Latest news with #Benyamin
The Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
AirAsia X eyes Central Asia in expansion plan
SEPANG: Medium-haul low-cost airline AirAsia X Bhd plans to make the Central Asian region the main focus of its flight network expansion, supported by the high potential market demand. Chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said that so far the company has started flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, since March last year, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, starting this October. 'The Central Asian market is still underserved. 'For example, Almaty, if there was no AirAsia X, it would take 18 hours to get there. But with AirAsia X, it will only take eight hours. 'I think the focus is on this region, we have started from Almaty and we have another route that we are developing. 'We are looking at Turkiye, Azerbaijan and other Central Asia countries and hopefully, this will be a platform for us to Europe,' he told the media after the launch of the airline's new route to Tashkent yesterday. According to Benyamin, Central Asia not only offers the attraction of lower tourism costs, but also has interesting historical and Islamic cultural values for the Malaysian market. He said the launch of the Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent route was a strategic milestone in AirAsia X's efforts to expand across Asia and beyond. 'We have seen a significant increase in tourism demand to Central Asia following the impressive performance of the Almaty route,' he added. — Bernama
Scroll.in
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
July fiction: Six books in translation and in English that present diverse stories
All information sourced from publishers. Silent Journeys, Benyamin, translated from the Malayalam by Anoop Prathapan In Benyamin's Silent Journeys, we trace the voyage of Mariamma, a young nurse from Kerala who travelled from her hometown in Manthalir all the way across the world. Nothing was known of her journey until many decades later, when a curious great grandson began his investigations only to stumble across a tale of great adventure, hardship, resilience, and love. The novel reflects upon terrific stories of unaccompanied and courageous journeys that many valiant women, primarily nurses, have made through history, reaching the coldest places in the Arctic, Canada, remote tribal locations in the desert, the interiors of the dark continent, and almost everywhere in Europe. Burns Boy, Krupa Ge A fifteen-year-old in a burns ward is tormented by the events that led him to the hospital. His mother and sister have their own versions of what happened, causing the reader to reconsider the truth of what the boy says, but also see it anew. All of them are right, and yet, they are all guilty in a way. The question is: which of them is more guilty? The Remnants of Rebellion, Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew Aleyamma, a tormented young artist, arrives at a bungalow in Puthuloor that she inherited from her late grandfather, Eesho. The manor on top of the hill – a remnant of British colonisation – bears scars of violence. Locals murmur of gruesome murders that have stained its past and ghosts that lurk in its corners. Decades ago, when young Eesho had first arrived at the bungalow as the supervisor of the rubber plantation, along with his wife and their faithful dog, life had seemed blissful. But beneath the quiet, unrest simmered as estate workers banded together against the owners, and whispers of a rising radical-left Naxalite movement grew louder. As the turmoil escalated, it threatened to sweep away everything that Eesho held dear. Now, even as Aleyamma is consumed with grief over the loss of her grandfather, the dark history of her inheritance makes its presence known. Estranged from her Syrian Christian family, Aleyamma sets out to untangle the knots of the past. What stories will she uncover? Will she be able to draw strength from them to confront the present? Tagore Never Ate Here, Mohammad Nazim Uddin, translated from the Bengali by V Ramaswamy When ace detective Noore Chhafa arrives in the sleepy town of Sundarpur to probe a series of unexplained disappearances, he becomes entangled in a web of secrets surrounding a mysterious restaurant named Tagore Never Ate Here and its enigmatic owner, Mushkan Zubeiri. As Chhafa delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a chilling connection between Mushkan's past, a gravedigger's eerie predictions and a decades-old tragedy. As the line between culinary artistry and sinister manipulation blurs with each revelation, Chhafa finds himself navigating local politics, supernatural occurrences and his own growing obsession with the truth. But in a town where every meal could be your last, will he become the next victim of Mushkan's irresistible cuisine? Angalityat: The Step Child, Joseph Macwan, translated from the Gujarati by Rita Kothari Angaliyat tells the story of oppression and exclusion by transforming the vanquished into the victor, by turning the periphery into the core. The portrayal of Methi and Kanku as 'pure' women challenges the age-old perceptions of higher castes, which denigrate the practice of remarriage among 'backwards' communities. The stepchild who follows the mother to a new home, holding her finger or angali, remains on the periphery of the stepfather's family. Caught in external and internal forms