Did I Really Do All This? by Vijay Raman (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

31^st Book of 2024

I am almost in the last leg of completing my reading challenge of 36 which is making me pick up some interesting books before I take a break of a week or two at the end of this year. This made me pick up a non-fiction this time named “Did I Really Do All This?” written by Late. Vijay Raman. The book published by Rupa Publications in around 250-pages comes with a tagline “Memoirs of a gentleman cop who dared to be different”. The author who lived a life being a cop serving the nation lost his life in the last phases of writing this book. The rest of the book was completed by his wife, Veena Raman, who has ensured that we don’t feel the difference at all while reading.

 

From the outside, we view all the policemen just as security personnels walking on the streets in their uniform. Very rarely do we get a chance to talk with them and understand how challenging their life could be. Books are a great medium for us to read about them and learn what goes behind the scenes in keeping us safe and crimes in check. It is wonderful initiative of people like Vijay Raman who are coming forward and reiterating their life in such forms for us to get familiar with their tough working lifestyle.

 

The book starts with his initial days where he tries to get into IAS service but lands up into IPS. His resolution to get his medical test clear by restricting his salt intake talks about his commitment right from the formative years. Vijay Raman’s narration style is very friendly and while reading you can feel a very senior retired person telling you all about himself to read between the lines and learn the said and unsaid life lessons from it.

 

This book wouldn’t have been interesting if Vijay would have been associated only with police functioning of a similar nature or at the same location. What makes his journey and this book incredible and memorable are the different kind of challenges he took in his tenure. Right from encountering a long wanted Paan Singh Tomar, making other harmful and dangerous dacoits like Phoolan Devi, Malkhan Singh etc. surrender, breaking Guinness world record of driving maximum kilometers in minimum duration, protecting four different Prime Ministers being in their first circle of security force, being deployed near the location of Bhopal Gas tragedy, making the Indian border secure by installing wall and wires, Vyapam case, how he ensured that Ghazi Baba, the mastermind behind 2001 parliament attack was killed etc. – all these different tasks associated with one Supercop is hard to believe and amazing to read.

 

Vijay has told all these stories in the right proportion by directly moving to the next story before the one starts boring the readers. I liked how he didn’t let emotions get into him and get biased with one tale over others. The chapter on his driving adventure which made him register his name in Guinness world record is a very uniquely written chapter where you will enjoy it more like a fiction story. Vijay has ensured that he adds humour as well wherever required which keeps the mood relaxed despite reading such stressful encounters of the author.

 

It's obvious for anyone to get a bit obsessed with themselves after achieving so many fates but it shows quite often in Vijay’s writing. He has kept self-admiration going on in almost every 3^rd page which can annoy some readers. This is evident from the title and tagline of the book itself. It is filled with self-appreciation. Secondly, I wished author could have talked about his family life and members in details as well. He just introduces his family and doesn’t discuss about them at all. In the first half, there are still few sections where he talks about his communication with his wife through letters or calls etc. but nothing after that.

 

There are fillers in between where Veena Raman has also scribbled few words for her husband or told some incidents from her perspective. It was a great fun reading her version as well. The photographs featured in between the chapters make us explore Vijay Raman a bit more closely and understand how he looked or aged during the particular milestone of his life. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Quills: The Hungry Little Porcupine by Shibani Alter (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

  

30^th Book of 2024

After reading 3 books back-to-back by Stephen Alter, I finally got a chance to pick up the book written by his daughter, Shibani Alter was well. The name of the book is “Quills: The Hungry Little Porcupine” which is published by Aleph in around 30-pages. The book has almost the same aesthetics as the books written by Stephen in the same section for Aleph publications. The illustrations adding up to the story are created by Shruti Hemani.

 

Shibani has narrated this story in a very simple flow wherein the same loop repeats as the group of animal friends keeps getting increased one by one. Starting with a porcupine who has left his home in search of food gets scared every time he feels leopard is around him and ends up meeting one of his friends. The set of animals introduced in the story are pig, money, mongoose and goat.

 

The authoress has ensured that she helps the young readers understand the nature of each of the animal and their different skillsets using which they move to the distinct places for survival. Similarly, they bring back different kinds of food produced of different type of plants and lands. She has shown intelligence and presence of mind while scripting the story. The main feature of porcupine which is its quills which hides one of its important features that it can use to protect against harmful animals is revealed in the climax.

 

Overall, this is a well written simple story which the young readers would love to read repeatedly and share with their friends. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

If You Were a Tiger Cub by Stephen Alter (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

29^th Book of 2024

Stephen Alter is one of the very matured authors who know how to infuse the adult-based philosophies in a children book without making it difficult to understand. This is the 3^rd children book I had read by him in just 2 days and I must say with each book I could sense his intention while creating the stories. This time I read “If you were a Tiger Cub” which has been published by Aleph in 30-pages. The book also consists of illustrations created by Mohit Suneja.

 

In If You Were a Tiger Cub, the author takes readers on an enchanting journey through the vibrant Indian jungle, where each creature is brought to life with vivid detail and unique traits. A playful tiger cub sets off on an adventurous exploration, encountering the jungle's diverse inhabitants. A sleek leopard moves silently through the undergrowth, while a hornbill perches high among the branches of a fig tree. Beyond a screen of bamboo, the majestic elephant makes a quiet yet commanding appearance.

 

The sharp call of a sambar deer serves as a sudden warning, urging careful observation—its swift departure reminds readers of its wariness. In a dimly lit cave, a swirling cluster of bats dangles from the ceiling, and a shaggy, fearsome sloth bear arrives, its powerful claws on display. Beneath the forest canopy, the jungle’s secrets unfold: tiny creatures scurry near a towering termite mound, while the roots of a sprawling banyan tree shelter hidden marvels. Through this poetic lens, the author paints a rich tapestry of the jungle, showcasing the beauty and distinct personalities of its wild residents.

 

Stephen wonderfully entertains his readers by making them imagine their life as a tiger cub. One hypothetical version of tiger cub that he mentions, he helps us feel relatable by explaining her relationship with her mother and two brothers. She tells how her brothers put less efforts in good task as compared to her whereas she can be called a tiger baby with good habits. Similarly, author also mentions how even she is dependent upon her brothers at times. The relationship between a mother and child is also given equal prominence and role of a mother is nicely depicted.

 

By the end of the book, I loved how author involves a human being in the story without having highlighted it specifically. That was such a great section to read and relate. Overall, this book is a good empathetical work which makes you feel more compassionate and related to the world of animals. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA