale acknowledges labor pain as the maximum pain a human
being can endure without losing one’s conscience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My daughter made me realize
how insensitive we are towards casteism. She told me “One must make a conscious
effort to avoid slurs rooted in casteism, many of which are in our everyday
lingo, that we do not even realize it is a slur”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have since made a
conscious effort to remove those words and phrases from my vocabulary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We must all do the same with
abuses for saving the dignity of the woman. It is possible to abuse someone
without bringing in the womenfolk of his family. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a matter of fact, this
can be an exercise in creating speech/writing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am starting from today.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtWifBmxSDc/YLUZX0RHqTI/AAAAAAAAXAk/oJPhe84Nim4wSu2zwMMHEmPUXy5D2swmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1853/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1853" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtWifBmxSDc/YLUZX0RHqTI/AAAAAAAAXAk/oJPhe84Nim4wSu2zwMMHEmPUXy5D2swmACLcBGAsYHQ/w389-h400/1.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Illustration of the quote: By the author.</div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-47217175376283092112021-03-03T16:01:00.001+01:002021-03-03T16:02:29.745+01:00Kaleidoscope<p style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">As crazy ideas go, this must
rank as one of the craziest, if not THE craziest. I once wrote a short story (5
lines in length) and then decided to stretch it for a week and ended up with 7
stories. My friend Natasha (Twitter handle @nuts2406) followed it with 7
stories by her with contrasting titles. She thrives on working within some
constraints. I had discussed this in my previous blog. One thing led to
another, and soon we were contemplating about writing a poem with each one
writing alternate lines. We discarded the poem format as we are not poets. We
can’t write prose also, but we were certain that prose is easier than a poem.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And so, after some
pre-agreements (we shall not walk into the temptation of doing a one-up on the
other, etc..) we started this experiment on the 3<sup>rd</sup> of Feb. We did not
know, then, that it would last a month, total up 21k words, drive each one of
us completely insane, if we had been living in the same locality we would have
probably gone and killed the other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We started, and initially we
were lost, we had to delete and rewrite few of the first tweets, but sooner
than any of us imagined, we fell into a rhythm. It is strange to find another
person whose thinking is so much like yours, the tastes similar and the appetite
for adventure equal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It was only after nearly the
70% of the story was done, we discussed on how to proceed and end. Even after
that, we had our flashes of brilliant ideas, and the story changed courses
multiple times. It was heading towards a timid end, when one of our regular
readers was dismayed and we decided to bring in the twist, and that made all
the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Usually the author (in this
case the authors) writes the story. In this incident, we are guilty of only
starting it, then the story wrote itself and playing to the gallery made it
even more interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We enjoyed it thoroughly. In
fact, when it ended, we suddenly felt empty. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Hope you enjoy reading it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The following threader app
gives you a seamless read – you do not have to navigate the labyrinth called
Twitter. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://threader.app/conversation/1356893296954658818/8G4RZzEtGS">https://threader.app/conversation/1356893296954658818/8G4RZzEtGS</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2PCLkAadu0/YD-kk0evFtI/AAAAAAAAW4A/T7h9-hq_jxYDOnYXrL44EnMTrMgL9hXkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s712/cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="582" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2PCLkAadu0/YD-kk0evFtI/AAAAAAAAW4A/T7h9-hq_jxYDOnYXrL44EnMTrMgL9hXkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cover.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-48488934474250373822021-01-26T20:19:00.000+01:002021-01-26T20:19:02.709+01:00Se7en<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I wrote 7 short stories in almost one sitting!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They loved each other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So, they did not marry each other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They did not marry anyone else either. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They lived happily ever after. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Footnote: The families of Meenakshi and Magdalene lived
happily too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Judiciary<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We are short of wood<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For the fireplace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Complained the wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Here burn this<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Said the Judge and gave her the constitution<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Test<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Examiner and I<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Give me a three-letter word for hope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Give me a five-letter word for trust<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Give me a six-letter word for future<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You fail the test<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I know, but you will fail in life!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Janus<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Agenda for the day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Morning – preside over inter-caste marriage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Afternoon – Dalit upliftment lecture<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Evening – all religion prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Night – feed the daughter who is locked in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Pet<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Ah! The stress of keeping a pet!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Had to wake him early in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Give him the feeling of leading the way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Repeat the same late in the night<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It is tough being a dog!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Dignity / Humanity<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Will you buy this book from me?