The Thousand Splendid Suns
- Khaled Hossein
I once again want to thank my colleague for giving me nicest books to read,
This book is based on the backdrop of disturbed Afghanistan. The story revolves in the era of Pre-Taliban period, Taliban dominated Afganistan period & current states i.e. US invaded times.
The story has two main characters Mariam & Laila.
Mariam born with a harami tag, suffers all types of known pains during her life. There is hardly any moment when she is really happy. Her happy moments are the moments she accepted as happy moments but as such there is no joy in her life. I really felt sorry for her character. God has given her choicest problems to suffer in her entire life.
Laila also get in troubled times but her life do not start with bad things. She had education, lover, loving father & determination. She also tastes pain, as she was a woman living in Afganistan in taliban dominance.
The destiny holds the premises where both find anger & ultimately solace with each other.
It is true that in war, whoever wins but “WOMEN” always loose. However when war is within the country, not only WOMEN but children also loose.
The story is very neatly told & at times tastes your ability to digest pains.
The story is very gripping & it was very hard for me to leave the book down.
Once I started reading book, I was always wondered how it will end. The end is very good & shows hope for future.
I like the book & concept,
With love,
Khushal
19/01/2009
Jan 19, 2009
Book - “KNOW THYSELF”
“KNOW THYSELF”
by Shri G. K. Pradhan
Some of the books are prized possessions. Know Thyself is one of such book. I really enjoy the reading of this book & I must confess that I will not part away with this book (if that is not possible then I will buy new one).
The book start with train journey, of 6 different persons from Delhi to Mumbai. The six persons were one lawyer (author), businessman, Professor, Principal (lady), Father (Christian Priest) & Swamiji.
Swamji, the enlightened soul, preaches on various subjects, clear doubts on various universal problems of fellow passengers. Their journey towards self-realization does not end with the train journey. They meet again for further teachings from Swamji.
The main core or thought of the book is the title itself.
Swamiji emphasized, on understanding “oneself”, instead of following any religion, guru or japp, procedures etc.
I am proud to admit that I could not get 1% of the book. We have to read between the lines to understand the message. I know I am not at stage to understand the smallest point of the great thoughts. Still I feel somewhere in my heart I got some hint. I am sure that over a period when I become more mature / aware I could at least understand some part.
It is must read for all, it is beneficial & thought provoking.
Khushal Gohil
19/01/2008
Jan 16, 2009
Tejasvi Man – Mahashakti Bharat ki Nivn
Tejasvi Man – Mahashakti Bharat ki Nivn
Author – Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Hindi Transalation : - Shri Arun Tiwari
I am lucky that I am living in the era where Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, can share his thoughts, visions & guide us for betterment of ourselves & our country.
Long back I have read one book authored by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, “Agni Pankh” & recently I have read (in Hindi) “Tejasvi Man – Mahashakti Bharat Ki Nivn”.
The book “Tejasvi Mann” is honest attempt of author to guide the young generation of our country to make our India, Developed nation by 2020. The book is dedicted to 12th standard girl Snehal Thakkar, who has raised the fundamental question of “who is our enemy?”.
The book comprises of various experiences of author, his thoughts with relation to education, religion, politics, our strength, challenges ahead & our ability to realize the goal.
I am too little a person to comment about this book. However I believe that I can write my feelings that occurred to me while reading the book.
With due respect to his writing & intentions, I feel somewhere the message is lost. The message is not clear, the book is missing something may be a link between the chapters. Too much subjects are attempted & does not ended with its impact. It may possible that the book is originally written in English & whilst translated in Hindi, somewhere get out of the track. I do not intend find any fault with translation but I still feel that the book is lacking its impact.
