'The White Tiger' by Aravind Adiga

Set in India, The White Tiger is a dark comical fiction work of literary par excellence. Adiga creates the character 'Balram Halwai' and sets off on a frenzied, passionate and detailed journey of modern India.

Corrupt politicians, impoverished citizens and the affluent are all targeted in Adiga's portrayal of the realities of day-to-day India.

It is a story within a story, about a chauffeur turned entrepreneur and his courageous, yet cunning plan, to leave the 'chicken coop'.

March Madness

Hi, March has come and gone and so has Purim, Patrick’s Day and Passover is looming. If you thought the New York winter had departed, think again. New York was blessed with some more snow, hail, icy rain and temperamental weather.

The world witnessed a most savage, cruel and cowardly attack as terrorists murdered five members of the Fogel family in Itamar, Israel. May those who perished be an eternal light for the Jewish people and may their memory shine and eliminate evilness. Meanwhile, a Jerusalem bus is blown up and the world remains silent. However, we are the ones who build! Am Yisrael Chai (the nation of Israel is very much alive).

Violence and war is still brewing in Libya, Syria and Yemen (and other places) as rebel groups attempt to overthrow current leaders. Allied forces have made been employed to try and fight the evil. There has been talk of arming Libyan rebels as they battle with Gaddafi (or however you spell it). Ivory Coast is dealing with its own civil war too.

Japan is rocked into a state of chaos as a mammoth earthquake and subsequent tsunami causes mass carnage and death. Nuclear reactors were affected and radioactivity escaped into the atmosphere (nuclear-ism – the state of Japan).

The Australian dollar continued its ascent, while the Japanese Yen posted a 16-year high against the United States dollar. AT & T mobile joined forces, while the New York Times started to charge online readers.

Elizabeth Taylor passed on she was 79. She also was married 8 times to 7 husbands. The Charlie Sheen craze died down and Apple gave birth to their latest child, iPad 2.

For cricket lovers, the World Cup continues in the sub-continent, where India will play Sri Lanka in the final. Ricky Ponting stepped down from the Australian captaincy; Michael Clarke didn’t exactly step up. The Australia Socceroos beat Germany in a friendly somewhere in Europe (not sure why Australia can only win friendly games when they count for nothing). And for completeness, the 2011 baseball season started with a New York Yankees victory.

Wishing everyone a very happy Passover and whatever everyone celebrates. Celebrate freedom, remember the slavery and rejoice for the upcoming redemption. And remember; just be kind to each other.