John Updike dies at 76

John Updike, the American poet, novelist, short story writer and a literary critic has died of Lung Cancer. He battled with this disease but was all the while quiet in public, it was on January 27 that he lost this battle. He was 76. He is particularly famous for his Rabbit series among which are included: Rabbit Run, Rabbit Redux, Rabbit Is Rich, Rabbit At Rest and Rabbit Remembered.

He was a religious man with a shy and modest nature. He was living in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts with his second wife. Only a few weeks ago, he told an interviewer that he had no intentions of retiring and was just "showing signs of mental deteoriation" (as quoted by Telegraph).  Catch a glimpse of his books  on Amazon at: John Updike's Books

The Most Cherishable Freedom

Rousseau has rightly remarked ‘Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains’. We all love our freedom and this can very well be called the most treasured thing. Imagine being a slave, and then only can we judge the extent of significance of this precious freedom. It was on August 15, 1947 that India won its freedom from the British empire. India was declared a Sovereign State when the Constitution was enforced on January 26, 1950. Today we celebrate the 60^th Republic Day of our country, with its magnificent and unparalleled parade on the Rajpath in New Delhi.

Here I present for my readers some most cherished quotes of the Indian leaders about freedom:

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”                                                   

– Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.

“We end today a period of ill fortune and India discovers herself again. The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us. Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future?”                                             - Jawahar Lal Nehru

“We must re-dedicate ourselves on this day to the peaceful but sure realisation of the dream that had inspired the Father of our Nation and the other captains and soldiers of our freedom struggle, the dream of establishing a classless, co-operative, free and happy society in "his country," "We must remember that this is more a day of dedications than of rejoicing - dedication to the glorious task of making the peasants and workers the toilers and the thinkers fully free, happy and cultured”           -Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India

We must learn to cherish our freedom and also make it a point that we help others in doing so. We have to respect others’ freedom too. What needs to be kept in mind always is that our freedom is not absolute. The limit of our freedom ends where the boundary of the other’s freedom begins. So respect others. And as Mahatma Gandhi said, “We must become the change we want to see.” 

Literary Jewels from Obama's Inaugural Speech

The winds of change have swept across America. The precursor is the man “whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.” This    year old, Barack Obama with a towering and commanding personality chose to be sworn in with his full name Barack Hossein Obama.

The reason why a political event has made it to a literary blog is his well-worded and literary speech. I share with you some of his meaningful quotes from his inaugural speech:

“Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”

“…our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”

“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.”

He also quoted the following lines: "Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."

Obama finished his speech with the following brilliant, very meaningful words; giving his speech a perfect finishing touch – ending on a hopeful and promising note:

“With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”