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The Village that Banned Science
Handling topics such as discrimination, superstition and prejudice, this book aims to encourage scientific thought and is for children aged 9+.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 10, 2019
Full review on my blog:
https://medium.com/kiranmayi-g/book-r...
Rampur is a remote Indian village which never had access to Science. The Government forgot to send a science teacher ever and hence the Sarpanch and a holy Baba join hands to use the innocence and ignorance of the villagers for their own selfish needs. Jambhula a young girl from the village who lives with her parents, is ever so curious to find about the world around her. Along with her friend and partner-in-crime Damya, she tries to explore her village as much as possible with her limited knowledge. Enters the science teacher Mr. Harish who slowly educates the villagers, both kids and elders, the basics of Science and ignites the passion in them to perform experiments and also sows the seeds of ability to question logically everything instead of accepting things by face value. But will this sudden change in perspective of the villagers go well with the Sarpanch and the holy Baba who are used to exploiting them? Will Jambhula and other kids be able to learn Science forms the rest of the story.
Though the story is about a fictional village, we can safely assume there are still a lot of such villages in this country without proper access to the knowledge from the outside world and where superstitions run wild among the villagers. The story narrated from the young girls perspective adds so much to the innocence, while questioning some deep rooted inequalities in the society. The girl is funny, sarcastic, smart and bold all in equal measures, which makes her so endearing to the reader.
The book is equally enjoyable for kids and elders, but in my opinion a must read for young kids, for its interesting theme and the lovable kids’ characters. The narration is taut for the entire length of the story. Read this book/encourage kids you know to read it/or gift this book, because it is a wholesome package of good message along with entertainment.
https://medium.com/kiranmayi-g/book-r...
Rampur is a remote Indian village which never had access to Science. The Government forgot to send a science teacher ever and hence the Sarpanch and a holy Baba join hands to use the innocence and ignorance of the villagers for their own selfish needs. Jambhula a young girl from the village who lives with her parents, is ever so curious to find about the world around her. Along with her friend and partner-in-crime Damya, she tries to explore her village as much as possible with her limited knowledge. Enters the science teacher Mr. Harish who slowly educates the villagers, both kids and elders, the basics of Science and ignites the passion in them to perform experiments and also sows the seeds of ability to question logically everything instead of accepting things by face value. But will this sudden change in perspective of the villagers go well with the Sarpanch and the holy Baba who are used to exploiting them? Will Jambhula and other kids be able to learn Science forms the rest of the story.
Though the story is about a fictional village, we can safely assume there are still a lot of such villages in this country without proper access to the knowledge from the outside world and where superstitions run wild among the villagers. The story narrated from the young girls perspective adds so much to the innocence, while questioning some deep rooted inequalities in the society. The girl is funny, sarcastic, smart and bold all in equal measures, which makes her so endearing to the reader.
The book is equally enjoyable for kids and elders, but in my opinion a must read for young kids, for its interesting theme and the lovable kids’ characters. The narration is taut for the entire length of the story. Read this book/encourage kids you know to read it/or gift this book, because it is a wholesome package of good message along with entertainment.
June 15, 2017
Enjoyable India-set story about the importance of Science
Children will enjoy the superstitious nonsense that the villages of Rampur have to go through - one poor soul keeps losing her cows. The Holy Baba's solution? Turn somersaults at dawn. The Evil Eye is in the village? Everyone must do a handstand at the same time every day.
Science is banned in the village, the doctor is not consulted about people's problems - they turn to their holy men. When a Science teacher is finally dispatched to Rampur, things begin to change and the villagers begin to both ask questions of him and of themselves and their previous actions.
There are a few funny moments, and it's a great concept for children, to understand how far we've come since embracing the scientific method, just as the villagers do.
Sometimes the speech is a little stilted and formal, not very realistic language, and this might make it awkward if being read aloud to a class, but the content will both amuse and intrigue listeners - I liked the idea of setting this in a small village in India, comparing the two systems of thought and belief.
Would make a good class reading book to be shared with a teacher, best suited to KS2 students, aged 9-12.
