Review: The Green Mile

The Green Mile by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Green Mile by Stephen King is a classic. Infact, it says tonnes about the quality of a book when it gets adapted into a major Hollywood film starring the brilliant Tom Hanks and directed by the wonderful Frank Darabont. A book with that pedigree needs little introduction and even less of a review.

However, since I am bent on writing my opinion /review of the book, I guess I just got to get on with it. Right off the bat, let me say that I truly enjoyed this book. I found it one of King's better works. It is tightly written, full of action and drama and in my opinion one of King's best edited books. Every word has an urgency, every situation fits perfectly and the story progresses swiftly and smoothly. The plot itself is rather unique and fairly original as far as I know.

The plot involves a large black man, John Coffey, being sentenced to death for raping and murdering 9 year old twin sisters. However, as John Coffee is brought to The Green Mile for execution, the turn of events suggest that he possesses an amazing supernatural ability to heal others. Also, it also appears that he has been mistakenly convicted for the murders. The prison guards also realise the same. The question then is whether they will save him from the electric chair, and whether the real murderer would be brought to justice.

As you can see there are plenty of dramatic and a few supernatural elements in the story. Yet, despite the story dealing with supernatural, fantastical elements, King's ability to add realism through his characters, his language and his almost poetic poignant, at times deeply philosophical lines really tugs at the heart of the reader. There's an undercurrent of sadness and loss that flows through this story and captivates the reader.

Perhaps the only week bit is in the ending which is a little stretched and melodramatic. However, in terms of its importance to the plot it is extremely important.

I would definitely reccommend this book to everyone. It is not just an interesting tale but as with most Stephen King's novels it is also a wonderful take on humanity and its many shades.

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Review: The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It rarely happens, if at all, that one enjoys and rates highly a book that for it's better part was actually too complex to be understood, however when it does, you could be bloody damn sure that it must be one hell of a book. Well...that's exactly how good 'The Martian' by Andy Weir is!! This is science fiction in its truest most conventional and practical sense. No romanticization or ultra futristic scientific jamboree but real and serious scientific principles, applications and explanations to a fictional situation and setup. It is definitely a tribute to the author that despite using some fairly heavy science and space technology as a part of his story, he manages to draw the reader so deeply into the characters and the situation that the science becomes only academic and a minor obstacle to what is a thrilling and enthralling tale. As a layman reader like myself, who could not make much sense of the science, the major interest lied in knowing just how this man, Mark Whatney, botanist/astronaut, who gets left behind on Mars by his team, after their mission gets aborted mid way. would survive this extreme situation and if he would ever make it back to earth. This in short is also the plot of the story. It is the ultimate story of survival, of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds but it is about the capacity of the human spirit to take on adversity and of humanity coming together for a cause. The writing here is clever, witty, vivid and extremely intelligent. It is also heavily researched lending it great detail and factual support. What is however most admirable is the way Andy Weir handles the science while still keeping the flow of the narrative fast, gripping and most importantly entertaining. The use of wit and humour keeps the story from getting burdened by the heavy concepts while the science adds credibility and plenty of realism to the incredible events. I enjoyed reading this book despite my problems with science and was greatly invested in how the story developed and the fortunes of Mark Whatney changed with every passing chapter. This ability to hold the reader is the strength of any good writing, 'The Martian''s position as the No.1 Bestseller is fair evidence that this book is better than good.

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Review: The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It rarely happens, if at all, that one enjoys and rates highly a book that for it's better part was actually too complex to be understood, however when it does, you could be bloody damns sure that it must've been a hell of a book. Well...that's exactly how good 'The Martian' by Andy Weir is!! This is science fiction in its truest most conventional and practical sense. No romanticization or ultra futristic scientific jamboree but real and serious scientific principles, applications and explanations to a fictional situation and setup. It is definitely a tribute to the author that despite using some fairly heavy science and space technology as a part of his story, he manages to draw the reader so deeply into the characters and the situation that the science becomes only academic and a minor obstacle to what is a thrilling and enthralling tale. As a layman reader like myself, who could not make much sense of the science, the major interest lied in knowing just how this man, Mark Whatney, botanist/astronaut, who gets left behind on Mars by his team, after their mission gets aborted mid way. would survive this extreme situation and if he would ever make it back to earth. This in short is also the plot of the story. It is the ultimate story of survival, of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds but it is about the capacity of the human spirit to take on adversity and of humanity coming together for a cause. The writing here is clever, witty, vivid and extremely intelligent. It is also heavily researched lending it great detail and factual support. What is however most admirable is the way Andy Weir handles the science while still keeping the flow of the narrative fast, gripping and most importantly entertaining. The use of wit and humour keeps the story from getting burdened by the heavy concepts while the science adds credibility and plenty of realism to the incredible events. I enjoyed reading this book despite my problems with science and was greatly invested in how the story developed and the fortunes of Mark Whatney changed with every passing chapter. This ability to hold the reader is the strength of any good writing, 'The Martian''s position as the No.1 Bestseller is fair evidence that this book is better than good.

