Priyanka Lal's Blog: PL and Word Play , page 2
March 13, 2016
Hindustan Times Ranchi, Reviews THE ROSE BUSH
Delighted to share with all, what Hindustan Times said about THE ROSE BUSH
Happy Me :)
March 6, 2016
My Take- Heart of Bullets by Nikhil Kushwaha
The story runs in past and present where the narrator, one of the soldiers, tells the story of his daredevil friend Sameer. Sameer as a friend, as a lover and as a brave soldier.
As both the boys have indispensable part in each other’s life we get to see narrator’s life as well.
The lady in the story has pivotal role, as her actions, dreams, innocence, ignorance, foolhardiness, answerability takes the story forward.
The story has many highs and lows, in terms of events, which are overall an interesting sequence, but nothing new. A sense of mystery is tried to be maintained, revealed in the final chapters of the novel, which are also the saving grace of this work and make for interesting reading in an otherwise laborious read.
You get a hang of the characters but they could have been more refined.
The ‘present’ part of the story when the characters are on a mission at LOC are dealt better than the flashback, their school lives.
We tend to paint our own imaginary pictures of things which we cannot experience first-hand. A tale has been woven of the days and ways; emotions and actions at LOC.
The terrorist/soldiers escapades, emotional upheaval, missions accomplished, exchange of words, appear to be more inspired from the Hindi film industry than reality. The execution could have done with some new thrills.
Not only the war scenes, but some important sequence in the boys’ juvenile phase, one liners, appear too-close-for-comfort to some Bollywood movies.
In order to pack a punch, the conversation among the teenagers have been dealt with in a round-about-way and as an observer I felt like the third wheel reading them. Being an intruder, I was unable to laugh and cry with the characters.
Poems and philosophical one liners are recurring feature in the book. Some of the poems are well worded and rhymed, but in places they become tad excessive. They and their explanation offered by the writer, using the same words, somewhere undermines the reader also challenges one’s patience.
The novel needs, extensive grammar corrections (Sad to see over 70% sentences in the book were grammatically wrong or absurd/inappropriate words were used.); editing and proofreading is at its worst. There are various technical and factual errors with time period, communication methods, and few other things. (I am not mentioning them here because it will spoil the surprise element in the book.)
The book has potential because the plot is well thought out, but journey in a rickety vehicle and unpleasant terrain can easily be not ventured into
February 18, 2016
My Take- Adhira Love: Lost & Found by Aditti Gaur
The entries though are about her friend Adhira who is at a very difficult juncture, where her life is on the line, her marriage in shambles. She believes it to be her responsibility to make sure, each and every person who came across her ever, has all their problems sorted and she plays important part in doing so.
In accordance with the belief,Good work always pays, Adhira gets rewarded. Romance gets very little space in the book, but one does get a glimpse of soft,wet in the rain romance and tad more.
Story brings back ones teenage fantasies, though the characters remained indiscriminate.
I found several errors in proofreading, grammar and there were incorrect use of words. A mistake that recurs throughout is beginning of sentences with And and But.A little scrutiny while editing would have helped the book a lot. So publishing misses an entire star.
January 18, 2016
Bollywood Limelight…..
Flipping channels one of the evenings, I caught media having a field day, with the Hindi film industry, rather some members of it.
It was riveting, the pride with which they claimed, they were the first to report the ‘breaking news’.
The news flash that stopped my restless fingers on the remote’s buttons was, #certainMANacquitted.
It was funny!
They had a panel, appalled / rejoicing at the verdict, each one biting the other’s head off, dare one say anything against their cause.
The channel flashed congratulatory tweets, by the people for the star in question, in bold letters, while the anchor insisted the panellists must go on with their criticism and accolades.
The panellists, bashed each other. Though all looked agitated, some had satisfied comments, while others antagonized. It was difficult to discern though, what with the tweets, and pop ups of the star, leaving and entering the court of law, not the live feeds, but file videos of his many previous visits.
Who was against and for, was anyone’s guess because all had similar expressions and pointing fingers.
Depending on my sense of hearing, (sense of sight proving inefficient) the ones happy were being classified as Rich and Affluent ‘body’ lickers; body parts ranging from posterior to feet to sole. The unhappy ones were classified the fighters, strugglers, they seem to have given their life to the cause of “establishing equality of law for rich and poor, in the world; rather India”.
According to them it could only happen, if the hundreds of crores earning star was put behind bar. That would be justice.
Everyone is innocent unless proved guilty, did not apply.
He could NOT be innocent, though no one was able to prove him guilty.