Children will enjoy the superstitious nonsense that the villages of Rampur have to go through - one poor soul keeps losing her cows. The Holy Baba's solution? Turn somersaults at dawn. The Evil Eye is in the village? Everyone must do a handstand at the same time every day.
Science is banned in the village, the doctor is not consulted about people's problems - they turn to their holy men. When a Science teacher is finally dispatched to Rampur, things begin to change and the villagers begin to both ask questions of him and of themselves and their previous actions.
There are a few funny moments, and it's a great concept for children, to understand how far we've come since embracing the scientific method, just as the villagers do.
Sometimes the speech is a little stilted and formal, not very realistic language, and this might make it awkward if being read aloud to a class, but the content will both amuse and intrigue listeners - I liked the idea of setting this in a small village in India, comparing the two systems of thought and belief.
Would make a good class reading book to be shared with a teacher, best suited to KS2 students, aged 9-12.
October 19, 2018
Interesting story about science and it's benefits.
May 25, 2017
I was provided a free copy of the book by the author for reviewing.
If asked to rate the book based on the perspective of a child, I would give it a 4/5.
I seldom take up the troubling task of reading an e-book. Troubling why? Because I have issues. Ebooks hurt my eyes and give me frequent headaches. So whenever I do decide to read one, I always hope it is worth all the stress. And have never till date been upset of my decision. Whatever e-book I choose to take in remains short, so as to not cause much headache, and is well written.
This book was exactly the same. Short, precise, interesting and well written. The book is a suitable read for children and is very educative.
The story is about a small village in the forgotten part of India, Rampur where the government had forgotten to introduce science. As a result, it was still under the complete grasp of superstitions and beliefs of magic. It was run by a greedy and power loving Sarpanch and a holy Baba of the similar personality. The villagers believed deeply in the Baba's speeches and buzzard solutions to whatever problems the villagers brought to his attention. They never questioned nor encountered his solutions but ladened him with gifts, food and other offerings. The Sarpanch saw to it that he also got a part of such mouthwatering offerings. Together the duo ruled over the village. The village doctor was never paid a visit to and was abundant, forgotten. The village doctor was never paid a visit to and was left forgotten. There was just one little girl, Jumbhula, who was always full of unbound curiousity over everything. But found no one to answer her questions to.
Suddenly, events took turn with the government finally noticing the village and sending a Science teacher, Mr. Harish, to educate the children as well as the adults of the unfamiliar, unknown subject - Science. The villagers were all excited to learn something new.
With the coming of Mr. Harish and his spending of enlightenment in the village, the villagers soon realised the useless tricks the Baba had played on them. There were still some who blindly believed in the Baba but majority turned against him. They all started questioning Baba hilarious remedies and soon the village doctor was remembered. Jambhula always ran to Mr.Harish who helped her get answers to all curious questions and experiments. The villagers started discussing and experimenting science. However, the altering effect on the Baba and the Sarpanch made then wrathful. Soon, when the village experienced an earthquake, they blamed it on Mr.Harish and the practice on science and announced to chop of the tiny toes of anyone found studying or practicing science. Though they all were angry, the villagers feared of their toes and kept silent. But Jambhula was not a girl to give up. With the help of Mr.Harish, she decided upon participating in an Annual village science competition for children in Seetapur with her solar cooker experiment. In midst of all these, when the village is struck by another natural calamity they decide to protest against the ban of Science. It was decided that the protest would be brought to the government's notice.
But, was Jambhula able to attend the competition despite the heavy guard of the Sarpanch and his goons? Could she successfully present the experiment? Did she win? What happened of the protest? Could they bring back Science to the village? Did the government help?
To get answers to all these questions all you have to pick up this short read and enjoy each and every aspect of it.
The book is simply written yet packed with great lessons. In India there are many villages which despite the country prospering daily, are very much behind. They remain deprived of proper education and enlightenment. Superstition and belief in magic hovers around those villages. The powerful people take complete control of everything and often the people face hard times. The book is an eye opener of how, when given proper notice and education to a village, numerous lives and dreams are saved from those greedy, powerful, superstitious clutches. Every human must have the right to get proper education. A country wide prosper only when no corner of it is left unnoticed. As the saying goes -
Diamonds are found only in the black, dirty depths of coal mines.
