the_book_smugglers

The Crown and The Pinnacle of Scarifice

THE PINNACLE OF SACRIFICE

THE CROWN

Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy , better known by his pen name Kalki, was a Tamil writer, journalist, poet, critic and Indian independence activist. His writings include over 120 short stories, 10 novellas, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews.

His other social novels include Thyaga Bhoomi (The land of sacrifice) and Kalvanin Kadali (Bandit’s sweetheart), both of which have been filmed. Thyaga Bhoomi, which has the Salt Satyagraha as its backdrop, dealt with women’s rights and untouchability. Parthiban Kanavu and Sivagamiyin Sapatham give a picture of the great Pallava Age ,whereas Ponniyin Selvan paints the age of the glorious Cholas. Both periods are a mixture of many aspects of the history of Tamil Nadu such as that of religions, literature, art and architecture and also of administration.

Ponniyin Selvan is Tamil historical Novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. Written in five volumes, this narrates the story of Arulmozhivarman (later crowned as Rajaraja Chola I), one of the kings of the Chola Dynasty during the 10th and 11th centuries. Kalki finished the novel after nearly three and a half years of writing and he visited Sri Lanka three times to gather information for the novel.

The Story revolves around Aditha Karikalar,the eldest son the great king of Chozha dynasty, Sundara Chozhar. He is been invited by Nandini with the intention of revenge to kodambalur palace.Despite being advised not to accept the invite he still accepted the invite and went to meet her as he wanted to ask for forgiveness from Nandini. Aditha Karikalar takes the advice of his grandfather and blessing before he began his journey. Now Vandiyathevan and Azhwarkadiyan set out on strange task given to them and was on their way to Kadambalur. The city bustling with activity and was decorated beautiful as there high position dignitaries were arriving the palace. But both of them had reached before the guest arrived.

It is in here Kadan Maran’s sister Manimekalai comes onto picture. She is told about Vandiyathevan, his Valor, his character, his achievement. The more she kept hearing, more she fell in love with him. But as the circumstances changes, Kadan Maran talk did changed. They wanted her to get married to Maduranthakan. Now that guest were arriving to the palace she was making sure that everything was arranged and things were kept in right place. The first person expected to come palace was Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani. She also made sure that the rooms of Aditha Karikalar and his entourage were arranged properly.

Meanwhile, Vandiyathevan took the secret passage that he found and finally ended near the back entrance of Manimekalai. There met her and sought her help to save him from the pandya conspirators. A grand welcome was given on the arrival of aditha Karikalar. Post his arrival, the enchantress nandini makes plans to kill him as revenge for killing the panda king. At the right time she took the right move, made sure Aditha Karikalar came to dungeon of the palace along with Vandiyathevan whose job was to protect and made sure he was killed at the spot. She was clever enough to act fast and ran away from vicinity. Hence the suspect of the murder was Vandiyathevan. Also it ruined the reputation of the clan in Kadambalur palace. On the other hand, the prime Minister of the Chozha clan a anirudhar was plotting to find out mute and dumb women Mundakini Devi and bring her to the king. On other hand Ravidasan and other had planned a plot to kill the king Sundarar Chozha. But eventually with the help of Mundakini Devi his life was saved and also the kingdom.

Periyar Puzhavettarayar finally understood the mistake that he had done by marrying nandini and consequences he has to face. He had broken the promise made by his clan to protect the kingdom and he took his life off due shame and unable to face the world.

Finally Vanathi and Arulmozhi got married, Illaya piratti with Vandiyathevan. Sundarar Chozha recovered from his health and shifted to Golden palace that Aditha Karikalar had build for him. MADURANTHAKAR didn’t become the king as the secret about his identity was revealed, that he was the adopted son and does not have the legal rite ascend the throne. Also it was revealed towards the end that sendhan amudhan was the legal hier and he ascended the throne as Arulmozhi Varma didn’t want to take up the throne. He devoted his entire life to development for the country which he felt would not able to do as king. He achieved what was required through Sendhan Amudhan who was the king

The book takes through or gives a fair idea on history of Chozha dynasty, their lifestyle, the culture, heritage. I felt women were give n great respect and of equal importance even in decision making. People led their lived based on values and principles and never gave up on that.

The book influenced me enough to motivate to learn more about the cultural heritage, temples with architectural importance build by the dynasty. Also the book was amazing and captivating that I didn’t feel like putting book down even once. The amount of research that has into when writing the book by the author is very inspiring. This is a very important traits which I feel missing these in many books. The beauty of the cities such tanjore in their period amazes me. As I visit these places in the recent times, am unable to believe it was once a extremely flourishing in terms of agriculture, richness in monetary term, nature and goodness of the people living then. These is great work in the field of literature and one of the most read book even in the present generation

I would rate the book 5 on 5 in terms

style of writing
research
amount of work and time that has gone into writing of the book.
Story line
Influence that it has on readers

The Girl on the Train

Paula Hawkins is a Zimbawe-born British author, best known for her best-selling psychological thriller novel The Girl on the Train, Which deals with themes of domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse^.^{Hawkins Sixth Novel Into the Water}, was released in 2017. Around 2009, Hawkins began to write romantic comedy fiction under the name Amy Silver, writing four novels including Confessions of a Reluctant Recessionista. She did not achieve any commercial breakthrough until she challenged herself to write a darker, more serious story. Her best-selling novel The Girl on the Train(2015), was a complex thriller, with themes of domestic violence, alcohol, and drug abuse.The novel took her six months, writing full-time, to complete, at a time when she was in a difficult financial situation and had to borrow from her father to be able to complete it. The novel was adapted into a film in 2016.

This book revolves around three women Rachel, Meghan and Anna and their narration from individual point of view. The story begins with Rachel a 32 year old women,divorced from her husband Tom. He is now happily married to another women Anna and also has a girl child Eve. Its been 5 years since the separation and She still haven’t recovered ,which has turned to an alcoholic. She has lost her job and in search of another job. She stays along with her friend Cathy who she knew from her college days. She takes her regular train which passes through her old place where stayed with her husband. Also she observes the activities of another couple who stay few blocks away from Tom. They were a perfect couple ,but have never met them in real life.

Megan Hipwell was living few houses away from Tom and Anna’s. She was working in small art gallery, but got gallery got shut down due to the lack of market for art. Then she worked as nanny for while at Anna’s place. But left after 2 or 3 months. She was in a relationship with someone else before marriage and was in a live-in relationship. She had a brother Ben who died in a accident. Megan has not been able to come in terms even though few years have passed. On suggestion from Scott, her husband consulted a psychiatrist, Kamal for whom she eventually developed an attachment and wanted to be in a relationship. She did talk about this to Kamal during one of her visits to him. But he didn’t have the same feelings and was scared that it would effect his practice. He wasn’t American nationalite, a refugee who lived in US for his career. One fine Saturday she goes missing unexpectedly.

Now to introduce another character Anna. She happens to be wife Tom and has girl child Evie. Megan was working there for a while as nanny. Anna lives few blocks away from Megan. She always had issues with ex-wife Rachel as she kept disturbing by trying to contact Tom at odd hours. This was sometimes effecting the family happiness. It is been 5 years since both Tom and Rachel split up. But trouble keeps popping up. On the night when Megan disappeared she saw Rachel in the area, exact reason for presence there was unknown to every one. In fact Rachel had sneaked into Anna’s house through backyard and took over Evie and tried to calm down the crying child. After that incident she was seen passing through Megan’s house.

