Month: June 2022

Book Review: Zuleikha by Guzel Yakhina

Zuleikha is a story inspired by real life events in the early post-communist era in Russia. During the 1930s tough sanctions were placed by the then Government on all those Kulaks who owned over 8 acres of land, by requisitioning wheat and other eatables from them.  Later the same people were de-Kulakized by forcibly moving them out of their lands, depriving them of their possessions and forcing them to move to Siberia under harsh and hostile conditions. It is said that thousands perished during the forced migration to Siberia and still more died of starvation, absence of facilities and other factors. The de-Kulakized people were forced to work under harsh conditions and Political (communist) commanders were appointed over them to eke out work form them. It is a story of pain and suffering, of loss, of survival, of hope and of finding love. Zuleikha is the story of a one such woman.

Guzel Yakhina has done a wonderful job of writing this book, which according to some accounts is her grandmother’s story.

 

Book Review: Seasons and Cycles of Life

“Seasons and cycles of life” is the autobiography of Dr Ashur Khan. He is a famous and well known Cardiologist of Pakistan. Ashur Khan sb belongs to Kohat which happens to by my native town. So when I found this book in a local book shop I bought it immediately. Ashur sb comes from a very humble background and his story (from being the son of a poor man till his rise as a General in Army Medical Corps) is sure to inspire lives of readers. The book is written in simple language and is full of interesting anecdotes. By writing this book Dr Ashur Khan has tried to tell his story of struggle against odds. And in this story are valuable lessons for anyone and everyone.
Dr sb is a very humble person and is known for philanthropist work for the betterment of people.