I may be wrong & dumb enough to comprehend the book, but this is what I felt,
Oh, last but not the least, I would like to read following books, listed by author as references: -
(please don’t’ mind spelling mistakes if any, as the list was given in Hindi)
- “India 2020 – A vision for the New Millenium” – Shri A P J Kalaam & Shri Y S Rajan, Wiking 1998
- “Man the unknown” – Alexiss Kairal
- “Tirukkural”- Tiruvallur
- “Light from Many Lamps” – Lilian Izlar Watson, Fireside, 1988
- “Chandra – A Biography of S. Chandra Shekhar”- Kameshwar C Vali, Univesity of Chicago Press, 1992
- “The house that flew”- Chidanand Rajghatt, Harpar Colins India – 2001
- “Empires of the Mind” – Dennis Vetli, Nicholas Briyly Publishing, 1995
- “An unfinished dream”- Dr. Verghesh Courien, Tata Mcgra Hill, 1997
- “Menifest your destiny”- Dr. Wayan W. Dayar, Harper Collins, 1997
- “Concilience”- Edverd O. Wilson, Vintage Books, 1999
- “ A New Knowledge Society” – Shri A P J Abdul Kalaam,2000
Khushal Gohil
16/01/2009
Author – Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Hindi Transalation : - Shri Arun Tiwari
I am lucky that I am living in the era where Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, can share his thoughts, visions & guide us for betterment of ourselves & our country.
Long back I have read one book authored by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, “Agni Pankh” & recently I have read (in Hindi) “Tejasvi Man – Mahashakti Bharat Ki Nivn”.
The book “Tejasvi Mann” is honest attempt of author to guide the young generation of our country to make our India, Developed nation by 2020. The book is dedicted to 12th standard girl Snehal Thakkar, who has raised the fundamental question of “who is our enemy?”.
The book comprises of various experiences of author, his thoughts with relation to education, religion, politics, our strength, challenges ahead & our ability to realize the goal.
I am too little a person to comment about this book. However I believe that I can write my feelings that occurred to me while reading the book.
With due respect to his writing & intentions, I feel somewhere the message is lost. The message is not clear, the book is missing something may be a link between the chapters. Too much subjects are attempted & does not ended with its impact. It may possible that the book is originally written in English & whilst translated in Hindi, somewhere get out of the track. I do not intend find any fault with translation but I still feel that the book is lacking its impact.
I may be wrong & dumb enough to comprehend the book, but this is what I felt,
Oh, last but not the least, I would like to read following books, listed by author as references: -
(please don’t’ mind spelling mistakes if any, as the list was given in Hindi)
- “India 2020 – A vision for the New Millenium” – Shri A P J Kalaam & Shri Y S Rajan, Wiking 1998
- “Man the unknown” – Alexiss Kairal
- “Tirukkural”- Tiruvallur
- “Light from Many Lamps” – Lilian Izlar Watson, Fireside, 1988
- “Chandra – A Biography of S. Chandra Shekhar”- Kameshwar C Vali, Univesity of Chicago Press, 1992
- “The house that flew”- Chidanand Rajghatt, Harpar Colins India – 2001
- “Empires of the Mind” – Dennis Vetli, Nicholas Briyly Publishing, 1995
- “An unfinished dream”- Dr. Verghesh Courien, Tata Mcgra Hill, 1997
- “Menifest your destiny”- Dr. Wayan W. Dayar, Harper Collins, 1997
- “Concilience”- Edverd O. Wilson, Vintage Books, 1999
- “ A New Knowledge Society” – Shri A P J Abdul Kalaam,2000
Khushal Gohil
16/01/2009
Dec 31, 2008
Book - The Namesake
This is the book recently I have read.
The writer is Jhumpha Lahiri. There is a movie made based on the novel with the same name.
I liked the book. The writer is very descriptive in writing. She creates entire picture with minute details of the things, you actually get the feel like seeing the entire scene.
One more admirable thing is flow of story & interesting transition of story narration from one character to another. The story is carefully woven & flows from one character to another smoothly & eventually return to the GOGOL.
The story catches the life of Bengali couple moved from their native place to US & raising their children amongst the different lifestyle. On the birth of their son, they faced dilemma of naming him as the letter containing the name of son (from Grand Mother) not reached to US. The first name occurred to his father become his name i.e. GOGOL, later to be changed with some good name. However name remains. The boy grows up & frustrated with his awkward name go for changing name. His life journey of adulthood, love affairs, marriage, divorce etc is narrated further.
The book is delight to read for its fine descriptions, narrations & unusual turns of events,
Khushal
31/12/2008
The writer is Jhumpha Lahiri. There is a movie made based on the novel with the same name.
I liked the book. The writer is very descriptive in writing. She creates entire picture with minute details of the things, you actually get the feel like seeing the entire scene.
