Turbulence.

So . . so . . . after a long wait, I finally got my hands on Samit Basu's latest offering- Turbulence. And didn't it blow me away, in a manner at least. Since there haven't been many urban-superheroes' themed novels by Indian author, (in fact none I can think off), I was a bit skeptical, deciding to give it a read just because of my love of Samit Basu books. But I have to admit now, this book was something more than just a binding of words with actions and sequences. This was something special, and far-far better than expected.

Basu, the famous writer of the GameWorld trilogy is back with a bang.

With Turbulence, he speaks about very Indian superheroes, ordinary humans who get powers that reflect their deepest longings, innermost desires . . . so everyone on flight BA 142 from London to Delhi is now a superhero, mildly to vastly powered super-humans (some indeed have weirdest powers imaginable)

The story revolves around the main cast, with plenty of sidekicks thrown in. So you have the protagonist, Aman Sen, whose new-found powers enable him to control everything that's on network. Yes, even the internet bends to his will.
There's Tia, a housewife from Assam, who always wanted to do many things and be at many places, so her powers make her a very literal embodiment of MPD. She can split herself into as many Tia's as she wants, and then merge together again, and can acquire every skill a Tia picked up on the way (very useful)
There's Uzma. A lot of reviews liken her to Katrina Kaif. Th similarities are there, I admit. Uzma is a brit-pakistani beauty who wants to make it big in Bollywood. Everyone likes her, and she oozes sexiness. But yet, I didn't find her one bit like her.
Then you have Vir, a former IAF pilot who can now fly.
And finally, you have the two supervillans. Immensely powerful Jai, Vir's former superior in the IAF who is now a one one army, with the old predictable goal of conquering the world. And there's a mysterious character with such remarkable ability to manipulate mob that is would put the Seldon Plan to shame and render his psychohistory useless.

So, Aman, with his rag-tag collection of rouge superheroes is out to beat the bad guys.

That's pretty much about it. The characters are very Indian. I like their Indian-ness. Some, or rather most of their habits can be related to, if you know what I mean. Basu, with this eccentric and interesting collection of cast, weaves together an unputdownable story, with his trademark zany humor and acerbic wit, which catapults him high up, with Jonathan Stroud. (If you have read Bartemeous, you would be knowing what I am talking about)  . . . Blockbuster perfection, electric and a racy page turner.  

I must admit though that after reading the GameWorld trilogy with it's breakneck speed, sharp twists and turns and plot changes, I was left demanding for more. Maybe Samit decides to write a sequel. I don't know. Haven't exactly been following him recently. But it might be a possibility. The ending is pretty much like the last Foundation book ended.

Verdict: A must read. It won't disappoint you. As BEN AARONOVITCH put's it:

"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll gasp and you will demand a sequel"

Oligarchy.

A cool wind swept through the square, carrying a scent that would change the world. Tension and excitement was palpable in the air. The signs were clear; something would happen today. There were talks of the dark king stepping down. Some said that foreign hands could play their parts. Still others maintained that the king would hold on, the protests would die down, and then would his black hand come down heavily on those who dared oppose him. ‘How could they even dream of toppling him, The Dark King, before whom even the Gods tremble with fear?’

The crowds had started to gather from the morning itself, but it was now that it was reaching a hysteric level. The attendance had been unprecedented today. There was chanting of ‘Go Away Black Heart’ all around the square. Loud banners unfurled in the air, swaying lightly in the breeze. Huge screens had been erected at the four corners, and indeed around the city itself, to intimate every one of the developments. The general atmosphere around the city was more relaxed. No one seemed to remember that the curfew hours had begun, and it was time to retreat into the safety of their respective houses.

But then, there wasn’t really any need to tell them. The last major outbreak of violence had been two days ago, in the downtown area between the anti and pro-king groups. It had left more than a hundred dead, thousand injured, but it was the outcome of the very same incident that had fueled the general anger and contempt for the King to new heights. People had taken to the streets like never before, determined to throw the immortal sorcerer out of the office now.

Around the country, small and powerless conjurers and magicians pledged their support to the cause. They knew they were nothing more than amoebae compared to the King, but then, was David any bigger? They helped to conjure safety shields and manufacture more effective Molotov’s.

Today, the security establishment was conspicuous by its absence. There was no sign of the fearsome Secret Service, or of the regular police. The militia was absent too. There was no response on government help-lines. In short, it looked as if the administrative machinery had been dismantled over-night.

*******

The leader of the mass-movement, Ranhall, led the procession through the entire city, before stopping in the grounds of the historic Fort Independence. The whole complex was lighted by atomic lights. Temporary shelters had peen erected, and there were provisions for eating as well. Somewhere ahead was a small dais on which stood a young, flamboyant boy. He seemed to be speaking something into a loudspeaker, but for some reason, couldn’t be heard. He looked bemused, and signaled the technician to look into the problem.

