Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Book of Ram by Devdutt bose Pattanaik: ~~~Ram~remains~serene~in~ his~majesty~~~

Author: Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik



Publisher: Peguin India



Price: Rs. 250/-


Author, his passions, his career and his versatility: Dr Devdutt Pattanaik (b.1970) is a multi-faceted personality mastering different streams of life. After passing out his MBBS from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, he spent 14 years working in the Pharma and Healthcare companies such as SIRO and Apollo. After that he started afresh as a marketing consultant and got associated with prestigious organizations like Sanofi Aventis and Ernst & Young. He is also a mythologist by passion. He topped the Mumbai University course in Comparative Mythology and lectures extensively on the relevance of sacred symbols, rituals and stories and their significance in modern times. His articles appear regularly in First City magazine (Delhi) and Times of India (Mumbai). He lives in Mumbai. His passion always being mythology drove him to writing and lecturing extensively on relevance of sacred stories, symbols and rituals in modern times. And it is in this capacity that he has joined Future Group as Chief Belief Officer where his role is to help construct the culture of the entire organization. He regularly writes in Economic Times (Corporate Dossier), Times of India (Mumbai), Hindustan Times, First City Magazine and Sunday Midday. His books have been published by VFS, Haworth, Inner Traditions, Indus Source, Penguin India and EastWest Publications displaying his command over writing superbly. Few of his books include: Shiva – an introduction (VFS, India), Vishnu – an introduction (VFS, India), Devi – an introduction (VFS, India), Hanuman – an introduction (VFS, India), Lakshmi – an introduction (VFS, India), Goddesses in India – five faces of the eternal feminine (Inner Traditions, USA), Indian Mythology – Stories, symbols and rituals from the heart of the subcontinent (Inner Traditions, USA), Man who was a woman and other queer tales from Hindu lore (Haworth Publications, USA), Shiva to Shankara – decoding the phallic symbol (Indus Source, India), Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology (Penguin, India), The Pregnant King (Penguin, India – this was his first work of fiction), and The Book of Kali (Penguin, India - based on his talks).

The Book: In this book, Dr Devdutt explores the eleven different iconic symbols of Lord Ram presenting relevance of Ram in modern times by examining him in his various roles: as Dashrath’s son, Lakshman’s brother, Vishwamitra’s student, Sita’s husband, Ravan’s enemy, Hanuman’s master, Ayodhya’s king, Vishnu’s incarnation, Valmiki’s inspiration, the Ramayan’s protagonist and Hindutva’s icon. The book tells about various perspectives of Lord Rama as Eka-vachani – the king who keeps his words – always, Eka-bani – an archer who strikes his target perfectly with the first arrow, Eka-patni – a husband who is eternally devoted to his single wife. All his aspects show him as ‘maryada purushottam’ who is perfectly able to balance his life with social values, his Raghu vansh, and the solar dynasty. He is known to be the 7th avatar of Vishnu. Ram word brings peace and harmony in life.

My views: The author doesn’t want to preach via this book. This is a well researched book, which can be kept in one’s personal library, and can be read time and again, whenever a person wants some peace or solacement. This is a though provoking book, with each angle of Ram being reflected clearly that can be carved upon in one’s life. This book answers to many whys and hows, those were unanswered till now. In each man on this earth, there is a part of Ram and Ravan each with varying percentage. Similarly in each woman there is Sita, Ahilya, Surupnakha and Mandodri. A man’s personality has been reflected by many icons – Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman, Angad, Bali, Sugriv, Jatayu, Dashrath, Bharat, Shatrughan, Ravan, Vibhishan etc. similarly woman’s face has been reflected in many icons – Sita, Mandodri, Ahilya, Surupnakha, Mandodri etc. Logically, in today’s world, it is your karmas, or what you do in your actual life, that defines what icon a woman is, and what icon a man is.

The book is a must read, for all ages, all genders. It is short, crisp and with a precision.

Making Friends - Andrew Mathews

Title: Making Friends – A Guide to Getting Along with People 
Written and illustrated by – ANDREW MATTHEWS (author of the international bestseller ‘Being Happy!’
 
My Views:
 It is a perfect teacher provided you are a dull student.This is book is about getting well along with people, that is how you can improve your relationship with them, how you can understand their attitude, how you can understand their personality, and how to overcome the problem they face and need someone to help them. If somebody has an attitude for seeking tension or problem, and he feels that everyone ignores him, he will try to attract everyone’s attention. People keep highlighting your weaknesses or problems but don’t get bogged down by this, ignore it, swallow it, digest it and silently improve upon it. Don’t let yourself go into a shell because of this, overcome this weakness or problem. If people are not happy with you, or ignore you, seek answers from them why they do it, what is the reason, what do I do that I don’t get ignored. People have a tendency to react sharply if your weakness is highlighted, like if somebody says your body has a bad odor, people, friends around you will start ignoring you, even if they are not getting bad smell at all. More happens on preception and listening than actual experience.
L
ike yourself, love yourself, but don’t ignore others, like others too, don’t be too proud of yourself.
S
top comparing and stop getting depressed if you are compared. Emphasize that you are you and not that person with whom you are being compared.
A
void boasters who praise themselves and always let others down
B
efore changing others, change yourself, adjust, compromise and your life will be happy.
D
on’t wait for others to come to you and invite to join a party, throw a party and invite people. That will start a cycle.
G
et out of corner, stop hiding yourself.
D
on’t wait for other to come and highlight your weaknesses, or improve you, change yourself, who knows you better than YOU.
D
on’t fear of a CHANGE.
Don’t let your low esteem work in reverse.
W
ho is bothered about the pimples on your face, go out of your room instead of waiting in your room for pimples to leave your face (and you stop all your outdoor activities)
Q
uit playing games, don’t pretend, and pour your heart out. You want to go out for a dinner, but you want your wife/husband to say this. How does she/he know what you have in your mind right now? And how you are so sure that she/he will refuse? But be sure that it is NO if you don’t talk about it.
Sometimes L
 ive your life to fit your belief system. Mary doesn’t feel good about her. And due to this perception about her, she is usually ignored by most of her friends. Fred likes her, behaves well with her but Mary starts wondering why Fred likes her when she is not likable, and starts ignoring him, responding him. Fred feels ignored and gets a reverse message that Mary doesn’t like him. So he silently moves away from her life. Now a stage comes in Mary’s life when nobody likes her and she starts scolding herself that why nobody is there to like her. Why there are no good persons in my life. Why everyone ignores me? Lucy has a belief system that there are good people around in the world and she can always find the caring and loving people to be with. She decides not to spend any time with the people who don’t like her, or who are rude and aggressive. With this attitude she is able to find good and caring people and leave lousy people for Mary. Decide what you want to be – Mary or Lucy?
M
artin has a habit of taking everybody’s work besides his own work in the office. He found a friend, who wanted to help him, but this looked abnormal to Martin and he pushed this friend away from his life. Martin thinks that all the people who don’t help him in his work and who don’t do their own work are normal.
About Book: 
This book is about enjoying people, dealing with prophets of doom, how to say NO sometimes, prevailing over gossip, pettiness and anger. It is about understanding that IF YOU WANT FRIENDSHIP, YOU MUST BE A FRIEND FIRST. The book is funny reading too with a lot of serious learning. It has lot of comical strips which are perfectly able to convey the message. Like one says – “There are 70% people having problem with their partners. Ok, what about the rest of 30%. Oh, they are singles.” Another one says – “But I don’t want to concentrate on my business, yours is more interesting than mine.” There are lot many more, all interesting, funny but meaningful. Author says “Being Happy” was about yourself, this book is about people around you, people who depend on you, those you want to see, and those you avoid.
About Author: 
Andrew Matthew is based in Adelaide in South Australia. His first book Being Happy became a worldwide publishing phenomenon after its release in 1988. His writing, illustrating and public speaking talents are in great demand throughout North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Rules of Wealth - Richard Templar: ||~~A~Personal~Code~for~Prosperity~~||

