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After birth, how does a human being stay safe? How long will the individual’s life be? And how does the moment of death arrive? These three questions remain enigmatic. They are explored in a tale penned by the esteemed English author, Leo Tolstoy.

The mysteries of life are abundant, yet not everyone chooses to address them. Some quietly relish life, while others share it with their families, friends and loved ones. Even when faced with the loss of grandparents or parents, we often limit ourselves to a brief reflection. Writing a book on death necessitates courage. Tulasi Acharya, in his work titled ‘Mrityu Diary’, meaning the diary of death, exhibits the courage to delve into the subject of death, the accompanying loss, grief and the transformation of sorrow into a creative force.

Dr Acharya, the author, has inspired others like him to share their diverse experiences. He has made individual experiences public, creating a history of family events. His contribution is noteworthy. What he has penned in ‘Mrityu Diary’ has become universally relatable. Every moment of life can be seen as a moment of impending death for an individual. With each passing moment, we also experience a kind of internal demise.

This is a universal truth we all encounter. When viewed from this perspective, every person is essentially writing a book, however small, within their finite time. Those who make life extraordinary for themselves should explore the concept of a ‘sharing culture’. In this regard, the author has excelled. 

Time has the capacity to change life, but life cannot alter time. These words resonate deeply within his book.

A person might easily forget that one day they will leave everything behind. However, when one comprehends the realities of life, they cease to be selfish. Individuals in positions of power may believe they are integral to society, but when the day arrives for them to relinquish that power, they become akin to shooting the stars in the sky.

Serious illness, confinement to a hospital bed, or grappling with a deadly disease can drastically alter one’s perspective on life. Acharya’s ‘Mrityu Diary’ delves into this aspect. Dennis author Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Living is not enough; one must have freedom, sunshine, and a little flower.” Of course, perspectives can change, especially in the context of illness. In the book, Resham Lal’s life serves as an inspiration and aids in our comprehension of life and death.

Life is an ongoing battle against death, and escaping death is no easy feat. The book provides a poignant example of how a surgeon, who encounters death daily, must also confront his own mortality. It sheds light on the experiences of family members who perform cremations in the crematorium, the moments they endure, and the agony they face. Death visits everyone, sooner or later.

This is the story of Resham and Geeta, and more importantly, the story of their daughters Kripa and Suman, as well as the tale of all individuals who have confronted death. The book delves into human emotions and practical life experiences when facing death, with the lesson that death doesn't always bring curses; it can also bestow blessings. Every page of the book resonates with the hearts of its readers.

Reading this book feels like watching a movie, thanks to its vivid presentation. It's like savoring a well-prepared dish, each bite tingling with anticipation of what comes next. This suspenseful narrative creates tension and captivates the reader wholeheartedly. These questions ignite the reader’s curiosity. The author also encourages open discourse about death. He candidly shares his own experiences regarding sex, life and death.

The author’s honesty in revealing his findings is apparent, leaving nothing concealed in his narrative. He provides readers with two dimensions—one of emotions and the other of local colloquialism in writing and dialogues. This blend adds to the book’s enjoyment as the colors mix and merge seamlessly. Readers can easily absorb and appreciate the various facets of death, allowing them to arrive at their own conclusions.

The author’s prowess shines as he steps out of his familial context and delves into the wider world. He covers topics like cancer, its various types, chemotherapy, the deaths of many individuals related to it, and various personalities discussing the subject. This lends his writing a unique dimension.

The book also  chronicles the lives of those who are still living and the hardships they have endured. It imparts the ultimate truth after birth to them as well. The author has transformed his personal subjects and characters into 'universal' figures. Even in the lives of survivors, ‘Mrityu Diary’ imparts valuable lessons.

In Jessamine Chan’s debut novel, ‘The School for Good Mothers,’ we meet Frida Liu, a 39-year-old single mother, who is overworked and struggling to stay on top of her personal and professional duties. Then one day, in an insomnia-induced irrational state, she leaves her 18-month-old daughter Harriet alone at home for two hours. She has to go to the office to retrieve a file.

Next thing she knows, she’s being hauled into police custody for child abandonment. Her daughter is handed over to her ex-husband and his partner. But Frida isn’t a bad mother. She just had a bad moment. Even when she tries to repent and convince the ‘authorities’ that she loves Harriet and won’t repeat her mistake, everything she does is interpreted as evidence of her negligence and incompetence.

She is eventually sent to a place that teaches women how to be good mothers. The crimes of the other mothers range from testing positive for marijuana use to letting her child play alone. Each woman is assigned a robotic child and she must practice her parenting skills—hugging (for not a second too long or less), kissing, maintaining eye contact, etc.—with it.