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I need the money to feed my family<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Said the desperate professor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I would love to read this again<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Bought the illiterate man!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Care<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Am new to town<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And its language<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Was taught by my friend to say<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You look wonderful<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">May I take you to dinner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My 80-year-old neighbor will get from me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Today, what he deserves from his son<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But did not get.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Interestingly, I penned it as a thread on Twitter, and it looks like it will lead to another 7 stories by one of my friends as well as two-authors writing one paragraph each to try out a story too. Keep watching here</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/vkmagus/status/1354145250785304579?s=20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>The twitter thread </b></span></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p>
<p><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-li3rKa7j0A4/YA1Rf5FBC5I/AAAAAAAAW1Y/TVp3cXyO7pk0zJA1JimKCrye_uEZOnwaACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="636" height="215" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-li3rKa7j0A4/YA1Rf5FBC5I/AAAAAAAAW1Y/TVp3cXyO7pk0zJA1JimKCrye_uEZOnwaACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Pic Courtesy: The Business Journals</p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264932457220925513.post-8764568935841341752021-01-01T00:16:00.000+01:002021-01-01T00:16:36.697+01:00Books Read in 2020<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hello
everybody, a happy 2021 to everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Continuing
the habit, here is a list of books I read in 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Chalk Man (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">C. J. Tudor</span>; It was a fast read. That is all that can
be said. Too many twists, too many diversions, too convoluted, no, make it
unnecessarily convoluted. Helping my decision to stay away from thrillers and
fiction in general. Kept you engaged and started to fall apart in the later
stages. Need to move into some serious non-fiction. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 1<sup>st</sup> January and
Finished on 2<sup>nd</sup> January.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Sayantan
Ghosh. </span>Well, he did not personally recommend it, I picked it up from his
tweets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Return (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Hisham Matar</span>; A must-read for everyone. That I was
reading it during the horrific student riots, with state-sponsored terrorism,
in India made it more relevant and more difficult. One who Is used to crying
easily, I was filling buckets during this book. Earmarked few paintings, to be
seen during my next visit to the UK. Those descriptions of the two paintings, in
the chapter called Maximilian, are top-notch. What dictators do and how
ordinary people suffer. We have read it so many times and yet this HITS you.
That a man so rich and powerful, who could walk into the foreign office, talk to
ministers, international organizations, talk personally to the son of the
dictator can fail sends a shiver down your spine. If such powerful people are
finally powerless, what about the ordinary, the poor, and the unrepresented? A
gem of a book. Must be part of compulsory reading in every school! In the past, I used to mention that every father-son must-see “Life is beautiful” and now I
will add “and read The Return”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 2<sup>nd</sup> January and
finished on 8<sup>th</sup> January<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Sayantan
Ghosh. </span>Well, he did not personally recommend it, I picked it up from his
tweets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Touching the void (Non-Fiction) </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">by <span style="color: red;">Joe Simpson</span>; The call of the mountains can’t be
ignored for long. The story itself was haunting enough. And when I came to know
that the author penned it almost immediately based on his harrowing experience,
I could not resist the urge. Having taken to the mountains at a much later
stage in my life, I am still not familiar with many mountain-specific terms
like col, crevasse, moraine, belay, baseplate, fluting, etc... To get to the
heart of the story unfolding, it was necessary to keep the glossary handy to
refer to. Ed Viesturs was considerate enough to give a glossary at the end of
his book. The alternating regular font
and Italian font both in the first-person narrative is a powerful tool. You get to
see into each one’s mind. Never once you reach a stage where you blame Simon
and you realize why the book was dedicated to him in the first place. Despite
knowing what happened the book was nail-biting stuff. Saw the 2003
documentary based on the book immediately after finishing the book. A wonderful
documentary staying true to the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 8<sup>th</sup>
January and finished on 11<sup>th</sup> January.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended
by </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Guardian</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gandhi before India (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> by </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ramachandra Guha</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">; All along I thought I am fully aware of
everything about Gandhi, and then I end up reading this book. There is so much
about this man that I had not known, and now, after knowing, my respect for him
continues to grow. For a while it was fashionable to demean Gandhi, to appear
intellectual, by quoting (with half knowledge) how he was mean to his wife and
his son. That serendipity plays a major role in life is amply demonstrated in
the book. If his father had not died young if his brother was not involved in
a scam with the palace if he had been more successful in Bombay or Rajkot in
his practice if the SA government had yielded early on …. So many ifs and
they end by defining one’s life. A lovely read. The research behind is scary to
even contemplate, leave alone attempt. Full marks to Mr.Guha for his erudition,
his obsession, and his knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 12<sup>th</sup> January and
finished on 8<sup>th</sup> February<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Celestial Bodies (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jokha Alharthi</span>; This seems to be the year of Sayantan
Ghosh! 3 of the first 5 books of the year are his recommendations! Amazon
screwed up big time again. Similar to my experience with “Bad Blood” last year,
this copy had 20 pages twice and as a result, I was left dangling at page 147,
very much like Abdallah in the book, and had to wait for the missing pages.