He had to be punished, rendering his productivity and contribution to economy zero. He must be made a burden on the taxpayers.
Loss of a few thousand crores in GDP must be tolerated, because he supposedly, “purposely” slammed his vehicle on a shop, killing one person and injuring several.
Though these slammers had made it their life purpose the star get punished, I noted the victims had all moved on.
One injured who suffered limb fracture was rendered incapable of carrying on his labour’s job, went on in life, jobless, siring 13 children in 15 years.
Another victim, who actually was killed, his wife went on, married another man, gave birth to five more kids, while the dead man’s survivor now an adult, awaits; not justice but some monetary help of few lakh rupees from his father’s killer so that he can spend his life comfortably. Because his father was killed in a fluke incident and he was too young to educate himself and make himself capable of a decent living.
Few were untraceable and didn’t want to comment on the issue, but they admit over the years they have continued to watch the star’s movies.
The law enforcer’s do ‘think’ about these victims, but law does not require to compensate them, just punish the wrong doer. Law can only bless them to go on with their life.
Dilemma much?
In spite of blatant havoc why was the man acquitted?
The lawyers were able to find many loopholes in the investigations. From issues of volume of blood sample taken to lack of cohesive eyewitnesses to statements of all involved parties had not been recorded.
Also the usual case had not been filed for the accident but the law bearers had created and built up a case with sections and subsections which are not ‘norms’. Were they making an example of the star?
Finally, the court refused to hear the case that had been built with additional sub sections.
If law bearers would have stuck to the basic, there might have been a chance, that he might have got the right punishment.
The act makes you question.
Is he being targeted just because he has money?
It was too much action. My 48” flat screen, just about managed to squeeze in the people.
To help my sense of sight, and not strain my television I flipped the channel.
Only to find, the next news anchor claiming they were the first to inform the audience that it has been brought to light by a top notch government investigation agency of India, that another ‘star’ kid had abetted his girlfriend’s suicide, by making her undergo abortion.
The abortion, rather the pregnancy – she was scared about.
Not only this man, then approximately 21-22 years old, encouraged abortion, but to stop the haemorrhaging reached into this woman’s body and extricated the “pea sized” foetus of four weeks. He did not stop there but went on to flush the extract, down the toilet.
A procedure, for which trained professional require training and surgical instruments, this 21-year-old star kid managed with his bare hands.
This was not the action that killed the woman. Rather the cruelty of the action, emotionally distressed the woman, propelling her towards depression leading to suicide.
This case has been cracked to be so by a Government agency.
The claims rattle in the head of a layman; will it not be a tall task proving it in a court room which requires evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, to prove the boy’s involvement.
And then the ‘blind’ law is accused of looking at rich and underprivileged differently.
Theoretically, knowing an influential person’s lifestyle, especially in India, I can assume the people against whom the cases have been lodged have been involved in the delinquency.
But also knowing the way India and Indians believe it their birth right to turn twist tamper tweak thwart law, penal codes, regulations for sole self-interest, sheer supposition should never ever be allowed to hold and judgements be passed on their basis.
One can’t imagine the chaos ‘simple truths’ will lead to.
What is needed?
Stringent, strict, scientific and responsible investigation methods which are meticulously followed. There is no chance of error because always there is a life on the line. Dead or alive.
PS: The article is not to support or speak against any judgements passed or cases pending, but to highlight the need of the hour which is a scientific, uninfluenced, accountable, investigation methods.
Your notions here
December 1, 2015
My Take- #Iam16icanrape by Kirtida Gautam
The story is definitely inspired from real life incidents. I am sure the author was prompted by the heinous atrocities prevalent and enraging society.
The story, narration is gripping and well presented. The language keeps one interested. The book is quite detailed, talks about the incident and subsequent effects from the perspective of all the major characters. Author has put in sufficient build up, has tried to shock the reader with her vivid and meticulous descriptions.
The chapter arrangement of the book is intriguing, the story starts from the ninth chapter and keeps hopping from one to next. The start is racy, building up the right curiosity and interest in the reader.
The characterisation is good and they talk about their impressions, feelings in detail, but one doesn’t get too many answers and the questions keep multiplying, leading to the book losing pace in the middle, instigating to skip to end. According to chapter numbers, these are the preliminary chapters that come in the middle of the book.
The court scenes were interesting, but few more sessions would have been welcome.
The psychological study of the issue is fascinating. At some places though it becomes technical and an effort for the reader to understand. By the time they are explained, as the book has already dragged on for some time without answers, the inclination to try to understand also fades and one just wishes to know the end.