It had grown late now, the crowd was restless. They had come here expecting some kind of announcement proclaiming the resignation of the Sorcerer-King and a return to a civilian governorship. However, all they had to do here was hear stories about the old king. . The wide-spread corruption, the atrocities, tales of families being torn apart, of disappearing and of killings.

(To be continued.)  

Revolt.

Its been in the news for the longest of times now. In the print media, all over news channel. A topic of debate and discussion within the Political sphere, from the topmost echelons to the lower rungs. Its events have been followed religiously by the industrialists, for the manifold impact it has had and will have in determining the fate of global economy in the months to come. Yeah, you're right. I am indeed talking about the biggest revolution since the fall of the Shah.

(I might be wrong here, but then, I honestly can't recall any 'true' revolution since the Iranian revolution of 1979. Maybe the pro-democracy movement in Nepal would qualify as one, the break-up of USSR in 1991? Not that, of course. There might have been countless little movements in the intervening years, but come on, how many of them actually resulted in the fall of an Iron-fisted autocratic head, eh?)

Yeah, so, the fire, which started in Tunis, before sweeping across the length and breadth of the Arab World, and resulted in the fall of the head of the only stable Arab state had been stoking for long. Its been all said before. I am no expert, thus would not be analyzing the events which led to the revolt, or the after-effects. No no.. 

Instead, I am here just state what i feel.

Hosni Mubarak, (i don't know why, i feel i have a little respect for the despot. it's not exactly that easy to manage a STABLE ARAB NATION, is it? anyway, I respect Napoleon too) could have avoided the situation altogether. Not exactly a nice preposition, being kicked out from the office, is it?

I guess its turning nonsensical now, this blog spot. Might have something to do with this headache i have because of tonsillitis. Would continue next time, with definite idea as to what i should write.  

Update on Alibi

'ALIBI' my most ambitious short-story/project till date, a psychological thriller, still stuck in the first draft section. However, i might restart work on it again, possibly with-in this month. It's exhausting, though shaping up well. I hope it turns out to be worth the effort. 

Love Story.

A celebrated maxim says that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Ravinder Singh’s ‘I Too Had A Love Story’ proves the maxim true and beautifully depicts the beauty and power of true love through the writer’s own heart touching love story.


It is the narrative of the journey of meeting of two strangers through a matrimonial site to the point, where their relationship becomes the most precious gift of Almighty.


Ravinder and Khushi have never seen each other, but love has made them one. The writer has successfully brought out the depth of their relationship through the lively and graphic delineation of their conversation, feelings and emotions. The readers can feel their warmth and closeness in the lively and picturesque account of how they longed to be with each other in the rain, the coaxing and cajoling after the tiffs and trying to feel each other in imagination. 

Reading this book is all the more enjoyable as the reader relates and identifies with the writer. Impatiently waiting for the next phone call, little surprises bringing them closer, late night conversations, tears and smiles, all these make it a read-till-finish book.

The throbbing curiosity, the irrepressible apprehensions and the overpowering excitement and happiness to meet Khushi in person for the first time takes the story to a crescendo of feelings, emotion and action. Soft and light hearted humor strewn throughout adds an entertainment quotient to the story. The writer tickles a funny bone as he talks about his paranoia when revealing his affair to his parents.

Tear will roll down when an accident leave Khushi battling with death and Ravinder shattered. It reminds that a beloved can save his love till where God intervenes.

Along with the innate beauty of their love story, the expression of the subtle emotions in the most simple and lucid way makes it special. The fact that the writer does not make any effort to impress the readers with lofty words and articulations point to the honesty of the writer’s feelings.


The book is an absolute must-read for people who love love stories and restores the faith of the readers in the existence of love which had almost got obliterated in this fast paced age of modern technology. 


The most moving part of the book though is before it even begins.. 
The author has dedicated it to the loving memory of a girl he loved, yet couldn't marry: 
Tere jaane ka asar kuch aisa hua mujh par, 
tujhe dhoondhate dhoondhate maine khud ko paa liya
…. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come across an author in me.


Rightly said, 'Not every one in this world has the fate to cherish the fullest form of Love. Some are born, just to experience the abbreviation of it.' 

Epic

A culmination of a massive build-up, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 ended even before the feeling could set in..
Fear and loathing, gloom and doom are evident in every shot, every frame. Masterfully directed by Yates, the movie is a refreshing change from the corridors of Hogwarts, which predominantly featured in every movie so far..
It begins with suffocating tension, as Harry readies to face his true destiny. Friends and allies come together to protect the Chosen One, as they attempt to make a better future for their loved ones, a future in which no one has to  fear for their lives..
The movie over-all is gorgeous, with overwhelming end-of-the world shots..foreboding mountains and lonely beaches..
The series has grown progressively darker in tone and theme, and the actors rise up to the heightened emotional challenge remarkably. The storyline though sags at various points before rising exceptionally towards the end to make sure the ending is a cliff-hanger and viewers would be left wanting for more.

