H.G. Wells and Rebecca West

 The relationship between H.G. Wells and Rebecca West was a complex and deeply influential one—both personally and intellectually. Here's a concise overview:

Who Were They?

H.G. Wells (1866–1946): A renowned British author, best known for his science fiction classics like The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man.

Rebecca West (1892–1983): A prominent British writer, journalist, critic, and feminist, known for her political commentary and novels such as The Return of the Soldier and Black Lamb and Grey Falcon.

The Nature of Their Relationship

First Meeting: They met in 1913 when West was 20 and Wells was 46. She had written a critical review of Wells’s work, calling it “immature.” Wells admired her spirit and intellect and reached out to her.

Romantic Involvement: Despite Wells being married (to Amy Catherine Robbins), he and West began a passionate affair. Wells was a known advocate of free love and had other extramarital relationships as well.

Child Together: In 1914, Rebecca West gave birth to their son, Anthony West, who later became a writer himself. Their son’s relationship with both parents was troubled, especially due to the emotional aftermath of their affair.

Intellectual Exchange: Their letters and exchanges reveal a powerful meeting of minds. They challenged and inspired each other’s ideas on literature, politics, society, and gender roles. West was one of the few people who could intellectually spar with Wells on equal footing.

Turbulent Bond: While their romantic relationship eventually faded, they remained in each other’s lives in complicated ways for decades. Their correspondence shows affection, frustration, and mutual respect, despite many personal tensions.

Legacy of Their Relationship

Rebecca West was often overshadowed early in her career due to her association with Wells, but she went on to establish herself as one of the most important writers of the 20th century in her own right.

H.G. Wells reportedly never ceased to admire West's intellect and willpower, even though their temperaments often clashed.

Their son, Anthony, later wrote H.G. Wells: Aspects of a Life, where he dealt with the complicated legacy of his famous parents and the emotional damage caused by their stormy relationship.

In sum, the Wells–West relationship was more than just a love affair—it was a meeting of two formidable minds that left an indelible mark on literature, politics, and feminist thought in the 20th century.

Hornbill Books @ Oberon Mall

Once I used to frequent Oberon Food Circle often. They used to have 'Hornbill Books' bookstore at the food court area. Actually it was not a full bookstore; only a wall had bookshelves - a bookwall! The remaining area is chairs and tables which is a part of the food court area for people to sit and eat and drink. But that wall and the area combined had a look of a beautiful bookstore. Brilliant space management 😀

 

Jawaharlal Nehru ~ Mohan Guruswamy

 MOHAN GURUSWAMY:

Jawahar Lal Nehru: India’s good fortune to have him at the beginning.

Jawaharlal Nehru died sixty one years ago on May 27, 1964. He was seventy-four. He had a stroke that morning at 6.25 am and lost consciousness almost immediately. He died without regaining consciousness, and according to a member of his household, his death was due to "an internal hemorrhage, a paralytic stroke, and a heart attack." He had returned the previous day from Mussourie, “hale and hearty” but Nehru was clearly ailing. Parliament, then in session, and the nation were told about his death at 2.05 pm.

A major event such as this inevitably gives rise to “where were you?” questions. Where were you when Kennedy was assassinated? Where were you when Indira Gandhi was killed? Where were you when the World Trade Center was brought down? The shock of the event magnifies the immediate around you and imprints it in your mind. I still can vividly recall the day Nehru died and the moment I learnt about it..

I was in Poona studying German at the Goethe Institute, and after class that afternoon I was cycling into town to meet a friend. As I passed a government building, I saw a flag flying at half-mast. I asked and when told a great fear descended over me.

Like many young Indians I too was unwilling to contemplate India without Nehru, despite having read many speculations about Who next? The most widely read book on the subject was by the American journalist Welles Hangen “After Nehru Who?” Hangen speculated on a list of personalities and wrote: “Many people in India who concede that Nehru can now be replaced have told me that only he could have held the country together in the early days after the partition of British India.” Clearly to many Nehru had outlived his purpose, particularly after the disastrous India-China War of 1962. Not knowing what was in store next sent me scurrying down back to my hostel, where a radio set was reporting the mourning as only AIR and Melville de Mello’s dulcet voice could.

We began discussing the succession, even though Gulzarilal Nanda was appointed the interim PM, few took him seriously as a successor. By late in the night our fears took over. One refrain was that the military would take over. Another was that either the Communists or the CIA would set off a coup. None of this happened. Nehru had built a modern and democratic India to last.

India was fortunate to have his leadership in the formative years of the Republic. We took the road less traveled and it made all the difference. Recall Robert Frost who wrote: “I shall be telling this with a sigh/Somewhere ages and ages hence:/Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—/I took the one less traveled by, /And that has made all the difference.”

We could have done better but we could have done worse like many other countries in our situation did. The India conceptualized by Nehru and the founding fathers still endures, weathering blows from the philistines opposed to the foundational philosophy of modern India.

 

Nehru was a man with a towering intellect and a long vision. No one who has read “Discovery of India” will think otherwise. He tried to forge a new all-inclusive nationality for us. I have often tried to explain this notion in simple terms. This is to make the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai or the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Golden Temple in Amritsar equally our heritage. Every invasion or migratory wave, every musical instrument and kind of music, and every literary form and style that flourished in India was equally ours. The raga and ghazal were ours just as Bhimsen Joshi and Begum Akhtar were our very own.

 

Nehru made mistakes. When big people make mistakes, they are often monumental. He misunderstood the nature of the dispute with China. He tied the economy in the ropes of central planning which while giving us an industrial base, helped spawn very many undeserving millionaire tycoons. But he had a bigger vision. He contemplated the new India to be guided by reason and infused with the scientific temper. Instead we are now increasingly a people driven by dogma and blind faith. Religion and blind faith are our biggest fault lines and the cause of much social friction and breakdown of orderly public behavior and order.

 

In recent years, the assault on Nehru’s memory has become vicious. It is led by small men, men who don't know history and who confuse Taxila with Patna, Indus with Ganges, and Alexander with Selucus; who don't know science and think the Ganesh was real and not a symbol and who can't tell between a transplant and plastic surgery; who cannot distinguish between history and mythology, science and superstition, and fact and fiction. They are now trying to define our identity in narrow and divisive terms, and hence excluding the majority.

 

Our never-ending economic malaises and the seemingly intractable problem of Jammu and Kashmir serve as ready sticks to beat the memory of Nehru. And in the hands of the half knowing and politically vicious politician these become deadly weapons, however false they may in fact be. Then of course there is the myth perpetuated that it was Jawaharlal Nehru’s eagerness to become Prime Minister that forced the agreement for the partition of India. There is a good deal of irony in this for those who seem to castigate him loudest on this are those who hate Muslims the most.

The attempted deification of Sardar Patel, who supposedly disagreed with Nehru on all these and other issues, serves the political purpose of those who having got their day in office misused it and now are desperately hoping to get another term. It is sad to see few willing to stand up and take a position in defence of Jawaharlal Nehru these days. In my time I have been a frequent critic of Nehru, yet even I will have little hesitation in stating that he was the greatest statesman this country has known for several centuries. We were fortunate to have had him in the beginning.

Our unique diversity and common perception about ourselves bound by a modern and egalitarian Constitution is now being challenged. India has weathered worse. We are, after all, the people of India, that is Bharat. And we still live in the house that Nehru built.

 

 

Mohan Guruswamy

Email: mohanguru@gmail.com

Cochin Fames and Fables ~ M K Das (23 of 25)

 

(Earlier post rewritten - Courtesy Chat GPT)

A Tribute to Cochin: Fame and Fables – A Must-Read Chronicle by M.K. Das

Cochin: Fame and Fables by M.K. Das is not merely a historical narrative—it is a heartfelt homage to the soul of Kochi. Through his lucid prose and journalist’s precision, Das has delivered a remarkable work that gracefully traverses the past and present of this unique city. It is a book that every resident of Ernakulam must read—not just for knowledge, but for a deeper emotional connection to the land they call home.

What sets this book apart is its sweeping yet intimate portrayal of Kochi's transformation from a cluster of sleepy fishing hamlets to one of India’s most cosmopolitan port cities. With tremendous gratitude, we acknowledge M.K. Das for masterfully weaving historical facts, cultural evolutions, and local legends into a vivid tapestry that not only informs but also inspires.

Legacy of Trade, Conflict, and Cultural Confluence

Das opens with a fascinating comparison—juxtaposing Kochi’s transformation with that of Bombay, another port town that rose to global prominence. Like Bombay, Kochi too was once insignificant, until tides of history—both literal and metaphorical—lifted it into relevance. Particularly notable is the 1341 tsunami, which dramatically altered Kerala's geography and shifted trade dominance from Muziris to Kochi. This moment marks the city’s metaphorical and physical birth.

The historical narrative spans eras of rulers—from the Zamorin of Calicut and the Raja of Kochi, through the colonial ambitions of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. Das keenly traces the 250-year-long feud between Calicut and Cochin, highlighting nine significant wars between 1502 and 1757. Each era brought not only conflict but cultural enrichment, leaving behind enduring architectural, linguistic, and societal imprints.

It’s in these layers of conquest and co-existence that Kochi’s true identity was forged—a melting pot where Jews, Konkanis, Gujaratis, Chinese, Arabs, Dutch, and British left their mark. The book rightly highlights the unparalleled multicultural fabric of Kochi, home to over 30 distinct communities speaking 16 different languages. The coexistence of diverse customs and beliefs has created a spirit of tolerance that still characterizes the city today.

Myths, Legends, and the Naming of Ernakulam

A particularly captivating section of the book deals with the origin of the name “Ernakulam.” Das doesn't settle for a singular explanation. Instead, he compassionately explores multiple narratives—each rich in folklore and spiritual symbolism. From "Eraivan" (Lord Shiva) to the myth of Rishinagan/Devalan, the sage cursed into serpent form whose devotion led to divine redemption, the author treats these stories not as contradictions but as threads of a grander cultural fabric. The tale of Rishinagakulam evolving into Ernakulam is as enchanting as it is spiritually resonant. These stories root Ernakulam in the sacred and the mythical, elevating it beyond a mere geographic location.

The Maritime Pivot and the Making of Modern Kochi

Das dedicates much of the book to charting Kochi’s evolution as a maritime hub. He spotlights the Cochin Port—an engineering marvel born out of vision, resilience, and extraordinary civil planning. Spearheaded by British engineer Sir Robert Bristow with support from local visionaries and Dewans, the creation of the port was a defining moment in Kochi’s history. It connected Kerala to global trade routes, amplified its economic significance, and transformed the local economy forever.

