Resmi Jaimon : Freelance Writer, Kochi : Kerala : India ; Book Ghostwriter

Book Review: The Bankster by Ravi Subrahmanian

2012-11-14T23:48:00.001+05:30

Title: The Bankster

Author: Ravi Subrahmanian

Publisher: Rupa

Interesting Storyline. Not very thrilling, but made me curious ‘what next?’ Or else how would I have managed to read over 320 pages in one-go, in around 5 hours? This was the second time I was reading a novel related to finance. Ravi has used simple terminology, which any lay man can understand. After all, the focus was on something that was happening behind the scenes and hence, the storyline was on attempting to solve the mystery.

Now, let us talk of the story. The novel begins with the trading of diamonds in Angola, moves to of the involvement of a man in Kerala and his stand on the Trikakulam nuclear reactor built in his area and finally, moves to a Mumbai based Great Boston Global Bank. The larger part of the story involves the Great Boston Global Bank and its employees. The trouble starts when some of the bank employees are found dead. Everyone looks at the cases as accidents, until clues begin emerging it could be otherwise.

Enter Karan Panjabi, a press reporter and an ex-GB2 banker, who puts the pieces together using his investigative mind to find the truth behind the killings and the scam.

Intially, I enjoyed reading the story related to the bank and what was happening there. The nuclear power plant seemed to be playing an out-of-the-role till I reached almost the end of the novel. The author could connect the parallel instances well into the story, and it is this part that forms the most surprising part of the story. If you have a detective mind and if you read carefully, you may be able to judge some of the people behind the scam. But, there were characters that surprised me, and kudos to the author to have kept the suspense. I couldn’t spot them until I read the entire story.

Although there is a good part of banking in the story, the author has taken care to carefully craft the story, to keep the reader hooked till the very end. This further makes sure every reader, irrespective of he is from financial or non-financial background enjoys the story. There are several sub plots. You may find them out of the storyline. However, on reading the entire story, you will understand the importance of these sub-plots.

The story will tell us how today many people take advantage of their career and go out of the way to make extra money. They don’t have feelings for family, friends or colleagues or towards their own country.

Being an ex-banker must have helped the author to a great extent to write this book and his other novels, that I believe too have stories relating to the banking sector. I can’t compare this novel with other stories from the same author as this is the first time I’m reading Ravi Subrahmanian’s book.

Finance, basically doesn’t fall in my interest, but a thriller does and it was an interesting experience to read a finance related thriller. A definite read, if you like thrillers.

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

Book Review: The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi

2012-09-29T20:00:00.002+05:30

Title: The Krishna Key
Author: Ashwin Sanghi

Publisher: Westland

Pages: 485

Price: Rs. 250

Summary: Thriller to reveal the hidden Krishna secret – The Krishna Key and a murder mystery

Dr. Anil Varshney, an archaeologist working in Kailbangan hands over one seal each to his research and academic friends for safe keeping. The four seals together should fit in to a base plate that contains the final clue to a hidden secret, referred to as ‘The Krishna Key.’ The base plate, he tells his friend, Dr Ravi Mohan Saini, a professor at St Stephen’s College in New Delhi, is locked away in a locker. Dr. Ravi Mohan Saini is the main signatory and will be contacted if anything happens to Dr.Anil Varshney.

Soon, Saini is held responsible for Dr. Varshney’s murder, as Saini was the last person to see Dr.Varshney alive. The cops have enough proof to convict Saini for Dr.Varshney’s murder. Saini’s doctoral student, Priya Ratnani with her leading criminal lawyer father’s help, creates opportunity to escape. Each time Saini is close to finding someone to vouch for his innocence, the person is killed and he becomes the prime suspect. A young man, Taraak Vakil believes he is the tenth avataar of Vishnu – Kalki. What or who makes him believe so? What is his mission? Will Saini be able to find the real killer and discover the secret of The Krishna Key? Will Priya and her father be able to give required assistance to Saini to find the killer?

The novel is fast paced, written in simple language and the author has put in great effort to link facts with fiction. He has researched well, though there are certain historical facts, I couldn’t personally agree with. The story, though very interesting, at times were overloaded with historical facts and mathematical calculations, as I felt it diverts attention from the centre theme of the story. The times I felt unreal was when Saini took good amount of time to explain the science and history to the people he met, while on the run and trying to prove his innocence. I was wondering if a real person would ever spent time on sharing his knowledge to peer or colleagues instead of trying to clear his name from the mess.

