Karna's Wife - The Outcast's Queen

Mahabharata, an epic mythological story, is said to depict dharma or righteous conduct and is considered a guide for ideal human life. However, there is a dark side to the story that is seldom discussed. Author Kavita Kane revealed the other side of the story through the perspective of Karna's wife. The book sheds light on the complex moral questions and the consequences of the actions that led to the dreadful war.

Uruvi, the princess of Pukeya, was the only daughter of King Vahusha and Queen Shubhra. She was the heiress to her father's legacy, inheriting his intelligence, and her mother's beauty. Uruvi possessed an exceptional gift for healing people as nurse and was deeply passionate about it. During the archery tournament of Hastinapura, Uruvi caught sight of Karna. His exceptional skills with the bow were a sight to behold, nearly outshining Arjuna. Uruvi’s eyes were captivated by Karna’s performance, and her heart was stirred. However, the tournament took an ugly turn when Bhima, scorned Karna for his low birth, denying him the right to compete. Amidst the ensuing chaos, it was Duryodhana, who rose in Karna’s defence. As these events unfolded, Uruvi found herself drawn to Karna’s resilience and dignity. And, she had made up her mind that it was Karna whom she would choose to marry.

Uruvi’s resolution to marry Karna, a warrior of humble origin, was a bitter pill for her parents to swallow. Initially resistant, they eventually succumbed to the will of their determined daughter. On the day of the Swayamvara, when Uruvi bypassed Arjuna and garlanded Karna, declaring him her chosen one, a wave of astonishment swept over the assembly. This unexpected choice not only stung Arjuna’s pride but also left Karna surprised and intrigued by Uruvi’s decision. Once wedded, Uruvi swiftly grasped the depth of Karna’s devotion to his family. He was the cherished gem in the eyes of his adoptive parents, his first wife Vrushali, and his brother. Soon Karna began to appreciate Uruvi’s intelligence, wisdom, and beauty. Uruvi had a unique way of offering Karna a fresh perspective on matters, which led him to highly value her opinions. 

Karna, bound by an overwhelming sense of loyalty, stood steadfastly by Duryodhana’s side, the only one who had embraced him without prejudice. Despite her profound love and relentless support, Uruvi found herself powerless to sway Karna from his path of steadfast loyalty. Uruvi knew that Karna is a good man, but he sees good even in what is bad. His seeing it as good doesn't make the bad good, but makes his goodness look bad. The Pandavas, particularly Arjuna, had disdain for Karna. Amidst this tangled web of emotions, Draupadi, the spouse of the Pandavas, secretly admired Karna. Uruvi, with her keen perception, could discern Draupadi’s concealed affection for Karna. When Draupadi was disrespected in the court, Karna didn’t stop it. This broke Uruvi’s trust in him. She was so upset by this that she left their home. Even though Draupadi was ready to forgive Karna, Uruvi couldn’t.

Uruvi was aware that Draupadi would ensure the Pandavas sought revenge upon their return from fourteen years of exile. With Karna on the opposing side, the upcoming war spelled trouble for him. Karna, conscious of his fate, was prepared to face the consequences. Yet, his loyalty to Duryodhana outweighed his personal distress. Meanwhile, Uruvi was struggling with her own internal turmoil following the incident with Draupadi. She found herself caught between her love for Karna and her ethical principles. However, after the birth of their son Vrishikethu, Uruvi decided to return to Karna and stand by him during his difficult times.

It was known that Karna, the lone warrior, possessed the ability to surpass Arjuna. This led Indra, Arjuna’s father and a deity, to request Karna’s Kavach, his divine armor, as a boon. Krishna, unveiled the profound secret that Karna was, in fact, Kunti’s son and the eldest brother of the Pandavas. This revelation imposed an additional moral obligation on Karna to refrain from harming his siblings during the war. Moreover, Kunti extracted a promise from Karna, restricting him from using his divine astras more than once. These circumstances placed Karna in a difficult position, torn between loyalty and righteousness. Uruvi was aware of his internal struggle and provided him with the emotional support he needed during these trying times.

The outcome of the war was as foreseen, leading to a catastrophic loss of life, including that of Karna. The war might have ended, but it left behind a trail of unending sorrow for many. Amidst such despair, Uruvi emerged as a pillar of strength, safeguarding her family after Karna’s demise. She made a decision to raise their only child, Vrishakethu, under the guidance of Arjuna and Krishna. Vrishakethu, following in his father’s footsteps, grew to become an exceptional warrior. Uruvi, a healer till her last breath, had always despised war. Yet, she found herself living through one of the bloodiest wars in history. Her life stands as a testament to resilience and the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. 

I believe, Uruvi's character is a light of empowerment and inspiration. Her character illuminates the essence of courage, love, intellect, and ethical integrity. She stands as a testament to the modern woman’s spirit - independent and strong, not just in the face of adversity but also in challenging societal norms. Uruvi’s moral integrity shines through her actions, guiding her decisions and influencing those around her. Her empathy is her strength, allowing her to connect, understand, and heal. Unbound by societal constraints, she dares to love unconditionally. She inspires women to embrace these qualities, to challenge norms, and to carve their own path. In essence, Uruvi is more than just a character; she is a symbol of the limitless potential that lies within every woman. 

Link to purchase the book: Karna's Wife

 EAT THAT FROG!

BRIAN TRACY

Every year, we all set goals and resolutions for ourselves. It's only natural to want to better ourselves and our lives. But after a few months, it can be disheartening to realize that we've fallen off track. I recently experienced this and realized that the root cause was my laziness and tendency to procrastinate. I knew that I needed to find a way to overcome this bad habit, but I wasn't sure where to start. That's when I came across a book called "Eat That Frog!". I am not a fan of self-help books, but this one really spoke to me. It offers strategies for beating procrastination and getting things done more efficiently. Some of the tips may seem obvious, but I found that they were still incredibly helpful. Sometimes we just need a little bit of inspiration to get us back on track. And that's exactly what "Eat That Frog!" provided for me.
Have you ever heard of the saying, "If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you're done with the worst thing you'll have to do all day"? Well, in this book, the author uses eating a frog as a metaphor for most challenging tasks. The book contains twenty-one chapters, each presenting a different strategy for overcoming procrastination and increasing productivity, especially for a professional. The methods outlined in the book are simple to learn and, when practised consistently, can be incredibly effective. Here is the summary of some of these chapters that I personally found very much doable and effective.

Set the timetable: A major reason for procrastination and lack of motivation is confusion about what you are trying to do and in what order and for what reason. So great rule of success is to think on paper. Clear written goals motivate you and galvanize you into action. Firstly decide and write down your goals on paper. Use present tense and positive voice so they will be accepted by the subconscious mind. Set a proper deadline for your goal. Jot down the tasks and subtasks to achieve the goal. Organize the tasks by priority. Once the plan is ready, start the execution immediately. Don't wait for the 'perfect' time to start. Keep pushing forward. Review the goals daily on the paper. This decision alone will boost your productivity. 

Plan every day in advance: "Taking action without thinking things through is a prime source of problems". The better the plan you have, the easier it is for you to overcome procrastination. Use the six P formula-"Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance". If you spend 10 per cent of the time planning and organizing your work before you begin, it will save as much as 90 per cent of the time in getting the job done.

Apply the 80/20 rule to everything: 80/20 is called the 'Pareto principle'. 20 per cent of your tasks will account for 80 per cent of the value of what you do. If you have a list of 10 tasks on a to-do, two of those items will turn out to be worth much more than the other eight items put together. And those are the two frogs(tasks) that you should eat first! Most often people keep themselves busy working on tasks that are low value while they procrastinate on vital few. Hence, we should ask ourselves, "Is this task in the top 20 per cent of my activity ?"Resist the temptation to clear up small things first. The hardest part of any important task is getting started on it in the first place. Once you actually begin work on a valuable task, you will be naturally motivated to continue.

Practice creative procrastination: Everyone procrastinates. The difference between low performers and high performers is largely determined by what they choose to procrastinate on. Decide to procrastinate on, outsource, delegate, and eliminate those activities that don't make many contributions to your life in any case. One of the most powerful of all words in time management is the word NO! Creative procrastination is an act of thoughtfully and deliberately deciding upon exact things you are not going to do right now, if ever. Say no to everything that is not absolutely vital.

Use the ABCDE method: ABCDE method is a powerful priority-setting technique that you can use every single day. An 'A' item is defined as something very potent, something that you must do. A 'B' task is defined as a task that you should do. The rule is that you should never do a B task when A task is left undone. A 'C' task is something that would be nice to do but there are no consequences at all, whether you do it or not. And so on. Discipline yourself to do nothing else until one job is complete.

