Journey of a Woman

A cold jittery winter night in Pahalgam, India

Expecting father Mahesh was nervously meandering across the narrow stretch outside the Maternity ward. More than anything else he was worried whether it would be a boy or a girl.
Meanwhile her Wife Nandini though much in pain was hoping against hope that she be warded with a boy, knowing the fact that she is carrying a girl. She once felt of committing honour killing as she never wanted a girl as girl would mean all the suffering and probably much more than what she has to suffer. But weary of the laws of foeticide she decided against it.  Soon the news of the arrival of baby girl made her senseless and an eerie spread all over Mahesh’s face when he heard about it.


To continue reading click here

This is MY Guest Article for  http://www.glad2bawoman.com.

Book Review: Love Hurts, Love Heals.

Book:- Love Hurts, Love Heals

Author:- Sundeep Tibrewal

ISBN:- 978-93-81791-14-1

Genre:-Love/Inspiration

Price:-195/- (I got this book directly from the Author for review)

Pages:-154

Publisher:- APK PUBLISHERS


As the name suggests it would be an intriguing story of bruises and cures over love…but before you jump up to conclusion I must say this one is different. The best thing a book can offer to you is its reality and it’s attachment to a person. That’s the prime reason why people love a story because they can closely relate a person with their life if not the entire story. The charisma of real life incidents and how one copes up with it along with the methodologies to grapple any difficult situation in life, is a real inspiration…and that’s the reason why I won’t rate it among any love stories in fact it would be wrong if I consider it to be a love story this is an inspirational composition. And that’s why I agree with the Writer Sundeep Tibrewal - “The ‘Love Hurts’ portion of the title is actually a misnomer. In fact, love never hurts. It is the absence of love which hurts-love only heals!”   As the feeling of love that exists within our heart even if that person doesn’t exist help us to overcome the obstacles from our life…!!!



About The Author: Sundeep Tibrewal is an Author and digital marketing professional. He completed his MBA from Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering from Arizona State University (ASU), USA. Currently, Sundeep is the Director of NeoBVM. He was the Chief Product Manager at 9.9 Media, managing their digital ventures, before NeoBVM. He has also conducted “Positive Thinking” workshops for school students in Kolkata. Pay it forward is one of his favourite movies. You can get more details about Love Hurts, Love Heals here.

Love Hurts, Love heals is a real life story of Sundeep (Sundeep Tibrewal) and Neha (Neha Tibrewal).
It’s a short autobiography of Sundeep’s life starting from a remote location in Howrah, West Bengal where he was born. The story endows from building up a phase after he resigned from his job in USA after 2 and half years with a brief preview of his school and higher studies in engineering life along with a short venture of Joint family where he was born and brought upon.

The main Plot of the story revolves on how Sundeep fell in love with Neha in an Arranged marriage, real not reel life romance that lead up to their marriage. Their Honeymoon in Australia and New Zealand blossomed in love. Story gradually moves towards Sundeep’s Career Ambitions of ISB and Neha’s Graduation where their love prospered, Sundeep and Neha’s temporary settlement to Gurgaon after Sundeep’s MBA fostering a desired job in Gurgaon then Neha moving Back to Kolkata during her pregnancy. Sundeep’s continuous frequent from Gurgaon and Kolkata during Neha’s pregnancy, the arrival of their princess Jiya along with their occasional tour and trips to Goa, Singapore and Kathmandu…everything was going on smooth as it was planned along with the marriages and ceremonies  in their families it was then the lightning struck in Sundeep’s life…which changed everything.

Sundeep was left with bruises which didn’t seem to be relieving. It was then what inspires one to read this book and get an inspiration in their life to face the utmost difficulties with relative ease…and as anybody would guess this was the part which I liked the most. It goes on to encompass real gem of ideals to motivate one through various methodologies, to suffice life’s answers on love and healing in its absence. I have deliberately kept the suspense by not revealing what actually happened to Sundeep and how he got the inspiration to move on by provoking the readers to read and analyze themselves.

This book is a boon to read and believe me by the time you finish this book; you will get few measures if not the solution to deal with whatever problems you have in your life. The story ends with a letter from Sundeep to her princess daughter Jiya and about the contents of the letter I can guarantee to all people out there in schools, colleges teens or even grownups you would find it suitably apt in your life…this book is for all age group people and therefore I declare it’s a book to ponder.
It’s a master stroke for all those who are in some problems or the other and if it’s love go and grasp it as soon as possible.
Starting With happy and flamboyant spirits I virtually completed it with tears in my eyes with lot many lessons.


Life’s Adjudication of this book: A book to know what to do when things are not going your way…!!!

AND I WISH,I NEVER LET U GO.....

Getting you as my Friend,

Knowing you better and better,

So happy was my Heart,

That I wish,I never let u go....

Sharing and Caring,

Talking about things around,

So fast this time passed by,

All got over,dont know why.

Beautiful were the times,

When too close were our Hearts,

Holding our hands,like will be never apart.

Such was the moment,

That I wished,I never let u go....

But this time didn't stay longer,

As the distances between us increased,

Various were its reasons,

As life changed the seasons.

No longer did those moments stay,

All different now were our way,

But somewhere,corner of my heart,

I prayed to God,dont make us apart.

These memories had conquered my Soul,

I wish that all these were a Foul.

Making myself smile in such times of Low,

I wish,I can Never let u Go......

A Revelation

Introducing a Mother:

Have you ever thought about the pain a mother goes through for her child?
Right from the time a new born is still developing it’s sheen in a mother’s womb till the date when she finally goes off to heaven a mother is someone who always, invariably of her own state tries her best she can for her child.

It’s very difficult for you to lift and hold a weight of 100 grams for few hours but a mother does it not for hours or days or months, she does it for years. Starting from the time a new born is still in her womb, to the moment when her child takes baby steps for the first time till he becomes grown enough to live on its own a mother is striving everything for her son’s/daughter’s well-being in spite of bearing all the pain.
 Talking about physical pain do you know:  A Human body can bear only up to 45 Del (units) of pain. Yet at time of giving birth, a mother feels up to 57 Del (units) of pain. This is similar to 20 bones getting fractured at the same time.  It’s said you can bear physical pain…but this pain is unbearable even for the strongest of men.

