A Few Words

Private India

2014-11-17T10:32:00.002+05:30

In Mumbai, seemingly unconnected people are dying, strangled in a chilling ritual and with strange objects carefully arranged with the corpses.

For Santosh Wagh, head of private India, the Mumbai branch of the world’s finest investigation agency, it’s a race against time to stop the killer striking again.

In a city of over thirteen million, he’d have his work cut out at the best of times, but this case has him battling Mumbai’s biggest ganglord and a godman who isn’t all he seems.

And then he discovers there may be an even greater danger facing private India. Hidden in the shadows, someone who could destroy the whole organization – along with thousands of innocent Mumbai citizens.

Raumali Says:

I have always been a fan of mystery novels, so couldn’t resist when Blogadda gave the opportunity to review one. I have read Ashwin Sanghi’s novels before and have liked them. James Patterson, is altogether a new author for me. So before I read this book, I decided to do some research first. What I found was Private series is a collaboration between Patterson and different authors around the globe. So for Private India, Patterson decided to collaborate with Ashwin Sanghi.

The sheer thrill of reading a murder and mystery keeps me hooked. I remember my school days when I used to sneak a Dan Brown or Agatha Christie novel inside one of my study books in class. I continued that in college too, sitting in the last bench with a nice book while the teacher rattled away. Well, my book reading has taken a back stand since I have entered the corporate field. But my hands started itching when I found Blogadda is giving away mystery books for review. I have read Sanghi’s books before and have reviewed them for Blogadda too. They weren’t spine chilling but were not bad either. So, I was disappointed when this book didn’t meet my expectations. The book made me feel lost. There was no cohesiveness in the characters, and the plot was more or less predictable. It took me a lot of motivation and quite a few mails from Blogadda for me to finish reading this book. (I would have done it if my manager promised me a bonus for reading this book). The font was huge which was a real dampener. The end was disappointing.

Writing is a creative job. The authors make stories in their head and pen them down in such a way so people would read it. Hence I am not very fond of doing a bad review, because it will be like criticizing the way they do their work. I do have some good to tell about this book too.

I read Indian authors because they make me feel connected. The language, the story, the culture, everything is my own. Sanghi’s penchant for mythology comes through some Indian festivals in the plot. The books opens with the murder of a Thai doctor in a Mumbai hotel. It’s a serial killer who places some token of his presence beside each of the dead bodies.

Santosh Wagh, and ex-policeman, who heads private India, and also the protagonist of this tale, gets in charge of this case. Wagh is a compelling if somewhat pitiable character with a troubled past. Wagh has a sharp mind and impeccable powers of reasoning. He also has an inexhaustible fund of trivia that helps him solve mysteries.

The characterization was very precise. The thing I liked most was there were alternate chapters on the murder and something else.

Overall, it’s a okay read. You can go for it, if you have time to spare.

Rating – 3/5

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

RAMAYANA: THE GAME OF LIFE – RISE OF THE SUN PRINCE

2014-08-19T10:48:00.001+05:30

TITLE: Ramayana: The Game of Life – Rise Of The Sun Prince

AUTHOR: Shubha Vilas

PUBLISHER: Jaico Books

ISBN: 978-81-8495-530-9

GENRE: Folklore/Fantasy

PAGES: 252

SOURCE: BlogAdda

RATING: 4.5/5

BACKCOVER SAYS:

Epics like the Ramayana have been recounted infinite times. Is there a need for another chronicle in the presence of so many? How is this one different? And is it relevant to our ever changing modern lives?

Yes, there is a need; yes, this is different; and yes, it is most relevant! This new series of books, each following one volume of the original Ramayana, decodes the eternal wisdom of that poetic scripture through gripping narrative and thought-provoking instruction. In the time-honoured custom of spreading wisdom through tales, every fascinating story in the epic is retold here and every character unfolded to captivate your heart and open your mind to life’s deepest questions.

The narrative closely follows Valmiki’s Ramayana, gently weaving in folk tales as well as the beautiful analogies of the Kamba Ramayana. The first of this six-volume series, Rise of the Sun Prince, takes you through the divine story of Lord Rama from His birth upto his marriage.

Through these pages are revealed the tales of Dasaratha’s leadership, Vishwamitra’s quest for power and the intriguing story of a little-known stone maiden, Ramayana: The Game of Life has all of this and much more- food for contemporary thought drawn from an enduring masterpiece.

RAUMALI’S VIEWS:

I am always been a huge fan of Indian mythology and this book has become one of my favourites.

The Rise of the Sun Prince by Shubha Vilas is essentially the part one (Bala Kanda) of the Indian scripture Ramayana as written by the sage Valmiki, mixed with a few anecdotes and embellishmens from the Kamba Ramayana (another version of the sacred text).

The book is simple yet elaborate, the story is decomposed just enough for the casual reader to understand and yet it is sophisticated enough to prevent itself from being turned into another soulless recital.

The saga of Ramayana was written by Valmiki and the current volume – The Rise of the Sun Prince takes its readers through the birth and pre-birth era of Rama to the marriage of Lord Rama with Sita.

The book tells the purpose of Ramayana in a very simplified manner.

The book is written very simply yet the narration is very exciting and perfect. Shubha Vilas has led us through various aspects of Lord Rama’s birth, his journey with Lakshmana and Vishwamitra and his respect for elders. Through these pages, the tales of Dasarathas leadership, Vishwamitras quest for power and the intriguing story of a little known stone maiden are revealed.

Shubha Vilas has beautifully penned down the mythological story of Ramayana and lucidly described the various characters.

Overall this book is a good read. I would definitely recommend this book.

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

The Hunt For kohinoor - Book Review

2014-02-26T19:18:00.001+05:30

TITLE: THE HUNT FOR KOHINOOR

AUTHOR: MANREET SODHI SOMESHWAR

PUBLISHER: WESTLAND LTD.

ISBN: 978-93-83260-60-7

GENRE: FICTION/THRILLER

PAGES: 425

SOURCE: WESTLAND

RATING: 4.5/5

BACK COVER SAYS: A spine-chilling ninety-six hour hunt through the world's most dangerous terrain where history collides with gunfire – will Mehrunisa get out of this one alive?

One morning on her way to work, Mehrunisa gets a call that will change her life forever. The truth about her missing father is at her fingertips – but it will take her on the most desperate chase of her lifetime.

A chase that will pit her against hardened jihadis plotting the deadliest terror attack on India, that will test her mettle against history's deep secrets, that will teach her that the price of love can mean bloodied hands...

The Hunt For Kohinoor hurtles from icy Kashmir to snow-clad Hindukush, from the sinister corridors of a military hospital to the warrens of Peshawar, even as the clock counts down to the impending catastrophe.

RAUMALI'S VIEWS:

Thanks to Westland Ltd. For giving me the opportunity to review this book. I must say this was the fastest 425 pages book I ever read- took me around 3 hours. The description is very simple yet crisp and vivid. I could feel the events unfolding in front of my eyes as I kept turning the pages.

This is the first book of Manreet Sodhi Someshwar I have read and I am really amazed by the amount of research she puts into her work. The book was a sweet and sour experience for me. Sour, because I have read a lot of thrillers before and I didn't feel completely satisfied with this one. It was kind of a 99 out of 100 for me. Sweet because I am always a fan of Indian authors' book and this one kept me hooked to it for an entire 3 hours until I finished it. I really loved the narration, the plot and was amazed by the hard work

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar has put into it.

The Hunt For Kohinoor is the book two of the thriller series featuring Mehrunisa Khosa. The first book of the series is The Taj Conspiracy. The story begins with parallel tracks featuring the lives of the protagonists of the tale and later it is shown how it all combines as one. The story revolves around Mehrunisa's ninety-six hour chase through India, Pakistan and the AFPAK border with her own life, people she loves, and thousands of more at stake.

This is a different kind of thriller than what I have read before. The characterization is very real specially the transformation of Mehrunisa from a historian to a spy on a special mission of national importance. It is deftly shown in the book how Mehrunisa is used for national security. I really loved the fact that the theme of the book didn't deviate from a thriller to a love story even though I thought it might be.

The book is a light read, and the suspense is intriguing. I can definitely say this is one more book which increases my love for Indian Authors. I would definitely recommend this book to all.

The Other Side of Me- Part 2

2013-11-19T23:06:00.000+05:30

Read Part 1 first...

I landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport today morning at 8. It was a bit chilly outside the airport. I tightened the scarf around my neck, and extended my left hand out to stop the next cab.

-“Delhi Institute of Engineering”, I told the driver with an inquisitive eye.

Before getting into the car, I felt my left pocket to see if the pepper spray was in place and easily accessible if required.

Priya knows about my yearly visits to Delhi, though I have never talked to Nitin or anyone else about these before. I remembered that I had forgotten to mention Priya about my visit this year, though I knew she couldn’t be any less supportive. The last time I saw her was when I stormed out on her four days ago. I made a mental note to patch things up with her once I got back. After all, she was another half of me. We were like peas in a pod, two bodies but one soul.

The cab stopped in front of the institute main gate. I paid the driver the fare, gave him a little tip and said him thank you. I took my bag pack over my shoulder and took a little sip from my water bottle and placed it back in the side compartment of the bag. I looked at the signboard on top of the main gate, took a deep breath , and placed my foot inside.

Ten minutes later, I stood leaning at the gate of the cafeteria, my eyes on the table at the farthest corner. He was sitting there, as usual alone with his Kulhar of hot Chai on the table. As usual he was just staring at it, biting his lips, deep in thought. Few seconds later, he looked up and I realised he had spotted me. He waved his hand.

-“Hey”, I doubt whether my voice had reached till there, I could barely hear myself. My lips were pressed tight.

He got up from his chair and slowly came towards me. After staring a few seconds at me, he hugged me. It was a strong but gentle hug. I felt a chill down my spine. I hugged him tight and closed my eyes. Well, just looking at him brings back a vast array of memories. George is the only person who knows me best, even more than Priya or Nitin does. He is the only person, who knows who I really am and I can be completely myself with him.

-“So, you still are in Delhi?” I asked him, my right hand on his left bicep, my voice now barely a whisper. I asked him, though I knew the answer.

-“My brother is here.” He said. I could feel the pain in his voice. He held my left hand tight.

-“You know you don’t have to do this.” I was staring at our hands, tightly held together. I couldn’t make up the courage to look at his eyes.

-“I do. My brother is here. Even though I am only a minute older than Tom is, still that makes me the older sibling. I need to take care of him.” His voice was much louder now.

-“No you don’t. You need to get out of here and get a life.” I could feel my eyes welling up.

-“If you think so, why do you keep coming back here?” I could feel his eyes on me now.

I freed my hand from his. Taking a deep breath in, I said, “This is my place. This city, this college, this place and I have a history. I left my soul here”

The conversation was going nowhere

-“Shall we go?”George asked.

I nodded.

He put his hand gently on my shoulder as we walked till the main gate in silence. His car was parked there. He held open the passenger door for me.

-“Thanks”, I said as I got inside.

In a few minutes we were on the highway. It was chilly outside but I still didn’t feel like closing my side of the window. I wanted to look outside and take in as much of the sight, as much of the air outside.

As the forests on the side started getting denser, I could feel my hand on his left hand which was controlling the gear. My grip was getting tighter. Tears started coming in my eyes as I looked outside.

_____________________________________________________________

Eight Years earlier... 19^th November

-“You know you are a pretty romantic boyfriend. Giving your girl the first ride in your car”, I smiled; my teeth all out as I looked at him driving calmly.

-“Yeah, a special girl like mine deserves some royal treatment.”

I folded my arms around his left arm and placed my head on his shoulder.

It was 10 pm and we were returning after watching Pride and Prejudice. I remember every little detail of the night very clearly.

-“You know I envy you. You are so lucky, getting a car from your parents on your birthday” I sneered at him romantically.

-“Well, my brother and I are supposed to share it. And it’s more like getting into college gift rather than a birthday gift. My parents always thought we were not even smart enough to become waiters” He laughed loudly.

I loved that childish laugh on his face.

As we neared the highway, we saw a police checking post far ahead. My hands froze. I am personally not very fond of the police. He must have sensed my dilemma.

-“You ok?” He asked, concerned.

-“I am not particularly very fond of the police. Wherever they go, problems follow them.”

-“You are making me laugh. Don’t worry. Must be some regular check for drunk driving.” He gave a pat on my hand.

I wasn’t sure. As we neared, a policeman signalled us to pullover.

As we stopped he came from behind and knocked on the window glass with his stick. Tom pulled his window down.

-“Girlfriend, Eh? You two where going at this time of the night? Doing hanky panky eh?” The policeman said, leering at me. His mouth stinked.

-“Sir, this is my wife, and Dhanaraj Sharma is my father-in-law. If you want you can talk to him right now”, Tom said in a bold voice as he scrolled through the contact list through his phone. I doubted whether we did really pass off as a married couple.

Whatever he said, had done its job. The policeman became stiff. “No sir, why disturb big sir at this time of the night? We do some routine checks sir, drunk driving kids, you see sir. Not safe here. You and madam go sir. Sorry sir, for disturbing ”, he blabbered with a smile on his face. I hate that smile.

As we crossed the checking post, We both burst out laughing. I couldn’t control my laughter.

-“Who the hell is Dhanaraj Sharma and how do you know him” I asked Tom.

-“Well he is your dad and since I married you, I know him.” He laughed his patented childish laugh.

I slapped him on his hand, there was a big smile on my face. “No, I mean for real.”

-“Stupid, he is the director of our college. As far as why that guy was scared of him, I have no idea.”

And we both again burst out laughing. We were on the highway now. As the forests started getting denser, I could hear a screeching sound.

-“What’s that?” I looked at Tom.

-“I don’t know, never heard that before”

Five hundred meters further, our car jerked and stopped suddenly.

-“What happened?” It was getting late and I was worried.

-“Lemme check” Tom said and got out of the car. I went out behind him.

It was getting colder and I could hear some voices nearby, so I told him to hurry up. Tom was handling a car for the first time, so he couldn’t make out what the problem was. The voices were getting closer.

-“Maybe we should see who is coming and ask them for help” Tom said.

-“Okay” I was reluctant and a little scared too.

They were a group of seven men, with bottles in their hand, which I presumed was alcohol.

-“Hey, can you guys help us. There seems to be some problem with the car”, Tom asked one of the guys though I wished he didn’t. They didn’t look like the ones you could trust.

-“Sure buddy!” The biggest one of them said while pushing Tom aside.

-“Hey!” Tom really gets angry at such bad manners.

My breathing stopped as I could feel the other guys looking at me with hungry eyes, leering at my breasts.

-“What buddy you said something?” They big guy said and taking a big gulp from his bottle threw it aside.

The bottle landed with a crash on the road. “Look, boys, this guy wants to say something,” He said with a mocking laugh. Tom had sensed the danger at this point, but it was too late.

Three of the guys came towards me, with eyes like a prey, hungry. They stinked. I wanted to run, but my feet were frozen to the spot. I tried shouting but one of them already had his hand on my mouth.

-“Hey you!” Tom was really angry now. He tried to come and save me from the grip of those savages but there other men had stopped him midway and was shoving him away. I was desperately trying to shout.

They all came over me. I tried to free myself. But they were strong. I could feel my clothes being stripped off. Someone grasped my breasts. It hurt. I didn’t know how many they were. I could hear Tom’s voice in the distance. I tried to fight. But they had pinned me to the ground. They were cowering over me. They were hurting me. I was scared. It was cold, it was painful. I wanted it to stop. It seemed like eternity. I passed out.

I opened my eyes. I could see no one

I was cold. I was in pain.

I wanted to shout. I couldn’t

I wanted to move. I couldn’t.

I passed out again.

I opened my eyes. I could see someone. No, I couldn’t.

I was cold. I was numb. I couldn’t feel the pain anymore.

I wanted to shout. I couldn’t

I wanted to move. I couldn’t.

I was dying

I opened my eyes.

I was warm.

I could see people in white around me. Then I couldn’t see.

Maybe this was heaven.

I closed my eyes.

I woke up. There was a girl wearing a white uniform standing beside me. She told me she was a nurse and that I was ok. She told me to sleep. I slept.

I opened my eyes. Now I was awake. I could see Tom standing beside me. I tried to speak, I still couldn’t. I wanted to smile at him. I didn’t know whether I did or not. Then I realised it was George. They looked alike, they were twins. Only very close friends can tell the difference. There were friends, and doctors, and police.

