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    Book Review: Mahashweta by Sudha Murthy   A Journey from Rejection to Self-Respect Mahashweta is not just the title of a play performed by the protagonist; it becomes a symbol of inner strength and dignity, qualities that define Anupama’s journey. Sudha Murthy, with her trademark simplicity and emotional depth, gives us a heroine who is beautiful, brilliant, and full of dreams, but whose life takes an unexpected, heartbreaking turn due to a skin condition, vitiligo. Anupama, a young woman with the charm of a fairytale princess and the intelligence of a scholar, falls in love with Dr. Anand, a man from a wealthy family who falls for her beauty and grace. Their love story blooms, and despite the initial resistance from Anand’s conservative mother, they marry. But soon after, fate intervenes most cruelly. A white patch appears on Anupama’s foot, the first sign of vitiligo. That one spot becomes the turning point in her life. Her mother-in-law, driven by st...

   Book Review: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand — My Forever Favourite I’m finally sharing some book reviews I wrote years ago in my diary, and it feels only right to start with my absolute favourite: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. This book grabbed me in a way few others have. It’s not just a story about architecture or ambition, it’s about staying true to who you are, no matter what the world says. The heart of the book for me is the relationship between Howard Roark and Dominique Francon. Roark is a stubborn, fiercely independent architect who refuses to compromise his vision. Dominique is so complex — strong but scared, loving but guarded. Their love isn’t easy or perfect. It’s full of tension, silence, and moments where it feels like the whole world is trying to tear them apart. Peter Keating, Dominique’s initial fiancé, is everything Roark isn’t — popular, eager to please, always looking for approval. Dominique’s relationship with him feels like a trap she can’t fu...