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In pursuit of
truth, justice
Reviewed by Shelley Walia
The Zinn Reader: Writings on
Disobedience and Democracy
By Howard Zinn. The Seven Stories Press, New York. Pages 746. $18.95.
HOWARDZINN,
the historian and dissident writer, has had a deep impact on people
around the world. His credibility is known to all contemporary
historians and political scientists, to students and teachers from
political theory and cultural history interested in areas from war to
human rights. Indeed, his writings are "a reminder that to embrace
one’s subjectivity can mean embracing one’s humanity, that heart and
mind can speak with one voice".
Defiant
voices
Reviewed by Tejwant Singh Gill
I Keep Vigil of Rudra: The
Vachanas
Trans. H. S. Shivaprakash. Penguin Books. Pages 172. Rs 299.
When
compositions to be translated are drawn from the medieval period,
the task is difficult, because modern Indian languages were in the
formative stage during that period. This, however, is selection of vachanas,
compiled and translated into English by the head of Theatre and
Performance Studies Department at Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi.
Happily enough, the translator has creditably performed this task, in
spite of lexical and syntactic lapses, quite minor in the overall
conspectus. Having been as an editor of Indian Literature, which
publishes literatures from all the Indian languages in English
translation, surely helped the author in the endeavour.
Challenges
facing education
Reviewed by Jayanti Roy
Way Beyond the Three R’s
By Y. S. Rajan. Penguin Books. Pages 157. Rs 250.
THE
recent fiasco of question paper leakage of the All-India Engineering
Entrance Examination (AIEEE) has brought to the fore unbridgeable
fissures in the education system that we have created for ourselves and
our future generations. The mad rush to get into some kind of
professional educational, the vast networking of tuitions and coaching,
the unemployable graduates are only tip of the iceberg. In fact, our
real challenge is to tackle the 85 per cent young population of which
remains out of the education system. Author Y. S. Rajan, through this
book, the forward of which is written by APJ Abdul Kalam, strikes on the
basic, simple and obvious logic that every child empowered with
education and skills is an asset to the country and if not done so,
becomes a burdensome liability for the society and the economy.
Evaluating
parliamentary system
Reviewed by D. S. Cheema
India’s Parliamentary
Democracy on Trial
By Madhav Godbole. Rupa. Pages 419. Rs 595.
THIS
book has come at a time when serious issues like mismanagement, misrule
and corruption are at the centre stage, largely because the political
class has "failed" the masses over the past six decades.
India’s future seems unlimited, but its problems of governance stand
as mountainous challenge. To realise its rightful place in the world, it
must improve its governance because its growth story is intimately
connected with the functioning of its Parliament and Legislative
Assemblies.
Family
life from a teen’s perspective
Reviewed by Amanda Craig
The Pink Hotel
By Anna Stothard. Alma Books. Pages 300. £11.99.
FAMILY
relationships are the primal mystery of literature, and for a young
novelist they offer fertile ground as a way of scrutinising the adult
world. The Pink Hotel is about a teenager who flies from London
to Los Angeles to discover more about her biological mother, Lily, who
has died young.
Prize
pique
The Man Booker prize ran into
controversy as a judge quit over winner
Rob Sharp
THE
MAN Booker International Prize, which recognises an author's overall
contribution to literature, is one of novel writing's most prestigious.
So, when Philip Roth was awarded the coveted accolade recently, one
would have thought the decision would be accompanied by the usual
torrent of gushing tributes to his unassailable genius.
Scripting
a new beginning
Roopinder Singh
A
new literary publishing company was born last week. Penguin
Canada’s former boss and author David Davidar and Rupa Publications
India Managing Director Kapish G. Mehra announced the birth of the Aleph
Book Company, a joint venture. Aleph will have its headquarters in
Delhi. The following are excerpts from an exclusive e-mail interview
with David Davidar:
Tete-a-tete
Performer of
many parts
Nonika Singh
A
man of many seasons and many talents, Kamal Tewari’s long
presence in the City Beautiful often eclipses his long list of
achievements and accomplishments. More often than not, his role as an
organiser, first as an additional director, Department of Cultural
Affairs, Haryana, and today as chairperson, Chandigarh Sangeet Natak
Akademi overshadows his creative self.
Short Takes
On overcoming
odds
Reviewed by Randeep Wadehra
Lighthouse
by Prof I.J. Bharti
National Handicapped Welfare Council, Haryana. Pages: 120. Rs. 200
Blindness
is one of the most disabling afflictions that can visit anyone.
It is unimaginable that a blind person can survive in today’s world.
In fact, let alone the visually challenged, physically and mentally
challenged persons, too, are vulnerable to all sorts of perils – known
or unknown. Worse, there are predators in human form who do not hesitate
while preying on such vulnerable persons. In order to overcome such a
condition, it is essential to know its genesis. Then only it can be
effectively tackled through therapy or by providing a support system.
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You too can be a
Genius
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Colours of my Heart
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