खट्टी-मीठी सी ज़िंदगी (मनभावन प्रसंगों सहित)

 खट्टी-मीठी सी ज़िंदगी (मनभावन प्रसंगों सहित) लेखिका: श्रीमती रमा गर्ग, प्रकाशक: मधुशाला प्रकाशन प्राइवेट लिमिटेड, भरतपुर; भाषा: हिंदी; पृष्ठ: 168; मूल्य: ₹300 (भारत में), $15 (विदेशों में); प्रकाशन वर्ष (पहला संस्करण): 2026; ISBN: 978-93-7428-028-7

ज़िंदगी हमेशा फूलों की सेज नहीं होती। हर व्यक्ति के जीवन में अच्छी और बुरी दोनों तरह की घटनाएँ होती हैं। इसी तरह, हम सभी को खट्टे-मीठे अनुभवों का सामना करना पड़ता है। इस किताब में 21 अध्याय हैं। हर अध्याय को बहुत सोच-समझकर इस तरह लिखा गया है कि वह पाठकों के लिए दिलचस्प और उपयोगी हो। हर अध्याय में कुछ संस्मरण शामिल हैं जो किताब को जीवंत बनाते हैं। ये सचमुच मनभावन हैं। चूँकि ज़िंदगी कभी एक जैसी नहीं होती, इसलिए हम हर पड़ाव पर कुछ न कुछ सीखते रहते हैं। हर अध्याय के संस्मरणों को भी बहुत सावधानी से चुना गया है। इनमें स्कूल के दिनों से लेकर जीवन के अलग-अलग हिस्सों और मौकों को शामिल किया गया है। ये आज की पीढ़ी को सही संदेश देते हैं। नोक-झोंक हर किसी की ज़िंदगी का हिस्सा होती है। इनमें से कई घटनाएँ हमें हँसाती भी हैं और कुछ सिखाती भी हैं। हालाँकि, ज़िंदगी में रिश्ते ज़्यादा अहम होते हैं। इसके लिए सहानुभूति, बातचीत, जीवन के संघर्षों में दूसरों के लिए त्याग, अपनापन और बातचीत का सिलसिला बनाए रखना ज़रूरी है। बच्चों और परिवार के सभी सदस्यों के लिए प्यार, परिवार में सबको अच्छा खाना खिलाना और अच्छे रिश्ते बनाए रखना पूरे परिवार को खुश और एकजुट रखने के लिए ज़रूरी है। बुढ़ापे में भी, इंसान कभी-कभी ऐसे लोगों से बात करना और मिलना-जुलना पसंद करता है जिनसे कभी-कभार कोई काम पड़ता हो।

इस किताब का मुख पृष्ठ पेज रंगीन और आकर्षक है। इसकी छपाई बहुत बढ़िया है। किताब की शुरुआत में समर्पण और स्नेह-भेंट, लेखिका का परिचय, लेखिका की कलम से दो शब्द, आमुख, संपादकीय और आभार दिए गए हैं। किताब के आखिर में शुभकामनाएँ और लेखक की दो दूसरी किताबों के मुख पृष्ठ दिए गए हैं। किताब के पिछले कवर पेज पर किताब और लेखक के बारे में थोड़ी जानकारी दी गई है। ये जानकारियाँ पाठकों का ध्यान किताब की खास बातों की ओर खींचती हैं। किताब की भाषा सरल और समझने में आसान है। एक बार हाथ में लेने पर इसे पढ़ने का मन करता है। जब मैंने किताब पढ़ना शुरू किया, तो इसे पूरा किए बिना छोड़ नहीं पाया। मैंने महसूस किया कि इस किताब में लिखा हर वाक्य महत्वपूर्ण है और इसमें सीखने और आनंद लेने के लिए बहुत कुछ है। यह एक प्रेरणादायक किताब भी साबित होगी। किताब में बताए गए किस्से पाठकों के मन पर गहरी छाप छोड़ते हैं। समीक्षक की राय में, यह किताब बहुत तारीफ़ के काबिल है और इसे छात्रों, युवाओं, शिक्षकों, नौकरीपेशा लोगों, और आम लोगों के लिए, पढ़ने और उपयोग में लाने के अलावा, साथ ही दोस्तों, रिश्तेदारों और शुभचिंतकों को तोहफ़े में देने के लिए बहुत उपयोगी है। 