The Book: The book is from the international bestselling author of “The Rules of Life”. An imprint of Pearson Education (Prentice Hall) with a category that says – “Books that make you better”, that makes you to be better, do better, feel better. The Indian print costs Rs. 225/-.
The Book, Pages and me: The book goes in a smooth way and demonstrates (rather than educating) how to become rich. First step is to “Thinking Wealthy”. Next is “Getting Wealthy”, after that is “Get even wealthier”. Next step is “Staying Wealthy” and last is “Sharing Wealth”. The writer says anybody can make money – it is not selective or discriminatory. Money has no religion, no cast and no country. It has actually no bars, and belongs to no one. It is yours as long as you are holding it. Moment you release it, its owner changes.
Second Chapter says “Decide on your definition of Wealth” – have you ever tried thinking about what you think of WEALTH. Take a pen or pencil, and a blank sheet (or alternatively open word/ notepad in your computer) and try writing your definition of WEALTH. Note how clearly you are able to jot it down. You will be amazed that you are not clear in your mind about the right definition of WEALTH. How often you think about wealth. Will you try one more thing – write down on the same page your objectives of WEALTH. What you have or where you reach and you will call yourself WEALTHY. Was it difficult or easy, clear or required lot of thinking, probably it will become an eye opener for yourself how you define wealth and on what criteria you will call yourself wealthy.
Author says don’t share your goals or objectives with anyone so that you don’t give some to laugh at you or others to get a clue from you. Most people are too lazy to be wealthy - I will say otherwise – most people are not clear about their definition of wealth and their own goals or objective to fall in this category. Usually we see wealth with strange eyes, as if a wealthy person is an Alien and this guy has a special education, or talent to acquire wealth.
Understand your money beliefs and where they come from – author has given many categories and tells you to find out to which category you belong to – and ultimately tells you to come out of all those categories.
Understand that wealth is a consequence, no a reward- when you work hard to earn money and you earn it, don’t get so humble to accept it as a lottery or reward, acknowledge is a consequence of your hard work, smart work, and intelligent work. See wealth as a friend, not the enemy.
Decide what you want money for. Understand that money begets money
 – and that is true – the richer becomes richer and the poorer becomes poorer. That is the law of Wealth. If you see money as a solution, you’ll find it becomes the problem. Never for god sake think money as a solution to your problems, it will create more problems for you. If money was the solution – there would be no wealthy ill/sick person on this earth.
You can make lots of money, you can enjoy your job and you can sleep nightsIf you are starting to lost sleep or have stopped enjoying it, then you need to have a talk with yourself.
Don’t make money by being bad – If you don’t enjoy the challenge of earning money legit then best go and do something different. Money and happiness – understand their relationship – too little money can make you miserable, too much money can make you miserable, too much stuff can make you miserable, not having enough can make you miserable.
Know the difference between price and value. 
We think we know the price of something. But the value can spread out far beyond all of that.
Know how the wealthy think: Notice which paper they read, which sections they chose to read, which sections they discard, in which order they read their chosen sections. You may have to choose – MONEY or FRIVOLITY.
Don’t envy what others have – Envying then is pointless, learning from them is invaluable.
It is harder to manage yourself than it is to manage your money – 
The first thing to understand about yourself is – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE WEALTHY?
This all is covered in THINKING WEALTHY.
GETTING WEALTHY
You have got to know where you are before you start
You have got to have a plan
Get your finances under control
Only by looking wealthy can you become wealthy – You need to look powerful and confident
If you don’t trust someone, don’t do business with them. 
Listen to your intuition, be the BIGGEST, BOLDEST AND BRAVEST
It’s never too late to start getting wealthy – it is also never too late to start investing – in shares, in a pension, in style, in quality, IN YOURSELF, IN LIFE.
Overall:
1.      
It is easy to read, difficult to understand. All difficult to understand books are not for everyone. Everyone need not be wealthy.
2.      
It is a journey, not a destination.
3.      
Author very clearly says in the beginning – note down on a paper your goals or objectives of your WEALTH and at the end of the book check for yourself if you have achieved them or not
4.      
READING THIS BOOK requires a transformation within – in your thinking, in your style, in your goals.
5.      
I found the different between RICH and WEALTH after reading this book.

What Went Wrong - Kiran Bedi: Integrity+dignity+determi nation=KIRAN BEDI

Written by: Dr. Kiran Bedi
First Published: 2001
Price: Rs. 175
Pages: 205
Publisher: UBSPD (UBS Publisher’s Distributors Ltd.)
About Authoress: The book has been written/ compiled by Kiran Bedi. Any Indian not knowing about Kiran Bedi is impossible. She brought revolution in the thinking of Women of India, is a role model for not only women but all Indians, brought a revolutionary change in Indian prison’s functioning that has well been appreciated worldwide. Her awards and recognitions include: 
1. First woman in India to join the leadership ranks of the Indian Police Service.
2. Ramon Magsaysay Award (known as Asian Nobel Prize)
3. Pathbreaker in prison reforms, community policing, crime preventive strategies, drug abuse treatment, spirituality in police training and street children’s schooling
4. Gallantry Award for selfless duty
5. Recipient of Joseph Beuys Award by a German foundation
6. Asia Region award for Drug Prevention and Control by the international organization of Good Templars (IOGT), a Norwegian organization
7. Morrison-Tom Gitchaff Award (USA) in June 2001
8. Founded Navjyoti in 1988
9. Founded India Vision Foundation in 1994
10. Serge Sotiroff Memorial Award for drug abuse prevention by United Nations

Who should read this book?
1.    All those who respect Kiran Bedi and women power of India
2.    All those who believe in the power of India and love India
3.    All those who feel pain for poor and destitutes
4.    All those who feel that circumstances play a major role in ruling the destiny of a person
5.    Who believe that a small wrong step (un)knowingly taken may lead to a disaster of life
6.    Who believe that an Human at low ends needs another Human in life for upliftment
7.    All those who believe that good wins over evil, saver is greater than destroyer…
8.    Who trust in God, Truth and a Power still unknown, untouched
9.    Who can understand and have a capacity to absorb harsh realities of life
10.    If you understand PAIN, LOVE, ANGUISH, TOLERANCE… 

What is this book all about? 
The book is an uncensored collection of first hand volunteered accounts by individuals who had nothing to declare but their wrong past – with a reservoir of painful experiences, at times when they were not at all responsible for this, but were not even able to control the external circumstances. Each true story, each page, each word transforms your thought process, your understanding of life, your beliefs in realities of life.
What this book says: 
1.    Wisdom is to learn from your own and other’s mistakes
2.    Being forewarned is being forearmed
3.    Prevention is better than cure 

These three points may appear very common and already known to you all but after reading this book, you will understand the severity, reality and meaning beyond meaning of these words. 
Some Stories: 
Story 1: My name is Afsana, aged 29, and a mother of two. When I was 19, I came to Delhi to meet my father. The auto-rickshaw driver instead took me home and raped me. I refused to leave and insisted that he marry me instantly…
Story 2: My name is Shalini, 27. My beauty, considered to be a boon by my family, soon became my bane. I am still repaying the price of being extremely attractive, with an extended life of being one of the most repelling faces you can come across…
Story 3: Alas, that first CIGARETTE SEALED MY FATE…
Story 4: 27 years old Geeta belonging to a poor family gets married to a well-to-do family of wealthy landlords. How this small family of a widowed mother, her only son and his wife (Geeta) had to fight with system, police, their relatives… to save their lives…
There are 37 such realities narrated in simple but mind boggling words… that make your sleep go away… that force you to think… to think… and to think…