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THE ZOYA FACTOR - Book Review

'The Zoya Factor' which is also author Anuja Chauhan's maiden novel is a story of Zoya Solanki, who possesses an amazing supernatural ability to influence the result of cricket matches. She is endowed with this power apparently due to the fact that she was born at the precise moment when the Indian cricket team led by the great Kapil Dev won the 1983 World Cup. The rather auspicious moment of her birth has evidently turned her into an invincible lucky charm for those she chooses to support. Consequently she finds herself as a part of the Indian cricket team which is out to bring the cup home. This extraordinary situation leads to a number of interesting events and circumstances culminating into an enthralling and satisfying resolution. 

I found this book a decent read. It has a fairly simple plot but the author keeps the reader riveted through her breezy narrative style which is extremely peppy and contemporary. She also uses humour extensively to ensure that there are very few moments of tedium if any. The story builds up momentum as it heads towards the end and despite a few subplots, one of them being the love angle between Zoya and the Indian skipper and another a satire on hero worshipping, the author keeps you engaged through twists and turns that are mostly unexpected. Overall, the plot and its treatment make for an interesting read. The mix of sport and luck or divine intervention is one that goes back a long way but when luck becomes the deciding factor rather than talent or skill then it may create several complications and none more critical and grave than the psychological ones, something this story smartly portrays.

The 'Zoya Factor' by Anuja Chauhan is a smart, witty, funny and eventually a satisfying read. The story has its digressions and some of which it could have avoided but the end makes up for all the flaws and delivers a crisp and enjoyable resolution. 

Writing In Shackles

Writing is a serious occupation which like other occupations or professions demands constant learning, innovation and practice to make it better, more effective and impressive. Creative Writing or writing as a medium of artistic and poetic expression requires more than just a good thought/idea or a good story. It entails mastering the use of language, its twists and turns, its vocabulary, its sounds and rythms and so on. To grow and mature as a writer, one needs to challenge oneself with different styles of writing. Some of these involve writing under specific conditions and restrains, in other words a writer can definitely sharpen her skills through the use of certain restrictive writing challenges. Constrained Writing is a really useful literary technique that enables a writer to challenge herself, acting as a catalyst for greater range and a more flexible style. Under this technique the author is bound by a particular condition that forbids certain things or imposes a pattern. 

It involves writing within a restrictive framework for example writing devoid of a particular vowel(mostly e) or with a particular number of syllables or words that begin with a particular letter only. The restrictive format forces the writer to think out of the box, use uncommon words, employ greater creativity and innovate. It is an extremely effective technique which jolts the writer out of her comfort zone.

Some of the most popular forms of constrained writing are:

Lipograms- A particular letter is outlawed, mostly vowels, e.g. e
Haiku - Japanese poem which allows 3 lines having fixed no. of syllables
Palindrome - Word should read the same forward or backward eg radar.
Alliterative - Every word must start with same letter.

Aleatory - Writing must include a word given at random by the reader.

An aspiring writer must practice the various forms of Constrained Writing to exercise greater control, economy and creativity in her writings. Indeed several writers have made a name for themselves by publishing interesting and sometimes quirky literary works-. A few examples include 'Gadsby' by Earnest Vincent Wright which is a 50,000 word novel completely devoid of the letter 'e',  Le Train de Nulle Part (‘The Train From Nowhere’) by Michel Thaler is a 233 page novel that doesn't contain a single verb, and Never Again by Doug Nufer that does not repeat a single word. These are only a few examples in a long list of works that have used techniques of constrained writing. But, they prove that creativity can overcome all constraints. 

To conclude, it must be said that a writer can sharpen her skills even while working under limitations or even when bound by shackles. Such boundaries demand greater creativity and economy of style both of which are fodder for the writer. 

A Stroll in the Park. A Treat for the Senses.

"Let's take a walk in the lawn, shall we?".

"Thanks for coming along. Now, as you tread alongside me to the beautiful, sprawling garden decorating the main entrance of 4, Tolstoy Road, just feel the sounds, sights, smells and sensations that surround you. Feel the sand sifting beneath your feet on the red dusty path that leads to the lawn. Listen to the sound of the birds. Can you hear the 'cuck-oo cuck-oo' from the back and the chirping that envelopes your senses as you walk past the miniature white marble waterfall towards your right? Can you hear the faint splash of  water hitting the surface. The tuneful tweets of birds suddenly being overpowered by the roar of a bus racing outside on the main road? We are almost there inside the lawn. A  narrow, rugged stone path forays into the lawn. As you step on the harsh, coarse stone you can feel the irregular edges jutting out of the tile and pinching your feet. The lawn though is reasonably well manicured and maintained. On your left a green wall of small plants rise to your waist, and running perpendicular to it is a group of tall elms that stand firm forming a boundary. The fragrance of wet mud and frilly leaves fills your nostrils and the striking shades of green overwhelm your vision. 

As you step on the grass, feel the surface beneath. It is certainly softer, gentler than the rocky pathway, but it still feels rough under the hot, baking sun, that burns it. Can you feel the raging sun parching your neck and blazing your back? The grass burns too, it is a mix of gold and green waiting for a good shower to cool it down and quench its thirst. A modest breeze blowing across brings relief from the sun as it plays ever so slightly with your hair and flirts gently with your face. The leaves and branches sway languidly as it flows through them, it moves quietly like a whisper. Ever so often a car vrooms past the old, dilipidated house that stands behind the lawn, and the constant hum of an air conditioner adds a measure of mechanical to the natural."

THE BOOK THIEF By Marckus Zusack

The Book Thief is a superbly crafted masterpiece by author Markus Zusack. Using Death as the narrator, Zusack captures the human tragedy caused by the Nazi ideology in Hitler ruled Germany. Avoiding the previously well documented Jewish perspective the author focuses on the universality and uniformity of death which simply does not discriminate between jews and Germans or for that matter anyone. Its pain, its brutality and its devastation affects all. 

The beauty of this book lies in the extremely intimate and sensitive handling of the tragedy, a tightly knit plot and beautifully sketched characters that stay with you even after the final page. The fine combination of these elements make The Book Thief a wonderfully compelling read. Written with great simplicity, the story captures the personal pain and loss felt by the characters in the most poignant and powerful way. Despite the atmosphere of pending doom and gloom, the story never burdens the reader and instead offers some truly touching moments of tenderness, friendship, love and humanity. The book uplifts in moments like these, yet its most powerful statement is in death, particularly at the very end. The ending simply melts the heart and stirs the soul. It takes you in its grip and doesn't let go till the very last word. The Book Thief has several intertwined themes yet perhaps its most prominent one is that of the capacity of the human race for the good and at the same time, the very ugly. 

All said and done, The Book Thief is a mesmerising, absorbing and satisfying read. One of the very best I have read in a long time. It is a book that everyone, those who simply love to read and those who enjoy the beauty and joy of good literature, must read.

The Writer's Fear Factor

Let me begin by making a confession- I have always wanted to be a writer and that despite my aspirations and noble intent, the very thought of picking up the pen and putting words on paper  has filled me with a strange trepidation. I do not know why the thought of writing paralyses me but I have always wanted to know. I think I may have finally stumbled on something that explains the fear of writing. Actually, I found it in one of the books I recently read. But, before I go ahead, did I tell you that one of the tips you can give to a budding writer is to read as much as possible? Well...I know where's that coming from but really if reading made one a writer, I have read enough to publish a novel by now. But, sadly that's really not the case cause here I am struggling to put together a few lines on my poor, lonely, rather impoverished blog. So, do read but don't forget to write. 

Coming back to the fear of writing, the truth is that no writer escapes it. Infact, if you were to believe Ralph Keyes who has written the book 'The Courage to Write' writers are actually terrorised by the prospect of writing. Now who would have thought that! I don't know, but I can surely empathise. You see, writing is far from being a pleasant experience. a writer would do anything to procrastinate or delay the actual writing. She would spend days or months in research, wait for the right season, the perfect setting, a particular type of paper, the ideal sequence of omens and so on and so forth all just to buy some more time to fight the writing demons. 

It is actually the nature of their job. Just imagine having to speak or sing or perform in front of thousands. Now, what if that performance is recorded and shown for several days to more and more people. If it was good and likeable maybe you'll enjoy the appreciation but what if it was something controversial, something embarrassing? This my dear reader is the state of a writer. her work is not a performance that plays out for a few minutes and then ends and disappears from public memory. A book or a piece of writing stays on, it is there, a part of history, a record, a concrete entity that will be read, re-read, scrutinised, analysed, deconstructed and god knows what else by hundreds and thousands of people for years to come. So, when a writer puts her work in the public domain she is baring a part of her to the reading public. She has no idea what the readers would think of her work. Would they, the readers, figure out that the author has revealed a part of her in her writing. That her writing is a reflection of the writer's ideology, her personality, her own fears, insecurities which she has wrapped in the guise of her characters. Or if the writer's conviction is missing, would the readers see through the fake, pretentious job done by the writer.  There's only one way of knowing and that is to write and publish your work.

It is a fact that readers like those writers who write with conviction, who pour their heart in every word they write and do not hold back from expressing something merely because it is disturbing. Writers who play safe often fail to touch the chord in their readers' heart. However, this is precisely what petrifies the writer. in her pursuit of honesty, of conviction, of genuineness, the writer may reveal parts of her or her life that deserve a private sanctity. By bringing out truth the writer may end up hurting people around her, jeprodizing  relationships and alienating herself. 

The fear of public scrutiny, of revealing too much and being found out become a writer's fear factor. 

