Selamat Hari Raya to all my Muslim friends and relatives, with special mention to the Royal Malaysian Police Force and the distinguished luminaries who have been there for my family and me throughout. #Malaysian #PolisDiRajaMalaysia #Malaysia #muslimsworldwide #MalaysianPolice
Women must be celebrated for their contributions to humanity. It is more relevant today than ever as we celebrate International Women's Day.
Women are the bedrock of society, and their influence is intricately woven into the very fabric of our existence. They stand as beacons of hope, illuminating paths toward progress and exemplify their traditional roles as mother, daughter, sister and a friend.
Throughout history, women have defied expectations, breaking through barriers that once seemed impossible. They pave the way for future generations to stand out as humans. Their unwavering perseverance and grit have fueled the need for social justice, equality, and peace within their communities. From fighting for voting rights to leading in scientific research, women have consistently pushed the boundaries to reveal their ingenuity and even might, given the circumstances.
In communities, women respond to crisis with kindness and compassion by providing care, comfort, and essential resources during upheaval. Their resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to their unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. They are creators, trailblazers, entrepreneurs, and leaders, driving economic growth and creating opportunities for their nation.
Women have the unique ability to foster empathy, care, and understanding. Their empathetic and caring nature extends beyond their families and transforms the mindsets of communities as they are emulated.
These days, their voices are louder than ever as they advocate for inclusivity to build a more just and equitable world.
As we celebrate women for their achievements, let us be committed to supporting and empowering them even more to reach their highest potential.
Happy International Women's Day!
-shobana-
Read my tribute in a poem for Women Everywhere:
Without Compulsion, A Woman Am I.
Have you read my latest book yet? From Skopje to India is a tale of love, learning, adventure and intrigue.
Laugh at and love Majaorie Yakob and read how she adapts to change to be accepted
in India. The link to the Kindle copy is below. The book is free to read on Kindle Unlimited. The paperback edition is available on Amazon. Thank you.
I was researching Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Calcutta for my book From Skopje to India. For new readers, the book is about a lady's entry into India during the final days of British rule. Majaorie Yakob travelled to the other side of the world from Skopje, the land of the Great Ottomans.
It's a story like I have never written before.
Today, I will talk about Varanasi. I had only heard of it as a holy place for Hindus until I read more about the site and was enlightened by the 88 ghats symbolising life and death - they host birth ceremonies to cremation ceremonies. Ghats are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the Ganges River, where rituals are performed to ensure salvation. People of other faiths also visit the holy site and partake in the rituals.
The Ganges is sacred and revered for its personification of the Goddess Ganga, as the goddess offers spiritual cleansing and protection. Bathing in its waters can wash away sins, and dying on its banks ensures a favorable afterlife.
Read 'The Dominated Era' at the link below:
https://shobanasmusings.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-dominated-era.html
Read my poem, Love is a Conviction here: https://shobanagomes.blogspot.com/2025/02/majaorie-yakob-and-love.html
Thank you for reading!
Someday, when someone asks me, "How and where do you find your inspiration to write?" My reply would be that I remembered, fondly. Precious memories of the wars of my time, though vague, that strange day when the hailstorm hit our roofs and I thought that the world was coming to an end, as I heard people frantically shouting from inside their houses, until I plucked up the courage to run outside and pick up the ice that fell down from the skies, only then did my fear recede. I thought then that the clouds had grown so cold that the rain inside them had turned to ice. I looked up at the sky - and it was a snowscape with no traces of blue. Just a long sheet of an iced grey sky, stretching as far as the eye could see. I was used to the blue skies and bright sunny days, so this was strange to me.
I had never heard of weather phenomena or climate change until recently. Maybe I was a little too young then. We still breathed fresh air and walked about freely, unlike now, when the stench of pollution overwhelms, and the fear from our namesakes is so real. What a sorry state of affairs. The hailstorm only hit our part of the world once, and I have never experienced it since. Perhaps, even then, it was a warning to look out for the environment.
There are warnings of every kind that people are afraid to recognise nowadays. The current wars are bitter feuds that are breaking up an educated world. Clubs, hammers and swords are not used in this nuclear age. These days, we have advanced beyond predictability and understanding where weapons are concerned. Over the years, wars have heightened and worsened, and I wonder if it will ever end. Now, the people whom the leaders represent live fearful lives. No one is assured of security or safety anymore. One fight leads to another, and there's never a winner since revenge is always on their minds.
Have a pleasant weekend. Thank you for reading.
Shobana
Join Shobana's mailing list to be updated on deals and new publications on BookBub. https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
Read her new poem here: Love is a conviction.
Here's Booktaster's promotion on Skopje to India. A masterfully crafted book that will stop you in your tracks.
Booktasters has started promoting my book, From Skopje to India. I love the design, simple yet a story all its own. Here's the link: x.com/booktasters/st. Please read the sample on the Amazon link.
Please read the book, which will take you on a thrilling journey from Skopje and follow the protagonist's trail to Calcutta in absolute charm and awe for the love, beauty and character the book invokes in the readers. Please read the sample on the Amazon link: x.com/booktasters/st
You can get your Kindle Edition From Here:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
Shobana
Follow me on Bookbub to keep abreast of the next best read. (Press the link on the right).