Abiding the physical pain for the time being… can you estimate the attachment of a child to her mother?  An infant stops crying just at the glimpse of her mother. A mother remains awaken the entire night just to see her child sleep peacefully.  She would not eat until her child has his/her stomach full. A small injury to a child is clearly visible on the concerned face of mother. She would risk the entire world for the safety and prosperity of her child. The emotional bond of a mother with her child is the strongest of all relations.  When you have become an adult a mother is someone who has umpteen difficulty of eating her own food but would be seen with a glass of water caressing her son’s back on hearing him cough just once. A mother affectionate care can be very well understood from the story below:

Son: Mother, I feel ashamed while introducing you with my friends.
Mother:  Why so, son?
Son: You don’t have an eye and I feel awkward to let my friends know about it.
Mother: It’s all right son. I don’t need to meet your friends.

Every now and then Son would curse her mother for being handicapped. He would ask her what had happened to her. But she would never reply.

One day Mother finally met god after prolonged illness and she left a note for his son

Son,
I know i have never been an ideal mother for you because of my disability. You often ask me how I lost my eye.  I think it’s time I should tell you because if I don’t say it now I would never be able to speak again… son when you were very young you lost one eye while playing with a dagger. I cursed myself for not being able to protect you from losing your eye, consequently I gave my eye to you so that you can see and you won’t have to live with this disability all your life.

After reading it…son was floored with tears and now he could realize what a mother meant. Sadly it’s was too late for him as his mother was no more with him.


Introducing a Father:
First time he took his son into his arms and started crying. Tears are not for men but can you tell me how a man feels while holding his baby in his arms for the first time?  
A father is known as the first love for a daughter and knight for his son. Do you know the reason for this? He is the only person in this world who would hold their palms without any self motive. The only motive he has is the well being for his kid.
A father is someone who will forgo all for his child, a person who is strong, protective and caring. He would be a guide, a leader, a motivator, and a friend whatever you need he is the one for you. 
From a lamb in mother’s arm when you couldn’t eat of your own he was the one who would make you consume your supper with his hands. To a school going chap in shorts who came home crying with a bruised knee he is the one who would articulate you to be strong by applying Dettol at the affected area.  Finally an educated young man in his office inquiring about the incentives from an insurance scheme, a father is the one who will always speak of the most feasible option without giving any minuscule thought about his personal gain. He is the same all the years… he doesn’t change with your financial ability or your maturity. He would always be the one who adores you, cares for you and when everyone turns their backs on you, you will see a father standing beside you…The story below will make you realize the Worth of a father

Son: Dad, My business has blown away and now am in debt and everybody is refusing to give me a single penny. Please tell me dad what shall I do? Where I can get money?
Father:  Son, you Father is still alive don’t worry about the money.

After few Months…Son’s business overcame its losses and was running into profit, all because of the money his father paid for his debt.
Suddenly one day his Father died from a heart attack.
When son met the doctor he came to know that the doctor had warned his father a long time back of his Artery blockages …Son also came to know that his father had agreed for Bypass surgery and had also arranged the money for it but because of some unavoidable circumstances of his business…his father came up to the Doctor one fine morning and told him…”I have become old and one day or the other I have to leave this place but I cannot see my son losing till I am alive. So I have decided to give Money to my son and not for my operation.”

On hearing this Son was rueful…as the only thing that was left with him was the words his father would often speak to him: “One can always acquire the lost money but a life once lost can never be Acquired”

My intentions were not to let the readers know what a mother or a father mean but to cite an eye opening example of the fate our parents have to strain in their old age.
You know the most you can give to  any person is your time and parents are the one who gave their entirety be it their time, money or whatever they had possessed just for your well being …don’t you think you have some responsibilities towards your parents?
Don’t you think they need your respect, time and care if not, anything more during their old age?

Parents who staked their all just for you as you were their only heart and soul and today they have to strain for a painful death just because you don’t have time for them.
Few weeks back I read number of Old age Homes have doubled in the past 3 years …I was so much distressed on reading it that I couldn’t sleep the entire night thinking is this our modern society teaching us? Is this what our parents dream to spend the last few years of their lives? Is the concept of nuclear family means closing the doors for your parents as such either they die on streets or spend in Old age homes?  Is it the reward you give to your parents for realizing your goal to become a respectable person in the society by sending them to old age homes?

I cannot express my agony in words as I am pained to see the plight of our elderly parents.
Parents are most precious of any belonging that belong to us. It’s high time for us to open our eyes and realize the lifelong debt that the parents have on us and feel for their Loss they have been enduring just to make us win. You can never clear off the debts parents have on you even if you spend rest of your life in proposition to what they have done for you. Only thing you can do is to score some plus points for yourself by taking care of them by giving them the adequate Time, Care and respect or else
 Remember one day you will also get old and it will be you on the receiving end…!!!


Parents are the most Precious belonging that we have along with us and we must realize it in time or else we would lose our life in a dilemma of what we have gained and lost in a life worth mentioning…!!!

The Englishman and the African

Love for Arts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People often ask me why I write on Love. Well here it goes.

Love is an integral part of my blog and shall continue to be. The beauty of love is that it has so many forms and dimensions. In this fast paced world where love is the last thing we know and think of its important we put an effort to inject it. Let me tell you a story about an Englishman and an African.

An Englishman was studying African literature on a journey through Africa. He read the stories, epics, poetry and all that he could find. Every single piece of literature he could find he came across something very common. All of them had a reference to water. It was described as holy, sacred. Love was equated to water. Surprised he asked his helper. Why is that all your literature is based on water? The African smiled and replied, "Because that's what we lack the most. In a land majorly covered with the desert we crave for water. If we have it we have all the happiness in the world." The Englishman was awestruck. He didn't realize that in his world he had something that was desired by so many people in their world.

While the Englishman was pondering the African asked him another question that send him into a tizzy. "Is that the reason why your literature talks so much about love?"

Great Online Shopping Festival on 12th December 2012

This 12th December buy everything you ever wanted because its the Great Online Shopping Festival. With more than 85 major online sites across sections like Accessories, Apparel, Electronics, Home & Kitchen, Baby, Gifts, Real Estate, Beauty, Books & Stationery, Healthcare, Jewellery, Local & Classifieds, Travel, Telecom, Finance & insurance, Automobile, Foot Wear & Jobs participating in this festival you will thank your lucky stars.

