Book Review “ Death ends life, not a relationship ,” as Mitch Albom put it. That is why, we have so many rituals associated with death. Minakshi Dewan’s book, The Final Farewell [HarperCollins, 2023], is a well-researched book about those rituals. The book starts with an elaborate description of the Sikh rituals associated with death and cremation, before moving on to Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and finally Hinduism. After that, it’s all about the various traditions and related details of Hindu final rites. A few chapters are dedicated to the problems of widows in India, gender discrimination in the last rites, and the problem of unclaimed dead bodies. There is a chapter titled ‘Grieving Widows in Hindi Cinema’ too. Death and its rituals form an unusual theme for a book. Frankly, I don’t find the topic stimulating in any way. Obviously, I didn’t buy this book. It came to me as quite many other books do – for reasons of their own. I read the book finally, having shelv
The gates, the watch tower with gunmen sporting AK-47. OUCH! Really hurts.
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Our security personnel actually don't carry an AK-47; but they were invested with certain powers which were later rescinded.
DeleteWhile the new cream colour is ok, the change in the colours of the wall and the gate is rather atrocious.
It's easy to relate to the emotions here. In Kolkata also, colors are rapidly changing from red to Mamata Banerjee's favorite color - azure..!Crazy~
ReplyDeleteExactly, Panchali, more than the colours themselves, what actually matter are the undertones.
DeleteIt is sad to see this happen. Sadder still that it is in education. Nothing remains the same. I have seen this happen to organizations I have built from scratch, built on conviction, but I was powerless when it began to change, perhaps for the greater good, I do not know. I only know that it set me free to do what I needed to do at that time. If it had not changed, I too would have remained closeted. Best wishes, Tomichan.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, Subhorup, perhaps for the greater good. I'm ready to keep that open mind.
DeleteThe gate actually look like a prison gate. Keeping out the children will still do, imagine what children inside would feel like!!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I just checked out the gates of Tihar jail on a website. They look far more colourful and welcoming!
Deletewould anyone student be able to bunk classes , jump across these walls and go for a movie ? thats one of the best memories of my school days :D
ReplyDeleteThe colours are a different matter, TTT. Colours can mean many things.
DeleteSchools too camouflage!
ReplyDeleteHow much camouflage is necessary?
DeleteBlack indeed!
ReplyDeleteWell the school is on a main road so I guess some security is necessary.
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