One more admirable thing is flow of story & interesting transition of story narration from one character to another. The story is carefully woven & flows from one character to another smoothly & eventually return to the GOGOL.
The story catches the life of Bengali couple moved from their native place to US & raising their children amongst the different lifestyle. On the birth of their son, they faced dilemma of naming him as the letter containing the name of son (from Grand Mother) not reached to US. The first name occurred to his father become his name i.e. GOGOL, later to be changed with some good name. However name remains. The boy grows up & frustrated with his awkward name go for changing name. His life journey of adulthood, love affairs, marriage, divorce etc is narrated further.
The book is delight to read for its fine descriptions, narrations & unusual turns of events,
Khushal
31/12/2008
Dec 18, 2008
Total U-Turn
I have started the blog “I wish to write on” thinking that I will write my thoughts on various subjects & interests. I am not able to write anything specific or special, so I decided to be reviewer. I decided to write some comments on various books / movies / any thing which I read / watch / go through. I think this is total u-turn instead of contributing; I am now on to commenting.
I hope this will make me more productive for blog,
With love,
Khushal
I hope this will make me more productive for blog,
With love,
Khushal
Book - "Death Be Not Proud" - Memoir by John Gunther
I thank my colleague for giving me this book for reading.
This is one of the good books I have ever read.
This book is dedicated to the memory of Johny Gunther, teenaged son of the author. Johny was detected brain cancer & that time there was no hope for him to survive.
The book is narrative of life span of Johny from detection of cancer till his last goodbye.
At the start of the book, I felt that author is exaggerating the character of Johny (since he is his child). However while reading further I felt that he was rather modest.
The author has restricted himself and narrated the entire experience as detached person. I really admired his writing. We cannot understand the feelings which author was going through that period. He is able to suppress his feelings in his writing and accounted the journey with total flow.
Johny fought the battle bravely & even though he lost the battle he won everything. To understand this you have to read the book.
The last not the least, the last few pages written by his mother is must read for all parents.
She says that “She wished that she loved more Johny”. Surely she loved Johny too much but still feels that she could have given more love to him. She mentioned that when she sees parents are shouting / scolding their child/s or frustrated by their own child/s, she says at least they are alive, don’t treat them like that, please love them. Give more & more love to you child.
Khushal
18/12/2008
This is one of the good books I have ever read.
This book is dedicated to the memory of Johny Gunther, teenaged son of the author. Johny was detected brain cancer & that time there was no hope for him to survive.
The book is narrative of life span of Johny from detection of cancer till his last goodbye.
At the start of the book, I felt that author is exaggerating the character of Johny (since he is his child). However while reading further I felt that he was rather modest.
The author has restricted himself and narrated the entire experience as detached person. I really admired his writing. We cannot understand the feelings which author was going through that period. He is able to suppress his feelings in his writing and accounted the journey with total flow.
Johny fought the battle bravely & even though he lost the battle he won everything. To understand this you have to read the book.
The last not the least, the last few pages written by his mother is must read for all parents.
She says that “She wished that she loved more Johny”. Surely she loved Johny too much but still feels that she could have given more love to him. She mentioned that when she sees parents are shouting / scolding their child/s or frustrated by their own child/s, she says at least they are alive, don’t treat them like that, please love them. Give more & more love to you child.
Khushal
18/12/2008
Oct 27, 2008
Oct 15, 2008
Welcome to the "Stock" Market!!!!!
Hi guys,
Another interesting email received :-
Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for Rs10.The villagers started catching the monkeys.The man bought thousands of monkeys at Rs10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He further announced that he would now buy at Rs20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to Rs25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at Rs50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at Rs35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell it to him for Rs50."The villagers squeezed up with all their savings and bought all the monkeys.Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only monkeys everywhere!!!Welcome to the "Stock" Market!!!!!
Another interesting email received :-
Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for Rs10.The villagers started catching the monkeys.The man bought thousands of monkeys at Rs10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He further announced that he would now buy at Rs20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to Rs25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at Rs50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at Rs35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell it to him for Rs50."The villagers squeezed up with all their savings and bought all the monkeys.Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only monkeys everywhere!!!Welcome to the "Stock" Market!!!!!