After getting the missing pages, I completed this book in about 3 days. The
book was too complicated for me. While there were wonderful passages and some
strong statements, the family tree was a mess. All love stories ended in
tragedies, but then is this not what love is all about? Was a decent read but
certainly not going to be on any lists of mine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 8<sup>th</sup> February and
finished on 17<sup>th</sup> November (after a stop on 14<sup>th</sup> Feb,
resumed on 14<sup>th</sup> November with the missing pages delivered by a dear
friend – I had to start from the beginning)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Sayantan
Ghosh</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Powerful (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Patty McCord</span>; So fundamentally correct, you are left
wondering why it is so difficult to practice. Reminded me of Neutron Jack, who
was famous for firing the bottom 20% each year. Few of her observations are
spot on. That there is no continuously talented person in most fields. Either
they exhaust their usefulness soon, or simply that the business grows faster
than their capacity to adapt and grow along with the need demanded. Also, a misfit in one organization can prosper in another. My take is, that most
people stay on and the organizations allow them to stay on, as it is a good
compromise for both involved. Can the HR name the top three revenues, top five
competitors, and the disruptive technology in the market to your product? Why
just the HR – this must be a test for each employee. A refreshing book<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 15<sup>th</sup> Feb and finished
on 22<sup>nd</sup> Feb<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Pachinko (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Min Jin Lee</span>; Epic in its scope and so relevant in the
current world, with the rising of right-wing and misplaced nationalism. The periodic
tragedies reminded me of The Kite Runner. The author has a macabre sense of
slipping in the most profound tragedy in one closing sentence of a chapter as
if a mere footnote. The life of every immigrant, of every person of one
nationality living in another world, is always the same. The stark reality of
ethnic Koreans under the Japanese has always been a matter of intrigue, and
this book answers it as brutally as possible. Would strongly recommend it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 22<sup>nd</sup> Feb and finished
on 5<sup>th</sup> Mar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Leonardo da Vinci Biography
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Walter Isaacson</span>; If
someone had told me years ago that a biography would keep me so engrossed, I
would have laughed. But, not now. At the end of the book, I am not sure who
should I admire most – Leonardo or Walter? All right, that was meant to be
rhetoric. Walter has a powerful way of writing. I am sure I will be equally
awestruck by Einstein and anyone else that he had chosen to write about.
This book is really a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-researched
book. Biography of contemporary persons is simple but to write a biography of
someone who lived 600 years ago, based on research material, and to write so
authoritatively about art, at best a subjective matter, is an impressive task.
