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Ex- Senior corporate- writer, author and social activist currently working for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases.

EVERGREEN TEACHINGS OF ROMAN EMPEROR AND PHILOSOPHER MARCUS AURELIUS … by Kamlesh Tripathi

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EVERGREEN TEACHINGS OF ROMAN EMPEROR AND PHILOSOPHER MARCUS AURELIUS

Kamlesh Tripathi

   “He that is unjust is also impious. For the nature of the universe, having made all reasonable creatures one for another, to the end that they should do one another good, more or less according to the several persons and occasions, but in nowise hurt one another.” These profound words of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of Rome, in his ninth book, continue to resonate with remarkable relevance even after two thousand years.

    They summarise the Stoic philosophy that justice is not merely a social virtue but a hallowed obligation. To be unjust is not only to wrong another human being, but is also to violate the divine order upon which the universe was founded. In a world increasingly polarised by selfishness, conflict, and indifference, this timeless teaching reminds us that our true purpose lies in cooperation, compassion, and mutual respect.

    Marcus Aurelius reckoned humanity as a single family. Every individual, irrespective of nationality, religion, race, or social standing, is gifted with reason. He therefore belongs to the same global community. Just as the organs of the human body work together for the well-being of the whole body, human beings are also intended to support one another.

    The eyes don’t compete with the hands. The heart doesn’t envy the lungs. Every organ performs its duty faithfully in the interest of the body. Likewise, society flourishes only when its members work in tandem and not in opposition. Aurelius’ contention that an unjust person is also impious tells us that morality is inseparable from spirituality. People think that piety consists merely of rituals, prayers, or visits to places of worship. Marcus Aurelius challenges this notion. A person who cheats, deceives, exploits, or humiliates is not morally and spiritually close to the Almighty.

    True worship resonates in one’s conduct. Every act of fairness, honesty, kindness, and generosity is an act of universal brotherhood. Conversely, every deliberate act of cruelty or injustice is an affront towards mankind. Modern society considers personal success above collective welfare. Ambition, competition, and material achievement are praised, sometimes at the expense of integrity and compassion.

    Marcus Aurelius warns us that success loses its value when it is built on another person’s suffering. Wealth acquired through exploitation, power gained through deception, or fame achieved by trampling upon others may seem impressive, but they leave the soul impoverished. Justice is the true measure of greatness. Another important aspect of this passage is the phrase, “more or less according to the several persons and occasions,” as people speak differently to different people depending upon their status and the occasion.

    Marcus Aurelius acknowledges that not everyone has the same abilities, resources, or opportunities. A king, a teacher, a physician, a labourer, or a parent each contribute to society differently. It is not the magnitude of one’s contribution but the sincerity with which one fulfils one’s duty that matters. A smile, a comforting word, an honest day’s work, or a helping hand may be as valuable as grand acts of charity. Every person has the wherewithal to make someone else’s life better. Equally significant is Aurelius’ exhortation that we should “in nowise hurt one another.” Harm is not confined to physical violence alone. Words can wound, prejudice can exclude, dishonesty can erode trust, and indifference can deepen suffering. In today’s well-connected world, where communication travels in lightning speed across continents, the responsibility to act with kindness and restraint is far greater than ever. Before speaking or acting, we should ask ourselves whether our conduct contributes to harmony or to division. History repeatedly warns about the consequences of abandoning justice. Wars, oppression, discrimination, corruption, and social unrest often begin with the belief that some lives matter less than others. Against this destructive tendency, Marcus Aurelius offers a simple yet powerful principle. Recognise the common humanity that binds us all. Differences in culture, belief, or status should never obscure our shared dignity. The teachings of Marcus Aurelius are both practical and relevant even today.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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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:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

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Film Review: The Odyssey 2026 … by Kamlesh Tripathi

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The Odyssey 2026

‘It has mythology, adventure and morality. Reminds you of Gulliver’s Travels, Marcus Aurelius and the epic Ramayana.’

Kamlesh Tripathi

      Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026) is far more than a cinematic adaptation of Homer’s epic. It offers amazing visuals and emotional storytelling, turning Odysseus’s ten-year legendary voyage into a powerful exploration.  Shot entirely on IMAX 70 mm film, the movie has been praised for its breathtaking scale, emotional depth, and ambitious storytelling, with critics calling it one of Nolan’s finest works.