                                                                     ----------समीक्षक (Reviewer)---- विजय के. शर्मा

Zindagi ke Sang (Ehsas aur Anubhuti) Colours of life

 Zindagi ke Sang (Ehsas aur Anubhuti) Colours of life, Author: Shared writers, Language Hindi and English, Editor: Shri Jai Narain Singh, Publisher: Madhushala Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bharatpur (India), Publication: June 2026, Pgs. 192, Price India Rs. 330/=, Overseas $15, ISBN: 978-93-7428-006-5,

It is not very easy to live our life, irrespective of whether it is active or passive. In every situation we have dealings with different people, for which feelings and perceptions are included. Feeling means to feel about some matter, thought or emotion, for example feeling of happiness, sorrow or pain etc. This is the initial stage. On the other hand, perception is understanding and belief in depth. This is achieved with experience. The learning which we get with the pain is perception. The book “Colours of life” contains contributions of some 46 writers on different topics connected with life, in Hindi and English. Contributions are contained in 162 pages. Then there are introductory pages, containing certain details about the starting story of New Age Leadership Success (NALS), its timeline so far, photos of the writers, gratitude to all concerned, views of Prof. S P Garg and Shri Jai Narain Singh, editorial and a script by Shri Nawal K Sharma on contributions of the family. Coming to the contents, there are about 75 contributions in Hindi and English from writers mostly from India and USA. Along with the Contributions, which could be one or more, details of the writer’s name, place, mobile number, email ID of the writer, the photo of the writer and his brief bio data have been provided. The book starts with Saraswati Vandana in Hindi and ends with best wishes in Sanskrit.  I have made an interesting analysis about the writers of this book.  Most of the authors have written poems, to be precise 26 out of 46. The others have contributed in other respects. Forty-two contributions are in Hindi and 4 in English. Out of the contributors 29 are women and 17 men. Analyzing city wise, most of the writers are from different cities of the country, practically covering a large part of India. The book has a colourful and pleasing cover design. In the beginning of the book, blessings of Goddess Saraswati and God Ganpati are invoked. Contents page gives details of all the contributions followed by a collage of the photos of the writers. Towards the end of the book details of books brought out by NALS have been given. The back cover page provides About the book in brief in Hindi and About NALS in English. These provide adequate input for the readers. The quality of the paper used is excellent. Where necessary, certain words and paragraphs have been printed in bold type. Each poem is presented effectively. The poems included in the book are outstanding, covering diverse themes and ideas. This book not only provides recognition to experienced poets but also inspires emerging ones. Overall, the book offers a wide variety of poems, besides several excellent scripts on diverse subjects. It was a delightful journey to go through the contributions published in this book. I found it difficult to single out one or a few contributions to point out their excellence. Most of them are excellent, one better than the other. As a book-reviewer, I found it to be enjoyable to read and useful for people of all age groups. It is an excellent and interesting book for everyone.

                                                               --------------vijaiksharma4@gmail.com

THE GLASS BUTTON

THE GLASS BUTTON: Genre: Mystery,  Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ The Glass Button Series, Author: RICK YOCHUM, Publication: Nov 2023, Formats: KINDLE, AUDIO BOOK, PAPERBACK: Pgs. 332,  ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8866643837, Price:  Rs. 987.98

Normally many events happen by chance in life, but sometimes even small things have designs behind them and create bigger problems later. As a thriller this book has been set historically in pre-WW-II New York City, around the 1940s. There was a hit and run incident on a street in New York City. An unidentified person (Dennis Fellow) is hit by a taxi. It looks like an ordinary accident. But suddenly the body disappears from the morgue. A city Police Officer Detective Wil Bartrum is assigned this case for investigation. The Police Officer finds a polished glass button around.  Based on his experience he feels that it is not an ordinary case. In the meantime, he has come to know about many mysterious similar glass buttons in different places in the city. Therefore, he feels that he must unravel the secret of these glass buttons. There are Nazi plots due to which the lives of many innocent persons of the city could be under threat. The natural question arises whether the lives of the citizens can be saved. However, it is difficult to imagine that a glass button can have a communication (or any other destruction) device with required power and remotely operated. The detective himself is also exposed to different war-like dangers. The book combines mystery, espionage, foreign agents, FBI cover ups, betrayal, murder, dramas and so on. Now the matter involves prevention from destruction all around and survival. It is difficult to identify the attacker or the enemy. Such things happen at wartime. Now the question arises as to whether the city could be saved from destruction. If successful, then only the people can have faith in justice and the administration. 