Rachel had blackout on Saturday night and couldn’t remember anything that happened that day. But when she woke up her stuff were in the hall and house smelled of vomit. When Cathy came back to house, it was unclean and vomit through the entire house. She was frustrated as this had become a regular sight and had given Rachel 4 weeks notice to leave the place. Police also come next morning to enquire about Saturday night which even aggravated the situation. After few days she met with an accident and admitted in hospital and this helped her convince Cathy to let her stay at home . Her mother also was in a initial relationship with someone, but offered to help with some money. She went to the station and with the investigating officer and told them what she remembered that day and also gave them a key information. The other day when travelling on the train she had seen Megan with another person kissing each other in the most intimate way.

She mailed Scott, Megan Husband saying that she information regarding Megan’s case. Meanwhile she was called by the police authorities again and if she identify the person from few photos . Two days later she receives mail from Scott asking her to visit him. She reveal to whatever she witnessed and possibility of Megan in extra-marital relationship. The truth was a shocking revelation to Scott as he loved her the most and it was unexpected out Megan to fall in relationship with someone else. On Friday night both of Megan and Scott had a huge argument. Kamal was arrested as a suspect and investigated for 2 days and released him due lack of any evidence

On further investigation by the police it was found that Megan was in relationship with her Psychiatrist Kamal. On Saturday she visit Kamal house to talk with him and get things clarified. She reveals a secret about her past life that she has never revealed to Scott as well. In her previous relationship, she was majorly involved with drugs ,drinking and hanging around with friends. But eventually there was fallout with them. One fine day, she finds out about her pregnancy, but still carried on to live a carefree life. After the birth of her girl child , he left her out and never returned.

Megan body was found in nearby area buried and given that Kamal is more a suspect and Scott was considered to be a suspect. Rachel visited him again to beg for forgiveness and to assure him that whatever she said was truth. She had to reveal him that she was alcoholic, but at same she didn’t lie about what she had told him.

Now let us to the actual crux of the story. Megan and Kamal weren’t in a relationship. She had called him up to her house to ask her on a advice. She was pregnant and not with Scott, but with the person who she was actually having extra-marital affair. She was having in a relationship with Tom since the time she was working as Nanny to his child. But after she stopped working, there was pause in the relationship. When she tried telling the whole truth to Scott, there was huge argument, following which she went out of the house and never returned. She immediately called Tom to meet and even threatened he doesn’t show up. Eventually he did after attending to scene created by Rachel. Finally she revealed she carrying their baby and she wanted to ensure that he should take part in the growth of the child. But Tom didn’t accept it and requested for abortion as he wasn’t ready for another baby and also that she can never be a good mother. Denial from Megan to abort the baby lead to argument which eventually turned to a fight. Tom, unable to control his anger harassed by hurting her with huge stone on to Megan’s head, leading to death.

Meanwhile Anna found a spare phone in Tom’s Gym bag and found out he has been receiving messages from another women. As a result she had doubts that Tom was in a relationship with Rachel again. As she trying to sort it out and find the truth,Rachel came by her house. She revealed the truth about Megan and Tom’s relationship and revealed that Megan was pregnant when she was killed. Rachel tried to use the trick told to her by Kamal to help her find out the incidents that happened on the day of blackout.

Their whole conversation was overheard by Tom. When questioned he revealed the truth to both of them. When Rachel tried to leave, although after assuring that she will not tell the truth, he tried to assault her and kill her and made sure Anna and Evie were safe in their room. Eventually Tom was killed when she was trying to save herself. When the police came to the scene Anna saved her up by telling she had to do it in to defend herself

The Killer Sword

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The killer sword is the third part of Ponniyin Selvan. Ramaswamy Aiyer Krishnamurthy (9 September 1899 – 5 December 1954), better known by his pen name Kalki, was a Tamil writer, journalist, poet, critic and Indian independence activist.He was named after Kalki avatar, the tenth and last avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu. His writings include over 120 short stories, 10 novellas, 5 novels, 3 historical romances, editorial and political writings and hundreds of film and music reviews.

Lets continue from where we left off from the second part of the book.The cyclone continued for another two days.After it ended Pazhuvettarayar along with his queen Nandini finally arrived at Nagaipattinam port which one of the most busiest port in Tamil Nadu those days.Thousands of goods arrived at the port from other lands and thousands of boat used to transport the goods to the shore. At this point Parthiban enters and meets Periya a puzhavettarayar and his wife. He got carried away under the influence of Nandini and causing caution of doubt to Periya puzhavettarayar. He narrated his part of the story to them and gave them updates on the prince. The news was shocking to both Nandini and the Periya puzhavettarayar which after hearing went about to get inspect Parthiban’s ship. In the meanwhile Nandini brought Parthiban under her control, told a lie to him that Illaya Piratti was plotting against the Chozha dynasty and convinced him to do what she wanted to do

Now lets move our shift to the prince whom we left him off in the sea trying to save vandiyathevan and to Poonkuzhali. Both the prince and Vandiyathevan were in her boat as Poonkuzhali rescued them.The prince was trembling with flu that had spread whole Lanka, and was safely taken to Kodikarai. Before going ahead with journey Poonkuzhali over hears the conversation between Rakkammal, Ravidasan and Nandini. Rakkammal met Nandini and informed her that Ravidasan is waiting for her near the temple.Both the women go ahead to the temple. Nandini and Ravidasan have conversation and this was overheard Poonkuzhali. She is shocked and had to take steps to protect the prince even faster .Hence she runs to the place where she left the boat and just to find out missing and start to running to the secret mandapam in search of them. She was followed by her cousin Sendhan Amudhan. Both met and their conversation was overheard by Ravidasan. The magician came out from his hiding spot and blackmails her to tell truth about the hiding place of the prince and vandiyathevan. But somehow both of them managed to trick the magician who got caught in quick sand. Sendhan Amudhan and Poonkuzhali ran to the place where they had hidden the prince and Vandiyathevan.

Both Vandiyathevan and Sendhan pulled the boat from the hidden spot with the prince.As Poonkuzhali was conversing with each ,they saw Rakkammal and Ravidasan the magician hidden behind the bushes in the canal and watching them.In order to deviate their attention from prince both Poonkuzhali and Vanthiyathevan had to do small act ,to send a false message that the prince was killed by him during the cyclone.After that Poonkuzhali went on the boat with her cousin and Vanthiyathevan also left on horse to continue his journey .After ensuring that Prince and others were safe and have crossed the channel,he left the message that he leaving for Pazhayarai. Poonkuzhali,her cousin and Prince finally reached to Nagaipattinam Choodamani Viharam they could accommodated and proper treatment be given to Arulmozhi given his health condition. Vandiyathevan after a brief in a small village restarted his journey and reached river Mullai and here meets Devaralan who is one of the conspirators working with the magician Ravidasan.