101 Golden Rules of Perfect Parenting - Sudha Gupta: Parenting is not Science, it is an Art

What this entire book is about and some excerpts:This book is a compilation of 101 quotes for perfect parenting.
10 best quotes I liked out of 101 quotes listed in the book: The choice of best will vary from reader to reader as it varies in top 10 bollywood actors or top 10 songs…
*~!*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*An ounce of praise is worth far more than a tonne of criticismDon’t tell your children how to do things. Tell them what to do and let them find their own ingenious methods of doing itTeach your child about all the colours. But let them paint the canvas of his life on his own.Shielding your child from every upsetting situation will make him unfit handle the reality of life.Victory and defeat are both part of the life. Encouraging your child to win is important. It is equally important to teach him how to accept defeat gracefully.Take your child in your confidence when things go wrong. A child can cope well with crises if you mentally prepare him by telling him what is happeningLet your child not be afraid of making mistakes. Let him know a mistake is not a mistake as long as he learns from it.Encourage the child to take decisions. Good decision making ability will make him successful.Children should not be expected to behave like adults. They cannot sit quietly or concentrate on one thing for long.You may not be able to make your child do great things. But you sure can teach him to do small things in a great way.*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My views on Parenting and this book:Parenting is a process of upbringing your child in a most appropriate manner but before the process starts long before that when you start planning what to do and what not to do before prior to your child gets birth. It starts at a very early stage and I think we first of all see and learn it from our own parents. Childhood game of playing HOME or PARENTS is very popular among growing children below 6-7 years of age. Parenting is a life long process, it does not mean only for the parents of growing children as growth is a continuous process and as is Parenting. Children remain children throughout and Parents remain Parents whatever is the age of Children and Parents. Parenting is an Art and not a science as it does not run on a fixed pattern and is not constant, it varies from Parents to Parents and Child to Child, the same parents have to adopt different styles and patterns of Parenting for their different children. And this style and pattern changes along with the age of the child.
The book is a good compilation of 101 quotes, some familiar and some not familiar but all are acceptable as all do good in some way or the other.

#@!*&^%$#!@#!@#!$#$$%Happy Parenting#@!*&^%$#!@#!@#!$#$$%

Celebrate Childhood - Sudha Gupta: World's Best soundtrack - cry of a newborn baby

WhyWhy did I write a review on this book:
The cover page appealed which said – “snapshots from a family life”
The title appealed more that said – “Celebrate Childhood”
The dedication appealed most that said – “to the man who showed us that you can enjoy childhood at any age
What? What this book is all about?This is 163 pages booklet with few quotations, picture on each right page, few liners on each left page, so that way less text, more pictures. Sometimes fewer words deliver more, cheer you more and deliver more, the same happens here too.
This book is about the characters – Rahul, Ria, the Baby, Papa, Mama, Grandpa, Grandma and the family dog Magnet.
Papa: All his bedtime stories’ (told to his kids Rahul and Ria) evil characters are known as Rakesh – his Boss’ at work (his Boss at home is Mama). His most prized possessions are – drawing of him made by Rahul, his Car and his Jazz CDs. Loses to his kids in the games he plays with them intentionally. Always cheers for India and any team playing against Pakistan in Cricket. Convinces himself that Beer is a health drink. Tucks in his tummy whenever he walks past the ladies’ hostel. And so on…
Mama: Knows how to scare away imaginary monsters hiding under Ria’s bed. Bargains even when buying railway tickets, is teaching Grandma to drive, Ria to ride a bicycle and Papa to change a Diaper. Tries to convince Papa that switching from Beer to Diet Beer is not dieting. Stands on a weighing scale every 6 hours. Whenever it is time for her favorite show, she is suddenly concerned about too much watching of TV by Rahul and Ria.
Rahul: Plays cricket everywhere including his classroom and bathroom. Can turn anything into a wicket including his Dog Magnet. Secretly feeds Magnet the milk Mama gives him. Had put once Magnet into the washing machine to give him a bath. Is able to convince Ria time and again that monsters live under her bed. Blames Magnet for his messy room. Has some real and some imaginary friends. Can identify 23 makes of cars. Colors family black and white photos with crayons. Was able to convince his father that the scratches on the car were made by a stray monkey. Wants to be a WWF wrestler.
Ria: She is fond of Pink color. Is scared of Doctor’s clinics, spiders and monsters under her bed. Wants to be a doctor. Prays to God to turn Rahul into a frog. Believes Rahul that house lizards grow up to become Alligators. Believes Papa that the frothy liquid he drinks is a medicine.
Grandpa: Age 62, mental age 8. Searches for his spectacles all day everywhere while wearing them. Works as a part time horse to Ria. Believes a criminal action against remixing of old songs. Sings in the bathroom – “mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu”. Secretly brings flowers for Grandma everyday.
Grandma: Loves eating and giving chocolates. Has given the same answer for the past 5 years about her age. Is terrified of mall escalators.
The Baby: Can speak three words clearly – Mama, Papa and TV. Thinks his name is – “No Baby, don’t”. will eat anything – wood, keys and his thumb. Looks around who is crying when classical music is played. Calls Magnet – Bow-Bow. Is fond of watching Tom and Jerry, Micky-Mouse and Lalu Prasad Yadav on TV. Is considered to resemble everyone in the house.
Magnet: Is scared of the Siamese cat next door. Once ate Ria’s homework – a brightly colored picture of a cat. Loves the wildlife programs on TV.
And then there are 60 reasons to celebrate Childhood – some emotional, some sensible, some already known, some unknown, some known but unknown, some unknown but known. But all of them are good.Who should read it: Every child who has to grow up and every grown up who has some proportion of child within him/her. Every Parent and Aspiring Parent. It is a light read, each celebrate reasons are just a line or two but do spend some time on each page in absorbing each line and the picture opposite to it.
Disclaimer: Sudha Gupta is the chairperson of a playschool chain.
I have no connection with that chain except -
They came to our corporate office with special offers about the children aged for playschool regarding fee concessions etc.
I got this booklet there from their staff

Wildlife of South Africa - Art Publishers: Remarkable pictures of Wildlife

The Book and my take on it: a small, concise, illustrative 64 pages of jungle poured into pages and bound into a book. The pictures speak aloud; the words draw pictures in your mind. There is not much to read, it is just to feel, absorb, unfreeze your mind from the daily routines and have a small trip to South Africa jungles. No air tickets, no travels, no fear of facing animals in real but still in those 64 pages it appears you are lost in the jungles, as if you are unfrozen, melted and are taken very close to Nature.
Enjoy the pictures above in the video section, the pictures have been captured from the book, but few of them will appear as if taken in real environment.
Lighter note: Till now I was aware of PIP (when bought a TV few years back, heard of this new technology – Picture in Picture), this is POP – picture of picture J
The words are so beautiful, that I am forced to write some of the excerpts.Excerpts: “INTRODUCTION – On the sundrenched savannahs of Africa, a kingdom exists in perfect harmony with Nature. Where natural laws govern the survival of each species; where Nature takes care of her own in a circle of life as old as time itself, there is a balance, a serenity which man can only observe and wonder.Far from the desires which drive humanity, removed from any concept of greed or ambition, the animal kingdom remains united under a hierarchy which continues unchallenged, just as Nature decreed form the very beginning.” I was moved by these words! Are you?
Pictures and Words: Animal definitions are very well capsulated. Minimum words but depth of meaning is transformed inside when you read it. Pictures are lively, well selected and appealing. Call you to look at them again and again. Each picture “speaks” and lets you listen through eyes, “readable” and lets you read through the curves and colors.
Photographers: Some of the world known Wildlife photographers’ pictures are performing in the book. They are – Peter Chadwick, M. Craig-Cooper, Peter Craig-Cooper, Nigel Dennis, Pat de la Harpe, Roger de la Harpe, Martin Harvey, Lanz von Horsten, Greg du Toit, Richard du Toit, James Wakelin, Jason Keywood and James Warwick.
Produces by Art Publishers (pty) Ltd
Durbon, Johanesburg, Cape Town
Cost: hidden in the bar code.

