PRAISE FOR WINGS OF FREEDOM--A COLONIAL INDIA ROMANCE

I'm glad to share  the latest 5 star review posted today on amazon:

Love Prevails, May 5, 2012

By 

BrendaUSA 

This review is from: Wings Of Freedom (Kindle Edition)

If you like a good love story with a historical setting this is a great book to read. Raj, an Indian college boy and Eileen, the artistic daughter of a British diplomat meet and fall in love during a tenuous political time in India. The stirrings of India's struggle for freedom are taking shape and things are beginning to get dangerous. There's a huge fire in the British camp and an assasination attempt on King George during his coronation ceremony. Raj and Eileen are caught up in the fervor of revolution and must also face the cultural differences between their families. (The British frown upon their daughters marrying Indian men) In spite of the difficulties, Raj and Eileen prevail. What I loved most was the glimpse I got into Indian culture through Raj's family and the overall picture of England's rule and occupation of India at that time. Raj's interactions with his mother and father, uncle, his friends, etc. are well portrayed as is Eileen's side - her privileged life as the daughter of a high ranking British officer. A lot of research went into the details of the history here and the love story that endured in spite of so much against trhem was truly heart-warming. Love really does conquer all, especially in the Wings of Freedom.


http://www.ratankaul.in

AN ODE TO SPRING

At dawn when I open my doors, windows
I am greeted by my regular companions
Flocks of tiny, playful and lively sparrows
with spirited mynas, bulbuls, and pigeons,

Who come gliding from their night shelters

in the Kachnar, Champa, Harsingar, Neem
And Gulmohar trees, shrubs and creepers
adjoining and touching balcony of my room

They come looking for their daily feeds
with friendly tapping on my window sills
For jowar, bajra, corn and other seeds
even rice, wheat puffs, nuts and biscuits

Squirrels watchfully spy the bird rations
and it is a sight to see how they pick the nut
Clasp and gnaw on it with swift actions
hiding in the small openings in the parapet

Bird experts say sparrows are getting extinct
and no longer dwell in concrete jungles
But I am blessed with the idyllic mornings
with my little friends providing jingles

The sweet sound of sparrows chirping
their calls of mobbing, duets and mating
Make my idyllic and cheerful morning
as my mind is enchanted in their playing

But it is now time to bid adieu to my lovable pals
For getting prepared for my share of earthly tasks
And face the day’s targets, meetings and mobile calls
With the polluted air, din of horns and traffic jams

***