At a distance they saw a palanquin and suddenly few men came out and captured. He finally met with the enchantress Nandini. After a small intense conversation they separated and he was left back in the bank of Mullai where he had the night’s sleep. He woke up the following morning to sight of Kalamuhars and all they said was he was to face a grave danger. He met with Maduranthakan the middle of the forest and was shocked. Kandaradithar was ruling the Chozha dynasty before Sundara Chozhar took over.He was staunch devotee of Shiva and had no interest in the materialistic world and also ruling the kingdom. His wife Sembiyanmadevi was also follower of Shiva and went on spiritualistic tour frequently.Before his death he had instructed his wife to bring up his children also as devotee of Shiva and should have any interest in the throne.So from the time he was child Sembiyanmadevi made sure to instill a deep devotion to Lord Shiva and give up the worldly pleasures.But even since he got married to the daughter of Chinna Pazhuvettarayar,there is sudden spark in him to rule the empire no matter Now she had sent message asking for his son to come to Pazhayarai so that the future course be discussed.

Lets get back to one of my favorite character Vandiyathevan who is in the middle of the forest who woke up in the early morning to the sight of Kalamuhars. They were just standing just standing besides him and he was still and acting to be asleep on purpose.Just after their departure he woke up .Their words “He will soon face grave danger” was still echoing in his eyes.Now a little history of Kalamuhars. They followed the tradition of Kapalikas in all aspects except to the fact they did not offer animal sacrifice.After he woke up ,silently followed Kalamuhars and overheard their conversation.They were taking about Maduranthaka Thevar who could ascend the throne and Arulmozhi who according to everyone is drowned in sea and have updates on his movements .And the other’s time on earth was coming to an end. He immediately left for Pazhayarai to meet with Kundavai and to give the information before any disaster happens.He didn’t want any wrong information to reach the princess.On his way he met with chariot of Maduranthaka Thevar .He used this chance to enter the palace by acting as soothsayer and said there was danger awaiting from him.

Before Sundara Chozhar ascended the throne, the Kingdom was ruled by his uncle Kandaradithar. He and his wife sembiyanmadevi was staunch devotee towards lord Siva and had dedicated their entire lives to the service of lord and build His temples.He did not believe waging war to expand his kingdom to avoid suffering of his people and wanted to establish peace.Hence the kingdom shrank considerably.Hence he didn’t want his son or his children take over the kingdom and wanted them to dedicate their lives to Lord Shiva .Hence he choose the best suited person to take over him ,that is none other than Sundara Chozhar. So for Maduranthakar until he was 20 years listened to his mother and her words were final words for him.But since he got married to the daughter of Chinna Pazhuvettarayar, he convinced and intrigued to ascend the throne of Chozha Dynasty. The Pazhuvettarayar always urged Maduranthakar to convince his mother to agree to it.The entire entrouge of Maduranthakar and Vandiyathevan entered the palace and slowly began to enjoy the festivities in palace.In midst of the festivities he caught the eyes of princess Kundavai. After the end of the festivities Maduranthakar tried to convince his mother,but she was strong enough not to fall for the bait and argued to keep the promise to her husband as long as she is alive. And conveyed her disappointment.

We all know vanathi was kodambalur princess and also close aide of Kundavai. Since arulmozhi has gone to war and the rumors that he had fallen into the Sea during the cyclone night she has fainting a lot. She has been having mood swings, happy as moon and sad as saith rise. On hearing the news the prince has drowned in sea, she has been devastated, fainted and fell into water. This created a commotion and Kundavai, Vandiyathevan and others came around to help her around. Meanwhile there was commotion at the entrance of the palace and this was due to arrival of prime Minister. He had come on behalf of Sundara Chozhar to convince Sembiyamdevi to let his son be crowned as the king,but still stands strong to prove her point. Following which he also had conversation with the princes Kundavai and were discussing matter about Arulmozhi and she was trying not to reveal that prince has been saved and is taken care of in Choolaimani viharam by Buddhist monks. As she was about to leave to prison to bail out Vandiyathevan to set him on further journey, she met with Vanathi. The kodambalur prince was planning to leave to as his uncle was coming from Lanka and would like to visit him and get all updates about Arulmozhi, as she has been deeply worried about him and his well being.

Vandiyathevan began his journey to Kundandhai with the scroll of prime minister. It was month of Aiypasi and beauty of Chozha Dynasty was even more stunning and amazing to watch as we travel. The fertile land , crops that had grown and he was completely immersed into this beauty and was in completely different dream world.Suddenly,vandiyathevan heard the song and was startled as he looked up and saw Azhwarkadiyan seated on the top most branch of a tree. As both of them were conversing , Vandiyathevan saw a palanquin and belonged to royal family. The vaisnavite did not reveal the truth on questioning and asked him to meet at kollidam. He started his journey and went past the palanquin and caught sight of Kodambalur princess.He finally reached the Kudandhai Josier’s house.There he met with Kodambalur princess.She begging him to take her to nagapattinam choodamani Viharam. She wanted to initiate the process of Buddhism. But both the Josier and vandiyathevan convinced her to do opposite.After this both the princess and Vandiyathevan parted ways and went ahead with the journey.

Vandiyathevan was captured and got hold of by Nandini and other conspirators. On the other side Vanathi was got hold of Kalamuhars as her to reveal the hiding place of Prince Arulmozhi. She tried to be bold but eventually failed to have a strong impact. Then Prime minster came up in a elephant and was forcing her to let the truth about the prince out.And she fainted out there and was finally saved out by Princess.The whole incident was a dream.Now lets move on to Arulmozhi and how well he is doing. He illness has subsided and had met with the head archarya and he got update as to what happened from him.Then he went to meet his beloved sister and Vanathi in Nandi Mandapam to discuss about the next move.After a serious conversation between Kudandhai and Arulmozhi,they shift their focus on Vanathi and Poonkhuzhali. As Poonkhuzhali was conversing with Prince and Kundavai,they saw vanathi was about to fall into river and was saved by Arulmozhi. The story continues in the next part…………………

Liar’s Poker

Liar's poker

Michael Monroe Lewis is an American Non-Fiction author and financial journalist. His bestselling books include Liar’s Poker(1989), The New Thing (2000),Money-ball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game(2003), The Blind Side Evolution of a Game (2006), Panic (2008), Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood(2009),The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine(2010),Boomerang: Travels in the travels in the New Third world(2011) and Flash Boys(2014). He has also been a contributing editor to Vanity Fair since 2009. His most recent book is The Undoing Project

Liar’s Poker is a non-fiction, semi- autobiographical book describing the author’s experiences as a bond salesman on Wall Street during the late 1980’s. Lewis was art history and economics student in reputed and prestigious Princeton university. He wanted to pursue his career in the field of investment banking. He attended the interview with Lehman brothers and didn’t get through it and failed other interviews for the jobs.One fine day he was invited by Queen Mother where his cousin worked for a banquet. He was lucky enough to meet wife of the managing director of Solomon brothers and managed to impress her.

