Author Archives: udaykumarvarma9834

In 1872, the gifted French novelist, poet and playwright Jules Verne wrote a book of adventure, ‘Around The World in 80 Days’. The book created a sensation. Its protagonist, an English gentleman by the name of Phileas Fogg and his valet took on a bet that they could circumnavigate the globe in no more thanContinue reading “Around the world, Jules Verne, and Nellie Bly”

“The mind in its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven.”― John MiltonJohn Milton, the poet, essayist, pamphleteer, political philosopher, civil servant and activist occupies a place of rare distinction in English literature. Some call him as the greatest epic poet in English literature and his standingContinue reading “Milton, Paradise Lost, and His Travails of Life”

Robinson Crusoe, is one of the most popular novels in English language that has captivated the young and the old alike, though for different reasons. It is at once, simple and complex, and the events and experiences described in the book, contains and conveys diverse meanings as diverse as the readership. But that is ifContinue reading “Daniel DefoeThe Author of First English Novel”

William Wordsworth died this day the April 23, in 1850 having lived a full and glorious life of over 80 years. He was one of the most celebrated English poets, who together with fellow poet Samuel Coleridge, led the romantic movement in English poetry. Together they wrote ‘Lyrical Ballads’ in 1798 which is even todayContinue reading “A Poet whose lines linger and last”

The world’s largest Church and arguably the most consecrated, beautiful and ornate is St. Peter’s Basilica located in Vatican City. It symbolizes the grandeur, the tradition and the following of the most populous faith in the world – Christianity.On this date, the 18th April, 516 years ago, the corner stone was laid of this opulent,Continue reading “St. Peter’s Basilica, Lucrezia Borgia; and Leonardo da Vinci”

Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever produced was born today the 15 April 1452. Born out of wedlock and without any formal education, he started late in his life. Among other odd things about him was that he was a vegetarian and was left handed. That he was aContinue reading “The Renaissance ManA Polymath Extra- Ordinaire”

We observed the auspicious Chaitra Navratri last week. What possibly could be the message that the festival of Navratri brings to us? For many of us, it’s a time for restraint and discipline, even penance. We give up several things that we usually like. We also follow during this period, a life style different fromContinue reading “Navratri: Lessons for life”

Bananas may have existed from eternity but to the so called civilised world, it was unknown, till on 10th of April, 1633, exactly 389 years to the day, a fruit bearing unusual size and shape was introduced to the people of England.The word ‘Banana’ may have many connotations-ranging from ‘going banana’ to ‘saying bananas’, toContinue reading “When Banana Came to England”