The overall language of the novel is gripping and witty but I was put off by the use of Hindi words, and repetitions of words. Sometimes not used correctly. There are several proof reading errors as well.
The novel points out, to deal with this phenomena of rape in society, all must take responsibility.
It must be read because it talks of an important issue and any awareness and discussion is call of the hour. The best part being it has been brought to us in a very interesting form via this book.
Some editing would go a long way in making it appealing to the younger age group who might get intimidated with the size.
October 2, 2015
Meat Ban meet Meat ‘Ben’
So India Finally declared war against rest of the world!
Well, some Indian states did.
How else would you describe these state’s diktat of what is acceptable food and what’s not? The food item in question being one of the most favoured among world population.
It was obviously the war cry, to declare this food ill-favoured by Gods!
And for the Supreme Court of India to uphold the dictate! That makes it a thought out decision, on India’s part.
That is showing some guts, calls for commendation, I guess.
It must have been necessary to announce we were still our own bosses, after Government failed to show spine in an attempt to ‘maintain International relationship’.
The foreign delegate was left alone, in order to not offend the country he belonged to and to avoid any repercussions on our representatives in the said friendly country.
Of course, it was convenient that the women concerned were not of Indian origin. It was okay, for those women to be ravaged as piece of ‘meat’, by some 25 odd men.
Every community’s; organisation’s; religion’s silence was justified because the issue was beyond our realms. It involved International matters. Something, we, the lesser beings, the God fearing people could not understand.
I am yet to hear of a single man Indian or foreigner being arrested in that case. And what leaves me befuddled is the lack of sympathy to the survivors. Aren’t Candle marches norms in these incidents? There was not a stray spark even. Or were those reserved for a certain ‘fearless’.
Those women were mother to someone, someone’s child.
They have been used as meat by some animals and that has failed to shock anyone. May be certain Gods will not be outraged as the ‘meat’ wasn’t killed. So it’s ‘okay’ to turn a blind eye and not approach the Supreme Court.
Maintain relations with strong, not so much with the weaker nations and people, those are the rules of happy Governance.
Then how did we dare decide to offend the strongest of countries by discriminating against their popular food? Was that sensible strategy? Or is it just to spite a not so favourite neighbour?
I wouldn’t appreciate my neighbour dictating what I eat, wear or whether my proximity makes their living uncomfortable in any way. I am sure, no one else would.
So why can this be not applied when you refer to the bigger picture?
It is simple table manner to not eye, what the next person is eating, or not eating.
Then why is this lack of etiquette being supported?
Instead of stopping people from eating what they wished, couldn’t they have fed the unfortunate, in the name of God?
Wouldn’t that have given them a better place in God’s good books?
A bovine dying is not acceptable, but hundreds of human dying because of hunger, malnutrition, food poisoning is acceptable?
Who is trying to fool whom?
And why the Gods of selected states only had to be pleased? Only those states, which are under the strong hold of an influential, communal organisation.
P.S.: This discussion is not on God, or communities but on the silence of public on matters that violate the most basic of rights.
Please leave your notions here:
September 20, 2015
Impression - The Rose Bush by Priyanka Lal
At the age where, somethings were so important and others not so much.
Said in a subtle way, if you are concentrating, you catch the wit.
A read for those rainy, lazy Sundays.
I would read it for the Language, the old world charm emanates.
I know its long, over 400 pages, but a life is never lived in a day!
Time to bundle up because....its time to read!!!
Leave your impressions here.
September 18, 2015
Bloody strays in coconut grove…
I was uncomprehending, when I first saw the images.
Shocking, gruesome, piles of bleeding dead pups, in all colours and sizes.
On referring to various sources, I came to know, of the outrage among the people against stray dogs, in one of Indian states.
There had been cases of ferocious attacks by some dogs, supposedly rabid. Hence, the anger towards the species and their merciless killing.
It seemed Wrong on so many counts!
I am not a dog lover. Though my family did own several dogs, in various stages of my life.
I remember; I was, maybe approximately four, we used to feed couple of stray dogs, who would come to our campus. One day, one of those dogs bit my brother, while he was feeding it.
My parents, took my brother to doctor, where he was prescribed fourteen injections. Also, the doctor asked us to keep an eye on the dog and make sure he was not rabid.
My brother duly finished with the course of injections, and we continued feeding that dog, until one day, years later it stopped coming to us.
That was how Humans behaved, twenty five years ago.