Through an interview was arranged and finally got a job in one most profit making investment banking company Solomon brothers.We never know luck and fate take turn and sometimes in ways that is unexpected.They had 3 months training program before got into their core job and was shocked or taken over the varied behavior of the other trainees and corporate culture of the firm.The trick to survive is to retain your cool even under the pressure and give the best.This benefit the firm as well have growth of the person.The trading floor is on 41st floor of the building where people were always trading and mood of the floor was changing with respect to the changes in the market or any changes that US governments make.It became difficult for a trainee to distinguish between a salesman, trader and manager or manager director.Though salesman takes to investors to buy the bonds,traders took risk in bets that they played with in the market and manager took charge over them.But eventually each one of them irrespective of the role / position they were on 2 phones simultaneously.

The traders never had time to turn and pay attention to the trainees and they were made fun of.They had interaction with all main heads and bond traders of the firm and the hot heads of the company shared their tips to the trainees.Finally the department of equities who were addressing them for the week and the trainees never gave them much of the importance.Though Solomon brothers where one of the 2 or 3 companies who were underwriters for the stock,but within the firm it was the most ignored department and didn’t have much power.Solomon Brothers were mainly involved in Bond trading and sort of the only company that made major business through bond.They were in the beneficial position who could push the customers out.

The equity department head come put to talk about the history of the equities,the process of the company and was in the process of attracting few trainees to their department.They had selected 6 members including Lewis for this,to get to know about the department better. Let’s get back to floor 41 where bond trading was the core activity and lifeline of the company. The salesman has direct contact with institutional investors such as pension funds to whom the bonds are sold. The trader puts the bet over the bond and the salesman sells for that amount. Tradesman were efficient salesman as place bet and convinced the actual people to sell them at a better price. Salesman were better traders as they traded with the investors to sell the bond. Both play interchangeable, but the only difference is to the position and the advantage one has over the other. Traders are more closer to money than over salesman.

Finally the classroom training program was over and the trainers were allocated the respective department. He was bond salesman and was now working from London office. The team who was most notorious and known for bullying everyone around even the senior most person was the mortgage bond department. It was this department that made huge profits and was also avoided by most people for their notorious behavior. They took 6 new trainers into their team. The head of the team was role model in the company and she was taken as example if wanted to convey people to do different and achieve great heights.Wall street is place that brings borrowers of money and lenders together. Until the year 1978,the term borrowers referred to large corporations ,federal,state and local governments. But the fastest growing group was not anyone of them mention above but homeowners.The savings and loan grew and volume of outstanding mortgage loans grew from 55 million dollars in 1950 to 700 million in 1976.In the year 1980 it grew up to 1.2 trillion dollars which surpassed the combined US stock markets .Thrift was the word which was interchangeably used for saving and loans.Every year a skit was performed in Solomon brothers to create awareness among the employees as to how it works. Bob Dall main job in Solomon brothers was working for mortgage department and was also curious about how it works.He brought money at certain rate and sold at higher rate. On certain occasion he was a buyer as well.He has great passion for trading ,although he didn’t have official responsibility for Ginnie Maes, but began trading for him.The whole funda of mortgage bond is the bank gives loan to homeowner and the firm persuades the investors such as insurance company to buy mortgage bonds.The homeowner would pay back money to bank through installment and that money is given back to the bond owner.There is slight risk for default that the loan might not be paid at all.He started establishing a mortgage bond department and first recruit in the firm was Linnie who was working in back department.He started in the firm as postmaster department ,got promoted to clerical post and slowly moved in the trading department. And slowly they brought more resources into the team and Linnie became the head and Dall moved out due to health issues. But the team was mistreated by other team such as corporate and government department and the bonus given to them was lesser . But with change in few policies by the federal government, it changed the fate of mortgage department in Solomon department. Overnight from ignored department they became the most profitable department contributing to around 40% of the firm’s profits. They had the advantage of the fact that Solomon brothers where only one who were dealing with mortgage bond and were had no competitors in the Wall Street. Slowly Lonnie was not involved with the day to day activities and was mostly involved only in taking major decisions of the department.With the increase profits from mortgage department, it also started getting attention of the trainees who joined the firm.Some of the few best and smart traders were Andy stone, Howie Rubin and few others. Howie was considered the next Lewie. But the main disadvantage in Solomon brothers was the compensation benefits that the employee received. They didn’t match with profit got in by the traders which was also a major discouragement.The best traders slowly started getting offers from other firms as well. Simon Howie got a offer from Merrill Lynch, a 3 year contract with pay scale of 1 million per year.Before the Solomon could understand what was happening 2 other smart mortgage traders also left the firm as they received better offers. When Andy Stone got better offer from Merrill Lynch,a 2 year contract with 4 times the current pay scale. The few of them from higher comes tried to convince to not leave and hence Stone didn’t take the offer.But anyway left after few years.

Between 1981 to 1985 the only competition to Solomon brothers was First Boston.But others also slowly advertising that they were also into selling mortgage bonds. As a result of which Ranieri and Co was deteriorating so rapidly and there was so many factors contributing to it and attrition rate of the employees is one of the important factor. The inefficiency in the mortgage bonds was ruined with the establishment of CMO (Collateralize Mortgage Obligation). But it had achieved what Ranieri has hoped to achieve.With the establishment of CMO trading of Mortgage bonds became easier in limitless number of ways.They sliced and diced home mortgages to sold to investors. The terms such IO and PO were frequently used. Usually bond trading was heavily concentrated on the liabilities of the balance sheet, but with the mortgage bonds,the asset side of the sheet was also valued more.

But in Solomon brothers bad times were slowly starting and slowly rift among higher managers were begin to start. Ranieri , Strauss and other were shifted to higher roles so that they could help in increase in efficiency of Management.But the effect was bad and thereby resulting in chucking out Ranieri. Slowly the mortgage department in the firm started falling and many smart traders were in better position in other finance firms. Ranieri also started his own firm Ranieri & Co. On the other hand there were news about Howie doing its round. He had placed wrong bet and hence led to loss in huge millions. After this he left Merrill Lynch and joined First Boston.

Now let’s talk Mike Lewis and how he learnt and grew in the company. He got transferred to London office and he belonged to the Strauss dynasty. He learnt and was under the guidance of the two best traders. One was Alexander who positioned he took over in London and former shifted to the New York office. Also another person was his colleague who gave life lessons as well. The only difference between him and other were that he was just little smarter than others which gave him an edge over others. The main trait with Alexander was that he had the knack of identifying what was profitable and had the guts to take risk. He wasn’t like other salesmen who followed what others did and was afraid to risk. He would call Mike from New York give him a tip suddenly asking him implement them with the investors. These tips were market movements which help him to sell bonds to customers and I reap benefits for him as well.

This help him gain confidence among customers and it reached a point where they would call and want to speak with. Mike asking for suggestions and were to bet. It took 6 months to understand the trick and working of the department. He was initially working for small scale investors, later he was given large scale investors. He and Alexander came with a trick in warrants and entered into agreement with Germany to establish their firm and sell the new type of warrants that they formulated. They took help of the opportunist and took the entire credit to himself. In order to revenge for that Mike and Alexander entered into a deal in Japan and the opportunist was not kept in loop which effected his bonus and promotion. He later left the firm for other job. Despite him and many other traders had done a good job and brought business in billions, they were still paid less in bonus when compared to the work. There were people who did nothing in their current job, they got better bonus. Hence the attrition rate increases and went for a better opportunities. The head trader of British bonds left the firm for better pay and in Goldman sacs and was begged by Solomon Brothers to stay back. But he said screw loyalty and took up the better offer.