In certain chapters, I could relate to the Krishna storyline, given at the start of each chapter with the fiction. But, as I progressed and moved towards the end of the book, I felt I read enough of Mahabharata. It could be because I amn’t an enthusiastic history loving person although a reasonable amount of history is interesting.

To sum up, The Krishna Key is a good read, thrilling to find the real killer, the unexpected turns particularly in the mid-of the story and the surprising historic revelation – the secret to the Krishna Key. I managed to read 485 pages in three days because I couldn’t wait to know what’s happening next!

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

Update: May-September 2012

2012-09-18T23:57:00.001+05:30

The past several weeks has kept me busy. In July 2012, my daughter crossed her major milestone - the one-year mark. Till she was around tenth months old, it was easy to work. Now, she believes she can work - interview people and write features!

My writing slowed down for nearly two months, around April-May. I worked only for selected publications. I faced more of disappointments during the May-June period. A privately circulated magazine from a leading corporate group in India, took me for a ride and didn't pay me for the in-depth research based story I wrote on a short deadline. It took several weeks to get the editor to respond. Since I asked for a kill-fee, she has refused to respond again. Similar things happened with a couple of other magazines as well.

Beginning July, I am writing for two new publications and also for three other publications, I have been working earlier as well.

I wrote 4000+ words for my non-fiction book, I'm almost through the chapter titles, half-way through the chapter outline..it's slow, but happening. The book proposal is in progress. Earlier, I dreamt to write, and I did write around 500 words, but not more. Now, it is tough to find time between motherhood and household chores, apart from writing assignments etc; yet I am finding time to write what I feel close to my heart. I also wrote another 4000+ words for three different titles. Let us hope those projects too will see the light of the day, sometime in future.

It's time to get back to work. See you, friends, very soon.

Review: A guide to start a new business for $100 Startup

2012-08-28T17:30:00.004+05:30

I have switched to posting book reviews in my book review blog : http://bookandauthors.wordpress.com. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau is however, a book related to my work. Hence, I am posting a brief of the book here. Rest in the link provided after the brief.

Book Review Brief:

The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau (Pan Macmillan)

Price: Rs. 499

Summary: Tells you can change your job to change your life

The $100 Startup is largely for the people who already own a job and prefers to walk of the regular 9 to 5 job to work on something on your own. The book will help you brainstorm your ideas and learn how people come up with ideas expectedly or unexpectedly (due to circumstances) to venture out with a new mirco business. Chris Guillebeau focuses on two themes, 'Freedom' and 'Value' throughout the book. He shows you how you can turn your passion to profit, but not all hobbies can be converted to business or profit.

To read the entire book review, log on to http://bookandauthors.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/book-review-the-100-startup-by-chris-guillebeau/.

Book Review : The Devotion of Suspect X

2012-05-12T23:22:00.005+05:30

Title : The Devotion of Suspect X
Author: Keigo Higashino

Pages:378

Price: INR 350

The Devotion of Suspect X is a thriller novel, originally written by Keigo Higashino in Japanese in 2005.

I was thrilled to find a Japanese book's Indian edition for review at Blogadda. Since I love to read mysteries, I applied for the book review of The Devotion of Suspect X. Sadly, after reading the book, I couldn't understand how 2 million copies sold' mark is true, though I should admit the characters have been well framed, there is surprising element and there is a surprising twist at the end. It could be because the novel begins with unveiling of the murder, how and why it happens and the rest of the book is about the police chasing the criminal, whom we already know.

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to reading. An author can never satisfy all readers. It isn't necessary I like those books others like and rate as the best and vice-versa. Nevertheless, the novel will make an interesting read for those who want to find out how the police catch the murderer, the twists and turns, and there is plenty of mathematics, for those to love the thoughts of a mathematician genius (I skipped certain sentences of 'mathematics' part as I find the subject a bit dry).

The Plot:

The story begins with Ishigami, a mathematics teacher who has a huge crush on Yasuko, a middle-age divorced mother of a teeanger. Yasuko works at Benten-tei, the shop that makes boxed lunches. Ishigami is a frequent visitor at Benten-tei, to see Yasuko though he never shares his feelings for her. They are also next-door neighbors. One day, Shinji Togashi, Yasuko's ex-husband turns up at the shop and later, they meet at a restaurant, as Yasuko wants to hide the meeting from her teenage daughter, Misato. Yet Shinji Togashi turns up at Yasuko's doorstep later the same night, picks up a fight with Yasuko and he is killed by the mother-daughter duo. Ishigami comes to their rescue and help in covering up the murder. He orders the mother-daughter duo to strictly follow his instructions. At such instances, I wondered if Ishigami is trustable.

