The Weight of Good Intentions!!!

2172nd BLOG POST

What are we built of— Memories? Experiences? Communication? Expectations? Past? Future? Present? What?

 

Every time life brings a phase or moment where I am asked to prove myself or define my actions, which have been of good intent at their best, I just start questioning the whole existence of life itself or my life in particular. Every year we celebrate our birthday with the belief that we have grown a year wiser. But have we? I don’t think so. We still end up fighting over the pettiest issues. We still bring up problems which shouldn’t exist in the first place. We fall apart from friends and relatives because of silly ego issues. We leave a job because of a small concern, ending up unemployed or unhappy in a new place for years and, sometimes, a lifetime.

 

What are we learning on a daily basis then? If you sit alone, you question everything that you do and don’t do to ensure that you only take the best actions to protect, maintain, and nourish your relationships with all the important people around you. Then one day you understand that most people are still not happy with you and your efforts despite you trying to be one of the best people in their lives. Why? They have their own experiences, judgments, prejudices, etc., which make them see you in the manner they want to. Even if you give up your life to save someone, that person might end up saying that you did it for your own benefit. What options are left for you then?

 

If you stop making efforts, you know that the situation will worsen. If you keep at it, you know that people still might blame you for a crime that happened on the other side of the planet. Your sacrifices will never be counted. Your love will never be acknowledged. Your multitasking to ensure that every part of life is in place will never be appreciated. But then, are we expecting others to do this for us? Or are we doing it to impress others and gain their approval? If not, then we are doing it in the goodwill and betterment of our own lives and others' as well. But then, where are the results?

You might never get them. You might never reach the place in life that will give you complete satisfaction or happiness, along with those around you. Life is painful, and that’s one of its key properties. You can’t take that away from yourself. What one can do is learn to bear that pain and not let it escalate into suffering. But again, for that, you will have to give yourself priority over others. You need to give time to yourself—heal yourself—before dealing with the atrocities of life again. But again, will people understand why your efforts have shifted towards yourself and not them? Never! Deal—just deal with it! LIFE!

 

Thanks!

WRITING BUDDHA

 

Her Story, Her Glory: The Making of Women’s Cricket in India by Aditya Bhushan (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2171st BLOG POST

13^th Book of 2026

As a cricket-loving nation, we have spent decades celebrating the achievements of our men's team. We can effortlessly recall iconic World Cup victories, memorable centuries, and legendary spells. Yet, if someone asked us how Indian women's cricket reached where it stands today, most of us would probably struggle to answer. Her Story, Her Glory by Aditya Bhushan fills exactly that gap, and it does so in an engaging, well-researched, and immensely readable manner.

 

I still vividly remember following the Women's ODI World Cup last year. So convinced was I about India's chances that I purchased the final's ticket immediately after India won its quarter-final, even before the semi-final had been played. Looking back, it turned out to be one of my best sporting decisions. Watching the Indian women's team lift its first-ever ODI World Cup was a surreal experience, one that I will cherish for years.

 

Perhaps that is why, the moment I came across Her Story, Her Glory in the pre-release section, I knew I had to order it. Interestingly, I completed reading the book on the very day the Indian Women's Team scripted yet another historic chapter by becoming the first-ever women's side to win a Test match at Lord's, defeating England in England by a massive margin of 270 runs. Sometimes, the timing of finishing a book feels almost poetic.

 

The book begins by taking readers back to the origins of women's cricket in India. It is astonishing to learn about the hardships faced by the pioneers of the game. There were times when players had to arrange money from their own pockets just to travel overseas and represent India. In an era where international tours are professionally managed, imagining those sacrifices is difficult. Their determination to play for the country despite minimal support makes their achievements even more remarkable.

 

Another pleasant surprise for me was discovering how competitive India's women's Test team had been even during those early decades. We often assume that women's cricket started flourishing only in recent years, but this book proves that the foundations had been laid much earlier by players whose contributions rarely receive the recognition they deserve.

 

Among the many personalities discussed, Madhavrao Scindia deserves immense appreciation for ensuring that women's cricket survived during one of its most uncertain phases. Equally significant has been the contribution of the Indian Railways, which not only offered employment to several cricketers but also became one of the strongest pillars supporting women's cricket in the country. Without such institutional backing, the game's journey could have been very different.

 

One of the biggest strengths of the book is the number of fascinating incidents it uncovers. Many of these stories were completely new to me. Reading about an Indian captain being slapped by a coach, the national team struggling to travel to a World Cup because of financial difficulties, and a captain being removed in the middle of a series shortly after losing her husband was both shocking and heartbreaking. These incidents reveal how challenging the journey has been for generations of women cricketers.

 

The book is equally rich in sporting anecdotes. I was fascinated to learn that Neetu David's remarkable Test bowling record from the early 1990s still remains unbroken. The story of how she replaced the legendary Diana Edulji and carved out her own legacy was particularly inspiring. Equally memorable was reading how Jhulan Goswami eventually surpassed the achievements of the very Australian fast bowler who had inspired her to take up pace bowling in the first place. Stories like these beautifully capture how one generation inspires the next.

 

Aditya Bhushan also discusses the disappointments and controversies that have shaped Indian women's cricket. Mithali Raj's frustration over being excluded from the playing eleven without proper communication reflects the administrative challenges that have existed even in recent times. The book also highlights how infrequently women's Test cricket is played and how India's impressive record of drawing more than three-fourths of its Tests often reflects a strategy of survival rather than aggressive pursuit of victories. These observations provide important context behind the statistics.

 

What I appreciated most was the author's balanced approach. He neither gets lost in administrative details nor turns into an overenthusiastic fan praising every player or innings. The narrative remains objective, well-paced, and consistently engaging. It is evident that extensive research has gone into the book, but that research never overwhelms the storytelling.

 

The final section serves as a fitting tribute to the icons of Indian women's cricket. Dedicated chapters on legends like Diana Edulji, Anjum Chopra, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and several others celebrate their individual journeys while also placing them within the larger story of Indian women's cricket. The inclusion of detailed statistics further enriches the reading experience, allowing readers to appreciate both the emotional and numerical dimensions of the team's evolution.

 

Overall, Her Story, Her Glory is much more than a history of Indian women's cricket. It is a story of perseverance, courage, forgotten heroes, institutional struggles, and dreams that refused to die despite countless obstacles. Whether you are a lifelong cricket enthusiast or someone who has recently started following the women's game, this book offers valuable insights into the incredible journey that brought Indian women's cricket to where it stands today.

 

It reminds us that before every trophy, every standing ovation, and every headline, there were generations of women who played not for fame or fortune, but simply because they loved the game. I would rate this book 4.5* out of 5 and I believe every Indian must read it.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

Thanks!

 

WRITING BUDDHA

Giorgia's Vision: Giorgia Meloni in Conversation with Alessandro Sallusti (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

2170th BLOG POST

12^th Book of 2026

 

Political books often intimidate readers who aren't deeply invested in geopolitics. They can become heavy with statistics, ideological jargon, or endless policy discussions. Giorgia's Vision, however, pleasantly surprised me. Written as a series of conversations between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and journalist Alessandro Sallusti, the book reads less like a political manifesto and more like an extended interview where readers are invited into the Prime Minister's office to understand not just her policies, but also the person behind them.

 

One of the most engaging aspects of the book is its conversational structure. Alessandro Sallusti does much more than ask questions. He paints the setting before every discussion—where they are seated, what is happening around them, and the political climate at that particular moment. These seemingly small details add context to every conversation, making readers feel like silent spectators inside Palazzo Chigi rather than outsiders reading another political autobiography.

 

I wouldn't call myself someone who closely follows international politics, yet I never felt lost while reading this book. The language is accessible, the conversations flow naturally, and the topics are explained in a way that even readers with limited knowledge of European politics can appreciate. Instead of overwhelming readers with technicalities, Meloni explains her thoughts with clarity, making the book suitable even for those who simply wish to understand contemporary global affairs.

 

Throughout the book, Giorgia Meloni remains remarkably candid about her political ideology and her vision for Italy. She openly discusses issues such as national identity, migration, taxation, unemployment, economic sovereignty, pollution, and the challenges facing modern Europe. Whether one agrees with her positions or not, there is little doubt that she expresses them with conviction. She also does not hesitate to name political opponents from the Left while responding to criticisms or explaining why she disagrees with their viewpoints. That directness gives the conversations an authenticity often missing from carefully curated political memoirs.

 

The chapters dealing with international relations were among the most insightful. Meloni explains Italy's support for Ukraine and shares her reasoning behind standing with a smaller nation against a much stronger military power. Her reflections on meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and her broader thoughts on Russia provide readers with an understanding of how today's global conflicts influence national leadership. Beyond Ukraine, she also offers glimpses into her relationships with several world leaders and explains the principles guiding Italy's international alliances.

 

The book is equally interesting when it shifts away from politics and explores the personal cost of leadership. Meloni writes with visible pride about becoming Italy's first female Prime Minister, yet she never portrays it merely as a personal achievement. Instead, she repeatedly emphasizes the responsibility that accompanies such a historic milestone. She reflects on Italy's political instability—having witnessed multiple governments in a relatively short span—and explains why she believes long-term governance requires patience instead of short-term popularity.

 

Some of the most relatable sections revolve around her family. She candidly shares how public office has taken away many ordinary pleasures of life—travelling freely, spending uninterrupted time with loved ones, or simply living without constant security. Her affection for her daughter is evident throughout the book, and it is heartening to see that even while discussing matters of state, she acknowledges the importance of her daughter's perspective in shaping her own thinking. These moments humanize a leader who is often seen only through political headlines.

 

Towards the end, the book includes Meloni's first parliamentary speech as Prime Minister. It is undoubtedly lengthy, but it also serves as the perfect culmination of everything discussed earlier. The speech encapsulates the very vision promised in the book's title, bringing together her ideas on identity, governance, meritocracy, family values, and Italy's future.

 

That said, the book isn't without its shortcomings. Since the conversations are centered entirely around Meloni's perspective, readers receive only one side of many political debates. While she confidently highlights her achievements and explains her decisions, the narrative rarely explores moments where she may have miscalculated or failed. There are no significant instances where she reflects on decisions she regrets or apologizes for.

 

Similarly, apart from her criticism of Russia's actions, she largely avoids controversies involving other global powers. As a result, readers looking for a balanced, 360-degree political analysis may feel that the book occasionally resembles a well-articulated defense of her own leadership rather than an objective political memoir.

 

Nevertheless, I believe that isn't necessarily the book's objective. Giorgia's Vision sets out to explain how Giorgia Meloni sees Italy, Europe, leadership, and the future of the West—and on that front, it succeeds remarkably well. Whether you agree with her politics or strongly disagree with them, the book offers an opportunity to understand the thought process behind one of Europe's most discussed political figures.

 

Overall, Giorgia's Vision is an engaging and accessible political memoir that combines autobiography, ideology, and contemporary global affairs in a format that is easy to follow. For readers interested in world politics, leadership, or simply understanding how modern heads of government think, it is certainly worth picking up.

 

My Rating: 4/5

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

Thanks!

 

WRITING BUDDHA