Then comes junk bonds into the market.The whole concept of junk bonds was conceived and created a market Milken. He was one who was also helping hand for all those falling bonds as well.Junk bonds are below the investment grade,but at same time the most volatile ones and earn more than the set standard rates or if at loss ,earning much lesser the existing market rates. Perelan was bidding to buy Solomon brothers with the help of Drexel and in fact created a lot of commotion. Lot of traders were leaving the firm and were joining the camp of Drexel and Milken. But Gruedfand entered in a deal with Warren Buffet and thereby prevented Perelan from takeover of the firm. This created another new market Mergers and acquisitions. But Solomon brothers,they rigid and were stuck with just bond trading and not ready to enter the money churning market such junk bonds and M&A.

Later company reached a phase where they were assessing the management of the firm and improving even further. In this process, they involved in the process of removing people out of firm. This news not only spread among Solomon globally and also to outside world. In usual scenario,no one from outside world knows what happens within the firm. Even the profits posted by the firm was worse than the previous years. But yet the bonus/Compensation benefits given were better off this year.Mike Lewis also received a better bonus than expected

The main lesson learnt by me if we have great idea ,strong belief in it ,we can create a history and whole world will remember them.But also important give the freedom to let employee to what they believe in and at same not acting as others do out of fear will help us in a long run. Sustaining your self through ups and downs and coming up through it also important. As employee in investment banking, we have be keen on details and understand the volatility of the market. With experience we transform ourselves from a geek to great achiever in our lives

Death on the Nile-Agatha Christie

Death_on_the_Nile_First_Edition_Cover_1937

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE was an English Crime novelist,short story writer, and playwright.She is best known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around her fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world’s longest-running play, a murder mystery, The Mousetrap and six romances under the name Mary Westmacott. Death on the Nile is a book of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 1 November 1937 and in the US by Dodd,Mead and company the following year.The full length novel was preceded (1937) by a short story with the same title, but with Parker Pyne as the detective. The details of the short story’s plot are substantially different, though the settings and some of the characters are very similar.

The book features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The action takes place in Egypt, mostly on the Nile River.The story begins with Linnet Doyle,a socialite and one of the richest women in London lived a comfortable life and gets whatever she wants done. She is known for her beauty, business like behavior and was of caring nature. Her friend Jackie(Miss de Bellefort) had called her asking for help. Jackie had a boyfriend Simon Doyle who was in need of job and she wanted Linnet to help in this regards. Both Jackie and Simon were deeply in love with each other ,were planning to marry and enjoy their honeymoon in Egypt. Both of them went on a date in a hotel and their conversation was overheard by Hercule who was sitting in near by table. Linnet was also engaged to someone else from a reputed family.

But when both Jackie and Simon met with Linnet, the situation and equation changed among them.Both Simon and Linnet fell in love with each and got married in a private affair and also in hurry.Many came to know through the newspapers and was a shock to the whole world as it was not expected.Linnet from high-end society and Simon was a nobody. After the wedding ,they took a trip to Egypt for their honeymoon.It is here the trouble so to speak begins.Simon Ex-Girlfriend Jackie kept following them and it becomes suspicious. This matter is brought notice to Hercule by Linnet .Later next day,Doyle approaches Hercule to speak in this regard.

Despite this, Mr Simon Doyle and Linnet Doyle continued their journey and tried to stay away form Jackie so that their honeymoon goes smooth without any issues or discomfort.But the effort were in vain and couldn’t avoid her. The couple and other who were part of the trip were out of the boat and having a nice time enjoying the beauty of the place,the temples ,the architecture of the place and getting with the familiar with the history of the place. Meanwhile,Hercule met his friend Colonal Race. He came to Hercule to inform about viable suspect in the group of people who were in the ship/boat .At the same time Hercule also shared his share of doubts on certain people based on the incident encountered. Linnet almost met with death on returning from touring around the place ,but the suspect was smart enough to make it look like accident.Now lets move a little forward in the story.In the bar,Linnet Doyle called off for the night and went to rest. Fanthrop was reading a book,Simon was reading as well.

Cornelia was doing Needlework when Jackie came in and started by ordering a drink and also striking a conversation with Cornelia. She wasn’t allowing Cornelia to go back to rest and wanted to continue the conversation.Jackie was trying to making conversation to someone through Cornelia.When Simon tried to leave to rest,Jackie went ahead and started to argue about how unfair he was to her.In the heat of the moment she took the gun she had and shot him.The doctor was called to treat him, the nurse was called to take care of Jackie to calm her down.Next morning ,news come to Hercule, that Linnet has been murdered.

Hercule and Colonel Race started investigating the scene and people on board. Linnet was shot through head and the murderer had written a symbol J(referring to Jackie).Then they started investigating all the passengers on the board . They became aware of the other incident with Mr Simon at the bar. After first few interviews it was sure though Jackie had motive she didn’t murder and had a perfect alibi. She was taken care of by the nurse and also was given an injection to calm her down and get her sleep. Finally Jackie comes into the scene of investigation and her side of story is also been heard.She reveals that her conversation where she conveys her agitation with Linnet was overheard by someone.Then both Hercule and Race went on to meet Simon along with doctor Bessner.

He was shot in his leg by Jackie the previous night. He reveals that long time enemy to linnet family was on board and it did upset her. Linnet’s mom was born to a millionaire and she married a person who plainly rich. He earned his living by betting in market and hence made more enemy.In the field he works one day a person is affluent and another day penniless.Because of Linnet’s father, father of accused went penniless which could be prime cause for murder. Now they interviewed the maid of Linnet who was last person to see the victim alive. Through that they found that the pearls also were stolen by the murderer and also there was another enemy in ship.

The former maid of linnet was in relationship with Mr Fleetwood who was also in the ship. He was married to local in Egypt, but went back to her family and never came back for more than half a decade. But both of them were in a serious relationship and intended to marry. But Linnet did a little bit background check and put an end to the relationship.Hence they suspected Fleetwood also a suspect and interviewed him.

Hercule and Race called up all the passengers in canteen where they all had their food so that their room as well the bags could check for the lost pearls. In meanwhile,the nurse came up to them and handed over the pearls and said the her patient Van Shyler is a kleptomaniac and is in a habit of stealing jewels wherever she had an opportunity. But Hercule was smart enough to find that jewel was fake and original was still with the person who murdered the victim.They did the search and found a gun in a bag of daughter of Mrs Otterbourne and also gun with Andrew Pennington. But the search ended in vain.

Next day morning, Hercule met with maid of linnet and gave him a hint regarding the killer, but couldn’t fully comprehend then. Later in the evening she was found dead in her cabin. A small bit of note was caught in her nails indicating that the she knew who killer was and used this for benefit and blackmailed for money. The money was in denomination of francs. Before the news. Of the murder, Jackie was called in by Simon and had a private conversation. Significant evidence of this conversation will be revealed later. Mrs otterbourne had seen the murderer enter the cabin of maid and therefore wanted to meet with Hercule and race. Both of the men were with Simon enquiring on few doubts that they had. But before she could the tell name, there was sudden blast and thereby leading to death of Mrs otterbourne.