This is the first book in the Glass Button Series written by the author. The first Chapter starts with "Early Autumn New York City 1942". There are 60 Chapters in all, followed by "Epilogue", 13th Precinct New York City.   But the length of the novel appears to be a little high. After starting the book, I finished it in two sittings and enjoyed it. Names of some characters mentioned in it are Bartrum, Douglas, Politano, Mary, Stanley, Sam Johnson, Radolph Ressling, Gloria, Delaney. The author is successful in taking the readers into the past, exploring New York Laws and WW-II era spy craft, with several characters. The book lets us know how in the olden times (about 85 years back), when technology was not so advanced, the investigations were handled and managed. It keeps the readers engaged and guessing till the end about what will happen next and whether Bartrum is able to foil the German plot and save New York.  I very much liked the writing style of the author keeping the suspense on. Due to many unexpected twists, turns and events, one is kept on tenterhooks to know as to what would happen next.  This novel will be found exciting, interesting, and enjoyable. The book has also received "The BookFest Awards for Fall 2025 - 3rd place in the mystery category". To conclude, based on the e-version, it can be stated that it is a good read, and it is recommended to the readers, who enjoy action, curiosity, fast moving events, intricate plots, detective elements and suspense, with a rating of 4.5 out of 5.  The readers must keep their fingers crossed, about the plots and nature of the events in the other books in the series. 

                                                      ------------------Reviewer: vijaiksharma 

Happiness Mantra the new corporate currency

Happiness Mantra the new corporate currency, Authors: Prof. S P Garg, Ms. Shweta Malik, Edited by Riya Gote, Publisher: Notionpress.com, Pp:228, Price: INR 390, Overseas $ 15, Language: English, First Edition: August 2024, ISBN:979-8-89498-580-0    

Happiness in personal life and in the workplace is a basic need of every human being. Success in the workplace is not the end, since what we need is a happy life. We all need work today and always, but we must work to get happiness along with it. In my vision, happiness is like a mirage. The Kasturi deer gets enchanted with the smell of Kasturi, runs here and there to ascertain its source, not knowing that it is contained in its own navel. We are constantly looking for happiness all around, though it is within us. This is true, at the personal level and for the corporate world. We become unhappy, for not being able to get happiness. People view happiness from different angles and with different parameters. There may be some factors which may be instrumental in causing our unhappiness. The beauty lies in achieving happiness despite such factors. We should learn from our own life, from the lives of other known people and successful celebrities. Many authors, Doctors and others have discussed and explored the mystery of happiness. But there is no ideal prescription yet, for happiness. We should also try to find ways and means ourselves to be happy in our life as well as make other human beings happy too. With this objective, the authors have ventured to bring out this excellent book as a treasure house of information, knowledge and experience based on the lives of other happy people and organizations. 

After the information about the publishing parameters, Preface, Acknowledgement, Brief about the authors, About the book, it presents Contents. The book has 16 Chapters. Towards the end of the book, Epilogue, Happiness Challenge, A note to self, A warm thank you, About the authors have been provided. The book contains 20+ case studies on corporate happiness strategies, insights from 100+ top corporates and leaders, 15+ mood-boosting activities and a 7-day happiness challenge to bring joy and success to the organization. Each Chapter of the book is purposeful. Chapter 2, “Unravelling the threads of corporate happiness”, states that corporate happiness includes well-being, satisfaction, and fulfilment of employees. It provides case studies of two companies in which surveys, interviews, and focus groups helped in transformation of the companies and cultural changes. Chapter 3 “How of Happiness” states that living with joy is an art. It gives examples of many organizations like Google, Zomato etc. who have adopted exemplary approach to employee happiness and built a culture of happiness. Some organizations have adopted mindfulness for happiness. It also describes an individual activity related to Ikigai, a Japanese concept. Chapter 9, “Success stories of happiness in organizations and Nations” discusses best practices and strategies and the role of technology. The practices followed in organizations like Akshya Patra Foundation, Goonj, etc. and those of some individuals, with a view to get happiness have been discussed in detail. Chapter 10 “Happiness: The new currency” states that happiness is becoming the hottest currency. It provides team discussions on work life balance, hybrid working, flexible schedules, moonlighting (side hustle culture), centralized communication, investing in employee’s health, upskilling, human and robot collaboration, and cultivating joy in workplace. Chapter 14 “Spreading Happiness through Leadership” states that Leaders can create and sustain cultures of happiness, provide ethical leadership and employee well-being. People leave Managers and not companies.

