Reflections

BOOK REVIEW : THE SIALKOT SAGA BY ASHWIN SANGHI   The Sialkot Saga is a story built around two scoundrels, two ruffians of  the highest order – one masquerading as a gentleman, and the other openly rebellious and criminal. This is an ugly book, a hands on look at the ugly underbelly of life, a brutal no-holds-barred ugly account of greed, crime   -white collar as well as of the other kind, selfishness of a very high order, desire and naked ambition all rolled into one single story THE CHARACTERS Arvind Bagadia – Love him, you cant. Hate him, you can – and very very easily. Sympathise with him – negative, no way. Avoid him – impossible. The quintessential anti-hero Arbaaz Sheikh – Love him – you cant; sympathise? Yes, in a manner of sorts. Tough guy, a man life has given a sour deal to start with – a man who chooses the wrong path in rebellion… and becomes, like Arvind, a complete bastard Abdul Dada – Gansgter, Loves only money – and loyalty. And Arbaaz; but then

These are a set of Snaps Clicked on my Mobile Camera en-route to Baroda for a family function; a scene I found breathtaking and mesmerising, as it seemed as though the clouds had descended to the Earth to shake hands with the mountains, creating a stunning visual imagery with a captivating beauty and awe-inspiring visual delight. Regretfully, I was in an AC compartment, meaning the full impact of the beauty of Mother Nature was muted in these images... but what is there is, I believe, sufficiently captivating... these have been clicked on a Panasonic Eluga Switch mobile phone in auto mode…

ONE NATION, ONE VOICE The recent events in our nation have lead to a rather interesting, and frankly disheartening & depressing scenario of some people in the media and the public asking questions of the Government of India as well as sadly, The Armed Forces; or critically examining our shortcomings and our flaws or perceived flaws both. It is not my point that these institutions cannot be questioned; but the timing of these questions leaves a lot to be desired for. Neither am I advocating ultra-nationalism or fanaticism, or making any observation for or against these two approaches. THE MEDIA Given the furore in some sections that I have seen, as well as sporadic comments on social media – let me be also crystal clear – nothing in this article is to be construed as an anti-Indian point, nor is there anything contained herein that is in support of anything even remotely anti-Indian. When I state that institutions can be questioned {given that we are a democracy},

BOOK REVIEW – THE HONEST SEASON BY KOTA NEELIMA Kota Neelima Website Kota Neelima has been a journalist for 20 years and holds a Master's Degree in International Relations from the Jawaharlal Nehru University. She writes on politics, democratic reforms and issues concerning rural poor in India. She is Senior Research Fellow, South Asia Studies at The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC. Neelima has written four books of fiction based on her exploration of Indian politics, her experience as a journalist as well as a researcher. Each book questions the accepted notions of politics and society and seeks to demarcate desperation of hopelessness and choice. The current book under review is a political thriller, and it has to be said, it is completely different from any political thriler I have read; a book that is among the best I have read in fiction in any genre. This is a work of sheer class, an