A smiling lady doctor came up to me and sat beside me. She asked me how I was feeling. I tried to nod.

-“You were raped. Some people found you and brought you here a week back. You were being assaulted using sharp and blunt objects. Your uterus and intestines were affected. You were suffering from sepsis. We had to operate on you thrice. We are sorry, but we had to remove your uterus to save your life.”

I nodded. I didn’t want to hear anymore.

______________________________________________________________

George shook me out of my thoughts. “We have reached.”

I could feel my eyes wet as I looked from the glass. I didn’t want to get out of the car.

-“Aditi”, George placed his hand on my shoulder.

I got out of the car. We went inside the cemetry.

I kneeled down and placed the flowers on Tom’s grave.

--------------------------------THE END-----------------------------------------

The Other Side of Me- Part 1

2013-11-15T00:43:00.003+05:30

“So finally! You are getting married.” Priya gasped, her eyes opened up wide and glittered as she twirled the diamond ring in my finger.

“Yeah”, I nodded at her, smiling.

“That’s a pretty rock”, she grinned, still fingering the ring.

I smiled and looked at him from across the room. He was sitting with Papa and Bhai at the dining table. They seemed to be having a good time, talking, giggling and laughing out loud. Ma was enthusiastically serving her future son-in-law a variety of her patented and neighborly-praise winning pakoras. It seemed to me as if Nitin looked a little out of place, I had always worried whether he would get well with my family. He was a calm and composed, down-to-earth guy. We, on the other hand believed in living life to the fullest. My Dad always said a good laugh and hearty conversations keeps your heart healthy and brain working optimally. Nitin stole a quick glance at me and found me staring at him. He smiled. Priya waved back with a big smile on her face. I smiled and turned my head away.

Nitin was the kind of guy every father would want for his daughter. He was intelligent, hardworking, successful, and yet so calm and down-to-earth. With me, he sometimes behaved like a kid, and sometimes like a protective grown-up. He loved me, but he respected me more. He held my hand gently yet firmly while crossing the road. He said I looked cute when I was angry because tears trickled down my face and that would make my face swell up and become white. Whenever I felt low, he just sat beside me, so close that his arm touched mine and keep staring at me without speaking a word until I rested my head on his shoulder and then he used to hug me really tight. He jumped in joy on my achievements and kept motivating me. On days it rained, he used to come to my apartment with a movie and a big bar of chocolate and we used to curl up on my sofa and just talk. Most importantly he always stayed- through my different mood swings. He stayed when I was happy, sad, angry and even when I told him to get lost and not talk to me. He didn’t talk much, he talked just the right amount. His eyes spoke for him, his eyes spoke a million words. And each time he stared into my eyes, I knew how much he loved me.

They all talked about us, at office. We met three years ago, he was my senior and a really helpful mentor. Within a month of my joining we became friends and soon enough we started dating. There was something dreamy about his eyes. They said it would never last, romantic relationships are never meant for the workplace. There were uncountable bets on us. My colleagues eyed me differently and cruelly, except for the ones that were my friends. They really supported me through these all. And we emerged from it all. We were the perfect, happy couple at work, the kind you only see in television or read in Nicholas Sparks’ novels.

Nitin was the perfect gentleman. My Dad never thought that a guy would be coming to his house to ask his daughter’s hand for marriage. My Dad always hoped his kids would fall in love and only invite him on their marriage. I was my dad’s princess and the perfect prince was standing at his door.

When my brother and I were kids, I remember my Dad telling us to keep our personal life separate from our professional. Don’t take your bedroom to your office and vice versa. He always believed in the fact that a person and his wife should never work at the same place, as workplace differences may cause personal problems. But Nitin proved him wrong. He was a perfect boss at work and a perfect boyfriend outside office. No matter how much the pressure at work would be, he never took it outside office. It was as if he knew some divine mantra to lead a carefree life. He never let our personal and professional relationship mingle up. Yet whenever I had too much work, he used to stay back with me and only go home after we had dinner and he dropped me off to my apartment making sure I have locked the door properly.

And now here we are, three years later, proving all the people at work that they were wrong. Time has changed them also. They have believed in the miracle of love and here they are wishing us all the luck in the world, blessing us to lead a happy married life.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Priya shook me out of my thoughts. I found her staring and me and smiling.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you”, I blushed.

I was wearing the red and green churidar Manish gifted me on my last birthday. He said he saw it on a mannequin on Paree Boutique, which is on his way from home to office, and it strangely reminded him of me.

He instantly thought I would do more justice to the dress than the lifeless doll would.

“So have you talked to him yet? What did he say?” Priya asked.

“About what?” I raised my eyebrows as I had no clue what she was talking about.

“You know...” Her eyes were staring directly at mine.

I knew.

“No” I said got up from the sofa to go to my room. Priya followed me.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Life is all about taking risks- Random Scribblings

2013-11-14T16:03:00.000+05:30

"If you are not scared, you are not taking a chance. And if you are not taking a chance, then what the hell are you doing?"

Life is unpredictable. We never know what's going to happen in the next second. The future is dark. In the next five minutes, I might be dead, or I might be famous- no one knows. So the best thing to do is concentrate on the moment in hand. We live life one second at a time, and we make plans for the future.

But do those plans always come true? So, I dream of having my own house in the suburbs when I am old. I dream of sitting on the front porch having tea with my husband knowing that my kids are well settled and happy in some part of the world and they still love me. But there is no guarantee that all of it will come true, or worse, none of it might happen. I may not be famous, I might still live in a rented apartment, I may not have a husband or kids or I might be dead. But that doesn't keep me from dreaming. And if we are lucky, we realise, in the face of life, the true dream is being able to dream at all.

Life is all about taking risks. And it starts right from the day we are born. It's a characteristic of our subconscious mind. We try standing up, though we might fall down and get hurt. We try to talk, though the words coming out of our mouth may not make any sense. What if we didn't try then knowing that there are risks. We wouldn't be able to talk or walk today.

We go to school, knowing that it's a place filled with strangers, we might be bullied. We make friends knowing that they may not stick with us till the end. Chances are that they might not be the "my person" one or they might betray us. But we are strong enough to take the risk. We fall in love with a person knowing that he might not be the one. We know he might break our heart but we stick on with a ray of hope. We get married without knowing where it might lead to. What if your guy doesn't remain so supportive after marriage. What if he falls in love with someone and leaves you? Well, none of these stops us. We have kids and hope they will grow up and be established and happy, and that they will take care of you when you are no longer able to take care of yourself. We take these risks without knowing what the final outcome will be.

We never learn from other's mistakes. We have to make our own mistakes. No one is there to tell us what's right and what wrong. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug, until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves that knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying.

We know that some of these chances we take may end up failing us. No matter how hard we fight, we fall. And it's scary as hell. But at the end of the day, the fact that we all have the courage to be still standing is reason enough to celebrate.

I love you Autumn

2013-11-12T22:07:00.001+05:30

Autumn is my favourite season. I love autumn. It's not too hot, but it's not too cold either. There is minimal humidity and it's the perfect time of the year to party around. Unlike spring, there's no disease spreading viruses roaming around in the air. I feel it's even the most beautiful season of the year. Oh! The nature's bounty. The hues all around cheer me up. Everything is just perfect.

Here are a few pics I clicked today from our hostel garden. I just couldn't keep myself from praising the beauty of these flowers.

And I just came accross the perfect poem for my perfect season.

To Autumn

-John Keats

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

My not-so-secret Wishlist

2013-11-12T01:02:00.000+05:30

I have always been a fan of Preeti Shenoy’s books. (I have read them all). I love her blog too.She is one of my inspirations. She works really hard to be a good mom as well as a good writer. The best thing I like about her is that we never get to know any of her life’s problems through her blog, or twitter or facebook. She is a lady whose writings spread happiness.
So, a few months ago, I read her book- “The Secret wishlist” and finally I have come up with my own wishlist. It’s huge, and a new point adds up everyday. Well I am a girl who lives in her own fantasy world, and being a 20 year old, I have my own dreams. So here’s my wishlist (please don’t call me crazy)-

Now that I have got a job, I have decided how much money to save every month. I am well aware of the fact that everyone makes plans on how to spend their salary, but I will quote my dad- “A person who doesn’t know how to save money from the first day they get their salary, can never end up learning how to save money.” So in a few years, I plan to have a huge savings.

