Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom by Andrew Duff
Because I kept repeating the phrases, turning the pages to marvel at the illustrations and the cover image, and Googling some of the historical occurrences I was interested in learning more about, it took me a while to finish this book. It was a meticulously researched book that was masterfully written, capturing the political and artistic intricacies of the circumstances in Sikkim and the Gangtok Palace from 1940 to 1990. Following post-colonial Indian independence, revolutionary Maoism in China, and China's occupation of Tibet, Sikkim's every move appeared perilous. I was in awe of the former leaders of Bhutan because, in contrast to Sikkim, they successfully integrated Bhutan into the international world as an independent country. Additionally, it startled me to realize the impact the British exit had on these Himalayan nations. It was similar to what would occur if people were to mysteriously vanish from the face of the earth. Humans are a major burden to the planet, but if they suddenly vanished, it would be disastrous. All the nuclear power facilities that required humans to monitor would blow up and collapse, and all the moving trains and cars would collide and explode, etc. The British left behind a massive political complexity that the newly independent Himalayan countries would have to deal with on their own amid a higher power vacuum where the British had previously had an unbreakable, if unwelcome, grasp.
My heart ached for the tiny Himalayan kingdom, which was not all that far from my own in terms of culture and religion, and for the monarch of Sikkim, who was "endearingly shy with a slight stammer," who endured unending tribulations until his passing in 1982. The last Choyal (King) tried his best to maintain his small kingdom's different identity, but his will proved less powerful in front of his people's betrayal and big brother's iron hand.
The phrase "The Last Shangrila," frequently used to characterize Bhutan and which we tend to take for granted, has great significance and rich historical background. Bhutan is the last remaining Shangrila on Earth, following Sikkim. I feel afraid, sad, and proud at the same time. We should read this book at least once because it deserves all the fuss.
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This uplifting book offers the world a priceless lesson while providing an insightful glimpse into a paradigm shift. As Elon Musk puts it, "If something is important enough, you should still undertake it even if the odds are against you."
While following Space X and Tesla's developments, I never really read anything about the people behind them. I'm still in awe of Elon Musk's vision and tenacity in everything he undertakes. He is simultaneously a crazy scientist, innovator, business tycoon, and visionary; each role is equally significant in his life. For obvious reasons, anyone who is even slightly bothered by what is happening on this planet finds his, let's say, charity to be extremely sensitive. To save humanity from itself and prevent the destruction of the world we dwell on, his humanitarian vision does not involve donating his billions to charity. Instead, it involves working to make his business successful.
He is the most ambitious quest anyone has ever imagined, and he is the possessed genius. He commands troops to ensure victory rather than acting as a chief executive officer in search of profits. While Mark Zuckerberg wants to make it easier for you to exchange newborn pictures, Elon Musk wants to save the human species from self-inflicted or unintentional extinction.
Mr. Vance controls his zeal and paints a realistic portrayal of Mr. Musk. The book's biggest feature is how effectively and simply it explains Elon Musk's narrative. Undoubtedly, that is the tale of an intellectual man. But more importantly, it is the tale of a tenacious person. Mr. Vance updates us on the current status of green energy and space launches, and his insights into the various businesses are quite compelling. Additionally, he frequently deviates from his topic by providing bios of Mr. Musk's coworkers, many of whom are extraordinarily intelligent.
I'm so happy that many of the future plans mentioned in the book are already coming to fruition.
The White Tiger is Aravind Adiga's first book. It was initially released in 2008, and that same year, it was awarded the 40th Man Booker Prize.
Through a retroactive narrator, Balram Halwai, a country lad, the novel offers a darkly hilarious perspective on India's class struggle in a globalized world.
The story explores issues of religion, caste, loyalty, corruption, and poverty in India by tracing Balram's trip from Delhi, where he works as a driver for a wealthy landlord, to Bangalore, where he flees after killing his boss and taking his money.
Balram eventually rises above his caste as a confectioner to become a prosperous businessman who runs his own cab company. He stands for "future" in a country that proudly eradicates its past of deprivation and underdevelopment, as he puts it.
Wow!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading these books
Wow
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