Bristow’s efforts are narrated with a sense of awe, as are the infrastructural milestones that followed—introduction of electricity, establishment of a railway connection, and the construction of landmark roads such as Chittoor, Banerji, and Sahodaran Ayyappan Road. The birth of public transport and electric lighting heralded a modern era that paved the way for today's urban Kochi.

Social Amity and Cultural Integration

Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of Cochin: Fame and Fables is the way it celebrates Kochi’s spirit of unity in diversity. The city is portrayed as a grand bouquet—each petal representing a unique community or tradition. From Paravur Veeran, a local folk hero, to the historical Jewish settlers and the Konkani migrants from the north, Das respectfully brings each narrative into focus, ensuring no thread in the city’s rich tapestry is forgotten.

His account of the arrival of the Jews, escaping persecution as early as 986 BC, and their establishment in Mattancherry (“gift settlement”) is both moving and illuminating. Similarly, the chronicle of the Gujaratis and Konkanis, along with the Parsis and even the lesser-known Maharashtrian Brahmins who settled in the 1800s, reinforces Kochi’s image as a city shaped by migration, trade, and tolerance.

A City in Flux – Challenges of Modernization

Das does not shy away from addressing the city’s contemporary challenges life waste management and sewage treatment. Rapid urbanization, traffic congestion, and the struggle to preserve heritage buildings and cultural landmarks are presented with a tone of concern and urgency. Yet he maintains a hopeful tone—suggesting that the same spirit of resilience and adaptability that shaped Cochin in the past can help it navigate the future.

What Might Be Missing

While Das delivers an exhaustive and richly detailed account, some readers may wish for a more in-depth examination of the environmental impacts of modernization, especially concerning the backwaters and ecological systems. The city’s arts and contemporary cultural movements, including its global recognition through events like the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, might have warranted a fuller treatment. Also, while administrative figures like General John Munro and Dewan Shanmukham Chetty are well-covered, there’s room for deeper exploration of grassroots social reformers, writers, and artists who shaped modern Ernakulam’s intellectual landscape.

Final Reflections – A Gratitude-Filled Salute to M.K. Das

M.K. Das deserves immense gratitude for his contribution in compiling this exceptional work. His narrative is infused with journalistic integrity, literary warmth, and a historian’s depth. For every reader—especially those from Kochi and Ernakulam—Cochin: Fame and Fables is more than a book. It is a mirror, a map, and a memory chest.

In a world increasingly defined by change and disruption, Das reminds us of the roots that bind, the stories that inspire, and the legacies we must preserve. For residents of Ernakulam, this book is not only a must-read—it is a rite of passage.

-------

Summary in 750 words:

In Cochin: Fame and Fables, veteran journalist M.K. Das presents an evocative and layered chronicle of Kochi’s transformation—from its humble origins as a cluster of fishing hamlets to a thriving modern city with deep historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance. This book is both a historical treasure trove and a deeply personal narrative that brings to life the soul of Kochi.

Drawing on his decades-long experience and keen eye for detail, Das masterfully traces the city's evolution through centuries, capturing its moments of upheaval and triumph. He sets the stage with comparisons to Bombay’s metamorphosis in the 1800s—just as Bombay became a hub of opium trade and industrial revolution, Kochi too emerged from the shadows of Calicut and Muziris after the catastrophic tsunami of 1341, which shifted the region's maritime prominence southward.

The book outlines the feudal and colonial dynamics that defined Kerala’s coastline. While Calicut was under the powerful Zamorin, the Portuguese, failing to dominate from the north, found a more amenable partner in the Raja of Cochin. Their alliance triggered a prolonged rivalry between Cochin and Calicut, resulting in nine wars over 250 years. Cochin’s story, however, truly began in global imagination with its mention by Chinese chronicler Ma Huan and grew richer with each wave of settlers—from Jews and Konkanis to Gujaratis, Parsis, Chinese Buddhists, Maharashtrians among others.

Das enriches the narrative with speculative and oral histories surrounding the city's name: from ‘Kochazhi’ to 'Cochim de Cima' and ‘Mattancherry’ as a Hebrew-Tamil hybrid. He introduces legendary figures like Devala, the sage-serpent whose penance led to the establishment of the Ernakulathappan Temple, reinforcing the sacred geography of what is now Ernakulam. The tale of Ernakulam’s name—from “Erayanarkulam” to the forested Rishinagakulam—is told with reverence and cultural nuance.

Das celebrates Kochi as a melting pot of communities—30 ethnic and religious groups speaking 16 languages—and positions it as a unique model of coexistence. Each group’s migration, whether for trade, faith, or refuge, added distinct layers to Kochi’s pluralistic identity. Particularly compelling is his account of the Jewish community, believed to have arrived as early as the 10th century BCE, possibly during King Solomon’s reign.

The arrival of European powers—Portuguese, Dutch, and British—left indelible marks on the city’s landscape. Fort Kochi was dubbed “Little Lisbon,” “Homely Holland,” and “Mini England” by its successive European occupants. Among the most significant turning points in Kochi’s rise was the construction of the Cochin Port, spearheaded by British engineer Sir Robert Bristow. His vision and persistence, backed by administrators like Lord Willingdon and supported by a pragmatic state apparatus, turned Kochi into South India’s maritime gateway, reducing Europe–India trade routes by hundreds of miles. Bristow’s engineering marvel not only created a port but also triggered the development of supporting infrastructure—railways, roads, and urban amenities.