In order to get Harriet back, Frida has to be able to show those in charge that she is capable of putting her child before her in all instances by loving the robot like it’s her child. But it’s not easy. The robot is programmed to be difficult and it sends recorded data to the authorities. The ‘experimental rehab facility’ with cameras everywhere is like a prison and the tiniest violation of rules can lead to permanent termination of parental rights. There is no way to win but countless ways in which you could be deemed an unfit parent.

The School for Good Mothers isn’t a horror novel. But you will be spooked nonetheless. It has a chilling dystopian feel to it that makes you shudder. It makes you question the unnecessary societal burden of expectations that’s put primarily on the mothers. Why are women expected to be at the top of their game when it comes to nurturing? Do they have to love being a parent all the time or are they allowed to be tired and maybe even crib about how draining it is once in a while?

The book is reminiscent of Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. Those who have enjoyed reading Kazuo Ishiguro’s ‘Never Let Me Go’ will enjoy Chan’s The School for Good Mothers as there are many similarities between the two stories. But I suggest you go into it with an open mind as many instances will have you rolling your eyes at the incredulity of it all.

Fiction

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57846320-the-school-for-good-mothers 

The School for Good Mothers

Jessamine Chan

Published: 2022

Publisher: Penguin Books

Pages: 319, Paperback

During college, I consciously read more LGBT stories to understand and learn to accept love in all forms. And there have been some really great narratives that have changed the way I have looked at love and what I’ve, for far too long, considered as the only accepted version of romantic love. Now, I don’t actively seek out queer stories but I love it when I inevitably stumble upon one. They reaffirm my belief that love is love and that one should be allowed to love anyone.

‘Red, White & Royal Blue’, Casey McQuiston’s debut novel, follows a rivalry-turned-romance trope between the Prince of Wales and the First Son of the United States. Alex Claremont-Diaz, whose mother is running for a second term for president, is passionate and eager to kick-start his own political career. Prince Henry, whose full name is Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, is much more measured and guarded—a stringent follower of decorum and protocols.

The novel begins with the two hating each other but things change when Henry kisses Alex on New Year’s Eve in the Kennedy Garden. Henry is gay. But Alex always thought he was straight. Now, after the kiss, he’s not so sure. And he can’t get Henry off his mind. His feelings for Henry make him realize he is bisexual. What ensues is a whirlwind romance with plenty of political drama. McQuiston indulges in many political fantasies, including Alex’s mom winning the presidency in 2016 (meaning Donald Trump was never the president).

The writing is honest and optimistic. There’s a lot of humor and some really wonderful moments as well. Alex and Henry are endearing and so are the other side characters who don’t feel like side characters at all. There is a lot of discussion about the characters’ aspirations, their concerns for their countries as well as all that they want to do to help the LGBTIQA+ community. It all feels like a pep talk at times.

Red, White & Royal Blue is essentially a love story but it’s also a celebration of identity. If you haven’t read a queer love story, this could be a good place to start as nothing feels forced or fake. The make-believe world couldn’t feel more real. It starts slow but when it picks up, you won’t want to put it down.

“Nepal: From Monarchy to Republic” by Professor Lok Raj Baral offers an insightful journey through Nepal’s political landscape, examining its transformation from a monarchy to a republic. The book comprises a comprehensive introduction, eight detailed chapters, and a thought-provoking epilogue.  Baral delves into various aspects of governance, constitutional development, political culture, and the challenges facing Nepal’s democracy.

The first chapter, “Institutional Crisis of Governance,” thoroughly explores the multifaceted governance issues that have plagued Nepal. Professor Baral provides a meticulous analysis of the country’s constitution, tracing its inception and the introduction of critical components such as federalism and secularism. 

He also examines the persistent trust deficit among Nepal’s political actors. Furthermore, the author critically assesses the parliamentary hearing system, deeming it formal, ritualistic, dysfunctional, and derogatory, particularly in the context of appointing judges to the Supreme Court. He also sheds light on the malpractices within the bureaucracy, the stagnation of administrative progress, and the dearth of innovative approaches to governance.

Professor Baral emphasizes the central role of the parliamentary system in Nepal and underscores its importance in other democratic nations. He notes that despite the autocratic tendencies of elected democratic leaders, the parliamentary system offers resilience and adaptability. Drawing a comparison with India, he highlights the parliamentary system’s effectiveness in addressing the diversity present in both countries. Recent Poland polls showed that autocracy is not inevitable. Democracy has the power to change, reform, and refine itself, and survive better.