Using deals offering discounts of 50% and above make sure that the coming Wednesday is THE day to make your dreams come true at rock bottom prices.

For more details log on to http://www.gosf.in

BOOK REVIEW-WRONG MEANS RIGHT END


Book: Wrong Means Right End
Author: Varsha Dixit
Publisher: Rupa
Price: Rs. 140
(i got it from Blogadda for Free in a review program)




How often you find a romantic story equipped with genuine friendship which overcomes all mishaps and misunderstandings, only to find her to fight all out to save her best friend’s marriage while taking help from someone whom she dislikes the most and then falling in love with that very person. In the meanwhile doing the best she can for the person she loves so dearly as such he can start a new beginning, only to find herself distanced and cursed for life. The climax, for instance required a brilliant display of willingness coupled with raw feelings to forge his (from her counterpart) Love back, all these and more thespians to find a partner for life… This story is for all those people who love to  read a story of Love, Lust, Hatred, Jealousy, Revenge, Friendship  and true Love;  This story is for you all …!!!

Wrong Means Right End is a Sequel of ‘Right Foot Wrong Shoe’ one of the best sellers published back in 2009, which marked the debut of Varsha Dixit into the Writing world. Wrong means Right End is centered on a Single Working Mom (Sneha Gupta) and her utter disinclination towards love after her failed marriage…

  

The main plot of the story is carefully wound around a series of incidents  which were focused on Sneha, a Divorced ,Single mother, Hardworking and belligerent person finding a True love in Nikhil (Nikhil Chandel) whom she surely doesn’t like, She Loathes him to be exact. 

The First part of the story revolves around Nandini Sharma (Sneha’s Best Friend) trying to find an ideal Match for Sneha enforcing further strains on Sneha. Sneha on the other hand though with her extreme unwillingness is laid back with her BFF efforts to find a man, though invariably finds pleasures in her plight.

Nandini Sharma married to industrialist Aditya Sarin (Also a closed friend of Sneha), found herself clutching to a narrow thread of marriage after distancing herself from Sneha thanks to a self proclaimed friend Mona and her lustful school friend Gayatri. At that moment Nandini required a person (Sneha) who has intense attachment to Aditya and Nandini’s wellbeing to come to their rescue with the help of Nikhil Chandel.

Nikhil Chandel, emotionless, astute,  handsome and a rich industrialist who hates Sneha to its prime in a view to do good (to Nandini and Aditya) falls in love with Sneha through a series of incident and couldn’t back out from the feelings that were growing within him, finally revealed the dark secret of his life to Sneha. Sneha in her dignity of always doing the best thing took Nikhil to meet her ex wife Alisha only to find herself losing the only love she had in her life.

With all those minute details and the realistic view of the characters where one could always identify oneself fitted in the script anywhere and everywhere…The best part according to me was the climax which was well framed one where Nikhil Chandel  finally came berserk to justify himself and his long lasting love to Sneha.  Though Sneha was hurt beyond repair, it needed the helping hand of Nandini, Aditya, and Gayatri to play their part to conclude a well knitted love Story.

If there’s anything I didn’t like in this book is it’s mundane and terrestrial events before the final concluding part…if it were any longer it would have really took away the main jest of the story…yes I know there has to be mysteries before the climax but the story went coherent with non responsive array of incidents. Few more twists molding up to the climax would have been ideal.

In spite of plot which is being overused…it was a good read as it touched the feelings as one could always identify oneself in it. With enduring storyline, realistic characters and many heartfelt events this is a book to read…For More Read Wrong Means Right End by Varsha Dixit.

This review is a part of the http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews and http://anjan5.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-wrong-means-right-end.html" target="_blank" > Book Reviews Program at http://www.blogadda.com">BlogAdda.com . Participate now to get free books!

Book Review: 31 by Upendra Namburi

I don’t know of many books that use the days of the month in a theme. And to have exactly that many chapters as the days in the month is indeed different.

31 by Upendra Namburi is a spacy thriller based in a bank. The month of March probably may not be of great importance to a common man but ask a banker and he’ll describe as a month which can make or break his career. After all March is the last month of the financial year in India and the numbers in this month are all that matters to everyone, be it the company, markets, common man or even the country.

31 is another thriller that’s based in one of the up market banks in India. It’ the last month for the financial year to end and just like in cricket where you can’t say anything till the last ball has been bowled so it is in banking. As you progress through this book, with its setting you’ll wonder whether you are reading a debut novel or another Ravi Subramanian. There is no lack of twists and turns and politics and affairs. You may get frustrated with the same things going on but guess in a work place these things are the order of the day.

Not revealing much, the book is a story about a very simple, regular performing guy called Ravi Shastry. In fact Ravi’s story is so common that it’s very relatable. He has an irritating boss, team mates who jump at every position and opportunity on offer, top management who’s decisions don’t make any sense and more rivals and competition than friends one can bank upon. Plus with time slipping away by the minute you have absolutely no time even for a small break to make sense of the situation. 

The fast pace of the story leaves you for me. To your good luck there is an affair Ravi is involved in, his wife which feels sidelined and forget the promotion that Ravi is working hard for, it’s his job that on the line. 

Through this intense maze of things, relationships and numbers Ravi becomes a person you feel for. The rush of things makes sure you keep the pages turning. How he jostles with things between his personal and professional life and fights it on his own is applaudable. 

The best thing about this book is the ending. Upendra has very smartly dealt a question. Not a close-ended one but an open-ended. It’s neither fairy tale like nor depressing types, it’s just right, just perfect. Thankfully, it doesn’t go down Chetan Bhagat’s Revolution 2020 which shattered my heart and let me see things crystal clearly.

The Verdict: If you are time constrained and looking for a book that would not make you late by even a minute then this one is for you. If you’re wondering how then the countdowns in the book will help you keep check. 

The Good: This book has all the qualities for a thriller and will definitely leave you wanting for more.

The Bad: It gets over very fast.

