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Importance
of being an eternal dissenter
Reviewed by Rana Nayar
Ashis Nandy and the
Cultural Politics of Selfhood
by Christine Deftereos, Sage
California, London,
New Delhi, Pages. 265, Rs 750
popularly
described as the "eternal dissenter", Ashis Nandy is,
undoubtedly, one of the most vocal Indian intellectuals on the
national scene, today. Be it his views on "secularism"
or Dalit politicians, he is always treated with utmost
seriousness. His ideas are read with respect, debated extensively
and often spark off raging controversies that simply refuse to die
down.
Getting
rid of the maths phobia
Reviewed by Kuldip Singh Dhir
The Essentials of Vedic
Mathematics
by Rajesh Kumar Thakur
Rupa.Pages 268. Rs 295
recent
surveys of NCERT show that a majority of students coming out of
the school at primary, middle and even secondary level are so
dependent on the calculator and computer that they are unable to
do simple arithmetical calculations without these tools. In a cut-
throat competitive world, time is a big constraint. We have to
train our brain in such a way that it can do fast calculations
quickly. Traditional methods of addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division are long and time consuming. The
technique and methods of Vedic mathematics are simpler and save a
lot of time.
A
timeless treatise for governance
Reviewed by Harbir K Singh
Chanakya, The Kingmaker
and the Philosopher
Ed Anu Kumar
Hatchette India. Pages 200. Rs 195.
Illustrations by Priya Kuriyan
the
name Chanakya brings to one’s mind the picture of a very
intelligent man who is a great scholar, economic philosopher,
visionary and a political strategist with the wide-ranging wisdom
of a genius. His invaluable lessons changed the course of history.
Chanakya is the famous writer of Arthashastra and Nitishastra,
which guide us how to be a visionary. Arthashastra is about
the economic policies, military strategies and state craft, while Nitishastra
tells us of his views on the principles of governing society
and an ideal way of life.
Lest
we forget the pain
Reviewed by Aradhika Sharma
Savage Harvest- Stories
of Partition
by Mohinder Singh Sarna, Translated by Navtej Sarna.
Rupa Publications. Pages 249 Rs 295.
the
Partition
was the single peace time event that forced one of the largest
migrations in human history. The numbers are mind boggling —
about 12.5 million terrified people were exiled from their
homeland and, as new India and Pakistan came into existence, had
to cross a border to their new country and "homes".
About a million people died. The stories and films on Partition,
whenever they are read and watched, leave behind sadness and
regret, and the feeling that hatred and violence can never be the
solution to a peoples’ problems.
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.
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.
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.
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