Body Language at Work - Peter Clayton: ~~~Read the siGns and maKe the righT moVes~~~

Body Language at work – Peter Clayton GBP10.99
Read the signs and make the right moves
"I can't give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time."  - Herbert Bayard SwopeThe Book and the stuff: The book is not too extraordinary. You may or may not read it depending on your choice, but as such does not deliver much on the subject. It is more generic and subjective in nature. Subjective is ok, these sort of books can never be objective, but most of the stuff you already know (and that usually happens in many management, communication and mannerism books where while reading you discover you know most of the stuff already! So precisely you don’t get anything extra out of it, or not much of value addition. No, don’t go by the words, have your own opinion, but the book is quite costly (around Rs. 950/-) published by Om Books International, printed and bound in China. The author is one of the renowned Behavior/ Management Trainer/Consultant in UK.
What is body language: Normal conversation speed is around 100-120 words per minute. In the same amount of time, the average person can “think” about 800 words. Body language is the outlet for this huge mass of unspoken thought and feeling.
Usual Stuff: Mostly it talks about body language at work. It also tells that if you have an intimacy with an office mate, and you speak a different body language or are closer outside office, it reflects into your office body language too. Basically in any conversation there are three zones – Outer Zone or the Business Zone, Middle Zone or the Personal Zone and Inner Zone or the Intimate Zone. Read in the book about their qualities. Further it talks about Positive and Negative Body Language during Handshakes, Presentations, Negotiations, Delivering Lectures, Office communications and after hours.
Unusal Stuff (Something different): The last three chapters are very different and most useful. First is “Men attracting women” that talk about – Stomach in Chest out, Holding the gaze, Preening, Ready to go, following her around etc. Second is “Women Attracting men” that talk about – Glancing sideways, Ambiguous gestures, Curtain Up, Looking over a shoulder, legs twined, legs crossed so a knee point, Mouth and lips, Crossing and uncrossing the legs. And the third is really exceptional and that is “International etiquette” that talks about all countries in the world and their behavior/customs. It tells where to meet people first time or other wise in what manner, what to do, what not to do
Some Tips:
Tip 1: If two persons meet a third person and this third person faces and talks to only one of the two persons, it denotes – the third person does not know him, third person does not want to talk to him, and/or third person does not feel comfortable with him.
Tip 2: If you are talking to a lady in personal zone of intimacy zone, while talking if she holds her bag or folder or file between you and her or keeps
 hands in her pocket, be ware, she is not interested to be in intimacy zone. Don’t invite problem.Many more important tips are there in the book.

Hill Stations of India - Gillian Wright

Odyssey Illustrated guide to
Hill Stations of India – Second Edition – Gillian Wright
US$21.95  GBP12.95


Note: The review has been written less in words and more in pictures intentionally so that the reader reads about the book more through the pictures compiled rather than words. Scientifically visuals are faster understood than words
About the Author, Photographer, Editors
: Written by Gillain Wright and photographs are by Sarah Lock. Editors are Madhumita Mohapatra and Sheela Jhaveri. Book is quite interestingly written with lot of superb photographs, illustrations and poetry suitably fitting at appropriate places.Gillian Wright did her first class degree in Indian Languages form London University and worked for more than a decade for BBC radio and TV in India. The book has been printed and bound in Hong Kong.

The book
: Enjoy the pictures, taken from the book with POP technology. The poetry is excellent and equally good is the prose. Pictures are marvelous. Information is quite handful equally for Nature Lovers, Historians, Geography lovers, poetry lovers, tourist. For each of the Hills covered, its background, its history has been explained. Even each location covers the name of hotels with ample details like address, quality of service and contact numbers. At times she has offered the maps too. All hills road routes are also explained making reading more useful. It covers every place of India and each place has been researched thoroughly before writing this book. The writing is from the “heart” more than from “brain” and that could happen only because the writer is fond of “Nature” and very sincerely she has shared her love for Nature in this book.

Excerpts: Chamba – “The road to Chamba runs along the valley of the fast-flowing Ravi, at first high above and then beside River. The town, 53 kilometres (33 miles) from Dalhousie and connected by regular bus services, was the capital of the former rajas of Chamba…” … Background – “The kingdom of Chamba was ruled, without a break, by the same Rajput family from AD 550 to independence in 1947. The first ruler, Maru Varma, established his capital at Brahamputra, today’s Bharmour. Around AD 930, his descendent, Sahi Varma, moved the capital to Chamba…”

Visit all the hills of India, and get the knowledge of their history as a bonus.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten - Robert Fulghum

Surprise 1: The book is listed at MS
Surprise 2: There is only 1 review on such a marvelous book till date

Before coming to the contents and other details of this book, let me create an atmosphere by phrasing some basic facts (and some queries), you are free to agree or disagree on each point:
1.      You will be blind towards the disabilities and weaknesses of your real friend.
2.      Every child grows surrounded by obsessions, compulsions, preservations and certain other behaviors around him/her.
3.      Genetics, environments and role models play a crucial part during the pre-birth and post birth growth of a child.
4.      There are lot of free things in life, don’t grab all, pick only what is needed, somebody else might need it urgently what is lying with you but not important at the moment. But prior to that it is very important to learn what I need in life.
5.      I remember more details about my friends and teachers upto secondary level than afterwards provided in both the case I have not met them for years.
6.      The most interesting lessons about life are taught by our parents and teachers without books.
7.      Just try to remember your role model in life and write few lines why you consider so.
8.      Who has been your best teacher? (it has to be one, not necessarily the one who formally taught you text books in school/college)
9.      Hugs are important part of life
10.  It is difficult to say “I am sorry”. It is easy to say “You are wrong”

Book: “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” is written by Robert Fulghum in 1986, it is 240 pages book having interesting compilation of life-lessons explained with short stories & illustrations. 15th anniversary print is available for Rs. 750/- (paperback) and around Rs. 1500/- (hardbound). ISBN 034546639X. I bought an older version at CP from a roadside bookseller (lucky I got it for Rs.250/-). The book has been translated to many international languages worldwide.

An excerpt from the book: Robert Fulghum writes in “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten - “The inspiration for brevity came to me at a gasoline station.  I managed to fill an old car’s tank with super deluxe high-octane go-juice.  My old hoopy couldn’t handle it and got the willies--kept sputtering out at intersections and belching going downhill.  I understood.  My mine and my spirit get like that from time to time.  Too much high-content information, and I get the existential willies--keep sputtering out at intersections where life choices must be made and I either know too much or not enough.  The examined life is no picnic.”

Lessons from the Book I learnt:1.      Live a balanced life: Work and Play, Eat and Exercise, Speech and Silence, Pleasure and Prayer and so on… lot of things in life to be balanced.
2.      Wash your hands before you eat: no explanation required.
3.      Don’t take things that aren’t yours: very important. Know what you want, take what you need and keep till you need. This is one habit that would have avoided all wars happened so far and are about to come in the future. Be it world wars, Pandavs and auravs, Ram and Ravan, India Independence, etc. all arose just because someone wanted to pick somebody else’s things.
4.      Share everything: This is something we start doing on our own when we are very young, no hidings, no differentiations, and no hassles in sharing at that time till we grow up and learn what is not to be learnt.
5.      Put things back when you found them: love, hatred … run your own imaginations…
6.      Play fair: very important but equally difficult. Try, it returns lot of happiness.
7.      Clean up your own mess: As and when you are the part of a mess, clear it, else…
8.      Don’t hit people: hit the cause of pain, you can’t hit the pain directly. Similarly don’t hit the people, hit the problem. Philosophy of life is hitting on people will bounce back on you and hit you.
9.      Flush: Flush your anger, bad habits, wastes, ill feelings… keep flushing.
10.  Take a nap every afternoon: if not possible, take a break from your regular work, by sitting idle for a while – blank, meditate, relax, close eyes, and walk a little. Just give yourself a break.
11.  Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you: enable cookies in your browser, which makes browsing faster. Jokes apart, just try fresh, warm cookies with cold milk.
12.  Learn some, think some, draw some, paint, sing, dance, play, and work everyday: don’t hesitate, you can do it, do it and see the difference.
13.  Say you’re sorry when you hurt someone: no need to explain, but only to realize it in time and say… else it becomes too late sometimes…
14.  Be aware of wonder: discover, encounter, face, welcome and be aware of wonder. Lot of things happen around, but goes unnoticed. Look around, wonder may be a perception taking a 360 degrees turn or anything else…
15.  When you go out in the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together: how lovely this statement is…
16.  Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that – ponder, think, imagine and explain to yourself…
17.  Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we – the crux of the matter, the reality of life, the completion of lifecycle…
18.  Remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all – LOOK - yep, look around, keep eyes and ears open, let sensory nerves not sublimed under the burdens of life, be light and absorbent every moment.
19.  And so on…and on… and on… read the book…

bye bye!

