Moni Read

Mani Shankar

Mani Shankar Soni is from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He is a student of - Bachelor of Pharmacy in the Professional Education field. His hobbies are: Reading books by foreign authors and listening to Classical music. 

INTERVIEW 

(Questions and Answers, in a conversation with Monika Singh and Mani Shankar)

If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

Mani: I think: "Do not be sad if someone rejects you. Because people usually leave expensive things and go for the cheap ones".

What does literary success look like to you?

Mani: In my opinion, Literary success is the development of mostly pastime uses activities, creativity, and many other things related to the present.

Does a big ego help or hurt dreamers?

Mani: Mostly, big ego always hurts Dreamers.

What was an early experience where you learned that language (written words) had power?

Mani: In my experience, language always works as a medium to understand written or spoken communication.

What period of your life do you find most valuable, enjoyable & eye-opening? (Child, teenager, young adult).

Mani: I found Teenager is part of my life and most enjoyable, & valuable

Do you Google yourself?

Mani: Yes! I do google myself.

What is the most significant judgmental point in society for boys?

Mani: The most significant critical point in society for boys is related to the job and marriage.

One rule you want to break in our society and family for boys/girls?

Mani: I want to break the rule regulations for the girls so that they can grow with boys.

What are your dreams and goals in your life?

Mani: The dream of my life is not big, but it is not small as well, so I want all those qualities that can give me an identity in society.

Who is your ideal in your life?

Mani: My mother is my ideal in my life. But the word cannot explain their feelings.

What do you think, people try to control boys' power in the name of responsibility?

Mani: People suppress boys' feelings in the name of responsibility. They do not have enough time for themselves too. So, I think no one can understand their feelings.

What is your favorite childhood book?

Mani: I have a favorite poetry book: The Random House Book of Poetry.

One thing that always makes you happy, and you want to dance that time?

Mani: Only friends make me happy.

Which change needs our country for primary & real education?

Mani: A new syllabus according to Hindu culture can change real education & primary education.

One thing you want to do for your parents?

Mani: I have many dreams for my parents. I can not explain it, and the future decides that.

Family or a friend, which one is more comfortable for you to share yourself?

Mani: Family and friends both help me in sadness.

Stay connected and follow for more terrific, honest Interview conversations with ordinary people who are doing extraordinary in their lives. 

© Monika Singh and Mani Shankar

Original Source: Mani Shankar, Dreamer - Interview Conversation with Monika Singh

Book Title: The Curse of Kukkutarma 

Author: Prateep Roy

Genre: Science fiction + Mythology 

Book Review

The Curse of Kukkutarma

The story starts with - punishing the students of class 10 by a harsh nature teacher. The reason behind punishment is that someone splits the ink on the Shirt of a simple & humble teacher. But such brutal punishment was prohibited in the school.

The school principal was passing nearby, and he observed the teacher punishing the Kid. He asked him to stop it. 

Later, Principal Mr. Brown asked the little boy about his introduction. He introduced himself as Opamanyu Sen. His mother called him Opu with Love. He is from 6th standard, but he was in the 10th class, as he was aware of what teachers were teaching in 6th standard. 

When he visited his home, her mother Observed his hand was severely hurt, and she asked him about the reasons. His father, Mr. Dwarkanath, was a trustee of that school. And he said to stop funding the school.

Suddenly, Mr. Father Brown visited their home and informed his Dad that they had suspended that teacher for such Karma. Along with it, he told his parents that their son was Prodigy. He has extraordinary skills. His mind is sharp and ahead of the children of his age. 

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The discussion continued, and he asked them to reflect on his studies and take suggestions from Jagdish Chandra Bose (1st Indian Scientist who got a Patent). 

Later, he was sent to London for his education. His father now has high expectations like miracles from his son, as everyone in the surroundings was saying he is brilliant & extraordinary. 

During that year, World War 1 broke out, affecting many things. 

However, Opu met Isla and his brother and tried to execute his ideas and plans with them. This is how they were able to start the preparation of Atityan (a project for a spacecraft model). All three were lost in the project deeply. 

This book has a blend of history, mythology, and science fiction, hand in hand. The story plot is based in the 1900s and revolves around the prodigy kid Opu and his brilliant interest in Time traveling. 

His dream of inventing the time machine, which can help him to travel back in the past and meet the Bhisma of Mahabharata, and why he died, even when he was blessed by boon. 

This led him to take his ideas and interests seriously. 

My take on Narration:

The Narration could have been smoother if a lot of details (explanation of ancient history details) could have been provided at the end, instead of starting and in mid of the chapters. 

Along with it, as the book is fiction, there is not a more significant role of research done by the Author. However, it's doing great on the research-based part.

What I Like: I like the theme line & blend of history and mythology, along with the prodigy of Opu.

Recommended: If you like books based on science fiction and mythology, you may also like this one.

Get the book: Book Link

Original Source: The Curse of Kukkutarma by Prateep - Book Review