Oct 10, 2008
Simple Exercise
I have been to one of the class of personality Development long back,
There were some simple exercises what we called as self introspection:-
----
We have been told to follow the instructions as give below :-
(Materials required : - Plain Paper & pen)
Write down in plain paper :-
1) What are my strong points
( like good nature, good look, good family, good knowledge in particular area, good in mathematics / accounts, good communicator, good friend circle, ability to adjust, ability to make friends etc. etc..)
2) What are my weak points
(like English speaking, physical appearance, negative feelings, consciousness, unable to make friends, lack of financial support, family background, lack of education / knowledge, strained relation ship etc. etc.)
Actually, we were able to write down strong point in a minute but for 2nd portion we were go on writing page. Our instructor has to stopped us. So much to write…
Next part was to write down :-
5 /10 Most happiest things happened in my life
5 / 10 Most dreadful things happened in my life
We are surprised and really amused on reprising our life. Various thoughts were coming & we find difficult to sum up the things. At last we made the list. On reading the first portion, feeling of sure joy & happiness arouse and for 2nd portion, we are feeling sad but thought that it happened & there is no escape but to accept it as it is. Thank God its over.
Then come the interesting part
1) What are you today?
2) What you want to achieve during your lifetime? What are your targets?
(Targets may be in the nature of learning driving, new business, new job, swimming, proper / fluent English, marriage, car purchase, home purchase, foreign trip, vacation, new hobby, applying for passport, enrolling / completing any qualifications, any thing , whatever comes to your mind).
On completion of the 2nd list,
We have been asked to segregate all the targets under following heads:-
1) Targets which we want to achieve within 1 year
2) Targets which we want to achieve within 5 years
3) Targets which we want to achieve within 10 years
4) Targets which we want to achieve within 20 years
The results give us the clear road map for our future,
I have in my hand my targets for current year & what I should plan now onwards for 5 years, things I should think over for next decades.
I know my top priorities, things I should be worry little, things I should avoid, the things, which I should not avoid. I know the ENDS I have to follow the path by proper planning.
Now, I have to plan the work & work the plan.
---
After writing this, I have decided to take the above exercise once again and see what happens next, possibly I may share with you my targets for next year in my future blogs,
I request you to please you too do the above exercise with your dear & near ones or alone, you will be amazed by the results. Be fair, critical & positive.
With love,
Khushal
10/10/2008
There were some simple exercises what we called as self introspection:-
----
We have been told to follow the instructions as give below :-
(Materials required : - Plain Paper & pen)
Write down in plain paper :-
1) What are my strong points
( like good nature, good look, good family, good knowledge in particular area, good in mathematics / accounts, good communicator, good friend circle, ability to adjust, ability to make friends etc. etc..)
2) What are my weak points
(like English speaking, physical appearance, negative feelings, consciousness, unable to make friends, lack of financial support, family background, lack of education / knowledge, strained relation ship etc. etc.)
Actually, we were able to write down strong point in a minute but for 2nd portion we were go on writing page. Our instructor has to stopped us. So much to write…
Next part was to write down :-
5 /10 Most happiest things happened in my life
5 / 10 Most dreadful things happened in my life
We are surprised and really amused on reprising our life. Various thoughts were coming & we find difficult to sum up the things. At last we made the list. On reading the first portion, feeling of sure joy & happiness arouse and for 2nd portion, we are feeling sad but thought that it happened & there is no escape but to accept it as it is. Thank God its over.
Then come the interesting part
1) What are you today?
2) What you want to achieve during your lifetime? What are your targets?
(Targets may be in the nature of learning driving, new business, new job, swimming, proper / fluent English, marriage, car purchase, home purchase, foreign trip, vacation, new hobby, applying for passport, enrolling / completing any qualifications, any thing , whatever comes to your mind).
On completion of the 2nd list,
We have been asked to segregate all the targets under following heads:-
1) Targets which we want to achieve within 1 year
2) Targets which we want to achieve within 5 years
3) Targets which we want to achieve within 10 years
4) Targets which we want to achieve within 20 years
The results give us the clear road map for our future,
I have in my hand my targets for current year & what I should plan now onwards for 5 years, things I should think over for next decades.
I know my top priorities, things I should be worry little, things I should avoid, the things, which I should not avoid. I know the ENDS I have to follow the path by proper planning.