    Matt Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus (the legendary Greek King of Ithaca and a veteran of the Trojan War) could have been better. Rather than presenting him as an invincible warrior, the film shows him as a leader whose greatest battles are against temptation, pride, grief, and despair.

    Christopher Nolan’s direction places greater emphasis on the psychological dimension of the story. The action sequences are spectacular, but the quieter moments, such as Odysseus questioning his choices, Penelope’s unwavering hope, and Telemachus’s search for his father, carry the emotional weight. Ludwig Göransson’s score and Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography elevate the myth into an immersive cinematic experience.

    The film is not without criticism. Some reviewers found parts of the dialogue overly modern or felt that certain characters deserved more intricacy. A few classicists also questioned aspects of the adaptation’s historical interpretation. Even so, the overall critical response has been overwhelmingly positive.  

    As a film, The Odyssey succeeds because it combines breathtaking spectacle with timeless questions about identity, perseverance, and responsibility. Viewed through the lens of Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, it becomes more than an adventure film.  

    If Homer’s epic poem Odyssey is the story of a hero’s journey, Marcus Aurelius reminds us that the greatest journey is not across the sea, but within the mind. Nolan’s film exquisitely brings these two ideas together. In nearly three hours, the movie takes you through as if it were the seven seas.

    It reminds you of the voyages in Gulliver’s Travels and the voyage of Captain Popanilla. The film also evokes memories of the great voyages of exploration undertaken by Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and British explorer Captain James Cook, who charted parts of New Zealand and Australian coastlines for Britain. The movie ends with the climactic slaughter of Penelope’s suitors, recalling the final triumph of righteousness in the Ramayana, where evil is decisively defeated after a long journey of suffering.

    One of the film’s greatest strengths is its portrayal of the legendary places and creatures from Greek mythology. The Island of the Cyclops introduces Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant. Odysseus defeats him through intelligence rather than brute strength. However, his pride in revealing his name leads to Poseidon’s wrath, teaching that arrogance often creates unnecessary suffering. Aeaea, the island of the witch Circe, presents temptation in the form of comfort and pleasure. Circe transforms Odysseus’s men into pigs, but with the help of Hermes, Odysseus resists her magic. The island symbolises the danger of losing one’s humanity by surrendering to desire.

    The Island of the Sirens tests self-control. The Sirens promise forbidden knowledge and irresistible pleasure through their enchanting songs. Odysseus orders his crew to plug their ears with wax while he is tied to the mast so he can hear the song without acting on temptation. This becomes one of the greatest examples of discipline. Scylla and Charybdis represent two unavoidable dangers. Scylla, the six-headed sea monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool, force Odysseus to choose the lesser of two evils. The scene reflects one of life’s harsh truths. Sometimes wisdom means accepting an imperfect choice rather than waiting for a perfect one. The Island of Helios, where the sacred cattle graze, becomes a lesson in obedience. Despite Odysseus’s warning, his starving crew kills the cattle. Zeus punishes them, and the entire crew perishes. The episode demonstrates how a single act of greed can destroy years of effort. Ogygia, the island of the nymph Calypso, offers immortality and eternal comfort. Calypso promises Odysseus freedom from suffering if he stays with her forever. Yet he chooses mortality and hardship because his true duty is to return to his family and kingdom. This is perhaps the film’s most moving lesson about purpose overcoming pleasure.

    The movie can be linked to several other sea voyages and the teachings of Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius believed in endurance in hardship, mastery over desire, duty above comfort, humility and wisdom while making difficult choices. According to this, Odysseus’s journey becomes a lesson in Stoicism.

    Odysseus’s encounters with strange islands inevitably recall Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. He visits Lilliput, where he comes across tiny people. Then he visits Brobdingnag, the land of giants; Glubbdubdrib, the land of magicians; and the Houyhnhnms’ Land of intelligent horses.

    Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is ultimately less about defeating monsters than confronting the weaknesses within ourselves. Pride, temptation, fear and despair become the real adversaries. By blending Greek mythology with timeless questions of duty, resilience and self-mastery, Nolan delivers an epic that is both visually magnificent and intellectually rewarding. It is a film that deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.