The conclusion chapter is so beautifully composed, allowing you to go back, in
your fresh memories, to various parts of the book. I will soon be buying a T-shirt
with the Vitruvian man and a personalized one with the statement “Describe the
tongue of the woodpecker”. And the notes section is as much a treasure as the
book is. This link reads like a thriller mystery all by itself </span><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/07/12/the-mark-of-a-masterpiece"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/07/12/the-mark-of-a-masterpiece</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 6<sup>th</sup> March and finished
on 25<sup>th</sup> March<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Fragile Things (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Neil Gaiman</span>; I wish I could say the book, the
collection of stories/poems/essays was a great read. Alas! No. Other than “A Study in Emerald” and
“Sunbird”, most of the other stories end up a disappointment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 26<sup>th</sup> March and finished
on 14<sup>th</sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Self-recommended</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> –
Railway station waiting time purchases <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bridge of Clay (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Marcus
Zusak</span>; In the typical Zusak’s style, a slow burner. Takes time to come
to grips with the proceedings. The alternating chapters between the past and
the present are woven beautifully. His gift for short sentences is amazing. The
chapters all fit like a perfect jigsaw puzzle at the end. He has a way with
death. And some impossible moments. A bit dragging at places. But hats off to
his vision and execution. One sentence will stay with me from this book “the
body was weightless; the coffin weighed a tonne”. Not meant for light
reading. A satisfactory read at the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 14<sup>th</sup> April and finished
on 5<sup>th</sup> May<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Self-recommended <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The last days of night (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Graham
Moore</span>; The first chapter starts with the line “On the day that he would
first meet Thomas Edison” and the last chapter some 350 pages later starts with
“On the day that he would last see Thomas Edison”. Proof that you just do not
sit and write a book. There is so much research, painstaking details, and
planning that go into the book. It is a novel. But could well have been real.
Three dominant main characters besides some of the imposing names through the
history and three short sentences that capture their essence. “Tesla was
happiest when he was working. Westinghouse was happiest when he’d finished.
Edison would be happiest only when he’d won.” A lovely book and a racy read,
such a relief after the slow crawling Bridge of Clay.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 6<sup>th</sup> May and finished on
9<sup>th</sup> May.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The hundred-year-old man who climbed out of the window and
disappeared (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jonas Jonasson</span>;
I have never laughed this much since Catch-22. What a brilliant book. This was
lying with me since 2016! Impossible to list the hilarious episodes are single
any one event out. “It should carry a health
warning for spouses who are easily irritated by the sounds of helpless
chortling” by Irish Times is spot on. Any person in your company will conclude
that you have gone insane. A wonderful find. Usually, when books alternate
between the past and present between chapters, I usually find one part to be
more interesting than the other and often yearn for the relevant chapter to
arrive soon. This was an exceptional exception. Both narratives were fantastic.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 11<sup>th</sup> May and finished
on 12<sup>th</sup> May<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by none. Though <span style="color: blue;">my daughter</span> had been asking me to read ever since she
read it, while the book was, ironically, a gift to me on my birthday. So, let
the thanks go to <span style="color: blue;">Iveta</span> in equal measure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">13.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Upheaval (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jared
Diamond</span>; Lived up to its expectations. A challenging topic made it easy to
read and appreciate. The chapters dedicated to the USA towards the end are spot on.
Details about Finland, Australia, Chile, Japan, and Indonesia are stunning,
though we know much about Germany. A compelling read, though at times you
sensed that he was recording the same messages repeatedly. As much as the book
is interesting, the question “Will people ignore the obvious?” in the final
pages rings so true, as leaders currently are doing exactly that. We learn
nothing from history, has never been told so openly. A wonderful book. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 12<sup>th</sup> May and finished
on 31<sup>st</sup> May<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by – I do not recall – probably <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span> or <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span> or <span style="color: blue;">self-choice</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">14.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Chronicle of a death foretold (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Gabriel Garcia Marquez</span>; A slim volume, chosen mainly
to take a break from non-fiction. GCM weaves his magic again. Dreams, the story
told in the very first line, and the tantalizing aspect of whether Nasar was guilty
is left hanging even after the story ends. Only a great storyteller can make a
story this simple. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 31<sup>st</sup> May and finished
on 31<sup>st</sup> May<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by – The author was introduced by<span style="color: blue;"> Murali</span>, so let us attribute this book to him<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">15.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Born to run (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Bruce
Springsteen</span>; How can a guy in his teens in the 80s not be bewitched by
The Boss. I wish I could say the book was a breeze or a dream come true. Sadly,
no. He writes well and somehow it felt like you were reading his diary. Maybe
Walter Isaacson spoiled me in the field of chronicling one’s life. You could
relate to his life and you knew most of his songs. Somehow the book was
dragging, and I had half a mind to drop it and move on to the next book on more
than one occasion. Nearly the 40-day reading period tells the story too. Maybe
it just did not click with me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 1<sup>st</sup> June and finished
on 10<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">16.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Malevolent Republic (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">K.S.Komireddi</span>; I used to read two or three books
simultaneously when I was young. But discontinued the practice. I am glad I
made an exception this time. Even before I finished book number 15, I looked
into this book and started to read the introduction and did not put the book
down till I finished it. Brings you to tears by making you look at what the
politicians have done to this country, my country. Only Shastri comes clean in
recording 73 years of Indian politics. He has spared none. Everyone is taken to
the laundry and hung dry. One can’t call him pro BJP or pro Cong or pro anyone.
