This was left unfinished in July. Now completing it.
Few Months back, I was watching television and saw Sushma Swaraj blessing travelers of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. I felt a sort of pinch and questioned myself about "Why did I miss it?". Even now the desire to visit Kailash Mansarovar has not died. Though earlier purpose was religious but now it would be toned with philosophy, adventure, exploration and appreciation of natural beauty.
I finished reading "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernst Hemingway. The book describes the struggle of an old man to earn his livelihood by catching fish in the sea. Author elaborates struggle of protagonist Santiago against big fish and sharks for 3 days despite having cramps, cuts and bruises all over the body.
The book gives numerous lessons. One can draw his own conclusion depending on perspective one holds of human life.
It teaches the lesson of endurance in life. Santiago endures for 3 days with strong determination to capture the biggest fish among his community members. He succeed in his goal but as happens in life, success breeds enemy, same happens to him. His prize possession of big fish is eyed and envied Sharks in the sea. And the struggle continues.
It also teaches lesson of futility of striving madly in life to achieve something. Santiago fought for 3 days against hunger, fear, frustration, loneliness, deadly Sharks and luck. In the end, he reached the shore with a useless skeleton of big fish. The whole flesh of his capture was eaten by Sharks. The same happens to good people in contemporary corrupt society. The fruits of your honest hard work are devoured by powerful in the society. In life we keep running behind certain things or ego-enhancing goals but in the end "it does not even matter".
However, When community member look at the skeleton of big fish, Santiago's pride which was lost due to 84 day dry run, is restored and his respect in the community increases. This explains the psychology behind passionately following certain goal. Though one may end up only with a skeleton in the end but respect one earns and pride one gathers through the process is immensely self fulfilling. Nitzsche aptly puts it "whatever does not kill you makes you stronger".
Another observation one could draw is "When bad time comes, It doesn't just rain, it pours". Life is like a ship. Ships are not made for standing at shore. They are built to sail in the sea and explore the unchartered territories of human world. A still life is not worth living.
Anyway, the book is a classic of English literature. It is a good motivational read. Hemingway has described events with artistic details and incisive precision. A reader not aware of boat design or art of fishing may find it difficult to follow the jargon or visualise the details. Otherwise author has infused life into the character with his use of literature. This book reminds me of the movie "Life of a Pie".
Few Months back, I was watching television and saw Sushma Swaraj blessing travelers of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. I felt a sort of pinch and questioned myself about "Why did I miss it?". Even now the desire to visit Kailash Mansarovar has not died. Though earlier purpose was religious but now it would be toned with philosophy, adventure, exploration and appreciation of natural beauty.
I finished reading "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernst Hemingway. The book describes the struggle of an old man to earn his livelihood by catching fish in the sea. Author elaborates struggle of protagonist Santiago against big fish and sharks for 3 days despite having cramps, cuts and bruises all over the body.
The book gives numerous lessons. One can draw his own conclusion depending on perspective one holds of human life.
It teaches the lesson of endurance in life. Santiago endures for 3 days with strong determination to capture the biggest fish among his community members. He succeed in his goal but as happens in life, success breeds enemy, same happens to him. His prize possession of big fish is eyed and envied Sharks in the sea. And the struggle continues.
It also teaches lesson of futility of striving madly in life to achieve something. Santiago fought for 3 days against hunger, fear, frustration, loneliness, deadly Sharks and luck. In the end, he reached the shore with a useless skeleton of big fish. The whole flesh of his capture was eaten by Sharks. The same happens to good people in contemporary corrupt society. The fruits of your honest hard work are devoured by powerful in the society. In life we keep running behind certain things or ego-enhancing goals but in the end "it does not even matter".
However, When community member look at the skeleton of big fish, Santiago's pride which was lost due to 84 day dry run, is restored and his respect in the community increases. This explains the psychology behind passionately following certain goal. Though one may end up only with a skeleton in the end but respect one earns and pride one gathers through the process is immensely self fulfilling. Nitzsche aptly puts it "whatever does not kill you makes you stronger".
Another observation one could draw is "When bad time comes, It doesn't just rain, it pours". Life is like a ship. Ships are not made for standing at shore. They are built to sail in the sea and explore the unchartered territories of human world. A still life is not worth living.
Anyway, the book is a classic of English literature. It is a good motivational read. Hemingway has described events with artistic details and incisive precision. A reader not aware of boat design or art of fishing may find it difficult to follow the jargon or visualise the details. Otherwise author has infused life into the character with his use of literature. This book reminds me of the movie "Life of a Pie".
