Before I start to write further, I wish every one to have a look below two fabulous quotes on books…….
“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.”
~James Bryce
“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”
~Paul Sweeney
How true they are right? A good book is an ocean of knowledge, a true friend, a great philosopher or rather a trustworthy companion.
My intimate relationship with books started the very day when my father bought comics of….would you believe…Chacha Chaudhry by cartoonist Pran! I am sure some one must have giggled here. But that’s the truth….it was in 3 rd std and I read those comics voraciously…they were very funny but were a good start. Since then there was no looking back (ah finally I found the meaning of this phrase! Read a lot but never could put it in perspective).
From Chacha Chaudhry I graduated to…….Nagraaj, Doga, Super commando Druv???!!! Ok ok let me tell you all, my tryst with books began when I was in Indore and during that time trust me they were most sought comics and they were thrilling and interesting for the very fact that they were in Hindi. But they were good I must say, you still get those comics, grab then read you will know the worth. Ok now, further from there I graduated to Gokulam (a south Indian children magazine, equivalent to Chanda Mama & Tinkle). Then to our ever green Tinkle and to tell you the truth I still read Tinkle with same enthusiasm as I did before.
The Moment Of truth:
Yes then came this moment, the thought to grow up. I then jumped to Famous five, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. But somehow they just were a fad! I finally found my forte when once again my father got me books, the books with a strong reason, a reason to read more, kind of thirst for knowledge…..Over the period I have read a lot of books mostly non fiction.
I have from my experience or through my journey have listed top 10 books which someone must read and they are:
1. My Experiments with Truth By Mahatma Gandhi (please do read, it’s a fantastic book and very interesting too)
2. Freakonomics by Steven D Levitt (Economics was never so interesting especially in answering mundane questions beautifully).
3. Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell ( Great author and a great book, its all about human dynamics and sociology explained in a very easy language.)
4. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (Why are some people successful? Read to know and trust me you will be really surprised.)
5. What the dog saw by Malcolm Gladwell (Again an amazing book with repository of knowledge which will leave you speechless.)
6. Power of Simplicity by Jack Trout (a must read for all CEOs and budding ones too)
7. Seven habits of Highly effective people by Stephen Covey (Best book if you want a shot of inspiration)
8. Made in Japan by Akio Morita . (Know Japan from the eyes of the person who built the great electronics giant…..SONY)
9. Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat (a brilliant rib tickling book mocking our education system with sprinkles of masala a very good attempt indeed.)
These are some of the best books which I am sure will captivate you as you keep progressing each page, and yes the credit goes these smart authors. Especially Malcolm Gladwell.
Let me end this blog with a very funny and witty quote below……..happy reading
“Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.”
~P.J. O'Rourke
Friday, April 9, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
My brief account on Indore: The city where i lived and now the city that i visit.
Rushed and banged and huffed and reached Borivali station, thought I would miss the train. No, I wasn’t boarding our Virar or Churchgate local. I was in fact boarding Avantika express, going to Indore. The journey is 12 hrs and very comfortable overnight journey. However this was never a planned journey, neither was I running an errand for my firm or any personal reasons. I just wanted visit, just wanted that’s all. Decision taken, had to execute it.
Now what is this Indore connection?! Well, it’s definitely not my native place. Well then here I go… Indore is a place where my father was posted for 4 years and a place where I did my basic schooling (from 2nd till 6th STD). Those 4 years have been one of my best moments and really-not-so-good moments. Do not want to discuss much on that.
Now Indore is beautiful peaceful bustling city in Madhay Pradesh (for those of you who are weak in geography). It was the prime regions for Holkars or rather the center point of Holkar administration, the rulers who ruled it for many years. It has now transformed itself well, in tune with current ‘india rising’ phenomenon. It got its 1st mall known as Treasure islands 3 years ago, within 3 years you now have Central, Mangal City etc as major Malls. One will also find Macdonald’s outlets there and yes lots of apartments & multistory residential places, some thing which is new here and which shows that this city is growing too. This was not the Indore that I existed.