My Rating: 4/5

Related articles

• Book Review: The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi
• Book Review: The Bankster - Ravi Subramanian

This review is a part of the biggest Book Reviews Program. for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

I love the current English cricket team

I love the current English cricket team.... The thinnest guy is called Broad, ugliest guy is called Swann, slowest fielder is Trott, guy who is 'behind' the stumps is called prior, and guy whose father's name is John is called Peter-son.

A Promise...!!!

One assurance which is often used in pessimistic way is a proverb commonly preached
“Promises are meant to be broken”. Though grim but certainly not hypothetical there are examples where a person led his life just for a promise he made years ago, promise to adhere one’s commitment lifelong. It might seem strange to some but it's worth reckoning provided it's a promise to live for, a promise to Love for, a promise to spend one’s life for…!!!
Opening line reminds me of the story of Anirudh.
For a starter read the lines which Anirudh spoke to his beloved Ananya  –“I promise you if I’ll ever marry it will be you else will never marry in my life. You were the first and the last person I loved and you know you can never wipe off my feelings for you, it’s a challenge you can try but you will fail its guaranteed.”

It’s said everything is fair in love and war. One sided love is definitely not any war but it’s more intriguing then a war. As with war, the wounds persists after a war subsides with time. But with one sided love not only one is compelled to fight against odds at all times more so every other day he has to stand up to the sarcasm of friends and relatives. Furthermore, cumbersome moment is when one has to fight amongst himself whether to believe in oneself and his eternal love or to go with the stray ideas of giving up. Still most devastating factor of one sided love is that the wounds grow deeper with time.
Now I suppose everyone can visualize the anguish of a person who made a promise of lifetime commitment of loving someone. You must have heard of this quote any man can love hundreds of woman in his life but only a man of character can love one woman in his entire life in more than hundred ways…!!!
Do you think life would be easier for Anirudh?

Some relations are created by destiny, it depends on us whether we acknowledge them or not. Here’s an overview of a sweet and adorning incident of Anirudh’s Life.
Anirudh was sitting on the roof top along with Ananya (Anirudh’s love) and few other friends. Suddenly an alluring butterfly came and sat on Anirudh’s head and after sometime it took its flight and sat on Ananya’s head. Both Ananya and Anirudh were unaware of the incident but their friends who saw all this started conversing amongst themselves. It was then, when Anirudh came to know about the myth of butterfly and its connection with couples.
(For all those who don’t know about the Myth: When a butterfly sits on a boy’s head and then on a girl’s head. They get married to each other (Hindu Myth). Another well known myth is about the Wedding butterfly which is left free on one’s wedding day (Christian Myth))
before I go further Let me introduce Ananya.
Ananya was both a Sensitive and a practical person.  She was caring, Intelligent and a very good friend of Anirudh’s. In fact she knew in and out about Anirudh and probably that’s the reason she gave this message to Anirudh (before the butterfly incident)
Anirudh who _ ____ is a boy with specs and is blind without it (Joking). You know you are good, simple, open book (As you call yourself), kindhearted, honest, generous, good cricketer, spend thrift, sometimes confusing etc. Always keep smiling, be successful, be what you are and do not forget me.
Talking about Butterfly, it’s a myth and it surely depends on us weather we believe it or not.  But according to few it was more than a myth as the Butterfly Incident was followed by the time when both Anirudh and Ananya became very close and prior to that Ananya's statement also meant she wanted it that way. It was also the best moment of Anirudh’s life as he did propose Ananya. Though Anirudh’s happiness was short lived but it was the time which changed his life. It was the time when Anirudh made a promise to Ananya.
Ananya knew what was going in Anirudh’s heart and replied: if it’s really their destiny to be together then let time decide their fate.
During the meantime Ananya did respond to Anirudh’s proposal and accepted that she loved him dearly. But their path towards their destiny took turns and Ananya left Anirudh alone to fight his way back in life.

After losing Ananya Anirudh's life became grueling, a consequence of agitation. he was often heard with the cries similar to the one stated below.
Anirudh in solitude:-
You know every night my heart cries come back, please come back!
 I am lonely without you. Why did you leave me alone in this long journey of life?
 I need you, please come back.

The following lines isn’t a poem I didn’t even try to make one but it’s my feelings for you, Ananya

Every day i search for the only soul
Only person who meant to me-my all
I know I lost her in my stroll
She went beyond dreams to control
Even its too late for me to recall
And am only left to strangle and fall

I am lonely, lonely without you
As I lost myself feeling in lieuI gave you my entirety in preview Am wrong in my virtue i didn't knew
I loved you and only you
Is this my fault in your View?

Those days when we were together,
Life was accomplished altogether
Living was sure a connoisseur
As i lived in Impression of a major
In her absence I can only suffer
This pain is too much to bear any longer

Those ears of yours were heeding and bold
As you could hear me by many fold
Whenever I was sick, I felt you to feel cured
I felt for those sweet ‘nothings’ we had shared.
You now know how long I waited

Can you tell me how can I survive by being hated?

Those eyes of yours meant so much to me
As you could gaze at me and foresee
Those lips though numb spoke so forth for me

Just A smile would inspire to gee
You still bemused why I called we?
It’s only you who completes me…!!!

Heart crunching isn't it?
After going into a brief of Anirudh's life people might feel, this guy won't survive and he might bite the dust.Well he is living, living in a silence Anirudh's whereabouts is known from his dearth only, dearth from the people around and dearth from the world that surrounds. Ananya was the only one who could understand him and he knows she would understand his dearth as well. Today when he is alone recollecting her memories he could feel, she was the one who taught him to understand someone, to feel someone’s pain, to feel for someone’s absence, to love someone, to cry for someone and to miss someone. A person, because of whom he could identify himself, could know the reason for his existence. A person who taught him so much, a person who gave a new meaning to his life, a person who gave life to him, how can he live without loving her?
 Anirudh's life is as good as any final stage leukemia patient but he is living for the promise he made to Ananya, a promise which the world might not know, a promise which Ananya might have forgotten long before but it’s the promise because of which he wakes up every morning feeling more gumptious than the day before. Only respite Anirudh has in his life is in his sub consciousness he can see her smiling and whispering in his ears “Anirudh, you will have to live a long life, I am there with you always. Do not lose hope. Look ahead, so beautiful is life same as your smile, same as your twinkling eyes so lovely like your love!”