The book delves into the intricate relationship between education and governance, with Professor Baral expressing concern about the deterioration of Tribhuvan University due to excessive politicization and partisan influences. He laments that many universities in Nepal have become hollow shells, lacking substance and content.

The connection between elections and democracy is dissected cogently, emphasizing that democracy encompasses more than just elections and government formation. It necessitates effective leadership, institutional efficiency, and other crucial elements. The author also addresses the issue of external interference in Nepal’s affairs, labeling it as "invited intervention." He highlights instances where leaders demonstrated resilience against external pressures, such as the decision to announce the Nepali Constitution despite external suggestions to delay it until a satisfactory solution was reached amongst all the political forces, including Madhesi parties.

He does not shy away from criticizing Nepali leaders for their history of unfulfilled promises and subservient attitudes. He recalls incidents where even leaders like BP Koirala sought to win favor with the monarch by displaying unwavering devotion to palace customs. This parent-seeking mentality, as described by Dor Bahadur Bista in his popular book ‘Fatalism and Development’, is reflected in the activities of our leaders then and now.

Intra-party conflicts and their consequences on democratization and political health are explored in detail. The rivalry between Nepali Congress leaders Girija Prasad Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai is examined, illustrating how democratic leaders sometimes compromise their principles to achieve personal gains. The book highlights how internal conflicts within political parties, including CPN- UML, have adversely affected democracy. Shankar Tiwari's book, "Kasle Sudharchha Congress," offers a comprehensive autopsy of contemporary political happenings and their implications in this context.

While Author  finds Pushpa Lal Shrestha to have believed in multiparty democracy with a republican form long ago and Madan Bhandari’s formulations not so new but ‘a jugglery of jargons and cliches’ used by the Communists of all lines, he is of the opinion that it was pragmatic enough understanding Nepal’s incompatibility with a one-party dictatorial regime. The writer does not find political parties to have taken a permanent shape and are seemingly in the throes of mutation and permutation. He also addresses the opportunistic nature of some political parties, which hinders the country’s democratic progress, both domestically and in its interactions with external powers. 

He argues that some left parties and “rashtravadi” club together and call the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950 “unequal” and yet, they did not come out with any alternatives when they were in power. Why they didn’t opt for Article 10 of the treaty is beyond answerable. Professor Baral suggests that there is a lack of courage to abrogate the treaty, as it becomes a tool for scoring political points through nationalistic rhetoric.

He  touches upon Nepal’s foreign policy and its limitations in fully adhering to non-alignment and strategic autonomy, even when condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and rejecting the agreed State Partnership Program (SPP) with the USA. The author discusses the impact of Nepal’s recent diplomatic disputes, such as the ‘Chuchhe Naksha’ border issue, and suggests that it may have reached a point of no return, with limited room for compromise.

The chapter titled ‘Electocracy vs Democracy’ provides a thought-provoking analysis of elections in Nepal. Professor Baral notes that while elections may not always mirror political reality, they serve as a powerful vehicle for mobilization and democratic dynamism. Throughout the book,  he references concepts and insights from ‘How Democracies Die’, shedding light on the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by democracies. He examines grassroots democracy through local elections and scrutinizes the ability of voters to select their representatives effectively. He cites the 2022 local elections as evidence of the shortcomings of political parties. The book also delves into the deconstruction of ideologies and the dearth of effective leadership, highlighting these as challenges in Nepal's democratization process.

Economics of Governance chapter delves into Nepal's economic challenges, including a depleting economy and increasing debt. He provides a comprehensive analysis of various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, trade, and hydropower. The role of King Mahendra in land reform and its implications for agriculture are discussed briefly. The book draws from "Why Nations Fail" by Professors Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson to categorize Nepal as an "extractive economic institution," which serves a select few individuals and business entities closely aligned with government elites.

"The Native Construction of a Nation State," chapter explores the concepts of nation, national unity, and "Nepalization." He cites Frederick H. Gaige's assertion that "cultural homogeneity" is not a prerequisite for national unity, advocating for a diverse composition of the Nepali nation. He also credits Gajendra Narayan Singh with sowing the seeds of federalism in Nepal, which materialized in 2007 AD.

The author also highlights the significance of a sound foreign policy, smart diplomacy, and an inclusive approach to Nepal's military, particularly with regards to incorporating Madhesis. He asserts that achieving an egalitarian society requires equitable treatment of the poorest of the poor, Dalits, and other marginalized sections of society based on the principles of equity and social justice.