Here is the synopsis with some of the most famous quotes from The Art of War:
The Art of War, written by the ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu over 2,500 years ago, is one of the world’s greatest works on military strategy and leadership. Although it was written as a guide for generals, its teachings are now widely applied in business, politics, sports, and personal development.
The book teaches that the highest form of victory is to avoid unnecessary conflict. Sun Tzu’s famous statement, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,” captures the central idea of the entire work. He believes that true success comes through wisdom, planning, and strategy rather than brute force.
The opening chapter explains that war is a matter of life and death and must never be entered lightly. Before taking action, a leader should carefully study moral influence, weather, terrain, leadership, and discipline. As Sun Tzu advises, “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” Careful preparation is therefore the key to success.
One of the book’s best-known principles is deception. Sun Tzu writes, “All warfare is based on deception.” A wise commander conceals intentions, misleads the enemy, and attacks only when conditions are favourable. Intelligence and information are equally important, reflected in another famous saying: “Know the enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.”
Sun Tzu also stresses adaptability. He compares strategy to flowing water: “Just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.” A successful leader changes plans according to changing circumstances instead of following rigid rules.
The book also emphasizes discipline, calmness, and care for one’s soldiers. Leaders should avoid anger and impatience because emotional decisions often lead to defeat. As Sun Tzu wisely notes, “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”
Although The Art of War is a book on warfare, its deeper message is about intelligence, self-control, foresight, and understanding human nature. Its timeless lessons continue to inspire military commanders, political leaders, business executives, athletes, and students. More than two millennia after it was written, the book remains a classic guide to strategy, leadership, negotiation, and wise decision-making.
From the Kyauktada Club to MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana
Kamlesh Tripathi
From the fictional Kyauktada Club in Burmese Days (1934) to the MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana at Kandivali, Mumbai, India has travelled a remarkable distance in recreation, sports, lifestyle, and club culture.
While discussing clubs in India, one cannot overlook Burmese Days, George Orwell’s classic anti-colonial novel published in 1934. Set in colonial Burma, the story revolves around the exclusive Kyauktada Club. A central episode concerns the proposal to admit Dr Veraswami as the Club’s first non-European member, exposing the racial prejudice and hypocrisy of the British colonial establishment. The Club serves as a powerful symbol of exclusion and privilege. India, however, has come a long way since then. Today, clubs and academies are centres of sports, recreation, fitness, and community life.
The tradition of clubs is centuries old. In ancient Greece and Rome, citizens formed associations for religious worship, trade, politics, and social interaction. These early organisations laid the foundation for the organised clubs that later flourished across Europe. Cricket, which originated in England, further strengthened this culture through institutions such as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the sole owner of Lord’s Cricket Ground. The concept gradually spread to Australia, New Zealand, and even India, where clubs became important centres for sporting excellence and social interaction. The Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) in Kolkata, India, is widely considered the premier British colonial golf club. Established in 1829, it is the oldest golf club in the world outside of Great Britain. India had all the land for such sports clubs and academies, and the Britishers made full use of them without letting Indians enter them.
English literature often portrays clubs as important social spaces. Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby depict clubs where people gather for conversation, leisure, and networking. These spaces offer an escape from the pressures of everyday life while fostering hobbies, sports, and friendships. The MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana is one such jewel in Mumbai’s sporting landscape.
Situated in the vibrant neighbourhood of Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali (West), the MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana is among Mumbai’s most prestigious sports and recreation clubs. Named after cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, it reflects his values of discipline, excellence, and sportsmanship. Since its inauguration in November 2013, it has become a preferred destination for sports enthusiasts, fitness lovers, families, and corporate organisations seeking world-class facilities under one roof.
Established by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the Gymkhana was conceived as a premier recreational and sporting destination promoting an active lifestyle alongside exceptional hospitality. Spread across nearly ten acres of landscaped greenery behind D’Mart in Mahavir Nagar, it enjoys excellent connectivity with Mumbai’s western suburbs and the Metro network.
The Gymkhana offers outstanding sports infrastructure. It features nine cricket pitches, five practice pitches, three indoor badminton courts, lawn tennis courts, two international-standard squash courts, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a four-lane bowling alley, table tennis facilities, chess, billiards, a card room and a carrom room, and a fully equipped modern gymnasium. Its wellness centre includes advanced fitness equipment, steam, sauna, jacuzzi, massage services, and separate facilities for men and women, creating a complete environment for health, fitness, and relaxation.
