We often feel at the top of the world on several occasions when our dreams get fulfilled or when we achieve what we have always pined for, perhaps a windfall, the arrival of a loved one or sometimes for no reason at all. just the feeling of being alive and light as the wind is at times enough to soar our spirits high above the terra firma. But we all must have at some point of time wondered how it feels to be literally on top of the world. If you haven't yet guessed then let me tell you that I am alluding to the lofty summit of the loftiest mountain in the world, the summit of Mt Everest. Any mountaineer's ultimate dream would be to step on the conical apex of this mountain that stands on the border between Nepal and Tibet. But why should I be talking about Everest at this point in space and time. The reason is simple; I was there just the other day. And if nothing else, then this would justify my hiatus from the journal for quite some time as the business of climbing Everest is not an easy task.

... How does it feel to be on top of the world? Many mountaineers say different things like 'sheer bliss', 'ecstatic', 'ultimate high', etc. I simply felt exhausted and utterly relieved since we had pulled off a record making Everest expedition, when I stepped on the summit of Everest at 1120 a.m. on 19 May 2004...

How does it feel to be on top of the world? Many mountaineers say different things like 'sheer bliss', 'ecstatic', 'ultimate high', etc. I simply felt exhausted and utterly relieved since we had pulled off a record making Everest expedition, when I stepped on the summit of Everest at 1120 a.m. on 19 May 2004. My other 10 members had all touched the peak before me and in that grand solitude of the immense mountain I felt like a puny pawn, completely humbled and empty of emotions with the greatest realization dawning on me that how fragile life is and how soon could all this end and how completely I was at the mercy of nature. Above all, mountaineering teaches us how precious and fleeting life really is and how weak we are. It teaches us to be humble, alive and rekindles our faith in God and destiny.

Like I am wont to say LIFE IS SHORT NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU LIVE, SO LIVE. So let's make the most of each day and each moment of our life that is the greatest gift of nature. To enrich your life further what better to delve into some books that not only entertains you but educates you as well and gives you glimpses into a whole new world. For all you bibliophiles we have another new set of book reviews and many interesting links to books, authors, publishers, etc to keep you entertained and engrossed as long as you wish to be indulged.

I would like to conclude for today with an appeal yet again to all the authors and publishers who would like to feature in our site to get in touch with us and we can assure you of a candid and exact review since we tell it like the way it is. Wishing you all on behalf of all of us on this side of the computer screen, many more hours of merry reading. bon voyage.

Sincerely Yours

satyabratadam@yahoo.com

 Editorial appearing in the Previous Issue

[There were no editorials in previous two issues [i.e. Volume 2, Number 2, (July - December 2003) and Volume 3, Number 1, (January - June 2004)], as Satyabrata Dam was away mountaineering]

 Editorial appearing in the next Issue

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Books for review must be submitted at the following address.

Professor Anil Aggrawal (Editor-in-Chief)
Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews
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