R. Suryanarayanan

Dreams and Realities R. Suryanarayanan

The great emperor Asoka grew up in Shivaite tradition and learnt not only Vedas but also art of war. He grew up dreaming to become the great emperor of his country. His wife Devi and his beloved daughter Sangamitta would play a decisive role in stopping the bloody Kalinga war by converting him to Buddhism. But was she right? If she had fulfilled her father's last dream, she could have changed the destiny of India. On the banks of the Ganges, a Sanyasi speaking in fluent French recounts his dreams to a passer-by. He falls in love with Nalini. But he is unable to marry her-why? To forget her, he goes to Strasbourg to do his doctorate. Unknowingly he falls in love with Brigitte but due to a strange condition put by her father, he could not win her hand. The passer-by is surprised and upset to hear this story and decides not to reveal his own identity to the Sanyasi. Easwaran had his elementary and secondary education in an unknown school in Perambur, a suburb of Madras. Listening to inspirational stories of Newton, Faraday and Ramanujan told by his teachers and by his Diamond Uncle, a curious person, he started dreaming of becoming a scientist. Unable to get a doctorate in India, he succeeds in getting one at the University of Paris. However, he gets dejected there and decides to try his luck in USA. There, aided by his wife and his sons, he realizes his dream. The author will donate the Royalty fees from the sales to Sankara Nethralaya, an eye hospital in India serving the poor and the needy. He will be happy to receive comments on his work and can be contacted at ayloorsury@yahoo.com