Now, I have to plan the work & work the plan.
---
After writing this, I have decided to take the above exercise once again and see what happens next, possibly I may share with you my targets for next year in my future blogs,
I request you to please you too do the above exercise with your dear & near ones or alone, you will be amazed by the results. Be fair, critical & positive.
With love,
Khushal
10/10/2008
Money, Vices or virtues
Recently, I have read various books written on positive thinking, how to become millionaire, how to make friends etc. etc..
I really like these books, apart from that I found that authors of the books are writing very rationally, practically and proves their point with example. They treat the thing on its face value. What they write is about real life problem & probable solutions.
I am not naming any books but like to express my general opinion about its contents.
First thing first they asked us 1) Where are you now? & 2) where you want to reach?
As an Indian, we worship “Lakshmi Devi” but in the mind of mind, we think that more money means more vices.
Is it the situation? Most of us, who has “rich neighbors / relatives” as compared to us, will complain that he / she is making money by using wrong tactics / illegal means.
We seldom find (as per our thinking) a millionaire & still kind and noble person. In fact, we have ‘n’ no. of examples of people who change their attitude with the increase of their wealth.
This does mean that never earn too much money?
I think otherwise. I really appreciate the person who build the enterprise, big business, or who overcame from his poor background to stability. Examples are endless, Mr. Naryan Murthi, Late Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani, Mr.Shah Rukh Khan etc..
Back to our topic.
What I like about this books is that they tell us that you want to become happy and wants you to accept that you like to have lots of money. You want to grow up to higher ladder.
This is the fact.
We know we can’t buy happiness through money but still having money will at least ease our life. We never accept in open that we want money. Yes we want money, not only sufficient money but excess money to fulfill our dreams, desire, requirements, best education to our children, security to our family, charity, show off etc.
These books say accept that you want money & lots of money and that Lots of money will come only if you plan & work in right direction & full dedication. You have to work hard, toil yourself, make sacrifices to reach the position where you want to go. For example, you want to increase your income, start working extra after office hours by sacrificing your leasure time or start any side business which cost times & capital.
We have to think logically, clearly and work accordingly. It is not easy but our perception needs to be changed.
In any case, I wish to earn money, big money, through right means (only). I hope, I succeed.
Wish good luck to me & I Wish good luck to you too.
Khushal
10/10/2008
I really like these books, apart from that I found that authors of the books are writing very rationally, practically and proves their point with example. They treat the thing on its face value. What they write is about real life problem & probable solutions.
I am not naming any books but like to express my general opinion about its contents.
First thing first they asked us 1) Where are you now? & 2) where you want to reach?
As an Indian, we worship “Lakshmi Devi” but in the mind of mind, we think that more money means more vices.
Is it the situation? Most of us, who has “rich neighbors / relatives” as compared to us, will complain that he / she is making money by using wrong tactics / illegal means.
We seldom find (as per our thinking) a millionaire & still kind and noble person. In fact, we have ‘n’ no. of examples of people who change their attitude with the increase of their wealth.
This does mean that never earn too much money?
I think otherwise. I really appreciate the person who build the enterprise, big business, or who overcame from his poor background to stability. Examples are endless, Mr. Naryan Murthi, Late Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani, Mr.Shah Rukh Khan etc..
Back to our topic.
What I like about this books is that they tell us that you want to become happy and wants you to accept that you like to have lots of money. You want to grow up to higher ladder.
This is the fact.
We know we can’t buy happiness through money but still having money will at least ease our life. We never accept in open that we want money. Yes we want money, not only sufficient money but excess money to fulfill our dreams, desire, requirements, best education to our children, security to our family, charity, show off etc.
These books say accept that you want money & lots of money and that Lots of money will come only if you plan & work in right direction & full dedication. You have to work hard, toil yourself, make sacrifices to reach the position where you want to go. For example, you want to increase your income, start working extra after office hours by sacrificing your leasure time or start any side business which cost times & capital.
We have to think logically, clearly and work accordingly. It is not easy but our perception needs to be changed.
In any case, I wish to earn money, big money, through right means (only). I hope, I succeed.
Wish good luck to me & I Wish good luck to you too.
Khushal
10/10/2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)