Dear God

                                In earlier days, people had more faith on God, good deeds and destiny, that perhaps prompted them to follow righteous path . They were driven by the desire to do good to others, positively shaping their outlook. As times changed, with economic progress, we got entangled in our jobs, our lives got more complicated, we lost the grip on religion. At times, even with intent to perform puja, we often find ourselves short of time.

                            For long i was an atheist, more inclined towards science rather than god, even enthusiastically debated with friends and colleagues about the veracity of the supreme being. Never shied away from questioning the belief of myself or others. But as time elapsed, i found refuge in religion from the vagaries of life, i am not sure whether the events unfolded shaped my outlook, or was oriented since beginning. It took me long time, patience and sorrows to re-investigate my theories of life, to rescue myself from the miserable darkness i was treading for too long. It took me eons and after wasting precious time, that i could acknowledge the difference between science and faith. Well science tells us the air i breathe in is oxygen, while exhale out carbon dioxide, but its faith, that tells me the rhythm is maintained by god and one will continue to maintain it as long as he wishes, science can't prolong it.

                          In today's age of commercialization, where almost all relationships are smudged in trade, can relationship with god be free from this trait? Here, i am only speaking from my personal experience. I am only trying to provide a sneak peek into my mind, what transpired in my thought process, that compelled me to lounge for his(god) refuge. Under the influence of society, peer pressure, my only concern was to secure materialistic wealth, never gave prudence to the idea of contentment. I was under the impression that i understand happiness, understand god. I could only visualize my relationship with god as a two way trade, one is a sort of investment, where i would be able to reap benefits in long term by praying, the second one is more direct, an exchange a kind of barter trade, where i pray to get benefits in short term as if we both are into trade where my prayers are directly proportional to the returns in short time.

                         Never did i realize the bond between the devotee and the god is beyond the paradigm of a commercial transaction. In establishing your bond, what one should seek is his patronage, his blessings, the investment is your devotion and the returns one should look for is his acceptance to your prayers. One must not seek returns in your relationship with almighty rather unconditional trust and entrusting yourself to the divine will is paramount, let god be your swing while you enjoy the ride.

Mission R&AW by R.K. Yadav (Review)

                                  This is the first book that I have come across, on India's external Intelligence Agency the 'RAW'. ‘Mission R&AW’ is written by a former RAW operative R K Yadav, is a first hand account, however, without much explicit details and sometimes entirely based on hearsay. It is an interesting book though, covering a wide historical, Geo-political events that shaped independent India. Right from its inception, the agency participated in events after independence, to some of the most challenging times that the country faced, RAW was at the forefront defending Indian interests. The book dwells on the major accomplishments and debacles of agency in explosive details, though its only based on authors narrative, without much evidence to corroborate.

                               Display of exceptional maneuvering by RAW to hoodwink China, resulting in merger of Sikkim was unprecedented. Similarly, perfect execution of plan to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan was another feather in RAW's hat. Author also exonerated RAW from colossal failures of 1962 Indo-China war and 1965 Indo-Pak war by attributing it on army administration, to not taking the threats seriously. The recent case of RAW Joint Secretary Rabinder Singh, where  intelligence agency was blindsided by CIA was also mentioned.

                                 According to author, RAW has been the pioneering agency in the game of deception for decades, but lately been infested with greedy, unscrupulous elements against whom it has to guard itself. I would highly recommend this book, for readers interested in understanding functioning of spy agencies, covert operations undertaken by them to safeguard our country's interest

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Johnny English Strikes Again (Review)

                              Johnny English Strikes Again is an action/comedy, starring Rowan Atkinson, Olga Kurylenko and Ben Miller. Johnny English is a retired spy that is called out of retirement by the British secret service to investigate a cyber attack that revealed the identities of all the British secret agents. This being the third in the franchise, was a big disappointment for me, as it felt like watching an old Johnny English movie, with same predictable script, usual silly pranks that one can foretell .

                         Rowan Atkinson comedy is well known and his actions can be anticipated making the comedy outdated, maybe, it is pitched at kids rather than adults.This formula has worked in the earlier versions, but watching it the third time, definitely wasn't a charm. Olga Kurylenko was a lost soul, her performance can be rated as mediocre at best. The   misadventure of Johnny English, his tirade to punish bad guys wasn't my cup of tea, the movie can be missed.

The Past As Present: Forging Contemporary Identities Through History

                              This book is a collection of short essays written by Romila Thapar over a period of 40 years on topics ranging from - history, communal interpretations of Indian history and its use in political aspirations, caste and class division. Earlier too, i have written about Romila Thapar books, the peculiar way she insinuates 'Hinduism',  her idea of secularism, her favorite Aryan Dravidian divide(fiction she propagated) and subsequent persecution of communities on racial, religious basis in India. One must not be baffled by her implicit quality of unraveling fanaticism, where nothing exist. She has this distinctive ability, taste and talent to paint and transform victims, as bloodthirsty villains of history. Lopsided it is, but she forcefully and adamantly pursues her analysis while ferociously muzzles her critics by branding and belittling their work as influenced by right wing, without venturing into the merit. Doesn't scientific knowledge's first condition is to be not dogmatic and consider and evaluate every theory on its merit? But in Indian History 'some people' are beyond scrutiny and their uttering must be considered halo or biblical truth by lesser mortals.

                              In this book Romila Thapar has investigated, analyzed and interpreted the history that in her opinion is being reconstructed and distorted by the Neo-Hindu historians influenced and driven by chauvinistic politics of faith today. The central issue of understanding history and its prudent interpretation are caught up in the cross-hairs of Nationalist historians vs Marxist hagiography. Like all victors, the left-leaning historians had a field day till now, and they have shamelessly gone on rampage distorting facts, creating myths undermining Indian culture, religion and values. The unleashing of colonial mindset has done great disservice to our history.

                           After winds of change being witnessed in democratic setup of our nation, the academic honchos notorious for their views are facing unprecedented headwinds and this book is a reflection of it. There were numerous views and opinions gagged from academic circles till now, and are being heard now and that's where the trouble lies. This book is a ludicrous attempt to defend her views on many controversial topics with some repetitive and equivocal writing.