    The Odyssey with Gulliver’s Travels makes for a very interesting literary analysis because both are travel narratives in which the hero visits strange islands, meets unusual beings, and learns important lessons about human nature. However, their purposes are different. The Odyssey is based on Greek mythology. It features gods, monsters, witches and magical creatures. It focuses on courage, loyalty, family, and perseverance. The goal is to return home (Ithaca). Whereas Gulliver’s Travels and The Voyage of Captain Popanilla by Benjamin Disraeli are political and social satire. It uses imaginary societies to criticise human pride, politics, science, and war. The goal is not to return home but to expose the flaws of humanity. Don’t miss The Odyssey.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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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:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

***

Celebrating 123 years of the English Author George Orwell … by Kamlesh Tripathi

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Celebrating 123 years of the English author George Orwell

‘Was George Orwell inspired by the atrocities of the British Raj to write novels like The Burmese Days, Animal Farm and 1984?’

Kamlesh Tripathi

Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and literary critic who wrote under the pen name of George Orwell. He was born in Motihari, Bengal Presidency (modern-day Bihar, India). His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to all totalitarianism (both authoritarian communism and fascism), and support of democratic socialism.

     George Orwell is best known for his allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945) and the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), although his works also encompass literary criticism, poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. His non-fiction works, including The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), document his experience of working-class life in industrial Northern England. Then there is Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences soldiering for the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), which is as critically respected as his essays on politics, literature, language and culture.

    Orwell’s work remains influential in popular culture and in political circles. The adjective “Orwellian”, describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices, is part of the English language, like many of his neologisms, such as “Big Brother”, “Thought Police”, “Room 101”, “Newspeak”, “memory hole”, “doublethink”, and “thoughtcrime”. In 2008, The Times named Orwell the second-greatest British writer since 1945.

    But was George Orwell inspired by the atrocities of the British Raj to write novels like The Burmese Days, Animal Farm and 1984? This is an interesting literary question, but the answer is partly yes and partly no.  

    First, it is true that George Orwell was born in Motihari in 1903, when India was under British rule. However, he left India as an infant and was educated mainly in England. Therefore, he did not develop “Indian instincts” in the cultural sense. He neither grew up in India nor experienced Indian society from within.

    Yet India and the British Empire had a profound indirect influence on him. Orwell belonged to a family connected with the colonial administration. Later, as a young man, he served in the imperial police in Burma (now Myanmar). His experiences there deeply disturbed him. He witnessed the inequalities, prejudices, and moral contradictions of imperial rule. These experiences became the basis of his novel Burmese Days and his famous essay Shooting an Elephant.

    Rather than being “pampered” by the British Raj, Orwell gradually became one of its sharpest critics. He came to see imperialism as harmful not only to the colonised but also to the colonisers. This realisation shaped his lifelong distrust of concentrated power.

    That distrust later expanded beyond colonialism. In Animal Farm, he satirised the corruption of revolutionary ideals and the rise of dictatorship. In Nineteen Eighty-Four, he imagined a totalitarian state based on surveillance, propaganda, and the manipulation of truth. The central theme in both works is not India but the abuse of power. I wonder why he didn’t write a standalone book on Hitler and the Nazis. But he extensively analysed them. He confronted these regimes with two famous works: Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm. He also wrote a piercing review of Adolf Hitler’s book Mein Kampf (1940).

    One could argue that Orwell’s exposure to the imperial system helped him understand how authority operates. Having seen power exercised in a colonial setting, he became sensitive to oppression in all forms, whether colonial, fascist, communist, or bureaucratic. In that sense, the British Empire contributed to his political imagination.

    A literary critic might therefore say: Orwell did not carry Indian instincts into his novels, but his connection with the British Empire, especially his experience in Burma, helped shape his lifelong concern with power, injustice, propaganda, and political control. These concerns eventually produced works such as Burmese Days, Animal Farm, and Nineteen Eighty-Four.

    The deeper link is not India itself, but Orwell’s understanding of how systems of power can corrupt individuals and institutions, a theme that runs through all his major works.