When I join my job, I want to work really hard and stay long hours at work. I plan to take very little vacation. I want to be the kind of career oriented person you see on television.

I want to visit all of India before I get married.

I want to go on a tour to Europe for my honeymoon. It’s a romantic place and has a rich history and my friends who have been there loves it. (See those savings in point 1 actually makes some sense now)

I want my daughter to grow up and become a doctor. So I guess we have pretty much established the fact that
I have planned about kids too.

I want a brother or sister for the daughter in point 3. And I want one of my two kids to be adopted and I want to have both kids before I am thirty-five so that there’s enough time for them to settle down before I retire.

I want to stay in a house by the time I am thirty, not an apartment, but a house. It will have a backyard and it’s going be in a very calm and loving neighborhood.

One room in my house is strictly going to be my library. With lots and lots of shelves of books. And there’s gonna be my big study table and a big chair.

I want to learn swimming, and to play the guitar, and I want to learn Salsa.

I want my name to be in Wikipedia before I turn forty.

Tough Decisions

2013-07-29T22:24:00.000+05:30

...........Sometimes you have no explanations for your actions

The world seemed to stop turning for her. Her first crush, the guy who has been evading her dreams for three years, had finally proposed to her. He was the one she was saving herself for. She was a girl who had the world at her feet. Still she has rejected innumerable proposals even though she knew that he was committed, that he loved her girl a lot and he could never be hers. Still she had kept her hopes high. Somewhere she had read that if you have a crush on someone for more than 4 months, you are definitely in love with that person. She has now been in love for three years. She has realised what she felt for him was something real, something more than just a little teenage fantasy. She could not just stop thinking about him.

The first time she heard his name, a bell rang in her ears. She didn’t know why, it was a pretty common name. As soon as she heard his name being called, she reflexively started shifting her eyes from here and there trying to get a glimpse of him. Then she was in first year of her college. He was a year senior. She didn’t get to see him. She didn’t know why she remembered his name even a few days later.

Second year, she had forgotten that incident, she had forgotten him. But when she received a text message one evening which said she had been assigned a project with him as her direct mentor, her heart skipped a bit. Was it destiny? There was meeting that day where all the second years were supposed to be introduced to the mentors. She was excited. She went there and sat silently, one amongst the timid juniors, her eyes scanning everywhere for him. But he wasn’t there. She didn’t know the names of any senior out there, but she knew that none of them was him, else she would have known. She was upset.

He did come to the meeting, a little late though. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. She was scared of him though, she didn’t know why. Maybe because he seemed too serious, too simple, the no-nonsense type. She didn’t talk to him, but she just couldn’t get him out of her mind. While leaving the meeting room she even turned back to get a glimpse of him. Her feelings were getting stronger, she didn’t know why.

Few months of work and the boundary between them started fading. Any work he got, he used to transfer them to her. Any problems she faced, she used to go to him. The fear she had started shedding off. She started liking his simplicity, his indifference, his carefree-ness. They went past the professional barriers and became friends. He too started relying a lot on her.

She learnt that he had a girl-friend, he loved her a lot. Her dreams and hopes were shattered. She had never let him know about her feelings. She tried dumping her feelings; she tried moving away from him. But she didn’t know why she couldn’t get away.

She met another guy. She got into a relationship with him. She loved him passionately. She decided never to think about her mentor again other than work.

One day, from nowhere he came back, back in her life. All her determination shattered. She just couldn’t let him go. He was in a mess with his relationships and everything else. He tried getting closer to her, she let him. They grew very close to each other. All barriers were broken between them. She let him intrude into her territory. In the mornings, she felt guilty. She hated herself. She was being with two guys at the same time-One with who, she was in a committed relationship, the other who was just a close friend. He had a girlfriend and she had a boyfriend- but none of that seemed to matter then.

A few months later, her relationship died. In the meantime he had got closer to his girlfriend. She was sad. But she couldn’t say anything, he was just a friend, whatever was between them didn’t have a name. Whenever she saw him with his girlfriend, she could feel herself turning cold, her heart ached, she couldn’t bear to see him with another girl. She tried staying away from them. But the girl seemed to pop up everywhere. Wherever she went, whatever she did, his girl was everywhere. She was starting to lose it all, She felt as if she was going into a deep dark depression.

In third year, she realised that nothing was worth this pain; she had to get out from it all. Her broken relationship and the indifference of her crush were eating her from inside. She couldn’t ignore either of them, but she realised she had to stay away from both of them. She got herself busy in other obsessions. For all the work related problems she faced, she didn’t go to him; she tried solving them herself.

Few months later she has moved on. She didn’t feel pain in seeing him with his girlfriend, though it did hurt her a little. Things started getting better between them. She was getting to know him better. She realised he wasn’t serious about his girlfriend, he was trying to get closer to her, she was letting him. Sometimes she felt his indifference towards her also. Still she couldn’t love him less.

After the submission of their project paper, he took her to a restaurant where he popped the question. He told her how much she meant, to him, that he has met no one like her. He told her that he could open as frankly before her as his best friend, he couldn't do that before anyone else. Her heart stopped beating; she didn’t know what to reply. This was what she had wanted for three years; this was what she was struggling for. After a long pause, she replied- ‘No, I am sorry.’

As she was returning back that night, she didn’t know why she said that, but she felt a strange calmness surrounding her...

Bad Days vs Good Days

2013-06-27T02:02:00.000+05:30

Inspired by a blog post by PeeVee I felt like writing this post after the coffee incident today while I was still crying...

Some Days...

You don't hear the alarm go off as you have a bad cold and fever. Your roommate kicks you out of bed and you realize that it's already a good one hour late for work , you curse yourself for staying up late last night. There's no water flowing from the tap and you have to get out of the house in your night-dress to switch on the pump and stand there for another 10 minutes else your landlord will kill you if even a single drop of water overflows from the tank. As you try closing the bathroom door, your little finger gets pressed in the hinge and the pain blocks your senses about what to do, and you close the door further instead of opening it, adding more to the injury. Your hair gets oily even though you had showered the previous night. You don't have time for breakfast and decide to grab a bite on your way to work. As you get out of the shop with a hot cup of coffee, a bike hits you from behind and you splash the coffee all over your favourite new white t-shirt and also burn another three fingers. Your eyes are filled with tears and all the bike-wala could say is 'Sorry'. You get back home and decide to call up your mother to ask how to get coffee stain out of a white dress and before you could ask anything, she starts gossiping about the neighbours and your dog, your eyes all the time staring at the stain making its way permanently inside your top.

You reach office two hours late. Your boss asks you to show your work and your codes decide to go against you and you are asked to go back home and rest as you are sick. As you try to sleep, all the people in the world suddenly remembers you and you get a call every 30 minutes, all you have to do is listen to all earthly news. You are hungry and there's nothing in the house, not even drinking water. You decide to cook something and it burns. Your roommate decides to take you to the doctor in the evening. You slip while trying to board the bike as you have worn the wrong slippers. Your codes still don't work.

End of the day, you have to listen- Tere saath itne haadse kyu hote hai!!

Some Days...

Your roommates appreciate the food you cook. Your boss takes you out for lunch. You win all the matches of Foos Ball you play. You make new friends and they love you. Your roommate makes soup for your sore throat. You go out and have fun with your roommates. You talk to an old friend after a long time. Your codes work perfectly and you get a token of appreciation from your boss making your face light up with a smile. Your roommate comes home with a clean shaved face after two months :P. You go for grocery shopping and realize that the prices have dropped. You get nice dreams in your sleep. :)

P.S. I am going to miss Bangalore a hell lot!!!

What is happiness?

2013-06-22T17:55:00.000+05:30

Read a blog post on this a while back, so thought of sharing my own answers.

Happiness is knowing that time and distance can't make you apart.

Happiness is watching a baby grow

Happiness is cherising the treasures you have

Happiness is meeting old friends after a long time

Happiness is knowing that someone misses you when you are away

Happiness is watching a city from the top of a mountain

Happiness is getting crazy with roommates

Happiness is meeting your favourite fictional characters

Happiness is watching a flower bloom

Moving On

2013-06-12T19:14:00.000+05:30

“Don’t let today’s disappointment cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dream”

It is always hard to end a relationship, but the hardest part follows later, moving on. There’s no easy way, you will always try to get back there, hope everything becomes the way it was before. You feel a strange vacuum in your heart and desperately try to fill it. Don’t talk to the person no matter how much you want to, block him on facebook, Gmail and other social networking sites, and delete his number from your phone. No matter how much your heart wants, don’t look back and falter, let your brain rule for once. Keep away from anything that deals with the person.