How did the species, Homo sapiens, ‘evolve’ this far, in mere 25 years?!!
Despite having a Masters in Life science, I fail to understand.
Is this, an incident to prove the theory of, ‘survival of the fittest’?
Rather, ‘… filthiest’.
Has the Evolution, changed the social animal, into something beyond, ANIMAL?
There are other organisms, which harm, or pose danger to human race. There are snakes, endangered tigers, the bull racing in Spain is evidence of aggressive nature of bovines. The cow family. It’s not like, a cow never hurt a human.
But, no one dares go near a snake, unless it’s alone and we in hordes. With a meter long stick in our hands. We understand it very well, those snakes can bite back, and rest will be history.
No one dares touch a tiger in the light of day, no matter it’s a man eater or not, because they know the Government will be breathing down their neck.
Of course, most of us are already advocating ban on killing of cows, considering its holy living organism.
Who decided, a dog’s life was not holy?
If anyone believes, it’s not, may I know, why?
If one reads newspapers, you come to know, there are humans killing each other. There is more than a sporadic incident.
You see it all, mothers killing children, husbands killing wives, someone killed three kids, because he was in love with their single mother. The mother couldn’t reciprocate his feeling, because she had responsibilities. The man decided, to kill those ‘responsibilities.’
No one went about killing these murderers.
Why would anyone bother taking law in their hand? Law shall punish the guilty. Isn’t it?
Since, penal codes are not applicable to dogs, kill them.
Become yamraj and decide, who shall live and who dies.
They killed, just because the pups couldn’t fight back. There was no one to protect them.
How do you categorize these people and their supporters?
And they had the audacity to display their killings, in the most ugly, vilest, cruel way possible. Piling them on top of each other, like they had been no more than, garbage.
Disgraceful! How low can they stoop?
I might hear arguments, these animals were hazardous, that they posed danger. Humans deserve priority over dogs. They must be safeguarded.
Who is to judge, whose life is more important?
Who actually faced and succumbed to hazard?
I wouldn’t believe, the people of that state, didn’t have, high priced, pure breed, pet dogs. Does anyone attempt killing them?
Let them try and then escape scot-free.
How can one dog be precious, not a finger can be raised to it, and the next dog can be tortured and killed? And then amassed like they were in those gory images.
Who were these Hitlers, and which country are they planning to rule by imitating him.
A cowardly act. Beneath dignity of the lowest life forms.
Unthinkable, unfathomable, intolerable, unforgiveable.
I wouldn’t request the killers to not do it. If they had the rationale, they wouldn’t have done it, in the first place.
I would rather, someone did something!
There are laws and guidelines for protection of animals as well, only no one sees to it that they are implemented.
Every problem, has solution.
US has strays as well. They just are not seen on the roads.
Couldn’t we have arrangements like that?
There are ample dog lovers. Even stray dog lovers. Couldn’t they do something?
As for the ones already dead, even I await justice.
Like we await justice for the killed child…, …children…, …wife… and others, I await justice for the puppies, who had to suffer the worst possible fate.
May their soul rest in peace.
P.S.: I am not going to turn into a dog lover overnight. Nor their advocate.
But as a human being, supposedly, the highest life form, I can abide by the principle of, Live and let live!
Please leave your ideas here
September 17, 2015
Impression- Pradyumna son of Krishna by Usha Narayanan
Mythology for the elderly and the intellectuals, who ponder deeply and enjoy books.
The dazzle for the youth. The fun, the action, the excitement.
Lots of information, that we never took time out to hear from our grandparents, and still never ask.
Snippets that we might have caught but never delved!
Read it for all the right reasons.
To know of the glorious beliefs. To know of the less sung heroes.
Beautifully narrated events that have you jumping from one line to next, eager to be dazzled, thirsting for more.
The novel has content for all age groups.
Mine lose shine for ones above forty!! Maybe forty two!
Definitely on the to be read list, almost topping!
Spellbinding times ahead.... as its time to read!!!
Leave your impressions here.
September 15, 2015
Impression- Without You by Preethi Venugopala
At least the language reminds of those days.
The plot would be modern of course.
I could see the artist in the author. Could see the paint brush, the ring of poetry, smell the fragrance of nature. Evident affinity to finer things, delicate things.
Finesse that is rarer these days.
A love story, everybody dreams of or may be not. Since the title suggests the yearning the protagonist is supposed to go through.
My romance drama isn't that fluffy!
This one I would read definitely for the language and because I too am a hopeless romantic!
Anticipating beautiful times.....as its time to read!!!
