MRP: Rs.30 . I could not believe what I was reading. I actually double- checked and rushed to the billing counter to confirm it. The pricing actually made me feel sorry for the great mahatma but not for long. The empathetic I soon overpowered by the greedy me and I rushed to avail it ASAP. So,my experiment with this book began in this fashion. I enjoyed every bit of this read and I strongly feel that all of us, whether Indian or foreigner, should read this masterpiece at least once. I earlier had the opportunity of reading quite a few autobiographies. As per what I can recollect, there was hardly anyone who accepted their mistakes as it needs courage to accept your fault. Mr. Gandhi did it so conveniently for his readers. He allowed the reader not only to see his strength but also the loopholes. I was actually disheartened with the way he handled his children. May be he had certain philosophy and principle but nothing can beat the essence of academic education in any society. He was himself a well-learned person and such unconcerned conduct is least expected from such a man of such repute. He took a great deal of pain for the common masses and the down-trodden but at the cost of his family and children. I beg apologies in advance, incase I hurt anyone’s sentiment, but I feel that in his personal life he was as big a failure as was he a success in his public life. It was this public image which earned him the title of MAHATMA.
On certain occasion he was too stubborn which actually annoyed me. For instance, incase of matters related to health and his series of vow for fasting were actually too much to handle. His weakness and submission for carnal pleasures was both amusing and shocking. Beside that, on different occasion in this book Mr. Gandhi had mentioned about his shyness while speaking before a larger audience. The very idea of public speaking made him dizzy. On the other hand, the way he managed the fight against racial discrimination and his varied interest for reading books was very inspiring. These hilarious and at times gutsy instances make you realize that, if we forget the title of mahatma for a while, he was human too.
I will not get into the minute details of the book. For that, i request you guys to sacrifice one day smoke or snacks and fetch this book for 30 bucks from any bookstore.
8 comments:
i am leaving todays pack of cigs to get this book..i think i need to leave 2 days in case i do not get this book so cheap as you..
Your post seems to have ignited my passion to se how "humans" were these so called great people..I hope the mahatma has unveiled the dark truths of his life in this book in the true spirit with which he preached truth and non violence throughout his life..
shall post once again once i finish the book...
kya tumne such much padha kya
I agree to what Monisha said about the book. But, I got to learn the real meaning of 'stubbornnes'.
However, I am a bit fortunate to get the book while shuffling through old book shelf of my uncle (hadn't leave my cigarette/snacks).
Anyone can be able to connect to the thought of 'personal failure...' who is a failure in personal life and successful in public life like me. :)
Hey Anonymous,
U can put ur name here.
I m glad that this book helped u understand how being stubborn can put anyone in complicated sitaution. I tried to learn n inculcate so many of mahatma quality but cudnt. Implimentation is not always that easy as it appears to be.
Hello Monisha,
Being stubborn for the right thing is always good. If can have hand on the book 'Thick Face & Black Heart', read it. I read this book on a friend's suggestion when I was about to handle something related to huge responsibility. It gives a clearer perspective on being stubborn and being illogical.
Anyways one of the principle of forgiveness (of Mahatama) is really intriguing. I too tried to inculcate it but failed miserably at times.
Your this blog is really cool, do keep it updated with remarks/review about books that you read.
One of my favorite person too maintains such blog. You should check it out
http://joy-of-books.blogspot.com/
What's in the name ?
One more thing, you too haven't updated your profile. What one should decipher from "Monisha Sharma" ?
Anyways, nice name.....
By the way what does "Monisha" means?
Let me guess...
- a person with revolutionary thoughts
- an iconoclast
- a feminist
- a person with cute smile.
I guessed these from your writings. You haven't written anything since 22nd june. I am waiting to read more.
Ya, you are absolutely right in saying so. before leaving for South Africa he was extremely shy and shared weakness of any common person. He feared darkness, scared of ghosts, cant speak in public, and be fooled easily by anyone. But the only thing he had since beginning was his conscience, love for truthfulness and his ability to introspect himself. It actually helped him in realizing his mistakes and helped him in giving direction throughout his life. As per my views, the best characteristic of Mr. Gandhi was his ability to acknowledge his imperfection, learning out of them and then taking action for undoing or rectifying those mistakes.
I'd have somthing to write, but here i dont want to hurt ne1's feeling. No doubt it lods to learn from mahatma's life, I dont often read books as its not my piece of cake, but i hav read a few things that mahatma gandhi has said, and at the end i came to know that There is more to life then experiments, and there is more truth to these experiments, Seein one side of coin might seem shiny but other is still in dark,
Dont change urself for sake of smone's experiments. Time has change so do the humans, I cant Teach my computer students with my 486 machine , they know its time of Titans ( high processing chips )
I think i have quit diverted, Just drop to say, there is lots to learn from our life, so stop breachin others , i think it will be astute at this age.
Post a Comment