Before commencement of each of the Chapters, there is a relevant quotation of some celebrity. The Chapters have exercises, examples, details of activity, benefits, and what we derive. The language is easy to understand. The Quality of paper used, and the printing are both excellent. The Cover design is simple and colourful. The back cover page of the book has a brief description about the book along with the biodata of the two authors and the editor. Both the young and the experienced readers can find several useful guiding points about happiness. There is a lot to learn about being happy even in unfavourable situations.  It lays emphasis on the point that “Success is a journey. Not the destination.” Nothing is permanent in this world. Things come and go. A bad situation, and for that matter even a good situation will pass over. So, we should no doubt try our best, but happily accept with thanks, what God gives to us. We must develop our attitude, involve ourselves in other than work related activities and feel happy and spread happiness around. Every person must have had several occasions of unhappiness while trying to achieve happiness in his life. No one has had smooth sailing in his life. Considering in an overall manner, this book provides useful information, guidelines for the people and the corporate world to achieve happiness, for the entrepreneur, CEO, manager, youth, student etc. This book is helpful in the journey towards achieving corporate and personal happiness for ultimate improved results through increased productivity, fostering innovation, and attracting top talent. What is important is that we must study and make use of the contents of the book for our benefit. A comprehensive, excellent and must-read book.  

                                                             ---------Reviewer: vijaiksharma

द गोल्डन ड्यू ड्रॉप्स (सुनहरी ओस की बूंदें): दिल छू लेने वाली कविताओं का संग्रह,

 द गोल्डन ड्यू ड्रॉप्स (सुनहरी ओस की बूंदें): दिल छू लेने वाली कविताओं का संग्रह, 

संपादक: प्रोफेसर एसपी गर्ग, सुश्री नेहा शर्मा, श्री एनके शर्मा, डॉ. (सुश्री) मेघा शर्मा, प्रकाशक: मधुशाला प्रकाशन प्रा. लिमिटेड भरतपुर, (राज.), पृष्ठ: 205, मूल्य: रुपये 360, विदेशी: $15, भाषा: हिंदी और अंग्रेजी, पहला संस्करण: जनवरी 2024, आईएसबीएन:978-81-19357-37-6

इंसान अपनी भावनाओं को अलग-अलग तरीकों से व्यक्त करता रहा है, जिनमें से एक है कविताएं

लिखना। मेरी राय में यह अभिव्यक्ति का बहुत अच्छा माध्यम है. कुछ कविताएँ लिखने में माहिर होते हैं

तो कुछ कविताएँ लिख ही नहीं पाते। ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि यह ईश्वर प्रदत्त उपहार है। ऐसे कई लोग हैं

जिन्होंने इस क्षेत्र में राष्ट्रीय और अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर पहचान बनाई है। इसके अलावा, ऐसे कई अवसर

होते हैं जब कवियों का दिन होता है। ये होली और दिवाली त्योहार, स्वतंत्रता दिवस, गणतंत्र दिवस आदि

हो सकते हैं। अधिकतर लोग कविताओं का आनंद लेते हैं। इसी तर्ज पर सोचते हुए इस पुस्तक में

प्रकाशन के लिए विभिन्न स्थानों के लोगों से, हिंदी और/या अंग्रेजी भाषा में किसी भी क्षेत्र के नए और