Take it one oil barrel at a time: There is an old saying, "By the yard it's hard; but inch by inch, anything's a cinch!" One of the best ways to overcome procrastination is to get your mind off the huge task in front of you and focus on a single action that you can take. A journey of thousand leagues begins with a single step. Select a goal or task on which you have been procrastinating and make a list of all the steps you will need to take eventually to complete the task. And, you can accomplish extraordinary things by taking just the first step, getting started towards your goal and then taking one step, one barrel, at a time.

Motivate yourself into action: Most of your emotions, positive or negative are determined by how you talk to yourself on a minute-to-minute basis. To keep yourself motivated, you must resolve to become a complete optimist. To overcome the feeling of self-doubt or fear, continually tell yourself, "I can do it!" You should talk to yourself positively all the time to boost your self-esteem. Keep your mind positive by accepting complete responsibility for yourself and for everything that happens to you. Refuse to criticize others, complain, or blame others for anything. Resolve to make progress rather than an excuse. And, the more positive and motivated you feel, the more eager you will be to get started and the more determined you will be to keep going.

Technology is a terrible Master: Technology can be your best friend or your worst enemy. People wake up in the morning and obsessively check all their phone notifications before leaving their beds. This compulsion to stay plugged in leaves us all physiologically breathless.  The key solution is to keep your relationship with technology under control. For you to stay calm, clear-headed and capable of performing at your best, detach regularly from the technology that overwhelms you. Instead of becoming a slave of technology, make it a slave. Show your smartphone who's a boss by disabling all unnecessary notifications. Install an app/software that will help you to be more efficient and focused.

Focus your attention: Focused attention is the key to high performance. When you check your email first thing in the morning, or when you respond to the bell sound that indicates an incoming message, your brain releases a tiny shot of dopamine. This shot gives you a pleasant buzz. It stimulates your curiosity and causes you to react and respond immediately. And then, you find it extremely difficult to pay close attention to your important tasks for the rest of the day. Research says that it takes seventeen minutes for you to take your attention back to the task after an internet interruption. A simple way to focus is to work non-stop for ninety minutes with no diversion or distraction, and then give a fifteen-minute break. Start again and work another ninety minutes flat out. Finally, after this three-hour work period, you can reward yourself with a shot of dopamine by checking your phone.

There are other chapters also that talk about how to stop procrastinating. You have to practise these principles every day until they become second nature to you. However, to make them your habit, you will have to inculcate three D's: Decision to develop the habit, Discipline to practice daily and Determination until the habit is locked in and becomes a permanent part of your personality. This book was a booster dose of motivation for me. If you're also struggling with procrastination, I highly recommend giving it a read.

Link to purchase the book: Eat That Frog!

 

"महाश्वेता"

सुधा मूर्ती 

अनुवाद उमा कुलकर्णी 

महाश्वेता ही सुधा मूर्ती ह्यांनी लिहलेली एक प्रेरणादायी कादंबरी आहे. अंगावर कोडाचा डाग उमटणे म्हणजे जीवनाचा अंत मानणाऱ्या समाजात जेव्हा एखाद्या स्त्री च्या अंगावर असाच एक पांढरा डाग येतो, तेव्हा तो तिच्यासाठीच नव्हे तर संपूर्ण घराण्यासाठी शाप बनतो. ही कादंबरी अशाच एका कोड फुटलेल्या नायिकेची कथा सांगते. चर्मरोगाने ग्रासलेली नायिका समाजाच्या ओझ्याखाली कोलमडते की धैर्याने तोंड देते, हे जाणून घ्यायची उत्कंठा वाचकांमध्ये शेवट पर्यंत निर्माण करण्यात लेखिका सुधा मूर्ती यशस्वी ठरतात. लेखिकेच्या प्रगल्भ विचार आणि आधुनिक जीवनाशी समन्वय साधणाऱ्या दृष्टीमुळे, या कथेला एक अलौकिक गहनता प्राप्त झाली आहे. म्हणूनच, पुस्तकाचा शेवट प्रत्येक वाचकास विचार करण्यास प्रवृत्त करतो.

कथेची नायिका अनुपमा ही नावाप्रमाणेच अद्वितीय सौंदर्यवती होती. अनुपमेची आई लहानपणीच वारली होती तर, तिचे वडील गावच्या शाळेमध्ये शिक्षक होते. तिची सावत्र आई तिचा मत्सर करी. घरची आर्थिक परिस्थिती सुद्धा बेताचीच होती. नाटकाची अनुपमाला विशेष आवड होती. तिने कॉलेजमध्ये बऱ्याच नाटकांमध्ये प्रमुख भूमिका केल्या होत्या. अशाच एका नाटकाच्या प्रयोगामध्ये डॉक्टर आनंद तिला पाहतो आणि सौंदर्योपासक आनंद पाहताक्षणी तिच्या सौंदर्यावर भुलतो. आनंद हा श्रीमंत घरातील देखणा मुलगा असतो. अनुपमाला पाहताक्षणी ह्याच मुलीशी लग्न करायचे, हे तो पक्के करतो. आनंदची आई, राधाक्कांना हे लग्न अजिबात मान्य नसते. केवळ आनंद आणि समाजाच्या समोर मोठेपणा दाखवण्यासाठी त्या मनाविरुद्व जाऊन अनुपमा आणि आनंदच्या लग्नाला परवानगी देतात.

लग्नानंतर काही दिवसांतच आनंद पुढील शिक्षणासाठी इंग्लंडला निघून जातो. श्रीमंतीचा गर्व असणारी सासू आणि पैश्याच्या जोरावर बेताल वागणारी नणंद गिरीजा, ह्यांच्या सोबत अनुपमा एकटीच अडकते. अशातच एकदिवस निखारा पाडण्याचे निमित्त होऊन तिच्या पायावर एक पांढरा डाग उमटतो. तो डाग कोडाचा आहे, हे जेव्हा अनुपमाला समजते, तेव्हा तिच्या पायाखालची जमीनच सरकते. राधाक्कांना हे समजताच, अनुपमाने आणि तिच्या वडिलांनी त्यांची फसवणूक केली, असे आरोप करून त्या अनुपमाला माहेरी पाठवतात. माहेरीसुद्धा अनुपमेला अपमानास्पद आणि हीन वागणूक मिळते. यासर्वांतून आनंदच आपली सुटका करू शकेल या आशाने ती आनंदला अनेक पत्र लिहिते आणि त्याच्या उत्तराची ती चातकासारखी वाट बघते. पण आनंद चे उत्तर कधीच येत नाही. कोड घालवण्यासाठी अनेक उपास, औषधे चालू होती, पण कशालाच यश मिळत नव्हते. अशातच तिच्या कोडामुळे तिच्या सावत्र बहिणींची लग्न मोडू लागली. वाढत जाणारे कोड, सावत्र आई आणि बहिणीकडून मिळणारी तुच्छ वागणूक, सामाजिक-आर्थिक ओझ्यामुळे खचलेले वडील आणि नवऱ्याने नाकारल्याची भावना, ह्या सर्वांमुळे अनुपमा पुरती कोलमडून गेली होती. 

नेहमीप्रमाणे अनुपमा देवीच्या टेकडीवर पूजेसाठी  गेली असता, आनंदच्या भारतात परतण्याच्या आणि गिरिजाच्या लग्नाच्या गोष्टी तिच्या कानावर पडतात. एवढेच नव्हे तर आनंद सुद्धा पुन्हा लग्न करणार असे समजते. अनुपमाला मोठा धक्का बसतो. टेकाडावरून उडी मारून जीव देऊन ह्या त्रासातून कायमची सुटका मिळवण्याचा क्षणिक मोह तिला होतो. आपल्या आत्महत्येमुळे कुणालाही फारसे वाईट वाटणार नाही, तर काही काळ लोकांच्या दयेचा धनी होऊन भूतकाळात विलीन होऊ,असा विचार तिच्या मनाला चटका लावून जातो. अनुपवरच्या प्रेमाच्या एवढ्या गप्पा मारणाऱ्या आनंदने ती जीवंत आहे की नाही हे बघायला पण फिरकू नये आणि स्वतः डॉक्टर असूनही कोडासारखा रोग अनुवांशिक नाही एवढे सुद्धा आईला सांगण्याचे धैर्य दाखवू नये, ह्याचा अनुपमाला तिरस्कार वाटतो. रुप आणि पैश्याच्या जोरावर गिरीजा स्वतःची चारित्र्यहीनता लपवून समाजासमोर ताठ मानेने जगू शकत होती, याउलट एका पांढऱ्या डागामुळे आपले सद्गुण मातीमोल ठरले, याचा अनुपमाला संताप येतो. आणि तिचे मरणोन्मुख मन पुन्हा चेतनामय दिशेने झेपावू लागते. ती स्वतःच्या मनाशी निश्चय करते आणि टेकडीवरून खाली उतरते. 

