The Great Indian Novel - Shashi Tharoor

                                           One of the finest book, a satire on political class and their selfish propagandas , insecurities and jealousies that shape the destiny of nation. This book is a wonderful piece of fiction written by Shashi Tharoor. “The Great Indian Novel” is a political satire, ingeniously interweaving the mythological characters from epic “Mahaharata” into political players covering time span of independent struggle of country to degenerative politics till 1980’s. Skillful narration of recognizable events in freedom struggle of India keeping mythological characters of Mahabharata at centerpieces is extraordinarily brilliant.

                                         The book re-interprets “Mahaharata” and cleverly moulds the characters into the prime events and characters of 20th century political class. In a way , author was ingenious to choose the epic, as Mahabharata, is perhaps the first and the most bitter account of power struggle that culminated in a catastrophic avoidable war.

                                        This book has two parts with first devoted to the Indian freedom struggle and second towards the dreams of independent nation and slow degradation of politics. This book comprises of 18 books(chapters), symbolizing, war of Mahabharata, which was fought for 18 days. The first part deals with the insecurities and lust of power that eventually divided the country on sectarian basis and contempt of basic human values that was binding us for centuries till independence . The clumsy power struggle that plagued this nation leading to bloodshed and division. The second part showcases the games planned and executed to grab and latch on to power right after gaining independence till 80’s. The nepotism and narcissism of policy makers.

                                           In the end, author dwelled and raised a point whether the hallowed principles(non violence of Gandhi and non alignment of Nehru) of our leaders had any relevance in real world or were just futile exercises by our narcissist leaders .The protagonists were later seen embracing each other in heaven under the righteous Yudhishtir drawing conclusion that “Dharma” is paramount and practicing life without Dharma is despicable.

                                          Its a beautifully crafted book, a masterpiece full of sarcasm and humor(sometimes crude) but nonetheless a must read by all means.

                               Readers can share their opinions with me at- garv560@gmail.com

Midnight In Paris - Movie Review

                                           I must confess , I am not a Woody Allen movie fan, never had the temperament and taste to his kind of movies and firmly believed cinema he makes has different kind of audience . I have tried though( to watch his movies before )but abandoned the idea midway, so, after consenting to watch “Midnight In Paris” (as my friend convinced me to) I decided to give it a look. To my surprise(pleasant) I not only finished it in one go(which in itself a stupendous feet), I admired the storytelling.

                                    As the name suggests, central character is awestruck by the beauty of Paris and the city portrays its beautiful part effectively and efficiently . Protagonist life is brilliantly played by Owen Wilson, who was stuck in a relationship with a materialistic girlfriend. How beautifully story advances, with Wilson embracing the glorious past interwoven with present day circumstances, is a treat to watch with funny and simple narrative .The human relationships, dreams and aspirations are effortlessly depicted. It's about Wilson's (character) endeavor to understand and find love.

My advice - Simple, funny,lighthearted comedy, a one time watchable movie.

Secular Wolves

                              Communal and Secular words are politicized in India beyond belief , nowadays Secular doesn’t mean, state has no religion or supporting all irrespective of religion ,casteetc, it actually means supporting causes and people who mock Hinduism, fiddle with their customs., making caricatures of Hindu gods in the name of modern art. Abusing religious customs, is justified by freedom of expression. Secularists are one eyed animals, who howl at everything Hindu while maintaining stoic silence at other beliefs . These secular wolves of India, won’t speak on Islamic terrorism or growing Islamic fundamentalism in society . Their sermons and brutal suppression of truth is nowadays alarmingly taken as intellectual stuff by gullible students and novices.

                          Uniform Civil Code that’s enshrined in Constitution (Article 44), is being targeted as conspiracy by RSS to intrude on personal laws of minorities without informing the masses , its already in practice in Goa. Does it hamper the civil liberties of Goans irrespective of their beliefs ? This our secular wolves won’t divulge . The issues related to Triple talaqs or such evil social practices should be condemned without prejudice, but twist to simple social practice comes from religious bigots supported by secular wolves who tried twisting simple government act as misadventures of communal government. Opposition from fanatics isn’t unexpected but mischievous play by secular brigade to denounce judiciary and executives is baffling.

                                     These self glorified secular torchbearers gagging opponents, and are feign ignorance to acts of violence perpetrated on hapless BJP workers or simple members of religious organization in Kerala by Islamic fundamentalists or Communists under patronage of Communist rule. The chopping of hands of a Professor by Islamists , throwing 10 months old baby etc. are some of the gruesome violent stories,that don’t deter these jhola chaap intellectuals to support communists, while shedding crocodile tears on victims affected by violence from right winger fundamentalists. The violence acts should be unequivocally condemned irrespective of ones political affections and places where such horrible crimes are committed.

