BookMarks #84: The Vault of Vishnu

Title: The Vault of Vishnu 

Author: Ashwin Sanghi 

Genre: Fiction, History 

Published: 2020 

Summary 

An account of a medieval Buddhist’s monk journey from China to India to acquire secret powers. Meanwhile in the modern times, the Chinese are keen on acquiring the same and showing off their powers to the rest of the world. 

BookMarks 

The book is a gripping tale with some surprising and not so surprising twists. Also, I guess this is two stories running in parallel. There is the historic one of Huen Tsang’s journey to India. And then there is the mystery of Chinese super soldiers who had come at Doklam. Meanwhile the Indian establishment with the help of other powers try to get to the bottom of it and uncover a connection going back to the Pallava empire. 

Overall, an interesting narrative merging history with modern intelligence services and myths with biotechnology. Although a word of caution – the author has mixed facts with myths and fiction to create a story. Hopefully it is just taken as that and not anymore. He does give references to actual historical texts but they have to be treated with caution. Especially in today’s times when people believe as per their confirmation bias. 

Previously on BookMarks: The Great Train Journey 

Also by Ashwin Sanghi: #48 – Chanakya’s Chant

Road To Tokyo: Episode 19

We are now less than two months from the Games. And yet the question remains – Will the Games happen at all? Japanese public opinion is increasingly against the Games happening. Similar to the general feeling in India about holding the IPL in the midst of pandemic. And yet, the qualifications and the preparations, while disrupted, continue. 

While the suspense remains, there have been further progress on the field with a few more sportspersons qualifying for the Games. 

New Qualifiers 

• Wrestling: At the final qualifying event, Sumit Malik earned a Quota place in the 125 KG Freestyle category while Seema Bisla earned a Quota place in the 50 KG Women’s category. Thus India have qualified 8 wrestlers for the Games. However, there were no qualifiers in the Greco-Roman category. 
• Rowing: Arjun Lal & Arvind Singh qualified via the Asian Qualification Regatta in the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls. 
• Gymnastics: Pranati Nayak has qualified for the Games through the Asian Continental Qouta 
• Badminton: The final three qualification events got cancelled. And based on the rankings, PV Sindhu & B Sai Praneeth qualified in the Singles category, while the duo of Chirag Shetty & Satwik Rankireddy qualified in the Doubles. 
• Judo: Sushila Devi has earned a Quota place in the 48 KG Women’s event 

Other Updates 

• Shooting: The squad is now based in Croatia for training till the Games 
• Wrestling: The squad will move to Poland for training and practice events. 
• Boxing: At the Asian Championships, in a depleted field the Indian contingent hauled in 15 medals. This was the first proper event for many since the pandemic began. 

Covid-19 impact 

• Badminton: Malaysian Open & Singapore Open were cancelled thus ending the qualifying journey. 
• Rowing: Due to Covid travel restrictions, India did not enter the Final World Qualification Regatta. 

Indian Contingent 

Total Count – Sports - 14, Events – 57, Entries - 79, Participants – 100 

Links: Road To Tokyo: Episode 18