Then he called Tim and made sure the truth came out of him about the stolen pearl and also revealed that Tim and Rosalie who was his cousin were in fact in love with each other. Once the issue of stolen pearls were resolved, then he moved on to main issue murder of 3 people in ship. The main people involved in the crime were none other than Jackie and her beloved lover Simon Doyle. Their plan was perfect and also had perfect alibi for each other . The story was confirmed by the Jackie herself in detail. Linnet killed herself and Simon also died in a sad way. All the 5 bodies were brought out of the ship and all the formalities were done.

Beyond Harvard-Mark.H McCormack

Beyond Harvard is dedicated to Mark H. McCormack who was an American Lawyer, Sports agent and also a writer. He was founder and Chairman of the International Management Group, now known as IMG an international management organization serving sports figures and celebrities. Some of his books were The Terrible Truth About Lawyers and What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School, which spent 21 consecutive weeks at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list. The whole concept of Sports marketing was brought in by him and he changed the entire business scenario in the industry. He felt that the sportsmen had a commercial value and that their potential needs to taped fully. There were few traits which came so naturally, and it is this that made the businessmen that he was. Mark was very intelligent, very sociable and comfortable among any cohort group of people. He was perceptive, good listener and observer, hard worker, well organized and punctual. Most important off was standards that he set to achieve was high, the focus was always on profit and believed in having a maximum connection with people. He was also a forward thinker, a great leader who believed in inspiring and motivating people who worked for him. The first part of the book is all about people and relationship. Mark always believed in creating a new relationship with people, maintaining contacts with the people. He always believed in networking and he was a live version of LinkedIn. He was a one-stop man who could get the task done and bring a solution to any issues. He believed talent is greatly important, if he could benefit from it and was could help the other person, he always ready to do it. He always motivated and inspired people around him and especially those who work for him. He made sure he helps those who are in need to contact the right person for the right thing. Being always prepared before any meeting and have done thorough research about the client that we are having a meeting with. Also, it is important to have proper knowledge of the people with whom we might in party or social gathering as it acts as a factor to gather new contact to our network. Everyone with whom we interact or work with are important and understanding what motivates a person to give his best, stay long in a firm and contribute plays a very important role. After reading the book in understood, he gave personal attention to his employees and his clients. If any employee with good potential and talent comes to notice he makes that employee can learn and makes the best of the career, also retain him in the firm as long as possible. Any client leaves the firm, he ensures he understands the issues, resolves and makes to rectify them and get the best deal for them. Stay true to yourself is something that I don’t find in people nowadays. Being true to self and transparent to your client the fact and promising what you can actually deliver is very important and it helps in developing trust and loyalty with not only clients but also with the existing as well prospecting clients. Another thing I observed was he never made any financial promises to his clients when making a deal. Treating a person as a human being and accepting them as they are a trait which is found in him only. The main factor that made clients choose over any other in the business was he provided a complete package to them starting from bank details, dealing with the investments and as well as looking for any investment opportunities and he also made sure he communicated and consulted with them before any taking the final decision. Thereby both the client and him as well other agent handling the client in IMG is in the same update and are aware of any changes if any. With trust comes longevity, if the effects the business in short tern financially, but helpful for the business on a long term basis. Just as it is more important to find new talent from the outside world and help to support them, it is also to do the same within the company. The main trait which I found in him that I don’t find in the chairman or any higher management officials is that he is always accessible and boost the morale of not only mid-management but also for employees who work below them. As a manager it is important to be an enabler, boost self-esteem and look for talent in the widest possible pool. The main motto in IMG when the recruit was hired people who are smarter than the person in the office. Maintaining internal relationships help in employee retention, loyalty and respect. Building trust, loyalty, giving the employee the right kind of space when are working so as to nurture their talent, identifying potential talent with enthusiasm company so there can have fast progress in career are some of the factors which play a very important role in maintaining an effective internal relationship with the current many but also in employee retention.

Good and effective communication both internal and external is the best way to create the first impression with the client. But also acts as the lifeline of any business. I promise something to a person, own it, follow it up and complete the task. Respect the people their cultural differences and thinking from their perspective is a very important trait of any smart person. Small trivial things can play a significant role. He was very particular in getting people’s names correctly. He checked and doubled checked it regularly. This seems trivial matter but was given importance by him and was one way impressing the other person. Always back up a person from your company if he plays very junior, it not only motivated and inspires to do more. It also shows the team spirit. If a task is delegated to a person, it is important to be more proactive and go an extra mile to complete the task given. When organizing a meeting in a hotel or any other place, make sure to create an environment so that efficient communication can happen, and it can be successful in the end. There is a proverb that Old is Gold, hence any good advice by anyone is never old.

Next section of the book is all about negotiation and what goes behind it. Whenever we are meeting a client, we should be fully prepared about not only we need of the deal, but also from the client-side. Common sense plays a very important role in marketing and negotiations. Adopting Problem-solving and consultative approach gives better results. Also, work backwards when the client faces challenges. Tone and context matter as well. Always when meeting with the client for negotiation it is important to set a positive tone before we proceed the negotiations or selling. Values and ethos do matter and showing them as well as respecting those of the clients also matter. When selling a product or representing a sports show passion and full commitment towards them. The tricky or rather the smart thing to do when we are selling is take price out of the equation and it can turn out to powerful strategy to get the deal done. The important trait that everyone needs to learn is to give listen and observe more before speaking. When in a meeting read the mood and pitch in at the right time. I also learn sometimes silence can be a powerful way of communication. Whether we are in a meeting or when we are Sharing bad to our employees sometimes silence speaks louder than words. When negotiating or selling, never overpriced the product or the deal. Whenever making a deal with the client especially new ones, promise them what we actually can do and then outperform. Innovation and thinking out of the box are one of the main elements of marketing as well as negotiations. Sometimes necessity becomes the driving force for invention. Use ambassadors wherever we to support our case. Use of the barter system help achieves the deal, minimize financial expenses and helps in developing a long-standing relationship for the business

The third and final section of the book is all about growing a business. When you or anyone who starts or intends to start a business in the near future is important to have strong values and moral principles. Apply them in your business and also make sure we apply them in the business structure as well. It is also important to remain professional all the time and reputation is an important strong core value. Set a high standard and have a high target to achieve. Pursue perfection and give importance to small and menial things. It might have a high impact on the business. Every loss and win that we have in our business as well as in or life matters and we learn from every aspect of it. Take it with positive stride. Information is of great essence and power and use of it properly we help understand and in growth if the business. Matching right contact with the right opportunity at right play a very significant role. It is not only important to gain experience and also necessary to use them appropriately in new ventures and expanding the same in expanded it geographically. Budgeting helps to prioritize on spending and reduce unwanted expenses. Right pricing helps us getting the deal and puts us in the right place over the other competitors. Stay ahead of your competitors and growing the business and giving a chance to employees to also in career was the main trait of Mark. There is saying that keep friends closer, enemies even closer. Likewise, keep competitors closer and have an update as to what they are up to. Having the entrepreneurial spirit and love for the work that we take help in growth. If we do it passion work is never working. Always look ahead, even at the expense of short-term gains. Always look it for opportunities and never underestimate THEM. Never be afraid to take the risk, always have long term goals.