The narrative also explores the emergence of modern Ernakulam. From the wild, undergrown region recorded in the 1901 census to a bustling city with roads, public transport, and electricity (introduced in 1939), the transformation is traced meticulously. Dewans like Sankara Warrier and R.K. Shanmukham Chetty played instrumental roles in these civic advancements. The arrival of the first bus services, the laying of Chittoor and Banerji roads, and the electrification of homes—all symbolized the coming of age of a city steeped in heritage yet forward-looking.

M.K. Das does not overlook the administrative and political shifts, such as the rule of General John Munro and the temporary incursions by Mysorean rulers like Tipu Sultan. He emphasizes how each regime—from the Cholas to the British—shaped Kochi’s architecture, civic planning, and cultural ethos.

What sets this book apart is not just its historical depth, but the author’s deep emotional investment in the city. He even gives voice to Kochi’s folklore and songs—including the state anthem, “Madamahesha Kulapathi.” The book also addresses contemporary concerns—rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and the challenge of preserving Kochi’s heritage amid modernization. Yet, it remains hopeful, portraying a city that constantly reinvents itself without losing its essence.

In Cochin: Fame and Fables, M.K. Das has created more than a historical account—he has penned a cultural ode. His ability to thread together politics, religion, commerce, mythology, and lived experience makes the book a must-read for anyone interested in Kerala’s legacy or India’s coastal history. Kochi lives and breathes through every page, and Das deserves admiration for chronicling its story with such passion, clarity, and care.

The Feast of the Goat ~ Mario Vargas Llosa (26 of 25 BOTM)

 

There are 24 chapters in the book and the meet up is away by 5 weeks. So we will exclude this week, so that if anyone needs to procure the book they can do it these days and others can use it as a bonus time. We will keep 6 chapters every week. 

Chapters 1 to 6 - 24/5

7 to 12-   31/5

13 to 18-  7/6

19 to 24- 14/6

Following these are not mandatory. But after each milestone is covered, the readers can share their thoughts and comments on the elements of that part of the novel. The only condition is that the spoilers of the upcoming portions of the book are not revealed.

What a novel. Gripping. Narrative like a movie sequence even within the same chapter, going from one scene to another. Thoroughly enjoying it. Latin American novelists write with gay abandon, have a sort of irreverence... They are not straitlaced, which makes it very raw and hence interesting. 

Novel gives a picture about Dominican Republic than what you read in history books. Another book details the high life of Peru and the decadence.

"The Feast of the Goat" (original Spanish: La Fiesta del Chivo) is a powerful political and psychological novel by Mario Vargas Llosa, first published in 2000. It explores the final days of the Dominican Republic's brutal dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, weaving together fictional and historical elements through multiple perspectives.

 Overview and Title Significance

The “Goat” refers to Rafael Trujillo, whose nickname was El Chivo (The Goat).

The “Feast” refers to both the rituals of power and excess surrounding his regime and the orchestrated revenge and assassination that ultimately ends it.

It’s a bitterly ironic title—highlighting how those who serve power also become devoured by it, much like in a sacrificial feast.

Narrative Structure & Point of View

The novel is split into three alternating narratives:

1. Urania Cabral’s Story (Present, 1990s)

Urania, daughter of a former Trujillo loyalist (Agustín Cabral), returns to the Dominican Republic after decades abroad.

Her narration is introspective, confessional, and first/second-person, addressed to her silent, paralyzed father.

She reveals a deeply traumatic secret from her youth and reflects on how authoritarianism shapes personal and familial decay.

2. The Assassins’ Plot (1961)

A suspenseful, almost minute-by-minute account of the conspiracy and execution of Trujillo’s assassination.

The narration is detailed and immediate, focusing on fear, patriotism, and revenge.

The assassins are former regime insiders or military men betrayed or morally broken by Trujillo.

3. Trujillo’s Perspective (1961)

Explores the dictator’s inner thoughts—his pride, paranoia, obsession with control, and impending fall.

The tone here is psychological and political, exposing the mechanisms of terror, cult of personality, and masculinity.

Who Are the Assassins? Why Did They Kill Trujillo?

There were seven main conspirators, though more supported the plot:

Key Assassins:

1. Antonio de la Maza – His brother was murdered by the regime.
2. Salvador Estrella Sadhalá
3. Amado García Guerrero – Motivated by personal grief; Trujillo blocked his marriage.
4. Antonio Imbert Barrera
5. Juan Tomás Díaz
6. Roberto Pastoriza
7. Luis Amiama Tió – One of the few who survived.

Motives:

Revenge for murdered family or lovers

Personal betrayal

Patriotism and desire to end the 31-year dictatorship

They assassinated Trujillo on May 30, 1961, viewing him as the cause of widespread suffering, repression, and moral decay.