The soft-spoken detective Kusanagi and his assistant Kishitani begins investigating Shinji Togashi's murder after his body is found. Yukawa, a brilliant Physics Professor of Imperial University enters the scene. Yukawa and Kusanagi are friends and Yukawa often helps the investigator when an investigation comes to a dead end. The main turn in the story comes with the reunion of Ishigami and Yukawa, old college friends. Ishigami’s well-crafted plan begins to fall apart. I wouldn’t like to reveal more of the story and kill the suspense.

Keigo Higashino has a surprise element at the end, but it wasn’t strong enough to make me excited, like it does in several mystery novels. Several times, I felt the story is being dragged and it could have ended in fewer pages.

Pros:

What I appreciate the most about the novel is the simple language, good and interrupted flow and gradually, revealing the characters. You also get an insight into Japanese culture and words.

Cons:

Like I mentioned, story preferences differ from person to person. If I’m to list the cons, I would say, the murderer is revealed at the beginning of the novel. Hence, even though surprising turns can be found as the story progresses, it doesn’t thrill much to know ‘what happens next.’ (But, probably, this is what makes the novel a bestseller!)

Overall Rating:

Makes an interesting read for those who like to read any kind of mysteries, want to know how police can be misled if a genius is behind the murder or covering up the murder, how far a mathematician genius can go in covering up a crime and how another brilliant professor can help in revealing the crime. Good language and good flow (I liked the novel for these two reasons). Hats off to Keigo Higashino for attempting a different mystery plot.

Sign up for the Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers and get free books! Participate now!

Interview with Amitabha Bagchi, author

2012-04-20T20:44:00.001+05:30

Last week, I had an email interview with Amitabha Bagchi, author (The Householder and Above Average) and Assistant Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department of IIT Delhi. Read about The Householder and more at http://www.techgoss.com/Story/556S12-Bagchi--writer-of-exceptional-talent.aspx.

Pre-order The Householder at Flipkart and save Rs.100/-.

Book Review: LOSER: Life of a Software Engineer by Dipen Ambalia

2012-04-19T18:39:00.000+05:30

Long due; it's over two weeks since I posted Dipen Ambalia's LOSER: Life of a software engineer's review.

"The hilarious journey of IT industry begins here…

To know the life in IT, Dipen probably felt the need to educate the history of software world! Hence, the book starts with the theory of connection between outsourcing and Chirstopher Columbus, which is deeply hilarious. Dipen Ambalia takes a humorous ride through those who work in the IT field while giving comparisons with the non-IT’s or with arranged marriages in India or something else."

If you have read the book, I would like to hear your review! If you haven't, buy now : LOSER: Life of a Software Engineer.

Book Review: The Cavansite Conspiracy by Manjiri Prabhu

2012-03-25T23:20:00.000+05:30

The book review of 'The Cavansite Conspiracy' is already up in my book and author blog (http://bookdandauthors.wordpress.com/).

Title: The Cavansite Conspiracy
Author: Manjiri Prabhu
Pages: 261
Price: Rs. 195
Publisher: Rupa Publications

Excerpt from my review:

Being fond of making guesses each time I read a thriller, I made guesses here too, but except two characters, I couldn’t find the ‘real faces’ until I read the whole story. There were several surprising twists in the novel and the end was very unpredictable. The story, narrated in simple language and with a good flow, keeps the reader guessing until the end of the story. The romance too didn’t have unnecessary ‘masalas’. The romance in between the suspense kept the story exciting. The fast-paced story takes place within 48 hours and yet, Manjiri has done justice to the storyline and the characters.

A very well-written story, ‘The Cavansite Conspiracy’ will remain in my bookshelf forever and will return to read the story again and again, for entertainment and motivation (if ever I’m to write a thriller!!!) .

To read the entire review of 'The Cavansite Conspiracy' visit:

http://bookandauthors.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/book-review-the-cavansite-conspiracy-by-manjiri-prabhu/

Reading...books

2012-03-24T22:02:00.000+05:30

From mid-February to March, I spent more time on writing, often after my daughter goes to sleep as she keeps me busy during day hours. I also managed to find time to read books.

I have just finished reading The Cavansite Conspiracy by Manjiri Prabhu, a very thrilling story. I love thrillers and I couldn't stop reading once I began reading the story. The review will be on my book blog soon.