Who knows what precious talents lay hidden and wasted due to the lack of proper education.
Another interesting fact about the book is the insertion of little experiments absolutely interest grabbing for children. This book is an educational book with humour, curiousity, struggle, understanding, enlightenment and Science.
An adult should read this book as well. For it's never too old to be young.
If asked to rate the book based on the perspective of a child, I would give it a 4/5.
I seldom take up the troubling task of reading an e-book. Troubling why? Because I have issues. Ebooks hurt my eyes and give me frequent headaches. So whenever I do decide to read one, I always hope it is worth all the stress. And have never till date been upset of my decision. Whatever e-book I choose to take in remains short, so as to not cause much headache, and is well written.
This book was exactly the same. Short, precise, interesting and well written. The book is a suitable read for children and is very educative.
The story is about a small village in the forgotten part of India, Rampur where the government had forgotten to introduce science. As a result, it was still under the complete grasp of superstitions and beliefs of magic. It was run by a greedy and power loving Sarpanch and a holy Baba of the similar personality. The villagers believed deeply in the Baba's speeches and buzzard solutions to whatever problems the villagers brought to his attention. They never questioned nor encountered his solutions but ladened him with gifts, food and other offerings. The Sarpanch saw to it that he also got a part of such mouthwatering offerings. Together the duo ruled over the village. The village doctor was never paid a visit to and was abundant, forgotten. The village doctor was never paid a visit to and was left forgotten. There was just one little girl, Jumbhula, who was always full of unbound curiousity over everything. But found no one to answer her questions to.
Suddenly, events took turn with the government finally noticing the village and sending a Science teacher, Mr. Harish, to educate the children as well as the adults of the unfamiliar, unknown subject - Science. The villagers were all excited to learn something new.
With the coming of Mr. Harish and his spending of enlightenment in the village, the villagers soon realised the useless tricks the Baba had played on them. There were still some who blindly believed in the Baba but majority turned against him. They all started questioning Baba hilarious remedies and soon the village doctor was remembered. Jambhula always ran to Mr.Harish who helped her get answers to all curious questions and experiments. The villagers started discussing and experimenting science. However, the altering effect on the Baba and the Sarpanch made then wrathful. Soon, when the village experienced an earthquake, they blamed it on Mr.Harish and the practice on science and announced to chop of the tiny toes of anyone found studying or practicing science. Though they all were angry, the villagers feared of their toes and kept silent. But Jambhula was not a girl to give up. With the help of Mr.Harish, she decided upon participating in an Annual village science competition for children in Seetapur with her solar cooker experiment. In midst of all these, when the village is struck by another natural calamity they decide to protest against the ban of Science. It was decided that the protest would be brought to the government's notice.
But, was Jambhula able to attend the competition despite the heavy guard of the Sarpanch and his goons? Could she successfully present the experiment? Did she win? What happened of the protest? Could they bring back Science to the village? Did the government help?
To get answers to all these questions all you have to pick up this short read and enjoy each and every aspect of it.
The book is simply written yet packed with great lessons. In India there are many villages which despite the country prospering daily, are very much behind. They remain deprived of proper education and enlightenment. Superstition and belief in magic hovers around those villages. The powerful people take complete control of everything and often the people face hard times. The book is an eye opener of how, when given proper notice and education to a village, numerous lives and dreams are saved from those greedy, powerful, superstitious clutches. Every human must have the right to get proper education. A country wide prosper only when no corner of it is left unnoticed. As the saying goes -
Diamonds are found only in the black, dirty depths of coal mines.
Who knows what precious talents lay hidden and wasted due to the lack of proper education.
Another interesting fact about the book is the insertion of little experiments absolutely interest grabbing for children. This book is an educational book with humour, curiousity, struggle, understanding, enlightenment and Science.
An adult should read this book as well. For it's never too old to be young.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews