Universal Father - A Life of Pope John Paul II

One of the best biography i have ever read. This books brings alive karol, the dramatist,the actor and Pope John paul-II ,the Priest,the Philosopher. Early part of this books explains the horror of Nazis as well as the effect of Second World war.As i was reading book i felt horror on my own when i think myself at the Concentration Camp like Auschwitz setup by the Nazis.

The life of Karol revolved around Krakaw and its people specially with his dram troupe.He was able to express himself through his acting.The anger ,frustration ,life without father and mother all these things made him more religious and powerful.He had a special devotion to Mary.The author qoutes many philosophers while detailing the life of Karol,which is something interesting.

The second part of the book tells the life Pope John Paul II .His strong views on family values,his opposition to Abortion were some his principles which explained his Pontificate.I personally suppport Pro-Life .He raised his voice against war,he strongly condemned US for its role in Iraq and Afganistan.Without him Communism in Europe would have flourished specailly in Poland.

For all his views he got strong criticism from many quarters. His life is an example to me to live my life in accordance with God's plan.

Garry O'Connor has written many biographies .

The Inheritance of Loss

This book is about life in Kalimpong after Indian Independance,Darjeeling.The authors description of Kalimpong is really wonderful.Everything is described beautifully.This books tells how life changes after uprising . I came to know about GNLF only after reading this book. All the characters like Sai,Gyan,th Judge,the Cook and his son,the two sisters are potrayed nicely.

This book won Booker prize for the year 2006 and the National Book Critics Circle Fiction Award.

Kiran Desai,is a daughter of Anita Desai a noted Indian Writer.She is a Permanent Residance of United States.

The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga

This book clearly explains how the Master/Servant relationship is in India.The Story revolves around Balram Halwai, a servant who went on to became a entrepreneur.The story starts in Laxmangarh where Balram was born and had his elementary school.From the beginning itself the author explains how the mindset of the typical servant family.The way Balram became a driver and then to a good servant is explained wonderfully specially how he likes Mr.Ashok his Master .
The other side of the story deals with how a bus conductor became a Politician and how he dislikes rich people.From behind the wheel of Honda, Balram sees Delhi and its true color.He eavesdrops all the conversations of his masters which he says "is a education".Desire to better himself he plot a plan to kill his Master Ashok, eventhough Balram liked Ashok he has to do something to come out and make his way top.I really like the way the author explains the Indian Mentality with "Rooster coop".
The White Tiger is a tale of two Indias.The life in the Darkness(servant,Village) and the life in the Light (Master,enterpreneur).I think the author is correct in choosing Wen Jiabo, Chinese Premier, as the listener of Balram's story.

This book won "The Man Booker Prize 2008".This is the first book for Arvind Adiga.He was born in Madras(chennai).He Currently lives in Mumbai.

Five people I want to meet in Heaven

First i saw the book "The Five people you meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom in 2006 at a book Store in St.Mary's Church in Secunderabad. From that time onwards whenever i go to book shop i used to go through that book but hesitated to buy.Atlast i bought that book 3 weeks before and started reading.while i was reading i started to think who are the five person i want to meet if i die now.Here is the five people i want to meet in heaven.

1.Mother Teresa:

From my childhood i wanted to meet her.But unfortunately before i meet her she died.I dont know why i started liking her, may be because my uncle used to tell lot of things about her.I always consider her as my second mother.My interest in Mother Teresa growed when my uncle met family her at Calcutta.They told so many stories about the Missionaries of Charities which made me to read the biography of Mother Teresa.If i meet her i will ask "what made you do come to India and work among poor?".

2.Bagat Singh :

I never read his biography or any book about him but i heard lot of things about him in debates.I love his courage.He accepted the death penalty with a smile.I want to read his biography soon.I will ask him " Do you think Indian youth are Courageous today?"

3.Pope John Paul-II:

As i considered Mother Teresa as my second mother, i considered Pope John Paul-II as my scond father.He was the epitome of Compassion .I liked the way he toppled the communism in Poland.I started supporting Prolife after Pope John Paul-II.I think he is one of the most important personality of this centuary.I will ask him "Expalin Church ethics and Science".

4.Elvis Presley :

King of Rock 'n' Roll.I dont know anything about Elvis till last year.I went to a book expo 2 or 3 months before where i randomly chose the book " Last Train to Memphesis" which is a biography of Elvis Presley.While reading that book i bought 2 cds of his selective songs, i was exciting to listen to his voice,I started to listen almost daily even today.His voice is something Unique and something different.I really enjoying his songs now even though its 40+ years old.I will ask him " Do you think your voice is Unique ,if its ,in what way?".

5.Che Guevara:

Over the years i knew him only as friend of Fidel Castro only after reading a article about him in a magazine i learnt his heroics.I just want to meet him and ask him his "Motorcycle Diaries" experience.

The list may change when i read more about other personalities.