The Cyclone-Kalki Krishnamurthy

The cyclone

The Cyclone is part 2 of ponniyin selvam which was written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. Initially it was published as weekly series in a book which was later published into 5 parts.It was written in Tamil and was translated by C.V Karthik Narayan in english for the wider reach of the book and culture of the Tamil Nadu.

The story in the first part ends when vandiyathevan starts his journey to Eazham to meet Arulmozhivarmar. On the other end Aditha Karikalar narrates his story of the enmity between him and Nandini. We all know that Adhitha karikalr entered the war at a early age of 16 and defeated the Pandya and beheaded the king Veerapandyan. There is an another story to it which no one in the kingdom knew.He was in love with the Nandini. But during the war the king of Pandya was in hiding in our beloved Nandini and she was taking care his wounds.But in fact they both were in love which Aditha Karikalar wasn’t aware of.When he found out the hiding place of the Pandya king,despite the pleading of Nandini and due to his duties towards his kingdom therefore had to kill the king.But this had created a deep wound in the heart of Aditha Karikalar and enmity towards Nandini. It is possible after the incident to quench her thirst for revenge,Nandini was plotting to destroy the Chozha Dynasty . Lets move ahead to second part of the series

Here is introduction of yet another amazing character Poonkuzhali who knows her way around the ocean and also amazing singer.Apart from her talent,she was known for her fierceness,strong headiness,temperament and helpfulness. She was in her boat which was floating near the shore singing and enjoying the nature around her.On the other side of the forest was a temple and deity of the temple was Kodikarai Kuzhagar and it was built by Sundaramurthy Nayanar about 200 years ago.Our dear beautiful lady left for the temple as it was about to close through the dense forest.It is here she encounters the warrior Vandiyathevan. The interaction between started with a comical.She started to run before he could understand as to what was happening or to start communicating. She came to shore and shifted her direction towards the lighthouse confusing Vandiyathevan. Finally he caught her attention and finally spoke her and introduced himself and how he knew her through Sendhan Amudhan(Who he met in Thanjavur).He tells his purpose of his visit and message given by Kundhavai(Illaya Piratti) and his need to visit Arulmozhivarman in Eazham(Now Srilanka).He asks her help to go Eazham to complete his task given to him as she knew her way around the sea and also familiar with the its nature.But convincing her was humongous task as she was very stubborn in nature.But finally agreed to help him. As vandiyathevan with the help of pookhuzhali travels through sea to eazham, lets moves to Azhwarkadayan, a character which we have forgotten for long time. For a person who is strong vaisnavite in nature, enters into argument as to who is to better, vaisnavite or Saivite in Lanka until the prime Minister of Chozha dynasty enters the scene to stop the fight.Lets detour a little bit into the history.A copper plate of inscription which gave details of grant of 10 velis of land made to prime minister Anbil Anirudha Brahmarayar was found in the village of Anbil ,Tiruchirapalli. This got from Sundara chozhar,four years after he ascended the throne.The whole story of heritage,lineage.Meanwhile when Vandiyathevan is Bhoodha theevu to get help and track Arulmozhivarman, Azhwarkadiyan was discussing the state affairs with the prime minister,Illaya Piratti was contemplating whether to go to Thanjavur. It here the story of Dear Prince Arulmozhivarman is famously called Ponniyin selvam is revealed.After the King ascended the throne,he and his family often traveled in royal boat on river ponni. When elders were having fun on one end and children were having fun on the other end,Arulmozhi went missing.On desperate attempt of searching he was found the floating in the river by Aditha Karikalar. The king fell down to save the baby,but suddenly young women emerged from the river with the baby in the hands. The king took up the baby and went back to boat.It was such a amazing sight and everyone came to conclusion that river kaveri saved him.Hence the name given to the baby Ponniyin selvam. Now its time to reveal another secret in the history of the Chozha Dynasty. Kundavai had arrived in Thanjavur from Pazhayarai to take the matters in hand and resolve them before the dynasty is ruined.Her father reveals a secret that no other than the prime minister no body knows.It was a time when Arinjayar, father of Sundara chozhar was wounded in a battle and was struggling between life and death and in parallel Paranthakar was in death bed.Meanwhile various search parties were sent in different direction to find and to bring Sundara Chozhar back to the palace.Meanwhile the king was in small beautiful island surrounded by water on sides and filled with trees.Here he caught sight of a beautiful girl in the island who was both deaf and dumb.She was girl who was living in forest with no exposure to city life,very naive and innocent.He fell in love with her and having not wanting to return to kingdom and captivated by not only beauty of the place also with the girl he stayed for a while.But the one search party sent to find him,finally found and he returned palace and had to deal with unusual political crisis.On the day of coronation he saw the girl in the crowd and afterwards he ordered the prime minister to sent to search parties to find ,but in vain and found that she was dead .He always felt that the her death has been a curse to family and always feel he sees her ghostly figure in night.Since we were concentrating on revealing secrets we have forgotten about Vandiyathevan. The town in Eazham he was in was was lying the opposite of Rameshwaram on the other side of the sea.He finally arrived the gates of the fort where he wanted enter and meet the commander of the Chozhas and give away the scroll.He tried entering the fort using the same trick that he used in thanjavur fort,but failed.But it in this town he meets his vaisnavite friend Azhwarkadiyan. But all that happens for he good he appeared in the right and was of great help to vandiyathevan. Through the Vaisnavite he met with Kodambalur Chieftan and his army of soldiers.Both of joined them and finally tracked the prince Arulmozhivarman. He was in Mahout along with the local to learn more local culture and Buddhism. Finally both Warrior and Prince finally met face to face and handed over the scroll given by Kundhavai to Arulmozhi. Now they finally to the capital city of Sri lanka,Anuradhapuram and it was day of festivity.Here he met with vaidulya bhikshu sangam at stipulated time.The bhiksu led prince and his two companions the way and finally reached the hall which was filled with idols of the buddha only. Maha Thero Guru was seated in the throne and other buddha bikshu were gathered around.The main agenda of the gathering was to decide the person to ascend the throne and the Maha Thero guru wanted Arulmozhi to take throne and rule Srilanka. But given the humbleness and kindness he denied to ascend the throne. The secret was finally revealed by sundara chozhar himself to his daughter.But in Srilanka, Arulmozhi met her and she revealed her story through the paintings.She has helped him in unsuitable situations and saved his life.Here arrive into scene Parthibendran who is Pallava king and now close aide of Aditha Karikalar and had come with the task of taking Arulmozhi along with to Kanchi. Meanwhile a shocking news was brought by none other than Poozhukali. There were two troops were sent by Pazhavettrayar to bring back Arulmozhi to Thanjavur. There was also another ship which was handled by Arab and the control of the Pandya conspirators whose main intention is to capture the prince and kill him.The prince,vandiyathevan,vaisnavite ,Kodambalur chief and his army reach the bank of the sea.But unfortunately vandiyathevan fall for this bait.The prince takes the help of parthiban,his army and the ship starts off to save Vandiyathevan. As it turn out in the middle all the commotion and confusion,there is huge cyclone, making it difficult to rescue more difficult.The ship that vandiyathevan is get hold of fire and others in the board escape leaving him behind.The prince overcomes the obstacles and save vandiyathevan from ship and he faints off. Poozkhuali save the prince and takes him in her boat with the help of Sendhan Amudhan. Parthiban and troop f/lose track of the prince and trying track him done and are in worried about his survival from ocean due to the cyclone.The rest of the story continues in Part 3 of the ponniyin selvam

The God Of Small Things-Arundhathi Roy

god of small things

Suzanna Arundhati Roy (born 24 November 1961) is an Indian author. She is best known for her novel The God of Small Things(1997), which won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997. This novel became the biggest-selling book by a nonexpatriate Indian author. Arundhati Roy was awarded the 1997 Booker Prize for her novel The God of Small Things.