of colonisation, the community of weavers, the Vankars, is subject to oppression from the more powerful upper caste of the Patels. Whose Urdu Is It Anyway?: Stories by Non-Muslim Urdu Writers, edited and translated by Rakhshanda Jalil Is Urdu the language of Muslims? Or, to be more precise, the language of Indian Muslims? In modern-day India, is Urdu a language of Upper India? What of the Deccan plateau, then, which was once the cradle of Urdu? Can the India south of the Vindhyas lay claim to Urdu? What of the sweet cadences of the Urdu of the Malwa region or the princely states of Bhopal and Hyderabad or even the rural hinterland of present-day Telangana, which has suffused Urdu with a lilting charm over a period of slow distillation spanning several centuries? So, whose Urdu is it anyway? As long as Urdu is yoked to a religion – Islam – and a certain community – the Muslims – it will never be understood in its entirety. This collection of 16 short stories, entirely by non-Muslim Urdu writers, is an attempt to bust stereotypes and address a persistent misconception: that Urdu is the language of India's Muslims and that it addresses subjects that are, or should be, of concern to Muslims, and Muslims alone. It locates Urdu in its rightful place – in the heart of Hindustan.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Mustaches, mad minds & more: 5 modern Malayalam novels to devour now
(Written by Anosha Rishi Kakanadan) Over the last few years, Malayalam cinema has gained popularity both nationally and internationally due to its compelling narratives often delving into socio-political issues as well as the exceptional performances by the actors. However, another sphere that reflects the cultural richness of Kerala is its literature. With narratives that challenge the mainstream, Malayalam novels explore a diverse array of themes and topics including many socio-political and philosophical themes. Malayalam literature is abundant, and with more and more works getting translated to other languages, the readership is increasing. Here are a few contemporary Malayalam novels with translations that offer a glimpse into the many facets of Kerala while delving into contemporary issues that are prevalent nationally: Written by Mary Sandhya, Maria, Just Maria (Harper Perennial India, pages 244, Rs 499) or Maria Verum Maria, is a novel about Maria, currently admitted in a psychiatric hospital, who believes that the death of her grandfather triggered her madness. The novel evokes questions about normalcy and madness, and depicts madness not as a disruption, but as a divergence from what is considered normal. Through its incorporation of magical realism, the novel presents a world different from as we know it along with an array of fascinating characters that include talking animals and dead famiy members. Winner of the JCB Prize For Literature 2020, Moustache (Harper Perennial India, pages 360, Rs 440) or Meesha, by S Hareesh is a novel following Vavachan who decides to refuses to trim his moustache as a rebellion towards caste norms. Set in the Kuttinad district in Kerala in the early 20th century, the novel presents the power dynamics involved in the caste system through a story that entails magic and myth amidst the jarring cruelty of caste hierarchies. There is an abundance of successful stories with respect to the Gulf migrants, however, through this novel Benyamin, the author, depicts the pain of the migrants that get entrapped in a routine of suffering. Based on a true story, Goat Days (Penguin, 264, Rs 250) or Aadujeevitham features Najeeb, an abused migrant worker who gets trapped working as a goatherd in the Saudi desert. Following this novel, Benyamin was awarded the prestigious Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, and a movie adaptation of the novel was released in 2024 with the title The Goat Life. Another novel regarded as a Malayalam contemporary classic, Hangwoman (Penguin Books Classic, pages 448, Rs 550) or Aarachar written by KR Meera, is a story about the first female executioner in India, Chetna, who belongs to a family with a long lineage of executioners. KR Meera is known for her depiction of strong and complex female characters in her novels, and through the unconventional story of Chetna she explores patriarchy, gender roles, and themes of death and execution. Valli (Harper Perennial India, pages 420, Rs 454) by Sheela Tomy is a story about Bayalnad, now the popular tourist destination, Wayanad, its culture and its people. It's a multi-generational tale spanning across four generations about the land home to the adivasis. The novel is interspersed with epistles exchanged between characters and diary entries which crafts a textured narrative that entails a story of exploitation, of both the land and the people, and its implications. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
AirAsia X targets Central Asia in expansion push