Now, I am reading Dipen Ambalia's LOSER: The Life of a Software Engineer. A very different kind of a book and I am enjoying his humor writing to the core. When I read with my baby in hand, she turns to look at my face as I can't stop laughing as I read through most of the pages. I interviewed Dipen recently for techgoss and it's his first interview! Since techgoss asked for the interview before the book was launched, I didn't have the opportunity to interview Dipen based on his work. Wish I'd read his book before I interviewed him... perhaps, next time and I'll have more questions for him. Wait for LOSER: The Life of a Software Engineer's book review too.

Happy reading!

PS: What are you reading now? Would like to hear your thoughts.

Book Review: Tea-20 - Perfect Companion for your teatime

2012-02-24T15:08:00.001+05:30

As you may already know, I launched a new blog for books and authors recently.

I just posted a new book review in the above mentioned blog 10 - Tea-20 - Perfect Companion for your teatime by Vinod Kumar S.

Book Review: Chicken Soup for The Indian Soul – Teens Talk Growing Up

2012-02-13T23:21:00.003+05:30

Title: Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul - Teens Talk Growing Up

Author :Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Aarti Katoch Pathak

Publisher: Westland Ltd.

Price : Rs.195

Chicken Soup for the Soul – has always been very close to my heart since I started writing during early 2000’s. I always dreamt to be published in the book and I was successfully able to sell stories to the Indian series of the book for 8 or 9 titles. Each titles brings smile to my lips and I wait eagerly to read the stories.

And here’s the latest – Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul – Teens Talk Growing Up!

Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul – Teens Talk Growing Up, is a perfect combination of 101 stories, and as the title says ‘inspiring stories about meeting challenges and learning from life.’

There are times you find a friend in the most unexpected person, or someone you hated so far. Teenage is a time of confusion or lack of self-confidence. However, with proper support, teens can go a long way in finding their vision and working towards it. Moreover, there are times when you think you fare better than the other and you can’t tolerate someone outgrowing your performance, be it in academics, sports and other creative pursuits.

Teen years result in never-ending stories and everyone – be it a commoner or a celebrity has a tale to recite about the joys and sorrows of teenage.

The book will also be of interest to parents of teenagers, who are now going through the tough time of being a teenager’s dad/mom. The book will definitely give hope and relaxation to teenagers and parents alike, to know they are not alone in this world at this most difficult and testing time of one’s life. And most importantly, you needn’t be a teenager or parent alone to read such heart-warming stories – Chicken Soup for the Soul series is a book for anyone. So, is Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul – Teens Talk Growing Up.

Like all the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, the 101 stories in the book follows the same format and style (very simple to read) and the stories have an Indian touch, that any Indian teenager can relate in his/her real life or heard and seen in a friend’s life. An interesting read, if you are looking to refresh yourself and reminisce your good old days of teenage or as a self-help book for the present teenagers. Teenagers will get inspiration and they may realise teenage is a transition phase which everyone goes through.

The anthology has stories categorized under the following seven sections:

Facing Challenges
Family Ties
Going Beyond Prejudice
In a Lighter Vein
Life is a Teacher
On Dreams and Passions
Teens Today

It is tough to make a choice of the best stories in the book. Yet, there are stories which you tend to remember for a longer time.

Do..or Die? is a touching story – a must read for parents and teenagers alike. The story stresses on the importance of not forcing your kids to score high marks. Big City Blues talks makes an interesting read about how with parents support a teenager can break the traditional norms of the family for her better future and pave the way for numerous others. Sometimes You Just Gotta Wrestle It Out is an inspiring story of Sushil Kumar (World Champion Wrestler) who fought through the odds in his early years to emerge a strong winner later.

President of India, Tears to Cheers, A Handicap No More and A Lesson He Taught are the stories of commoners that stood out from the rest. Celebrity stories - The CenterStage (Amrita Rao, actress), Sushmita Sen (actress) and Finding your Passion (Neeta Lulla, Fashion Stylist, Fashion & Costume designer) tells us there teenage was like others, but they made brilliant moves or stood by their passion to step ahead to be find their passion or career.

Probably, because I am a Chicken Soup for the Soul series fan and since I’ve read several of the series (Indian and foreign version), I couldn’t find flaws to point out.

As far as I am concerned, Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul – Teens Talk Growing Up charts my reading list and I hope, it would be so for you as well! It’s worth your time and money.

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

Blog Launch: A Window for Books & Authors

2012-01-30T09:09:00.000+05:30

Begin 2012, and I announce the launch of my new blog : A Window for Books & Authors. A long awaited dream is thus beginning to take shape. A Window for Books & Authors intends to review books, interview authors, publishers and literary agents.

I have interviewed authors and reviewed books in the previous years. For those interviews / book reviews I hold copyright, I'd be republishing in the new blog.