You know more than anything else Anirudh is living for the promise of loving Ananya. i.e.,
He is living for a Promise, a promise to live for, a promise to Love for, a promise to spend one’s life for...!!!

Book Review: The Bankster by Ravi Subramanian

There is a word I hardly use to describe a book- Unputdownable. Unfortunately Ravi Subramanian has forced me to use it. Ravi's 4th book is a pleasure to read and get engrossed in. All I can say is I'm happy I'm finally off the spell this book had cast on me.

Thanks to Blogadda.com this autographed book came as a pleasant surprise and how pleased I am. For a first this book has made me take interest in his previous books which (excuse my ignorance) I have never heard of.  His book "I Bought the Monk's Ferrari" in my opinion should get an award for the smartest title's I've come across. 

Coined as the John Grisham of banking by the Wall Street Journal, Ravi leaves no stone unturned to expose and exploit the various ways in which bankers play with the trust of the customers. His in-depth knowledge into ways how fraudulent accounts are operated make the reader think and ask himself the simple yet important question – Is my money in my bank safe? The nexus operating these accounts and the implications are enough to get the world spinning if not crashing. The Bankster (which probably is a combination of Banker and Gangster) revolves around Karan Punjabi – an ex-banker and now a journalist with the TOI to investigate the mysterious deaths of his close friends and aides. Karan soon realizes that death is just one part of the mystery; he’s dealing with people you shouldn’t mess around with, that too spread across 4 places in the world. With only 2 days to his disposal Karan smartly and stealthily nabs the culprit who in the best words said is least expected. 

Going by the number of Catholic characters in this book you wonder whether you are actually reading an Indian novel but nevertheless it doesn’t take anything away from it. This book is a sheer delight both - for people who love or don’t love thrillers, for bankers and for those who have no knowledge of banking. If however like me, you land up in no-man’s land you know you have lots to learn and also are aware of where things are heading. 

A section which I could very closely relate to is the frustration shown and felt by an employee when his/her manager doesn’t understand. With no one to approach and despite your consistent performance others are favoured the pain felt is heart wrenching. It somehow brought me to tears. 

If there's something I don’t like about this book is how the story unfolds as it approaches the end. While I understand the need for the culprit to be a surprise and shock but I would have loved if I was allowed to be a detective myself. Rather than just announcing who the culprit is, let the reader make sense of the facts and evidence that lies before him. A greater involvement in the book would have made this a classic. But given the immense potential of Ravi I’m sure that will soon be the case in the next book.

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com . Participate now to get free books!

Emotions ...!!!

What will you do when you have lost somebody who would mean the entire world for you?
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of living your entire life without your heart beats (the person you love the most)?
What will you do when the same person breaks your heart not once but twice?
What if the person who proposed you later tells you he/she doesn’t have any feelings for you?


Think on it and give your opinion only after reading this story!!!

Almost each and every person have some kind or affairs or crush in their high school. This story revolves around a timid person sidharth.
Sidharth waited almost the end of school days to speak about his heart to the person he loved for so long as he was fearful that it may be the end of his friendship as well.
Moreover he didn’t want his feelings to be spread among the mass as an advertisement pamphlet that would make a mockery out of it.
But he made sure that within the two years (11th & 12th) they became good friends, their friendship made it possible for sidharth to speak what he felt without any hesitation.
As the school life was nearing it's end a sense of urgency erupt in Siddharth’s heart as he thought his feelings would remain buried in his heart as there was only a few days when they can see and talk to each other.
Finally one day sidharth decided to speak his heart.

Sidharth called her on one morning
Sidharth: hello anindita!
Anindita: speaking, who is it?
Sidharth: it's me sidharth
Anindita: sidharth!!!What happen why did you call me?
Sidharth: have something to speak to you.
Anindita: go on.
Sidharth: you always used to ask did I have anybody special in my life
Anindita: yes, who is it
Sidharth: if I speak you her name, you might not talk to me again.
Anindita: why will I do that, you are my good friend and you always be one. Now tell me her name
Sidharth: you know her very well but if I tell you her name you will break our friendship.
Anindita: I know her? Who is it please tell me.
Sidharth: first promise me no matter whatever is the case it won’t affect our friendship and we will be friends forever.
Anindita: I promise you now tell me who is it?
Sidharth: ...it's ...you anindita!!!
Anindita: joke of the year
Sidharth: it’s not a joke. You are the one for whom my heart beats
Anindita: you have gone mad. I am keeping the phone I will talk to you afterwards.
Sidharth: when?
Anindita: in the evening.
Sidharth: ok
Anindita: bye

In the evening they both met at the scheduled spot.

Sidharth: whatever your decision may be please don't break the friendship
Anindita: were you serious in the morning?
Sidharth: what do you think?
Anindita: you know sidharth i can neither accept you proposal as I have no feelings for you nor can I reject you because I don’t want to hurt you.
Sidharth :( puzzled)!!!
Anindita: we will be friends for sure. Let time decide our fate if your feelings remain the same even with passing years then we can reach to any conclusion.
Sidharth: my feelings will be same for you throughout my life
Anindita: ok let's see
Sidharth didn't get much opportunity to either speak or talk to her in the recent past as the school days were over. Finally the day came when Sidharth was to leave the place for his higher studies in a distant place.
The day sidharth was leaving he called anindita and told her that he wants to see her for the last and final time as he wasn't sure when he would see her again.
Anindita first told she can’t meet sidharth but finally agreed.

Sidharth on seeing anindita couldn't take away his eyes from her face.
Anindita: what happened why you are so dull?
Sidharth: god knows when will I next see you i only want to see you in front of my eyes throughout my life.
Anindita: you have anything to speak?
Sidharth: I just want to see you
Anindita: I am going now.
Sidharth was speechless. tears rolled out of his eyes...he didn't want anindita to see his eyes so moved his face away and they both walked away.

A month passed suddenly one day anindita received a call from an unknown number.

Anindita: hello, who is it?
Sidharth: wish you a happy friendship day
Anindita: sidharth it's you. Nice to hear you!!
Sidharth: you recognized my voice!
Anindita: I can recognize your voice even in my dreams
Sidharth: I am getting late for my college, please don’t mind i will call you back after some day
Anindita: ok
Sidharth: by the way this is my no. you can save this by name
Anindita: ok
Sidharth: bye
Anindita: bye

Since then both of them were in contact with each other
Suddenly one day anindita asked sidharth not to contact her anymore as she has promised with somebody that she would curtail all her contacts with him.
Even after much interrogation she didn’t tell anything more.
Sidharth was heart broken. His days were wretched and nights sleepless.