 Other Main Characters

• Rafael Trujillo (The Goat) – Dictator of the Dominican Republic, symbolic of absolute power and its corruption.
• Agustín “Egghead” Cabral – Urania’s father, once a close aide of Trujillo, now disgraced and mute.
• Johnny Abbes García – Trujillo’s sadistic chief of intelligence, a symbol of regime brutality.
• Balaguer – Trujillo’s puppet president, who later becomes the real president post-dictatorship.
• Ramfis Trujillo – Trujillo’s son, who tries to maintain the regime’s grip after the assassination.

Themes Explored

The personal cost of authoritarianism

Memory, guilt, and betrayal

Political violence and moral compromise

Feminine resistance through Urania’s silence and truth-telling

The male-dominated culture of power, especially symbolized by Trujillo’s hypersexual persona

The Feast of the Goat is a haunting, multilayered novel set in the Dominican Republic, telling the story of the final days of the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, who ruled with an iron fist from 1930 until his assassination in 1961.

The novel follows three interwoven narratives:

Urania Cabral, now a successful lawyer in New York, returns to Santo Domingo after decades. Through her memories and confessions to her incapacitated father, we learn about her traumatic past and how her father’s ambition led him to offer her to Trujillo, resulting in her sexual abuse by the dictator. Her story is deeply personal and symbolic of the psychological damage caused by dictatorship.

The assassins’ plot, led by seven conspirators—many of them former military men and supporters of Trujillo—recounts the tense buildup to the murder of Trujillo on May 30, 1961. These men act out of revenge, moral outrage, or political desperation.

Trujillo’s own perspective is portrayed, showing a proud, aging tyrant who senses the tide turning. The narration shows his obsession with discipline, power, sexual control, and his looming fear of betrayal.

After the assassination, Trujillo's regime reacts with brutal vengeance, torturing and killing the conspirators and their families. The novel ends with Urania finding some form of closure, but also highlighting the lingering trauma that tyranny leaves behind.

Character Map

Here’s a simple character guide showing their roles and relationships:

Character                         Role                                                 Notes

Rafael Trujillo ("The Goat") Dictator of the Dominican Republic Central figure; cruel, paranoid, obsessed with control

Urania Cabral Narrator (1990s timeline) Daughter of a former Trujillo aide; victim of sexual abuse by Trujillo

Agustín “Egghead” Cabral Urania's father Once part of Trujillo’s inner circle; sacrificed Urania for political gain

Johnny Abbes García Head of the secret police Ruthless enforcer of Trujillo’s regime

Ramfis Trujillo Trujillo’s son Sadistic, attempts to avenge his father after the assassination

Joaquín Balaguer Puppet president under Trujillo Later became real president; survived the political transition

Antonio de la Maza Assassin Family destroyed by Trujillo; key conspirator

Amado García Guerrero Assassin Personal reasons: Trujillo blocked his marriage

Antonio Imbert Barrera Assassin Survived and later became a national hero

Luis Amiama Tió Assassin Survived; helped others escape post-assassination

Salvador Estrella Sadhalá, Juan Tomás Díaz, Roberto Pastoriza Other conspirators All motivated by justice or revenge; most were killed

Trujillo’s inner circle (military, ministers, etc.) Secondary characters Show how fear, loyalty, and ambition fed the regime

Key Takeaways

• Trujillo’s nickname “The Goat” is central to the title.
• Urania’s trauma mirrors the country's long-lasting psychological scars.
• The novel critiques toxic masculinity, authoritarian power, and moral complicity.
• Llosa blends history with fiction, giving voice to those silenced by fear and violence.
• The novel has 24 chapters, alternating between:
• Urania Cabral’s Present-Day Narrative
• The Assassins’ Plot (1961, just before and after Trujillo's murder)
• Trujillo’s Point of View (Final Day of His Life)

Each chapter generally follows one thread, but some interlace memories and flashbacks.

Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

Chapters 1–3

Urania Cabral returns to Santo Domingo after 35 years. She visits her paralyzed father.

She begins recounting her past, hinting at trauma and betrayal.

Trujillo prepares for a drive to the capital. He reflects on aging and his weakening control.

The assassins gather, preparing for the assassination.

Chapters 4–6

Urania reflects on her elite upbringing, her father’s closeness to Trujillo, and her sense of estrangement.

Trujillo is shown in his daily rituals—he micromanages everything, even church affairs and underwear choices.

The assassins—Antonio de la Maza, Amado García, others—wait in ambush, tense and fearful.

Chapters 7–9

Trujillo’s drive continues. He thinks about his past, military rule, and distrust of allies.

Urania’s internal monologue grows more intense; she hints at a betrayal by her father.

The assassination is executed: Trujillo is ambushed and shot dead in a dramatic scene on the highway.

Chapters 10–12

The aftermath of the assassination: The assassins hide or flee; the regime scrambles to react.

Urania revisits old memories—her convent education, her bitterness toward the Dominican elite.

Balaguer and Ramfis try to contain the damage, fearing both collapse and U.S. intervention.

Chapters 13–15

The manhunt for the conspirators begins. Some are captured and tortured.

Urania’s bitterness intensifies—she reflects on how men in her family and country prioritized power over justice.

Trujillo’s family prepares to preserve the regime, with Ramfis returning from Paris.

Chapters 16–18

Ramfis's brutal crackdown: He arrests, tortures, and executes suspects without mercy.

Urania finally reveals to her silent father what he did: he gave her to Trujillo at age 14 to regain political favor. Trujillo abused her.

She fled to the U.S. the next day and never returned—until now.

