The Boy Who Was Arrested For Knowing Too Much

We were all raised on the probe that gaining knowledge is not a crime. Well, Vikas Swarup shatters this well-known myth in his engrossing novel, Q&A. The book's suspenseful plot and distinctive structure spellbound me and conquered the highest rank in my own list of 1001 books I must read before I die.

~

The novel narrates the life of Ram Mohammad Thomas, an 18-year-old orphaned boy, who becomes the first contestant to correctly answer dozen random questions on "Who Will Win A Billion?". The TV producers, who do not have a billion rupees to reward the winner, have the boy arrested by the police, for reaching the jackpot in a corrupt manner. Truth to tell, Ram managed the entire quiz because each question prompted a different flashback to a genuine event that occured in his turbulent life.

~

The author attempts to uncover the underbelly of the Indian society we tend to avoid without devoting a second thought to this vile issue. Homophobia, brutality, decrepit living conditions and racism are merely needles in a haystack Swarup wishes to enveil in his book.

~
Q&A is, beyond doubt, one of the most remarkable books I have ever read. I highly recommend this book, as it is much more than a worthwhile activity to pass the long afternoon hours with. Q&A is a mirror shaped into a book, which reflects badly on us as a society.
~

~

Great, although I believe your third paragraph needs some clarifications.

(95)

Daphna.

You Are What You Eat

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than one billion adults overweight. Should food manufacturers be held responsible for the alarming statistics? I, personally, shift the blame on us, the light-headed consumers who recklessly head toward the unhealthiest shelves in the supermarket, for several reasons.

~

People have the right to choose what to eat. Consumers across the universe can benefit from an unprecedented variety of food products. A broad range of healthy food products is already waiting to be snatched from the shelves, but the vast majority of consumers prefers purchasing the unhealthy products because they bring far more delight to the belly. In this case, consumers must be liable for the forthcoming consequences of their unrestrained food consumption.

~

Furthermore, preventing companies from manufacturing any kind of food is a ludicrous course of action, which bears the potential of worsening the worldwide economy. This might decelerate the economic activity even more, which is already in recession due to the severe financial crisis of 2008.

~

At the heart of this, I don't believe we should rail against the various food manufacturers for producing unhealthy food. We are the owners of our own bodies! We, as consumers and human beings, should bear responsibility for what we eat. I do believe that the food manufacturers should specify what their products consist of, so that we could derive the most of following a healthy lifestyle.
~

~

(100)

Daphna.