2 and half months passed...Sidharth decided to forget everything as a fate
Finally one day he got 2 miss calls from anindita at 3 in the morning.
Sidharth called her back but she didn’t pick the call instead sent him sms instead.

Anindita: are you still awake?
Sidharth: doing some assignments
Anindita: do you still feel the way you did in those school days?
Sidharth: yes I do.

They started talking with each other normally as before.
During this period anindita even proposed him.
It seemed that Siddharth’s love has passed the test of time and their journey of life ahead appeared smooth.

But Siddharth’s happiness didn't last long...
Anindita did things that sidharth could seldom interpret for example anindita never told why did she called her after nearly 2 and half months? Whom did she promise that she will cut all her contacts with sidharth?
Then again when everything looked good suddenly one day anindita told sidharth that she is not good enough for sidharth.
She told sidharth that he deserves much better person then her.
Sidharth was shocked with her words. He asked why did she propose him.
Anindita replied she never loved him and she thought if she would propose him then feelings for sidharth may arise in her heart but since there was no such feelings she doesn’t want to be in contact with him anymore.
Sidharth tried to convince her but she refused to speak even a word. Sidharth tried to call her on many occasion but she refused to reply and then finally changed her phone number.

In this way there was an abrupt end to what people call love!

On reading this story people may have different opinion on the boy and the girl!!!

But friends before you come to any decision I would like to stress on few things...in case you all people blame the girl and think that she was never serious and was flirting with him.

Do you think anindita had promised anybody that she would never contact sidharth? She may be lying but what if she was telling the truth?
Do you think anindita didn’t have any feelings for sidharth? She may not have but then why did she propose?
Is it because Anindita didn’t have any feelings for Sidharth that she refused to contact her? It may be true but do you think this the reason behind her breaking away?
Don’t you think anindita was having some problems? She may be fooling around but what if she was really facing some pressure form somebody may be from her parents?
Why did anindita say sidharth deserves a better person then her? Does sidharth really deserves a better person? What made anindita speak those words to him suddenly?


I have asked few questions at the beginning of the story from Siddharth’s prospective and few questions at the end from anindita's prospective...
So what's your view?

Do you think that anindita would come back to Siddharth’s life again?

Savita in Catholic Ireland

Much has been said regarding Savita Halappanavar's  case in Ireland. Before any more is said I feel I need to express myself not to present a defense for anyone but to just throw some light on a few things.

The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign country. Yes, it's made up of more than 80% Catholics but in no way it means that Catholic laws are enforced like in some Islamic nations in the Middle East where Islamic laws are enforced whether you like it or not. If Ireland is deemed as a Catholic country then we can comfortably say that we live in a Hindu Rashtra as the same case applies here too.

Secondly, we aren’t the right people to discuss this subject as we don’t know the true facts and the entire story. All we know is what’s been fed to us by the media which has left no stone unturned to give it maximum coverage. Thanks to having 2 sensitive issues rolled in 1 – a feminine side and a religious side, enough to get people ranting. Trust me if Bal Thackeray hadn’t passed away you would have seen a lot more of this. Discussing this subject without all the necessary facts and figures is like reacting to Ashwathama’s death in the Mahabharata. No one even bothered to find out whether the elephant was killed or the son.

Savita had been living and practising dentistry in Ireland for quite some time. I wonder all this while esp. when she was expecting, why she didn’t get versed with the laws prevalent in the country. It’s important to know for any person to know the laws and workings of the land esp. when you are not in your home country. Her defense saying that she is a Hindu and hence the so called Catholic laws shouldn’t be applied to her is like saying that I’m not a Shiv Sainik hence all shops and public transport should be open for me even though all have been forcibly closed down on account of Bal Thackeray's death.  

The doctors and the hospital in this case were under a tight situation where the only options were to choose between the deep sea and the devil. In either case they would be criticized and are to this day. This reminds me of situations in India where the doctor refuses to act because it’s a police case.

This case is a very complicated one with many angles and perceptions. Any action now cannot bring Savita back and lessen the pain of the bereaved family. What can and should be done is make the laws clear and humane. If that’s achieved we need not worry about saving another Savita, she would be in safe hands.

Ultimate Goal of Life

What is the ultimate goal of life…many of us would say the path of god or godliness is the ultimate goal. Yes they are true to some extent but this is not the entirety of Ultimate goal of life…before readers conclude about the theme of the story…I must say it’s certainly not about spirituality.

Before I move into the main theme I would like to ask few questions.
How would you explain the term belief in god or if I ask you whether you believe in god or not? what will be your answer?
Answer is quite simple …if you believe in god then it’s there if you don’t believe nothing can be done…it’s presence or absence is there within you…it’s often said if you go out to find god you would never find any trace of the almighty but if you search within yourself, one day you might meet feel the presence of the extreme power.

Now what is godliness? Where can you find godliness?
For onlookers there is no god as such but god resides in one’s goodwill which may also be referred to as godliness. Godliness or goodwill is not present in any temples, mosques or churches it’s there within us. But we seldom do identify such eternal bliss the reason being we never searched for the same. We are accustomed to find fault in others rather than finding the goodness in them as such we have all become corrupted souls, we don’t appreciate the goodness but we can promptly notice the faults…we are very good in analyzing other’s fault but when we would analyze ourselves we would realize no one is at a greater fault then we ourselves.…do you know the reason for this?
We have never analyzed ourselves…we may feel whatever we do or think it’s the best thing which can be done but the reality may be entirely different we never see things from others perspective. We are so engrossed in our own prospective that we seldom think about anything else…What is true to you may be false for the entire world. What is right for you may be wrong for everybody else.

Now what about those who don’t believe in god or godliness?
To make the presence of god felt to an atheist is like preaching young cub (baby tiger) to be vegetarian.  Similarly there are agonistics who will never come up to any conclusion about the existence of god as they require proof of everything to regard them as valid. To understand and believe the presence of god is to go beyond your understanding of citing anything through evidence or validation.
It’s something which can only be felt and not measured. You cannot measure the intensity of happiness or sadness…there’s no process or procedure to measure one’s emotion, belief or trust. Similarly godliness can never be measured. You can only preach what you feel.

