Ramesh Tiwari

Reminiscences are sweet because we often compare our present with the past and always come to the result that happier were those days when we did this and that, when we had such a good time with our young friends and when the world had colour. In fact, with the passing of time, our knowledge enriches, leaving less things to be strange for us, and the intensity of enthusiasm turns weaker with the diminishing potency of body. In ‘God is Even-Handed’ the two friends, while enjoying the present situation, are carried back to where the alluring past events hover. This is something that happened to the great poet William Wordsworth, who could not help imparting his feelings through his ‘Tintern Abbey’; and Shakespeare too summoned up his remembrance of things past and sighed the lack of many a things he sought. Enjoy yourself and smile as your childhood memories are brought back.

By tradition, I went to Ghantaghar Park on the evening of Holi to attend Holi Milon Samaroh. A gentleman making his way through the crowd came to me. We shook hands and cuddled each other, as is our custom. He then said, “Happy to see you, friend. I have been trying to find you for a week now.” “I’d be glad to oblige,” I replied. “What’s the name of your book? Oh yes – Snippets of Life Music. I need a copy of it. Where should I meet you to get it?” I usually carry one or two copies of my book in my scooter boot. I led Mr Pandey to where my scooter was parked, opened the dickey and handed him the book. He paid 250 Rupees to me. I became very happy. I thanked him warmly and asked, “How did you know about the book, friend?” “I saw it on Facebook,” he replied carelessly.

One day one of my friends told me that he wanted to read my book. I happily gave him a copy. “Friend, I’ll return it if it doesn’t appeal me,” he said frankly. “But, you know, if it interests me a little, I’ll purchase it.” “You can keep it,” I replied, “no matter whether it interests you or not. I give it to you free.” After a week the gentleman reported that the book was wonderfully evocative, but he would buy it if his wife approved. “Oh brother!” I beamed. “We’ve worked together for years and I have a right to present you with a book.” Another week passed, and my friend came to me again. Now he put 150 Rupees into my pocket, saying, “Friend, your book really produces pleasant ideas, emotions and memories, right as you told me. My wife spends most afternoons reading your book. Though it costs Rs 275, I’d ask special discount of you.”

Stupidity has its fair share but it should be gentle. In my childhood, children sprayed people with colour weeks in advance of Holi and nobody felt upset. We would gather logs and firewood at the bank of our village pond a few days before and Pandit ji would light Holika early hours of Holi morning. Children, women, the young and elderly all would come and stand grouped around the fire, throwing cow dung cakes and plants of wheat and barley in it. Words cannot express how happy we were to play colours through noon till a group of our Kakas and Dadas went door to door, singing Dhamal. There would gather a big crowd where ever they went and the family playing host would offer tasty Gujhia and Betel to everyone there. Sadly, deshi Tharra has spoiled all charms of Holi today! Anyway, Happy Holi, everyone! There was a time when people enjoyed small things during the Holi period, but now in this age of digital technology, people are busy reading endless mobile things or watching TV. A lot...

INTRODUCTION The stories in the book cover a variety of social as well as individual issues, unlocking some of the secrets of human life, intriguing readers and presenting surprising facts in a simple but effective way. Generally, young people are not captivated by a narrative of hard facts – there must be a blend of fiction, a reasonable amount of information and something that could represent the contemporary life. The stories pass on wonderful information in a surprisingly entertaining way. They advise on various matters, inspire, encourage, entertain, tickle readers’ imagination and are relevant to the reader. A few of the stories describe how people realize their errors only when it is too late and how in the early stages of life, they waste their time and squander their chances to accomplish their goals. They thus aim to make the younger generation see the error of their ways. It has been observed that a large number of people have an unreasonable dislike for someone, som...

Although life has little meaning, yet it is not about squandering it on unnecessary and unproductive things. Often young people do not care about time and the purpose of life. They are always in the mistaken belief that they have unlimited time to live and are free to do things what they may thoughtlessly prefer. These people at the later stages of life feel sorry for all the wrong they have done. A few others suffer depression, but most of them end by making themselves miserable and dissatisfied. ‘Snippets of Life Music’ serves to portray life in a better light and answers certain questions which very few have ever noticed. ‘Snippets of Life Music’ is an album of a variety of stories that cover both sad and cheerful aspects of life. They are a magical mix of fantasy and reality. There is a spine-chilling but also heart-warming love story. Just see how a manager deals with a difficult customer and also how an irritable manager makes the mess of his office. You will find the aspec...

Why is my book “Snippets of Life Music” (a short story album) worth reading? The book will never fail to entertain you for hours with stories of childhood reminiscences, of teenage romance, of a man suffering injustice, of endemic corruption, with vicarious thrill, fear, excitement and with bird-watching, heart-warming and spiritual tales. A few of them will certainly give you a new perspective on the things happening in your life. It will surprise you with some exotic ideas, and I’m sure you will not only be stimulated to examine them but also be captivated by them. It will serve up certain naked realities of life. It will pay off every bit of money you have spent on it. Above all, it is rich with dialogues and grammatical structures, useful for language learners, and therefore helpful in advancing their understanding of language learning and developing communication skills. Place an order for the book right now and spend your leisure time reading a wonderful boo...