Strings Of Life

While browsing through newspapers & literary websites, I often find crappy books such as, '5 point someone', 'Twilight', 'Harry potter' etc etc.. in the bestsellers list. Which implies that most of the people are reading crappy stuff. And why not?, these books are easy to read, spicy, unrealistic and full of fantasies. What does a reader get out of all this?, nothing.

Why do we read something which does not portray reality?, the kind of world we live in?, the kind of feelings a normal human being goes through?.

25 years later, when our kids may want to know about ‘our times’, what shall we gift them? 5 point someone?, or Harry potter?.
Writers are writing what the public wants, I think this is the very death of literature.

Aaiye Sahab, Aaiye. Welcome to BookTroniks, we are one of the best book stores in Dilli. Myself Mr.Mishra, you can ask for any kind of book.
That's interesting, I interrupted. Do you have a copy of "One hundred years of solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez?
Arey Sahab, Kya baat kar di aapne? Mere hote hue aapko foreign author ki book padhni pade?
And he immediately handed me a copy of "My Spouse" by Dobha De.
I was scanning through the pages and the chatter box started: Sahab, Dobha Ji kya likhti hain!. You won't get a better book on male-female relationship than this one.
Upon this I asked: But Mishra Ji, I have heard that she had some problem with her first husband and she got divorced?
Arey Sahab, Aap bhi kamaal karte hain? If she is a divorcee, that means she is quite experienced in this field?.
Valid point. But I declined to go for it and asked,
Mishra Ji, can you suggest me a good book?
Mishra Ji to his helper: Arey chotu, go and get a copy of  "Kamasutra" from the top shelf.
Me: Arey nahi nahin Mishra ji, you got me wrong. All I'm asking you is to recommend me a popular book. I mean a book which is much in demand.
Mishra Ji: Arey Sahab, this book is never out of demand and you know we have only three copies left?.
Me: Mishra Ji, try to understand, I'm not yet qualified enough to contribute to the India's population.
Mishra Ji: Kya Sahab? When I was about your age, my third child was in the first standard.

Mishra Ji was about to speak more but a lady entered the book stall and asked for a copy of "The monk who sold his TATA Safari".
She was going through the index page and I interrupted, Excuse me madam, If you like fiction then I think there are much better options than this one. This book is more of a self help kind of stuff.
The lady agreed and asked the shop owner: Mishra Ji, can you suggest me a Good Book?
With the copy of "Kaamasutra" still in hands, Mishra Ji glanced towards me.
And I immediately left the book store.......

» The Godfather by Mario Puzo

Revolving around the New York's mafia gang wars, The Godfather is Mario Puzo's ageless work. The thing I liked about this novel is its capability to grip your mind and stay there forever. "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" is one of the most quoted statement of this amazing novel. If you are new to reading you can start with this novel but beware, you might get addicted.

» The Catcher in the Rye by J.D.Salinger

The Catcher in the rye is the protagonist Holden Cualfield's narrative of what he goes through when expelled from school. When you pick this novel you feel like reading it at one go because right from the very first page you feel connected with the author's blunt narrative. Though this book has remained bit controversial, I feel it's a literary masterpiece.

Excerpts from the book:

• I was half in love with her by the time we sat down.  That's the thing about girls.  Every time they do something pretty, even if they're not much to look at, or even if they're sort of stupid, you fall half in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are.  Girls.  Jesus Christ.  They can drive you crazy.  They really can.

• I don't even know what I was running for - I guess I just felt like it.

• I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life.  It's awful.  If I'm on my way to the store to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I'm going, I'm liable to say I'm going to the opera.  It's terrible.

"For a creative writer possession of the "truth" is less important than emotional sincerity."
- George Orwell.
George Orwell (Pen name. Actual name: Eric Arthur Blair) definitely qualifies as one of the finest writer of 21st century. If you've read 'Animal Farm' or '1984' you might be aware of the genius. Any writer will ask following questions before writing anything.
For more details follow this link>>

Here are my all time favorite lines from my personal diary:

1. Imagine! Just Imagine!.

2. No straight story was ever worth telling.

3. The knock of pure love has a different sound.

4. The heart accepts some reasons, and the journey never stops.

5. Dream! Your dreams may not be fulfilled but you won't have nightmares either.

6. In there lies questions, In there lies answers.

7. Knowledge is fearlessness.

8. Fiction sounds better than the real life.

9. Fake things are volatile.

10. Destiny has something in store for everyone.

11. The good thing about time is that it goes on.

12. Short-sightedness kills an individual.

13. Never complain because complaining is never a solution.

14. A man's mind is busy creating problems and he's busy solving them -confused and lost.

Bhola! So you are busy enjoying your cigarette here. Who’ll serve the breakfast?
Coming Sahib {Sir}! ~Replied Bhola.
Adjusting the cigarette between his pale teeth Bhola headed towards his masters room.

Bhola! These days you are not paying attention to your job. Is everything fine? Sahib asked Bhola.
Yes….yes Sahib, replied Bhola, and his face reflected deep melancholy.

What’s the matter Bhola?

There was a pause for a moment and Bhola started:
Sahib! My Biwi {wife}! Again there was a pause. Finally clearing his throat Bhola started: Sahib! My wife has made the world impossible for me. She rarely talks to me nowadays and when I’m back-home after a days work, she doesn’t even have time for me. There was rage in Bhola’s voice and the Sahib listened patiently.
Bhola went on….: Sahib! Sometimes she turns out so grouchy that I feel like running away from her.
Did you ever tried to find out the reason behind this? The Sahib asked.
I tried Sahib; every time I ask her she reiterates the thing that: I don’t love her as much I used to at the time we got married.

The Sahib thought for a moment and then spoke with an authority.
Bhola, I think she is right. ~There was bewilderment in Bhola's eyes.
The Sahib went on…: How strange that love between a couple starts dying as their relationship progress on. And the object once most cherished becomes an object of disinterest. Why Bhola why? Have you ever asked this to yourself?
This happens because any relationship, be it that of husband-wife or friendship needs rejuvenation time and again. We start taking things for obvious, but don’t you think that after a days work when you go home there’s someone who probably might have worked more than you did and that individual also demands attention?

But then Sahib, doesn’t one get habitual of the same face-the same person? Bhola asked.Isn’t it that a person is always enthusiastic to make new friends? Isn’t it that we are least interested in books we’ve already read and are excited about reading new ones?

A point well asked-Sahib replied. It’s true that we are enthusiastic in meeting new friends and exploring new books. But don’t you know that in the end only rare books manage to become your favorites? A good book enters your heart, soul, and mind. Stays there forever and time-again makes you think about the philosophy infinite hidden therein. The more you think about, wider horizons you explore and the more you expand. Same is the case with relationships. Remember Bhola; Life is expansion under the arms of your beloved. So this time you go home remember to keep the person awaiting you in mind and rejuvenate your love.

It was third consecutive day and Bhola didn’t turn up for the work. Finally there was knock on the door. A stranger stood asking; Namaste Sahib {Hello Sir}! Bhola went with his wife to her parents place. He’ll be returning after a week, till then I’ll manage the work. May I ask you one thing Sahib? And Sahib nodded.
Sahib, are you married?
The Sahib couldn’t hold his mirth and smiled……..a smile which conveyed nothing.