The Kite Runner:

Recently, a friend of mine presented me with the novel The Kite Runner by Khalid Hossaini. It had been a long since have I read an English novel. While giving it to me, she had warned that the book was pretty heavy. The story is a narration by Amir, a young boy of 11 in Afghanistan. The narration starts before the occupation of Afghanistan by Russia. The core of the novel is the friendship between two boys, Amir and Hassan, the unassuming love of Hassan for Amir and Amir's betrayal of Hassan's trust. The novel travel's to US with Amir and his father in the middle of war, but Amir was living the guilt of his betrayal. Amir returns to Afgan in an attempt to wipe out his guilt and make it up for his mistake. We would be seeing the destruction caused by the war by Russia and the Taliban through the eyes of Amir.

The novel beautifully describes the peaceful times in the Afgan and the ugliness of a needless war. The main focus of the novel was the effect the war has on the children of the country, the kind of mental trauma they go through. Though this book may not be in my all time favorite list, I rate this book highly. I would recommend this book to those who could read heavy subjects.

Gaza Breach:

Some of images that occupied my mind for a couple of days. People of Palestine rushing in to Egypt to get their basic needs of food and fuel. Egypt on its part has acted with humanity by not stopping the Palestine's to get the most important commodity, the food and fuel.







Suppression of basic needs is a crime. My personal take on the conflict, violence by Palestine is justified as long as the Israel suppression is in place. Until the time either side is going to stop the violence peace on the region will continue to elude.

An Unique Election:

This years US election is an unique one. It is going make history for sure. Even before the election race began there was a feeling that this election belongs to the democrats. As it seems me, that the real contest is between Hillary and Obama. It will be historic whoever wins this election. For Hillary, she is the first woman presidential nominee and for Obama he will be first black presidential nominee. Both have an enigmatic presence, a crowd pulling charm and seeing them contesting for Presidential Nomination for Democrats is like seeing Agaasi and Sampras in the height of their prowess in the semi finals. Presonally I would like to see a lady president as the most powerful person of the world.

I have a doubt, if at all Hillary wins this election and becomes the president what will Bill Clinton be addressed, First Man ;)

Starting a New Year....

I have always wanted to start a new year in a positive note, but never been able to do so. One way or the other I always ended up screwing the new year day. This year I was pre determined to make it great. Luckily for me my running mates came with a simple plan of doing a 5K run at the Elliott's beach, and a breakfast at Murugan Idly shop. My last good run I had was in September 2007 when I did a 28 KM in 3.20 Hrs. I got injured, traveled to a non runnable place and here am back at my beloved chennai and was trying to run for the past two weeks. Trust me, the most difficult is getting back to your usual self in running after being in a prime form. It was painfully difficult for me, but I was advised by a friend not to push too much, but to take it easy and run regularly.

For the past 2 weeks I was trying hit the road daily and I was doing it. But the run was still painful. Today run was a total surprise for me. There are about 14 of us today for the run. I completed the run in about 30 minutes comfortably with Ram and Hari running with me. I guess the main difference was running with the group. It was great fun to meet the guys after a long time.

As I was about to finish the run, I was thinking about what would be my goal in running. The most satisfying thing would be a "Runner for Life". That's a huge dream, but that's what I want to be. I sincerely hope that I could be one.

It feels so good to start the year on a great note.