Book Review The English Teacher by RK Narayan: It is impossible to rate the work of a master. I will just say -- Very Engaging. Lets you feel the emotions.

I am writing after a long break. No particular reason for such a long break. You can see it as some distractions had got me busy. During the break, I read two novels by author RK Narayan --- The Talkative man and The English Teacher. I liked both of them. While reading them I kept marveling at the legendary author's command over prose. Two novels, both about common people's lives; and still so filled with story, dreams, daily existence, struggles and profound grief. In addition, they lay bare open the infinite extent & dimensions of human behavior, emotion and subjectivity. If you are a reader who has not read these two novels, I recommend both of them. But still if you want to buy one, then do buy The English Teacher. Th English teacher is a story surrounding -- An English teacher, his young wife and their toddler (a daughter). I will not disclose the story as it will spoil your curiosity. For now I can tell you this much -- There are two or three incidents involving toddler and her mother, which make the reader quite emotional. If you are quite emotionally sensitive then the incidents/narrations can loom inside your head even a couple of days after finishing the 183 Page book. For this particular reason, you can even choose NOT to read The English Teacher. Though, it will be a good idea to read The Talkative Man to lighten up a bit. Opinion: It is impossible to rate the work of such a legendary figure. I will just say both the books are very engaging and even a reader with average reading speed will complete them in a day or two.

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By Govind Raj Shenoy

Socha Bhi Na Tha - Love, Heartbreak & Marriage: Book Review | Told from the perspective of a man. Brings a vivid picture of love, marriage, divorce and the cultural differences. Thoroughly engaging!

Section 498A: Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty.—Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine. This Section 498A in the Indian Penal Code is perhaps the least discussed and most abused section in India today. While media and social media give enormous space for the #MeToo victims, we seldom see any stories of men who were harassed by women and their families by blatant misuse or abuse of some of the draconian laws in our legal system. There are almost polar perspectives about use and abuse of Section 498A. So here I'm no one to decide which of the two is is the correct perspective. What I'm saying here is that the author has written the book from the perspective of a man, who sees himself as a victim of the said section. Sriman Narayanan, who authered "Breath Go Away and Other Stories", has questioned the gender narrative being dictated by a set of humanity and told the other side of the story  -- The story from the perspective of a man. He brings a true to life story of love, marriage, divorce and the cultural differences between how divorces or annulments of marriages happen in India and in the US. "Socha Bhi Na Tha" is the story of Shyam Venkat, a youth who is strong yet weak, loveable yet hated at times, intelligent yet dumb and most importantly, opinionated yet honest. He is caught between love-less marriage and marriage-less love. There are three girls in his life. The beautiful and immensely loveable Aditi Narang. The not so attractive and persistent Padma Lakshmi. The giggly, plain and unpredictable Annie Priya. Sriman chooses a narrative style that reminds us of Venetian blinds. He keeps pulling the strings between Padma and Aditi in two segments, 1 and 2, with chapters that go 1.1 and 2.1 and 1.2 and 2.2, thoroughly interspersed till almost three fourths of the novel. It takes some time for the reader to understand the characters. When we get a hold over the narrative, we are already halfway through the 206 pages long book. But "Socha Bhi Na Tha" is thoroughly engaging. It doesn't lag and keeps the reader interested throughout. Using simple language and complex narrative technique, Sriman keeps us guessing between Aditi and Padma. Perhaps the need for brevity makes it appear abrupt in certain places. On the negative side, the narration is pretty confusing till halfway. Shyam doesn't waste any efforts to explain the reasons for his dislike towards Padma. Though the story is narrated by the male protagonist, the readers might end up feeling Padma gets a raw deal in her life as well as in the story. But perhaps, that is the real high point of the novel. There is some philosophy and verses from Gita, believed to be mandatory for novels these days. On the positive side, brevity is the strength of "Socha Bhi Na Tha". Extremely vital facts about divorce laws, section 498A and depression are woven into the story in an informative way without becoming intrusive. Simple language, short chapters and believable, down to earth characters make "Socha Bhi Na Tha" an endearing read. An ill-timed mail, an ill-thought message and an ill- placed sentence can make life take the unfathomable "Socha Bhi Na Tha" twist. Why Aditi suddenly distances herself from Shyam remains a mystery till the cathartic epilogue. Sriman Narayanan has improved upon his earlier book, "Breath Go Away". Overall, "Socha Bhi Na Tha" is a very decent book and is worth our time and money. It is not a book for everyone. But except for the lack of traction in the first half of the book and non-coherence in story at some other points, the book is thoroughly engaging. I would rate it 3.5 / 5. Details of the novel Socha Bhi Na Tha - Love, Heartbreak & Marriage (Fiction) First published in January 2019 Published by Srishti Publishers & Distributors Registered Office: N-16, C.R. Park, New Delhi - 110 019 206 Pages (Soft Cover) Cover Design: Mayur Garud Price: Rs. 195/- Available on Amazon and Good reads (Rs. 146)