आत्महत्येचा विचार झटकून अनुपमा थेट मुंबई गाठते आणि तिथे तिच्या कॉलेजच्या मैत्रिणीच्या घरी राहू लागते. लवकरच ती तिथे एक जॉब शोधते आणि आर्थिक स्वावलंबाच्या दिशेने पहिले पाऊल टाकते. पण एका स्त्रीचे जीवन एवढे सरळ सोप्पे कुठे असते? अनुपमाच्या मैत्रिणीचा नवरा तिच्यावर अतिप्रसंग करण्याचा प्रयत्न करतो. ती तिथून कशीबशी निसटते आणि त्वरित स्वतःची दुसरीकडे राहायची व्यवस्था बघू लागते. डॉली, तिची नोकरीतील सहकारी तिच्या मदतीला येते आणि ती अनुपमाची स्वतःच्या घरी राहण्याची सोय करते. लवकरच अनुपमाला मुंबईच्या एका कॉलेज मध्ये संस्कृत शिक्षिकेची नोकरी मिळते आणि ती पुन्हा संस्कृत नाटकाच्या दुनियेत प्रवेश करते.

एकेदिवशी दुर्देवाने अनुपमाचा अपघात होतो. तिला जवळच्या सरकारी दवाखान्यात दाखल केले जाते. तिथे तिची डॉक्टर वसंत आणि त्यांचा मित्र डॉक्टर सत्या सोबत ओळख होते. एकाच प्रांतातील, समभाषिक असल्यामुळे पेशंट आणि डॉक्टरच्या नात्यापलीकडे डॉक्टर वसंत आणि अनुपमाची मैत्री होते. अनुपमाप्रमाणेच वसंतचे विचार सुद्धा अत्यंत आदर्श होते. स्वतः अनाथ असल्यामुळे, डॉक्टर बनून गावी जाऊन गरिबांची सेवा करण्याचे स्वप्न वसंतने उरी बाळगले होते. वसंतला संस्कृत नाटकांचे वेड असल्यामुळे अनुपमा आणि वसंत ह्यांमधे वैचारिक देवाणघेवाण सुरु होते. पुढे सत्याला जेव्हा टायफाईड होतो आणि मेसच्या खाण्याऐवजी घरच्या खाण्याची गरज असते, तेव्हा अनुपमा स्वतःहून सत्याची स्वतःच्या घरी राहण्याची सोय करते आणि त्याची सेवा करते. सत्याला त्याच्या प्रेमभंगाचे दुःख अनावर वाटत होते तेव्हा अनुपम स्वतःच्या कटू भूतकाळाविषयी आणि तिच्या संघर्षाविषयी सांगते. हे जेव्हा वसंतला समजते तेव्हा अनुपमाविषयी त्याला अधिकच जिव्हाळा आणि आपुलकी वाटू लागते. वसंतला कोडाने ग्रासलेली 'महाश्वेता' अनुपमा कधी दिसलीच नाही, उलट बुद्धिवान, धारिष्ट्यवान आणि मन व हृदयाच्या दृष्टीने आगर्भ श्रीमंत असलेली अनुपमा दिसली. हिच आपल्या स्वप्नांना पूर्ण करण्यासाठी साथ देऊ शकेल, हे त्याच्या मनाने पक्के ओळखले. आणि एकदिवस वसंत अनुपमाला लग्नाची मागणी घालतो.

दुसरीकडे आनंदला दिवसेंदिवस आयुष्यातील अनुपमाची कमी प्रकर्षणाने जाणवू लागते. राधाक्कांच्या त्याच्या  लग्नाच्या सर्व प्रयत्नांना तो नाकारत होता. त्यातच त्याला गिरिजाच्या भूतकाळाचे सत्य समजते. वीज चमकल्या प्रमाणे आनंदच्या डोक्यात प्रकाश पडतो. अनुपमाचे सौंदर्य पांढऱ्या डागाने डागळेल म्हणून समाजच्या भीतीपोटी आपण अनुपमला दूर केले आणि आपल्याच घरी गिरीजचा स्वैराचार सोयीस्करपणे लपवला ह्याची तीव्र जाणीव आनंदला होते. आनंदला आपली चूक आता पुरती लक्षात येते आणि तो अनुपमला शोधण्यासाठी निघतो. बऱ्याच शोधाशोधीनंतर अनुपमा ह्या जगातच नसल्याचे आनंदला समजते, आणि हताश मनाने तो त्याचे शोधकार्य थांबवतो. परंतु नियतीच्या मनामध्ये दुसरेच असते. मुंबईला एका कॉन्फरन्सच्या निम्मिताने आला असता संस्कृत नाटकाच्या प्रयोगामध्ये आनंदला अनुपमा दिसते. तो अनुपमाला गाठतो आणि माफी मागतो. एवढेच नव्हे तर तिच्या सोबत नव्याने आयुष्य सुरु करण्याची इच्छा व्यक्त करतो. 

अनुपमाचा आनंदकडे परत जाण्याचा प्रश्नच नव्हता. होरपळून गेलेल्या बीजाला पुन्हा कोंब फुटणे अशक्य होते. अनुपमाला प्रेम, नवरा, माया हे सारे निरर्थक वाटत होते. त्यामुळे तिने आनंदला थेट नकार दिला. पण वसंत, ज्याने अनुपमला ती आहे तशी स्विकारण्याची इच्छा व्यक्त केली, त्याला उत्तर देणे अनुपमासाठी कठीण होते. तिने त्यासाठी विचार करण्याचा वेळ मागितला. अनुपमाचा नात्यांवरचा विश्वास पूर्ण उडाला होता. मुंबईच तिला स्वतःचे घर वाटत होते. तिला पुन्हा गावाच्या लोकांच्या तिरस्काराच्या नजरा आणि उसनी दया नको होती. म्हणून ती वसंतला सुद्धा नकार देते. पण त्याच्या समाजसेवेसाठी लागेल ती मदत करण्याचे वचन देते.

अनुपमाचा हा निर्णय काही वाचकांना चटका देऊन जातो. परंतु एक स्त्री म्हणून मला तिचा निर्णय अत्यंत योग्य वाटतो. एक स्त्री स्वतःसाठी स्वयंपूर्ण असते. परंतु तिला प्रेमाची आणि भावनिक आधाराची गरज असतेच. जेव्हा ती कटू दुनियेत होरपळून आत्मनिर्भर बनते, तेव्हा ही गरज पण संपून जाते. ती स्त्री समर्थ बनते; बंडखोर नाही. आगीतून पुन्हा जन्म घेणाऱ्या फिनिक्स पक्ष्या प्रमाणे अनुपमासुद्धा स्वतःच्या आयुष्याला आकार देण्याइतकी सक्षम होते. तेव्हा प्रेमाची भूक संपून, फक्त स्वप्नांची ओढ लागते. ह्या समाजात अनेक अनुपमा चालीरितींचा वेढ्यामध्ये घुसमटत आहेत, त्यांना मोकळा श्वास घेण्याची आशा लेखिका सुद्धा मूर्ती ह्यांनी या पुस्तकाच्या माध्यमातून दिली आहे. त्यांच्या ह्या प्रयत्नाला माझा सलाम.

Anudini

श्रीयुत गंगाधर टिपरे 

अर्थात 

"अनुदिनी"

दिलीप प्रभावळकर 

लहानपणी आम्ही सगळे कुटुंब मिळून "श्रीयुत गंगाधर टिपरे " हि मालिका खूप आवडीने आणि न चुकता बघायचो. अगदी आज्जी -बाबांपासून  (आजोबा) ते माझ्या पर्यंत सर्वांचीच ती मालिका लाडकी होती. दिलीप प्रभावळकर, ज्यांनी मालिकेत प्रमुख भूमिका केली आहे, त्यांच्या "अनुदिनी" ह्या पुस्तकावर आधारित हि टिव्ही मालिका आहे, हे समजल्यापासूनच ते पुस्तक वाचायची खूप दिवसांपासूनची इच्छा होती. आणि finally तो योग आला. नियमित अनुदिनी म्हणजे Diary लिहिणारा कोणी म्हणजे great च. परंतु, लेखकांनी एक नव्हे तर संपूर्ण कुटुंब रोज अनुदिनी लिहिते,अशी कल्पना करून सभोवतालच्या हलक्या फुलक्या प्रसंगांचे खुसखुशीत आणि विनोदी वर्णन केले आहे. भारताच्या सुवर्ण महोत्सवी वर्षात आसपासच्या दुनियेत घडणाऱ्या राजकीय, सामाजिक, सांस्कृतिक आणि क्रीडाविषयक प्रसंगांचे आणि उलथापालथीचे हे मध्यमवर्गीय कुटुंबातील पाच जण साक्षीदार आहेत आणि या  कुटुंबातील तीन पिढ्यांतील माणसे एकाच घटनेकडे कशी बघत असतील, याची  कल्पना करून, त्यांचा दृष्टीकोन कधी मिश्किल पणे, तर कधी गंभीरपणे लेखकांनी पुस्तकातून मांडला आहे. 

टिपरे कुटुंबातील सदस्यांची रोज diary लिहणे ही common  सवय सोडता, बाकी सर्वच भिन्न आहे. शेखर टिपरे, टिपऱ्यांचे कुटुंबप्रमुख,मुंबईतील टिपिकल कॉमन मॅन च्या व्याख्येत तंतोतंत बसतात. साहित्य,नाट्य,संगीत वैगरे गोष्टींमध्ये ह्यांना विशेष रस होता. दरवर्षी ते resolution करत की त्यांच्या ह्या आवडींसाठी खास वेळ काढायचा,पण ऑफिस -घर ह्या चाकोरीत त्यांना ते कधीच जमत नसे. शेखर टिपऱ्यांना चिडचिड करण्यासाठी एरवी काही कारण लागत नसे, परंतु, राजकार-समाजकारण हे त्यांच्या तापाचे खास विषय. आपल्या मुलांसाठी आपण एक मार्गदर्शक, मित्र आणि तत्वज्ञ वैगरे असावे असे त्यांना वाटायचे. परंतु, मुलांचे काळानुसार बदललेले आदर्श आणि तऱ्हेवाईक क्रेझ ह्यामुळे ते शक्य नव्हते याची जाणीव त्यांना ही होती.आपल्या मुलांनी स्वतःच्या पायावर उभे राहावे आणि मार्गी लागावे अशी चारचौघांच्या बापाची असते, तशीच श्री टिपऱ्यांची पण इच्छा होती. आपण त्यांच्या वयाचे असताना आपल्या करिअरच्या माफक आणि टिपिकल अपेक्षा आणि आपल्या मुलांची  क्रिकेटर वा ऍक्टर बनायची स्वप्ने यातील विसंगती त्यांना प्रकर्षणाने जाणवे आणि त्यामुळे त्यांचे मन नेहमी अस्वस्थ होई. 
शेखर टिपऱ्यांप्रमाणेच त्यांच्या पत्नी म्हणजे श्यामला टिपरे ह्यांना पण मुलांच्या भवितव्याची सतत चिंता असे. खरेतर सौ टिपरे सतत कोणत्या ना कोणत्या तरी काळजीत असत.त्या दिवसभर कौटुंबिक जबाबदाऱ्यांमध्ये गुरफटलेल्या असे, त्यामुळे करियर करणाऱ्या कर्तृत्ववान बायकांचा त्यांना नेहमी हेवा वाटे. आपणही पैसे मिळवले पाहिजे असे त्यांना नेहमी वाटे. म्हणूनच कधी पाळणाघरात सेविका तर कधी खाजगी शिकवणी असे कुठे ना कुठे तरी चिकटायची त्यांची खटपट चालू असे. नाकाच्या problem मुळे गर्ल्स हायस्कुलच्या शिक्षकेची नोकरी सोडून आपण गृहिणी झाल्यापासून घरातल्यांनी आपल्यला गृहीत धरले आहे, अशी खंत त्यांना नेहमी वाटे. राजकारण, क्रिकेट वैगरे विषयात त्यांना काही रस नव्हता पण, जेवताना ह्यावर चाललेली चर्चा त्या न कंटाळता ऐकत. बालमैत्रिणींची भेट किंवा नंदेने अमेरिकेहून आठवणीने आणलेल्या भेटवस्तू ह्या सारख्या छोट्या-छोट्या गोष्टींमध्ये त्या आनंद शोधत. आपली मुले,सासरे आणि पती हेच सौ टिपऱ्यांचे छोटेसे जग होते. 
सौ व श्री टिपरे जितके सरळ आणि एकमार्गी होते, त्या उलट त्यांची दोन्ही मुले बिनधास्त व चंगळवादी होती. मोठा मुलगा श्रीशैल उर्फ शिऱ्या, ह्याचे ग्रॅड्युएशन झाले होते. त्याच्या नोकरीची चिंता ही त्याला सोडून कुटुंबातील बाकी सर्वांना होती. क्रिकेट वर त्याचे विशेष प्रेम होते. एक तर क्रिकेटर बनायचे किंवा क्रिकेट ची टीम असलेल्या कंपनी मधेच नोकरी करायची, असे त्याचे स्वप्न होते. भारताने क्रिकेट ची मॅच हरली की, शिऱ्याचा mood off  झालाच म्हणून समजा. आणि तो राग नेहमी जेवणावर निघे. क्रिकेट बरोबरच श्रीशैल टिपऱ्यांना 'डिटेक्टिवगिरी' ची आवड होती. परंतु हे hidden talent दाखवायला त्याला आते बहिणीच्या अफेयरची माहिती काढणे  किंवा हरवलेली मांजर वैगरे शोधणे, अशी बारीक-सारीक कामेच मिळत. एकदिवस आपण मोठे डिटेक्टिव्ह बनू, अशी त्याला अशा होती. तर दुसरीकडे, शिऱ्याच्या बहिणीला, शलाकाला ऍक्टर बनायचे होते. कॉलेजचे lectures करण्यापेक्षा, मार्क्स कमी पडल्यावर आईवडिलांचे lecture ऐकणे तिला जास्त सोयीचे वाटे. मित्र-मैत्रिणीं बरोबर बर्थडे पार्टी करणे,सहलीला जाणे, विविध beauty treatment करणे वैगरे गोष्टींमध्ये टिपऱ्यांचे हे शेंडेफळ व्यस्त असे. मधूनच शलाका health consciousness च खूळ डोक्यात घेई तर, कधी  photo shoot चे. ऋतू बदलावा तसे तिचे mood बदलायचे. 

शिऱ्या आणि शलाकाचा वात्रटपणा पाठीशी घालणारी व्यक्ती म्हणजे त्यांचे आजोबा, गंगाधर टिपरे. Senior टिपऱ्यांना सर्वजण "आबा" म्हणायचे.आबांचे वय जरी ८० असले तरी, त्यांची energy ही एका तरुणाला लाजवेल अशी होती. ते खूपच fitness freak होते. त्यांचा रोजचा व्यायाम कधी चुकायचा नाही. स्वतःच्या तब्येतीला ते फारच जपत. आपली घरात मदत व्हावी म्हणून ते छोटी मोठी कामे करू पाहत, पण नेमके काहीतरी उलटे होत आणि double कामे त्यांच्या सुनेला लागत. आबांना राजकारण ,क्रिकेट, संगीत आणि चित्रपट वैगरे विषयात गाढे ज्ञान आणि आवड पण होती. या विषयावर स्वतःची मते ते परखडपणे मांडत. आबांनी स्वातंत्र्यपूर्वीचा आणि स्वतंत्र्यानंतरचा भारत,दोन्ही पहिले आहेत. भारताला स्वतंत्र मिळाले तेव्हा आपला उत्साह आणि रोमांच, ५० वर्षांनी कुठेतरी लोप पावला आहे, असे त्यांना सोसायटीच्या सुवर्णमोहत्सवी कार्येक्रमामध्ये वाटते.  नवीन पिढीच्या स्वछंदी वागण्याला त्यांची कधी ना नव्हती, परंतु या पिढीची वास्तव आणि आदर्श ह्यात गफलत होते असे त्यांचे मत होते. त्यांची नात, योगिता हिचे trial marriage वैगरे भानगडी आबांच्या कल्पनेच्या पलीकडील होत्या. तरीही ही गोष्ट त्यांनी संयमाने accept केली.आपले घरचे आपली काळजी घेतात,सेवा करतात आणि घरच्या सगळ्यांना आपण हवेसे वाटतो, याची सुखद जाणीव आबांना होती. नातवंडे, सून-मुलगा ह्यांच्या सोबत ते खुश होते पण तरीही मनाच्या एका कोपऱ्यात, पावलोपावली आपल्या सहचारणीची कमी त्यांना जाणवत असे. 

टीव्ही वरील क्रिकेट एकत्र पाहणे, लतादीदीचे कॉन्सर्ट श्रद्धाळूपणे ऐकणे, सोसायटीमध्ये कार्यक्रमामध्ये सहभागी होणे हीच टिपऱ्यांची सुखाची कल्पना. देशाच्या भविष्यावर चिंता करणे, राजकारण्यांचा तीळतीळ करणे आणि सगळे विसरून दुसऱ्यादिवशी पुन्हा आपले धकाधकीचे routine पाळणे हे रोजचेच होते. मराठी मध्यमवर्गाचे हे असे हताशपणे सुख शोधणे आणि कोणत्याही आदर्शाशिवाय केवळ जगण्यामागे फरपटने हे लेखकाच्या विनोदी लेखनातून फार गंभीरपणे आले आहे. 

टिपरे कुटुंबाच्या रोजनिशीतील पाने वाचताना प्रत्येक मराठी वाचकाला deja vu झाल्याशिवाय राहत नाही. पुस्तक वाचताना आपण कोणत्या ना कोणत्या पात्राशी स्वतःला relate करू पाहतो. आबा,शिऱ्या ,शलाका ,श्यामला आणि शेखर ह्यांच्या डायऱ्या वाचून आपल्याला सर्वजण आपलेसे वाटू लागतात आणि त्यांच्यावर लोभ जडतो. 

पुस्तक विकत घेण्याची लिंक -Anudini

Vyakti Aani Valli

 व्यक्ती आणि वल्ली 

पु. ल . देशपांडे 

       आयुष्यात आपण बऱ्याच लोकांना भेटतो.काही व्यक्ती काळानुसार विस्मरणात जातात तर काही लोक मात्र त्यांच्या स्वभावामुळे 'चांगलेच' लक्षात राहतात."व्यक्ती तितक्या प्रकृती" नुसार व्यक्तिपरत्वे प्रत्येकाचा स्वभाव भिन्न असतो.परंतु तिखट नजरेने माणसामाणसांतील विसंगती हेरून त्याला विनोदाची खुशखुशीत फोडणी देऊन,साऱ्या महाराष्ट्राला खळखळून हसवण्याची कसब फक्त एकाच व्यक्तीने साधली ती म्हणजे पु ल देशपांडे नी! १९४३ साली अभिरुची मासिकाच्या एका अंकामध्ये 'अण्णा वडगावकर' हे व्यक्तिचित्र प्रसिद्ध झाले आणि ते मराठी वाचकांच्या प्रचंड पसंतीस आले. नंतर १९६३ पर्यंत प्रसिद्ध झालेली एकूण २० व्यक्तिचित्रे 'व्यक्ती आणि वल्ली' या पुस्तकाच्या माध्यमातून संग्रहित झाली.आज कित्येक दशके उलटूनही हा संग्रह मराठी वाचकांचे मनोरंजन करत आहे आणि करत राहील ह्यात दुमत नाही.व्यक्ती आणि वल्ली वाचताना प्रत्येक पात्राचे पुलं नी केलेले चोखंदळ वर्णन वाचल्यावर ही व्यक्ती आपल्याला कधीतरी भेटली आहे किंवा आपल्यातीलच एक आहे अशी भावना आल्याखेरीज राहत नाही.आणि मग प्रत्येकामध्ये एक 'वल्ली' लपलेला असतो तो फक्त टिपता आला पाहिजे हे पुलं च वाक्य शंभर टक्के पटते. अश्याच वीस वल्लींपैकी मला आवडलेली काही पात्रे :

नारायण- नारायण हा एक असा नमुना आहे की,प्रत्येकाचा कुठून ना कुठून तरी नाते लागणारा नातलग.कुठल्याही मंगलकार्याला स्वयंसेवकगिरी हा जन्मसिद्ध हक्क असलेला. घरात कार्य निघाले की जो वेळेवर टपकतो (कधी-कधी आगंतुक) तो म्हणजे नारायण.लग्नाचीच गोष्ट घेतली तर मुलगी बघण्याच्या कार्यक्रमापासूनच नारायण हजर असायचा,ते मुलगीची वरात मांडवातून निघूपर्यंत त्याची धावपळ चालूच असायची.त्यामुळे प्रत्येक कामामध्ये नारायण हवाच, असा घरच्या प्रत्येकाचा आग्रह असायचा. महिलावर्गाची साडी खरेदी हा पुरुषांचा सर्वात नावडता भाग परंतु, नारायण मात्र त्यात सुद्धा हिरीरीने सहभाग घ्यायचा. अशाप्रकारे एखाद्याच्या कार्यक्रमामध्ये निस्वार्थपणे राबणारा नारायण आत्ताच्या 'दार-बंद ' आणि 'narrow minded'  संस्कृतीमध्ये मिळणे अशक्य आहे. 

हरितात्या-  हरितात्या जगण्यासाठी  नेमका काय उद्योग करायचे हे कोणालाच माहित नव्हते. त्यांनी एक व्यवसाय कधी धड केला नाही. इतिहासातील प्रसंगांचे वर्णन हरितात्या असे काही करायचे की, शिवाजीमहाराज,रामदास किंवा तुकाराम हे त्यांचे बालमित्रच असावे. प्रत्येक प्रसंगामध्ये ते कुठे ना कुठे तरी स्वतःला गोवायचेच. मग, भले ती पावनखिंडाची लढाई असो किंवा रामदासांच्या बालपणीची एखादी गोष्ट. 'पुराव्याने शाबीत करीन' ही त्यांची ठरलेली catch phrase. इतिहासासारखा क्लीष्ट विषय हरितात्या इतका जिवंत करून सांगायचे की, ऐकणाऱ्याला तो आवडायला लागे. हरितात्यानी लहानपणी कधीच लेखकांना एक पैशाचा खाऊ दिला नाही, पण आपल्या इतिहासावरचा सार्थ अभिमान दिला.वार्धक्याने हरीतात्या गेले आणि त्यांच्यासोबतच 'पुराव्याने शाबीत करेन' हे वाक्यसुद्धा इतिहासजमा झाले. 

सखाराम गटणे -काही लोक असतात जे कमालीचं शुद्ध आणि छापील बोलतात. ते बोलतात तेव्हा असे वाटते की बालभारती मधला एखादा धडाच वाचून दाखवत आहेत. सखाराम गटणे हा या category चा संस्थापक असावा. लेखकांची आणि गटणे ची ओळख एका व्याख्यानानंतर सही घेण्याच्या निमित्ताने झाली. आणि गटणेच्या अति शुद्ध बोली मुळे स्वतः साहित्यिक असूनही लेखक थक्क झाले.'अनुज्ञा', 'मार्गदर्शन', 'जीवनानुभूती', 'साकल्याने मिळणारे समाधान' असल्या छापील शब्दांची अडगळ गटण्याच्या तोंडात नेहमी साठलेली असे. पेंटर बापाच्या घरी गटणे सारखी 'व्यासंगी' औलाद कशी काय उपजली हे लेखकांसाठी एक कोडेच होते. साहित्याशी एकनिष्ठ राहण्याचा विडा सख्याने उचलला होता आणि म्हणून तो लग्नाला तयार नव्हता. शेवटी तो लग्नाला तयार झाला, तेव्हा लेखकांनी त्याला पुस्तके भेट दिली.  आणि त्यावर 'साहित्याशी एकनिष्ठ रहा आणि जीवनाशीही' असा संदेश लिहिला. गटणे आयुष्यात मार्गाला लागला आणि त्याच्या जीवनातला साहित्याचा बोळा निघाला. पाणी वाहते झाले! 

 चितळे मास्तर - चितळे मास्तर हे तीस वर्ष गावच्या शाळेत पहिली ते मॅट्रिक पर्यंत शिकवायचे. इतक्या वर्षाच्या  प्रामाणिक नोकरीत त्यांनी गावच्या अनेक मुलांची मॅट्रिक पास करवून घेतली म्हणूनच शाळेला गावातील सर्वजण 'चितळे मास्तरांची शाळा' म्हणायचे. मास्तरांनी छडी कधीही वापरली नाही. त्यांच्या जिभेचेच वळण इतके तिरके होते की, तो मारच पुष्कळ असायचा. ते ११-५ शाळा करायचे आणि शाळा सुटल्यावर कच्या मुलांचे वर्ग घ्यायचे. घोकंपट्टी ,पाठांतर ह्या विषयांवर चितळे मास्तरांचा भक्कम विश्वास. पण ते पाठांतर मात्र मजेत व्हायचे. वर्गामध्ये त्यांनी कोणाची चेष्टा केली तर कोणत्या मुलाने अगर मुलीने ती मनावर घेतली नाही. ना कधी कोणत्या पालकांची चिट्ठी आली. मास्तरांनी आपल्या विद्यार्थ्यांवर प्रेमळ शब्द न वापरता प्रेम केले. मॅट्रिकच्या वर्गातील हुशार मुलांसाठी चितळेमास्तर सकाळी पाच वाजता स्वतःच्या घरी शिकवणी घ्यायचे. ते पण फुकट! त्यांनी आयुष्यभर एकच व्रत केले, आपल्या प्रत्येक विद्यार्थ्याला घासून पुसून जगात पाठवून देणे. आणि हे काम करण्यात त्यांनी आपल्या चपलांच्या टाचा झिजवल्या.

