Saving Walden's World!

 

Jim Merkel Sir,

It is a matter of genuine pride to meet the American author, former military engineer, and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Mr. Jim Merkel. I consider it an honour to have been invited to deliver a review talk on his commendable documentary, # Saving Walden’s World. The nostalgic recollections of my IDSFFK and those action packed bygone Journalism days knocked my filmy scapes once again.Indeed, a change is taking place somewhere, perhaps too slow and small. Crisscrossing the thresholds of Kerala, Cuba, and Slovenia, the documentary powerfully unearths the vision of sustainable development, with a special emphasis on the progress and empowerment of women. It is truly worth watching. Many more laurels await you, Sir. Above all, I was deeply touched by the name Walden. Your son’s name took me back to my memorable days as a master’s student at the University of Hyderabad, where I was introduced to the renowned American Transcendentalist, Henry David Thoreau, and his Walden: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.”I sincerely hope that your Walden’s fears will fade and that Walden’s World will indeed be saved. May this documentary enrich and enlighten young minds, inspiring them towards a sustainable future!

Praise for my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik by the Indian Author, Sheela Tomy

Finally, we met again. Two minutes of the Vande Bharat halt at Quilon railway station was capable of bestowing yet another red-letter moment for me. It was indeed a privilege to present my travelogue (printed version) to Sheela Tomy Madam. Thank you for being so supportive ever since the initial phase of my writing, my dearest Madam. Thank you a ton for revealing the cover page, along with yet another well-known writer, K.A. Beena Ma'am. Sharing the praise penned by this lovely Wayanadan soul in my Suitcases, Sandcastles and Little Anvik.

 

“Join a mother, her Navy husband, and their little bundle of joy, baby Anvik, as they journey through some of India’s most soulful landscapes; from the sun-kissed beaches of Andaman to the vibrant cities of Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bangalore and Goa, and we can join little Anvik’s pilgrimage to Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram & Palani. Told with tenderness, honesty, and an eye for life’s quiet wonders, this is not a travelogue, but it’s a heartfelt attempt to re-create and re-live the most treasured moments of life. With every turn of the page, we are invited into the warmth of shared laughter, the chaos of travelling with a toddler, and the deep love that binds this young family together. It is not just about destinations, but about the little in-between moments, the giggles, the wonder, the shared silences that make memories timeless. This is a journey of more than just miles; it is a celebration of love, parenthood, and the magic of being together.”  - Sheela Tomy, Indian Novelist and Short Story Writer.