Talking about preaching…There are people who claim to be the most worldly and godly. I am not neglecting their claims neither do I ask for any verification…my point is It’s not wise to condemn everyone and consider one to be the most proficient soul. You might know, a person who is knowledgeable will never show off his knowledge similarly a purist will never claim himself to be the best soul or with immense godliness.  He will always be humble and preach himself as if he is only a micron of the entire nucleus.  He will never call himself to be the ultimate supreme.

How would you preach ultimate supremacy?
Sometimes power (in terms monetary values) is considered as of ultimate supremacy. One is willing to forge everything for this…but goodwill doesn’t come with one’s monetary power. Both a billionaire and a beggar exits  from earth empty handed…they are not allowed to take either their money or pride or anything else… we don’t remember them as how rich they were but we remember them for how good/bad a person was during his lifetime. No one knows what happens after life…but what counts is how a person was during his/her life time.

It’s often said bad guys take away all the cream…and the good ones remains at mediocrity…you must be aware of the saying the path of godliness may be difficult, tiresome and time taking but one day you are bound to see sunshine at the end of the tunnel if you believe in the ultimate power…there may be delay but not darkness. Similarly the path of trickster may be short, trickster may achieve glory in short time but its proven fact, the path which is not backed by goodwill won’t be able hold its place for long and one day a trickster has to give up to godliness either peacefully or belligerently.

Everyone wants to be successful and that too overnight, in the process they forget goodwill and take the shortcut to success and thus end up in wrong quarters which may be momentarily fruitful but in the long run can only suffice for darkness and grimness… The path to godliness is very difficult…it will be probing and it will test both with your patience and quality of bearing hardship. You may face many failures during initial phases… but if you continue your path to godliness overcoming anything and everything you would achieve the ultimate goal of life…which is not being rich…not even successful…but the ultimate goal of life i.e. Salvation.

Now you know…the ultimate goal of life i.e. salvation doesn’t require you to become a priest or a saint.
It’s achieved by preaching goodwill…goodwill is not just the denotation of the dictionary meaning but the connotation of being good…it’s complete deviation from greed, jealousy, rage, lust & possession. It’s achieved by preaching Love, Peace, brotherhood and humanity.

Thus the mantra to salvation is:
If you really want to have greed, greed for alleviating people’s trouble.
If you really want to have jealousy, have jealousy to remove your own shortcomings.
If you really want to have rage, have rage for Turbulence.
If you really want to have lust, crave for people’s well being.
If you really want to have possession, have possession for preaching godliness (i.e., Love, Peace, brotherhood and humanity)

Salvation through Godliness is not just preaching the teachings of sacred verses or god it’s about preaching Love, Peace, brotherhood and humanity.

A farewell....A dream!!!

On the eve of the farewell of batch 2006-2010

Speaker: Now i would like to invite Anjan roy to speak something on how he feels on this auspicious day

anjan is nowhere in the scene...
all the lights were focused to the place where anjan was sitting.
a depleted,dejected person with his head down slowly stands up & comes to the stage.

Speaker: so how do you feel today? a day of your farewell.
anjan: I....I don't want farewell
Speaker: why?
anjan: i don't want farewell.i have just started enjoying my days out here.
Speaker:these are the norms of every college,you have to leave one day after you graduate.
anjan: but i have taken admission just 6 months back.
Speaker:anjan you are in final year now.after a weekend you will be having your 8th sem exams & then you will have to leave.
anjan:but i don't want to leave.
Speaker:it seems you are not mentally prepared for this day.anjan please take your farewell gift.
anjan:no i don't want to take it
Speaker:anjan please take that memento.
anjan:no...no...no....



Mother:wake up son,wake up. you are getting late.

anjan slowly opened his eyes

anjan:ah! it was a dream!
Mother: what?
anjan: a dream of the farewell!
Mother:2 years have passed since you have passed your engg.,you have completed your MBA.today is the first day of your job and you are still dreaming of that farewell?
anjan:mother you wont understand,the four years of engg.are something you cannot forget.

a remembrance of engg. life.

True Friends & Their Apartness

Something in life never change,
Some memories seem so strange,

Some people mean more then friendship to you,
Just their presence means a lot to you,

Some moments in life are not forgotten,
And they become memories for certain,

Sometimes in life you don't find reasons,
Some situations are out of one's vision,

Sometimes thing don't go the way you wish them to be seen,
Sometimes you smile even when you are broken and not keen,

Sometimes people in life are part of you,
And those people are always special and few,

Sometimes you have to sacrifice your friendship,
Just for the well being of your friend's fellowship,

When you let those people go,
Not necessarily because of one's ego,

You never loose them because,
They became the reason for every cause,

They never seem to part from you,
As you find them living within you...



True friends live within you even when they are no longer with you!!!

Past,Present and Future!!!

A person was sitting in his room thinking about the day....the day is special to him because today is the birthday of the person with whom he recently broke.
He was deep in his thoughts when he realized ....the three parts of his body heart,brain and soul where talking to each other.

Brain: What should i do today should i call her on her birthday,will she be angry on me?
Heart: I am still in my school days,i just surprised her by wishing birthday at midnight.

Soul interrupted..

Soul:Will you both stop arguing and let me enjoy birthday(year 2012) with her.


Imagination

jest:We all know Brain is supposed to be practical who believes in the present so here it is thinking about today
Heart is associated with emotions and feelings of the past so it's still in the past enjoying the best moments.
Soul is free to wonder,so it's in the future optimistic about a bright future.
thus it's one of the instance through which we can depict past,present and future at the same moment of time.

The analogy of life and a 2 wheeler vehicle

Life is like riding a 2 wheeler vehicle. You have to be in motion to keep balance.

The rear view mirror gives a view of the past; a past which is much closer than it appears; the spot we are at is the present, the road we see ahead is the future we can see at most while the part we can't is the future.

You go on the road you think is right battling dead-end's, detours and potholes..not forgetting speed breakers. All towards a destination.

