By the beckoning of destiny, Naru could deduce that the word 'Bangla' was coined by the Tibetan traders. Nobody knows for sure where the word 'Bangla' came from. Curiosity about origin and lineage is an integral part of human existence. Naru, an ever curious Bengali by birth, found an explanation in his own way, which he thought to share with a considerably big group known as Bengali and speaking Bangla language.

There was nothing incomprehensible about what Naru had heard from Grandma as a child. Everything from the beginning to the end of those narrations was bound in an unbroken chain of reason. The problem started after crossing the boundaries of the primary school. Everything that was written in the textbook was known, but one of the things that were not understood was the origin of the word 'Bangal'. He heard from his father about the interpretation of the word 'Bangal'. His father referred to what he had learnt from a renowned scholar who was a former student of Naru’s school. The explanation could not satisfy Naru. That explanation is related to Bangla and its levees (‘Al’ in Bengali). For Naru, that explanation was farfetched. Everything that can be found in this regard ends up in a clue that leaves the question of where the incarnation of that clue came from unanswered. Naru could never digest unstructured knowledge. For some reason, Naru's enthusiasm has never diminished. These issues have always been active in Naru's mind, whether in academic or professional pursuits. Decades later, it seemed as if some related clues had come to light through the game of football that the life has played with him, or he has played with the life. He is blessed that he has been able to recognize the clues. This book is about Naru's unique understanding about the coining of the word ‘Bangal’.

Europeans have known since time immemorial that somewhere in the east there is a country where the River Ganges flows. Ptolemy’s world map gives testimony to that. Many more, even older references, may be mentioned in that regard. Before the advent of Jesus Christ, some Europeans wrote first-hand accounts of that land. The Greek and Roman empires met the destiny that every empire meets eventually. Subsequently, Europe plunged into a chaotic phase that led to the free downfall of that society. When Europe regained itself once again and started its journey into what we call ‘modern times', at that time, unfriendly empires emerged between Europe and the land of the Ganges. For various reasons, the land of the Ganges has been something that has attracted the world towards it since time immemorial. Modern Europeans circumvented the African continent from west to east, just before the end of the fifteenth century and reached India. However, they could not reach the true ‘land of the Ganges’ until they reached the Bengal Basin. The British got the chance to start ruling a significant portion of the ‘land of the Ganges’ before they placed themselves at the helm of the affairs of the whole country, i.e., India. Ultimately, in that land, they came to know about some ancient literature that started writing a new chapter in history. The Europeans started unearthing an almost forgotten civilization. Whatever progress could be made was due to the progress in the scientific and technological fields. Like many other things, their efforts came to an abrupt end around the middle of the 20th century. From the ancient texts, it could be found that there was mention of a land called ‘Banga’ in the eastern part of India in the most distant past, in the existence of that land. Although some logical, analysis-based explanations have been put forward for the advent of the word ‘Bangla’, with respect to the word ‘Banga’, not much progress could be made. No reason-based or tangib

Naru embarked on a lifelong cerebral journey to find answers to a few questions that had appeared in his mind very early in his life. It was only in his mid-forties that he got the chance to start organising the thoughts and experiences that he had gathered thus far. A little before that time, he came into contact with the 'Wisp'. That chance encounter had a big impact on the progress of his search. Without being present in tangible format in his world, 'Wisp' guided Naru's quest in an enigmatic way for a long time. Naru crossed one hurdle after another to arrive at his own explanations of the concepts of Bangla, the origin of the term 'Bangal', the naming of 'Banga', etc. He thought that his journey was over and that he had been able to achieve what he intended to. That's when he felt the presence of a spectre in the past of the Bengal Basin. His search convinced him that all the travellers in history who dealt with the Bengal Basin felt its presence. Like all the previous travellers, he also lost his way to reach that phase of Bengal's history that precedes the presence of the spectre. There was a void. He called the simulated form of his 'Wisp' that he had successfully created in his mind to make up the emptiness that the absence of the 'Wisp' caused. The direction from the 'Wisp' was not sufficient to breach the barrier posed by the void. He took the virtual 'Wisp' to the place where they first met a long time ago. This time he tried to use the 'Wisp' as an instrument of his journey instead of an enigmatic direction giver. He achieved success in his effort. 'Wisp' broke the barrier posed by the void and took Naru to the other side of that barrier. The new light that illuminated the distant horizon of the history of the Bengal Basin had the capability to solve a great number of mysteries that are associated with that basin.

The bestselling Journey to the West comic book by artist Chang Boon Kiat is now back in a brand new fully coloured edition. Journey to the West is one of the greatest classics in Chinese literature. It tells the epic tale of the monk Xuanzang who journeys to the West in search of the Buddhist sutras with his disciples, Sun Wukong, Sandy and Pigsy. Along the way, Xuanzang's life was threatened by the diabolical White Bone Spirit, the menacing Red Child and his fearsome parents and, a host of evil spirits who sought to devour Xuanzang's flesh to attain immortality. Bear witness to the formidable Sun Wukong's (Monkey God) prowess as he takes them on, using his Fiery Eyes, Golden Cudgel, Somersault Cloud, and quick wits! Be prepared for a galloping read that will leave you breathless!

This book presents contributions from leading international experts in the field of nephrology. Each chapter is independent and discusses nephrology in the author’s country, including the history of nephrology development, kidney disease epidemiology, clinical nephrology, dialysis practice in acute and chronic renal failure settings (hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, peritoneal dialysis), pediatric nephrology, and kidney transplantation. In addition, the book covers topics such as the job market for nephrologists, reimbursement, nephrology education, and the number of professionals in the private and public sectors. With 53 chapters and more than 300 authors from all continents offering a unique perspective on nephrology practice, it provides a much-needed information source for nephrologists around the globe. The reader will be able to travel through “Nephrology Worldwide”, a pleasant reading experience with not only relevant information and updated data, but also a comprehensive look at the history, countries’ peculiarities, and a critical analysis of the scenario of nephrology and renal replacement therapy. A valuable resource for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders interested in learning about the status quo of Nephrology Worldwide. “Both the failings and the successes are outlined in a way that should make this book a compelling read, not just for the well-informed renal physician, but also for planners and policy makers whose thinking and actions are integral to the way we practice medicine.” - Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, Nephrologist and 2019 Nobel Prize Winner More information on the Nephrology Worldwide initiative can be found at www.nephrologyworldwide.com.

This book maps South Asian theatre productions that have contextualised Ibsen’s plays to underscore the emergent challenges of postcolonial nation formation. The concerns addressed in this collection include politico-cultural engagements with human rights, economic and environmental issues, and globalisation, all of which have evolved through colonial times and thereafter. This book contemplates why and how these Ibsen texts were repeatedly adapted for the stage and consequently reflects upon the political intent of this appropriative journey of the foreign playwright. This book tracks the unmapped agency that South Asian theatre has acquired through aesthetic appropriation of Ibsen and thereby contributes to his global reception. This collection will be of great interest to students and scholars of theatre and performance studies.