SEPANG: Medium-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X Bhd plans to focus its flight network expansion on Central Asia, citing strong market potential and the region's status as relatively underserved by commercial airlines. Chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said the airline began flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in March last year and will launch a new route to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, this October. Another new destination is expected to be announced soon. "The Central Asian market is still underserved. Not many airlines fly there. For example, without AirAsia X, getting to Almaty could take up to 18 hours — with AirAsia X, it's just eight hours on a direct flight. "We're focusing on this region. We've started with Almaty, and another route is in development. We're also eyeing Turkiye, Azerbaijan and other Central Asian countries. Hopefully, this will eventually serve as a platform for expansion into Europe," he told reporters after launching the Kuala Lumpur–Tashkent route today. Benyamin said Central Asia not only offers lower tourism costs but also rich historical and Islamic cultural value, making it attractive to Malaysian travellers. He said the Tashkent route launch marked a strategic milestone in the airline's ongoing expansion across Asia and beyond. "Central Asia holds great potential, with Uzbekistan's economy growing rapidly and a rising middle class keen to explore new destinations. "We've seen strong demand for Central Asia travel following the success of the Almaty route. "Our vision is to build a comprehensive network to support regional development, connect travellers to new destinations, and deliver unforgettable travel experiences," he said. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Malaysia, Karomidin Gadoev, said the launch of AirAsia X's direct flight to Tashkent was a significant development in Malaysia–Uzbekistan relations. "With Uzbekistan's rapidly growing tourism sector and Malaysia's strong position as a tourism and business hub in Southeast Asia, this route will enhance connectivity, boost tourism exchanges, and offer new investment opportunities. "We are delighted to welcome AirAsia X to this promising market and hope this collaboration yields positive results," he said. According to AirAsia X, promotional fares for the new route start from RM99 for economy seats, available for booking between June 23 and 29, for travel from Oct 15, 2025, to Sept 14, 2026. Located in the heart of Uzbekistan, the capital city of Tashkent is a rapidly developing destination known for its stunning Islamic architecture, bustling bazaars and lush green parks.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Review of Benyamin's The Second Book of Prophets
Fearless Malayalam novelist Benyamin's The Second Book of Prophets is unsurprising for its theme and bold storytelling. After reading interpretations of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi texts (both significant finds of the mid-20th century that offer insights into Judaism and Christian history), Benyamin was inspired to write this book that looks at the historical and spiritual figure of Jesus Christ through a new lens. The author has explored Christian themes in his earlier works (Body and Blood, Yellow Lights of Death) and earned plaudits for other powerful stories as well (Goat Days, Jasmine Days). This novel, translated by Ministhy S., is a brave, secularised retelling of the life and times of Jesus Christ, challenging some traditional Christian beliefs in an iconoclastic manner. Conflicts and betrayals Jesus makes his appearance at a crucial time when the Jews are struggling for freedom from centuries of Roman rule over territory that is broadly today's Israel. Many Jews believe Jesus could be their long-awaited 'messiah' who will liberate them, a matter in which Jesus shows no interest. Besides, in Benyamin's retelling, the Tribe of Benjamin is opposed to someone like Jesus (from the rival House of David) coming as 'messiah', as well as his message of peace, love and equality. They conspire with the Romans to betray Jesus. Yet, Jesus continues to lead a different freedom struggle, working with the various warring tribes to reconcile their differences, before sacrificing his life for the cause. Internecine conflicts, treachery, distrust, disunity, betrayals — the leitmotifs of failed revolts throughout history — play out plainly among the Jews who fail to overpower the Romans. Taking cues from history Evidently, the author desires a different understanding of Jesus, not through the eyes of faith but by studying historical texts. In the novel, Jesus appears not as the son of god but as a social reformer and revolutionary, fighting evil and injustice. The much-vaunted miracles performed by Jesus — turning water into wine, the healing of lepers and the resurrection of the dead — are interpreted in the book, not literally as miracles but as Jesus' spurning of prejudiced societal laws and customs of the time, or 'social miracles'. Even Judas' betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver is attributed to tribal rivalries, not greed as the Bible narrates. Undoubtedly, the Bible as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi texts allow different readings and perspectives of Jesus' life and that period in history. Clearly, Benyamin, with a passion for history, feels there is much to say about Jesus' life and times outside of the prevailing convictions, and has done so to also make the story relevant to our fractured times. The novel, originally published in Malayalam in 2007, and read widely, drew flak from die-hard believers for Benyamin's secularisation of Jesus' life, upending conventional beliefs. Time will tell how readers of the English translation will respond. The reviewer is a Bengaluru-based independent journalist. The Second Book of Prophets Benyamin, trs Ministhy S. Simon & Schuster India ₹599