The movie is truly of epic proportions...and what makes it all the more special is that people will cherish every single shot because they know it ends here.

This is it then, this is the end, at least till July.

'Expelliarmus'

Stalk.

The two friends excused themselves from the party, and moved out.

It was 11 in the night, and fog had started to descend on the wintry night. The roads were more or less empty, and not even a solitary figure could be seen. The trees planted on the roadsides made a thick canopy overhead, and it made the already moonless night all the more darker. The orange street-light mixed with the fog the present a ghastly scenario. Occasionally, the bark of dogs could be heard somewhere in the distances.

'The music is so loud, you can hardly listen to what one is saying', remarked one of them, the thinner one.

'Yeah, i agree', replied the second. She was visibly anxious. It was showing on her face. Silently, they made their way towards the colony gate, and exited it.

They turned towards their right and started to walk. The fog was not thick enough, and they could see that the road went straight on for more than a kilometer, though they knew that there were 2 cross-roads ahead at regular interval. Residential blocks flanked both their sides.

'I’m happy you know, that we sorted out our differences.' said the second one.


'Me too, you know she said them in such a way that i was taken aback. Maybe i should have talked about it with you, i guess am sorry.' said the first one slowly.

'No need for that sorry, we are back to being best friends, that’s enough.'

One of them looked over her shoulder, and stopped.

‘What happened?’ asked the second one.

‘I thought I heard someone.’

‘Really? I didn’t. Maybe some dog..?’

They talked about other things as they walked on.

Passed the first cross-road, and continued onwards. Suddenly, the same girl stopped again.

 'What?' asked the other one.

'I saw a movement, a shadow ahead. I guess we should go back now.'

The second girl looked in the direction in which the first one had pointed, but saw nothing. 'I don't see anything but, I'am sure it was nothing. Maybe the light was playing tricks. It can happen you know, with this mist and the light.'

'No. I am telling you, there was someone there. HELLO? Anyone there??'

Silence.

‘See, didn’t I tell you? Lets walk only a little further and then we will turn back. Besides, we are only 10 minutes walk from our home.’

                                                                       *****

'...and you know, he is madly in love with his girl. It's so cute.. barely in 7th and so serious for each other.' said the skinny one.'

'Yeah, i so agree. Anyway, you heard about that break-out recently? They say a serial-killer escaped along with other small-time criminals. Scary, isn't it?'

'L.O.L.. Yeah, fancy bumping into him right now. Would do you reckon he will do..?' and the two laughed.

They had walked for nearly 15 mins before they decided to turn back, and were now halfway through it. They were now walking by a huge wall which ran along their left. They reached the first of the two cross-roads when both of them heard footsteps behind them. They stopped, and grasped each other's hand. Silently they turned on the spot and saw, through the fog which had grown thick by this time, a lone figure standing behind them.

The guy was wearing a long overcoat and jeans, and looked filthy. They could tell he had a rugged triangular face, and appeared to have bloodshot eyes. His head was delicately tilted towards one side, as he surveyed the two girls.

'Oh damn, who is he?!', said one of them. The man took a step towards them, and then stopped. He seemed to be contemplating something.  

With a silent urgency, they turned their back towards him, and started walking towards party. They could hear the man behind following them. Panicking, they broke into a run, but the man still seemed to be following them.

'STOP!', he cried from behind. One of the girls suddenly turned towards left, and the other one followed her. They had attempted to throw the man off their trail, hoping that the thick fog-cover would hide their detour.

They continued walking briskly, as they took another turn towards right and walked straight. Fingers crossed, lips moving in silent prayer, they hoped they would reach their colony quickly enough to evade the man following them.

'What if he is the serial-killer?', murmured one of them, visibly shaken.

'I wouldn't want to think about that. Lets just reach our colony quickly.'

They continued onwards for another 2 minutes before the sound of loud music reached them. With a sigh of relief, both of them looked at each other. It was the very music which had made them leave the party to talk in  peace.

The sound of music was growing louder and louder..

'What do you reckon? Not more than a minute before we reach?'

'Yeah, probably sooner than that.' the other one replied, and then added, 'I won't roam at nights like this from now on for sure.'

Both of them smiled,

and then cried out loud.

The very man they had fled from minutes ago stood towards their left. This time, he had something in his hand which shone in the orange light. With a gleam of triumph, he started walking towards the two girls. The girls stood rooted at the spot, unable to move a muscle. Surely, it is the mass-murderer...