 TRAVELLING AT K.G. MARG

A Walk in the Crowd

Sixty Seconds, yes, a single minute at the K.G. Marg, one of the main arterial roads that lead into and out from the iconic Connaught Place in Lutyen’s Delhi is enough to tell you that this is no ordinary place, rather, it possesses a sense of urgency and an air of self importance which hard to miss.

Located in the heart of New Delhi the K.G. Marg may be seen as a microcosm of Delhi’s macrocosm. Like the city, it is an eclectic blend of history and modernity, of the haves and the have nots and of sights and sounds that amuse as well as exhaust. The K.G. Marg is a major business hub which is evident from the monstrous buildings that flank the road on both sides. Based inside these towers are offices of some of the most famous corporate houses providingemployment to a huge number of young hopefuls who dressed smartly in formal attires with a glimmer of anticipation and a sense of expectation can be seen moving around. However, hidden behind their bright countenance is the sheer burden and pressure to make it big in life. They are part of a rat race, they know it yet their spirits are resilient. This in a way is the image of the Indian youth, burdened with hope and aspirations of her parents but dogged in her determination to succeed.

Intersecting the K.G. Marg is the Tolstoy Road and it is this road that lends the urban chaos some charm and a sense of relative peace and order. The Tolstoy Road is covered on both sides with a carpet of grass and a canopy of leaves that spread over the sturdy trees. And, through this curtain of greenery one can have a glimpse of history. Because situated here are some of the oldest bungalows in Delhi. Standing rather shyly, behind the trees and manicured lawns, they are clearly relics of the past. These houses are a legacy of the British era with arcs and pillars, and large windows adorning their façade. Though now lonely and sad, it is not difficult to imagine the joys, the passions, the pains, the intrigues and the sounds that had once breathed life into these forsaken custodians of the past.

Moving away from the busy, crowded and noisy main road one can find peace and comfort in the small lanes that cut across them. As you walk through these lanes an interesting sight greets you. If you watch the walls that stand beside the lane you may see tiles bearing images of gods, goddesses and iconic figures decorating them. For those who may not be aware, Indian men have the distinct habit of relieving themselves against public walls. Of course, the more desolate the place the better and these quiet lanes attract them like bees to flowers. Having images of deities apparently discourages them from carrying out their sinister plans. From the clean air and the pleasant fragrance, I must say the idea seems to have worked.

Finally, a word about the food. Well, there are a number of small eating counters or stalls in the vicinity serving a wide range of food items from sandwiches to noodles to Indian gravies, to juices, cigarettes and so on. Though some eateries, particularly those around the office complexes are very busy through the day, the quality of the food should not be judged by the numbers eating there. Most people eat here because one the food is cheap and two there are limited options available. I tasted Egg Biryani from the heavily crowded and chaotic food stall at the Atul Grove Road. It’s one of their most popular dishes but I simply found it too spicy and greasy for my taste. Having said that the hoards of young people didn’t seem to mind or care.

Working Out! The High before the Low...

Have you ever worked out? I mean at a gym? If you have and more importantly with a certain amount of passion and expectation than I am sure you'll understand the feelings I am going to share with you over the next few lines.

Working out or Body Building or Weight training, (it really doesn't matter what you name it)  is an addiction. It is a kind of intoxication, because it truly has the ability to give you a high. The kind of high that I doubt even the strongest of alcohol could match. To see your body transform into a toned, muscular specimen under the constant tension of pulling, lifting and pumping iron is an incredible feeling. As sweat drips through every pore of the body, as blood rushes through every vein and adrenaline fuels every nerve with strength and raw untamed energy, the bodybuilder experiences absolute bliss. In that moment, as you view your body in the mirror and admire every little swell of the muscle, there's only you and your body and everything else becomes insignificant.

Sadly however, nothing lasts forever, certainly not bliss. The old saying of what goes up must come down, comes true to haunt the bodybuilder. Because, the orgasmic high of bulging, pumped up muscles is very soon replaced by the depressing sight of the same rock hard tissues turning soft and limp. This happens when the swollen muscles  relax and return to their shy, timid self. This fall from the high of pumping iron is every bodybuilder's tragedy and the sole reason that keeps him/her honest day in and day out. It keeps them gorging on those high protein diets and gulping down scoops of expensive protein powder. The bodybuilder goes through the pain, the sweat and the struggle every day only to experience that feeling again. Eventually, he finds that this is no more about body building or staying in shape rather this is his life and he must commit to it-mind, body and soul- to maintain it and perhaps more importantly never to lose it.

This then is the vicious cycle of Working Out. You work hard, you get a high, then you lose it and then must work even harder to get more of it. The moment you stop, you fall.

SANDS OF TIME - Entertaining though Flawed.