The club also encourages young athletes by providing them with professionally maintained infrastructure where they can train and develop their skills. Numerous cricket tournaments, sporting events and social gatherings are organised throughout the year, contributing significantly to Mumbai’s vibrant sporting culture.
Equally impressive are the Gymkhana’s hospitality and dining facilities. Members and guests can enjoy refreshments at Opener Café, multi-cuisine delicacies at Hotspot, vegetarian and Jain specialities at Greentop, authentic Chinese cuisine at Toss, and premium beverages at the Bowled and Googly bars. The club also offers twelve well-appointed guest rooms and two luxury suites, ensuring a comfortable stay for visitors and participants.
The Gymkhana has become one of the most sought-after venues in Mumbai’s western suburbs for social and corporate events. Its elegant banquet halls—Hat-trick, accommodating up to 350 guests, and Century, accommodating up to 100 guests—along with conference rooms, meeting spaces, landscaped lawns, and ample parking, make it ideal for weddings, receptions, birthdays, anniversaries, seminars, conferences, product launches, and business meetings.
Its strategic location makes it convenient for members from Kandivali, Borivali, Malad, Goregaon, and neighbouring suburbs to participate regularly in sporting activities, fitness programmes, family outings, and social gatherings. More than a sports club, the Gymkhana has evolved into a complete lifestyle destination that successfully combines recreation, wellness, hospitality, and community engagement.
The journey from Orwell’s fictional Kyauktada Club to the MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana mirrors India’s remarkable social transformation. Clubs that once symbolised exclusivity and racial discrimination have evolved into inclusive institutions dedicated to sports, health, fellowship, and community development. The Gymkhana demonstrates how modern sporting infrastructure, quality hospitality, and community participation can coexist under one roof.
India undoubtedly needs many more such clubs and academies to nurture sporting talent, promote healthier lifestyles, and strengthen community bonds. Visionary institutions like the MCA Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana deserve appreciation for transforming recreation into a holistic experience that benefits individuals and society alike. They are not merely places for sport or leisure but sanctuaries from the pressures of modern life and enduring symbols of a progressive and confident India.
(The author is a columnist, a golfer and a member of the club)
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
In this restless world of ours, Opposition breeds opposition, Confrontation follows confrontation. We quarrel, compete, and conquer, Forgetting all the while That life is brief, Far from gargantuan.
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We arrive as strangers, We depart the same, Yet spend our precious days Behind walls of isolation, Blind to the quiet strength And the enduring beauty Of togetherness.
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We seldom pause, To ponder the Ultimate. Instead, we cling to the penultimate, Mistaking the passing For the eternal, The shadow For the light.
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We seek God, The Ultimate Truth, Yet with every hurried step, We drift farther away, Choosing pride over humility, Division over unity, Noise over wisdom.
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Turn your life around. Reverse the course of your heart. Where there is conflict, sow peace; Where there is hatred, kindle love; Where there is loneliness, build bridges.
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For life’s true beauty, Is not found at the end of the journey, But in the direction we choose, The hands we hold, The hearts we heal, And the love we leave behind.
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For life is short, Too short to live, Facing the wrong way.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
The Great Gatsby is a classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, first published in 1925. Set during the prosperous “Roaring Twenties,” it explores wealth, love, ambition, and the illusion of the American Dream.
The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who moves to West Egg on Long Island to work in the bond business. Nick rents a small house next to the lavish mansion of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, famous for hosting extravagant parties attended by hundreds of guests. Despite his popularity, very few people know the truth about Gatsby’s past.
Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, lives across the bay with her wealthy but arrogant husband, Tom Buchanan. Gatsby reveals to Nick that he and Daisy had fallen deeply in love before World War I. While Gatsby was away serving in the army, Daisy married Tom because of his wealth and social status. Gatsby has spent years building a fortune, hoping to win Daisy back.
Nick arranges a reunion between Gatsby and Daisy, and they briefly rekindle their romance. However, Tom exposes Gatsby’s questionable business dealings and challenges his dream of recreating the past. Daisy ultimately chooses the security of her marriage over Gatsby.
The tragedy reaches its climax when Daisy, driving Gatsby’s car, accidentally kills Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress. Gatsby takes the blame to protect Daisy. Myrtle’s grief-stricken husband, George Wilson, believing Gatsby was responsible, shoots Gatsby before taking his own life.