    On his upcoming birthday, let us wish for more such writers like Orwell, who could stand up to imperialism, authoritarianism and fascism. Does he deserve an award posthumously? Let’s wait and watch.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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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:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

***

Quotes

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QUOTE 1
If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead & rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing… BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
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An old tree dies. Grief arrives. The ancient oak that, according to folklore, sheltered Robin Hood in England’s Sherwood Forest, has fallen. (TOI EDITORIAL 20/6/26)
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As The Who sang, “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
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Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation…KAHLIL GIBRAN
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Even a sheet of paper has two side… JAPANESE PROVERB
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We carry within us
The wonders we seek outside.
Rumi
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What is not good for the beehive is not good for the bee…MARCUS AURLEUS
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No tree is an island…
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I think that I shall never see/ A poem lovely as a tree…JOYCE KILMER
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Billy Bragg described the courts as: This isn’t a court of justice son, this is a court of law.
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Every thinking person is an atheist… ERNEST HEMINGWAY
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Any role is possible when our soul and role work together…BRAHMA KUMARI ASHA
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RAHAT INDORI…Yeh desh hamara hai… Kisi ke baap ka nahin…
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Brechtian awakening… Unhappy the land that needs heroes… The playwright had written.
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The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places…ERNEST HEMINGWAY

Compiled by Kamlesh Tripathi

Book Review: The Children of the New Forest… by  Captain Marryat

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The Children of the New Forest is a historical adventure novel by Captain Frederick Marryat, first published in 1847. Set during the English Civil War, it combines adventure, history, survival, and coming-of-age themes.

Synopsis

The story begins during the turbulent years of the English Civil War, when the forces of King Charles I are defeated by the Parliamentarians led by Oliver Cromwell. Colonel Beverley, a loyal supporter of the King, is killed in battle, and his grand estate is destroyed. His four orphaned grandchildren—Edward, Humphrey, Alice, and Edith Beverley—escape death through the courage and loyalty of Jacob Armitage, an old forest ranger who has long served their family.

Jacob secretly takes the children deep into the New Forest in Hampshire, where they live in a humble cottage. To protect them from Cromwell’s soldiers, he conceals their true identity and raises them as ordinary forest children. Life in the forest is far removed from the luxury they once enjoyed. They learn to hunt, fish, gather food, tend animals, and rely on hard work to survive. Under Jacob’s guidance, they also develop strong moral values such as honesty, courage, humility, and loyalty.

As the children grow, each develops a distinct personality. Edward, the eldest, is brave but often proud and impulsive. His loyalty to the royal cause sometimes leads him into danger. Humphrey is thoughtful, practical, and dependable, often acting as the stabilizing influence within the family. Alice is gentle, intelligent, and compassionate, while Edith is lively, cheerful, and affectionate.

The children encounter a variety of characters, both friendly and hostile. They become acquainted with foresters, farmers, hunters, and soldiers, and they often find themselves caught between Royalists and Parliamentarians. Edward secretly supports the Royalist cause and participates in risky missions, hoping to restore the monarchy. His adventures bring excitement but also teach him difficult lessons about responsibility and leadership.

Throughout the novel, Jacob Armitage remains a steadfast father figure. Although he is not related to the children by blood, his unwavering devotion, wisdom, and self-sacrifice ensure their safety and education. His character represents integrity and quiet heroism, showing that true nobility lies in actions rather than social status.

The turning point comes after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, when King Charles II returns to the throne. With the political situation transformed, the Beverley children’s true identity is finally revealed. Their family’s loyalty to the Crown is recognized, and they recover much of their ancestral estate and social position. Edward matures into a responsible gentleman, while the others also find secure and fulfilling futures.

Themes

The novel explores several enduring themes:

  • Courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
  • Loyalty to family and principles.
  • The value of hard work and self-reliance.
  • The importance of moral character over wealth or social rank.
  • Growth from childhood to adulthood through experience and responsibility.

Conclusion

The Children of the New Forest is more than an adventure story. It is a tale of survival, family loyalty, and moral development set against one of the most dramatic periods in English history. Captain Marryat vividly portrays life in the New Forest while illustrating how courage, perseverance, and integrity enable the four orphaned children to overcome hardship and reclaim both their heritage and their future. The novel remains a classic of children’s historical fiction, admired for its engaging narrative, memorable characters, and vivid depiction of the English Civil War.

Book Review: The Woman in White… by Wilkie Collins

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The Woman in White, written by Wilkie Collins and first published in 1859–1860, is regarded as one of the earliest and finest sensation novels in English literature. It combines mystery, romance, crime, mistaken identity, and psychological suspense through a series of first-person narratives.