In my case it was different. I tried being the strong one, stay in touch with the person and keep smiling. No matter how hard it may seem, no matter how much I cried inside, I didn’t let my sorrows show on my face. I never let anyone know what I was going through.

It pains, it pains a lot. I know because I have been there, done that. But with time the pain eases. It may take a day, a week, months or even years. For me it took a whole year and four months. It took me a lot, I drowned myself in work, I blogged a lot, wrote the first draft of my first novel, book reviews, learnt web development, enrolled myself in extra courses, underwent internships. Days were hard too, I silently cried while in class, not letting my tears show on my face, cried whenever my phone rang. Every morning I woke up I just wished the day would pass by and I would get back to sleep. I kept myself distant from people, I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it, I went to bed early and woke up late every morning with tears in my eyes. I read a lot, I read novels, I read other people’s blogs, I read articles on how much time it takes to move on and get along. A time even came when I didn’t want to write anymore.

And I can finally say proudly that I have moved on. I have emerged out stronger I am never looking back. Those days were just a bad dream, a lesson from life for me. And I am grateful for the friends I have, who make me laugh even in the worst of situations. I am thankful for the summer internship I have. The city of Bangalore has really brought me joy and I have the craziest roommates here who make me laugh all day, even when I am angry. Each moment in Bangalore is memory I will cherish for the lifetime.

Some things are just not meant to be the way we want them. Over the years, through each storm I have been through, I have realised the fact that whatever God does is in our best interests.

Tantra By Adi

2013-04-09T01:18:00.001+05:30

TITLE: TANTRA BY ADI
AUTHOR: ADI
PUBLISHER: APEEJAY STYA PUBLISHING
ISBN: 978-81-908636-2-9
GENRE: FICTION/THRILLER
PAGES: 335
SOURCE: BLOGADDA
RATING: 4/5

BACK COVER SAYS:
Anu is a leather wearing, no-nonsense professional guardian with a reputation for killing the most dangerous vampires in New York City. But when her enemies murder the one person she truly cared about, all she wants is vengeance. The only clue points to New Delhi, so Anu puts in for a job transfer.

In India, she finds more than she expected. For one thing, her fellow operatives had made a truce with the vampires. For another, it's way too hot to wear leather.

At first, it seems Anu's biggest challenge will be evading the nice boys her aunt wants her to marry. But when children start disappearing, she discovers forces older and darker than anything she's faced before. All of Delhi is in danger, especially the sexy stranger who sends Anu's pulse racing.

To prepare for this coming battle, Anu must overcome her personal demons and put aside years of training. This time, her most powerful weapon will come from her mind, not her weapons belt.

RAUMALI'S VIEWS:
As I picked up the book, I thought it would be another supernatural Vampire story, the same blood sucking demons fall in love with a beautiful girl, a place where everyone is supernatural except one or two and other crap. But a few pages later, I realised it was different. As I reached the end of the book, I was left mesmerised and hungry for more.

This is a thriller finally worthy of India's rich traditions and philosophy while still keeping connection with the modern reader. And most interestingly, the book showcased an Indian woman as a superhero who instead of falling in love with the vampires, goes out and destroys evil. Anu Aggarwal is shown as a strong woman who even left the men behind.

Anu is shown as a guardian (that is what they called vampire hunters) settled in New York. Circumstances lead her to New Delhi, where she stumbles up to stuffs she could never imagine of.

This book is totally different from the normal vampire hunter novels you have read before. Set in India, it integrates an Indian version of magic called tantra. It is an exciting read as we accompany Anu on her journey till the end as she braves many dangers lurking around her as well as the who arranged marriage business. The vedic knowledge and those of historical astras and mantras are really commendable.

The author has done his research really very well. Each and every page turned out to be a surprise. Truly speaking, I couldnot keep the book down even for one second. Each part of me kept me mesmerised and wondering what would happen next. Specially the rich Indian vedic history caught its hold on me.

Though sometimes in the middle it got a bit boring, I would still reccomend 'Tantra by Adi' a must read.

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

Chanakya's New Manifesto

2013-02-28T16:24:00.000+05:30

TITLE: CHANAKYA’S NEW MANIFESTO

AUTHOR: PAVAN K. VARMA

PUBLISHER: ALEPH

ISBN: 978-93-82277-09-5

GENRE: NON-FICTION

PAGES: 244

SOURCE: BLOGADDA

RATING: 4/5

BACKCOVER SAYS

Chanakya’s New Manifesto proposes a comprehensive blueprint for change. We cannot continue as we are, and must gather the resolve to bring in effective governance, a true democracy, a corruption-free state, a security-conscious nation and an inclusive society. If we fail, India may never succeed. Our future is at stake.

RAUMALI SAYS

Chanakya (c. 270-380 BCE) was classical India's greatest thinker and teacher. Through his unparalleled ability to devise result-oriented military, political, and administrative strategy, he overthrew one king, crowned another and paved the way for the establishment of India's first great empire. His seminal work, the Arthashashtra, arguably the world's first comprehensive treatise on statecraft and governance, was written approximately two thousand years before Machiavelli's The Prince.

The book is a reflection on ideas of change that the writer says is meant for youngsters - aged between 15 and 35 - to draw them into the functioning of the country and join the refrain against rot. The narrative is in the voice of one of the greatest thinkers and teachers in Indian history - Chanakya - as his response to the various crises that beset modern India. The writer has drawn up a practical and detailed plan, modelled on the Arthashashtra, to bring about reform and change in five key areas that require urgent attention

· Governance- The focus areas are lack of economic reforms, education, agriculture, infrastructure project, railways and inflation.

· Democracy- It spoke about the criminalisation of politics, the entrenchment of black money in our system and acceptance of dynastic politics.

· Corruption- The author suggests combating corruption using financial accountability of political parties using technology, bringing in transparency in dealings and judicial reforms for detterent action.

· Security- It articulated the importance of foreign policy, defense preparedness and an intelligence gathering mechanism.

· The building of an inclusive society- This topic brought to light the dark side of the uncaring and indifferent India that cannot be called progressive unless it includes everybody.

Whether it is laying the foundation for an independent and effective Lokpal, or decriminalizing politics and successfully weeding out the corrupt, the solutions he proposes are substantive, well within the constitutional framework, and can make all the difference between intent and action. Chanakya’s New Manifesto prescribes setting up of a five-member Governance Appraisal Panel (GAP) which will independently evaluate the performance of the government and submit annual report to the President of India. According to the suggestion in the book, the GAP should comprise a leading economist or a corporate sector personality, a distinguished journalist, a respected former bureaucrat, an academic of eminence in the field of governance, and a retired chief justice of India or a retired Supreme Court judge. And they should be picked up by a selection panel comprising Prime Minister of India, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India.

Chanakya's New Manifesto is both a call to action as well as a deeply insightful account of the challenges facing the country today. It is a book that should be attentively read by everybody with a stake in India's future.

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

RIP

2013-02-09T00:55:00.001+05:30

TITLE: RIP

AUTHOR: Mukul Deva

PUBLISHER: Westland Ltd

ISBN: 978-93-82618-19-5

GENRE: Fiction/Thriller

PAGES: 286

SOURCE: Blogadda

RATING: 4/5

Backcover says:

R.I.P. The Resurgent Indian Patriots.

Self appointed guardians of a nation seething with anger at the endless scams and scandals rocking its very foundation. Vigilantes who vow to stop corrupt politicians and colluding civil servants.

Even if it means killing them.

Colonel Krishna Athawale and his team of Special Forces officers rally to protect the country from the enemy within. They call themselves the K-Team. And no one is safe from their deadly intent.

Hellbent on stopping them is Raghav Bhagat, rogue para commando, gun for hire and Krishna’s bête noir.

Caught in the crossfire is Vinod Bedi, Special Director, CBI. Reena Bhagat, a glamorous news anchor, embittered by her husband’s betrayal. And two young boys, Sachin and Azaan, torn apart by the loss of a parent.

It doesn’t get bigger.