Indore in my time was very serene, simple town. But a self sufficient town. The only happening place was Rajwada, a fortress (of Holkar’s of course), surrounding which there was sprawling market and trust me a very vibrant, and to this date it still is. You will get everything, almost. Then there are lot temples, famous one being Kajrana Temple, of Lord Ganesha and couple of more, then you had and have Meghdoot gardens a simple but huge park, best for weekend family get together. However what makes Indore so special is the 3…the first being its people, trust me very genuine I must say, very helpful. Indore like Mumbai has mixed demographics, a complete mosaic representing almost whole of India. Even they have their typical Indore accent or dialect of Hindi which very much distinguishable. Then comes their houses! Yes, trust me Indore doesn’t have much of apartments, so naturally all are independent houses and when I say independent, you can run your imagination the way these people take their abode seriously. Magnificent is the word. Beautifully planned rich houses and its not something that only rich here do, even the well off middle class have their houses well built. Ahh then comes my favorite…Food, yes Indore is also a paradise for foodies, take my word for it. Once you are here, you should not miss Kanda Kachori ummmm so divine! Mung ki halwa, a sweet delicacy with generous helpings of ghee, if you are dieting then forget it. Then you have hot gulab jamuns the evergreen and then comes the quintessential snack of indore….Pohe! Yes one of the healthiest snacks available on the Indian platter and Indoreans know it the best. The hot pohe with generous servings of spicy sev is a perfect breakfast. There is a place here known as ‘Chappan Dukan’ which means 56 shops precisely. This is where you can taste the best delicacies of Indore. Once here do visit this place.
Indore also is well connected to other cities like Bhopal the capital, which takes 4 hours to reach. Then one should also visit Ujjain, a beautiful city of temples and spirituality and also the place where ‘Omkaleshwar’ the famous temple of Shiva is located.
I can keep on going further and further about Indore but I think in today’s internet age, you very can find out well. This is just my view, my raw account of Indore. Now let me end this so called travelogue with what future holds for Indore. Indore has all the ingredients to rise as one of the major metropolitan cities! The demographics here is same as that of Mumbai, a sample of whole India. The Indore development Authority (IDA) has taken proactive steps to make Indore closer to a good city, like doing away with conspicuous tempos! Now they were the indispensable quirky looking mode of transport for the people of Indore and replacing Nagar Sevas (mini buses, another mode of transports) with better sturdy and comfortable buses. Now Indore is well on the radar of the development, courtesy, its 3 cousins Mhow, Dewas and Nagda, which are complete industrial belts. And this proximity has given Indore a nitro in development. However one suggestion to IDA, please improve the roads…trust me, they are still pathetic!
Though I stayed there for 2 days, those 2 days were enough for bringing back all my memories and enriching me! Genuine people, great food, hassle free city is what Indore is today. I boarded same Avantika express for Mumbai, which leaves from there at 3.50 pm and reaches Mumbai (Borivali) in morning at sharp 6 am. Great, isn’t it? Best for office goers. But as I left Indore, one thought crossed me…. Indore is undergoing major changes interms of infrastructure, lifestyles etc. yes it as good but I hope it doesn’t threaten the delicate social fabric of this city. No another jam packed, suffocating, stressed city lost in the race of time. So, long as that is taken care of, rest assured Indore will win hearts of many.
Now what is this Indore connection?! Well, it’s definitely not my native place. Well then here I go… Indore is a place where my father was posted for 4 years and a place where I did my basic schooling (from 2nd till 6th STD). Those 4 years have been one of my best moments and really-not-so-good moments. Do not want to discuss much on that.
Now Indore is beautiful peaceful bustling city in Madhay Pradesh (for those of you who are weak in geography). It was the prime regions for Holkars or rather the center point of Holkar administration, the rulers who ruled it for many years. It has now transformed itself well, in tune with current ‘india rising’ phenomenon. It got its 1st mall known as Treasure islands 3 years ago, within 3 years you now have Central, Mangal City etc as major Malls. One will also find Macdonald’s outlets there and yes lots of apartments & multistory residential places, some thing which is new here and which shows that this city is growing too. This was not the Indore that I existed.
