Life Is About Love, Else Nothing

By Madhu Swarup

I was born in the Gangetic Planes of India, in the lap of Himalayas.
My family was liberal and broadminded, there was no gender disparity, we were all treated alike.

‘I am the fighter, I am a rebel, I cannot tolerate injustice.’
I am the product of ‘Quit India movement’ when India was fighting for its freedom.

‘Being a sports person, and an army wife, I was exposed to varied cultures of the world.’
I witnessed Indopak division of our country, there was so much of bloodshed, so much of
destruction. Human values were totally destroyed.

How can humanity be divided?
‘I am a world citizen’
I believe in Vasudhev Kutumbkam, the whole world is our family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Mar 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781543702095

Madhu Swarup

I would like to share a few words about the author, my mother. Madhu Swarup was born in 1937 in the foothills of the Himalayas. Unlike other girls, she was given the opportunity to grow her wings and fly. She represented India in Table tennis tournaments, she actively participated in World Hindi Congress, dramatics, etc. She married an army officer. Thus enriched in many ways, Madhu decided to pen down her thoughts in the sunset of her life. She was celebrating her diamond jubilee (75th bday) when she started writing the book. She soon became bedridden due to many diseases she suffered. She was full of beautiful thoughts and enthusiasm whenever I would see her. Her positivity and belief in life was unbelievable and highly infectious! She loved life in spite of its bitterness. And that is what her message is, to love, to break all boundaries of hatred, to live a beautiful life. Wishing you happy reading!

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Copyright © 2020 Madhu Swarup. All rights reserved.

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Partridge India

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www.partridgepublishing.com/india

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN

ISBN: 978-1-5437-0210-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5437-0209-5 (e)

03/24/2020

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CONTENTS

1. ‘World without Walls’

2. Spirit of India

3. Life

4. ‘Wars’

5. ‘Borders: A Peep into Beautiful India’

6. Kashmir: Celebrating Paradise

7. Uttarakhand: Abode of Shiva

8. Himachal Pradesh: ‘ In the lap of the Himalayas’

9. Madhya Pradesh

10. India Celebrates

11. Beautiful People

12. Golden Days

13. Reflections

Dedicated to mothers of unknown

martyred soldiers,

Who wait in vain to hear,

‘Ma I am back’.

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AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION

Madhu Swarup

(1937- 2017)

‘MY JOURNEY’

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I was born and brought up in the Ganga- Jamuni culture, between the banks of the river Ganga and Yamuna, at Saharanpur. This city is known for its Hindu and Muslim unity, tolerance and brotherhood.

My family was liberal and broadminded. People of different religious backgrounds were welcome in our house. We used to celebrate all the festivals with the same zeal and enthusiasm, whether it was Christmas, Eid or Diwali. Dignitaries from all walks of life, such as sports, religion, politics and literature used to be our guests.

Once, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya, was\ our guest. He advised me to dream big and to aim high. His words motivated me.

We were fond of sports . It was my father who encouraged me to be a National level player. I worked hard, and won many championships. For five years, I was an unbeaten Women’s Table Tennis State champion of Uttar Pradesh, India. For a woman to be successful and recognized in any field she chose to excel in, during the 1950’s, was challenging and treacherous.

Many times, as in a game, so also in life, one has to face the deuce point.

In such a situation, I used to say to myself, ‘fight Madhu fight."

During college days we were fond of reading classics – Indian, English, French and Russian. I came to know a lot about human emotions, its frailties, aspirations, frustrations, and also about sexuality and spirituality.

Humans behave differently in different situations.

As Shakespeare says, We cannot see life with open eyes, it has to be seen with the mind and the heart. I believe, that no one is ideal and neither is anyone perfect. It is easy to define crime -it is difficult to justify punishment.

I got married to an army officer. Life was very challenging and exciting. It suited my sports temperament. I enjoyed army life. I am

proud of our soldiers. They sacrifice their lives to defend our borders. They give us a sense of security, to live in peace. Soldiers are the pride of my country.

Life takes its own twists and turns. I was barely forty when I got an attack of Myasthenia Gravis. This disease takes one straight to the grave.The doctors gave me few months to survive. It was the deuce point of my life. With my strong will power, I was able to fight that terrible disease. Now,I am in my late seventies. I like to take up new challenges. I want to expand my horizons. Challenges make life tougher