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hossieni: ~~The~Rose~and~the~Thorns ~~

shahar pathar ka, log pathar ke Zakhm ristey rahe mre sar key JK’s Philosophy fundas!: A man takes more time to understand about a city, and takes less to understand a woman. A man’s accuracy of learning about a city can go maximum up to 100%, but accuracy level can never exceed 10% in case of learning about a woman. The more you live in a city, the more you understand it or learn about it, the more you live with a woman, the more confusing you get about your understanding or learning POWER (or weakness!!). maNzar-e-aam par nahiN aaye dagh chand ek mere andar ke The Writer: This is Khaled Hosseini's second novel in a row. His first “The kite runner” was released more than a couple of years back (3 or 4 years back), and was a big hit throughout the world. That book was on top 20 almost all this time. Khaled is an artistic writer converting beautifully human feelings into words. His writing is flawless, evenly threaded and rhythmic. His stories touch one’s heart and mind together. Thereby force to read his work without losing and interest and getting burdened. Hosseini is working with UN High Commissioner as an envoy for Refugees. jab jaley baaNs ke ghane jungal baNsuri royee nauhe kar kar ke JK The Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns is published by Riverhead Publishing, this book is of 384 pages and has a hefty price tag of US$25.95 for the hardcover. The paperback print is yet to be released. (ISBN-10: 1594489505, ISBN-13: 978-1594489501. It is a classical-emotional stretch widely propelling reader through the emotions. The book is released this month only (May’07) dekh kar wus'ateN samaNdar kee hausley TooTtey haiN taiyar ke The Title: I loved the title very much. Infact the title prompts to pick the book off the shelf and start reading. gar jhuke bhi "feroz" to aisey aastaaN ho gaye tre dar ke The Story: The story revolves around two women (far apart in their ages, of different generations) and their 30 years in Afghanistan witnessing the ups and downs in their life as well in their country, all three (country and the two women) passing through violence, fears, emotions, humanity, inhumanity, rise & fall of hopes, trust & distrust, happiness, sadness, survival, non-survival, emotional jerks-clashes-crashes, friendship, love. They witness the violence, the missile attacks, the tragedies, the bloodbaths, the wars, the Soviet invasion, Taliban era, and post Taliban Taliban-era. The book talks about a time that has passed in Afghanistan that was unwanted and uninvited. The time, that would have never happened, anywhere in the world. Mariam is an illicit child. She lives in a poor state in a small house with her mother and works as a servant for rich families around. Her mother is neither willing nor has the money to send her to school. As per her mother only thing a women needs to learn is to accept anything that comes in her way in life (good or bad) without a bit of resistance and be patient always. Her unlawful father, a very rich man, used to come occasionally to meet them. When Mariam is in her mid-teens, her mother kills herself one day. Mariam tries to meet her father but is not allowed to enter his grand house. Her father is legally married to three women and is having nine children from them. Shortly after her mother’s death, she is forcibly married to a shoemaker, Rasheed, by her father’s family. The man she marries with, in his late forties, is a strict, horrifying man finding out the ways to torture Mariam. Laila, who lives in their neighborhood, and is daughter of liberal, educated parents loses her parents in a bomb attack but Rasheed saves Laila from the debris of her house. As per rule the savior is the owner, and thus Laila becomes the second wife of Rasheed. The two wives, far apart in their cultural values, one in total acceptance mode and another in rebellion mode, one totally orthodox and illiterate and another educated and liberal. Both feel no difference between the Taliban and their common husband. mahsus kar mujhe tu, kabhi paas aa ke dekh mere jahan-e-dil meiN apna ghar basa ke dekh What next: do get hold of the book and read… koi aisey ajnabi bhi nahiN is shahr ke log kuchh keh to ranj-o-gham ki, sab ko suna ke dekh JK’s take two on the Book (Take 1 is the funda at the top): The book is a must read for everyone, all ages, to learn, the pains through which Afghanistan went through during these three decades. Keep aside Afghanistan, pains and gains come to all countries, ages and breeds. The soft side of human nature and the hardness of idealism, the taste of love-hatred-friendship-human-inhuman et. al. All above is beautifully narrated in this classic work by Hosseini. maiN muNtzir huN roz-o-shab, aiy dard-e-do_jahan! be-dard, jab bhi waqt miley, aazma ke dekh Good bye & njoy. Be Happy, make others happy. All Sher’s from – unpublished works of Dashmesh Gill 'Feroz'

Book Review: Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra: Eastern Sprituality+Western Style = Deepak Chopra

A practical guide without any practicals!!!“A practical guide to the fulfillment of your dreams” – this is what the cover page says. But as far as my learning goes, the people who know how to convert their dreams are not meant for such books (actually it is vice versa!). The book has been written more with the purpose of marketing and selling than delivering best valued and long lasting stuff.

Is it possible to get success just in Rs. 125/-!!!
The book is a good read. Fill it shut it forget it. Don’t worry if Rs. 150/- goes waste and dreams do not get converted to reality. Otherwise you may need another book to get rid of worries!!!

Writer is smart enough to understand what will sell well!!!Deepak Chopra writes well. Concept or Style taken from literature liked by Western Community and Contents from our Vedas (and other ancient Hindu Holy Books). A mix juice produced has put its impact on many people. New York Times recommends it to people who have missed “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran. This would have been there in that news paper’s jokes section. Some other similar books authors have an agreement to recommend each other’s books and under this agreement there are recommendations on the back of cover page from Anthony Robbins author of “Awaken the Giant within and unlimited power”, Ken Blanchard, co-author of “the one minute manager”. This is a business or professional deal applicable in all countries.

It is not that BAD either!!!It is a good read but for once only. Infact I was too impressed when I opened the bottle and smelled it. I got an impression that the Desi bottle is having imported Wine and buying has been a good bargain. The first peg was larger than Patiala one. It gave a high kick-start and made me ensure myself that I am going to achieve something big by the time I finish this book.

Chapter one
 talks about SILENCE, MEDITATION and TALKING TO NATURE and BEING NON-JUDGEMENTAL – Be Silent for some time during the day (according to me when you think you are silent just check inside your body, brain and heart – there should be complete silence at that time, all silences fully synchronized), move towards meditation from silence. Frequently observe the power of nature by visiting a river, lake, sea, mountain or any other power (to me even a trees, birds, flowers are powerful signs of Nature). Most of the time, we are judgmental about people, incidents etc. which is wrong. Try being non-judgmental while listening, watching, reading, talking and learning (which is actually very difficult). I really loved Chapter one.
But subsequent chapters were more of a polished preaching rather than something coming out of heart or may be I was too involved in routine happenings and was not able to catch it or dwell into them appropriately.

Chapter 2 talks about Law of Giving – you give wrong and get wrong in return. And you give right you get right in return. You get what to give. If you want money – give money (hahaha this is against all other teachings of life that state – always save money). you want good wishes then always wish good for all.

