Short Takes
Dalai Lama, values and reinvention
Randeep Wadehra

Waiting for the Dalai Lama
by Annelie Rozeboom JAICO. Pages 220. Rs 295

Although Tibet’s Buddhist Kingdom came under the influence of Mongols in 1247, it was intermittently controlled by various Chinese emperors from the 17th to the early 20th century. Since 1904 Tibet was briefly occupied by the British but an agreement between the British, Chinese, and Tibetan authorities gave it autonomy in 1914. However, in 1950, the Chinese PLA invaded Tibet, forcing tens of thousands to flee mostly to India, although some took refuge in Nepal and Bhutan, too. While the Dalai Lama was initially allowed to serve as an internal authority, he was forced to escape to India in 1959 in the aftermath of anti-China uprisings in Lhasa, in which about 90,000 Tibetans were estimated to have been killed. Since then violent protests against Communist China’s rule have been held periodically – most notably in 1987 and 1993.

In 1996 there was a crackdown on Buddhist monasteries in Tibet which resulted in deaths of an unspecified number of monks. What’s more, the Chinese have been steadfastly rejecting all demands for greater autonomy for Tibet or allowing the Dalai Lama to choose the next Panchen Lama. As a matter of fact, Tibet and the Dalai Lama are so interlinked that one loses its relevance substantially without the other. Ever since Communist China occupied Tibet there has been a lot of international interest in the Dalai Lama’s as well as Tibetans’ fate. Long spells of news blackouts regarding Tibet resulted in all sorts of speculations and rumours. Has the Dalai Lama’s ouster and the Communist Chinese rule been a blessing or a curse? This book takes a look at all shades of opinion – both from within and without Tibet. It also gives us a glimpse of the social, economic and demographic changes that have taken place there, whereby many a former "slave" has benefitted both in terms of social status and prosperity. Rozeboom’s interview with the Dalai Lama should interest Tibet watchers.

A Saint in the Board Room
by R. Durgadoss & B. Yerram Raju Konark. Pages: xxxi+382. Rs 295.

Arjun, brought up in Lalgudi – a small town in southern India, migrates to the West and becomes a successful banker who is much respected by his peers. It seemed he could never go wrong while taking decisions on investments and designing various products.

But, the Great American Meltdown, thanks to bad management of investment funds especially home loans, leads to Arjun’s downfall. The very people who used to take his words as the gospel truth turn against him.

Even as he was making a presentation, explaining how and why the things had gone wrong, he received a message regarding his father’s demise in Lalgudi.

This set him off on a trail of self-discovery, which eventually reconnected him to his roots and the long-forgotten values that his father had bequeathed to him.

Written in the style of a novel, this book is an interesting inspirational read.

I Lost my Job and I Liked it
by Lilou Mace Macmillan. Pages 217. Rs 295.

How does it feel to be sacked? Disappointment, rage, self-pity... in fact all negative and destructive thoughts overwhelm one’s mind. But, what if you were not really happy with your job? Wouldn’t you be feeling relieved if not delighted? Mace says she was glad on being sacked for the simple reason that she was not comfortable with her work situation that caused stress, sleeplessness etc. due to long working hours. This book is not about merely coping with the dismissal from service; it also suggests ideas for doing what you would actually love to do. Written in the form of a diary, it takes you through the entire process of reinventing yourself.

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