Synopsis

The novel opens with Walter Hartright, a young drawing master, who encounters a frightened woman dressed entirely in white on a lonely road near London. She appears distressed and asks for help before mysteriously disappearing. Walter later learns that she has escaped from a mental asylum.

Walter travels to Limmeridge House in Cumberland to teach drawing to two half-sisters, Marian Halcombe and the beautiful heiress Laura Fairlie. Laura bears a striking resemblance to the mysterious woman in white, whose name is Anne Catherick. Walter and Laura soon fall deeply in love, but Laura is already engaged to Sir Percival Glyde, a wealthy baronet, because of a promise made by her late father.

Unable to prevent the marriage, Walter leaves England for South America. Laura marries Sir Percival, only to discover that he is cruel, deeply in debt, and determined to gain control of her inheritance. His closest ally is the charming yet sinister Count Fosco, an Italian nobleman of extraordinary intelligence and manipulative power.

As the story unfolds, Anne Catherick repeatedly tries to warn Laura about Sir Percival. It is gradually revealed that Anne knows a terrible secret capable of destroying Sir Percival’s reputation. Before she can reveal it publicly, Anne dies after suffering from illness.

Count Fosco devises a chilling scheme. Taking advantage of the remarkable resemblance between Anne and Laura, he arranges for Laura to be declared insane and confined in the asylum from which Anne had escaped. Anne’s death is then passed off as Laura’s, allowing Sir Percival to seize Laura’s fortune while the real Laura is hidden away as a nameless patient.

The courageous Marian Halcombe refuses to abandon her sister. She secretly investigates Sir Percival and Count Fosco despite grave personal danger. Walter eventually returns to England, learns of the conspiracy, and joins Marian in rescuing Laura from the asylum.

Walter discovers Sir Percival’s darkest secret: he is actually illegitimate because his parents were never legally married. To conceal this fact, which would invalidate his title and inheritance, Sir Percival attempts to destroy the parish register containing the evidence. During this desperate attempt, he accidentally sets the church on fire and dies in the flames.

The final obstacle is Count Fosco, whose brilliant intellect has orchestrated the entire deception. Walter confronts him and uncovers enough evidence to expose his crimes. Fosco is later killed in France by members of the secret political organization he had once betrayed.

With the villains defeated, Laura’s identity is legally restored, and her fortune is returned. Walter and Laura marry and have a son. At the novel’s conclusion, the child becomes the rightful heir to Limmeridge House, bringing justice and peace after a long period of suffering.

Major Themes

  • The abuse of power within marriage and the vulnerability of women under Victorian law.
  • Identity, deception, and mistaken identity.
  • The misuse of mental asylums to silence inconvenient individuals.
  • Greed, inheritance, and social status.
  • Loyalty, courage, and perseverance, especially embodied by Marian Halcombe.

Why the Novel is Important

The Woman in White is celebrated as a landmark in detective and suspense fiction. Its multiple narrators, carefully constructed mystery, memorable villains, and strong female characters influenced later writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. The novel remains one of Wilkie Collins’s greatest achievements and a classic of Victorian literature.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Book Review: Journey To The Centre Of The Earth…by Jules Verne

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Journey to the Centre of the Earth: The Novel That Dug the Foundations of Science Fiction by Jules Verne

“Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.” This observation, expressed in spirit throughout Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth, encapsulates the philosophy of a writer who transformed scientific curiosity into enduring literature. Published in 1864, the novel is far more than an adventure beneath the Earth’s surface; it is a pioneering work that shaped the evolution of modern science fiction and continues to fascinate readers more than a century and a half later.

Before Jules Verne, imaginative voyages often belonged to the realms of mythology or fantasy. Verne changed the rules. He grounded extraordinary adventures in the scientific knowledge of his time, asking readers not merely to suspend disbelief but to reason alongside his characters. This approach became the hallmark of his fiction and influenced generations of writers, from H. G. Wells to Arthur C. Clarke and beyond.

The novel opens with Professor Otto Lidenbrock, an eccentric geologist who discovers a cryptic manuscript written by the sixteenth-century Icelandic alchemist Arne Saknussemm. The coded message claims that the Earth’s centre can be reached through the crater of the extinct volcano Snæfellsjökull in Iceland. Accompanied by his hesitant nephew Axel and the stoic guide Hans, the professor embarks on an expedition that defies both logic and common sense.

