An open letter to Central & Delhi govts. and to my fellow countrymen/women

Just came back from watching news on tv. I rarely do so nowadays, knowing what all crap these so-called news channels serve us full 24 hrs. But today is no normal a day. The whole country's pulse is beating high with aggression over law & order situation over last few days. A girl in her early twenties is fighting for her life every second in hospital after her brutal gang-rape 6 days ago. And the incident has provided the spark missing to the already built-up explosives of tension in common man's mind over the insecurities of safety for their womenfolk.

News channels, ah, mostly sensationalizing and cheaply appealing most of the days, today seem to have stricken a chord right at the angry nerves of the countrymen. Watching scenes of protests at several parts of Delhi, leading from Vijay Chowk to India Gate to Raisina Hills, first thought that came to my mind was 'Why the hell am I not in Delhi/NCR today?' Well, since being there was out of my control, I decided to join candle march protest going to be held tomorrow in Bangalore, which I was earlier not fully sure of joining (80-20 situation).

Coming over to the scenes in the news I had watched for more than an hour today (which is quite huge compared to the figures of the last few years), I felt a sense of gratification seeing thousands or even lakhs of young protesters there doing their bit. Their only demand - strengthen law & order, and capital punishment for the rape guilty. And suddenly, I was taken aback at the scene where police were shown throwing water cannons, tear gas, even lathi-charging at protesters. 

Water cannons in the chilling December winters of Delhi?!>!/// Where is the humanity, idiots?!

Why! Just because they were trying to break the barricades put up to block their way so that they couldn't reach Raisina Hills or Rashtrapati Bhawan. I agree that proper security has to be maintained as these are sensitive areas w.r.t. national security; but deploying RAF (Rapid Action Force) to beat the protesters like this doesn't come under the name of Democracy. 

First, the govt. can't maintain law & order; there is no details about the patrolmen on duty that night in that area in the police report submitted in the court hearing; and then, the rulers have the guts to control aggression like this?! So many of them, around 100s, have been injured and given first aid and taken to hospital on suspicion of minor fractures / for stitches.

This will only aggravate people's anger. They say they have caught all the accused and case is going on, what else do we want? Madam/Sir, we want Delhi and whole of India to be safe n secure n rape-free. You, bloody hell 'rulers', even after the case, haven't you seen that Aaj Tak reporter's video where on the same road just after a day of the incident, a few passersby in a car passed comment on her, and only drove away when they saw the cameraman taking their video?

Is this your security situation just after a shocking rape incident on the same road after a day of its happening?! 

Ms. Shiela Dixit! What are you doing as Delhi CM for last 15 years, if this is how Delhi operates day and night, where no woman is safe?! And now you order police and RAF to 'control' protesters! Ha! LOL over you.

This was just a trailer today.. you see, what happens tomorrow and the week ahead. If the guily are not punished by Hang Till Death, the Delhi streets are going to be like Libya/Egypt/Syria streets. This is not at all acceptable.

People from all of India! if you are there or could be there in Delhi tomorrow.. go, join the protest with your family, especially womenfolk. This is required not because of only this case, but becausewhat will you answer when your wife/daughter/sister asks you how you make them feel safe n secure!

All is in your hands, males and females, this is your present, it's gonna be your future. Take a step, if you want to feel free in Delhi or wherever. 

Jai Hind!

Book Review for BlogAdda: The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi

Well.. first of all, a big thanks again to Blogadda for providing me this opportunity to review the latest book from the arsenal of Ashwin Sanghi, The Krishna Key.

Background:

Ashwin Sanghi, as it is being referred to for some time now, is the Dan Brown of Indian adventure, and this book puts a stamp on it. :) After two bestselling titles, Rozabal Line (2007) and Chanakya's Chant (2010), The Krishna Key (2012) is his 3rd book, all of them under adventure genre.

Characters:

Prof. and Historian Ravi Mohan Saini is the protagonist of this novel. Juvenile Priya is his associate. History is in their genes. Then comes Inspector Radhika, a toughened-up cop after family loss and her subordinate Rathore. Other characters who play important roles at times are Taarak Vakil, the villian, and a CBI director with grey shades.

Various mini characters (historians and scientists, mainly) have their share too in providing the historical, mystical and mysterious flavor to the story. The reader will like them in regard to the shape their involvement with the protagonists gives to the story.

Not all characters are well-established but such ain't missed as the story has its own pace to follow.

Story: 

In author's own words: "Five thousand years ago, there came to earth a magical being called Krishna, who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate if the Blue God were to die but was reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age - the Kaliyug. In modern times, a poor little rich boy grows up believing that he is that final avatar. Only, he is a serial killer."

This pretext is sufficient enough to guess what is the theme of this novel. Yes, it's a Krishna based story but of modern times. Every chapter begins with a small first-person narrative of Krishna, and then the story in our times continues. It is all about discovery of what precious thing did He leave here on earth when he left/shredded his mortal form some time after the Mahabharata war.

There are so many mythological and historical facts embedded and weaved into the story which most of us had no idea earlier (I did, a li'l bit) of their being into existence. Like the Mahabharata war date has been factually calculated based on simulations; then there are the submerged ruins of Dwarka, among various other important sites including Mt. Kailash, Somnath temple, Mathura, Vrindavan, Kalibangan, Taj Mahal, etc.

The chase and the hunt game pursues as Prof. Saini tries to bring together all the pieces of the historical/mythological puzzle (besides running for his life) and put them together as The Krishna Key to open door for the best kept secrets of Lord Krishna for thousands of years, and not let it fall into the wrong hands of self-serving puny humans.

Writing is plain and lucid and chilling. And the end of the story is a welcome conclusion, as much as the journey to the end is thrilling and exciting. :)

Likes:

The amount of research Ashwin has gone into just to make the book authentic and chilling.

Fast paced full-Indian adventure

Twists and turns keep the guessing game at reader's fingertips

Plethora of Indian mythological+factual information for mytho-n-history buffs out there

When history is presented in the form of actual stories and not just plain facts, it adds taste to our reading experience; that's what we get here in this novel most of the times.

Expectations/Dislikes:

The character of the starting villain (one who assumes believing himself to be the final avatar of Vishnu) who starts out as a dreaded antagonist seems to get lost midway taking orders from his spiritual boss, and gets into the role of a mere side-villain towards the end. Could have been avoided or given a better shape. 

Well, nonetheless, the novel is author's treat to us, and I, as a matter of fact, truly loved it, savored it, and devoured it.

Overall, 4.75 out of 5 stars :)

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com . Participate now to get free books!