Along the road you cross other riders, some riding in groups, some riding pillion, some riding by themselves, some to themselves and some for a reason.

Some ride with you, some choose to ride along side you, some race ahead and some lag behind.

You go too fast and you miss the view, too slow and impatience takes the better of you.

On the journey you come across days filled with sunshine, rain and the cold. And on some days you experience a mix.  

Writing - the way it should be

Writing need not be long essays or short phrases. Just a few lines straight from the heart that can make the reader feel like he has read something beautiful and the writer like he has expressed the inexpressible.

Life's A Stage

Every person who comes into your life has a part to play - either to teach you or to test you. So when they leave you its not they have done so intentionally or have forgotten you. Its just that they're part in your life is over. 

Book Review: The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi

I’m not much into novels that have a religious setting but I did pick this one as I decided to read it no matter what.

This is Ashwin Sanghi’s third novel, the previous being The Rozabal Line and Chanakya's Chant. Unfortunately I have only heard about them; The Krishna Key would probably make me read them.

Sticking to his genre Ashwin has once again proved that he has immense appetite for thrillers. I like the plot, the story, the narration and the script but one thing I don’t like (and that’s across all such reality based fictional thriller’s) is how incidents and facts and figures are stitched together to prove one’s point. For instance across the book you’ll realize how important the number 108 is and the book will not leave you till you’re convinced.

The book starts with a researcher friend Anil Varshney of the protagonist (Ravi Mohan Saini) who has found 4 seals during his exploration which tell you more about the Krishna you already know. It also gives the address of the Brahmastra (the most destructible weapon ever). Varshney sensing of a threat to his life distributes 3 of these seals amongst his close buddies while keeping 1 with himself. One evening while in his study Varshney is killed. The police have no clue of the killer other than a shlok in Sanskrit. The trace leads to Ravi (a professor by profession) who is accused of the crime. Trying to prove his innocence Ravi runs from the police to gather some evidence. Unfortunately the killer is a step ahead and kills all his friends who have the seal. Slowly Ravi beginning to make sense of the things whisking past him solves the mystery, thanks to his in-depth knowledge of Krishna and Sanskrit and love for crypts.

I would say the story is good, the writing brilliant. It keeps you on your toes and has enough of twists and turns to keep the interest going. But that’s only for someone who’s well versed in the Mahabharata and digs religious thrillers. For someone who’s not the book seems like a never ending curse. Since I fall in the latter I shall rate it 2/5. A good pass time but a bit only if you have immense of it.        

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

A Disciplined India

For a country like India discipline is a dire need, thanks to its burgeoning population, terrible infrastructure and law enforcement agencies.

Physics teaches us 2 quantities - vector and scalar. While both of them have magnitude there exists a major difference between them, that of direction. A vector has direction while a scalar doesn't  To me a perfect example of a scalar quantity is India. Yes, India.

I can’t help it. I am an Indian and my heart beats for India. It’s every success is mine, its every loss is heart wrenching. India may have been the cradle of civilization and the finest example of town and civic planning in early days but unfortunately today none of that is visible. Why is that a country known throughout the lands for its good suddenly finds itself wanting in all spheres of life? The answer is simple. The answer lies before our very own eyes and is not as complex as rocket science. A simple thing that we have forgotten the meaning of and probably even the spelling. And that’s discipline.

It’s this same discipline that allowed a puny country like Great Britain to conquer India. The same discipline that let them conquer almost all the countries of the world and build an empire so huge that the sun wouldn’t set there. The same discipline that let them hold the world captive for centuries. Leaving aside Britain, it’s the same discipline that differentiates us from any other developed country of this world. The same that differentiates an Indian and the rest of the people. The same that makes our head fall in shame when we are compared to the world.

No one can deny the talent we possess. Give us any situation and we shall be victorious. We have the magnitude but the discipline is missing. We care two hoots of road discipline and other rules. We drive like as if we own the roads, cutting lanes and honking to our own free will. We even don’t mind entering areas clearly marked as ‘No Entry’ or even drive in the opposite lane. We stop at traffic signals only when we are on the zebra crossing and slowly proceed and reach the middle of the forbidden area in the anticipation of the signal turning to green. We would overtake from any side just given a chance and even use the footpaths to reach earlier. Are we always like this? No. Place a cop and we undergo a surprise transformation. We suddenly become law abiding citizens and upgrade our driving skills to a level comparable to the best in the world. If you thought we are like this only in driving then think again. We treat our country like it’s a vast public latrine - spitting, throwing up paan, peeing and littering wherever we feel like. Do we do this everywhere; no, it’s a special treatment only for our country. If we go aboard we leave all these qualities behind. I wonder where our high level of education goes. Where does our civic sense and theories of Bharat Mata and Dharti Mata go is a big mystery. You tell us to stand in a line at a counter and all we understand is crowd up. Our lines move in all directions all approaching one single window. Simply said in India we follow only 1 thumb rule – find a place and fill it.

If you ask me how I would love to design the future then my answer is simple. Inculcate a sense of discipline in each of us. If that may involve a year or two of military training so be it. I’m ready to sign up for it right away. Make sure it’s taught and enforced in our schools and institutes of learning right at the grassroots level. Discipline does not mean punishment, after all punishment is useless unless lessons are learnt. Discipline is all about love, encouraging self-control, trust, self-control and obedience. Lastly Discipline is a journey. To inculcate good discipline we need to be good role models, after all what’s the use of only preaching and not practicing.  Though the changes will not be visible soon but in the long run it will surely show.

Through discipline we would learn to live as better individuals supervising ourselves. Our conduct wouldn’t be determined on whether we’re being watched or not. Our approach towards life would be better. For a country like India discipline is a dire need, thanks to its burgeoning population and terrible infrastructure and law enforcement agencies. It would also help in policy making where our MLA’s and MP’s would have a debate in the truest sense and not turn the Legislative Assembly or Parliament into a fish market. In fact we would need far lesser administrators – like during the times of the British and Portuguese one officer was in charge of an entire state.

So let us work towards achieving the most important thing for any profession or in any walk of life. Talent alone cannot guarantee success, mix it with discipline and you have a recipe for success. This country needs a sense of direction to move forward and discipline to propel us. After all you can’t be a superpower by being a scalar. It’s only a vector who becomes a victor!