अनुभवी कवियों से कविताएँ आमंत्रित की गईं।

इस पुस्तक में बासठ कवियों ने हिंदी भाषा में और सत्रह कवियों ने अंग्रेजी भाषा में कविताएँ लिखी हैं।

कुछ कवियों ने दो-दो कविताएँ भी लिखी हैं। विशेष रूप से, योगदानकर्ता संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका, ब्रिटेन,

सिंगापुर, युगांडा, आयरलैंड से हैं, और अधिकांश कवि भारत के विभिन्न राज्यों से हैं जैसे गुजरात, यूपी,

राजस्थान, महाराष्ट्र, हरियाणा, झारखंड, नई दिल्ली, तेलंगाना, बिहार, कर्नाटक और तमिलनाडु से। योगदान

देने वाले कवियों में नये, युवा कवियों के साथ-साथ अनुभवी एवं वरिष्ठ नागरिक कवि भी हैं। कुछ शिक्षा

क्षेत्र से हैं, और कुछ सामान्यज्ञ हैं। यह विविध क्षेत्रों के लोगों का उत्कृष्ट मिश्रण है। विषय भी विविध

और दिलचस्प हैं। 

पुस्तक की शुरुआत में, प्रकाशन मापदंडों के बाद, पुस्तक, संस्कृत में मंगलाचरण, हिंदी में NALS के बारे में

परिचय, फिर अंग्रेजी में NALS के बारे में, NALS की समयरेखा, योगदान देने वाले कवियों की 71 तस्वीरें

और हिंदी में संपादकीय प्रदान करती है। इसके बाद एक हिंदी कविता, भाव अभिव्यक्ति है। प्रोफेसर एसपी

गर्ग और सुश्री नेहा शर्मा ने हिंदी में अपना आभार व्यक्त किया है। फिर इसमें हिंदी में अनुक्रमणिका है,

जिसमें क्रम संख्या, लेखक का नाम और पृष्ठ संख्या दी गई है। पुस्तक के तीन खंड हैं (i) हिंदी खंड (ii)

अंग्रेजी खंड और (iii) संपादकीय टीम। पुस्तक, शुरुआत में पृष्ठ 1 से एक-एक करके हिंदी कविताएँ प्रदान

करती है और फिर पृष्ठ 155 से अंग्रेजी कविताएँ प्रदान करती है। पुस्तक के अंत में, यह एक हिंदी

कविता, अभिव्यक्ति के रूप में और दूसरी हिंदी कविता, अनुभूतियां के रूप में देती है। संपादकीय टीम के 

नाम हिंदी में दिए गए हैं और फिर संपादकीय टीम के 4 सदस्यों के बायोडाटा दिए गए हैं, दो अंग्रेजी में

और 2 हिंदी भाषा में। अंतिम पृष्ठ पर संस्कृत भाषा में शुभकामना संदेश दिया गया है।

ऐसी कई कविताएँ हैं जो मुझे पसंद आईं। प्रत्येक कविता अद्वितीय है. लेकिन उल्लेख करने के लिये 

कुछ कविताओं का ढूंढ़ निकालना कठिन है। कविताओं को कोई रेटिंग देना संभव नहीं है और वांछनीय

भी नहीं है, हालाँकि, कविताओं की गुणता बहुत अच्छी है। प्रेरणा के बारे में, चुने गए शब्दों के महत्व के

बारे में, पर्यावरण, समय, युवा पीढ़ी, इंसान, पापा, कविता की चोरी, सारी दुनिया की सैर, विज्ञान, रविवार को

छुट्टी, आँखें, माँ, जीवन की यात्रा, शिक्षक, नारी, राम राज्य, जीवन, प्रेम, मेरा परिवार, और खुशी आदि के

बारे में कविताएँ हैं। ऊपर जो कहा गया है उसके बावजूद, मैं पाठकों की जानकारी के लिए, पुस्तक की

शुरुआत में (ए) "भाव अभिव्यक्ति" से और पुस्तक के अंत की ओर (बी) " अभिव्यक्ति 

&quot से दो उद्धरण देना चाहता हूं। ये नीचे दिए गए हैं:

(ए) कविता से कविता जुड जाए,

भावों से मिल जाए भाव ।

मनों की दूरी मिट जाए,

बन जाए भव एक परिवार ॥

(बी) मन में आए भावों को तो हर कोई लिख नहीं पाता है,

वो कवि है जो अपनी पीड़ा को शब्दों में उतार पाता है।

पुस्तक का कवर डिज़ाइन आकर्षक और बहुरंगी है। उपयोग किए गए कागज की गुणता बहुत अच्छी है।

जहाँ आवश्यक है , कुछ शब्द और पैराग्राफ मोटे अक्षरों में मुद्रित किये गये हैं। प्रत्येक कविता को अच्छे

ढंग से प्रस्तुत किया गया है। अधिकांश मामलों में, प्रारंभिक चरण में, हिंदी या अंग्रेजी में कवि का

संक्षिप्त विवरण, जैसे नाम, शहर, देश, ईमेल आईडी और मोबाइल नंबर, कवि की फोटो के साथ दिया गया

है । कविता के साथ, हिंदी या अंग्रेजी भाषा में कवि का संक्षिप्त बायोडाटा भी दिया गया है । पुस्तक का

पिछला पृष्ठ, हिंदी में, पुस्तक के बारे में और अंग्रेजी भाषा में, न्यू एज लीडरशिप सक्सेस (एनएएलएस)

के बारे में विवरण प्रदान करता है।

पुस्तक में शामिल सभी कविताएँ बहुत अच्छी हैं और अलग-अलग विषयों और विचारों वाली हैं और

विभिन्न अवसरों के लिए उपयुक्त हैं। यह पुस्तक अनुभवी कवियों को पहचान दिलाने के साथ-साथ नये

उभरते कवियों को भी प्रेरित करती है। भले ही हमें कविताएं लिखना नहीं आता हो, फिर भी हमें तब तक

प्रयास करते रहना चाहिए, जब तक हमें सफलता न मिल जाए। इस संसार में कुछ भी स्थायी नहीं है,

यहाँ तक कि कविताएँ लिखने में हमारी असमर्थता भी नहीं। जीवन में किसी भी क्षेत्र में सफलता के लिए

हम दूसरों की कविताओं के योगदान से बहुत कुछ सीख सकते हैं। हम अपनी कविताएँ लिखने के प्रयास

शुरू करने के लिए भी प्रेरित होंगे। समग्र दृष्टिकोण पर विचार करें तो, यह पुस्तक विभिन्न विषयों पर,

विभिन्न प्रकार की कविताएँ प्रदान करती है, पढ़ने में आनंददायक है और सभी आयु वर्ग के लोगों के

लिए उपयोगी है। यह हर किसी के लिए एक दिलचस्प पुस्तक है।

                                                                            -----------------vijaiksharma

Basic Armament Technology

Basic Armament Technology: Author and Publisher: Ravindra Nathan Vachali, Pp. 159, Price: Paperback Rs. 480/=, Language: English, First edition: July 2021, ISBN: Not mentioned, e-version: not mentioned.

           Defence of any country is the most important issue. If the nation survives, we all will survive. Sometimes offence is the best form of defence. Hence the country should be ever ready to face all such eventualities from the enemy and come out with full glory. We must build our strength of reliable self defence and make people aware of our strength, so that there is less likelihood of taking liberties for attacking our country. The means of fighting have been changing and will continue to change with passage of time. Hence the production units and the connected organizations have to keep pace with the changes taking place. Any armament when used will create destruction, damages and loss of lives, but there is no other option. Every country has to keep itself in readiness for offensive and/or defensive actions. Many times wars prolong for months and years. Even though armament is produced and stored in appropriate conditions but when the war starts, the consumption of armaments is very fast.