He talks for India. Ruthlessly, unflinchingly and honestly. Just by a
coincidence, I shared a quote with my brother on the same day that said,
“Honesty has a power that few can handle”. Let me see how many can handle the
honesty of Mr. Reddi. People like Reddi give me hope. May their breed continue
to multiply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 12<sup>th</sup> June and finished
on 14<sup>th</sup> June<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">17.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gun Island (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Amitav
Ghosh</span>; Did not realize that I started the book on the birthday of the
author. A highly relevant and timely tale. Bengal folklore, marine mammals’
migration, immigrant crisis, and climate change are all woven so perfectly into
a gripping tale. Never boring or slow. It was a relief after the slow-moving
Born to Run prior to this. A lovely book and will certainly recommend it to others
too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 11<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 12<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">18.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Scoop (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Evelyn Waugh</span>;
What a lovely book! There is something about British authors and humor.
Effortless, bizarre, and incredibly funny. Situational comedy and preposterous
situations. Weird gets weirder and all the while there is a tongue-in-cheek
commentary on the atrociousness all around. This was in the 1930s and is still
relevant today. Even descriptions are singularly so funny, for example, “the
immense trees stood, singly and in groups about the park, had suffered, some
from ivy, some from lightning, some from various malignant disorders that
vegetation is heir to, but all principally from old age.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 12<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 17<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Akshaya</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">19.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Early Indians (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Tony
Joseph</span>; Mixed feelings about the book. Throughout its length, the book
had a feel of an academic journal. Mr. Harari made history writing a daunting
task for anyone else today, unfortunately. Nevertheless, an important book for
blowing away a few of the myths that the current Sanghis hold dear to them and
their misplaced ideology. An important book, I just wish that it had been a
little easier to read. Can’t resist thinking “Absence of evidence is not the
evidence of absence” – but that would be unfair to most archeology and history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 20<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 26<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">20.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">How to lose a country – The 7 steps from democracy to dictatorship
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Ece Temelkuran</span>; Though
the book is clearly an outrage on seeing the degeneration of her own country,
what is chilling is how the same template is being used by nations around the
globe. And when you see current headlines reflecting the cautions she had
espoused, but ignored, your heart bleeds that much more. The book impressed me
so much, I coupled my rant and the review of the book into this blog - </span><a href="http://vkmagus.blogspot.com/2020/07/when-did-you-become-so-cruel_58.html"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">http://vkmagus.blogspot.com/2020/07/when-did-you-become-so-cruel_58.html</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 26<sup>th</sup> July and finished
on 29<sup>th</sup> July<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">21.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The little book of cosmology (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Lyman Page</span>; I am certainly wiser than what I was
before I started to read this book. But to expect a 110-page book makes me wise
and totally comfortable with the full concept and as knowledgeable as those who
have spent their lifetime on understanding Cosmos is a bit arrogant, if not
far-fetched. With a little background in science, it is easy to understand the
vast universe and the current stage and probably from where it all started. Mr.