                               Ironically, Article 19 of Indian Constitution is utilized to spew venom at Indian establishment but Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code) and Article 370( Kashmir Semi-Autonomous) is snubbed by the same Secular mafia . Mass exodus of Hindus from Kashmir due to murder and rape in 1990’s is a non issue or recent exodus in UP and acknowledged by NHRC ( http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/Exodus-of-Hindu-families-from-Kairana-a-reality-finds-NHRC-probe-report/articleshow/54451892.cmsis ) swiftly blotted out, but terrorists like Afzal Guru are glorified as martyrs and wolves even gather in customary howling sessions in the name of freedom of expression . These sick seculars, don’t shy away from brandishing Army as inhuman, rapist organization, while silence breeds, when facts and truth are put forth(JNU celebrated death of CRPF soldiers- (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/200216/celebration-at-jnu-after-massacre-of-76-jawans-pained-me-chhattisgarh-cop.html )

Justifying 1984 riots(http://topyaps.com/kanhaiya-kumar-on-2002-gujarat-riots-1984-anti-sikh-riots)

                                      Secular wolves have always castigated and hurled abuses at Modi due to unfortunate Godhra train burning(Hindus burnt alive) and successive riots in Gujarat , but, shied away from raising concerns on Sikh pogrom of 1984, or Saharanpur riots(2014) or Bengal riots(2016) and sinister plan of ethnic cleansing in certain places in Bengal under the nose of Mamta Banerjee Government. These jhola chaap naxals rue the running away of MF Hussain who they wholeheartedly supported for caricaturing of Hindu idols while silence is maintained when Tarek Fatah is attacked recently at Urdu fest or writers like Taslima Nasrin & Salman Rushdie are shunted at literature festivals, or fatwas issued against AR Rehman for giving music for particular movie ( http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/fatwa-against-ar-rahman-for-film-on-prophet/article7642275.ece )

                                    While Khap panchayats are routinely targeted for their blasphemous diktats and unlawfull implementation and rightfully so, but Secular brigade maintain cruel silence when arsonists attempt and successfully overthrew Nagaland government for supporting women reservation in state albeit it is cited as against Christian ethos. No condemnation worth the salt comes when Islamic countries refuse to take refugees from neighboring countries of Syria or Afghanistan but viscous sermons are at hand when India shows concerns towards influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, though Bangladesh refusal to intake them, isn’t even debated by secular terrorists.

                               These secular foxes have bouts of ecstasy and indulge in secular orgy had Right wing fringe elements create ruckus at any unworthy topic. The mass hysteria created by these dolts and brigade of media celebrities(section of media) knows no limits during festivals too, with sickening and bile comments reserved for Hindus. The same secular dumb-asses who spew filth at India (in India and abroad) take pride in associating with Pakis, while refraining from speaking at abominable conduct of their hosts.

                                      The Indian democracy will thrive only when Secularism in its true sense prevails,  when Government doesn’t act biased for any particular community or group and no group is hounded or castigated for its customs and beliefs. Tolerance and respect towards other religions and customs make us unique and flourishing while established norms of dialogue howsoever extreme and different they are should be heard and voiced.

A Lunatic Named Rodrigo Duterte

“If Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have...,” he said, pausing and pointing to himself.
“Hitler massacred three million Jews ... there’s three million drug addicts. There are. I’d be happy to slaughter them.”

                           The above quote is from an elected representative of a country, Rodrigo Duterte , the President of Philippines. Duterte who rose to power with vows to crush corruption and crime, represents a breed of politicians who are bigoted, loud-mouthed, abusive and bereft of chivalrous conduct.

                             Rodrigo Duterte came to center stage by promising to eradicate society from clutches of drug trafficking and abuse . His mercurial rise, is also attributed to his outspoken offensive language which is highlighted and ridiculed by media around the globe . So far, he has shown no traits of decency in language or conduct, or his willingness to alter his behavior and be more “normal”. Drug menace is a serious problem confronting the world society today, but the solution President Duterte propagates is not only profoundly inhumane, it demonstrates an appalling disrespect for human life that is truly baffling for the democratically elected leader of any country, and therefore, is rightly condemned by human rights groups and foreign governments alike.

                              Duterte has the itch to hog the limelight and his publicity stunts often surpass the moral and decency code, one associates with office of a president. Last November, he called Pope Francis "a son of a whore"; while also expressed disappointment at the fact that he did not get to participate in the 1989 gang rape of a "beautiful" Australian missionary. His obnoxious moronic outbursts against individuals, world leaders or trivializing rape has baffled the world community.

                         Duterte projected himself as honest, anti-establishment, punisher and grabbed the power with election plank of eradicating corruption, but has only murders and foul language to count to his achievements till now. Duterte penchant for media attention knows no limits and isn’t diminishing, shocking the world by cursing Obama, or calling catholic priests as pedophiles are some of his ugly statements that he notoriously vomited. This lunatic even doesn’t shy away from bragging about womanizing publicly.

                        Rodrigo Duterte catapulted himself to world stage by venomous outbursts, offending everyone ever since . From poking China on South China Sea to cozying up to her, thus, offending the west, President Duterte is a man in hurry, who’s playing both sides and is enjoying his time in the sun, meanwhile, his tongue the center of the universe where global media has given much focus on, eagerly awaiting for the next blurt of swearing against the West, UN or any critic he confronts.

You can reach the writer at garv560@gmail.com