           Coming to technical aspects, the book, generally and broadly covers the basic aspects of the arms and ammunition field, along with the other connected areas. Broadly the range of topics included in the book are: initiators, boosters, primers and fuzes, shells, shots, cartridge case fixed and separate ammunition, mortars, mines and grenades, pyro techniques, signal cartridges, guns, recoil arresters, rockets, rocket launchers, recoilless guns and ammunition, small arms ammunition and weapons, mines, demolition charges, grenades, propellants and explosives, improved explosive devices, armoured vehicles and tanks, clouding and cluster ammunitions, preserving packages and storage magazines, age factor and life of the armament. The efficiency also depends on the conditions of storage. This is an important factor. All arms and ammunition and other items are manufactured for keeping them stored for several years and rarely for immediately being put to use in a war. Besides utilization in defence of the country, some items produced are also required for Police, Railways, Mining organizations, Civil trade for sporting purposes, for national and international shooting championships, exports etc. So it has a wide scope. The number and quantity of the items produced is substantially large. Chapter 1 of the book explains the basic and general terminology. Chapter 2 gives a history of development of the armaments starting from the stone as a weapon. Chapter 14 covers various types of bullets etc. in small arms ammunition. Chapter 19 talks about the functioning test for each batch of production. There are number of tests including actual functioning test on sample basis. Each Chapter of the book provides required information in brief.

             In the beginning of the book, the author provides “about the author”, with his photograph, Table of Contents and Preface. The back cover provides author’s photograph and “Disclaimer” with clear caution about the objective of writing the book and possible misuse of the information provided. There are in all 26 Chapters in the book, and all these provide appropriate information about the armament technology. The contents are elementary and basic in nature. The book has a total of 60 figures spread over 14 Chapters. The number of pages in each of the Chapters generally ranges between 2 to 11, but mostly around 5-6. There is no Dedication, Introduction, About the book, Subject index, List of abbreviations, Tables of data, Acknowledgements, etc.  The book cover design is appropriate to the subject of the book. The quality of the paper used is good. The purpose of writing this book is to apprise the general public of all age groups, including the young ones, of the technology, variety and stakes involved, importance of safety, quality control and storage conditions, including the testing at different stages as well as at the final stage, likely risks to those involved in production and connected activities. In all the fields there is continuous development, including in the armament field. However the present book does not offer the latest status for all the aspects.

         The author has taken considerable pains to collect the basic and relevant information, prepare the sketches and present in a proper order. This book is basically an awareness book, for the conventional weapons for the layman in general.   Detailed information about engineering, chemical, explosive and testing etc. is not given here. With this much information, it cannot be put to practical applications. Adequate intimation of caution has been given in the book, for this purpose. This will help the new comers to get an idea. Also it may motivate some of the young persons to think of joining organizations connected with production, quality control, safety, storage and utilization for defence of the country and other relevant areas, to serve their motherland through this means. This book is therefore suitable for such objectives.

                                               --------------------vijaiksharma

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

Historicity of Padmini (The Maharani of Chittor)

 

Historicity of Padmini (The Maharani of Chittor), Author: Dr. (Ms.) Chandramani Singh and Mr. Surendra Bothara, Translator: Ashok Kumar Mohnot, Publisher: Prakrit Bharati Academy, Jaipur and Rajasthani Granthagar, Jodhpur, Language: English, Pp: 245, Price: Rs.400/=, Year of publication: 2022, ISBN: 978-93-91446-16-1

As human beings we all are proud of, and love our motherland and our clan. In this respect the name of Maharani Padmini (Padmavati), wife of Rawal Ratnasen of Chittor is famous. Whenever we talk of patriotism and national devotion, name of Padmini comes forward. Her supreme sacrifice, that of her family and many others, is respectfully known, all over India and even outside. Instead of surrendering, they all chose “Jauhar”. i.e. laying down their life by self-desire. This is based on the historical research conducted by the historians. However, there are some differences in the minds of some people or historians as to whether such an event took place at all. Some say that there is no such character like Padmini in History and that it is only an imagination of the writer.  

Any historical research needs hard work, unbiased, dispassionate analysis and brainstorming to arrive at the reality.  Also the historians themselves have different approaches and views. The required and confirmed details are generally not available easily and are not in a proper arranged manner. Muslim historians are said to have been scared of Alauddin Khilji and it appears that they have not written clearly. Col. Todd has contributed a lot through his book “Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan”. He has mentioned about Padmini. But he left India in between and worked from England. But there are various ways to arrive at the truth. We should allow some independent researchers to work and also give them due importance. We should examine folk literature; folk arts, traditions etc., find out the links, join the links and arrive at the reality. It is understood that established historians Shyamal das and Gauri shankar Hira chand Ojha have contributed a lot in this case. Also the historians of Rajasthan have collected the information about the parental family of Padmini.       