अण्णा वडगावकर -  अण्णा खरेतर पेशाने संस्कृतचे प्राध्यापक होते. पण त्यांचे वर्गातील शिकवणे मात्र एकापेक्षा अधिक भाषांमध्ये चालायचे. संस्कृत सारख्या विषयाच्या तासाला वर्गात हशा चाललेला असे आणि कधीकधी तर विद्यार्थ्यांच्या हसून हसून मुरकुंड्या वळायच्या.प्रत्येक तीन-चार शब्दांनंतर 'माय गुड फेलोज' हे संबोधन ठरलेलं. पण वडगावकर प्रोफेसरांनी फक्त संस्कृत कधीच शिकवले नाही तर त्यांनी वर्गात व्यवहार शिकवला. त्यांनी मुलांना 'लाईफ' शिकवली. म्हणूनच सगळया विद्याथ्यांचे ते आवडीचे प्रोफेसर होते.

अंतू बर्वा - रत्नागिरीच्या 'त्या' मधल्या आळीमध्ये लोकोत्तर पुरुष राहायचे आणि अंतू बर्वा ह्याच मातीत उगवला आणि पिकला. अंतूशेट आणि त्याच्या सांगाती यांचे जीवनाविषयी एक अचाट तत्वज्ञान होते. आणि 'अण्णू गोगट्या होणे'  म्हणजे पडणे, 'अजगर होणे'  म्हणजे झोपणे अशी विशिष्ट परिभाषा असे, जी नवख्या माणसाला उमगणे केवळ अशक्य. ह्या अड्ड्यातील विशेष शब्द गोळा केले तर एक स्वतंत्र कोश तयार होईल! अंतूशेट आणि 'त्या' आळीतले सारेच नमुने एकाच आडवळणाचे. कुणाचे बरे झाल्याचे सुख नाही, वाईट झाल्याचे दुःख नाही. जन्माचे सोयर नाही, मरणाचे सुतक नाही. गाण्याची रुची नाही, तिटकार ही नाही. खाण्यात चवीपेक्षा उदरभरण हाच स्वच्छ हेतू!आयुष्याची गाडी कधी वेगाने धावली नाही पण कधी थांबली ही नाही. राजकारण हा ह्या अड्ड्याचा लाडका विषय. तो निघाला की अंतूशेटच्या जिभेवर सरस्वती नाचे. जीवनातल्या कुठल्या तत्वज्ञानाचा अर्क त्याने प्यायला होता देव जाणे! दारिद्याच्या गडद काळोख्यात अंतू बर्व्याने आयुष्य एकाकी, आपल्या मताच्या पिंका टाकीत पण शिष्टतेने काढले. रत्नागिरीच्या फणसासारखा अंतू देखील वरून कठीण आणि आतून गोड व रसाळ होता. आणि हा गोडवा सुध्दा खूप पिकल्यावरच आला होता!

वरील पात्रांशिवाय पेस्तन काका,नंदा प्रधान,गजा खोत ह्यासारखी एकूण २० पात्रे पुस्तकात आहेत. ही पात्रे आपल्याला खळखळून हसवतात तर काही पात्रे अंतर्मुख ही करतात. पुल म्हणाले होते की, ही माणसे जर जिवंत होऊन कधी भेटली, तर मी त्यांना कडकडून भेटेन. पुस्तक संपल्यावर प्रत्येक वाचकाची काहीशी अशीच अवस्था होते! आणि ह्यालाच 'प्रतिभावंत' लेखन म्हणतात!

पुस्तक विकत घेण्यासाठी लिंक -Vyakti ani valli

 THE KITE RUNNER

KHALED HOSSEINI

"When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. There is no act more wretched than stealing "

The above lines convey a deep meaning that every sin is just a variation of theft. Throughout life, everyone commits one or more such sins. Sometimes such mistakes lead to a never-ending feeling of regret. When guilt creeps, one desperately tries to redeem and make everything right. However, when that mistake betrays the trust of your loved one, especially your best friend, it haunts life long. The author penned a similar haunting and devasting story of two friends in this book. Hosseini unfolded the tale of love, loss and betrayal in his signature writing style, heart-wrenching and shattering.

 The story is about two best friends, Amir and Hassan, living in Kabul back in 1975. Amir was a rich Pushtun, the upper community of Afghanistan. His father was rich yet a kind businessman. They used to live in a big, two-storey bungalow. Ali and his son Hassan were servants in Amir's home. Hassan was Hazara, a minority community of Afganistan. Amir's father never used to treat Ali and Hassan as servants but as family members. Hasan and Amir were of the same age. Hassan's mother left him right after his birth and never showed later and, Amir's mother died during his delivery. Both Amir and Hassan were motherless and fed from the same woman in their infancy. They were not only friends but beyond that, they were brothers from another mother. They both used to play in the backyard, watch movies in the theatre, hike hill and read storybooks for hours.

Amir's father was a nobleman. He generously contributed to Kabul's welfare in one and other ways. He always used to stand with righteousness. Amir and his father had strained relations in his childhood. One reason was that his father held Amir responsible for his wife's death. And, another was his father always wanted his son to be brave and courageous. But, Amir was shallow and timid. Hence, Amir used to try hard for making his father proud. Amir was good at writing story. However, his father never appreciated him. It was his father's friend Rahim Khan who used to encourage Amir to write stories. Hassan was courageous, kind and loyal. He always used to protect Amir from other badmash boys. 

Every year Amir and Hassan used to desperately wait for the kite tournament. The kite tournament was a famous event in Kabul that used to get organized yearly during winter vacations. Amir was very good at kiting and, Hasan was his kite runner. On the day of the tournament, Amir and Hassan were at their best. Apparently, they won the game. When Hassan was running the last defeated kite, a badmash gang forcefully stopped him and started torturing him. Assef, their head who had grudges with Hassan for saving Amir from him in the past, wanted vengeance badly. He not only beat Hassan but physically molested him. Amir was watching everything from a distance, deliberately avoiding Hassan's eyesight. Amir was shocked and terrified but had not enough courage to rescue Hassan. Instead, he ran away to save his own life. Hassan saw Amir when he was running. And, after that, their life changed upside down.