Sands of Time by Sydney Sheldon keeps you hooked till the end despite obvious flaws and loopholes in the plot. Based in the backdrop of Spanish Civil war between the Basques and the Spanish government, 'Sands of Time' is a story of Jaime Miro, a legendary, fearless and most-wanted terrorist, fighting for the rights of the Basque people against the authorities. The Spanish Prime Minister is on a hunt for Miro, and has deployed Colonel Acoca to bring Miro to justice for his crimes against the state. The story thus becomes a game of chess between Miro and Acoca as both try to out think and outdo each other leading to a number of exciting events. 'Sands of Time' opens with a sensational scene at the traditional Bull run festival in Pampalona, where Jaime Miro, hero and freedom fighter to the Basque people is about to carry out a stunning operation to free his mates from the prison cell. This grand scene sets the tone of the novel and is one of the real high points in a story where there are also a few lows. Jaime Miro and his fellow terrorists must leave the country to escape the Spanish Government. However, even as they plan their escape they are joined by 4 nuns, who had fled from the convent when Col. Acoca had raided it in search of the escaped prisoners/terrorists. This leads to a number of interesting situations as the lives of the sisters intermingle with those of the terrorists, and are changed forever. What makes this transformation interesting is the back story of each of the nuns. They all have chequered pasts and the convent for them was a place of solace and shelter from their miserable lives. But, as they are forced back into the real world they must face their demons again. This conflict could have actually made for an interesting sub-plot but sadly the author fails in doing justice to this aspect of the story. As a result it comes across as superfluous and a mere plot device to add erotic and romantic moments to the plot. Though to be honest, one of the nuns actually plays a critical part in the novel, the others more or less serve the aforementioned purpose.There are also a few other situations that just don't seem plausible. There's one in the end concerning Jaime Miro that is simply too far fetched to believe. All these loopholes weaken the story, making it an average story that promised much better things in the beginning. Although enjoyable to read and gripping at times, the Sands of Time never manages to rise above the average due to its flaws.

ITS MY LIFE!! REALLY?

"This is my life, Its upto me to decide what's good or bad for me. You mind your own business!"

Perplexed? Wondering, why I chose to begin this piece with such a line? Simple, the emotions in the line above are something that are a part of each one of us. We all want to live our lives the way we want to, without bonding, without being responsible to anyone, without being accountable and with freedom.

Very often we hear the following argument- "It is upto me how I lead my life, whether I become a millionaire or a pauper, whether I spend my time buried in books or lost in dope or whether I put my gifts to use or let them whittle away, it is my choice! No one has the right to decide what I should do. No one!" - and surrender to it because we find it natural, irrefutiable, infact we accept as if it were pearls of wisdom bestowed on us. Afterall, it is true that our life belongs to us, we are responsible for our decisions as well as their consequences. Right? Wrong.

Why? Because we live in a society, not in solitude, because the actions of an individual have the power to affect the lives of several and because every action has an equal and opposite reaction, that's why. Don't believe me? You will, just read on.

To prove my point, let me narrate an incident from a book by management Guru and motivator, Shiv Khera. Mr. Khera was on an assignment in an American prison to motivate prisoners towards a better way of life. During his interaction, a prisoner who was nearing release, walked up to him and said " Hey, Shiv, why the hell do you always keep preaching, don't do this, don't do that, this is right, that is wrong? Damn it! its my life! Why the hell are you concerned whether I drink, smoke, steal, kill, it's none of your business!" To this retort Mr. Khera replied-" Yes, you are right my friend, it is none of my concern whether you drink, kill, do whatever, but, first make me a simple promise?" The prisoner asked-" What promise?" He replied "Promise me that the child you run over the next time you drink and drive will not be mine or somebody else's. Can you do that? If you can, you have every right to do as you wish." The prisoner was dumbstruck, but he had got his answer.

The fact of the matter is - all of us must be sensitive and responsible to those around us, to those we share this world with, because what we do impacts them in some way or the other. Sometimes, a foolish mistake can destroy lives, a wrong step can cause tragedy, and a move made in selfishness could result in serious ramifications.

Look around, and you will see a family on the brink because one man couldn't control his temper, you will see several destroyed because one spoilt brat didn't know that drinking and driving do not go well together, you will see thousands suffering the aftermath of a tragedy 60 years old, just because a ruler wanted to prove his point. These are only a few examples of the influence that actions of an individual can have on others, but enough to justify the gravity of the situation.

Unfortunately, in our personal pursuits we forget that we are not alone, that they are people who depend on us, whose fate swings with ours, our parents, our families, friends and even those who have never known us. So, let us be responsible, let us measure our actions and make sure that we don't become the cause of suffering and pain for innocents. We share the world with others, let us also share their concerns. Let us live our lives as we wish, making our decisions, but let us also ensure that our freedom is not somebody else's curse, because as George Daniel said-

O Freedom, what liberties are taken in thy name!

Society is indeed a contract....it becomes a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born.
- Burke, Edmund

THE MYSTERY ILLNESS!!