After Gatsby’s death, almost everyone who enjoyed his hospitality disappears. Only Nick, Gatsby’s father, and a few others attend the funeral. Disillusioned by the selfishness and moral emptiness of the wealthy elite, Nick returns to the Midwest. He reflects that Gatsby’s dream, though noble in its hope, was ultimately destroyed by illusion and the corruption of wealth.
Themes
The novel explores several enduring themes:
The failure of the American Dream.
The corrupting influence of wealth and materialism.
The contrast between appearance and reality.
Love, obsession, and the impossibility of recapturing the past.
Social class and moral decay.
The Great Gatsby is regarded as one of the greatest American novels because it combines a compelling love story with a powerful critique of wealth, ambition, and the pursuit of unattainable dreams.
There are few relationships in life as transformative as that between a teacher and a student. Parents give us life, but it is the teacher, the guru, who teaches us how to live it. A guru does not merely impart knowledge; he or she shapes character, awakens curiosity, nurtures confidence, and instils values that remain with us long after the classroom has been left behind. A teacher is the candle that burns itself to illuminate the lives of others.
A teacher is a nation builder in the truest sense. Every doctor who heals, every engineer who creates, every scientist who discovers, every artist who inspires, and every leader who serves has, at some point, sat before a teacher. Behind every visible success stands an invisible mentor whose patience, encouragement, and wisdom made that success possible. Teachers seldom occupy the limelight, yet they illuminate the path for countless others.
The role of a guru extends beyond textbooks and examinations. A true teacher recognises potential even when the student cannot see it. They encourage the timid to speak, inspire the hesitant to dream, and challenge the complacent to strive for excellence. They transform the illiterate into the educated, the ordinary into the extraordinary, and the uncertain into the confident.
Teaching is also an act of faith. Every lesson delivered is an investment in an unseen future. Teachers sow seeds whose fruits they may never witness. They devote years to nurturing young minds, often receiving little recognition beyond the quiet satisfaction of seeing their students flourish. Their influence cannot be measured in awards or wealth.
But the world has changed. The reverence once naturally accorded to teachers appears to have diminished. In an age where information is available at the touch of a screen, wisdom is sometimes mistaken for mere data, and experience is undervalued. Many teachers carry increasing responsibilities, administrative burdens, and societal expectations while receiving less appreciation than they deserve. Perhaps this is why the smiles of some educators seem less frequent than before. Their calling remains noble, but the journey has become more demanding.
Even so, the timeless truth endures. Students who respect their teachers gain far more than academic knowledge. Respect opens the mind to learning, fosters humility, and strengthens character. It creates a bond through which knowledge flows with greater meaning. Conversely, those who dismiss or disregard their teachers often lose the opportunity to benefit from experience that no textbook can provide.
Guru Purnima is therefore more than a ceremonial observance. It is an occasion for gratitude and reflection. It reminds us to acknowledge those who believed in us before we believed in ourselves, who corrected us when we erred, who celebrated our progress, and who quietly rejoiced in our achievements.
In the busyness of modern life, it is easy to forget the people who helped us become who we are. A simple message, a visit, a phone call, or a heartfelt expression of thanks can mean more to a teacher than any material gift. Gratitude is not merely a gesture. It is an affirmation that their labour has not been in vain.
A guru is not simply an instructor but a torchbearer. While others may pass on information, a guru passes on vision. While others prepare us for examinations, a guru prepares us for life. Their greatest lesson is not confined to the classroom. It is reflected in the values they inspire, the confidence they awaken, and the humanity they cultivate.
As we celebrate Guru Purnima, let us renew our commitment to honour our teachers, not only with words, but through our conduct. The finest tribute we can offer a guru is to live with integrity, compassion, and excellence, carrying forward the light they once kindled within us. For when we honour our teachers, we honour the very foundation upon which our lives, our society, and our nation are built.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
Though AI is a very recent invention, the apprehensions it raises are age-old. For aeons, myths, epics, and the great works of literature have asked the same question: Does knowledge always accompany wisdom? Can human beings control the power centres that they create? What happens when human ambition becomes greater than morality?
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord God Krishna exhorts Arjuna to do his duty without worrying about the results. In the same way, AI works without desire or personal ambition. It performs tasks and processes information, but has no emotions, ego, or personal goals. The evergreen lesson of the Gita reminds us that power should always be guided by responsibility and moral values.