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
You can get your Kindle Edition From Here:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
Booktasters have started promoting my book, From Skopje to India. I love the design, simple yet telling a story all its own. Here's the link: x.com/booktasters/st Please read the sample on the Amazon link.
Please read the book, which will take you on a thrilling journey, From Skopje and follow the protagonist's trail to Calcutta in absolute charm and awe for the love, beauty and character the book invokes in the readers. Please read the sample on the Amazon link. x.com/booktasters/st
You can get your Kindle Edition From Here:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
Whenever a story comes to mind, there is a reason. I write about the sufferings of the past while a little of history is repeated as reminders. Most of my books are written like that. The words turn into stories that captivate the mind and heart. I often feel a higher hand leading me to write the stories. I am surprised by the words that fill the books I have written thus far. This is why I say, the words flow like the river, smoothly as when the winds are calm and the waters rush forth with an ambition to reach the shores of the seas. The books are filled with beauty and love, compassion and understanding, and seek clarity where there is none. When you read my books, you are enlightened as well as empowered. I am not saying these things so you buy them, but to share the words written and led by God's hands. I want to show everyone the strength of the words that fill the books.
Read the sample to yet another epic story. Happy Reading!
Shobana
Follow me on Bookbub to keep abreast of the next best read. (Press the link on the right).
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
You can get your Kindle Edition From Here:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
https://www.bookbub.com/books/from-skopje-to-india-by-shobana-gomes
From Skopje to India - the story of a remarkable woman's journey to Calcutta, India. The story is set in British India in 1929 when India was fighting to regain control of its land from the British colonial masters. This book is a must-read. You will love Majaorie Yakob and her unwavering pursuit of a mission she wanted to accomplish.
READ THE SAMPLE HERE- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXP4WB4D
Free to Read on Kindle Unlimited. On Kindle for USD3.99. Paperback Edition is available.
Her days in Agra were coming to an end. On a reflective morning, Majaorie thought about how to reveal her decision to leave to Kincaid and the Smiths. It was a heartwrenching decision:
The soft rays from the morning sun filtered through the glass, illuminating my room and casting shadows on the floor. My love for Kincaid was immense, woven with laughter, and quiet moments that made our time spent together precious. He taught me what it truly meant to love and to be loved in return.
The Shah Jahan Park was a sanctuary which took us back in time. The time stood still for us there. We would sit side by side, and watch the lights illuminate the Taj Mahal in a display of breathtaking beauty. I loved how the marble structure stood out majestically against the night sky, its reflection dancing in the waters of the Yamuna River. Each time we visited, it felt like a pilgrimage to a shrine of desire, love and encapsulating beauty. The glances Kincaid and I exchanged were filled with unspoken promises.
However, our excursions outside became less frequent after Gandhi's visit. The atmosphere was thick with tension; the surface of our vibrant city simmered with unease. Frequent fights broke out in the streets, as protests fuelled by voices demanding change grew louder. Despite this, the police maintained order diligently amidst the chaos. At a time of uncertainty, we found solace in each other's company.
I wished to touch the readers with a story that gripped them from the start. I wanted to talk about the displaced and vulnerable, but instead, in writing this story, I learned about the wistful hearts of people who yearned to live life the same as everyone else - without encumbrances. The clear disparity lies between the lines of my story, and I only wish you could see them through my eyes - shobana
From the author of the award-winning story, Where the Rain Falls, comes another heartfelt epic, From Skopje to India.
A journey of love, culture, and discovery across continents unfolds.
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'I flipped through the pages and noticed the magazine was a significant English news magazine in India. It began publication in 1880. The magazine featured prominent editors, articles about current affairs, art and literature, and displayed a section for comics. I was struck by the historical content marked by political movements and cultural shifts leading to independence. The advertisements inside reflected the aspirations and lifestyles of the people during the time. As I sat absorbed in the pages of the magazine, Sally and Richard made an appearance. Excerpt: From Skopje to India. |
The green-eyed beauty was on a journey to Acceptance to Change.
Majaorie Yakob listened to Baba's wise counsel: Learn to talk, dress, and act like the people of India. He gave her a place to stay when she first arrived in New Delhi. He taught her Hindi, the broadly spoken language of the locals there. She found beauty amongst the simplest.
Majaorie found awe, love, and spiritual enlightenment as she travelled across the vast land to reach Calcutta. There, in the poorest state of India, she found a way to teach the children of the poor.
Read her travelling journal and the incredible people she met on the way, not forgetting the gorgeous culture, landscape and beliefs of a diversely populated land. Read about the immersive love of her life, Kincaid Roberts.
This story will never let you forget how it made you feel.
From the author of the award-winning Where the Rain Falls is another heartfelt epic: From Skopje to India.
A journey of love, culture, and discovery across continents unfolds.
The Year was 1929 when Majaorie Yakob pursued a destined journey…
The green-eyed beauty was on a journey to Acceptance to Change. On Kindle for USD3.99.