Chapters 19–21

Final days of the conspirators: most are captured and killed. Only Imbert and Amiama Tió escape.

Urania speaks with her cousin and aunt; her emotional wound is still raw.

She finally visits the beach where her life changed.

Chapters 22–24

Urania declares her liberation through speech, finally sharing her secret.

The novel ends on a somber note—justice was partial, and the cost of silence and complicity remains high.

The narration reflects on how dictatorship deforms not just politics, but people’s souls.

Themes by Narrative Thread

Thread                 Themes

Urania Cabral: Trauma, silence, betrayal, women in patriarchal societies, psychological aftermath of dictatorship

The Assassins:     Moral compromise, patriotism, vengeance, courage and fear, sacrifice

Trujillo’s POV: Tyranny, control, aging, paranoia, masculinity, political power

The Feast of the Goat is not just a political novel—it's a psychological dissection of tyranny’s legacy. Urania Cabral’s personal trauma mirrors the nation's collective scar. Llosa’s brilliant use of multiple narrative voices adds emotional depth and historical insight, offering readers a layered view of power, its allure, and its consequences.

Totally loving it.

How to Read Your Financial Statements

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jVAgr7mq9E

Never use Short term fund to use long term assets. It is suicidal.  You can't use a one year loan to buy a home. Then you will have to sell the long term asset. 

Working capital should not be used to buy long term assets - never swipe credit cards to buy long term assets. 

Current Ratio should be 2:1 or 2.5:1

There is another ration inside this called Liquidity or Quick ratio. 

Inventory, Cash and Bank Balances and Debtors are parts of Current Assets.  Of these three, Inventory is one which has no guarantee. 

Liquid is only Cash and Bank and Debtor. It should be 1:1.

Working Capital Cycle - 

Less is bad, more is worse. 

Leverage is deep and fascinating topic. To have a leverage you need to have Debt. 

Fulcrum is Fixed cost, that leads to leverage. Operating fixed cost will lead to operational leverage and financial fixed cost leads to financial leverage. Debt/interest is financial leverage. 

Companies with operational leverage is given. Financial leverage should react. If operational leverage is high, they should avoid debt. If operating leverage is low you can go for debt. 

Ratio's can be compared in two ways: Inter company and Intra company. It is meaningful only when we compare. 

Revenue minus Direct cost is Gross Profit. 

Good will/Brand Value are misunderstood items. 

Know that in your Balance Sheet you will never have your own Good will. 

Asset side is what you have purchased. You have paid someone else. 

You good will is in the Balance sheet of the buyer. 

So it is the worst item to have in your balance sheet. 

Return on Capital Employed is a key ratio ignored. Bank's will take care of Debt service coverage ratio. 

Profit margin vary from 8% to 18%. But I say don't invest until I can earn 50% return. 

To increase profit, improve the cycle not the margin. 

Business runs for bottom line and not top line. Top line is also important, without it there would be no bottom line.  Top line should be that with which bottom line is positive. 

Bottom line is Net profit and Semi bottom line is Operating profit - which is more important. Consistency comes from Operations. 

Bottom line we might manipulate for Tax. 

What is more important? Profit or Cash - Both. 

1. Ability to generate profit

2. Ability to manage Cash

Are the two pillars of business. 

Make Financially intelligent decision. This should be ultimate aim of every business. 

Key things to take care of when reading a cash flow are:

Red flag is having free cash. 

Requirement, pain area are all same globally. 

Blue Ocean: Corporate Finance. 

Mukthi moksha

 

🌹Mukthi moksha class May 25th, 2025🌹
Thank you Lord
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

1. When would golden age come to this planet? How would it come? What is the role of this movement in that?

- We call this movement as golden age movement. That’s how it is called all over the world. Golden age has started. It is a movement. It is a journey. This journey has started and will last for next 1000 or 1500 years. Then it would come to an end.

- Then this homo sapiens species would be gone. That is the journey and we are on that journey. Many many things would be happening. Certain things Sri Bhagavan will be talking. Certain things Sri Bhagavan will not be talking, as it would cause disturbances.

- There is so much more to humanity, God, unconscious. If we speak about all that, we will be disturbed. Things will be complex.

Sri Bhagavan asks us to put up with that.

- Most important thing is there will be great breakthroughs in science and technology that we cannot even imagine. We all know about quantum computer. There will be a huge, unbelievable leap in this. Artificial Intelligence is also going to take a huge leap. The two will get fused.

- We will get a totally different understanding of what it is today. Problem is not the change itself; but the speed at which it comes. It is like a man going in bullock cart suddenly put in a jet.

- There will be no more work for humans in the planet. That’s why we chant “Karmano Bandhath Vimukthihi”, which is liberation from work.

- Is this billions of years of this magnificent creation just to operate machines, put ink on paper or work on a computer? There will be complete liberation from work. Machines would take over.

- Everyone will get everything they want. Already in some countries, people are fully taken care of and they are asked not to work.

- Sometime back, Sri Bhagavan was looking over oneness centers across the world. He found a center where the staff were paid exorbitant amount. They all were paid by the government. In that particular country, people need not work if they don’t feel like working. They can work where they want to. Three people told government that they will work only in Oneness center and those 3 employees were paid by the government.