Indore in my time was very serene, simple town. But a self sufficient town. The only happening place was Rajwada, a fortress (of Holkar’s of course), surrounding which there was sprawling market and trust me a very vibrant, and to this date it still is. You will get everything, almost. Then there are lot temples, famous one being Kajrana Temple, of Lord Ganesha and couple of more, then you had and have Meghdoot gardens a simple but huge park, best for weekend family get together. However what makes Indore so special is the 3…the first being its people, trust me very genuine I must say, very helpful. Indore like Mumbai has mixed demographics, a complete mosaic representing almost whole of India. Even they have their typical Indore accent or dialect of Hindi which very much distinguishable. Then comes their houses! Yes, trust me Indore doesn’t have much of apartments, so naturally all are independent houses and when I say independent, you can run your imagination the way these people take their abode seriously. Magnificent is the word. Beautifully planned rich houses and its not something that only rich here do, even the well off middle class have their houses well built. Ahh then comes my favorite…Food, yes Indore is also a paradise for foodies, take my word for it. Once you are here, you should not miss Kanda Kachori ummmm so divine! Mung ki halwa, a sweet delicacy with generous helpings of ghee, if you are dieting then forget it. Then you have hot gulab jamuns the evergreen and then comes the quintessential snack of indore….Pohe! Yes one of the healthiest snacks available on the Indian platter and Indoreans know it the best. The hot pohe with generous servings of spicy sev is a perfect breakfast. There is a place here known as ‘Chappan Dukan’ which means 56 shops precisely. This is where you can taste the best delicacies of Indore. Once here do visit this place.
Indore also is well connected to other cities like Bhopal the capital, which takes 4 hours to reach. Then one should also visit Ujjain, a beautiful city of temples and spirituality and also the place where ‘Omkaleshwar’ the famous temple of Shiva is located.
I can keep on going further and further about Indore but I think in today’s internet age, you very can find out well. This is just my view, my raw account of Indore. Now let me end this so called travelogue with what future holds for Indore. Indore has all the ingredients to rise as one of the major metropolitan cities! The demographics here is same as that of Mumbai, a sample of whole India. The Indore development Authority (IDA) has taken proactive steps to make Indore closer to a good city, like doing away with conspicuous tempos! Now they were the indispensable quirky looking mode of transport for the people of Indore and replacing Nagar Sevas (mini buses, another mode of transports) with better sturdy and comfortable buses. Now Indore is well on the radar of the development, courtesy, its 3 cousins Mhow, Dewas and Nagda, which are complete industrial belts. And this proximity has given Indore a nitro in development. However one suggestion to IDA, please improve the roads…trust me, they are still pathetic!
Though I stayed there for 2 days, those 2 days were enough for bringing back all my memories and enriching me! Genuine people, great food, hassle free city is what Indore is today. I boarded same Avantika express for Mumbai, which leaves from there at 3.50 pm and reaches Mumbai (Borivali) in morning at sharp 6 am. Great, isn’t it? Best for office goers. But as I left Indore, one thought crossed me…. Indore is undergoing major changes interms of infrastructure, lifestyles etc. yes it as good but I hope it doesn’t threaten the delicate social fabric of this city. No another jam packed, suffocating, stressed city lost in the race of time. So, long as that is taken care of, rest assured Indore will win hearts of many.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Paradox in its own, a metaphor on platter: the other platform (of mumbai railways)
Every mumbaite must have definately travelled by train at least once in his life time (i may be exaggerating a bit). And now this for those who frequently travel by train.........
A typical mumbai station has one platform for to & fro destinations, bustling full of activities, people aligting and boarding, while some catching quick bites at nearby food stalls and then there are vendors catching on their business. And this is where you witness the typical cosmopolitan spirit of mumbai. A rich fabric of class and society intertwined in the maze of time transcending class creed gender etc. It is said that average time a train stops in any staion is 28 seconds! just 28 seconds and within that time a for someone it is the destination and for other it is the start of journey! All one has to do is to sit down watch, watch fast paced life of mumbai, experience the pressure, the anxiety, the rush of competition and yet a solace from a stranger.
But havent we all glanced at the other side..ok i mean the other platform... which acts as complete stranger to this speed of city life! no food stalls, no paper marts, no vendors, no passengers! the impression here is not spooky but a very naive, quite place where the only movement is a fast train zooming and thats all. here the time seems to have taken rest! Exactly thats the feeling that you get. Peace actually prevails here!
And this is the shelter for those who dont have one! Also this where you will people from diffrents walks of life sit, relax, introspect, stare (god knows what?). For some this is perfect place to sit royally and feast on their home made lunch, you may find students studying and discussing, and yes even sales men discussing their day.
For them, the rat race, the pressure of urban civilization is absolutely oblivious! As if there is no urgency! At least for this moment as long as they are in shady cool zone of peace, this platform.
