Against All Odds
2 journalers for this copy...
A powerful and moving story of a mans struggle against fate and his ultimate triumph over it
On 18 June 1994, Kishore Shantabai Kale passed his MBBS. His dream of becoming a doctor had been attained after long years of struggle.
The illegitimate son of Shantabai, a tamasha dancer from Kolhati community, and a local politician, Kishore Kale was abandoned by his mother at a very young age and left to fend for himself in the uncaring house of his grandparents. The tamasha, which used to be a form of traditional folk dance, has today degenerated to a kind of prostitution. Growing up in an environment where such transactions were made daily, witnessing the wretchedness of such a life at close quarters, and its repercussions on him gave Kishore the will and the determination to free himself through education and an amazing strength to transcend circumstances that at times seemed overwhelmingly black.
In Against All Odds, Kishore Kale unfolds a sad and shocking story of his early years and youth with a rare simplicity and directness. Far from rancour, it instead affirms and inspires the reader to never lose hopea precept that propels Kale as today he goes about tending to prostitutes and AIDS victims doing his utmost to help those who rescued him from going under.
On 18 June 1994, Kishore Shantabai Kale passed his MBBS. His dream of becoming a doctor had been attained after long years of struggle.
The illegitimate son of Shantabai, a tamasha dancer from Kolhati community, and a local politician, Kishore Kale was abandoned by his mother at a very young age and left to fend for himself in the uncaring house of his grandparents. The tamasha, which used to be a form of traditional folk dance, has today degenerated to a kind of prostitution. Growing up in an environment where such transactions were made daily, witnessing the wretchedness of such a life at close quarters, and its repercussions on him gave Kishore the will and the determination to free himself through education and an amazing strength to transcend circumstances that at times seemed overwhelmingly black.
In Against All Odds, Kishore Kale unfolds a sad and shocking story of his early years and youth with a rare simplicity and directness. Far from rancour, it instead affirms and inspires the reader to never lose hopea precept that propels Kale as today he goes about tending to prostitutes and AIDS victims doing his utmost to help those who rescued him from going under.
Journal Entry 2 by gussy916 at Postal Release To Fellow Bookcrosser in By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, January 21, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (1/21/2006 UTC) at Postal Release To Fellow Bookcrosser in By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: This book is going out to a friend, Hollydolly all the way in Canada. Hope you like the book, and since I haven't read it, hope your journal entry tells me more about it!
Yipee:) India and Canada have connected......I have wanted this book for so long, and my dear, kind, generous friend Gussy916 from Mumbai,India tracked it down and sent is as a RABCK all the way to little old me in Canada. Phew.."What a Gal" It is going to the TOP of my TBR and I will be dipping into it by the week-end, Can't wait. Now if I can get some nice Samosas to munch on from my local Indian restaurant whilst I am reading it....mmh heaven.
Thanks Sanya, also for the pretty book mark, I love it.
Thanks Sanya, also for the pretty book mark, I love it.
I have just finished this incredible book, the story made me feel sad, happy, and at times angry, but always empathy for the protagonist. His name is Kishore, he is the illegitimate son of Shanatbi who is a Tamasha dancer from the Kolhati Community. Kishore was abandonded by his mother at a very young age and was left to fend for himself as best he could in the uncaring house of his Grandparents. His life from the very start was hard, filled with verbal and physical abuse, but all through this you feel a very caring compassionate human being emerging whose ability to "turn the other cheek" and perform acts of kindness to those who would abuse him. As his story unfolds, it is with rare simlicity that the reader feels the message never to give up, there is always hope. Kishore proves this by his struggle for every rupee needed to complete his training as a Doctor. The compassion the reader felt coming through the pages of this book from Kishore are now very evident, as today he is tending to prostitutes and aids victims, and also holding out a helping hand to those who helped him along his path......A very powerful story, and one that will remain in my thoughts for a long time to come.
I was privileged to absorb this wonderful story by the generosity of a BCer and whom I might add a dear friend GUSSY916, Mumbai, India. Thank you so much Sanya, this book has left a mark on my heart, and for that, I thank you........Sylvia.
I was privileged to absorb this wonderful story by the generosity of a BCer and whom I might add a dear friend GUSSY916, Mumbai, India. Thank you so much Sanya, this book has left a mark on my heart, and for that, I thank you........Sylvia.