India’s literary storm trooper, Mukul Deva delivers yet another pulse-pounding, crackerjack of a thriller. Tethered on the edge of reality, RIP will keep you turning pages late at night.

Raumali says:

As I picked up the book, I couldn’t keep it down until the last page. I was deliberate to know how and where it ended. In most books, the hero wins, the villain loses in the end. But in RIP, the hero is the villain.

Colonel Krishna Athawale lost his wife in scams and scandals that is spread all over our country. Determined to stop this corruption that rule our country, Krishna sets out with his specially trained followers, ex-army men under the name K-Team, to execute their plan-RIP, to protect the country from the enemy that hides among us.

The government, bent to stopping them, hires Vinod Bedi, Special Director CBI, and also for special security, Raghav Bhagat, rogue para commando. As the story progresses we find these two cross ways in their search for RIP.

Many innocents are caught in this fire. Among them are Reena Bhagat, Raghav’s ex-wife and Krishna’s new found Love, Payal-Krishna’s widowed sister who lost her husband in one such scam, Namrata- Bedi’s wife yearning for her husband’s love and time, and two kids- Sachin and Azaan torn apart by the loss of a parent.

This book is definitely a page turner. The Writing is Lucid and simple with a fluent flow. It’s much like a bollywood movie. The security and weapon details will leave anyone gasping.

I would recommend everyone to read this book. Thank you blogadda for giving me the chance.

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

The Bankster

2012-11-12T19:42:00.000+05:30

TITLE: THE BANKSTER

AUTHOR: RAVI SUBRAMANIAN

PUBLISHER: RUPA PUBLICATIONS

ISBN: 978-81-291-2048-9

GENRE: FICTION

PAGES: 358

SOURCE: BLOGADDA

RATING: 3/5

Back cover says:

In Angola, a covert CIA agent is about to exchange weapons for blood diamonds.

In Kerala, an elderly man will do whatever it takes to fulfil a promise made to a dying son.

In Mumbai, an international bank is stunned by the mysterious death of its key employees.

Bankers build their careers on trust, or so everyone thinks, till a series of murders threaten to destroy the reputation that the Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) has built over the years. Who is behind these killings, and what is their motive? Is the banker at GB2 fast turning into a bankster? Or was he always one?

When Karan Panjabi, press reporter and ex-banker, digs deeper, he realises that he has stumbled upon a global conspiracy with far reaching ramifications- a secret that could not only destroy the bank, but also cast a shadow on the entire nation.
With only thirty-six hours at his disposal, he must fight the clock and trust no one if he has to stay alive and uncover the truth.

Spinning an intricate web of lies, deceit and treachery, bestselling author Ravi Subramanian, a master storyteller of financial crime and winner of the 2008 golden Quill Reader’s Choice Award, returns with his most gripping thriller yet.

Raumali's views:

When I received the book first from blogadda, I was thrilled by the concept of a mystery thriller revolving around a bank. Flipping through the pages, I was really engrossed by many subplots in a single story. I was hungry for more, to reach the end. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

The book is a combination of three stories set in three different cities.

Joseph Braganza- An immovable force. A High flyer, yet six feet under. Smart, Suave, efficient, Resourceful, secretive yet hostile. He is a covert CIA agent who comes to Angola with a deal of blood diamonds.

Krishna Menon- A middle class elderly, who lost his only son to an radioactive accident. It was at this point that he decided to go to any means to keep his hometown safe from the upcoming nuclear power plant.

Greater Boston Global Bank Mumbai- An International Bank, fallen prey to serial murders and an intricate web of conspiracies. A place where everyone’s a victim but no one is innocent.

The main book is based with the story of GB2 with the first few stories just popping in between. How do they connect?

Krishna Menon- who lost his son in the Chernobyl nuclear accident, made a promise to his dying son, to do everything possible to keep the residents of his hometown safe from the upcoming nuclear power plant. He shakes hand with Jayakumar, in a protest against the government, to come clean and transparent about the plant. His protest in on the Gandhian principle. But can Jayakumar be trusted? Is he using Menon?

Vikram, Tanuja, Nikhil, Anand, Indrani, Harshita, Zinaida, Raymond- The employees of the bank who are supposed to build their careers on trust. But can they go to any extent to reach their targets, even while keeping the trust of their colleagues and customers alive without thinking about any of them or the repercussions on the bank. Is power meant to be misused? Who is deceiving whom? Can anyone be trusted? Why are the employees being murdered?

When Karan Panjabi, press reporter and ex-employee of GB2, searches the roots of these murders, he finds himself stumbled upon a global conspiracy which combines all these three stories.

The story lacks intricate detailing. The plot is strong but none of the characters are detailed. Also the main protagonist of the tale comes in only the last 100 pages and what seems like a hasty end. All his characters lack depth.

Nonetheless, the story is good, the mystery is thrilling and I would recommend giving it a try.

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

The Krishna Key

2012-09-30T00:53:00.000+05:30

TITLE: THE KRISHNA KEY

AUTHOR: ASHWIN SANGHI

PUBLISHER: WESTLAND LTD

ISBN: 978-93-81626-68-9

GENRE: MYSTERY, MYTHOLOGICAL

PAGES: 464

SOURCE: BLOGADDA

RATING: 4/5

BACK COVER SAYS:

Five thousand years ago there came to earth a magical being called Krishna who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate that if the Blue God were to die but was reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age, the Kaliyug. In modern times a poor little rich boy grows up believing that he is that final avatar. Only, he is a serial Killer.

In this heart stopping tale, the arrival of a murderer who executes his brilliantly thought out schemes in the name of God is the first clue to a sinister conspiracy to expose an ancient secret- Krishna’s priceless legacy to mankind.

Historian Ravi Mohan Saini must breathlessly dash from the submerged remains of Dwarka and the miserious lingam of Somnath to the Key heights of Mount Kailash, in a quest to discover the cryptic location of Krishna’s most prized possession. From the sand washed ruins of Kalibagan to a brindaban temple destroyed by Aurangazeb, Saini must also delve into antiquity to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice.

Ashwin Sanghi brings you yet another exhaustively researched whopper of a plot, while providing an incredible alternative interpretation of the Vedic Age that will be relished by conspiracy buffs and thriller addicts alike.

RAUMALI’S VIEWS:

Thanks to Blogadda, this is the first time I am reading Ashwin Sanghi and I must say it was worth it. The book kept me pinned down at a stretch for 8 hours. It’s totally amazing.

The book revolves around 108 chapters. It is not just a mystery thriller, there’s a lot of history hidden in it.

As I started reading the book, I liked Krishna’s narration of his life at the beginning of each chapter. Two different stories comprise the book, one of Krishna’s life decades back and one of the story of today.

Historian Ravin Mohan Saini, following the death of his best friend Anil Varshney is set out to unlock the hidden mystery of the ‘Krishna Key’, while running from the police for being accused for murders by a serial killer who considers himself the tenth avatar of Krishna.

Ashwin has put a lot of research and hard work into making this book. This book is a definite page turner. It may seem hard to understand at first but after some pages the reader will get engrossed in the mystery and the mythology presented in the book. Throughout all information provided about India’s history and invention has been justified with facts and correct logic. The writer has taken care of the reader’s and the characters’ sentiments every time God has been mentioned.

It is a surprisingly breezy read and the way the climax comes is awesome. It doesn’t satisfy you, you keep yearning for more.

Though a good read, there are some parts in the book which turns one off. In some parts he just stretches the plot which gets a little boring. The amount of research Ashwin has put in shows in the book and you end up searching for the actual plot.

Inspite of the loopholes I was quite impressed with the book and I would love to read more of Ashwin Sanghi’s works.

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

The Clockwork Man

2012-07-18T23:06:00.002+05:30

TITLE: The Clockwork Man
AUTHOR: William Jablonsky
PUBLISHER: Grey Oak Publishers in association with westland ltd.
ISBN: 978-93-81626-53-5
GENRE: Fiction
PAGES: 231
SOURCE: Blogadda
RATING: 3.5/5

BACK COVER SAYS:

Karl Gruber, a world-famous builder of automated clocks, has reached the pinnacle of his art in Ernst-a man constructed entirely of clockwork.

Educated and raised in the Gruber household to be a gentle caring soul, Ernst begins to discover a profound love for his master’s daughter, Giselle. Just as their relationship becomes intimate, however, tragedy strikes and the family falls apart. Abandoned, knowing no other life but the one he has led, Ernst allows himself to wind down in a kind of suicide.

