Review of Hisila: From Revolutionary to First Lady

Hisila: From Revolutionary to First Lady presents an intriguing memoir that offers a glimpse into the life of Hisila Yami, a key figure in Nepal's Maoist movement and the wife of former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. The narrative is richly detailed, aiming to paint a picture of her revolutionary zeal and commitment to the so-called "people's war." However, the book failed to gloss over some crucial realities of the Maoist insurgency, particularly the alleged support from external entities like India and RAW, which complicates the narrative of an organic, homegrown revolution.

While the memoir attempts to uplift Hisila's image and contributions, it falters in addressing the moral and ethical paradoxes surrounding the leadership of the Maoist party. The mention of top leaders indulging in behaviors they publicly condemned, such as consumption of alcohol, extramarital affairs, and engaging in dubious financial practices, she herself alleged involvement (abuse of authority) in corrupt dealings while serving as the Minister for Physical Planning (which she tried here to justify), raises questions about the integrity of the movement. Her legal battles against media outlets that reported on corruption are how powerful leaders manipulate information, and also leave readers skeptical about transparency.

The book serves as a stark reminder of the corruption and moral decline that have plagued the Nepalese political landscape in the wake of the Maoist insurgency. Despite the intent to inspire, it is well known that her husband, Baburam Bhattarai, failed to provide true leadership for the people of Nepal, adding a disheartening layer to the falsified narrative tried to explain.

Ultimately, Hisila: From Revolutionary to First Lady is a 'thought-provoking' read that unravels the complexities and contradictions within the Maoist revolution, emphasizing that, for many leaders, the insurgency served more as a pathway to wealth than a genuine quest for social justice. Readers are left pondering the cost of the decades spent embroiled in conflict that has seemingly enriched a few while leaving the broader population in stagnation and despair.
One should read this memoir to know and compare the black part of the so called social revolution.

⭐⭐⭐

The Red Sari: A Novel by Javier Moro

Javier Moro's The Red Sari, a compelling and dramatic biography of Sonia Gandhi, pulls readers into the intricate tapestry of Indian politics through the lens of personal tragedy, resilience, and destiny. The narrative offers fascinating insight into the life of Sonia Gandhi, a woman who found herself at the heart of one of the world's largest democracies under extraordinary circumstances.

Reflecting on my journey through the political upheavals of India, the narrative resonated with my childhood experiences during critical moments in Indian history. I was only eight years old in 1984, blissfully unaware of the complexities of politics and foreign affairs, but I remember vividly the shockwaves that followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Sonia's mother-in-law, at the hands of her bodyguards. Moro deftly captures this pivotal moment and its aftermath, illustrating how it not only altered the course of Indian politics but also deeply affected Sonia's life.

One of the most commendable aspects of this book is Moro's ability to humanize a figure often shrouded in illusion and political conjecture. He delves deep into Sonia's childhood in Italy, her love story with Rajiv Gandhi, and the immense challenges she faced upon entering Indian politics. The narrative flows effortlessly, combining biographical elements with historical context, which allows readers to appreciate the weight of the decisions Sonia made and the legacy she would eventually inherit.

By the time Rajiv Gandhi was bombed by the LTTE in 1991, I was a teenager, grappling with an awareness of the fragility of life in a politically charged atmosphere. Moro's portrayal of Rajiv's untimely death is not a mere recounting of facts; it is delivered with an emotional weight that underscores the profound loss felt across the nation. For many young Indians like myself, the events of that era catalyzed a deeper understanding of the intertwining of personal and political fates.

Moro also delves into the turbulence of the early 1990s, a period when the Congress Party, once synonymous with Indian governance, began to lose its grip as the BJP alliance rose to power. The destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992 is a watershed moment that Moro presents not just as a political event but as a bitter reflection of societal divisions. Reading about this phase of Sonia's life, I could feel the palpable sense of instability and loss. It mirrored my teenage years, wherein the ramifications of these events stirred confusion and a yearning for clarity in a rapidly changing world.

However, Moro's writing is not merely a historical account; it is a poignant exploration of Sonia Gandhi's humanity amidst the political chaos. He skillfully interweaves personal anecdotes that create a multi-dimensional portrait of his subject. From her early days in Italy to her rise as the leader of the Congress Party, we see not just a political figure but a woman grappling with loss, duty, and responsibility.

In conclusion, The Red Sari does more than narrate the life of Sonia Gandhi; it serves as a mirror reflecting the seismic shifts in Indian politics over the decades. For readers, particularly those who have witnessed these events unfold, the book resonates with nostalgia and reflection on the complexity of our political landscape. Javier Moro has not only illuminated Sonia's journey but has also invoked memories of a nation in flux—a journey marked by both tragedy and triumph that continues to shape India's destiny. I recommend this book for anyone seeking to understand the emotional and political dynamics that have defined contemporary India.

HIPPIE _ by Paulo Coelho

The book's premise – a journey from Europe to Kathmandu filled with exploration and self-discovery – has a lot of potential for rich storytelling. Coelho has a knack for capturing the essence of travel and the human spirit, but it sounds like the execution fell short, particularly in the latter parts of the journey.

Disappointment was raised by the lack of details after Turkey. Given that Hippie sets up such an intriguing premise of traversing cultures and landscapes, it would have been enlightening to read more about the experiences that awaited travelers in the Indian subcontinent and Nepal. These regions are steeped in history, spirituality, and diversity, and leaving them less explored feels like a missed opportunity.

The absence of detailed observations and reflections from India and Nepal is particularly striking, especially since these locations often serve as pivotal points for many travelers seeking enlightenment and introspection. It would have been rewarding to see how Coelho interpreted the vibrant cultures and spiritual nuances of these countries, and how they influenced his journey and personal growth.

Lastly, while the book carries a beautiful message about the quest for connection, love, and meaning, the abrupt transition in the narrative can leave readers wanting more. It's a reminder of how important specific cultural and geographical contexts are when discussing journeys, both literal and metaphorical. Your feedback highlights a crucial component of travel writing: the details that enrich and deepen the experience.

Overall, it seems like Hippie starts with promise but could have been more fulfilling with a deeper exploration of the latter segments of the journey.
Rated 4 Start and expecting another Part-II soon in the coming days.

|| टिपन-टापन ||

#बैशाख_जेठ #गृष्मऋृतु #बिक्रमसंवत #नयाँबर्ष

गृष्म ऋृतुको शुरुआतीमा ठाँऊ अनुसार जुडशिलत, सतुवानि, बैशाखी, सिरुवा, बिशु आदी अनेक नामले यो पर्व चलनमा रहे पनि उद्देश्य र बैभवता समान देखिन्छ ।

शिरमा जल छ्यापेर 'जुड' शितल पार्ने त्यौहार, मिथिलामा 'जुड-शितल' पर्वको आफ्नै बैज्ञानिक महत्व छन । फाल्गुन/चैत्रको उराठलाग्दो हावाहुरीमा परपर फुटेका जमिनका दर्राहरुमा पतझर भएर टिलपिल गरि उभिएका फूलका साना झाडहरु, केहि अलि ठूला बुटाहरु, केहि अलि धेरै ठूला फलफूलका रुखहरुलाई पानी राखेर भिजाउने दिन, तिनका सुख्खा जडामा तिर्खालाई राहत दिई पानी हाली जुडाउने दिन ।

सनातनीहरुको धार्मिक महत्व वाहेक आँगनमा तुलसीको प्रयोग मैथिलहरुको छठिहारी (जन्म) देखि कठिहारी (मरण) सम्मै महत्वपूर्ण रुपमा संगालिएको हुन्छ । गृष्म ऋृतुमा पनि तुलसीको मोठमा हरियो परियो बुटाको महत्व ब्याख्या गरेर साध्य हुदैन ।

अहिले आधुनिक कालमा थोपा-सिंचाई (Drip Irrigation)को तरिका मिथिलामा पौराणिक काल देखि चलि आएको परम्परा रहेको देखिन्छ । बैशाख महिना भरिको लागि माटाको कलश (घैंटो) को पिंधमा सानो छिद्र पारेर त्यसका कुश घुसाएर, कलश भित्रको पानीको प्रवाहलाई थोपा थोपा झर्ने गरि नियण्त्रित गर्ने र तुलसीको मोठमा माथी झुण्डयाउने चलन छ ।

मूल कुरा गर्मीमा कसरी शिर र शरिर शितल राख्ने । बाग बनस्पतीलाई पानी राखेर घामको प्रकोपबाट कसरी जोगाउने । आधुनिक वातानुकुल (Air condition / Refrigerator) परिवेशको आभाव रहेको बेला पकाएको खानेकुरालाई उमसबाट कसरी जोगाउने र सजिलो पाचन हुने पौष्टिक के खाने?

यस पर्वमा पारम्परिक खाद्य सामग्रीहरु :

- गुड साँदेको सातू वा घोलेर बनाईने शर्बत,

- बेसनको बडी र दहि/मोहि राखेको कडी-बडी,

- मुनिगा (सजिवन/drumstick) राखेको दाल,

- आँपको टिकुला र पुदिनाको पात राखेको चटनी, आदी ।

उल्लेखित सरजामबाट बनाईने अन्य खाद्य पदार्थ जुन गर्मीको उमसबाट नबिग्रिने र आँतलाई शितल राख्ने अरू अनेक रेसिपीहरु मिथिलामा प्रसिद्ध छन । यस बाहेक आधुनिक समाजमा अनेक नयाँ परिकारहरु पनि नथपिएका भने होइनन ।

आज देखि अफिसियली 'टिकुला'को कुच्चालाई नुन-खुर्सानी साँदेको झक्का खाने दिन पनि हो, यसलाई पचाउन अलि गाह्रो हुन सक्छ, मात्रा र अनुपातको हिसाब मिलाएर जिब्रोलाई चाहिने ट्वाक्कको स्वाद लिन चै सकिन्छ ।

'टिपनटापन' लेखन कार्यलाई यस बर्ष निरन्तरता दिने प्रयास गर्ने वाचा सहित नव वर्ष बिक्रमसम्बत २०८२ को हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना ।

#श्रीबाबापशुपतीनाथलेहामीसबैकोकल्याणगरुन