Hey Everyone,
Since February is all about love, and tomorrow is Valentine's Day, please allow me to share a passage from Skopje to India. Majaorie Yakob falls headlong in love with her tutor, Kincaid Roberts. He takes her on a date to a Christmas Ball at the Imperial Hotel to confess his love for her.
Excerpt from Chapter Seven, Agra.
Kincaid couldn’t help stealing kisses on Maja’s head as they danced.
She smiled radiantly, and an overwhelming sense of happiness washed over him.
He had been waiting long for a time like this.
He agreed that he was indeed a lucky man since she loved him in return.
Her beautiful hair smelled divine and he got lost in her fragrance as he held her close.
“I never expected that taking English lessons would be so rewarding. I not only
learned English but fell in love with the teacher too,” she said cheekily.
Kincaid laughed at her teasing. “Neither did I think that I'd fall in love with my student.
But, I’m glad we found each other while doing something we loved together.”
She moved closer to him, and he hugged her tight.
The music shifted to a more upbeat style, prompting others to join them on the
dance floor for some lively dancing.
Laughter erupted around them, and the celebrations heated up as the time neared to
usher in Christmas.
Kincaid felt proud to have her by his side. Her charm and her infectious laughter
captivated everyone.
As the night wore on, they waited with their wine glasses for the clock to strike twelve.
The countdown was almost upon them. “What are you wishing for, Maja,”
Kincaid whispered softly in her ear.
“You,” she said simply, her eyes full of love for him.
The two of them would wish for love and happiness to shine bright in their lives
from now on.
There was so much promise in the future, and they couldn’t wait to see where the
relationship would take them.
At the stroke of twelve, they cheered and drank up the wine in their glasses.
Maja felt heady with love and wine. She looked up tenderly at Kincaid and said,
“I love you, Kincaid.
Thank you for tonight. I have had the most awesome time of my life.”
Happy Valentine's Day - shobana
Here's a Valentine's Day poem for you. Please read the poem titled, Valentine, at this link: https://shobanagomes.blogspot.com/2025/02/valentine.html
If you are looking for a great Valentine's Day gift for your loved one, here's a poetry book that will endear you further to your loved one.
Soulful Rhapsody is on Kindle, and free to read on Kindle Unlimited. Read ten amazing love poems to your Valentine and have a wonderful time. Please press the link on the right to take you to the Kindle page or the link below:
https://www.amazon.com/Soulful-Rhapsody-Shobana-Gomes-ebook/dp/B0CVRNRZVL
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| Booktasters |
You can read more on Booktasters here.
This is a book that will bring clarity to the lives of people seeking to learn through historical events of the past. Often, history is ignored and repeated. Wars are fought for the same reasons over and over with even more advanced weapons of destruction. Once peace is compromised, have you thought about how and when you will have it back to lead normal lives again? What about our children?
In the story, The British Rule was ending in India. A young girl from Skopje was on a destined journey. Her final destination in India is Calcutta. Civil unrest was predicted among the different factions of the Indian National Congress. It was a time when the British living in Agra feared for their safety. People were killed for so many reasons, and mostly money was their main criterion. Why? Why do they think that it is okay to kill for money? Who gave them the right to kill another human?
Here's an excerpt.
Majaorie Yakob had the shock of her life earlier in the day. Sally was nearly robbed of her handbag while walking to the car. She and I had just finished shopping at the Kinari Bazaar. Sally fell on the road and hurt herself.
Thank you for reading and listening. Skopje to India will be published soon. Don't miss out on
getting a copy.
A Bientot, Shobana
(Parts of Chapter Nine)
The Bentley in the garage gleamed under the evening sun.
I wondered if they often used it when I spotted Rahul polishing the car with a soft cloth.
He was unaware that I was watching him.
He was deep in his task and whistled while he worked.
The Bentley cars are synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Only the super-rich
could afford one.
I thought of Richard’s words the other evening. He didn’t want to return to England
at the end of British rule.
Here, he was considered a super-rich elite and enjoyed massive wealth
in the poor nation. He lived prosperously here.
At this time of political change, there was rising unrest in India.
I wondered if he was making a wise decision not to go back.
The incident with Sally felt like a warning to me. The whites were not safe here
anymore.
I only wish that peaceful transitions were the norm when change took place.
It is a far cry from that as people were discriminative even among their own races.
Religion was a source of fighting among the people.
I don’t know how to call it a religion anymore if it invoked so much disharmony
and hate for other faiths.
Religion is a guide, especially in bringing about peace to nations.
It was not something to be fought over,
Most of the time ridiculous and trivial matters were used as reasons to start a quarrel,
which almost always fanned the sentiments of the people and resulted in war.
Rahul waved when he saw me. He called out, “Hey, Maja. I am almost done.
I will be with you shortly.”
-end of the excerpt-
Skopje to India will be published soon. Please get a copy and share this with friends
and family.
Thank you for reading and listening.
-shobana-
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| Booktasters |
You can read more on Booktasters here.
