Ram Tere Naam Par!

Ram Tere Naam Par!

The answer to an opinion should be another opinion!                       – Shashi Tharoor in Parliament

Hai Ram Ke Vajud Pe Hindostan Ko Naaz, 

Ahl-e-Nazar Samajhte Hain Is Ko Imam-e-Hind.

- Allama Iqbal

(India is proud of the personality of Lord Ram,

Knowledgeable believe him to be the guiding priest of India.)

Violence instigating blind followers.

These two opening quote and a couplet I think is enough to authenticate my point. The rising intolerance in the name of Lord Ram has not only maligned the image of India in the world but also of Lord Ram who is loved and adored by all irrespective of caste and religion.Today the situation is so worse that anybody who differ in opinion from ruling Bhartiya Janata Party/Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh and Narendra Modi’s view is termed as traitor who is eligible to die a violent death in the hands of violent blond followers.

 

The hate and frustration has increased so much that people are not afraid of police system and law if they are inclined to a particular ideology and are always ready to take law in their hand. The extent of mob violence has increased so much that not even police officers are spared from it and the places like Courts which are responsible for protecting the law are also used by mobs to attack people. Even if we forget about the organized mob attack on fake child lifters in Jharkhand,Tripura, Gujarat and Maharashtra how can we justify attack Muslims in the name of cow, on Dalits for keeping mustache or a surname unsuitable to upper caste, on Shashi Tharoor’s office for an opinion shared by him, on Twitter attack on Sushma Swaraj for allowing passport to an interfaith couple, on Swami Agnivesh when he was addressing people in Jharkhand, on Swara Bhaskar for portrayal of a masturbating woman in a Hindi movie, etc. 

The list is endless if we started counting from the day Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister of India. The reason such incidents are rising is in the silence of Mr Modi on such issues and also in support of BJP/RSS/ABVP of such incidences. You can recall the march by BJP minister and supporters for Kathua and Unnao rape accused. Statements of people like Nitin Gadkari, Griraj Singh Chauhan and Mahesh Giri who all are ministers in the government give rise to such incidents. Who can forget the felicitation of lynch accused by Minister Jayant Sinha. Also the environment of hate created by government ministers and supporters against Muslims, Christians, Dalits and against the people who are different from their expectations has given rise to such incidents. 

Lord Ram wouldn’t have allowed such incidents on this pious land nor would he allow misuse of his name by uncontrollable goons. If not government we should make this our priority to regulate social media messages which are precursors to this mob violence by not forwarding unverified news. Together we can and we will make a difference.  

Book Review : The Game of Life - Stolen Hope

Book Review : The Game of Life - Stolen Hope 

Ramayana The Game of Life - Stolen Hope is the third book of The Game of Life series by Shubha Vilas. The book is published by Jaico Books. I have received this book from author who has also penned a beautiful personal message for me along with his signature. This book starts with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita's years in exile and ends with Sita's kidnap by King of Lanka Ravana. Read Review of Book -2 Here : The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams.

Cover : Cover depicts Rama's encounter with Jatayu. Jatayu who has an important role to play in this book appears apt to me on cover but featuring Sita's kidnapping on cover would have been better idea. Perhaps he has maintained the series's cover continuity to feature Rama on cover.

Plot: Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were spending their exile days happily in the forest. Lakshmana did his best to serve his worshiped brother and sister-in-law. They met various sages and helped them in getting rid from demons and monsters. They also met celebrated sage Agastya and learned about his legends from one of his disciples. Finally they set in the domain of Panchavati where they met Jatayu a giant bird who was guardian of that part of jungle. He was also the friend of their father and requested them to give pleasure to guard them from sitting high up the mountain. The part of the forest they were living came in the territory of Ravana and hence ruled by the demons. Suparnakha ,Ravan's sister spotted their dwelling place and fell for Rama and Lakshmana which lead to Rama's deadly fight with demons. Will they survive the onslaught of thousands of demon forces? How Ravana came and kidnap Sita? All these questions are answered in this wonderful book.