Amir started to avoid Hassan out of guilt. He wanted Hassan to get angry with him, lash out and ask for justification for his coward act the previous day. But Hassan was calm. Hassan didn't keep any grudges. However, remorse was becoming a burden on Amir. He knew he made a mistake but, he was afraid to admit it. Instead of saying sorry, he imposed fake charges of theft on Hassan. And, finally, he succeeded to avoid Hassan by sending him not only out of home but out of town also. Soon after that, a new political wind started flowing in Afganistan. The country went into a state of anarchy. Kabul didn't remain a safe place to live. Amir's baba decided to leave Kabul, they went to America. Life in America was much different than in their hometown. Amir used to badly miss Kabul and Hassan but never tried to contact him.
Gradually, Amir and his baba were getting used to their new life in the USA. Amir continued his schooling. He graduated from high school and opted for the stream he always wanted, creative writing. Around the same time, Amir met an Afghan girl, Soraya. He instantly fell for her. They used to meet often and, Amir used to tell the stories he wrote. Soraya was also in love with Amir. However, they both knew that Amir's baba won't give permission to their Nikah because Soraya was a widow. Days were passing fine until baba detected lung cancer. With each passing day, baba's condition was deteriorating. Amir was terrified about his father's bad health, the early age responsibilities and his lonely future. Baba realized Amir's fears and decided to approve his love for Soraya. Amir and Soraya got engaged in a small ceremony. In few days after Nikah, Amir's baba passed away. Soon, Amir completed his education and became a writer. He wrote two books that did a pretty good sell. His marriage life with Soraya was going happily. After 2-3 years in marriage, Amir and Soraya were hoping to become parents. Unfortunately, Soraya was not able to conceive a child. They tried many treatments but, none was working. 
 One summer morning, Amir received a call from Pakistan. It was Rahim Khan, his baba's friend. Rahim khan told about his illness and expressed his last desire to meet him. Amir was not sure initially about his trip to Pakistan because it would bring back the memories he confined in his heart. The regret and remorse. Eventually, he gathered courage and decided to go. He went to Pakistan and met Rahim khan. Rahim Khan told Amir about what happened back in Kabul, his search for Hassan and his family. Rahim Khan brought Hassan back to Kabul and, they all were living happily. He showed a picture of Hassan, his wife and his only son Sohrab. Amir was moved after listening to him. However, he was truly shaken when Rahim khan told him that Hassan was his half brother and his baba's illegitimate child. It was a big revelation for Amir to handle. He was feeling shocked and betrayed simultaneously. Lastly, he told Amir that Hassan and his wife were shot dead by Taliban soldiers after Rahim khan left for Pakistan. Sohrab was sent to an orphanage. He wanted Amir to bring his half-brother's son to Pakistan and admit him to a better and safe orphanage in Pakistan that he knew. And, Amir agreed.
Rahim Khan did all the necessary arrangements and, Amir left for Afghanistan. Afganistan was changed a lot in past years. Poverty, hunger, lack of basic needs were utterly visible in every part of it. It saddened Amir. He went to the orphanage where Sohrab was admitted. But, he was told that a Talibani soldier took Sohrab with him a few days back. To his surprise, the Talibani soldier who took in Sohrab was none other but his old rival, Assef. The same Assef who molested Hassan and was doing the same with his son too. Amir felt disgusted. He requested him to hand over Sohrab to him. But, Assef was not ready and wanted to settle their old rivalry. A brawl started between Amir and Assef. When it was clear that Amir would not make it, Sohrab shot a metal ball with his sling at Aseef's eye and, they manage to skedaddle. Amir was seriously injured so, he blacked out shortly after he reached the car safely with Sohrab. 
When Amir opened his eyes, he was on the hospital bed and, Sohrab was sitting in front of him. When he started feeling better, he tried to contact Rahim Khan. However, Rahim khan was vanished and left a letter for Amir. Another shocking news Amir got that there was no orphanage existing that Rahim khan was referring to. He remembered Rahim Khan's words over the phone about a chance for Amir to become good again. Today he got what he wanted to say. He well understood why Rahim Khan did this all.
Amir called back to the USA and told everything to Soraya. He expressed his desire to adopt Sohrab. Soraya happily accepted. Meanwhile, Sohrab started to grow little affinity towards Amir. Amir assured Sohrab that he would not let him go to the orphanage ever again. But, adopting and getting a visa was no cakewalk at all. Amir tried many things, met with many lawyers. He got disappointments from everywhere. On the other side, Soraya was trying hard to make it happen by using her contacts in the USA. The only way Amir had was to follow the process of the orphan petition. As it would take a while, he had to keep Soharab in Pakistan at some orphanage. When Amir told that to Sohrab, his little heart broke. A small faith he could gather was lost. The sadness crept on his face.
On the same day, Amir got a call from Soraya and, she confirmed that there could be a way to make everything happen. Amir was so happy and, he directly went to the bathroom where Sohrab was taking the bath. But, Amir shocked when he saw Sohrab. Sohrab was laid on the floor in blood, lifeless. He was so suffered in past that he thought death an easy option than going back to the orphanage. Sohrab lost lots of blood before Amir admitted him to the hospital. There were very few chances of his survival. Amir prayed for the first time. He prayed too hard and, God actually listened to his prayers. The doctor saved Sohrab. When Sohrab gained consciousness, he didn't talk with Amir, not with anyone. He was silent. After few days, Amir went to the USA with Sohrab. Everyone was happy except Sohrab. He was dreary. He never smiled and used to barely talk to anyone. Amir and Soraya tried everything to cheer him up but, nothing was working.
 Days were passing likewise until one day, a miracle happened. That day, Amir went to an Afghan gathering with his family. People were playing kites there, an idea struck in Amir's mind. He grabbed a kite, started flying and shot down a kite. A curve of a smile flashed on Sohrab's face. So, Amir grabbed the opportunity and asked if he could run the defeated kite. And, when he nodded, Amir ran like a child, like Hassan. Amir was ready to run thousands of times over for Sohrab like Hassan used to for him. The incident didn't make anything all right but, he saw a ray of hope. He knew that 'when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time', and that incident was like melting of a first snowflake.

Link to purchase book-The kite runner

 The Palace Of Illusions

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

'MAHABHARATA' is one of the supreme and timeless epics of Hinduism. Even after a million years, Mahabharta is a source of wisdom for Indians. However, a question that has been controversial and frequently debated even now is 'who caused the huge war of Mahabharta?'. And, many people still believe that 'Draupadi' is responsible for Mahabharat. However, the real question one has to ask is, was Draupadi sole reason? Draupadi must be having some notions for her actions. So far, Draupadi's character narrated as a beautiful but unfortunate, controversial woman in books. However, 'The palace of illusion' is a revolutionary book in this regard. The writer portrayed Draupadi as a brave, passionate and heroic instead of weak and self-pitying woman. Narrated by 'Panchaali' herself, the novel conveys the unheard voice of an exceptional woman. The author has neither changed the original storyline nor altered characters. Instead, she has given an alternate and new perspective; through Draupadi's eyes.

The story opens up with childhood of Panchaali; the queen of Panchaal and daughter of the king Dhrupad. Panchaali and her brother Dhristadyumna were born from fire. Panchaali craved love and respect that she never got in her father's place in childhood. Panchaali was a very sharp and inquisitive child. She wanted to learn all the knowledge that Kshatriya needs. However, her father neglected her education and forced her to acquire all the skills a noblewoman required. Panchaali used to hate art lessons. Often, she used to make Dhri tell everything that he learnt from his tutor. Panchaali was sad because none of her father's wives used to love her. She was alone and suffocating within the dark walls of the palace. An only person that could cheer her was Krishnaa, her best friend. Krishnaa was enigmatic and joyful. Panchaali used to love talking with him on bizarre topics.

 A sage named Vyas wrote Panchaali's destiny well before in his book, and she knew it. Sage told Panchaali, 'She will marry five greatest heroes. She will be the queen of queens, envied even by goddesses. And will be a servant maid. She will be mistress of the most magical of places and then lose it. And, will be remembered for causing the greatest war of her time. She will bring about deaths of evil kings, her children and brother. A million women will become widows because of her. But, she will leave a mark on history. She will be loved, though she will not know who loves her. Despite her five husbands, she will die alone, abandoned at the end'. He also told her that her pride, temper, vengefulness would speed up the process. He advised Panchaali to hold back her question and laughter in dangerous times in future to change the forestall. But, destiny is strong and swift. You can't trick it easily.

When Panchaali was in her marriage's age, her father decided to arrange a Swayanvar to select a groom. Initially, Panchaali was happy as she would get the chance to opt for her husband, soon she realised that its mere myth. Deep down in heart, Panchaali wanted Karna as her husband. She fell in love with him the moment she saw him. Yes! She was in love with Karna! However, her pride hold her back so, she ended up insulting him in Swaynvar and, Arjun won Panchaali's hand to become her husband. And destiny played its role!

When Kunti told to share the surprise( Panchaali) with all the sons, all five brothers obediently followed her wish. And, Panchaali's fate of becoming the wife of five husbands became the bitter reality. She wanted Arjun to stand up for her. But, to Panchaali's disappointment, he did nothing. Panchaali's relation with Kunti was bitter. Kunti used to taunt her. Instead of suffering like 'Aadarsh Bahu', Panchaali used to answer appropriately in every situation. Kunti used to hate the fact that her sons now depends on Panchaali than her. All brothers used to seek advice from Panchaali in critical decisions because of her wise and discerning mind.

When Dhritarashtra agreed to handover Yudhisthir his birthright, Pandavas got Khandav, keeping Hastinapur for Duryodhan. Brothers built a magnificent palace in Khandav. Panchaali decorated palace as her wish and, she named it too. Finally, she became a mistress and queen of the ‘Palace Of Illusion'. It was the most niche place for her. She spent the most beautiful part of her life in the palace of illusion. It was very close to her heart.

Out of all of her husbands, Bheem was the one who used to love Panchaali truly. Her husbands took other wives too. Some times there were political reasons, but mostly it was male desire. Panchaali was jealous of other wives. She used to retaliate with tantrums, refusing food and throwing expensive objects at her husbands in anger. Panchaali used to hate the fact that Arjun love Subhadra more than her. He never used to treat her like the way he used to treat Subhadra. Eventually, Panchaali became friendly with the wives. Over time, Panchaali grew to become a mature woman although, her secret love for Karna never faded. She always used to think about what Karna would have done whenever she used to feel helpless and sad because of her husbands. But, every time magically Krishna used to appear to appease her pains.