Call for Authors, Publishers, Literary Agents

I also take this opportunity to invite authors, publishers and literary agents to contact me at bookandauthors@gmail.com to discuss further regarding publishing interviews in the new blog and also reviewing books.

Nine years and still in love with writing!

2012-01-13T09:14:00.002+05:30

Nine years ago, till January 13, 6:30 am, I didn't know if my then dream would come true. I had even lost hope of turning my dream into reality. And past 6:30 am, I was delighted to see the main story of Metro Plus, The Hindu (Thiruvanthapuram edition). My first story was published - The Neo-Homework (by Resmi Shaji)!

The day marked my career destiny.. and now, 9 years later, working part-time; I've worked for over 80 publications, in print and online, in India and abroad. (Counting the supplements of The Hindu, the series of Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul and other publications, the number would exceed 90 publications!) This year, I celebrate the success with my husband, my 6-month old daughter, parents and my brother!

Formal education in creative writing begins...

For nearly 8 years, I never felt the desire for a formal education in creative writing or journalism.. but somehow the passion for studying further hit me in Oct 2010. Personal life made me postpone my studies further. In Nov 2011, I enrolled for 'Diploma in creative writing in english' (IGNOU). Waiting for the enrollment procedure to be over and books to arrive. I've no idea how much the course will benefit me, but I simply love to learn. I hope to do more courses, in the coming years.. And the mystery continues- whether I'd study or my daughter - who love to read newspaper every morning along with my husband or I and love to tear papers to bits!!!

And this year, I hopelessly hope to finish my first non-fiction book! (a long-cherished dream, I'd to keep postponing for varied reasons).

The year, 2011

2011-12-31T23:04:00.002+05:30

2011 was a very special year for my husband and I. Our daughter joined us in July 2011 and since then, our personal life has changed much.

Talking of professional life, I have had a long break in the year 2011. The last article I worked was in February 2011. I have just returned to work and submitted a business story for a leading portal, three weeks back (the story is scheduled to be published next week). Meanwhile, also worked on a couple of personal articles related to pregnancy and motherhood.

Over the next few months, I would prefer to stick on to selected assignments. And I would probably be working only on 3-4 assignments per month.

On another note, I have applied for a writing course, about which I would mention as soon as the admission procedure is over.

The book ideas I have had and I started working, will probably see light in 2012.

As of today (December 31, 2011), the number of blog visitors have crossed 9000! Looking forward to cross the five-figure (10,000) during the first quarter of 2012, considering on an average, even when not updating the blog, more than 450 visitors visit the blog. Frequent posts attracts more than 700 visitors per month!

Let me sign off for now and bid goodbye to 2011, while wishing all my readers a very happy and prosperous new year 2012. And a big thanks to all my readers, who reads my posts and keeps me inspired to maintain the blog!

Volvo Ocean Race - Kochi Stopover Blog

2011-11-09T13:22:00.003+05:30

Volvo Ocean Race - Kochi Stopover Blog is now open to all readers. For more than 1.5 years, it was available only to those who bought my report on volvo ocean race. You can view the blog at

http://kochi-volvo.blogspot.com/.

A Message for Prospective Clients

2011-11-01T20:19:00.003+05:30

It's time I put this note, a message for my prospective clients.

Yes, to Magazine Writing & Anthologies

I am yet to start working in full-swing and all that I can manage at the moment is magazine writing - ie; feature writing / interviews / travelogues. I can also handle such features for reputed portals / websites and personal stories for anthologies.

On a break from web content writing

Kindly note I am not accepting web content writing assignment at the moment, due to motherhood ( I need time to take care and play with my four-month old daughter!). I may take this up after sometime. When I do, I'll post a note here.

Contact Information

Whatever reason you are contacting me for, kindly make sure you contact me only via email : resmi.writer@gmail.com and do not call the mobile number given in the advertisement (on the top of this blog) (ie; of Rat Vanisher). Unfortunately, a number of people are calling my father, in the mobile no. provided in the advertisement. The number is strictly for contacting my father, especially for buying the rat repellent and not for writing purposes.