Chapter 3 is Law of Karma. It talks about Cause and Effect. What we sow is what we reap. Boya ped babool ka to…

Chapter 4 talks about Law of Least efforts. This also went against the regular teachings in life that say more efforts and hard work is required to earn more and get more in life. But Mr. Chopra says reverse. He says most of the things in Life and Nature happen themselves without any or least efforts. Like flowing of river, growing of tree, chirping of birds…

Chapter 5 is Law of Intention and Desire – more spiritual rather than practical. It says if you intend sincerely and are positive with no harm to anyone attitude you have highest chances of getting your desires fulfilled. It guides to meditate and silently pray about your intentions…

Chapter 6 – Law of Detachment – don’t attach yourself to anything or anyone. Don’t govern, let the things move or happen on their own.

Chapter 7 – Law of Dharma or do and act. it talks about awakening your inner conscious or the Kundalini.

Some best things about the Book and the Law Maker- Just 111 pages, seven chapters, seven Laws of life- A summary at the end of each Chapter- The Laws have been named very intelligently to increase the curiosity and provoking (especially western readers) for reading/buying this book.
- Deepak Chopra is an Executive Director of one of the Institutes in US (I am not sure US or UK) and his lectures are attended by most of the Western Countries.

Book Review: Goal by: Eliyahu M Goldratt: ~~Simply~Amazing~Novel~~


The Writers: Eliyahu M Goldratt, popularly known as Eli Goldratt is a renowned Guru in Western World for revolutionizing Industry World Concepts regarding relating “Costing and Production”. He conceptualized the Theory of Constraints (his another bestseller). His beauty is writing in a very interesting manner but in a crisp and crystal clear way. The way he works and writes has not only got him acclaims for Western World but the Japanese also like his way of thinking. His methods proved the world that the traditional methods adopted in the Production Companies were wrong and thus leading them to losses and closures. He started as a Consultant in 1979 to many big Giants in Western World who were on a downstream and were not able to understand why it was happening even after adopting best established METHODS. Jeff Cox is the co-author.
Hang on Pals, if you feel this book is not for you, just try reading it and “I bet you just can’t eat one”( err it is not Lay’s), let me rectify, “I bet you just can’t leave it without completing it”. And let me tell you this is not a business book or personal improvement book , read it as a novel and rest it will do itself.
The Book: Written as a Novel, it becomes very interesting in such a manner that even a person not belonging to Production/Manufacturing Industry would get engrossed in the book right from beginning and will definitely learn a lesson or two for his/her personal life too. First Edition was out in 1984 and revolutionized all Production Companies especially which were following traditional methods but falling in the pitfalls and gradually closing down. Second Edition was out in 1993. Third Edition is outrecently.
What it gives – my views: The book gives you tounderstand “Common Sense”. Teaches Simple ways of thinking and getting out of Problems, and carrying out life with a “Never Dying Attitude” in all aspects of Life. It tells that the Real Learning is by falling down, analyzing and getting up on your own. Each problem is unique and cannot be handled in a Pre Concluded way. Courage, analysis and “no run away attitude” can bring you out of any disaster.
The Story:
Take 1: Alex Logo on Professional FrontAlex Logo is the Head of a Manufacturing Unit (Uniware Division) in Bearington of a Big Group (Unico). The company is loosing orders because of not able to provide timely delivery of orders, having huge inventories but all mismatch, not able to produce even with full utilization of machines and manpower. The Divisional Head warns Logo that in NEXT 90 DAYS IFHIS COMPANY DOES NOT IMPROVE, IT WILL BE CLOSED DOWN. The Division is not ready to carry on with the losses. Job of 600 direct and indirect staff is at stake,including Logo’s. Logo is not ready to give up easily and decides to fight it out.  By chance Logo meets Jonah at an Airport Lounge on his way to Houston during the change of flights. Jonah is his Study days friend who became a Physicist. But Jonah has turned into a Consultant in US by now and many big companies there are consulting him. Jonah belongs to Israel and is going to US. Both have some time for their respective flights and thus Logo starts telling Jonah that despite FULLY AUTOMATED MACHINES, ADOPTING BEST TECHNIQUES and WITH 100% UTILIZATION OF ALL HIS MACHINES AND MANPOWER , he is loosing his BATTLE and is given 90 days by the MANAGEMENT OF UNICO GROUP. Jonah start intriguing him and suggests him to give answers to very basic questions related to his Unit’s functioning. Jonah refuses to give Logo a concrete solution or answer to the questions he has asked and rather prefers Logo to think about them and find out the solutions on his own.
Take 2: Alex Logo on Family Front
Julie married to Logo many years back and they have two kidswho are quite intelligent, understanding and lovely. Julie has got toodepressed by her married life since Logo has no time for family and kids. Evenafter making up every time with his wife, Logo, because of his Factory Problemsis not able to cope up with his personal life. All of a sudden one day Julieleft the house with a note for Logo that she cannot live with him like this andis going away. Logo tries to find out Julie but all in vain.
Take 3: Alex the HEROAlex does not give up at both the fronts. He continuouslykeeps thinking about Jonah’s queries and eventually starts coming out with somesolutions. But along with this come some more questions in his mind and hestarts SEARCHING FOR JONAH. After making enormous phone calls to all corners ofworld and luckily gets Jonah. His mother shifts to his house to help him andkids. His finds Julie at her parent’s house. Julie is not sure if she wants toDivorce but is sure that she doesn’t want to come back right now with him tohis house.
Take 4: Alex and Julie, Alex and UnicoAlex starts dating his wife Julie. He persuades Julie that it is ok if she doesn’t want to come back but requests her to go out for dinner and outings on weekends. She accepts it after initial resistance. Alex gets Jonah to his factory and Jonah addresses his whole team, suggests them and forces them to think on the tips he is giving time to time. Alex’s unit is improving. Orders are getting ready in shorter time. Rejections are decreasing. Factory is improving. Alex and Julie are regularly meeting. They do for the first time what they never did when they were together - They discuss Alex's problems.
Take 5: Last LeapAlex wins at both the fronts. Factory has not only come out of its pitfalls, it is maintaining and sustaining the improvements.Business is increasing and Alex’s unit becomes the best in the Division and Group. His new measurement methods that he invented with the help of Jonah are accepted at Headquarters. He is promoted as Divisional Head (from one factory he becomes in charge of 3 factories of the division). Julie returns back and also returns the happiness in Alex’s life.

E-Books Vs. Paper Books

What is happening e-books/magazines or multimedia books/magazines are getting popular and popular can be drawn out of a simple fact that the worldwide magazines/books sites are: 
1. getting their websites in place if they are not present on internet 
2. providing excerpts / complete books / magazines readable over internet or downloadable to read it with the special tools they provide on their sites called e-book reader. 
3. you find newspapers, news channels, books selling sites (eBay), magazine sites over internet and get the contents faster. You open any magazine today published anywhere in the world or if you see the advertisement about a new book / latest edition of a magazine you will find its website address alongwith. And most of these sites offer you to download their own proprietary tools to read those downloaded books or otherwise a provision to read it over the internet.

Why e-book and book

1. printed version (hard copy) is always costlier and takes longer time to reach to you than the multimedia version available over the internet on their respective website. 