Everything was going good until Yudhisthir lost the game of gamble against Duryodhan. Draupadi was humiliated in the court of Hastinapur full of men. She was shattered and shocked at the same. No one dared to intervene; even her five husbands. They sent tortured glances but, sat paralysed. One bitter truth Panchaali leant that day was her husband's honour, loyalty towards each other was more important to them than her suffering. No woman could have thought like that. That's why they say, men and women are two different sides of coins! For men, the softer emotions always intertwined with power and pride. That was why Karna waited for Panchaali to plead him though he could have stopped her suffering. That was so he turned on her when she refused to ask for his pity. The incident changed Panchaali inside out. She pleaded to take vengeance for her humiliation.

After the loss in gamble, Pandavas were sent to exile for thirteen years. They lost their beloved palace of illusion too, so they set it on fire. Panchaali chose to face hardship instead of staying back with her sons. She suffered a lot for twelve years in the forest. In the last year of exile, Panchaali and her husbands decided to disguise. Panchaali became attendant of the queen Sudeshna.  Kichaka, the general of the kingdom, tried to molest her but was killed by Bheem. 

When Duryodhan refused to honour the terms of the wager, the war was inevitable. Kurukshetra war was the most dreadful war which lasted for eighteen days. Every day used to arise with weird qualms and used to end with suffering and great pain. Eventually, Panchaali's husbands avenged her humiliation by killing Duryodhan and Karna in the war.  However,  Kunti revealed a secret which she kept for years that Karna was her eldest son. And, the fact of killing their brother made the victory of Pandavas an endless sorrow and regret. Panchaali lost her sons, father and brothers in the war. But, part of her known that who sows the vengeance must reap the bloody fruit.

After the war, Hastinapur became the city of women, widows who lost their loved ones. Even Yudhishthira was feeling helpless at such time, Panchaali stood stronger. Panchaali helped poor women and orphans to rehabilitate.

In final years of life, Pandava brothers decided to handover throne to Pariksit; son of Abhimanyu. They decided to undertake their life's final journey by travelling path of Himalaya. Panchaali also insisted on going along with them against everyone's will. How could she leave them alone on their final journey! She was the only consort that dared accompany the Pandavas on the final, fearsome adventure.

On the final journey, Panchaali was the one who fell first. But, her husbands didn't stay back. How could they as it was against rule! Abandoning her was easy option than going to hell! 

When Panchaali was breathing her last few breaths, she thought about her love; Karna. She thought Karna would have never abandoned her for the sake of heaven. She thought about her beloved friend Krishnaa and her palace of illusion. But, no thoughts about her husbands. When she fell, she didn't weep but raised her hand in brave farewell. A poem written by Amreeta Syam describes Draupadi's last thoughts very aptly.

"Draupadi has five husbands-she has none...

She had five sons- and was never a mother....

The pandavas have given Draupadi.

No joy, no sense of victory.

No honour as a wife.

No respect as a mother-

Only the status of a queen....

And they all have gone ...

And I'm left with lifeless jewel...

And an empty crown...

My baffled motherhood

Writing its hands and strives to weep"

Panchaali was born through fire to change the course of history. And, indeed she did! She was born to rebel against the boundaries society has prescribed for women. Hence, she represents every modern woman who takes a firm stand and rebel. Vyas told Panchaali that she would be remembered as the most amazing queen the land has seen and, women would chant her name for blessing and luck. Instead of recalling Panchaali as a reason for war; remember her as a powerful woman who is the reason for the emergence of modern feminism. 

Link to purchase the book- The Palace Of Illusion

IKIGAI (生きがい)

 IKIGAI :

THE JAPANESE SECRET TO LONG AND HAPPY LIFE

HECTOR GARCIA AND FRANCESC MIRALLES

People love to read books of different genres which suits their personality and taste. Many readers read to learn something new because they believe,

 "Write to be understood, speak to be heard and read to grow."

Hence, 'self-help' books are popular among a few readers. And the remaining few read these books when they face a challenge in their life. I am in that remaining few who picked 'self-help' books in serious ramifications during the quarantine period. Ikigai, the most popular book was my first choice. To my surprise, I enjoyed reading the book. Obviously, the book didn't solve the problem, although it changed my perspective to look at it. The book doesn't tell any mysterious recipe to live a happy life but merely remind things that we tend to forget in our rat race.

The writers of the book were very fascinated with the Japanese culture and their happily long-living people. Hence, writers interviewed many centenarians. One thing that was common among all was their clear ikigai. Ikigai is a Japanese word which literally means a reason we get up in the morning. Ikigai is a combination of words life and to be worthwhile. Ikigai is different for all of us. However, one common thing in people with Ikigai is that we all are searching for meaning. There is no perfect strategy for connecting with our ikigai. But, we should keep discovering until we find it. When we spend our days feeling connected to what is meaningful to us, we live more fully. On the other hand, when we lose connection to it, we feel despair.

The study says that five Blue zones identified where people live the longest life. These blue zones include Okinawa(Japan),Sardinia(Italy),Loma Linda(California),the Nicoya(Peninsula),Ikaria(Greece). The key to longevity is proper diet, exercise, finding a purpose in life and forming strong social ties. That's not new at all, we all knew it already! Why read the book! However, as I said earlier, the purpose of this book is not to reveal any secret but let you rethink, focus and readjust your priorities. The book summaries only ten rules to live a happy and long life. These ten things could be your resolution of next year.

Stay active, Don't retire: Japanese people never retire from work! They try to keep doing what they love for as long as their health allows. If you want to stay busy even when there is no need to work, there has to be an ikigai on your horizon, a purpose that guides you throughout your life. Keep learning new things and keep pushing your limits by stepping outside your comfort zones.

Take it slow: Accept the emotions without trying to control them. Handle it with little care and take it a little slow. If we try to get rid of one wave with another, we end up with an infinite sea. We don't create our feelings; they come to us. We have to accept them. Instead of eliminating symptoms, focus on the present moment. The goal is not to eliminate all the feelings and pleasure from lives but to eliminate negative emotions.

Don't fill your stomach: Japanese people fill their belly only 80%. A little space in the belly quickens the digestive process. Eat right. Include green vegetables and fruits in your plate and serve items on different bowls for the meal. It will give a false impression of extra eating without actually eating.

Surround yourself with good friends: There is a concept in Japanese called Moai. It means an informal group of people with a common interest. Always surround yourself with the people with whom you can share happiness and sorrow. Stay away from toxic people who spread negativity and hold grudges.

Get in shape for your next b'day: There is saying in Japanese, Mens sans in corpore sana- a sound mind in a sound body. Never forget to exercise daily. Exercises like Yoga, Radio taiso and tai chi help bringing body, mind and soul into balance. Both body and mind are connected. Hence, mental health is also equally important. Meditation is necessary for healthier emotion. It helps to know what we can control and what we can't. Meditation is not about keeping the mind free of thoughts. Instead, it involves observing our thoughts and emotions as they appear and getting carried away by them.

Smile: Worry a little less and smile a little broader because 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'."The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for."

Reconnect with nature: Spend time with nature because science proves the influence of nature on our happiness, health and vitality. If you spend more and more time connecting with nature, you are less likely to be depressed. 

Give thanks: Instead of having our life's objective to be rich or successful or famous, it should be to reach a state of tranquillity. The tranquillity is the absence of negative feelings such as anxiety, fear, shame, vanity and anger. And, presence of positive vibes such as happiness, love, serenity and the most import gratitude. So never forget to be grateful to every good thing that comes to you.

Live in moments: Ichi-go-Ichi-e is a Japanese idiom. It tells us to focus on the present and enjoy each moment that life brings us kynki kal ho na ho! Wabi-Sabi teaches to focus on the beauty of the fleeting, changeable and imperfect nature of the world around us. Instead of searching beauty in perfection, we should look for it in the things that are flawed and incomplete.

Follow your ikigai: Life is pure imperfection. And the passage of time shows us that everything is fleeting. But, if you have a clear sense of your ikigai, each moment will hold so many possibilities that it will seem almost like an eternity. However, the most important question people ask is how to find ikigai? As I said, there is no defined strategy to find ikigai. However, what makes us enjoy doing something that we forget about worries? When are we happy? These questions can help us to find ikigai. Achieving the state of flow is necessary to discover ikigai and hence happiness. 

Having a clear objective is essential in achieving flow, but we also have to know how to leave it behind when we get down to business. Once the journey has begun, we should keep this objective in mind without obsessing over it. Don't worry about the outcome; it will come naturally. Happiness is in the doing, not in the result. Safar khubasurat hai, manzil se bhi!

Life is not a problem to be solved, so stop treating like one. Happiness is not a destination but a way of life. Rember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while surrounded by people who love you. Then, there is nothing that can stop you to be happy.

                    Wish you a happy, healthy and extraordinary new year!

Link to buy the book - Ikigai