Page explains most concepts with a simpler example to make it easy but certain
concepts are so intricate; it is not possible to simplify them any further. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 31<sup>st</sup> July and finished
on 8<sup>th</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> samba</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">22.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">1944 – FDR and the year that changed history (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Jay Winik</span>; I am no stranger to Holocaust and this book
gently reminded me that what I know about the holocaust is far far less than what
is there to learn about. The narrative of the book is clever too, it keeps
jumping forward and backward while the anchor remains Auschwitz all the time. The
D day landing and atrocities of Auschwitz were so fantastically described that
it made me simply sob unabashedly. (I had been to Auschwitz- Birkenau seven
times already). Even though the book is written to laud the single-minded determination
of FDR it categorically holds him to account for his inaction on the holocaust.
A telling commentary is how he could have made the war all about humanity (like
emancipation of civil war) instead of just defeating the Nazis. In hindsight,
it is always easy to be cleaver and I would rather blame the state department
and McCloy more responsible than FDR. The following names must be recorded for
posterity to save what little they could save – Edward Schulte, Gerhard
Riegner, Stephen Wise, Peter Bergson, Jan Karski, Vrba & Wetzler, Henry
Morgentau, John Pehle, DuBois, and heaven knows how many more. A compulsory read
to anyone who values history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 9<sup>th</sup> August and finished
on 23<sup>rd</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">23.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On Tyranny – twenty lessons from the twentieth century
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Timothy Snyde</span>r; Once
again, an uncharacteristic move of reading another book before I finish the
previous book. No regrets. A short read but pure dynamite. In my opinion, this
is a perfect book to follow up from Ece Temelkuran’s how to lose a country.
Powerful short sentences like “If none of us is prepared to die for freedom,
then all of us will die under tyranny.” pepper the book. Lovely read and most
relevant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 12<sup>th</sup> August and
Finished on 12<sup>th</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">24.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Good Omens (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Terry
Pratchett and Neil Gaiman</span>; Only NG and TP can write a book like this.
Armageddon on a Saturday, the four bike riders of apocalypse and a misplaced
Antichrist along with a modern-day Angel and Demon. Sumptuous stuff. Hilarious.
Lines like “You start thinking: it <i>can’t</i> be a great cosmic game of chess,
it <i>has</i> to be just very complicated Solitaire”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 24<sup>th</sup> August and
finished on 28<sup>th</sup> August<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by – Any book by NG is deemed as
a reference by <span style="color: blue;">Ameya</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">25.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The white book (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Han
Kang</span>; Could have been named a weird book instead. After Vegetarian,
every other book of this author will fall flat, but this had fallen way far
below. More a diary noting than a novel. Two pages on Sand and Breath were
outstanding, but overall a disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 29<sup>th</sup> August and
finished on 29th August<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> self</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">26.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I won’t give you a leg up Mr. Death (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Arunabha Sengupta</span>; The book was gifted to me by my
colleague who happens to be the brother of the author. There is this hidden
tendency to downplay known people or Indian authors and I fell victim to that.
Never too late. That I happened to pick up the book after Chadwick Boseman’s
death and after one of my friends recently underwent radiation therapy for
cheek oral cavity is certainly a coincidence to marvel at. The doctor author
has used all his expertise in spinning a yarn around the emperor of all
maladies. What is creditworthy is that he has shown it from the patient’s side
too. A satisfactory read and the author’s observations and the effortless capturing
of the scenery in powerful words that bring to your eyes the image is
impressive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 30<sup>th</sup> August and
finished on 4<sup>th</sup> September.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Presented by <span style="color: blue;">Aditya</span>
as the author is his brother. So, it counts as his recommendation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">27.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance – an inquiry into values
(Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Robert. M. Pirsig</span>; Having
read this book way back in the 90s and having no recollection of it whatsoever,
it was clear that I had not read the book properly the first time around. The
second reading served a better understanding of the book. The writing style is
pedantic and at times testing your capacity to stay focused, but you finish the
book with great admiration for the man and his unflinching honesty to
Quality. I do feel, however, that future generations may miss on this book’s
gifts as the writing style could be found a bit tedious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 5<sup>th</sup> September and