A lot of my friends think of me as studious, intelligent, and academically oriented, they also think of me as boring but we shall leave that for later (of course for obvious reasons!) and concentrate on the intellectual part. Honestly, my opinion on the intellectual bit is that it is a misconception. And, while I love this misconception it is also baffling, because, if one judges intelligence and intellect as they generally are - based on examination results- then, even the best of my friends is unlikely to think of me as intelligent, yet, despite several indifferent examination showings, the misconception has survived.

This fascinating anomaly- studious yet week in studies, academic yet average student, intelligent yet short of marks/grades- has forced me to ponder long and hard over the reason for such a situation. I think I finally have the answer.

Actually, the reason for the anomaly is an illness, a mystery illness if you prefer, (atleast that sounds more dramatic and ahem.., mysterious?) which appears as soon as the examinations and stays just as long, then, as if by magic, disappears only to reappear at the precise time again. I wonder if anyone has been diagnosed with this before and really have no idea what it is called but I have got atleast the name part sorted out. Forgive the crudeness, but, since we are in the season of wardrobe malfunctions, I have named it 'Creative Urge Malfunction'. Sounds Good? No?Excellent? Oh, did you say Brilliant? Ok. Ok. Enough. I am flattered. Move on!

I tried looking for the definition of Creative Urge Malfunction(CUM, in short) on the internet but when even the ever loyal Google failed to find a match I decided to do the formalities myself. Well, I define CUM as a situation where the creative urges of an individual ( urge to experiment, explore, innovate, try, learn and imagine) begin to ensue at an undesirable and critical time, which is usually not meant to entertain those urges. The malfunctioning part can be attributed to the fact that these creative urges remain almost dormant when they ought to be dominant and vice versa. Elementary, My Dear Watson!

Now, you may ask- How do you catch this bug, what are its symptoms, why does it happen only during the exams, why this, why that, why not, why yes..... Hold it. Patience. Patience my dear. It's a virtue. Haven't you heard?

Well, honestly, I have no answer to how one catches this bug. I guess it just happens. Like love? Maybe. I really can't be sure. But, as I mentioned, this, is no ordinary disease, it's a mystery disease and as you can see, not without a reason. So,make a guess! yours as good as mine.

Now,to the symptoms. This is the easy part. Well, if during examinations you find yourself taking more interest than usual in things you had not even noticed earlier then it is fairly certain that you have got the CUM bug. Actually, that's what happened to me, during one of those school terms, I got the shock of my life as I found myself buried in a novel the day before my maths exam, shocking because all these days it was lying next to my bed and I had not so much as bothered to flip through the pages. But, here I was, completely immersed in the story. What a time for curiosity to surge through. Amazing! Similarly, if you find yourself engrossed in a movie you had only recently termed boring, it's time to say your prayers.

Another symptom is the surfacing of hidden talents- in my case it was writing and believe it or not cooking (yes, I cooked my first omelet during one of those fits of CUM) and before I forget, I also found out that I had quite a knack for playing computer games. So, if you find your hidden talents plunging from the closets of your mind, then its done, you are CUM positive.

Look, the problem isn't about being creative, but the timing of it all. All the ideas, innovations arouse when the need of the hour is academics, and everything else is a distraction, a destructive one at that. What else will you call it if not Malfunctioning?

I think I have answered all your queries, of course, barring one- Why does this happen only during the examinations? The answer is an educated guess - Defense Mechanism. I won't go into details but I am sure you understand. Anyway, whatever the reason, Defense Mechanism or no Defense Mechanism, CUM or DUM( Disastrous Urge Malfunctioning), the fact is I am worried. Why? Because, its that time of the year once again. I am praying that history will not repeat itself, but, I think it already did. What say you?

BEFORE KINGDOM COME

Of all the facts of our existence, the fact that all things must come to an end, is easily the most humbling. The realization that nothing lasts forever, however precious, puts a lot of things we take for granted in perspective, even friendship.

Unfortunately, despite knowing that end is inevitable, we choose to look the other way, because the end brings with it separation, which is always painful . Yet, the day must come, the day of Kingdom Come.

The great poet Sahir Ludhiyanvi puts the phenomenon of union and separation in perspective -

Utna Hi Upkar Samajh, Koi, Jitna Saath Nibha De,
Janam Maran Ka Mel Hai Sapna, Ye Sapna Bikhra De

However, cruel as life is, it does provide the opportunity to make up for the lost time and to make the most of the time left. The same opportunity, now knocks on our doorstep, calling for redemption. The moment of truth beckons and the time to say goodbye draws closer, bringing along a flood of memories, a deluge of emotions, some expressed some hidden away under the veil of the conscious. It is now or never, so, let us shed our inhibitions, our prejudices, and drape our thoughts in words. Let us speak out.

