Waiting
for the Dalai Lama by
Annelie Rozeboom
JAICO.
Pages: 220. Price: Rs. 295/-
Although Tibet’s Buddhist Kingdom
came under the influence of Mongols in 1247 it was intermittently controlled by
various Chinese emperors from 17th century to early 20th century. Since 1904 Tibet
was briefly occupied by the British but an agreement between the British,
Chinese, and Tibetan authorities gave it autonomy in 1914.
However, in 1950, the Chinese PLA
invaded Tibet, forcing tens of thousands to flee mostly to India although some
took refuge in Nepal and Bhutan too. While
the Dalai Lama was initially allowed to serve as an internal authority he was
forced to escape to India in 1959 in the aftermath of anti-China uprisings in
Lhasa, in which about 90,000 Tibetans were estimated to have been killed. Since
then violent protests against Communist China’s rule have been held
periodically – most notably in 1987 and 1993. In 1996 there was a crackdown on
Buddhist monasteries in Tibet which resulted in deaths of an unspecified number
of monks. What's more, the Chinese have been steadfastly rejecting all demands
for greater autonomy for Tibet or allowing the Dalai Lama to choose the next
Panchen Lama.
As a matter of fact, Tibet and
the Dalai Lama are so interlinked that one substantially loses its relevance without
the other. Ever since Communist China occupied Tibet there has been a lot of
international interest in the Dalai Lama’s as well as Tibetans’ fate. Long
spells of news blackouts regarding Tibet resulted in all sorts of speculations
and rumours. Has the Dalai Lama’s ouster and the Communist Chinese rule been a blessing
or a curse? This book takes a look at all shades of opinion – both from within
and without Tibet. It also gives us a glimpse of the social, economic and demographic
changes that have taken place there, whereby many a former “slave” has
benefitted both in terms of social status and prosperity. Rozeboom’s interview
with the Dalai Lama should interest Tibet watchers.
A
saint in the board room
by R. Durgadoss & B. Yerram Raju
Konark.
Pages: xxxi+382. Price: Rs. 295/-
Arjun, brought up in Lalgudi – a
small town in southern India, migrates to the West and becomes a successful
banker who is much respected by his peers. It seemed he could never go wrong
while taking decisions on investments and designing various products. But, the
Great American Meltdown, thanks to bad management of investment funds
especially home loans, leads to Arjun’s downfall. The very people who used to
take his words as the gospel truth turned against him. Even as he was making a
presentation, explaining how and why the things had gone wrong, he received a
message regarding his father’s demise in Lalgudi. This set him off on a trail
of self-discovery, which eventually reconnected him to his roots and the long
forgotten values that his father had bequeathed to him.
Written in the style of a novel,
this book is an interesting inspirational read.
I
lost my job and I liked it
by Lilou Mace
Macmillan.
Pages: 217. Price: Rs. 295/-
How does it feel to be sacked?
Disappointment, rage, self-pity… in fact all negative and destructive thoughts
overwhelm one’s mind. But, what if you were not really happy with your job?
Wouldn’t you be feeling relieved if not delighted? Mace says she was glad on
being sacked for the simple reason that she was not comfortable with her work
situation that caused stress, sleeplessness etc due to long working hours. This
book is not about merely coping with the dismissal from service; it also
suggests ideas for doing what you would actually love to do. Written in the
form of a diary, it takes you through the entire process of reinventing
yourself.
Published in The Tribune dated
01/01/2012
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