finished on 18<sup>th</sup> October <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by my first boss <span style="color: blue;">R.V.Dalvi</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">28.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">One part woman (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Perumal
Murugan</span>; His prose is haunting. He effortlessly paints the village life
right in front of your eyes. Converting his novels to films should be easy. The
trauma of being a child-less mother/father in a village setting is beautifully
penned. The playfulness and seriousness are distributed in a way that
resembles our normal lives. Powerful writing. And an ending that is as
suspenseful as a whodunit. When you see what the couple had to go through, you
feel like you should take a machete to society. Fantastic read.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 18<sup>th</sup> October and
finished on 19<sup>th</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by<span style="color: blue;"> Naren</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">29.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Time stops at Shamli and other stories (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Ruskin Bond</span>; A lovely collection of stories. The
beautiful ending of The room of many colors, the funny Masterji, the loving
scoundrel in He said it with Arsenic, the supernatural Eyes of the cat, the
fantastically funny The tiger in the house and the hauntingly mesmeric Tiger
Tiger burning bright were all fabulous. Bond writes so well about animals, he
could have been our Wilbur Smith, if he had persisted in that area. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 20<sup>th</sup> October and
finished on 22<sup>nd</sup> October<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Self</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">30.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Anarchy (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">William
Dalrymple</span>; You feel cheated when the book suddenly is over and all the
remaining pages are notes (that you have been referring to during the reading),
bibliography, and credits. A well-researched marvelous book. The intrigue, the
double-crossing, the scheming, and the fact that there was a very thin line
between what could have been and what eventually was are all beautifully
chronicled. The opening line is a stunner and the epilogue pack a punch. The
research and the details are sheer jaw drop. A mandatory reading to anyone who
wants to know how the British raj began. The one irritant was the mention of
values mentioned in the passages as “in today’s currency” at the bottom of most
pages. One simple chart in the notes or at the beginning would have been
enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 22<sup>nd</sup> October and
finished on 2<sup>nd</sup> November <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Mihir</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">31.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A gentleman in Moscow (Fiction) </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Amor Towles</span>;
It is easy to make someone angry, someone sad, someone cry but try to make them
smile and laugh. It must be the most singularly difficult task unless you
happen to be Amor Towles. The principle of Chekov’s gun had been repeated ad
infinitum and we all know how relevant it is. This book clinches it completely
and staging it in Russia, Moscow to be precise, is a genius at work. How much
one laughs through the book and how effortlessly the author makes you cry
unabashedly. And Casablanca, so beautifully woven into the novel. I have already
bought, even before I finished, two copies of this book in the Czech language for
my two dear friends as their Christmas gifts. So, Mr. Towles, thank you for
making me laugh and cry last week, and the usually stoic, not a flicker of
emotion on their faces Czechs will be reduced to the same in January 2021. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 2<sup>nd</sup> November and
finished on 8<sup>th</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Bill
Gates</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">32.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Lady Windermere’s fan (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Oscar
Wilde</span>; What a delightful little book. Peppered with his most notable
quotes. Lovely read. It is not possible to divide people into good and bad. It
takes a lifetime to understand someone fully, if at all. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 17<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 17<sup>th</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Akshaya</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">33.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Luka and the fire of life (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Salman Rushdie</span>; What a magician Salman is! P2C2E
(Process too complicated to explain), M2C2D (Machines too complicated to
Describe), Jos (Jo Hua, Jo Hai, and Jo Aiga) towns of Kahani, Khwab, Rivers of
Time, Discarded Gods, Rats, OTTs, a dog named Bear, a bear named dog, Shah of
Blah, Nobody, Nonsense – I was reduced to seven-year-old chewing up my nails
in excitement, even all the time knowing the story will only end well. A master
storyteller. A timely read too as it solved my choice of a Xmas gift to a
southpaw in the family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 17<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 19<sup>th</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Akshaya</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">34.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Supreme Whispers (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Abhinav
Chandrachud</span>; A nice book on the intricate workings of the supreme court.