- This is going to become more and more. There are more applicants for jobs in oneness centers. They say that they have nothing to do and just want to be in Oneness center. There is no question of rich or poor.

- People can just go to picnic ,  hotels to eat food and Government will take care of them.

- Government will be too eager to take care of people, because people will be willing to die.

- All this studying hard, working hard will be a tribal activity. Even now, we need problems to survive.

- This is the bad side of advancements. There will be no more meaning to life, purpose to life. There will be fewer marriages, fewer children and many will be roaming like vagabonds. Families would soon disappear. Life would be terrible. Demand will be only to commit suicide. Population will decline.

- People will not know what to do with life. Life would have lost all meaning and purpose.

- Right now, it is all divisive in nature. In the beginning of the universe, it was all one. Even the sun was one and it broke into huge masses. One became many. Now the journey is for many to become one.

- All forms of division will disappear. Quantum computer and Artificial Intelligence will be responsible for this. This is the quantum computer which is yet to come, not the one we have now.

- Such will be the insights to the world that all division will go away. All religions would go away. One religion alone would survive. Sanathana dharma alone would survive.

- The same Sanathana dharma will give us fresh insights, with quantum computer and Artificial Intelligence.

- Today we speak lot of rubbish and nonsense. All these will be burnt of with quantum computing and Artificial Intelligence.

- Fresh and new insights will come. That will become Sanathana dharma. Sanathana dharma will become Vishwaguru for the planet.

- We will be surprised to discover that this is our Sanathana dharma. It will be most modern. More and more discoveries also would be made. Sanathana dharma will become Vishwaguru. In this journey, India will grow very very fast. India will become economically very rich.

- In the past, India was called the golden bird. It would get that back, all because of Artificial Intelligence and quantum computer.

- We will have to be very strong. Sanathana dharma and India will become Vishwaguru.

- In the end, we will become another species. There were so many species before us, which were taller and bigger and all those were gone. Their genes are in us. Now the Homo sapiens will be gone and there will be some other species.

- All these will happen because of tremendous growth in science and technology. This growth in science and technology will help our Sanathana dharma.

- Science and spirituality will become one. We cannot dream of it now. Our lives will be taken over by technology.

- Only way to not commit suicide is to become enlightened. Existential suffering is terrible. It is worse than the physical or psychological suffering.

- People then will move towards enlightenment and will respect this work. Otherwise there will be no meaning to exist.

- We are speaking all rubbish now. There will be no scope to talk this rubbish in future. Because of quantum computer, ideas of space, physics will be gone. All ideas and concepts will be gone. All those will make no sense at all.

- Funny ideas about god will be gone. All will be demolished. We are surviving now by talking nonsense, rubbish, about self.

In future, how can we survive like this? We are not individuals now. We are a marketplace inside.  All these persons will be merged inside into one.

- To bring this shift, we need 81000 who are at very high conscious levels to bring this shift.

- Now people are not willing to listen. People are also not interested. But suicide is facing them, people will be willing to listen.

- Children will care a damn for parents. Parents will care a damn for children. No human will care for another. Animals are far better. More and more people will be like zombies.

- Our role is to supply 81000 or 51000 or 91000 based on the then population and keep the numbers growing and have grace flowing for next 1500 years. Sri Amma Bhagavan need this 81000 intermediaries for grace to flow to the humanity.

- After 1500 years, there will be no more science and technology. Then who will give us food? There will be no need to eat.

- Who will give us clothes? At that level of consciousness, there will be no need for clothes. Body temperature will adjust itself.

- If we have to go from one place to another, we can simply fly. If we just think, we can communicate. We useless people will be gone and great ones will come. We will feel more like worms or mosquitoes who lived. Those species who come will be in great states.  It is the same rubbish, nonsense people living now , who will come back at that time 

- For now, this is the golden age for us. We are going to see all that. Sanathana dharma will become Vishwaguru.

- See and focus that India will become Vishwaguru. Concepts of religions, nations will disappear. All forms of division will go away. Those who survive will stay.

- India is the one country which cares not only for human beings, but for the whole world. Whole world is one family. India and Sanathana dharma are really not separate. Whole world was only Sanathana dharma earlier.

2. We are told that higher states of enlightenment will be given in temples. When and how will this be given?

- Certain aspects, we will be publicly speaking. Certain aspects will be revealed as it happens. Not that we don’t want to tell. We are dealing with subtle energies.

- Universe is a living thing. When future prophecies are given, we see that is happening. Sometimes it happens exactly. Sometimes it does not happen at all.

- Universe is a living creature. Moment to moment it is changing. Future is changing . Past is also changing. The way we look at past keeps changing everyday.

- When it is told, people keep thinking about it. When people keep thinking in different ways, what is seen is affected.

- We make announcements and are ready to face problems also. For example in Nemam, after we make announcements of programs, some pipe will break somewhere. We will be prepared to go there and address the issue.

- In higher realms, there are all kinds of beings, good and bad ones. They are also interested in this.

- Aurobindo’s personal divine was Lord Krishna. He was speaking to Krishna physically in jail and wanted freedom for India. Krishna told him that someone else has been decided in higher realms to work for India’s freedom and Aurobindo’s path is spirituality.

- Just because some beings are decided on, it does not mean that it is great also. Many such decisions are taken in higher realms.

- So it is important to keep quiet. If we talk, it keeps going. Some beings are good and some are bad. Best thing is to shut up and keep quiet.

