Book Review #86: Tinderbox: The past and future of Pakistan By M.J. Akbar

Title: Tinderbox: The past and future of Pakistan

Author: M.J. Akbar

Publishers: Harper Collins

Pages: 330+ (Paperbound)

Genre: Non-Fiction/History/Politics

Source: Personal Copy

As a history aficionado, I am always fascinated by the history. Especially interested to learn more about India and Pakistan. The Tinderbox by renowned journalist, columnist and writer M.J. Akbar provides us a fascinating and a riveting account of how the formation of Pakistan happened and what were the reasons behind it. The book is well researched and documented.

The narration of the book is in chronological order starting with the Islamic invaders into India right from the Sultanates, Ottomans, Turks, Moghuls, etc… Each invader has a specific purpose in their minds, that is, conversion and pillaging the country to the maximum. Author has narrated a brilliant picture of all these things in the most simplistic manner. The book never seems to be a hard read, rather, one can enjoy each chapter and reminisce the historical aspects.

Pakistan as a country, which was created out of religious demands by the handful of influential people who worked mainly to satiate their ego. Starting with Maudadi in the post Mogul era and with the advent of Mohammed Ali Jinnah during the British era had just one agenda and propagated the same. Indian Muslims are not safe in the Hindu India. They have purposefully spread this message time and again and lured the masses into believing that Islam is in danger in India.

The book mainly divided into three different levels. First, the Muslims of India during the time of Islamic invaders time in the likes of Turks, Afghans, Moguls, and Sultanates etc... Secondly, the Muslims of India during the British tenure and finally the Muslims as what we see today, in Pakistan. The creation of Pakistan on the basis of religion itself is a major setback for Pakistan. The Qaid-e-azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah has envisaged something before the partition and aspired to turn Pakistan into something similar to Turkey (a modern secular Islamic country) was failed at large. From the book, we can make sure that, the intervention posed by the mullahs and other religion fundamentalists in the administration of Pakistan government resulted in not achieving what Jinnah aspired off.

The Indian Muslims before the partition was constantly brainwashed by the leaders like Jinnah and Maudadi with their constant public stunts of Muslims are not safe in India. Jinnah even went a step ahead and used Gandhi’s metaphor of “Rama Rajya” into something unbelievable. Jinnah has said to his followers that, Gandhi wants India to be Hindu rajya and not a secular state. All these things led to the partition of India into India & Pakistan. While India has come out the grim situation of partition, whereas Pakistan is still under turmoil by keeping one leg in Islamic ideologies and other in democracy.

M.J. Akbar goes on to explain the political angle of Pakistan post partition. Just after 2 months into Independence, Pakistan has started to eye on Kashmir. With the input of religious fundamentalists, Pakistan started to train their Mujaheddin a.k.a terrorists to wage a proxy war against India. India on the other hand, had brilliantly tackled all the attacks of Pakistan in every war and defeated Pakistan. Pakistan’s humiliation went hundred degrees up when its eastern piece has fought with them to create what is now called as Bangladesh. India had helped Bangladesh to gain its independence. The more humiliation for Pakistan when more than 90 thousand Pakistan military persons surrendered before India as prisoners of war.

The book further explains the Pakistan’s stand on terrorism on a global scale. It’s no more a secret that, Pakistan’s ISI (Inter Service Intelligence) agency was the father of breeding terrorists in their backyard. It has proved time and again that, several terror groups like Laskhar-e-Tayyaba, Jaish-e-Mohmmad, Hizbul Muzahiddeen, etc… was the brainchild of Pakistan to wage an alternate kind of war against India to clinch Kashmir. The book provides an ample amount of evidence from various references that how Pakistan is nurturing terrorism in their own country. It was proved on global level when Osama bin Laden was found in the safe harbor of Pakistan, in a city called Abbottabad.

With all these dreadful attempt by Pakistan with the sole purpose of gaining Kashmir has proved nothing in favor of them. Instead they should concentrate on their country by uplifting poor who are joining terrorist organizations because they don’t have enough money to support their families. The advent of Madrasas in thousands of numbers has proved again that, the religion indoctrination has seeped into every vein of a Pakistani. As the book suggests, there is no turning back for Pakistan to see what has happened, instead, they should focus of building their future for the coming generation of Pakistan.

The book covers some more fascinating facts and figures which I have not included in my review. The book has been brilliantly written, profoundly researched and documented. A collectors gems. Written in the simplistic style with good anecdotes makes this book more readable. A recommending stuff.