Highs : As I mentioned in my review of the second book the author has recorded the incidents as a true devotee and he has done a wonderful job.  His footnotes and explanations of some scenarios give readers detailed insight into these events and helped reader to understand relevance of Ramayana in modern times. The language is simple and soft. The narration take you deeper into the minds of the characters and help you to know the reasons of their particular action. I also liked the back stories of sage Agastya, its incorporation in the plot makes it more interesting. 

Lows: It is difficult to criticize such works but I found this part a bit slow in narration at certain points. The story get stable in those points. The Sita's character is not highlighted much and her perspective on issues is missing in this book.

Verdict : A must read for all those who want to understand Ramayana better and for its relevance in today's time. 

Rating: I would give it 4/5. 

Book Review :The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams

Book Review : The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams 

Ramayana The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams Book 2 is the sequel of national bestseller, Rise of The Sun Prince the first part of this series. It is written by Shubha Vilas, a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker who holds a degree in engineering and law with a specialization in patent law. It was published by Jaico Books. This book moves forward from Bal Kanda of the original work. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1. 

Cover : Cover design is nice. It shows Dasharata on chariot in his nightmare which is an important part in this book. The image of Rama sleeping peacefully in dreams while Dashrata's dreams are shattering for what is happening in his life. The cover is neutral to the narrative.

Plot : The story of this second part of the series Ramayana The Game of Life starts with Dashrata's deteriorating health and his decision to crown Prince Rama as the king of Ayodhya and ends with Rama living in exile in the Jungle with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. He is in exile after Kekeyi the second wife of his father Dashrata and mother of his step brother Bharata redeem her long pending wishes from the king Dashrata which she earned from him after saving his life at two occasions. What evokes her to ask the fulfilment of these wishes after so many years? Why Dashrata stops coronation ceremony of Rama ? How Rama's life starts in exile? This story revolves around these questions.

Highs : We are reading,hearing,watching and even enacting this story from so many years that we are accustomed to it yet after reading this book it appears to me all new. This book highlights the different and unnoticed aspects of Ramayana in thrilling and adventurous way with lots of emotions and drama. Dashrata,Rama,Lakshmana,Kekeyi,and other characters evolved in a new light which elaborates things about these characters which were previously unknown or unnoticed. The simple yet spine tingling narrative keep you hooked to the book from start to end even when you are aware of the future happenings. This is possible only through great writing. The footnotes helps us to understand the prospective of the book and it's relevance in today's time.

Lows :  It is difficult to find lows in this book owing to the characters it was dealing but yet I would say that book is glorification of his Lord from a true devotee which finds positivity in each aspect of his Lord thus becoming biased at instances which don't reveals the other side and other aspects of the story for example Why Rama was ready to be king without any competition between brothers just because he was elder? Is this just? Such question remain unanswered. 

Verdict : If you want to relearn the Ramayana and understand The Game of Life in Ramayana with a different prospective you must read this book which not only reveals the secrets of Ramayana but tells it in interesting and captivating way.

Rating :  I would give it 4/5. 

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Truth Always Wins

Truth Always Wins

Navratra marks the beginning of festive season in India. These nine days ends with Vijaydakshmi which is celebrated as Dussehra and Durga Puja in different part of India,Nepal,Bangladesh and many other countries with Hindu population.

Both these festivals i.e. Durga Puja and Dussehra epitomizes the victory of good over evil. Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana the evil king of Lanka who kidnapped his wife Sita whereas Goddess Durga's victory over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura is celebrated as Durga Puja. Both these stories confirms that how stronger the evil may become in the end truth will prevail.

Effigies of Ravana are burned on Dusshera day to symbolize the fate of evil. These festivals make our believe stronger that if one follows the path of truth he may face many difficulties but one's efforts don't go in vain and victory is inevitable. On this day we wish to have the courage to follow the idealistic path shown by Lord Rama which is full of difficulties and one tend to wander from it.

May God destroy all evil around us and fill our life with happiness and prosperity. Happy Dussehra and Durga Puja to all.

UBC Day 12