Wonderful anecdotes and the author has been unbiased even while covering his
own grandfather. A book worth reading to see how the supreme court had evolved
over the years and the constant tug of war between the politicians and the
judges. Rather disappointing to see that not many judges have stood up to what
was right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 19<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 21<sup>st</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span>,
airport browsing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">35.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The innovators (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Walter
Isaacson</span>; Mr. Isaacson can make even a manual on root canal treatment
gripping and unputdownable. The research that goes into such works is stunning
to even contemplate. A character description of just one player, roughly a
paragraph long, must involve a full day of research and fact-checking. A great
documentation of how computing evolved, the role played by the military, the
visionaries who could see the future as well as the humility and the arrogance
of many of them. Fortunately, the humble ones outnumber the arrogant ones. A
mandatory reading to anyone who appreciates science and how so many people made
life easy for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 22<sup>nd</sup> November and
finished on 29<sup>th</sup> November<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">Ujval</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">36.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Thurber Country (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">James
Thurber</span>; Who needs an introduction or even a review for Thurber. Was an
absolute delight as most of his books are. But I traced a bit of misogyny which
could have been par for the 40s and 30s but found it jarring today. Statements
like “Shall I make a drink for you” I asked the lady. “No” she replied in a
voice that corked the bottles! Fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 30<sup>th</sup> November and
finished on 3<sup>rd</sup> Dec<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">37.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">How I came to know fish (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Ota Pavel</span>; Impulsive shopping. Prague, Czech life and
Nazi occupation was enough to bait this fish. A lovely little book. Hilarious
anecdotes. Unlikely kindness from unexpected quarters. The descent into
madness. Glad I found it and read it. While the book has been fortunately not
depressing, thanks to the ability of the Czechs to laugh things off, the
reference to Massacre of Lidice exposed once again the barbarity of the Germans.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started and finished on 4<sup>th</sup> Dec<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">38.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The age of surveillance capitalism – the fight for a human future
at the new frontier of power (Non-Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Shoshana
Zuboff</span>; A powerful, relevant book. Glad I took it up despite its
imposing size and subject matter. She writes from her heart. It is a miracle
that Google and Facebook did not knock her off before she finished this book.
Who decides is authority and who decides who decides is power. Just a sample of
what her depth and grasp of the topic are. And towards the end, she says this
“It is not Ok for every move, emotion, utterance, and desire to be cataloged,
manipulated, and then sued to surreptitiously herd us through the future tense
for the sake of someone else’s profit” A wonderful book and a must-read. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 5<sup>th</sup> Dec and finished on
24<sup>th</sup> Dec<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">The
Guardian</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">39.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Skorzeny; The most dangerous man in Europe (Non-Fiction) </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">by <span style="color: red;">Charles Whiting</span>; A small book that is a one-sit read.
A man whose life is the proverbial larger than life. Daring rescues, bluffs, and
romancing Eva Peron! – It is a pity that he did not write that book soon after
the war while he still had a choice, but people who are self-centered would
only care about what they did and not about what events needed to be said to
let the world know what had actually transpired. Given my dislike to Churchill,
if his book had been published and exposed Churchill, Ahhhhhh… life is so
unfair!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 25<sup>th</sup> Dec and finished
on 25<sup>th</sup> Dec<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended (and gifted) by <span style="color: blue;">Pavel Sedivy</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">40.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The remains of the day (Fiction)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> by <span style="color: red;">Kazuo
Ishiguro</span>; What a beautiful language and what a story he has weaved. Now
I am dying to see the film to see what Mr. Hopkins has done to Mr. Stevens. A
lovely book, and most wonderful language reminiscent of P.G. Wodehouse and
Maugham. A lovely way to end the year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Started on 25<sup>th</sup> Dec and finished
on 29<sup>th</sup> December<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recommended by <span style="color: blue;">self</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So,
that is my summary of the books I had read this last year. See you again on 1<sup>st</sup>
of January 2022, with a list of books that I managed to read during this year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"> </span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvTTAZnwKcw/X-2FlthgVGI/AAAAAAAAWyo/DHRexLj8ZdMD5qpS39jAyICAtqjbYzvggCLcBGAsYHQ/s353/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="229" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvTTAZnwKcw/X-2FlthgVGI/AAAAAAAAWyo/DHRexLj8ZdMD5qpS39jAyICAtqjbYzvggCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Capture.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p></p>krishnamoorthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11405840340845351758noreply@blogger.com10