2. excerpts of any new book can be found easily over the internet and hence you can decide whether to buy or not. The moment you pay for a e-version over the internet via e-payments, lo! You are ready to download it on the spot. No waiting, no missing copies. 
3. battle is being over won by the e-version faster because of the cost factor, faster availability, more enjoyable experience, and your satisfaction of connecting with the latest technology. 
4. multimedia version is better as it provides far more than texts and pictures by providing animation, video, music, speech and hyperlinks for contacting them there and then only. 
5. most of these sites have to options for their readers – subscription offer or membership offer. In subscription offer you can subscribe for one of the publication of that company whereas with a one time membership you can browse through or download all their publications. 
6. this way these companies carry out an online survey like how many persons logged in, what contents they spent most of their time. It helps them in arriving at faster conclusions of improving the contents by reading the behavior of the readers online. 
7. advertisements have wider chances of hits online and they can be programmed in such a manner that they appear depending on the location/sex/preference/likings of the reader. Each reader reading the same book/magazine will have different set of advertisements. Moreover you have interactive ads which means you can reach to them instantly by clicking on their phone no., website, email. 
8. readership breaks all demographic barriers. A book published over internet can find its readers anywhere in the world. 
9. I badly wanted a last month copy of my newspaper but unfortunately I had sold all my “raddi” last week only. asked few of my friends about it – one was not taking that paper, second had also sold off, third one could locate it but did not find the page I wanted, fourth, fifth… and so on, and then clicked an idea, logged on the website of that newspaper, browsed through old issues, clicked on that date, and found the complete newspaper in front of me, and no pages missing!! 
10. a strike in the city can stop newspaper / magazine coming to you but can’t stop e-paper coming to you via internet. 
11. in my office internet is available on all desks, our librarian has downloaded the e-version of mostly required books (one copy each) and even a single  popular book is available to multiple readers at the same time.

why book and not e-book

1. I am fed up sitting in front of my laptop and would prefer to sit on my sofa comfortably and read the printed version 

2. I am traveling in a 10 hours flight and have the e-version of the book in my laptop but then I have to take extra batteries to carry on my reading during my travel else I just have to pick the hard version. 
3. my office has the facility mentioned above (no. 11) but then many of the people want to take the book home and read it in a traditional manner. So librarian has to buy hard copies too of the popular books in demand so as to satisfy them.

A message to all those who have not tasted it
 if you have not read an e-book, go to any search engine, read an e-book, taste the thunder, build up your opinion on it and do share it.

Book Review: Broken Wings by Kahlil Gibran

The book: is merely 95 pages.


The theme: a philosophical love story


The characters: Kahlil Gibran – the author Selma Keremy – his beloved (he loved her, she loved him but still they could not marry and she refused to run away with him after her marriage with Mansour Bey) Farris Effandi Keremy – Selma’s father Mansour Bey Galib – A wolf in the cover of a man (Bishop’s nephew) Bishop Bulos Galib – A bishop but another wolf (still found in our society)


Story This book can be termed as an autobiography of first and last love of Kahlil Gibran the great philosopher who met a girl named Selma Keremy at Beirut, Lebanon. This was love at first sight. Selma is a young beautiful girl of Beirut who is as still as a Pond, as deep as an Ocean, as lively as Life. The story starts when Kahlil is just 18 and finishes when he is 23. Kahlil goes to Lebanon for an outing and meets his father’s old pal Farris Effandi Keremy. Farris is quite old age and very gentle and kind and has lost his wife when Selma was in her adolescent stage. He invites Kahlil to his house. One evening Kahlil goes there and meets a beautiful girl Selma who is Farris’s daughter. 


Selma is as gentle and kind as her father. Bishop Bulos Galib is a powerful man in the local society who controls the locales as he wishes. For name sake he is a Bishop but he is a very cunning and wrong doing person. He has a nephew, Mansour Bey Galib, living with him and following his footsteps. Infact Mansour is one step ahead than his uncle. He enjoys wine, girls and all evil doings of the society. Kahlil got stuck to Selma’s beauty and calmness and it is “love at first sight”. 


One evening when Kahlil is sitting at Farris’s house, Bishop’s man comes to take away Farris as Bishop wants to talk to him on an important issue. Farris tells Kahlil to take care of Selma till he comes back. Kahlil notices both the faces turning pale at the arrival of Bishop’s man there. Kahlil and Selma sit in her garden and don’t talk much but Kahlil understands that they both are driven by Bishop to some of his ill wishes. When Farris comes back, he tells Kahlil that Bishop wants Selma to be married to Mansour who everyone knows is a bad character. Marriage happens although none of them is happy about it. Farris dies. Selma is childless for five years. And after five years she gives birth to a beautiful boy who dies as soon as he takes birth. Selma also dies. At one moment after Selma’s marriage, Kahlil proposes Selma to run away with him to get rid of the tortures of Mansour and Bishop. But she refuses and says – “A BIRD WITH A BROKEN WING CAN’T FLY TOO FAR”

My Views & what did I feel after reading it
 This is a plain, cool, calm, quite, gentle, tendering, smooth and refreshing love story with a sad end. One dies at the end of the story and is buried, other also dies but lives and delivers the meaning to World. This world is too small but still it takes years to find out your true love. This life is too small but this book teaches you how to make your each moment remarkable and memorable. This book tells you how to express yourself without uttering a word and how to listen to the silence. It tells you what does the word “Beloved” means and the meanings of Happiness and Sorrow. It tells how easy it is to understand the true Love and how difficult sometimes it becomes to hold it.

It tells Love is like Air, you can’t hold it in your hands. You can inhale it inside you, but can’t hold it, it goes inside you, generates life in you and goes out. Love is not in acquiring, it is not a kingdom or game that you need to win, but it is a feeling.  It is more in GIVING than TAKING or EXPECTING.
 Kahlil shares his pure thoughts in this book, and thus reading this book carefully and attentively is important. Reading it twice is recommended as it is the second time when I read it and found lot of important words & thoughts I noticed I had skipped in the first go. Who should read & What will you get If you know the meaning of LOVE, check it out if your version matches with Kahlil’s. And if you don’t know the meaning of LOVE, check it out, and get the best of the meanings of Love defined on this Mother Earth.

Book Review: Lower Depths - Maxim Gorky: ~~~The~Bitter~One~~~

About Gorky This great author had a very little formal education from school but his passion towards literature drove into the category of world famous Authors. Aleksey Makimovich Peshkov was born on 16th March 1868 in Russia at a place called Novgorod Nizhny. This place was latest renamed in his honor to Gorky. 


His father worked as a shipping agent at Astrakhan, but died when Gorky was just five years old. After that Gorky lived with his grandparents (maternal) who were very poor and used to be offensive with the little child. When Gorky was eight, his grandpa dropped him from school and put him to work. He was so inclined towards studies that he started learning from a fellow cook at work. Next few years were quite stressful for him and therefore at the age of 12, he ran away from his grandparent’s house. 


He worked at various places doing different jobs. During this period he chose a new name for himself as Maxim Gorky which means “The Bitter One” in Russian. At 21, he attempted an unsuccessful suicide which ultimately developed tuberculosis and damaged his lungs badly. Next few years he moved frequently from place to place and during this course of journey he go familiar with the lowest class of society comprising of prostitutes, thieves and similar characters. At 24 he got associated with several revolutionaries and emerged as an outspoken personality thereby getting popular in public very fast. He went to jail several times during this period and got few of his stories published in local newspapers mainly based on his experiences gained over these struggling years. 


Later he joined with Marxists to fight against Tsars of Russia. His major earnings became a source of funds for Marxists. He spent his last phase of life from 1922 to 1930 in Italy. In 1930 he returned to Russia and was greeted overwhelmingly. He died on 14th June 1936 at the age of 68. There is some controversy regarding his death, some say he died of illness while others say that he was ordered to death by Stalin My views about the Book titled – THE LOWER DEPTHS This was Gorky’s second play which he wrote in 1902 after the first one which was titled as “The Smug Citizen” which became very controversial at that period because of its content and outspoken nature of Gorky. 


The 'Lower Depths' was very successful and was produced at Moscow Art Theatre in the same year. The play is about some powerful characters based on his encounters over the years with various types of people he had known. It was a protest against the inhumanity in particular. 


This is a play in four acts having no solid plot but a series of sequences framed together. More emphasis is on characters, their thoughts and motives and how they act under certain circumstances. He made certain things in the play happen suddenly or shockingly. In first act the characters themselves narrate their past. Kostoloff is one of the characters who get murdered later. Pepel, Satine and Luka are other characters of the play. Ultimately the theme of the play is – All men live for “better” man everywhere in life and keep on working till they themselves become better men. 