Published Clips: Tech Boss wins Snake Boat Race

2011-07-23T23:02:00.003+05:30

(Originally published in Techgoss at http://www.techgoss.com/Story/398S11-Tech-boss-wins-Snake-Boat-Race.aspx. Available as reprint, contact for pricing and other details. (Copyright @ Resmi Jaimon)

While the men and women who head India’s IT-ITES are often in the news for bagging big deals and the wins after the implementation of tech projects, few have the same success in the sporting field as well. Quadra Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd Chairman Joseph Philip recently captained the team which won India’s most popular boating event – the Snake Boat race at Alleppey, Kerala

Joseph Philip, whose company Quadra Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd is based in Bangalore & Cochin, always had a passion for boating. The Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race at Alleppey in Kerala is an annual competition. Each Chundan Vallam (snake boat) is up to 100 feet long and the race is held to commemorate the first visit of Prime Minister of India, Pandit Nehru, to Kerala in 1952.

Joseph Philip, 56, is a mechanical engineer from NIT Calicut and also holds a Master in Business Administration from CUSAT, Cochin.

Techgoss (TG): When and how did you get interested in boat racing? How did you learn the sport?
Joseph Philip (JP): I belong to Kumarakom (the infamous region of Kerala backwaters) and the boat race was a part of me right from my childhood and school days. In our village, during those days, inter school boat races were the main sports in the school. Other sports were not known or important there.

TG: What commitment in terms of time, effort and money was involved in winning this race?
JP: The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is the most prestigious such race, and all the Snake Boats participating clubs plan right after every race for the next year. It took one month of physical effort from our club’s organizers for the procurement and fine tuning of our Snake boat, selection of the rowers etc. We practiced thrice every day, covering similar distance of Alleppey race at our village back waters. The boat race was on August 14th and prior to that, we practiced for twenty days. All rowers were selected from the local fisher folks and every practice day, they are given food and money. Usually, the Captain of the team takes care of the expenses.

TG: Give us some details about your team including how many people were there in your team. Did the team have techies?
JP: The entire team is built in and around the Kumarakom Village. Most of them are fisher folks who catch from the Vembanad Lake. The rowers consisted of about ninety five including five Amaram and Seven Thalam. This sport may be the only one in the world with over ninety participants in a competing team. In addition to this, we needed to have substitutes of about fifteen and another team of fifteen for planning, administration and support. There were no techies other than me in this team.

TG: Apart from the 58th Nehru Trophy Snake boat race, have you been honored earlier in such races? In which other snake boat race events have you participated so far?
JP: As a Captain, this was the first year I participated in the Snake Boat race. This year, we participated in Champakulam, Kottayam and Kumarakom boat races other than the Nehru Trophy.

TG: What are the challenges you faced during a mega event like Nehru 58th Nehru Trophy Snake boat race?
JP: This year the competition was of a very high standard and most of the participants were practicing for a larger number of days and very seriously. The Quilon Jesus Boat Club were competing for their third victory. They practiced for over three months, including high altitude training at Munnar/Thekkady for few days. We had to beat them in the heats to participate in the final of the Nehru Trophy. In the final too, all the four Snake boats had a difference of only three seconds. There was less than fifteen feet difference between the first and the fourth place. With such stiff competition this year, winning the trophy was a great feeling.

TG: How do you find time for such sporting events in the middle of your busy schedule?
JP: My Company is currently managed by a team of professionals. I am not involved in the day to day management.

TG: Are you involved only in snake boat racing events or have interest and participate in other sports as well?
JP: I am also keen in yachting and participate on week ends.

TG: Are you participating in any sporting event in the near future?
JP: I am planning to participate in some ocean going yachting activities in the near future.

TG: What advice do you have for those who wish to participate in snake boat race events?
JP: Snake Boat race is one of the rare water sports events where over ninety persons synchronously row giving their best efforts to bring out the best results. This is the real team spirit and managing a winning team is really wonderful.

Published Clips: Salman Khan’s online academy a hit

2011-07-16T22:55:00.002+05:30

(Originally published at http://www.techgoss.com/Story/392S12-Salman-Khan-s-online-academy-a-hit.aspx on 28/7/2010) Available as reprint, contact for details. (Copyright @ Resmi Jaimon)

USA-based Salman Khan graduated from Harvard Business School and has had successful stints as a Technical Architect at Scient and as a Senior Product Manager at software giant Oracle. He has also held key roles in the VC sector. Salman is also an internet phenomenon having launched the online Khan Academy which is a not for profit online NGO that provides free education.

The Khan Academy describes its mission as ‘providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere. Salman has personally created more than 1600 free educational videos which are sometimes seen on YouTube as many as 70,000 times a day.

Salman Khan has walked away from a lucrative six figure income to spend his time helping to educate the world.

Techgoss (TG): Share with us your educational and professional background.
Salman Khan (SK): I have done my B.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT; B.S. Mathematics from MIT; M.Eng. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT and I did my MBA from Harvard Business School.