It may seem ironical that a reluctant speaker should be preaching the windfalls of speaking out, but only the deficient can understand the pain of longing.Isn't it? Anyway, let's not confuse the issue, this isn't really about me, this is about concealed emotions that have yet to see the daylight of articulation and about words that have yet to find a voice. This is for salvation before Kingdom Come, about breaking the silence.

Honestly, I am not against silence, in fact, if anything, I'm its advocate. Silence could be Golden, even diamond, in this frantic and chaotic world, where peace and solitude seem as ubiquitous as dinosaur. It is the soil that reaps introspection, learning and even success. There's no denying, silence is deep.

Sadly, in the depths of silence grows the clamor of distrust, misunderstanding and lost opportunities. Silence unfortunately can drive people apart and create boundaries where love and intimacy might have reigned. It could be the cause of pain and suffering, of regret and compunction.

Silence alone is great; all else is feebleness... then as do I, say naught, but suffer and die

Hopefully, these words would inspire those of my ilk towards expression. However, lest they prove futile I take upon myself the responsibility of being the torchbearer. Thus, I shall speak of feelings I have conjured in my mind over the last two years, years that will always remain special for reasons told and untold.

Unfortunately despite my desire to pen all the moments, I was lucky enough to share with my friends, I simply cannot. Because, even the richest of vocabulary may prove too shallow to measure the depth of the heart and expanse of the mind, while matters like these are of the heart and the mind combined. Moreover, certain things in life are better left to imagination. Imagination after all is the supreme master of life, it can weave romance around the bland, create palaces among ruins and make inventions from the routine. Simply put, I would rather have you weaving romantic notions than know the bland truth, hence my reluctance.

But, before your mind begins to wander in the realms of romantic possibility let me make my confession. Actually, I feel privileged, no, blessed, having spend two years of my life with some of the most talented, dynamic, resolute and confident young people around.

In such company, I often felt like a dwarf among the giants, like a tiny speck amidst the stars. Yet, there were moments of bliss, when my mates made me feel like a giant myself. It is difficult to imagine, how life might have been without such special friends- The days of yore would have been less for sure, the times of separation pain no more.

The thought of separation, of leaving behind such friends is overwhelming indeed.

Finally, I will sum up by saying that I am indebted, indebted to those who made this wonderful sojourn a memoir full of cherished memories. Words cannot express my gratitude, yet, for what it is worth, I just want to say thank you, thank you my friends for this association that may last long, for remembrances that will remain strong till Kingdom Come comes along.

I'll end by quoting a couple of lines written by Thomas Moore-

Oft, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me,
Fond Memory brings the light Of other days around me.

I dedicate this column to my friends at AIBS, who have been a constant source of inspiration. I would have loved to acknowledge some of the names that mean special to me, but sometimes just sometimes -
Silence is Indeed Golden..

HAIL THE VIGILANTE!

In my last column I wrote about changing the world the Superman way, i.e. the way of compassion, truth and courage. But, now I realize that in my almost blind faith in Superman I probably missed something. I missed out what some would call the Anti-Superman way. I missed a critical question- Is the way of Superman, the only possible way of changing the world or is there an alternative that contrasting as it may be is certainly an option? Yes, there is. I may hate to admit it, even less approve of it, but, I simply cannot deny it.

This alternate, contrasting and contradicting approach towards 'Changing the world' is what I would have until recently called- The Way of the Dark Knight- BATMAN, however in this post 1/20 era, I may as well call it the RDB way or the Rang De Basanti way.

You can take your pick on what you wish to call it, but that isn't the issue here, the issue here is to try and understand the circumstance that give birth to this Dark Knight/RDB way and drive people on this forbidden path of self destruction. So, let's get going, enlightenment awaits.

There are moments in our lives when we feel frustrated, disappointed and perhaps worst of all, helpless, against the system. It could be over something as trivial as shelling a few rupees extra to the Auto wallah or something as grievous as a politician compromising the nation's security to fill his own coffers ( ala RDB) . During these moments of despair and anguish, in some hidden corner of our hearts, ensues the uncontrollable urge to take the law in our hands. An urge to break the bounds of civility and bring the perpetarators to justice. Some of us supress this urge while others become VIGILANTES and it is among these men and women that the RDB way finds its origin.

VIGILANTE, for those unfamiliar with the word, is described by the Oxford English Dictionary as a person who undertakes law enforcement in his community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate. This description fits those delusioned young men from RDB to the proverbial T as well as the dark knight to his masked justice.

But, how enduring is this method? How effective? Is it really a pragmatic solution to our problems as these fictional characters would make us believe? Honestly, I wish I knew the answers but alas, I do not . However, the following lines may help in throwing some more light on the viability of this fashionable yet dangerous indulgance.