Over a hundred years later, he awakens in a strange new land, the world he’s known now long gone. Along with his mentor and guide, a well-meaning if slightly unstable homeless man, Ernst attempts to piece together the events that brought him to his new home- and to let go of the century old tragedy that still haunts him.

RAUMALI’S VIEWS:

I have never read a Science fiction before. As I started reading this book, I thought it was some kind of Sci-fi. After going through a few pages, I realised I was wrong. The book is much more than that.

As I started reading the book, I thought it would be boring. But as I traversed through the pages, it grew more and more interesting and a time came when I just couldn’t put the book down without completing it.

The book is basically the diary of Ernst, the main protagonist of the tale, a clockwork man built by the world famous clockmaker Karl Gruber. Gruber educated Ernst in theoretical subjects, language, history and geography as well as raised him to be gentle and caring. Ernst helps Gruber with his projects and also takes care of his family. He cannot stop himself from falling in love with his master’s daughter. Soon tragedy strikes the family and the course of events lead to the family falling apart. Unable to cope with the pain and loss, Ernst winds himself down to some kind of suicide.

He wakes up a hundred years later in a strange unknown land and his wish to know about the trail of events that led him there triggers his instincts for survival. But he is not really able to forget the century old tragedy that still haunts him.

The main attraction of the story is the character of Ernst. He is humble, gentle, caring, patient and with a conscience. Jablonsky very deftly portrayed Ernst’s character which makes the book all the more interesting.

The best part about the book I liked is that the author makes the readers think. Sometimes it seems as all of it is real and I really had to turn back to check whether it was a work of fiction. The narration seems real and the events flash before our eyes. At some parts, it even made me cry. The sentiments, the feelings said by the mechanical man all seemed real.

The only disappointment I faced was that even though the book was interesting, some parts were so boring that I didn’t feel like continuing to read. But then again it regained it’s former glory. Also few incidents are too real to be true for a mechanical man.

Nonetheless it’s a great read for sure.

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com

New Beginnings

2012-07-10T21:43:00.000+05:30

I know I have been bad, a very bad blogger, staying away from you so long. But now I am back, and I promise to be less lazy and spend a little more time with you.

The past one year have been really a eventful year. No I don't blame anyone for that, that was exactly what I always wanted. I wanted life to surprise me by the time I turned twenty, give me loads of memories. It did too. My great adventure which landed me in the hospital for three months, depriving me of two of my college fests.... Meeting new people... Friendship, trust, love, betrayal.... and finally growing up.

Learnt somethings are totally not meant to be, no matter how much you want or how hard you try, and the only thing you have to do in the end is to loosen the strings and let it go. Time heals everything, we just need to give it some time and keep patience. We don't need to change our self for someone, we are all unique in our own way. The only people who will go with us till the end are the ones who can be with us for the way we are. The rest will leave eventually, as they don't belong to our tribe. So it's no use brooding over them.

Finally I am having some good days. The summer vacation kept me a lot busy, and finally after a lot of hard work, today I found the little sapling growing from the seed of my tree I decided to plant 3 months ago. I have cleared ACET and now I am really proud to be a student of INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES OF INDIA. Need to work really hard for another 4-5 years to taste the sweet fruit of this tree.

I am leaving for Durgapur tomorrow after which I will concentrate on my internships, the actuarial studies and have also planned to start working on my first novel.

Finally it's time to move on and give my dreams the shape of reality....

P.S.- For those who are wondering what happened to my blog challenge, I am keeping that on hold for sometime, will be completing it when I again feel like it :)

My Five Pet Peeves

2012-06-08T22:47:00.000+05:30

*Sigh* I know I am blogging really less and I am even not keeping up with the blog challenge rules... I did have a few reasons for the same-

1. I was busy with my story writing blog, Kaleidoscope

But then the story got over, after I somehow dragged it really slow and it was making screeching sounds :P, so I had to find a different reason...

So I thought of giving this...

2. I am doing a lot of studying lately, I have a exam at the end of the month( Don't ask me any question on this as this will further lead to more questions), and I am doing this thing called Ungineering( Don't tell me to explain what it is), and I was doing some Stanford courses (which I dropped after day two)

But seriously speaking, this was no reason, as I was sleeping more than studying ( I purposely made up reasons for that too), and I studied too late as I was crossing one reason with the another)

So this was another failed reason...

3. So finally I have found the perfect reason, I have become too lazy, and yes please bear with me for that :D

So coming back to today's blog challenge topic, My Five pet peeves, umm, tough but here it goes

1. I hate it when I am doing something really seriously, maybe reading a book or programming and someone texts me or pings me continuously...

2. It seriously turns me off when I really want to talk to someone and the person doesn't reply back to my text messages.

3. When I am at home and studying, and my mum turns the TV to the loudest volume.

4. The professor takes attendance the days I don't go.

5. I am given some work when I am feeling too lazy.

A Book I Love

2012-05-13T09:24:00.000+05:30

I can't be really specific about the types of books I like, it depends on my mood. Sometimes I love to read mystery, detective novels, thrillers, sci-fi or just plain simple over the coffee reads.

One book I recently read which touched my heart was LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT by PREETI SHENOY

I remember picking up this book from crosswords stall at Junction Mall in Durgapur while returning to college after Holi with my dad. I was in a mood for some light reading and I wasn't sure what to take when I saw this one. I took this book as I liked the title and the review on the back cover and thought this would be something I might like. Also I found the price affordable.

Needless to say, I wasn't dissapointed. As soon as I started reading it I was glued to the book until I finished it, even forgetting the fact that I had a lab viva the next morning for which I wasn't even prepared. *oops!*

Coming to the story in brief-

The book revolves around the life of a girl Ankita Sharma who is talented and is a much sort after girl in college. She is already committed to Vaibhav whom she sends letters talking about her daily life, emotions and experiences. Under the company of her friends, she gets into a relationship with abhi, at the same time continuing her love for Vaibhav. After completing her graduation, she gets into one of the top MBA colleges of the country, while abhi couldn't make it. This leads to a end of her relationship with abhi and then she meets Joseph.

Within six months, Ankita lands up in a mental hospital.

What happens to Ankita next? What about Vaibhav, Abhi, Joseph? The book revolves around the breath-taking mystery of these people's lives and Ankita's story!

Something I Feel Strongly About

2012-05-12T07:43:00.000+05:30

I am a very melodramatic person, the queen of over-reaction. So it’s natural for me to feel really strongly about everything around me, stronger than I am supposed to.

But since I am supposed to speak about just one topic so here it goes.

I feel strongly about giving attention and importance to a person. I seriously get turned off when I see someone speaking and the person who is supposed to listen doesn’t even care. Dude at least listen to what he/she has to say, then decide whether it’s important or not. You are not the almighty that you will be right always. Even a little word from your so called “INSIGNIFICANT’S” mouth can rule the world sometimes.

Then again let’s say the “INSIGNIFICANT” calls you up or text’s you, sometimes maybe due to some important reason. You don’t even have the basic courtesy to reply back? How busy or important are you? Sometimes I really feel smacking hard on your face for this rudeness of yours!

Just read this and think of how your actions and ignorance may affect the other person, specially when he/she gives you a teeny weeny bit importance in their lives....

5 Ways To Win My Heart

2012-05-11T10:29:00.000+05:30

Hmm, really nice topic.... I have always wanted to write about this, but I really don't know how can someone win my heart.

I just happens, have never noticed how.

But since I really have to make a list, so here it is.... *Deep breath!!*

1. Make me laugh

I don’t like showing off my inner emotions on my face. So you will always find me cheerful and smiling. If you really wanna win my heart make me laugh, I mean a real laugh, which comes from my inside :D

2. Give me attention

People generally consider me a kid. I really hate it when I am talking about something serious and no one listens to me (Actually people never listen to me :’()
So please listen to me when I talk. Even I can talk sense sometimes!

3. Don't hide from me

I hate it when people lie to me and then I find out. It seriously hurts man! Specially when it’s about something close.
Trust me, however big or bad your secret maybe, I do understand.

4. Be Yourself

I don’t like when people change for me. Change makes you miserable.

Be yourself. If I like you I shall like you for what you are.

Similarly don’t expect me to change for you.