I have worked in product management at Oracle Corporation and have been involved in venture capital and engineering at MVC Capital. I was the senior analyst at Wohl Capital Management (hedge fund) for five years.

TG: Tell us about your NGO - Khan Academy.
SK: The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere. It is most known for a collection of 1600+ videos I created, which have been viewed over 17 million times (70,000 times a day). It is now the most used open education resource on the Internet. The mission is nothing short of creating a free, world-class virtual school for anyone in the world, which is now being built as an open source project (videos, self-paced exercises/assessment, and peer-to-peer instruction).

TG: You are an MBA from Harvard. How did you get the idea to post such educational videos on YouTube? Did you always have an inclination to do this kind of public service even when you were in college?
SK: My uncle's family visited me in Boston after my wedding in the summer of 2004. At some point during the trip, my Aunt told me that her daughter (my cousin) was having trouble with "unit conversion" which was not allowing her to be placed in the more advanced math track for seventh grade. Nadia was clearly a very bright girl, so I made a deal with her. I'd remotely tutor her for an hour after work as long as she was willing to do any extra work I gave her.

I began remotely tutoring Nadia in August of 2004. She was in New Orleans--where I also grew up-- so we used a telephone to talk and Yahoo Doodle as a shared notepad. Nadia ended up catching up and getting ahead of her class so I started tutoring her brothers, Arman and Ali, as well. Eventually, word got around and I was remotely tutoring and handful of cousins and family friends. Scheduling around my work, their soccer practice, and the different time zones became a little ridiculous, so I started to make YouTube videos for them to watch in their own time, at their own pace.

It didn't take long to see that other students (including adult learners) were hungry for videos like these so I kept going!

Even before I made the videos, I started writing simple Javascript problem generators so that my cousins would never run out of practice problems. I wanted to know when and how they were doing the problems, so I added a database to track usage. 70 modules and 10,000 lines of code later (much of which has made the software adaptive), it has morphed into the adaptive math program on our site.

I had always wanted to do something in education. I had thought in college that in would involve software primarily (software does and will play a big role). I didn't think back then that I could distribute my instruction so easily to so many people.

TG: By all accounts, you have a huge viewer ship. How much is it exactly?
SK: Over 17 million views to-date. 70,000 views per day. 200,000 unique users per month (growing 10% per month)

TG: What are the challenges you faced in the initial days and those you face today?
SK: Some people thought I was a bit crazy to spend my entire free time making YouTube videos. Now the main challenge is managing things so that I don’t get distracted away from making content.

TG: What do you think are the reasons that make your video lessons so popular?
SK: There are some obvious distinctions. With over 1100 videos, it is easily the most exhaustive collection of instruction on the Internet allowing learners to know that they can fill in almost any of their "gaps" with the content on this site. The content is made in digestible 10-20 minute chunks especially purposed for viewing on the computer as opposed to being a longer video of a conventional "physical" lecture. The conversational style of the videos is the tonal antithesis of what people traditionally associate with math and science instruction. The less obvious distinctions are, however, what make the site hard to reproduce.

I teach the way that I wish I were taught. The lectures are coming from me, an actual human being who is fascinated by the world around him. The concepts are conveyed, as I understand them, not as they are written in a textbook developed by an educational bureaucracy. Viewers know that it is the labor of love of one somewhat quirky and determined man who has a passion for learning and teaching. I don't think any corporate or governmental effort--regardless of how much money is thrown at the problem--can reproduce this.

A lot of my own educational experience was spent frustrated with how information was conveyed in textbooks and lectures. There would be connections in the subject matter that standard curricula would ignore despite the fact that they make the content easier to understand, enjoy, and RETAIN. I felt like fascinating and INTUITIVE concepts were almost intentionally being butchered into pages and pages of sleep-inducing text and monotonic, scripted lectures. I saw otherwise intelligent peers memorizing steps and formulas for the next exam without any sense of the intuition or big picture, only to forget everything within a matter of weeks. These videos are my expression of how the concepts should have been expressed in the first place, all while not compromising rigor or comprehensiveness.

TG: We would like to hear the secret behind making the venture successful and how you managed single handedly.
SK: I was happy with building something useful for friends and family. It was pretty clear that other people derived a lot of benefit from them. My joy came from as many people being empowered by the videos as possible so I didn't care about money. All I cared about was making the best possible videos.

TG: In June, arguably the world's geekiest website Slashdot wrote about your education program drive. Before that you have been profiled by CNN, PBS and other American media. Has life changed much now that media has started recognizing the wonderful work done by your not for profit NGO? What is it like to be such a success on the Internet?
SK: It is getting a little harder to have as much time as I would like to make videos or write software. Trying my best!