Mythology offers many such lessons. In the story of Bhasmasura, Lord Shiva grants a boon that allows Bhasmasura to burn anyone to ashes by just touching their head. Instead of using this power wisely, Bhasmasura becomes arrogant and even tries to use it against Shiva himself. In the end, he destroys himself. The story shows that power without wisdom can lead to disaster. AI can be beneficial or harmful depending on how it is used.
The story of Ravana teaches a similar lesson. Ravana was highly intelligent, powerful, and devoted, but his pride and arrogance led to his downfall. His abilities did not make him evil; rather, they magnified the flaws already present within him. AI can also magnify human fancies. If people use it with good intentions, it can help society. If they use it carelessly or selfishly, it can create disasters.
The same concern is there in the literature. In the epic poem Beowulf, the hero defeats monster Grendel not because he is strong but because he uses his strength for a noble purpose. This teaches us that power alone is not enough. It must be guided by wisdom and good intentions. AI is also a powerful tool, but its potency depends on how human beings choose to use it.
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates a life but refuses to take responsibility. The creature is not born evil. It becomes dangerous because it is abandoned and neglected. The novel teaches that creators must accept responsibility for what they create. This lesson is especially relevant today because AI systems are also created by humans and reflect human decisions, values, and mistakes.
In Goethe’s Faust, the main character seeks unlimited knowledge and power. His desire becomes so strong that he crosses moral boundaries. The story warns that the pursuit of knowledge without ethical values can be disastrous. AI gives humanity access to enormous amounts of knowledge and information, but knowledge alone does not guarantee wisdom.
Modern classics continue with these warnings. George Orwell’s 1984 describes a society where surveillance and control limit individual freedom. Today, some people fear that AI could be used in similar ways through data collection and monitoring. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World presents a society where people are controlled through comfort, pleasure, and technology. It reminds us that efficiency and convenience should never replace human freedom and individuality.
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest offers another important example. Prospero uses his magical powers to control people and events around him. His power is not good or bad by itself; its value depends on how he uses it. AI is similar. It is a powerful tool, and its impact depends largely on the intentions of those who control it.
People have often feared new technologies. The famous American composer John Philip Sousa worried that recorded music would stop people from singing. Yet music became more popular than ever. Similarly, computers can now play chess better than the world’s best human players, but people still enjoy playing chess because it is a creative and enjoyable activity.
Today, AI creates both excitement and concern. Some people believe it will solve major problems and improve life, including cancer detection and treatment, while others fear it may take away jobs or create new risks. The truth is likely to be somewhere between these two extremes. AI will certainly change many aspects of society, but its full impact is still difficult to predict. AI will also clash with plagiarism.
Therefore, the real similarity between AI, mythology, and literary classics lies in their exploration of human nature. All of them remind us that power, knowledge, and innovation must be balanced by wisdom, responsibility, and ethical values. The greatest danger is not the technology itself but the possibility that human ambition may outpace human virtue. The future of AI will depend not only on how intelligent machines become, but also on how wisely human beings choose to use them.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
The Fairy-tale connection between the Barog Tunnel, Himachal Pradesh, and Five Go Off to Camp by Enid Blyton
Recently, I had an opportunity to visit the Barog Tunnel in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. As I walked through the area, I was reminded of Five Go Off to Camp, the famous adventure novel by Enid Blyton. While the comparison is not exact, the atmosphere of the place instantly brought back memories of the Famous Five’s mysterious ghost train adventure. Quite coincidentally, there were five of us on the trip, our own “unfamous five.”
Our driver dropped us on the highway above the station, and we had to make a steep descent on foot to reach Barog Railway Station. With every step downhill, I felt myself travelling back in time to my childhood, when I had first read Blyton’s novel.
A major part of Five Go Off to Camp revolves around the mystery of a “ghost train” that is said to appear at night and disappear into the hills. The Famous Five initially dismiss the stories as mere superstition, but they eventually discover that the ghost train is linked to a network of abandoned tunnels and a criminal operation. Blyton’s vivid descriptions of the train moving silently through the darkness, the strange lights, and the underground passages make it one of the most atmospheric mysteries in the Famous Five series. The Barog Tunnel, however, bears no direct resemblance to the novel. The tunnel was completed in 1903, whereas the book was first published in 1948.