This is a continuous cycle and at any time Men will be working for Better Man. Many of them die during the course of serving before reaching at the stage of becoming better man. Luka is one of the brightest character of the play different from all other characters. Endlessly optimistic he is and very much eager to talk always to everyone. He keep on questioning everyone and himself about the purpose of life, meaning of life. 


This too much probing nature of his causes his failures in life. Saaransh In real life if we see, everything is true what this play tries to tell. We all keep on working for “better man” and one day when we become “better man”, all men start working under us


The language and characters? The language is pretty cool. All non-English writers’ style is different than the English writers. You read any book of Gorky and you will find the language very simple, full of continuity and descriptive sort. You can compare the writing style of Gorky with MKGandhi. Regarding characters, well, I think, I have written enough there in my review already. When I kept the book aside, what were the questions or thoughts that occupied my mind? After I read the book, and kept it aside, it stayed shuffling inside me for 3 days. 


It kept me striking the questions like “meaning and purpose of life”, “if there is God, where and what form? And what does he expects from us?” etc. etc. And one more thing that strikes is the style of Gorky as usual, he writes so simple and perfect that each character and each incidence get absorbed so well inside you and not momentarily but forever. But all his books (or for sake any books) should be read in silence so that you listen to them well. And most importantly, what should you (even if oblivious to this writer and his works) expect from this book? You are unaware of this writer or his books, no worry. If you expect sincere writing, truth, an encounter with real life, real sort of characters, real incidences, simple English and above all if you seek certain answers to Life’s happenings, do read his all books.



Book Review: The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran: Wisdom Of Life - A Personal Guide Book

Book Title : The Prophet 


Author : Kahlil Gibran 


Pages : 117


This is really a great book I read recently and found it marvellously great. One must read this book in life as early as possible to define some rule sets of the life one is going to drive. Each word of this book delivers everything one seeks in life - the truth, love, justice, wisdom, meaning of every aspect of life


About the Book


Almustafa came to Orphalese city twelve years back, and on this seventh day of lelool - the month of reaping his ship is coming on the shore of this city to take him back to his place of birth. Almustafa is a prophet, a spirit among the people of this place and they are weeping and telling him not to go, not to leave them. They tell him - ''You have walked among us a spirit, and your shadow has been a light upon our faces.'' All people are gathered around him and tell him to guide them about the wisdom of life. 


They start asking from Almustafa one by one and he starts answering them On Love ''Love is speechless but when you cry it gets expressed''. He says- ''When love beckons you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep''. Love may wound you through the sword hidden among his pinions. But when love speaks to you, believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams. 


Love has such a power that it can crown you, and it can crucify you too. He is for your growth and for your pruning too. As he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, on the other hand he descends to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. This all happens if you listen to your heart and know the secrets of your heart. When you achieve these heights in love, love assigns you to his sacred fire, and you become sacred bread for God's sacred feast. Love gives nothing but itself and takes nothing but itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed.  


Love needs to be without desires and need to direct as it has the power to direct your course if it finds you worthy. Sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your hert and a song of praise on your lips. But if you fear to reach to this extent and seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, you will live in a seasonless world where you will laugh but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.


On Marriage You should be together in the silent memory of God, but let there be spaces in your togetherness. Let the winds of heaven dance between you. Love one another but not make a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other;s cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone. Give your heart's but not into each other's keeping. Stand together yet not too near together as the pillars of the temple stand apart.


On Children and Parenting You may give them your love but no your thoughts, as they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, as their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you as life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. 


Almustafa compared God as Archer, parents as bow and children as arrow and said - ''Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness, as even as he loves the arrow that flies, similarly he loves the bow also that is stable.'"


On Giving You give very little when you give of your possessions, it is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Who is bigger in giving - A rich giving little of his and a Poor giving whole of his? When you give, are you really a Giver or just a Spectator?


On Work When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music- All life is darkness unless there is urge - All urge is blind unless there is knowledge - All knowledge is vain unless there is work - All work is empty unless there is love ''Weave the cloth from the thread of your heart. Build a house with affection'' Work is love made visible On Joy and Sorrow Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. They are inseperable. They come together, but when one is sitting with you the other is asleep at your bed.


On Pain Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Your heart knows in silence the secrets of the days and the nights but your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge. you would know in words that which you have always known in thought. You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams. Self is a sea of knowledge boundless and measureless.


On Teaching The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among the followers, gives not of his wisdom, but rather of his faith and his loving..


On Friendship Your friend is your needs answered. He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. Without words in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared with joy that is un-acclaimed..


Conclusions and my views  after reading this book 
- Love does not need any other wish as it is the biggest wish fulfilled. 
- Never hurt, as life is too short to give happiness and heal the wounds of heart. 
- Love never binds, it lets you free. 
- Marriage means provide enough space to each other to live own's life and not forcing one to live as other wants. 
- Being parent does not mean imposing one's thoughts into your children. 
- When you give, don't give for fear or with pain, give for joy. 
- If you really want to learn the art of giving, learn from life itself who gives as long as you live. 
- Whatever you work, work for love, work with love. If you want to learn how to work, learn from earth which keep on moving non-stop. 
- Self is the biggest source of knowledge and greatest teacher. Great book to read as many times as possible. Must read for everyone.



Book Review: Fish - Stephen C. Lundin: You Get Life Only Once

The crux of this book is on page 44, and I would love to write the text of that page here so that all persons who read this review get the message even if they have not read the book. 


It goes like: Faith - By David Whyte I want to write about faith about the way the moon rises over cold snow, night after night  faithful even as it fades from fullness slowly becoming that last curving and impossible silver of light before the final darkness but I have no faith myself I refuse to give it the smallest entry Let this then, my small poem like the new moon, slender and barely open be the first prayer that opens me to faith


Now about the story Mary Jane had to join a job as supervisor in a company called ''First Guarantee Financials'' one of the largest financial institute in Seattle, after the sudden death of her husband Dane to take care of her kids. Mary Jane is a very successful supervisor, who has been promoted as Manager and has been rewarded a good pay hike and she is the new incharge of the third floor which is the most messed up floor, the floor that was involved in all the companies transactions, so that almost every one had to deal with this floor but unwillingly. Everyone is sure that there is no life on 3rd Floor of this office. 


There is no energy, life in the people working at third floor. Mary could have turned down the promotion but she has a ''can-do'' attitude and thus accepts this challenge. Pike Place - the world's largest fish market was near to her office and she used to cross it while going out for lunch. She starts observing it everyday and soon learnt why it is so successful business place and how the persons working there do lot of work tirelessly. She learns certain things like - ''Change'', ''Play at work'' and other things. She implements these at her office and changes the complete scenario in no time. The dead 3rd floor becomes most lively floor in the complete office. 


One must read this book.


Important Points:


1. We all have read this book ''Fish''. after reading how many of us and how much have we changed. 


2. Mary Jane was not an exceptional lady, she was as normal person as we all are. 


3. We need no necessarily go to Pike Place to learn the lessons she learnt. 


4. We all have Mary Jane within us but deep frozen. We need to melt and bring her to life. 


5. It is the faith, trust, optness/willingness/courage to change, and above all self belief that can make you learn lessons from wherever you go. 


6. How many of us would have dared ot accept a promotion like this where there was a dead sure failure written on the walls everywhere. 


7. Mary Jane learnt ''Make their day'', you make somebody happy every day and you yourself will be happy throughout the day. It is like this - As long as we run after happiness it runs away from us, the moment we start giving it we start getting manifolds. 


8. Stop worrying about what is gone and what is to come. The past is history The future is mystery Today is a gift That is why we call it a GIFT 9. If we seek CHANGE and don't become a part of it, it will never happen. 


The book is fabulous and a must read for everyone. It really delivers more than what I have stated above. Do read it.