5. Little treats

The easiest way to make me happy and smiling is giving me little treats. It maybe in the form of food, gifts or just simple talk to make me special. A few jokes to make me smile or just something to make me seem important...

A tribute to Final Years

2012-04-19T23:50:00.000+05:30

In a few days, NIT Durgapur will become a past for you. It will become what your school, your classmates has been - A memory.... NIT Durgapur will go down in a golden frame as perhaps the four best years of your life.

Still it seems like yesterday. Cracking AIEEE, celebrating with family, counselling, getting irritated that nobody understands the difference between NIT and NIIT, visiting school and teachers one last time before leaving for abode. Some memories still vivid and fresh in the mind, walking inside the Durgapur campus with parents, registration, counselling and the feeling of ecstacy of getting allotted COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. Seems like yesterday- carrying your luggage and moving inside your hostel, in a room, stuffed with another 3-4 fellows. Didn’t know then that in a few days those fellows will grow from “JUST ROOMIES” to “BEST FRIENDS”.

The homesickness of first semester, getting up early with tears in your eyes, wishing that you were still at home seems funny now. Making new friends, interacting with seniors, doing mischief, bunking class, late night, last hour studies, making cheats for exams, breakfast at jhoops, gathering at back canteen after classes, little treats at techno, Dinner at LH more, GPL’s during birthdays, mass bunks during Festivals, the ID crowd on Wednesday nights will become past after a few days.

All these were your life till today. From tomorrow, these will become memories you will look back and smile at.
These will become fantasies, you will always yearn to get back these four years and live this life all over again. Away from all worries, enjoying life to the fullest with envious resource at your disposal. These days will never come back, but you will always long for these days.

Friends go, friendship remains, only memory lasts forever...

All the best seniors, wish you all the success in your life.

Finally I would like to conclude with a quote by one of our teachers, Bibhas Sen sir-

“ These four years are the golden years of your life. Live them to the fullest, you will always cherish them later.”

Tujhe Sab Hai Pataa-Meri Maa

2012-04-16T21:13:00.001+05:30

This entry is a part of the contest at BlogAdda.com in association with imlee.com

I owe my life to her. Whatever I am today, it's because of her. Had she not scolded me endless times before my exams, I would never have been a topper. Her faith made me believe in myself.I am being loved and respected because of all the "sanskar" she has inculcated in me and I am proud of myself....

“You know, you are just 17 now. What you feel is natural. Everyone at your age thinks that their parents know nothing, they are enemies, and they don’t love their kids. But a few years down the lane, you will realise how horribly wrong you were and how damn right they had been all this time... “

-A quote by my tutor when I was pissed off at my parents because they didn’t let me go on a school excursion with my friends.....

Dear Ma,

The first time I was walking away from you, I saw tears in your eyes. I thought- oh, give it a break! It was you pestering me all these years. You always said you wanted me away. You chose this. You wanted me to become an engineer, you wanted me to taste hostel life, and now, it’s you who gets to shed the tears. You still get to remain at home, I am the one whom you are sending away to an unknown land, unknown future!!

I didn’t realise then Ma, that one day I would yearn to get back to you. I didn’t realise that the next time I would have to walk away from you, I would be the one to shed tears. I would have to cover my mouth with my hand and bite my lips to stop them from trembling before you. I have become so egoistic and independent that I don’t want you to sense how sad I become just by the thought of parting away from you.

I was happy then Ma, I was excited to leave you; I was elated that I won’t have to live with you anymore. Even when you were setting up my room in my hostel, I stopped you. I felt like telling you- Seriously! Every time? Grow up, I am not a kid anymore, I can take care of myself. Just leave me alone and go, let me savour my independence.

After bidding you and Baba goodbye, I was so happy, I heaved a big sigh of relief. I danced around celebrating being away from you.

I remember Ma, how you used to tell me to oil my hair, to comb my hair regularly to stop it from falling, to take care of my skin and my health. I didn’t pay heed to you then. I wish I had listened to you. My hair falls so much when I comb it and my scalp hurts. My skin is dry and my feet are chapped. I look like a hideous ghost. I don’t feel like taking care of myself now ma. I am tired of cleaning up my room every day. I hate to wake up every morning and wash my clothes. I cry when I have to cook dinner for myself at the end of a long day because I didn’t get to eat as I was too busy. I can’t concentrate on my studies during exams because of all the daily unavoidable chores.

This independence now haunts me Ma....

Two years down the lane Ma, I have realised how wrong I was. I want to be with you, to be dependent on you. I want you to take care of me.

When you and baba used to force me to go to bed at exact 10 pm, I always cursed you. I felt like I was caged. I wasn’t able to enjoy. I had to sleep when other kids of my age were wide awake playing or doing other fun stuff. Ma, I hated you for forcefully feeding me even when I was not hungry. I held you and baba responsible for me being overweight. I had blamed you for all the bullies I went through because I was fat, I blamed you for not able to fit in a dress I liked at the mall.

I want to come back to you now Ma. Please send me to bed now. Scold me as much as you want. Ma, I don’t get to sleep even for four hours a day. The work pressure here doesn’t let me have a proper meal a day. The stuff they serve in the mess, Ma, that’s not food. It’s so unhygienic that it makes my stomach ache, and they serve the same gooey stuff everytime. I have become so thin that my friends ask whether I am dieting. I want to shout and tell them-

“I AM NOT DIETING; I JUST DON’T GET TO EAT. ATLEAST THAT’S NOT WHAT YOU CALL FOOD”.

As a kid I had always thought that when I would grow up, when I would have a life of my own, when I wouldn’t have to depend on you any more, I would tell you how much I always wanted to break free from you, how much I cursed you for what my life had been. I always thought you were selfish.

Now I hate myself Ma, for all the wrong feelings that hovered in my brain. I am selfish, I am a coward. I depended on you, I let you take care of me and then I was the one who wanted to stab you. Now I feel like killing myself for thinking like that.

Ma, now I have realised you always wanted to protect me. I wish I had listened to you when you told me that the world is cruel. It has been so brutal and merciless to your daughter, It has broken her heart, made her cry, used her, exploited her like she is some useless filthy piece of cloth, blamed her incessantly, left her alone and weak.

Ma, I am tired now, I am weak. I can’t tolerate this suffering anymore. I am confused and I am sick. I want to run away from this life.

I know ma, it’s too late. I wish I could come back to you, hug you and cry. I wish I could be with you forever so that no one could dare to hurt me anymore.

I am sorry Ma, for whenever I thought you were wrong, for blaming you while you loved me all along. I am sorry Ma, for not being able to decipher the meaning of your tears when I was leaving home, for not realising your concern when I didn’t go to bed at ten, for not understanding why you were so worried to let your daughter get away from you.

Ma, I know that Even though I am far from you, even though I don’t tell you what’s happening in my life, I know that you know me very well, better than even myself.

Tujhe sab hai pata, meri maa....

P.S.-This is a letter, I dedicate to everyone in my family, My Ma, baba and Dada who made me what I am today, who stuck with me at all odds and evens, in my varied moods, even when people came and left. But if you ask me why I addressed this only to my Mom, I would reply with a line my Dad told me while dropping me to school-

“No matter how famous you become, how much you earn, wherever you are in this whole world, never forget your Ma, always take care of her, because no one else can take her place in your life, not even me”

A Few Words

Private India

RAMAYANA: THE GAME OF LIFE – RISE OF THE SUN PRINCE

The Hunt For kohinoor - Book Review

The Other Side of Me- Part 2

Eight Years earlier... 19th November

The Other Side of Me- Part 1

Life is all about taking risks- Random Scribblings

I love you Autumn

My not-so-secret Wishlist

Tough Decisions

Bad Days vs Good Days

What is happiness?

Moving On

Tantra By Adi

Chanakya's New Manifesto

RIP

The Bankster

Back cover says:

Raumali's views:

The Krishna Key

The Clockwork Man

BACK COVER SAYS:

RAUMALI’S VIEWS:

New Beginnings

My Five Pet Peeves

A Book I Love

Something I Feel Strongly About

5 Ways To Win My Heart

1. Make me laugh

2. Give me attention

3. Don't hide from me

4. Be Yourself

5. Little treats

A tribute to Final Years

Tujhe Sab Hai Pataa-Meri Maa

Eight Years earlier... 19^th November