The Barog Tunnel, officially known as Tunnel No. 33, is one of India’s most remarkable engineering landmarks. Situated near Barog on the Kalka–Shimla railway line, it is the longest tunnel on this famous mountain railway. Apart from being an engineering marvel, it is also associated with one of India’s best-known railway legends.
During the late nineteenth century, the British government decided to construct a railway linking Kalka with Shimla, then the summer capital of British India. The line had to pass through the steep and rugged Shivalik Hills, presenting enormous engineering challenges. The route required more than a hundred tunnels, hundreds of bridges, and numerous sharp curves. Construction began in 1900 and demanded exceptional engineering skill and perseverance.
A British railway engineer, popularly known as Colonel Barog, was entrusted with constructing one of the longest tunnels on the route. To save time, he adopted a standard engineering method by excavating tunnels simultaneously from both ends of the mountain, expecting the two sections to meet precisely in the middle.
This technique required extremely accurate calculations. Unfortunately, an error occurred during the survey or alignment. As the excavation progressed, it became evident that the two ends would not meet correctly. The mistake meant that a substantial amount of work would have to be abandoned.
The failed alignment embarrassed the British administration. According to the popular account, Colonel Barog was officially reprimanded and fined one rupee, a symbolic rather than a financial punishment. However, for an engineer of his standing, the public humiliation proved deeply distressing.
Unable to bear the disgrace, he reportedly walked into the surrounding hills with his dog and took his own life by shooting himself. He was buried near the unfinished tunnel. Over time, the nearby settlement and railway station came to be known as Barog in his memory.
Modern historians, however, have questioned several aspects of this well-known story.
Research based on British engineering journals and newspapers from the early twentieth century suggests that the legend may have been embellished over time. Contemporary records describe difficult geological conditions, underground springs, and slow construction progress, but they do not clearly mention a disastrous surveying error or a major delay caused by incorrect alignment. Even more interestingly, historical documents indicate that the name “Barog” was already in use for the locality before the tunnel was completed, suggesting that the town may not have been named after the engineer. Thus, while the tragedy of Colonel Barog has become an enduring part of local folklore, some details remain historically uncertain.
Following the failure, the project continued under the supervision of Chief Engineer H. S. Harrington. Local tradition holds that a village guide named Baba Bhalku helped the engineers identify the correct alignment through the mountains. Whether through remarkable local knowledge or extraordinary intuition, Baba Bhalku became closely associated with the successful completion of the railway. His contribution continues to be honoured today, and the railway museum in Shimla bears his name.
A new alignment was selected, and work resumed. The present Tunnel No. 33 was completed in 1903. It measures 1,143.61 metres (3,752 feet), making it the longest tunnel on the Kalka–Shimla Railway. Trains take approximately two and a half to three minutes to pass through it. In 2008, the railway was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Mountain Railways of India.
No account of Barog is complete without mentioning its famous ghost legend. Local residents believe that Colonel Barog’s spirit still wanders near the abandoned tunnel. Some visitors claim to have heard footsteps or whispers, while others report seeing a solitary figure dressed in old-fashioned clothes. Interestingly, many describe the ghost as friendly rather than frightening.
There is, however, no scientific evidence to support these paranormal claims. The tunnel’s haunted reputation survives largely through folklore, travel stories, and popular media rather than verified historical or scientific evidence.
The old abandoned tunnel, where the original excavation is said to have failed, still exists in the nearby forest. It has become a popular destination for trekkers, photographers, and history enthusiasts interested in the legend surrounding Colonel Barog.
Today, Barog is a peaceful hill station surrounded by pine and oak forests. The toy train continues to stop at Barog station, and travellers enjoy the dramatic experience of emerging from the long tunnel into the beautiful valley beyond. The station was once well known for serving leisurely lunches to British officials travelling between Kalka and Shimla.
The story of the Barog Tunnel remains memorable because it brings together several compelling themes: human ambition and engineering excellence, the consequences of a single mistake, the pressures of professional honour, the importance of local knowledge represented by Baba Bhalku, and the fascinating blend of history with folklore and ghost stories.
Whether every detail of Colonel Barog’s life is historically accurate or partly legendary, the Barog Tunnel remains one of India’s most remarkable railway monuments. It stands not only as an outstanding engineering achievement but also as a reminder that history often becomes richer when facts and folklore travel together.
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
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