|
Life and its many other distractions
Reviewed by Balwinder Kaur
The Thorough Check
by Vadassery Thaiparambil Rakesh
Frog Books. Pages 171. Rs 145.
 a
few good men and women are all that stand between the unsuspecting
citizens of Ahmedabad and death and destruction. A ruthless and
powerful terrorist organisation meticulously plans murder and mayhem
in the name of Jihad. But in spite of their relentless
subversive propaganda, many people, including one police officer, put
their country first. Despite suffering the prejudice and persecution
that Muslims frequently experience in the wake of widespread
Islamophobia, they still put national interest above all else. As the
clock ticks loudly to the countdown, this group of dedicated
individuals scramble to prevent an impending disaster. And while some
things go as per plan, many don’t and it is all up in the air. While
this grim tale may be set in Kerala and Gujarat, it could just as
easily transpire anywhere. Fear and mistrust override good sense and
goodwill.
|
Inspired Life: Mantras For Success
by Prof. B.S. Ahluwalia
Partridge. Pages 115. Price not mentioned
 elevating
life beyond the mundane seems the single most ardent desire of
mankind. However many such aspirations translate into
materialism and artifice, whereas true and lasting fulfilment
comes from personal and spiritual growth. And to that end the
author doles out practical and sensible advice about life and
its challenges in an unpretentious and accessible manner.
Asserting that in order to harmonise emotional, mental and
physical well being, spirituality is key.
The book focuses
on the mind, body and soul; specifically their relationship and
integration. Life strategies and behaviour patterns are surmised
in Action Plans and advocate the benefits of exercise,
meditation, healthy diet, positive thinking, goodwill,
motivation and so on.
The author
acknowledges that the book’s philosophy will not have a totla
resonance with all readers as everyone’s spiritual journey is
a personal and unique one and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all
solution for spiritual problems.
|
|
Monsieur Singh’s Loves & Losses
by Sherarat E Singh
HarperCollins. Pages 197. Rs 250.
 caught
in the throes of an early midlife crisis, while living the so-
called immigrant dream, Monsieur Singh is desperately trying to
figure out "What does it take to satisfy a man?" But
of one thing he is absolutely certain, that France is where he
belongs and would rather die there than go back to India, which
he fled on a student visa. While life in the picturesque Loire
Valley, surrounded by lovely ladies and serenaded by
soul-stirring songs, feels like home; he is far from satisfied.
He is of the view that he is a loser who has failed to measure
up as both financial success and emotional security elude him,
despite his desperate efforts. In explicit detail is described
the unrelenting unscrupulous skirt chasing, off-beat career
paths and questionable life choices of a narcissistic,
self-sabotaging man motivated, mostly by basal urges and driven
by his Id.
|
|