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Last Date to Apply for Delhi Judicial Service Examination 2015 is 31st Oct-2015. Examination Format, Age Limit, Qualification and other details. The High Court of Delhi, Sher shah Road, Delhi invites applications for the DELHI JUDICIAL SERVICE (DJS) EXAMINATION, 2015 for the for direct recruitment to Delhi Judicial Service. Delhi Judicial Service Examination 2015 Format : Preliminary Written Examination of Objective type : On 20/12/2015 Delhi Judicial Service Main Exam (Written) : Date not announced Yet Viva Voce: Based on Main Exam Merit List Delhi Judicial Service Examination - 2015 : 100 posts (UR-55, SC-8, ST-17), Pay Scale : Rs.  27700 - 44770. Qualification for Delhi Judicial Service Examination 2015: A candidate shall be eligible to appear in the examination if he/she is (a) a Citizen of India, (b) a Law Graduate from a recognized university, (c) a person practicing as an Advocate Age Limit for Delhi Judicial Service Examination, 2015 : A person must not be more than 32 years of age as on 1st January 2016. Relaxation in age as per rules. How To Apply : An application Fee of Rs.600/- for General Category candidates and Rs. 100/- for SC/ST/PH candidates to be paid in the form of Demand Draft made in favour of Registrar General, Delhi High Court, New Delhi, payable at New Delhi. Apply Online Time Windows: From 07/10/2015 to 31/10/2015 at Delhi High Court website only. Take print out of the system generated applications and send it by "Speed Post/ Registered Post" addressed to the Joint Registrar (Vig), Delhi High Court Sher Shah Road, New Delhi - 110503, on or before 07/11/2015. For more job information, job advertisement : Click Here

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Last Date to apply for Jharkhand Secretariat Stenographer Service Competitive Examination 2015 (JSSCE) | November 11 Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), F-49/50, Sector - III, Dhurva, Ranchi, Jharkhand - 834001 invites Online applications from interested and eligible Indian Citizens for Stenographer posts to be filled through Jharkhand Secretariat Stenographer Service Competitive Examination 2015 (JSSCE). Below are the key details of Jharkhand SSC JSSCE Exam 2015 for Stenographer Posts : Stenographers for Jharkhand Secretariat : 96 posts Secretariat Stenographer Pay Scale : Rs. 5200-20200 grade pay Rs.2400/- Age Limit : 18-35 years as on 01/08/2015. Relaxation in age for reserved categories as per rules. How to Apply: An application fee of Rs.460/- (Rs.115/- for SC/ST of Jharkhand only) to be paid in SBI. Apply Online at JSSC website from 09/10/2015 to 07/11/2015 only. For more job details, JSSC Advertisement and JSSC Detailed Prospectus for Secretariat stenographer posts Exam 2015: Advertisement --- Click Here Prospectus --- Click Here

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