What follows is one of literature’s most memorable explorations of the unknown. Verne leads his readers through subterranean passages, immense caverns, underground oceans, forests of gigantic fungi, and landscapes inhabited by prehistoric creatures. Each discovery is described with remarkable precision, giving the narrative a realism that distinguishes it from conventional fantasy. Even when the science is inaccurate by today’s standards, the intellectual honesty with which Verne presents his theories commands admiration.

The novel’s greatest strength lies not in the plausibility of its geology but in its celebration of curiosity. Professor Lidenbrock is driven by an almost obsessive desire to uncover truth. His determination often borders on recklessness, yet Verne never ridicules his ambition. Instead, he portrays scientific inquiry as one of humanity’s noblest pursuits. Axel serves as the sceptical observer, voicing the doubts and fears shared by readers, while Hans quietly demonstrates that courage is measured not by words but by steadfast action.

From a modern scientific perspective, Verne’s subterranean world is impossible. The Earth’s immense heat and pressure would render such an expedition inconceivable. Yet to dismiss the novel on scientific grounds is to misunderstand its purpose. Verne was not predicting geological reality; he was illustrating the spirit of scientific exploration. Like all great speculative fiction, the novel is less concerned with being correct than with encouraging readers to imagine what might be possible.

This quality distinguishes Verne from his literary successor, H. G. Wells. Wells frequently used speculative science to explore moral dilemmas, social inequality, and political anxieties. In works such as The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds, scientific invention becomes a means of critiquing civilisation itself. Arthur C. Clarke, writing in the twentieth century, employed rigorous scientific reasoning to envision humanity’s future among the stars. Verne occupies a different place in this lineage. His gaze is directed not towards dystopian futures or cosmic mysteries but towards the unexplored corners of the Earth. His novels celebrate discovery for its own sake, reflecting the optimism of an age when science promised boundless progress.

Stylistically, Journey to the Centre of the Earth combines meticulous description with relentless narrative momentum. Verne’s detailed explanations of geology, mineralogy, and palaeontology occasionally slow the pace for contemporary readers accustomed to faster storytelling. Yet these passages provide the novel with intellectual depth. They remind us that genuine exploration requires patience, observation, and respect for evidence. Verne believed that knowledge should inspire wonder, and his prose consistently reflects that conviction.

The novel is not without limitations. Female characters play virtually no role, a characteristic common to much nineteenth-century adventure fiction. Some episodes rely heavily on coincidence, and the conclusion, following the painstaking descent, feels unexpectedly abrupt. Nevertheless, these weaknesses are minor when weighed against the novel’s originality, imagination, and historical significance.

Perhaps the novel’s most remarkable achievement is its enduring relevance. Today, humanity explores the depths of the oceans, maps distant planets, and probes the origins of the universe with sophisticated technology. Yet the emotional impulse driving these endeavours remains identical to that which animated Professor Lidenbrock—the irresistible desire to understand what lies beyond the limits of current knowledge.

More than 160 years after its publication, Journey to the Centre of the Earth continues to inspire scientists, writers, filmmakers, and dreamers alike. It reminds us that every great discovery begins as an improbable idea, often dismissed by conventional wisdom before eventually reshaping our understanding of the world.

Jules Verne did not merely write an adventure novel. He wrote a manifesto for curiosity. His message is as relevant in the twenty-first century as it was in the nineteenth: civilisation advances because there are always those willing to descend into darkness in search of light.

Rating: 5/5

Journey to the Centre of the Earth remains one of the defining classics of world literature—not because it accurately predicted science, but because it captured the adventurous spirit that makes scientific discovery possible. Few novels have so successfully united imagination, intellect, and excitement, ensuring that Jules Verne’s descent into the Earth remains one of literature’s greatest ascents.

Review written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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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:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

***

BOOK REVIEW: THE ART OF WAR … By Sun Tzu

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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.

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

FROM THE KYAUKTADA CLUB TO MCA SACHIN TENDULKAR GYMKHANA … by Kamlesh Tripathi

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MCA SACHIN TENDULKAR GYMKHANA CLUB, MUMBAI

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)

Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

Author, Poet, & Columnist

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