“Padmini Charitra Chaupai” by Bhanwar Lal Nahta,  was written around 14th century, that is 50 to 70 years after the event or 157-187 years before Malik Mohammed Jayasi. In the opinion of Shri  Lal chand Bhagwan das Gandhi, it is of 15 th century but in the opinion of  Shri Agarchand Nahata it is of 16th century. Shri Narayan das wrote his composition viz. Chittai Charit in 1526 AD, which gives some references of Chittor, Padmini, Ratansen and Alauddin. Malik Mohammed Jayasi wrote in the form of poetry around the year 1540 AD, that is 237 years after the event. He had chosen this popular story, based on the historical events and the main characters viz. Padmawati, Ratansen, Alauddin, Raghav Chetan and Gora Badal. Since the characters in the story of Jayasi are historical and beyond dispute, then to choose one character and call it non-historical is beyond comprehension. Under some pressure, the historians forgot that Padmawati is the heroine of the story. During that period, except for the orders of the King, all other communications were said to be by oral means only, whether personally or through a messenger. So there could be mistakes and/or confusions in the details. However, any effort to disown such main historical events and characters is not justified, just on the basis of opinion, arguments and counter-arguments.  This event was also popular in South India and scripts were written in south also. The writer of Padmavat was a Sufi, so this book generated a demand in the Muslim families also. It is understood that they had kept Padmavat book properly, with honour. In the beginning of twentieth century, many scripts were written on Padmini and Maharana Pratap for their bravery. Also one drama was written & staged also, and a film was made on the historical events of Rajasthan.

The events of Padmavati got into limelight recently, due to the difficulty in clearance of a film on Padmavati, by the Film Censor Board.  The senior author was invited by this Board to see the film at Mumbai and advice about its release. A few other authorities were also invited for this purpose, who also gave their advice to the Film Censor Board. Ultimately the film was cleared for release.

In the beginning of the book, Preface has been written by Shri D R Mehta, Founder and Chief Patron, Prakrit Bharati Academy, Jaipur, detailed Background by the authors and then Contents. There are seven Chapters in the book. These are: History of Padmini, Attack by Allauddin and Jauhar by Padmini, Chittor and sacrifice of Rawal Ratnsen (Ratnsingh) in literature,  Persons of the two sides, Attack on Chittor and Historians, The story of Padmawat, Padmawat in the world of the Art.

In Chapter 2, “Attack by Alauddin and Jauhar by Padmini” the authors describe the family details of Alauddin, his qualities especially in warfare and his ambitions etc. Initially, he chose to attack Chittor, for its strategic importance. The war was fought during 28 th January 1303 to 26 th August 1303. Having lost all hopes, the Rajput menfolk embraced SAKA and the women committed Jauhar. When Alauddin entered the fort, there was nothing except the deserted fort. The authors also give details of Padmini and Rawal Ratnasen. These events appear to have been initiated by a tantric Raghav Chetan. Subsequent events like capture of Ratnasen, obtaining his release, subsequent attacks etc. are described by the authors. But the bravery of the persons at that time for devotion and sacrifice for the nation is beyond comparison.

Towards the end of the book, the authors have provided 14 Appendices, list of 30 reference books and 11 essays and articles. The book has a colourful cover design, which is considered appropriate for the subject of the book. The back cover of the book provides “About the book”, though not written so.  The flaps of the cover of the book, give the photos and brief details of the authors and the translator.  The quality of paper used is good. The book provides 25 photos of the relevant paintings. This book is basically useful for the people of India in general and especially for the students of history, to make them aware of the various aspects of the events connected with Padmini. At the same time it is relevant for the students and other interested readers, including those from the foreign countries who do not have much knowledge about the events and would like to be enlightened about the same. Credit goes to the two authors for devoting time for study, research and then coming out with this book, along with the relevant references, evidences for the benefit of the readers, to make the matters clear  In my opinion, considering in an overall way, it is an excellent book for awareness, understanding, and usefulness for people of various age levels.                                                                                              

                                                                                                       ------------------vijaiksharma

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