My Rating:

4.5/5

Book Review #41: 99 Thoughts on Ganesha By Devdutt Pattanaik

We all love this elephant headed god, aren't we? He is by far the most loved and respected God throughout India. He is worshipped by each and every one without any religion hindrance. His stories would always fascinate anyone. Probably he is the cutest God that was loved by everyone regardless of the age or gender.

Pattanaik, by now, one of my favorite mythology story tellers, had done ample research before penning this book. His anecdotes are very impressive pertaining to the information he has provided in this book. Though it’s a short book spanning over 160 odd pages, it has everything to know about Lord Ganesha.

Even after having known so many tales and information about Ganesha. What makes this book unique is the extra mile that the author has gone to garn more interesting details and connecting the dots together. Who is Ganesha? What is his background? What makes him so special among the Indians and particularly Hindus? What are the tales behind Ganesha getting the elephant head? What occasion made Lord Shiva to behead Lord Ganesha? Why he has been referred as the obstacle remover? What’s the story behind people chanting Ganapati Bappa Morya? The questions never stop right? Well, if you are finding it hard to get all these information, then this book is the one stop solution to all your doubts. It is rich and resourceful to know about God Ganesha. I must admit that, I had come to know many tales which I never came across all these years.

Like his many other books, Pattanaik has juxtaposed the modern day rituals that can be directly linked to the mythological tales and symbolism with respect to Ganesha. I liked how he had narrated the details that go from India, Thailand till Mongolia. We all know the regular tale behind Ganesha’s elephant head. But Pattanaik has given us few other tales and folklore beliefs behind this story.

What I really liked about this book is, Ganesha that riding on a peacock. Peacock is called “Mor” in Hindi. Thus, it makes clear for the readers that, why people chant, “Ganapati Bappa Morya”. He also mentions about the race between Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya. This race was set up Narada Maharshi to see who has more wisdom and who can think profoundly. Well, Ganesha having a Mouse as his vehicle couldn’t race with his brother Kartikeya who had a flying peacock as his vehicle. So, Lord Ganesha decides to walk around his parents Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati symbolizing them as the whole universe, thus displaying the profound thought. This was a good takeaway from the book.

At the end of the book, author Pattanaik has given a list of popular Ganesha temples across the world. He explained the probable reasons behind why these temples marked as a prominent place of worship. He also explained the different names of Ganesha and its meaning. One such example is “VINAYAKA”, meaning one who was born without the help of a male companion (In Sanskrit VI means “without” and NAYAKA means “male person"). Thanks to the author for explaining something which I was not aware of. The explanation for the Ashta Vinayaka is a fantastic section from the book.

Pattanaik doesn’t forget to mention about the freedom fighter Lokamanya Balagangadhara Tilak who made Ganesha Chaturthi as a public festival. This particular movement has combined people from different walks of life, thereby giving the required momentum for the India’s Independence movement.

I recommend this book to every reader that wants to learn more about Lord Ganesha. May the blessings of Lord Ganesha bestow upon you.

“Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha!!”

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #40: Train to Pakistan By Khushwant Singh

There are many stories that were told by many authors about the India’s partition in 1947. But, this one particular book "Train to Pakistan" by Khushwant Singh stands a class apart. It doesn't portray the gory details or the massacres that happened during the partition; rather, it takes a completely different route by the story of a quiet, peaceful village Mano Majra (in Punjab).

Mano Majra a fictitious village between India and Pakistan border, that was popular for its harmonious living. The villagers were living with tranquility and always co-operative to each other whether he is a Muslim or a Hindu or a Sikh. They lived happily without worrying too much about the partition or they weren't aware of happenings in both sides of the country, until the day the moneylender of the village Ram Lala was murdered on the suspicion grounds.

Of all the main characters, Hukum Chand the village magistrate, Juggut Singh a local gangster who gets arrested frequently for petty crimes and was the prime suspect in Ram Lala's murder and Iqbal Singh an educated communist who visit Mano Majra in order to bring in reforms that he has planned, plays the pivotal role in this novel.

In spite of the partition rift all over the country, Mano Majra seems to be an exception for all of it. Everyone in the village Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs lived in harmony. Like all the good things must come to an end, Mano Majra lost is peacefulness on the day a train arrived from Pakistan containing dead corpses of Sikhs that were supposed to get migrated from Pakistan to India. Later events unfold a tragic story that makes the life of Mano Majra people difficult.