- Before 2027, nothing is going to happen. Once it happens we will discover on our own.

3. Is this movement the much awaited Kalki movement?

- Some people have seen Kalki physically including the horse, when worshiping Amma Bhagavan.

- What you want to call is up to you. It was called as Kalki by people only. Some people call it Kalki movement. Bhagavan is not keen on names.

- There are 600 - 700 well known gurus in jail. Among them many are Kalki. When Kalki is referred, very often people get confused on which Kalki it is.

- Sri Bhagavan does not see any advantage in name also. But some people insist on names. Sri Bhagavan goes by people’s wishes. HE has come for humanity’s enlightenment and to create Golden age. It is up to us.

4.We participate with enthusiasm in many kinds of rituals during Sri Amma Bhagavan Thirukalyana Utsav in the month of June celebrating the Day of Relationships, June 9thSri Bhagavan. Can you please tell us about its impact in our lives Sri Bhagavan?

- You can connect with divine through prayers, rituals . This is especially division in the unconscious. Unconscious is constantly manipulating.

- For thousands of years, man has been following rituals, which is the best way to connect with the unconscious.

- Bad programs in the unconscious can be cut off through rituals. People should have faith.

- Suppose in the unconscious, the programs is that you will not get money. Rituals can change this in the unconscious and you will get money. We can also pray and meditate.

- Many years back, there was a man who came to Sri Bhagavan and prayed for money to get his sisters married. Sri Bhagavan asked him to repeatedly chant “panam”(money in Tamil ). He started chanting panam, panam.  This chanting changed the program in his unconscious. He got money from different sources and got his sisters married.

- There are so many ways things could be done. Rituals are very powerful.

- Many years back, an American scientist came to the ashram. His money was stuck.He was asked to feed jaggery balls to buffalo. As he did not know about jaggery balls and buffalo, he was helped to do this. When he returned back, he got back his money. He had no questions and he did it.

- Later an Indian scientist who had a similar problem came and he was asked to do similar sadhana. He questioned it.He was told to do it if he wished. In the mean time, the miracle of the American scientist also came out. Indian scientist also then fed buffalo with jaggery balls and his problem got solved.

- Rituals look odd; but they go into unconscious. For thousands of years, people have been following them. It goes into human unconscious. Faith is important for this.

5. Are faith, gratitude, bakthi all required to grow fast. Are all same or different?

- To grow very fast, all these are required.

6.Before few years, during a process I got a mystical experince thats Sri Bhagavan took me out of body and made Sri Aurobindo entered me and almost for 2 years I was in an amazing state of flowing with life, was in joy and  gratitude every moments , life was efforless, so many miracles without prayers and seva was automatic, external situation never disturbed the state. However later I could witness, I am not any more in such state. Did Sri Aurobindo left? What is the reason? Could you please share more light on this dear Lord and also bless for such an effortless joyful state again.

- Aurobindho left you; but will come back to you. Why he came to you is because you have a connection with him in the past birth. He will come back to you very soon.

7. What is the easiest way to silence an overactive mind which projects constant fear and stories. Desparateness and fear seem to overtake us sometimes. For surrender to happen easily, what should we do from our end?

- Discover atleast intellectually that there is no free will. Then the mind will be quiet.

8. If there is no free will and no choice , how are a person's thoughts , actions words coming back to him as karma? Please bless us with clarity Sri Bhagvan.

- Suppose you kill a snake accidentally, karma will come to you. We know about the story of truck driver who drove his truck over a pregnant python. It was not his fault; but his children were born with python skin.

- Every action has its impact. Action results in reaction and in turn its impact and it is a whole sequence.

- Something happening somewhere will affect something else somewhere in the galaxy. We have to say it is karma.

- When we are not there, where is karma? Science and technology will make this happen and there will be no more work. There will be rise in consciousness.

- What is all this nonsense of people working? All these will go away.

- It is not our karma. It is the karma of the universe.

- This will help in not judging people. If we are enlightened, we can see that there is no free will.

- Even if we are not enlightened, we can intellectually understand that there is no free will.

9. What is the role of mystical experiences in the path of enlightenment?

- You can become enlightened without mystical experiences also.

- With mystical experiences, we can move fast.

- most importantly, we will be shown when and how we will die. If that is shown clearly to us, we will move fast. We will be shown where we will be after we die. This will transform us very fast.

- If we are enlightened, there will be no fear of death. Enlightenment is the death of the “illusory you”.

- There is lot of nonsense in the brain now. With some adjustments in the brain, we will be gone. After the change, when we open the eyes, we will be not there.

- After the illusory self is gone, when seeing, we will be just seeing. In thinking, there is only thinking. There is no thinker.

- While hearing, there is only sound. This seed has been sowed inside us long back. Now it will sprout.

- When we are not there, where is past life or future? Past lives are just flowing through us.

- The primary suffering is “you”. Leo Tolstoy who was Mahathma Gandhi’s guru had lost all purpose in his life and put gun to shoot on his head to die. Then he got the realization of the death of “you” and got enlightened.

- “ You” In you should die. In Golden age, it will move fast.

In today’s process, see atleast 3 incidents where the great compassionate light or Paramjothi has helped in your lives and be grateful for that. Once we get there, we can move faster.

And a trip through Europe