Fading Memories

The memories which descended unhindered earlier

Triggered by the sight of a clear blue sky

Or the fragrance of the cadamba flower

Are now struggling to come easily by

Laborious becoming each new try.

 

The bright and sunny mornings of these months

Accompanied with the cool eastern breeze

That carries the remnants of the rain

Also a hint of winter as its steps gain.

 

The childhood memories of the Puja etched

Hard in mind, heart and reinforced over years

Of the times when frolic took precedence

When harm hadn’t been done to people known

That’s a legacy I shall with pride forever own.

 

Humongous time has flown in the vast swathes

Nearing a decade and half of everything added

Having been removed from the natural habitat

Added layers to life like an oil-on-canvas art.

 

But now the days on the skin feels warmer

The infidel breeze is inconsistent

The winter almost lost like an estranged friend

Autumn fragrance probably reached its end.

 

Not to be seen those eyes of goddess

The aroma of heavy incense not emanating

Nowhere bamboos tied to make ‘gates’

The colorful clothes on it not draped

Strings of lights all around no more laced.

 

The numerous balloons we bought

The chaat, the chowmein, the ice cream

The many pistols with rolls of bullets

Bought with generous funding of family

Now the money can buy few things

But clipped are all the childhood wings.

 

The mirth in a house full of people missing

No laze of the morning, late night gossips

The platters, the sweet now non existent

Sneaking away many times to the festivity

Now confined to unforced captivity.

 

The memory I feel is slowly fading away

The strength of aroma in mind diluted

The mirth drowned in puddle of worries

The visuals either blurred or absent

Though these haven’t reached cent percent.

 

All of it, the bundle of emotions now remain

As schema, the packets, in long term memory

Which shall get triggered now and then

When such a time of the year comes

But revisiting is impractical, impossible

For reliving past moments is not plausible.

Book Review - One Life is Not Enough by K Natwar Singh

 

Verdict: 4 / 5

One Life Is Not Enough should not be read for the controversy regarding power centers in the UPA II. It should not be read to peek into misdoings of Manmohan Singh. It should not be read for seeking answer to why Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi sought audience with the author. The book is much more than that and much less about the above popularity gaining gimmicks.

Kunwar Natwar Singh is a career diplomat and Congressman of many decades. Someone who was born with a silver spoon, studied at best places in the country and abroad, got posted to coveted locations, who has been in the thick of political and bureaucratic activities in India and abroad, will always have something interesting to share. And share he does.

In the early life the way schooling was conducted, in the college years the effect of national movement, the qualifying for foreign service are interesting parts of the initial segment. The following description of the author about his stint as IFS in China is in detail. It gives a perspective of Chinese sensibilities and foreign policy. The other sector which has been detailed is Natwar Singh’s posting in the UN. In those chapters one can have an insight into how diplomats function, what challenges they face and how they react to them.

Kunwar Natwar Singh also held the tricky post of Ambassador to Pakistan. Therein his interaction with General Zia is nothing less than interesting. He has in his book not forgotten to mention the many cultural stalwarts be it Forster, R K Narayan, Ahmad Ali, Santha Rama Rao or a young MF Hussain (a lanky tall person of whom a photo is provided too), he has close association with. His scholarly work can be dated back to days when he used to review books or bring out compiled works.

Amidst all these one can sense his close association with the Nehru-Gandhi family, which was initially brought about by Mrs Hutheesing (Nehru’s sister) whom he addressed as ‘maasi’ (aunt). A mix of personal contacts coupled with astute professional skills saw the rise of Natwar Singh. His wondering about how he got into the powerful ‘Secretariat of Indira Gandhi is his trying to be modest. But all said, here is a man who was privy to top decisions of the government of the day and had access directly to the PM.

The book lacks more information about his personal life. His wedding to Hem, daughter of the King of Patiala, has only been given attention. But relationships amidst such demanding careers, untimely demise of his daughter come about, his son’s political career and other aspects have not been covered in this autobiography. If he is a good father, a good husband are questions that have no answers in this book.

Coming to the parts that stirred political wind, his shift in description of Sonia Gandhi is worth noting. Having called her an epitome of ‘debonair civility’ Mr Singh describes how she has metamorphosed into a harder skinned politician. And this shift in loyalty has been owing to his name being dragged in the Volcker committee report (food-for-oil scheme). He has not been charitable to Manmohan Singh and makes scathing remark on Indo-US nuclear deal. He even suggests that it has been an American lobby to keep him away. Towards the end the book turns vitriolic with references like ‘kettle calling the pot black’, leaving the reader wondering the backroom politics or the lack of it.

The book will interest those interested in the political stories of the past, it will interest those who have a liking for international affairs. The book is also a testimony to impermanence in politics. A man who rose to great heights, knowing giants of world politics, feasting with them, gaining unfettered access to Prime Ministers of India, relegated partly into political abyss owing to indictment in a scam, has interesting tales listed in his autobiography. It is a pleasurable read, the writing holds attention, the sequence of events placed correctly and results in considerable examination of Kunwar Natwar Singh’s life. After all the book began with Plato’s quote – “an unexamined life is not worth living”.

Assortment of the best - 99

 

Many a times in order to taste the cuisine of a place people order a thaali. A thaali has a variety of components and give an overall picture about a type of cuisine. 99 is an extremely tasty thaali which gives the reader a taste of a literary genius of contemporary time, Khushwant Singh.

Though I was introduced to Khushwant Singh’s writing with 'A mark of Vishnu' when I was in class X, I read a little of the famous 'Train to Pakistan' later. 99, published on his birth anniversary, is Alephs tribute to Mr Singh and has 99 pieces of his writing selected from different genres. The 15 sections that the book is divided into, like Family matters, The Sikhs, How to Live, How to Die, Sex on my mind, A passion for poetry among others, is a testament of how prolific he was.

The mastery of the writer is reflected in each genre. How he describes early life in Hadali, how he despite not being a historian gives a fresh and detailed look into Sikhism, his political and social views, his defense or the lack of it for being termed a womanizer, his controversial support of Emergency, his famous or infamous views on famous people, and many such masterpieces.

It is indeed interesting that one who was born to one of Delhi’s foremost builders, did not choose to use the luxury to a point where his aversion for litigations prevented him for inheriting great wealth. An agnostic who produced probably the most seminal work on Sikhism is remarkable. A voice which as editor of Weekly was heard in corridors of power and equally in hush-hush circles for the in-their-face remarks.

Each piece puts the reader at ease with the writer. The narration, simple prose most of the times, is always gripping, the sense of humor unparalleled and the insights the writer gives into his own life makes 99 an unputdownable one. It is as if he talks to you, tells you a story, and explains as a teacher through his works.

For one who has only heard of dirty jokes of Khushwant Singh (which he claims he knows all that exists in the world!) or have over the years formed an opinion of him should read 99 just to taste the excellent variety that exists in the cuisine of one of India's finest writers and public intellectuals, Khushwant Singh.