The book ironically portrays the much disturbance that India's partition created. In spite of winning the freedom from the white men, the whole country put at stake things that should have been clearly avoided on amicable means whose consequence is felt even today among both the countries living as arch rivals. Nobody is blamed in the book but it explores on how innocent people's lives were thrown apart without any reason. Keeping that in mind author Khushwant Singh made the magistrate to order the village Muslims to leave India is as a disturbing one that makes one think on how people of that time would have felt leaving their home and place like refugees for the fear of life one fine day. It is traumatizing for these people to leave their belongings such as their household items, their beloved pets, and their happy little homes. What I liked was Singh has tried to bring the local pulse during the partition. People were subjected to number of trauma for no fault of theirs blood massacre is all through in terms of rape, murder and loot. The haunting memories are brought alive with Singh's detailing. Juggat Singh’s dialogues make a mark most of the times, his way of assessing things and trying to learn English is a little comic touch in the book. Plot is played to derail the train that carries Muslim to Pakistan, Hukum Chand overhears it and let Juggut Singh and Iqbal to rescue the people but Juggat is passed out. Ultimately, the plan of attacking the passengers that were leaving from India to Pakistan was somehow made to fail. The end is quite dramatic and the name of the person who saves so many lives at the cost of his own is not revealed.

Religious conflicts, hatred, love and responsibility are the points that Khushwant Singh tried his best to bring in this novel. This book proves to be a mentally spurring that will make you think on those hard times of partition.

My Rating:

5/5

Book Review #31: The Lowland By Jhumpa Lahiri

Naxalism, Life in Post-Independent India, Love story, Brotherhood, Friendship, Marriage, Children, etc.. A book that has so many stories woven into one, but, still it fails to attract you. I was not at all impressed by this book. First of all, its monotonous way of narration is what failed from the beginning. The story became too predictive after first few chapters. The plot deviated from what it was expected to follow.

Jhumpa Lahiri, known for her eloquent style of writing has somewhat failed in this novel. Just to let you know, this is only my interpretation. Many people might have understood this book in a different way. For me, it was way below my expectation from Lahiri after reading The Namesake.

Ok let's get into the review. Why it is not a must read book from my point of view ?. First of all, the plot is too weak. the narration is dull and is is way too slow. Somehow, it took me a while to complete this novel. Not because of 300 odd pages of story, but, because of its way of story building.

The story is all about 2 brothers that were born in the very next year of India's Independence in 1947, in calcutta i.e. today's Kolkata. Udayan the younger one and Subhash the elder one. The stories of their childhood is impressive, as we get to read lots about their tryst for technology, sports, books, chess game, morse codes etc.. Later, what follows after they've grown up, is a complete dry plot.

Udayan was more attracted towards Politics, rather, I can say it as towards Naxalism and not towards the mainstream politics. He gets attracted towards Communist ideologies that were popular during those times of early 50's. He often skips his college to spend time with comrades and listen to their speech all the time. As expected, once after his college he officially joins to the communist group and becomes a Naxalite.

Whereas, Subhash, the elder one, is more attracted towards his studies. He completes his degree and he applies for a postgraduate program in a US university in Rhode Islands. He was majoring in Chemical Industry. He sees his younger brother Udayan growing out to be a Naxalite with his very own eyes and persuades him to get a regular job or go for higher studies. But, Udayan was so adamant in his decisions, he never bothers to listen to Subhash.

Until this part was the interesting section from the book. Later, after few years, Subhash now studying in US, will come to know that his younger brother is married already, his wife is called Gauri. He was shell-shocked to hear this and comes to term with his brother and accepts his new sister-in-law. As the book progresses further, Subhash again receives a letter from Gauri that, his brother, Udayan was shot dead in a combing operation in Calcutta. Subhash returns to India.

As we get to see the plot, now it becomes too predictable. Subhash decides to marry Gauri for the sole reason of not leaving her with his parents who were still not ready to accept her. As the years passed, Subhash becomes the father of Udayan's child that Gauri was carrying. He named her Bela. Here, Gauri was not impressed with Subhash, rather, she wanted to skip from her responsibilities and decides to pursue her education in US and applies for a philosophy degree. From there she decides to leave Subhash and her daughter and she leaves the house forever.

Towards the end of the novel, Subhash, now taking care of Bela and her new child Meghna, decides to get a divorce from Gauri and he writes a letter to Gauri. As expected, Gauri instead of writing back, she heads back to meet Subhash to give her consent for the divorce. There, she meets Bela and her grand daughter Meghna. Surprised Bela, admonishes her mother for leaving her as a child. Disappointed, Gauri heads back to her place. That's it..., their life goes on as it is!!

That's the end of the novel. It is just this much, are we expected to read only this much.??. I was not at all impressed the way it ended. Lahiri would've at least changed something that might have reconciled their family!!. The only impressive thing from the novel is, Udayan's Naxal way of living and going headstrong against the government. Whereas, Subhash's part of the story is dry and dull.

My Rating:
3/5