Vigilantes are special, they are judge, jury and executioner, all in one and on the outset there's certainly a great deal going for them. The vigilante upholds order by instilling the fear of god in his enemies and the means are usually forceful . Whether, it is the Batman using his persona to intimidate criminals or the Kamikaze youth of RDB using firepower to change the system, the objective is common- to create fear among the enemies, and the instrument is force. There's nothing wrong with that, afterall, fear and force do make a mighty combination. Together they virtually lay the foundation of civilization, the police, the armed forces are nothing but symbols of these powerful elements. In their absence anarchy rules and lawlessness thrives The following quote by Muir echoes these sentiments-

And without fear the lawless roads / Ran wrong through all the land.

But, does that mean Vigilantes are here to stay? Shall we then celebrate this phenomenon of justice through force and fear?

Maybe not so fast. Because, what is arguably the vigilante's most potent weapon, unfortunately, is also his worst nemesis- Fear. Fear can be a strong motivator but it can also drive people to the edge. It can over time turn the oppressed into opressors, the preys to predators. Like a painkiller, which stems the pain but does not cure the wound, fear deters the crime but does not vanquish the criminal. Evil would strike back the moment the grip of fear loosens and it is indeed ironical that fear itself thus becomes the harbinger of evil.

As Shakespeare puts it-

In time we hate that which we often fear

So, what is the answer then? Which is the right way? Do you have the answer or are you still looking for it?

Well, look no more, the answer is right there, within you and it isn't about right or wrong but simply about belief. The belief that good will survive in this world, that peace would reign, only the methods would differ. There will be some who will embrace evil to destroy it and there will be others who would spread the message of faith, love and compassion in pursuit of the same. Both may succeed but before you make your mind, remember the following lines-

For hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love.
This is a law eternal.

LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

I was 5 when I had my first crush and if I dare say, also my last ( alright, alright I was lying, I have had a few others). It was love at first sight and it happened at school on that sultry monsoon afternoon. I had watched in daze as it moved swiftly in a streak of red and blue , no it didn't move, it flew, faster than a speeding bullet! I followed it, my heart in raptures, my pulse in fits of frenzy, and then it happened- a miracle!

The train was heading towards certain disaster, the driver had suffered a stroke and to make matters worse had pushed the accelarator with his body. A crash seemed imminent, the passengers more in desperation than hope were crying for help. And then, like a messiah, it appeared from nowhere, the same captivating figure. Dressed in red and blue, draped in a cloak, moving like a gazelle, it jumped straight into the path of the raging locomotive and with bare hands brought the several thousand screaming screeching tonnes of iron to peace. A disaster was averted, a legend was born and an innocent heart somewhere skipped a beat.

I was struck, love struck to be precise, and after my lovelorn senses recovered, it was time to find more about this enigma. Who was it? What was the name? Where had it come from? On that first meeting, the stranger had seemed out of the world, someone who had been there among the stars, as it turned out, it was true, LITERALLY!

Well, my first crush was not the beautiful girl next door or for that matter the princess from a kingdome far away but an alien who had arrived on this planet from a distant galaxy. It belonged to the planet Krypton, looked like a human but could leap tall buildings in a single bound, was faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a moving locomotive. It wore the symbol of its race on its chest, its real name was Kal-EL but in this world where it had become a symbol of truth, justice and hope, they called him- SUPERMAN.

Yes, on that fateful afternoon I fell in love with Superman, an affair that's lasted nearly two decades and is still going strong. People often question my faith in a character that is bred in fiction, that is a figment of someone's imagination, but they neither understand my faith nor the character. Sure I am intrigued, enchanted even fascinated by Superman's extraordinary abilities. I mean, he can fly, can hear a whisper on the other side of the world, can see through solid objects, he's a virtual GOD. But, my love for Superman transcends these extraordinary powers, in fact, it is based on values that are as much a part of me as they are of you and of every human being on this planet.

Superman, for all his imaginary, fictional physical prowess is much more than a brawny boy scout.He is indeed a metaphor for all the real world values and virtues that us human beings aspire for. He symbolises truth, compassion, fairness, integrity, courage, selflessness, resilience and above all respect for the human life. All of them values, much celebrated, but unfortunately missing from the society we live in today. Of course, human beings are not gods, we can never be as powerful or impregnable as the last son of krypton but if only we could inherit his values, virtues and philosophy, the world would be a peaceful, loving and just place to live . We won't need the police to protect us, criminals would not move around with impunity, the system will not become the victim of a spineless society as the Jessica Lall case manifested and perhaps most importantly innocent lives would never be sacrificed in the name of noble causes, in the name of religion, in the name of peace.

Alas, it is not to be, we have failed, the most intelligent race in the universe has failed to retain its virtues and now darkness looms and threatens its existance. But, all this could change, only, it needs will, determination and above all commitment to what is right. We all must rise above petty differences and inflated egos to assist each other in creating a world of our dreams, a world free of hatred, devoid of treachery and bereft of suffering. We all can together change the world, sure it's a long walk, but we have to start somewhere.
How about starting with - SUPERMAN?

They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be.
They only lack the light to show the way.
For this reason, above all, their capacity for good,
I have sent them you, my only son.