The Oath of the Vayuputras (Shiva Trilogy 3) - A Book Review

I recently finished reading - The Oath of the Vayuputras by Amish Tripathi. I have read the earlier 2 books - The Immortals of Meluha and The Secret of the Nagas and was eagerly awaiting the release of the last book in the series. However, this last book has left me feeling quite disappointed.

Trying to put up my views about the book with as little spoilers as possible:-

The Oath of the Vayuputras is written in a simple manner so you can really concentrate whole and soul on the main story. The story is longer in this last part with many things happening but it drags after a point in time. It all becomes predictable. The entire series is based on mythology but the last book weaves in too many things from the Ahura Mazda to the set up of a Tibetan monastery with the secrets of the somras. I mean give me a break!

Then, there is the amazingly stupid Sati - who must feel guilty for the death of soldiers who did not follow her orders in the first place and got themselves and their friends killed. The way Sati dies in the book is quite different from the life of Sati and Shiv and there is no mention of Parvati at all anywhere in the book. Actually the book is quite a good read till the time Vidyunmalli escapes. It is this particular event that changes the entire book for me. From here onwards, all I see are implausible explanations. The biggest blow is dealt when Shiva succumbs to anger and uses pashupati astra. The entire series builds the character of Shiva from a person who is just a simple human being to a person who is a living God and, with one fall from grace, the entire character is destroyed. 

There is no future, he is just an old ageing man later. What's the point of it all? Wasn't the focus of the story to show how any man can be akin to God if he follows the right principles, or was it to depict a tragic love story where vengeance is the driving force for each and every action?

Coming to the title of the book, I have absolutely no idea why its called - The Oath of the Vayuputras. There is a miniscule section on the vayuputras, and his uncle and why Shiva was timed perfectly to be the Neelkanth. So, unlike the other parts in the series, this book doesn't really go with the title.

Overall, I am quite disappointed with the book and somehow I didn't get the kind of closure I expected with this series :(

Additional Details:-

• Price: 350 INR
• Pages: 600
• Publisher: Westland Books Pvt Ltd
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9789382618348

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Maid in Singapore by Kishore Modak - A Book Review

"Families are all unique, especially dysfunctional ones, which are shaped by the excesses of their members. Maid in Singapore, a tale based on true events, relives the bizarre and often troubling journey of a family consisting of an Indian woman and her British banker husband, forced to move to Singapore from their home in London. Their chemistry quickly turns acidic with the hiring of a maid who enters their web of carnal excesses, redefining the rest of their lives. The blows dealt on each member are enough for any to give up, choosing actions that are shocking, as only true events can be"

There are quite a few instances when one hears of extra-marital affairs but hardly does one hear of its impact on the family - how the cheated upon spouse (mostly the wife, as is also the case in the novel) and children deal with it. People spend time raising fingers and gossiping.

Maid in Singapore acquaints you with the inner turmoil which the wife and child go through when the husband has an extra marital affair. The book is written mainly from the Wife's point of view. However, there is a twist in the end. While I feel the way the wife has written the story is fine, I wished at times that she was more expressive. She holds the family together, assisting her husband whenever he needs her. In many ways, you can see that each character falls or sees some setbacks that they can't overcome. But the wife, the one whom one can say suffers the most, is strongest till the end. She holds the family together inspite of setbacks but dysfunction causes an irreversible turn of events.

What I like most about this book is the way in which it is written. The vocabulary and flow of language is absolutely delightful! The story is unusual and conveys how a dysfunctional family works very well. The only thing I didn't like is a little less expression of emotion from the cheated upon wife but then its subjective. There is a lot going in the book and its difficult to keep it down till you reach the very end.

If you want to read an unusual story that touches upon themes such as life in a new country, cheating, sadomasochism, gender identity - then Maid in Singapore is a perfect read!


Other Related Information:-

• Author: Kishore Modak
• Publisher: Grapevine India Publishers
• Publication Year: 2012
• ISBN-13: 9789381841235
• ISBN-10: 9381841233
• Language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of Pages: 240 Pages

Why Capital Punishment should have been a Part of Justice Verma Report

I appreciate the fact that Justice Verma report came out on time. I also like the fact that suggestions were invited from people while drafting this report. What I don’t appreciate is the exclusion of capital punishment as an option for sexual crimes. This is why I feel capital punishment should also be applied to sexual crimes:-

Lack of Fear

India has always followed a ‘calm’ approach towards its judicial plans and policies however its this approach that has made a mockery of the entire judicial system. If people were so scared of imprisonment, they wouldn’t commit rapes the way they are committing these days. Yes, late implementation has a lot to do with this. The system wouldn’t change overnight, so unless you announce a trigger like this, people will just continue to play with women as if they are toys. Really, that’s what it feels like now – as if the women in this country are mere objects or toys whom men pick up or attack anywhere, rape and throw away.

Affect on the Victim

Rape is a heinous crime. While it may not always kill a woman, it definitely kills a part of her persona for all time. Sex is still taboo in this country, people just make caustic comments without thinking. Politicians, police officials, famous personalities have been known to come up with the most ridiculous yet hurtful comments that tarnish the victim’s character, personality and intelligence. And these are famous people, imagine the kind of venom that others can spew. A victim has to face all this apart from the crime that she underwent. Its not easy, it may take a substantial amount of time for her to recover and re-build herself, sometimes she wouldn’t be able to get there at all.

More importantly, the victim who is reduced to a vegetative state like Aruna Shanbaug or a victim who dies due the crime like Nirbhaya or a victim who is raped and murdered like Nayana Pujari – where is the justice for these women if the person(s) who destroyed their lives get only life imprisonment?

Taxpayer’s Burden

Jail is run on taxpayer’s money. Why should a tax payer pay for a rapist? Rape just does not violate a woman’s body, it destroys a part of her, a part of their lives – who are connected to her, and largely it destroys culture and society. Everytime a woman is raped in this country, someone’s mother, wife, sister or child is violated. Somewhere the religious values of equating women with Goddesses and Ethereal beings are destroyed. Somewhere a part of the culture and societal norms that constitute this nation are broken down. Why, should a tax payer pay for the upkeep of the perpetrator of destruction on so many levels?

I also do not support the juvenile argument. What is ‘under-age’ got to do with raping a women and then inserting rods in her? Infact, if the perpetrator could commit an ‘adult crime’ then he should be tried and subjected to ‘adult punishment’. That’s how justice should be meted out.

Today is National Girl Child Day. Lets make it a happy one and pledge to bring about changes that ensure a better future for the girls of this country. Rape is just one part of the story, overall, lets vote for stronger laws and bring about changes within ourselves that let the girls and women of this country breathe!