TWO MORE BOOKS RELEASED
Two books by me were released at the Krithi International fesival of Books and Authors in Kochi.The book,EMSINTE NIYAMA SABHA PRASANGANGAL 1957-1959 was released at the inaugural function by CPI(M)Polit Bureau member M A Baby.
The book is a compilation of the speeches delivered by EMS Namboodiripad in the legislative assembly as Chief Minister during the turbulent years of the first ever Communist government in Kerala.The book has been edited by me.In the fore word to the book,I have written on the democratic Communist governments starting from the one in Sanmarino in 1945 and the Kerala assembly of 1957.
EMS had given permission to me to compile and edit the book in 1995.
The book is published by SPCS and distributed by NBS.Pages 136.Price Rs130.
The second book is a translation of the best seller,WHAT WE GAIN AS WE GROW OLDER by German philosopher,Wilhelm Schmid.The book has sold 5 lakh copies so far.Mr Schmid attended the function and delivered a speech on Serenity.Wilhelm and his wife Astrid have invited me to Berlin.I briefed him on the similarities between his philosophy and Indian philosophy,especially,Upanishads.
In the session in which he attended,I asked him about the contemporary standing of Karl Marx in Germany.He said,"Zero".
In our private conversation,Mr Schmid elaborated on it and said Marx was worried only about Economy and not Ecology.
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| Ramachandran with Wilhelm Schmid |
The book is about Gelassenheit,a German word with several connotations:Tranquility,equanimity,serenity,mellowness,laidbackness,placidity,relaxedness,coolness,calmness,impassability or unperturbedness.It is a state of mind that we attain after the age of sixty.I have used the Sanskrit word,Anandam for Gelassenheit.
Mr Schmid's philosophy is rooted in Art of Living,which Indians associate with Sri Sri Ravisankar.Mr Schmid told me,he had been using this expression from 1985 on wards,and he found the expression in Michel Foucault.
The translation by me has been published by SPCS and distributed by NBS.
Mr Schmid wondered why so many palaces are being built by people in Kerala.I told him I have always felt that a limit should be there in the building permit, to the total area.
Mr Schmid wondered why so many palaces are being built by people in Kerala.I told him I have always felt that a limit should be there in the building permit, to the total area.