What i thought as a waste of public money once (how else would you think about a platform which has no train stopping and nothing happening much and why would goverment build such platforms in almost all stations?) is no more for me!
I look at this side and wonder, what a paradox that this place exhibits! On one side you can actually feel the pulse of city, the city on speedway and then on the other side on this lonely platform you find a complete opposite avataar! this so called 'zone of peace'!
Indeed this platfrom is a metaphor, a metaphor offering everyone one advice..............to decelerate......apply gentle brakes on their supersonic life.....and halt......introspect, acknowledge the peace, the humbleness the beautiful moments of our life shared alone or with our family & friends, so that now and then we know our purpose and that is to spread happiness and peace. let us not become a victim of this treadmill of life!
A typical mumbai station has one platform for to & fro destinations, bustling full of activities, people aligting and boarding, while some catching quick bites at nearby food stalls and then there are vendors catching on their business. And this is where you witness the typical cosmopolitan spirit of mumbai. A rich fabric of class and society intertwined in the maze of time transcending class creed gender etc. It is said that average time a train stops in any staion is 28 seconds! just 28 seconds and within that time a for someone it is the destination and for other it is the start of journey! All one has to do is to sit down watch, watch fast paced life of mumbai, experience the pressure, the anxiety, the rush of competition and yet a solace from a stranger.
But havent we all glanced at the other side..ok i mean the other platform... which acts as complete stranger to this speed of city life! no food stalls, no paper marts, no vendors, no passengers! the impression here is not spooky but a very naive, quite place where the only movement is a fast train zooming and thats all. here the time seems to have taken rest! Exactly thats the feeling that you get. Peace actually prevails here!
And this is the shelter for those who dont have one! Also this where you will people from diffrents walks of life sit, relax, introspect, stare (god knows what?). For some this is perfect place to sit royally and feast on their home made lunch, you may find students studying and discussing, and yes even sales men discussing their day.
For them, the rat race, the pressure of urban civilization is absolutely oblivious! As if there is no urgency! At least for this moment as long as they are in shady cool zone of peace, this platform.
What i thought as a waste of public money once (how else would you think about a platform which has no train stopping and nothing happening much and why would goverment build such platforms in almost all stations?) is no more for me!
I look at this side and wonder, what a paradox that this place exhibits! On one side you can actually feel the pulse of city, the city on speedway and then on the other side on this lonely platform you find a complete opposite avataar! this so called 'zone of peace'!
Indeed this platfrom is a metaphor, a metaphor offering everyone one advice..............to decelerate......apply gentle brakes on their supersonic life.....and halt......introspect, acknowledge the peace, the humbleness the beautiful moments of our life shared alone or with our family & friends, so that now and then we know our purpose and that is to spread happiness and peace. let us not become a victim of this treadmill of life!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
WALL E: MOST TOUCHED ANIMATED MOVIE!
This oscar winner is definately a must watch for any movie buff....with a penchant for serious content. This not just any other animated movie, this is perhaps a movie transcends all imagination and creativity and just touches through the soul of the viewer.
Kudos to producers (disney & pixar) and director (mr.andrew stanton) for bringing in such magnificient movie!
Kudos to producers (disney & pixar) and director (mr.andrew stanton) for bringing in such magnificient movie!
The plot is very futuristic yet very simple, our planet earth is no more than but a huge ball of trash and we humans have abandoned it for a spaceship which i call 'heaven', its actually is heaven coz the life there is just too comfortable that man loses his identity! His existence is but a mere joyride with a time bomb attached! (maybe you will figure out what i mean when you watch this movie).
And then on our very earth you find this cute robot Wall E whose work is to process the trash but he is not just any other robot, hes one with a......heart! Then comes a probe/robot on earth (a cute one indeed) named EVA, whose mission is to find life on earth and then bring a proof so that the spaceship returns to earth. Now he (Wall E) falls in love with EVA and then starts his pursuit to win her heart and the journey of will, love and humanity.
Trust me a brilliant execution by animation team (of course its from disney.pixar stable), great screen play and a great movie oh a great animated movie...with a strong story! However i would give one word that you should have patience to watch this movie then you will enjoy it for sure!
My advice: rent a dvd of WALL E, on a weekend evening with a can of coke and some nice hot somose or hot maggi and enjoy the movie!
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