Into The Oblivion

This is not merely a tale. Reflecting upon the harsh realities of life, this book throws useful light on the various intricacies related to the treatment of Cancer. It also penetrates deep into the spiritual world and poignantly exposes the nuances of the difficulties of human life. Ultimately, it carries its protagonist far beyond the worldly bondages into the horizon of freedom, there, where everything remains forever 'unsaid'.

Dr. A.P. Maheshwari completed his MBA from Podar Institute of Management after a bachelor's degree from the prestigious Sri Ram College of Commerce.

He is known for his creative writings in English as well as Hindi, that are based on his vast real life experiences. He has published nine books, more than forty articles and holds the `Govind Vallabh Pant' award.

Dr. Maheshwari is an experienced officer of 1984 batch of the Indian Police Service. He has headed important districts in U.P. besides handling many critical assignments in the state.

He has also worked with the CRPF in Assam, J&K and Delhi as a field commander. He has to his credit many service decorations including the President Police Medal for distinguished services, Police medal for Gallantry and special duty medals.

Active in community service, he is also associated with some well known NGOs, particularly in support of street children, the differently abled, senior citizens and cancer care.

Vineeta Chandak did her masters in Political Science and taught for a couple of years at various prestigious colleges in Rajasthan. Married to an industrialist, she presently resides at Gwalior. Now a competent home maker and an active community worker, she is also known for her freelance creative writings.

I consider my privilege to write foreword for 'Into The Oblivion'. At the outset it is an interesting detailed description of family bonding, public healthcare system and emotional issues originating on way to deal with illness over a period of time treatment is underway, palliative care towards end and above all faith in one's own beliefs.

Let me discuss all these issues one by one. A mother, of 4 children, three sons and a daughter, has been discovered to be suffering from a lump in one of her breast. Authors have done a commendable justice to write in an understandable English language every major or minor detail right from the diagnosis and multimodality management of the illness. While reading the script one gets the feel that it is happening in front of the eyes and whole scenario rolls around happenings. The description helps to create awareness about access to healthcare and its limitations as it stands today. Importantly, it brings about certain controversial aspects of healthcare delivery to the extent that physicians could guide by unethical practices while making decisions about newer medications.

Much more important, I consider this chronicle brings about intimate bonding between mother and children both sons and daughter. The present compilation of the 'Into The Oblivion' is a true testimony that a 'devout Son' and a beloved daughter have decided to pen down their memoirs as the mother went through the ordeals of diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and finally palliative care. When everyone in the family including the patient were feeling relieved with the impression that 'Mayan' (Mother) has been cured or at least her disease has been controlled, suddenly recurrence haunts the patient and the family together. Here began the last journey. It is commendable indeed how 'Mayan' (Mother Patient] came to the terms and withstood complexities of palliative care.

The book could serve as a guide for public at large telling about do's and dont's in the circumstances every family goes through such illness when someone near and dear one suffers. Even more important lesson one can learn how to respect and love one's own parents which is becoming a victim of modernisation of society and in the era of nuclear family system. I give full credit to 'Son Vineet' who deserves all due compliments for looking after the 'Mother Mayan' in such a way that she never expressed a feeling of Helplessness' or the son and daughter never gave her chance to feel of 'Burdensome/ dependability' until she left for heavenly abode. We all know the absolute truth of life that is 'Death'. One, who is born, will die but we always feel sad whenever we lose someone near and dear one. To which I say why not, we miss them and cherish long association With good and bad times. If some one we loose while terminally ill, it is liberation (Mukti) of the self and those who are caring.

I would highly recommend reading of these memoirs a 'Devout Son' and a 'Beloved Daughter'.