Book Review | The Incessant Struggle
Book Review by Nadia Ghaffar
Author: Dr. Khalid Jameel
Book: Teesra Janam
If you are one of those readers who read not only for the sake of enjoying immediate literary pleasure but also want to learn and gain something from the books written by wise men, then this book is the right selection for you.
Autobiography is a form of literature which gives you the widest room to learn something really practical and worth adding in your life and thoughts. It gives your mind enough food for thought and to get trimmed and polished as a result.
Teesra Janam
The book under review is a heart touching autobiography “
Teesra Janam” (urdu) by
Dr. Khalid Jameel Akhtar who is popularly known as Big Brother. When the title comes at sight the reader does not get any idea of the depth the book contains. The book is divided into three parts named as
Pehla Janam,
Doosra Janam and
Teesra Janam. It is only after the first reading of the book that the reader gets the clear idea that how these three Janams are categorized according to the ups and downs that had been a part and parcel of the writer’s life. In the preface the writer has made it clear why he selected this title for his book.
The Doctor says:
“Jub kisi wakayae ya saanhae k baad insaan ki soch aur ehsaas tabdeel ho jaen tou phir wo eik nayee zindagee ka aghaz karta hay. Aisee zindagee jis main wo yaksar badal jata hay aur wo eik nay tashakhus k sath bilkul nae andaaz say jeenay ki shuru vaat karta hay. Mayray nazdeek ye dar asal os ka naya janam hota hay.”
Starting with “
Pehla Janam” the first part of the book refers to how the writer’s life was filled with unmatched flavour of constant success. The reader gets the idea that the success was actually a continuous follower who kept on chasing the author of the book through out this part of his life. The whole account is quite entertaining and joyful for whoever reads this part feel himself mesmerized. It has the power to drown the reader in it self. The book begins with the child hood memories of the writer when he enjoyed his life with his parents and siblings and moved on calmly with his life. The very name of the chapters under all sections give a clear idea of how the progression in his life takes place.
The second part of the book “
Doosra Janam” relates to how the writer’s life changed after the severe accident in his life. The beauty of the account here is that the author seems to be holding the hand of the reader and gets him through the realms of his mind and the soul’s inner conflicts. He has artfully exposed how his mind, soul, thoughts and consciousness were reacting to this major change in his life. The disastrous accident changed his life tremendously and this is how and when his thoughts, feelings and inner self went through a transformational change which is like a rebirth (i.e, Doosra Janam) smoothly leading him towards more development of his soul (i.e, Teesra Janam) which is the account of further and constant growth of his mind and soul.
In the last part ,
Teesra Janam (which is also the title of the book) the writer adopts a didactic style. Like a polite and humble teacher he teaches us lessons about our own selves. He gives the examples of many of his patients and friends whose stories are another source of inspiration for readers. He has discussed the social problems and their solutions which are only possible if we bring a change in our thinking.
The language and style of the author is quite informal to the extent that the reader’s flow of thought is never interrupted or confused and exactly moves with the progress in the story. This colloquial style has the breath taking control on the readers until the very end of the book. At some of the places the reader however feels that some details about the writer’s life after the accident are quite missing which could be there and would have added more meaning. Their absence is but skillfully covered.
The concluding chapter of the book has sad over tones but keeping the whole book in mind, the reader feels himself inspired and full of motivation to bring positive changes in his life.
The author Dr. Khalid Jameel is a physician by profession practicing in Lahore. He is not an old writer and this is his first book but what ever he has written has proved him to be a wonderful scholar and a worthy writer.
Teesra Janam is an account of Dr. Khalid Jameel’s life which is not only undoubtedly different but also inspiring for common people. The way he has reacted towards terrible situations and incidents in his life has actually made him a great hero of hearts, an example for other people. It is a remarkable and inspirational autobiography of a brave man whose adamant determination and resilience is a paradigm for people of all times.
Through out the book the writer emphasizes to take care of physical and mental health and relieve stress by doing yoga, exercise, meditation and proper diet. After reading the book today’s reader obviously feels himself guilty of his prior carelessness towards his health. He feels convinced and warmed up to take care of health in future especially with respect to staying stress free.
The diction is quite practical and informal. There are interesting and relevant illustrations given with each topic to help the readers understand the points more easily. The style of the author is quite friendly in all ways. There are interesting and precise quotes by different wise men in the book with almost every topic. For e.g.
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