City of Joy

Author:Dominique Lappierre

This book is about everyday struggles of the people of 'Anand Nagar' in Calcutta.I bought this by chance at the airport,i think i was lucky to buy this book.This book tells the life of a Priest who came from Polland and lives of a farmers who came to calcutta for a better life at 'Anand Nagar'.The author bring alive the slum i.e Anand Nagar wonderfully.Each and every description is worth mentioning.
These real life characters brings the human spirirt alive in whatever may be the situation.Hazari Pal the main character's life is an example of a typical Indian farmers.. even today.These book tells us that if you have will you can do anything you want.The Polish priest Stephen Kovalski left his posh life and suffered in that slum and able to see God in all the people.
Kudos to author for such a wonderful potrayal of everyday life ..

Read it!! you will come to know the truimph of human spirit in adverse situation.

Lord,make me an instrument of Peace

"I would be stealing if i did not give to one poorer than myself" - Francis Assisi

As i was reading the biography of St.Francis of Assisi i came across these words,from that moment so many thoughts are going on in my mind.Im asking the question "Am i doing enough for my fellow brothers who are suffering?".I could not come to a conclusion even though im doing whatever i can.My mind always worries about 'myself' but my heart feels for the poor.Still looking for a answer to that question.Im not sure i will come to a conclusion in this materialistic world(including me).Praying for a change of mind ...

The Way Home

Language :Korean

Director :Lee Jung-Hyang

This movie is one of the finest movies i have ever seen.It is a story about a Grandmother who is mute and her Grandson.The story starts with the daughter bringing her son to Grandmother's home ,which is located at the remote village .The mother gave some chocolates and other eatables for the boy to keep for some time and then leave.After that story revolves around the two characters.

The boy was born and brought up in City culture,he does not like what his Grandmother cooks.Grandmother is very close to nature , she do things without harming the nature.She never argue with others and she gives into others demand.When the grandson asks for Kentucy Chicken,she sells his vegetables and buy a live chicken and cooked it and gave to him, he doesn't like it and he is not eating it.Since nothing is there for him to eat,he started eating the chicken at night.The boy started to speak and play with the nearby kids.

One day they goes to nearby town market, she sells all her vegetables and buy whatever the boy asks ,he send the boy with other kids to the village in the bus.The boy reaches the Village and waiting for the Grandma but she is not coming in the buses,last bus arrives from the town in that also Grandma was not there,he started to worry.Next day morning he saw Grandma coming on the road walking,since Grandma spent all her money for the boy she doesn't have money to buy her ticket so she walked all day long to the village.

One day suddenly Grandma falls sick,the boy do all the house work and prepare some food for Grandma and takes care of it.The boy started to like Grandma,he teaches her the alphabets and helps her to stich.Finally his mother comes from the city to take the boy,the boy is didnt speak anything to the Grandma,he silently get in the bus and moved to the last seat.

when the bus started he started waving the hand towards Grandma.. as days goes by they started sending messages "I MISS YOU" the film ends as they sending messages.

Whatever Grandma does, he is not interested ,like Grandma sitting near to him when he is in toilet ,cutting hair for him and when Grandma gives the small bundle to take to home in bus.These are the scenes which captures the difference between the materialistic world and the nature.Of course these scences will make your heart feel heavy.

Apart from the acting of the Kim-eul-Boon (grandma) and Yoo Seung-Ho(grandson) , all the characters in this movies done exactly what they asked for. For example ,the neigbhourhood girl and boy,the grandma's old friend in the market.Photography by Yoon Hong-Shik brings the characters alive in the screen and the location is simply breathtaking.Music is another plus point for this story which brings the mood of the characters .

This film will definitely creates in us a strong feeling towards nature and others.

My Village -Pamban

Geographical Location and Features:

Pamban is a village in Pamban Islands located in the palk strait between Indian Pennisula and SriLanka.Pamban island is situated between 9°11' N and 9°19' N latitude and 79°12' E to 79°23' E longitudes.Pamban, situated at the western edge of Pamban Island, is a fishing village and a harbour which is the main point of entry for the pilgrimage centre of Rameswaram.It is separated from the Indian mainland by a narrow strip of sea.Main occupation is Fishing.

Pamban is a very beautiful place to live in.Hussle free life.Most of the day temperature is hot and humid but as sun goes down we will get nice breeze .Pamban Bridge is one of the Architecural wonder in India,it is the longest Sea bridge in India at the length of 2.3 kilometers.The railway bridge is around 2,065 m and was opened for traffic in 1914. The railroad bridge contains a still-functioning Vertical Lift section that can be raised to let ships pass under the bridge.The railway bridge historically carried meter-gauge trains on it, but Indian Railways upgraded the bridge to carry broad-gauge trains.

Main entertainment of the people is watching TV.People in pamban are very much interested and keen followers of Cricket.We dont have a good theater or any park nearby where we can spent time with family but going for a walk on the bridge during evening is something which gives us joy .Rice and Fish is the stable food in Pamban, almost daily we have fish.

Religion has a strong role in Pamban people's life.The Churches are the centers of all the Christian activites,likewise temples for Hindus and the Mosques for Muslims.

Another important feature of Pamban is it's LightHouse.