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Written in lucid prose
this novel skillfully weaves history, philosophy and mythology into the
narrative. Whether it is Buddha’s encounter with King Bimbisara –
and the latter’s tragic end at his son Ajatshatru’s hands – or the
potentially melodramatic confrontation with his wife and father, as also
son Rahul, Sarang has successfully portrayed a range of emotions without
getting too loud. Most importantly, he has shown Buddha as a human being
with failings not expected of the Enlightened One. The treachery of
Devdatta, though understated, adds to the narrative’s attraction.
However, two grouses – firstly, Sarang wibble-wabbles between first
person and third person for no apparent reason; and secondly, pages 11,
14, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 26 are missing and have been replaced with
63, 66, 59, 62, 71, 74, 67 and 70 respectively. How the publishers
pulled this off is a mystery but it certainly mars reading pleasure.
Kiran Bedi needs no
introduction. She is known for her zeal and positive approach to
whatever task comes her way. Apart from being a celebrity IPS officer
she has contributed immensely towards fighting drug addiction, reforming
Tihar jail and several other socially relevant causes. Her spouse, Brij
Bedi, too has been an activist for a long time now. A prolific writer,
Kiran Bedi has focused on the women’s cause in this volume. Eschewing
feminist verbiage, she has, in her forthright manner, portrayed
different real life situations to drive home the point that women too
are responsible for their current low social and familial status. When
even educated women put up with unreasonable behavior of their husbands
and relatives-in-law how can an average woman be empowered? The
different case studies in this book are thought provoking.
While indulging in patriotic-xenophobic hyperbole fanatics often overlook the fact that there have been many foreigners whose contributions in various fields have enriched India. Names like Mother Teresa, Mira Behn (Madeleine Slade), Sister Nivedita (Margaret Elizabeth Nobel), Annie Besant, etc come readily to one’s mind. Apart from these the author has also included Charles Freer Andrews, Angarika Dharamapala, Ananda K. Coomarswami and many others who served in such varied fields as politics, education, philosophy etc. Readers in the region would be interested in reading about Samuel Evans Stokes (a.k.a. Satyanand Stokes) an American Quaker who singlehandedly turned Himachal Pradesh into a thriving "Apple State". His contributions in the fields of education, politics and social service too have been immense. The other pen-portraits too are quite interesting, especially for young readers.
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It’s
Empowering Women
Foreigners who loved
& served India