TG: Do you ever see a day when you can pursue all your passions full time?
SK: I went full-time in September 2009

TG: Tell us about the recognitions you have received so far (like 2009 Tech Award in Education) and how such recognition help you as a person and in going ahead with your project.
SK: Things like that let people know that the resource exists and allow for more people to benefit.

TG: Your mother is from India. What are your Indian connections? Do you get opportunities to visit the sub continent?
SK: I have visited twice. Once for work and once for a wedding. I watch more Bollywood movies than most people would suspect.

TG: Based on your current success, what do you dream of doing in future?
SK: Start physical Khan Academies that use the virtual content as its core.

Miscellaneous

2011-07-16T22:28:00.000+05:30

I had saved four posts, till August for automatic (scheduled) blog posts; but due to some error the first post scheduled on July 7th wasn't published. I was away for 10 days and noticed the error today.

I also would like to share the news of the birth of my daughter. She arrived on July 7th. I will be undertaking only selected assignment in the coming months, till I get adjusted to my new role of motherhood. As for blog posts, I would try to concentrate mostly on published clips to keep this blog lively.

New Section: Published Clips

2011-06-29T22:48:00.006+05:30

From next week, read selected published stories in this blog (scheduling stories to be published automatically). I'll be away from work for a while and meanwhile, hope my blog visitors will find these posts interesting and informative.

Double Success: Chicken Soup for the College Soul - Indian College Students

2011-06-13T23:35:00.001+05:30

In August 2010, I mentioned about selling stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul - Indian College Students. The book was published in April 2011 and today, we received our copies. A special moment of happiness, as in this title both my husband, Jaimon and I share a story each, titled 'A Project Journey from Scratch' and 'An Inspired Ride' respectively.

A Project Journey from Scratch is about my husband and his friend's hands-on-experience of his final year B.Tech project at TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala. An Inspired Ride is about how I learnt to ride Enfield bullet and took it as a challenge to ride the heavy bike, when I was 17.

This is the first time, my husband shared a story and feels good as we both share stories for the same title.

I hope you will enjoy both the stories.

Author Interview : Nikesh Rathi ; Book - Somewhere@Nowhere

2011-03-10T17:08:00.000+05:30

I read Somewhere@nowhere last month - a different kind of a book, especially if you like simple language and travel experience in the form of a story. Personally, I liked the travel narration part.

Nikesh Rathi's (author, Somewhere@Nowhere) interview appeared online in late February. Since then, it remains as one of the most read stories in the portal. Check out for yourself!

http://www.techgoss.com/Story/464S12-How-Somewhere-@-Nowhere-was-written.aspx

Book Review: Life Is What You Make IT by Preeti Shenoy

2011-03-07T21:23:00.000+05:30

The first book review, I wrote for Femina.in was published this evening. I have reviewed Preeti Shenoy's novel, "Life is what you make it it.' Review is published at http://buzz.femina.in/books/life-is-what-you-make-it.

PS: I'm currently reading another novel, and the novel's review will also appear in Femina.in.

Do you/have you worked in IT industry? Have a tech news lead?

2011-02-21T16:42:00.001+05:30

I am looking to hear from IT professionals or those in BPO/Telecom sectors, who has a story to share about themselves or have news leads related to IT industry.

It could be about an IT personnel who recently wrote a book, directed a movie, moved out of the IT industry to be a photographer or start a unique portal or service, about a unique IT conference, an IT professional who won an award, or any other, that has some connection with the IT industry. The person needn't be working in the IT sector even now - they could have worked in the industry, probably 4-5 years back too.

You can also send story leads / news leads of what's going on at your office / work premises - something interesting.

Most importantly, if you are sharing inside information, you can even remain anonymous.

Email me at resmi.writer@gmail.com.

Inviting authors to send book for review

2011-02-20T09:58:00.000+05:30

I finished reading Raksha Bharadia's 'All and nothing' sometime back and was about to post the review, when I forced to put it on hold as a couple of editors have shown interest in the review. If they don't publish the review, I would be posting the review in the blog or else will post links to the published review.

Today and tomorrow, I would be reading Preeti Shenoy's recently published "Life is what you make it."

Thanks to both of them, for sending a copy of their book to review.

Inviting authors : Send your book for review

I invite authors to send me book for review, which would be posted either in the blog or else pitch and sell book review / interview for suitable publications. For further details, reach me at resmi.writer@gmail.com.