The story is set in backdrop of Ayemenem which is now part of Kottayam,Kerala.Its a story of twins Esthapan and Rachel who were separated at an very early age and were reunited at a age of 31. Ammu Ipe wanted to escape from her abusive father Pappachi and convinced her parents to send her to distant relative of her’s in kolkata. There she met love of her life and got married despite apposition from her parents.He works for a tea estate and is very alcoholic and abusive and wanted her to be a pimp to his boss.Despite this circumstances she became pregnant and gave birth to twins.After that she gave birth to the twins she returned back to her hometown Ayemenem. Pappachi was entomologist working for the government and ill-tempered and abusive father and a husband to mother.She had a brother Chacko who was married to Margaret a English lady who lived in London and have a daughter Sophie Mol. Both of them got divorced and she got married second time. Esthapan was later sent to his father in kolkata. After the death of Maraget’s second husband,she and Sophie Mol was invited to India by Chacko. The author smoothly takes though the story to give the brief insight of influence of communism in kerala and Syrian christian lifestyle. Chacko,Ammu and the twins travel to kochi for a movie and also fetch Maraget and Sophie Mol from airport.On their way to theater there was protest by the communist party for the mistreatment untouchable labor in the factory. Baby Kochamma was mistreated by the communist.Now lets move to the next character of the book ,velutha who is carpenter and also mechanic who works in the pickle factory and also a communist. Ammu also had interest in this person and hence loved him by night and loved his children by day. Both the twins also started developing peculiar attachment with him as well.The book not only talks about the communism,untouchability,but also how the complicated relationship affects the family.Sometimes one small incident can take unexpected turn in life we may never know.Just going along with the flow of life matters the most.The story moves on to chacko and Maraget. Both of them met in a cafe where Maraget was working and fell in love with each other.They both got married against the interest of the parents of the both the sides.After marriage he loses the scholarship he was receiving and was unable to find the work and this was affecting the marriage.Meanwhile she fell in love with Joe a friend of her brother and realizes she was pregnant with her first husband.After her second husband death she was invited by Chacko to India for to spend some time .Meanwhile,our dear Ammu is locked up in her room after it is found out the she was having a relationship in Velutha despite the difference in the caste status between them. One fine morning,house faces other devastating shock,when they find out Sophie Mol is dead and the twins go missing.Later a complaint(FIR) is filed by Baby Kochamma about the missing kids and also she filed complaint against Velutha the untouchable suggesting he might have raped Ammu. But she was aware that both Velutha and Ammu were in sexual relationship with mutual consent and was very well aware of the consequences.Taking the FIR into serious account ,the police inspector and his other coworker went to History house were they found the twins and Velutha and he was almost beaten to death and finally taken to station.It was later found out that the kids were in the history house out on their own and not kidnapped.Despite this Velutha was accused of it and died.But when Ammu intending to station to tell the truth,Baby Kochamma planned and influenced Chacko to sent former out of the house to avoid any further embarrassment for the family.Also she arranged for the twins to be separate by sending Estha to his dad in Kolkata to prevent the two from any naughtiness in the future.

After reading the book, I realized that small incident which may think as they are not significant might actually effect our life unexpectedly. Life is just very unpredictable and we just we need to go on with life as it moves.Caste,untouchability,dignity and self respect played a very important role than happiness of people around and well between two people.These factors judged if two people can get into relationship,can they go ahead and it made life very complicated.Despite advent of technology,increase on awareness and education the mindset of the people as well the in the political scenario it has not changed at all. Communism still exist,Politician still propagating widely their religion and putting other lower caste ,rather than giving all equal importance.With respect to this book the story revolves twins living Kerala and how changes in relationship in people and external factors effect their lives

The Warren Buffet Way-Review

About the Author:
Robert G. Hagstrom is Senior Vice President and Director of Legg Mason Focus Capital. He has authored the New York Times best-selling The Warren Buffett Way and The Warren Buffett Portfolio, as well as The Nascar Way. The book takes about the principles that laid foundation and influenced Warren buffet in his decision-making skills. He is successful investor of all times and there no one even today’s generation to match of his skills.

His beginning Days…

Warren Edward Buffet was born in Omaha and was seventh generation of Buffets to call Omaha their home. Since his childhood he was always fascinated by numbers and was calculating machine even before he entered kindergarten. At the age of 10 he was introduced to son of Sidney Weinberg who was a senior partner in Goldman Sachs. Warren buffet was intrigued with the stock market at very young age. He would often visit his father’s brokerage firm and visit Harris Upham brokerage in New York twice a week. He was interested in learning about securities, bonds and stocks. He brought his first shares of stock at the age of 11. He later enrolled himself in University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton school of business and finance. After graduation he got back to stock market and started detailed research. He got connected to brokers and subscribed to various publishing services. He took classes on investment and stock market by Graham which was class of 20. Buffet was brightest among the students and there was amazing chemistry between Benjamin Graham and him. After graduation he returned to Omaha and joined his father’s brokerage firm, recommending stocks based upon the Graham’s approach. Later he got job in Graham-Newman and worked for 2 years until the firm broke off

Early Business…

The Buffet Partnership was started with totally 7 partners and total contribution of 105000$.The deal was the partners got 6% per year on their investment and 75% of the profits made above this and buffet received remaining 25% of the company’s profit. Initially the company brought undervalued stocks based on the Graham’s stock criteria. They initially brought stocks of 2 merging companies and sold to create risk less profit. As years progressed the company made good growth, thus attracting more investors to company. Initially the firm confined to buying undervalued securities and merger arbitrage. By the end of 5th year, he purchased Dempster Mill Manufacturing company which was a farm equipment company. Despite shift in the market psychology and change inflection point Buffet Partnership was showing outstanding results. But with the change in market psychology, the market was highly speculative, and stock were highly priced. In 1889 Berkshire Cotton Company was started and as it progressed, they combined operations of other mills. In the year 1995 buffet merged Hathway manufacturing with Berkshire and named it as Berkshire Hathway. Though the textile industry didn’t work out buffet had learnt few lessons in business which had a long-term impact. Enough capital was not generated to buy an insurance company. In March 1967, Berkshire Hathway purchased outstanding stock of 2 insurance companies who has their headquarters in Omaha. They were National Indemnity Company and National fire and Marine Insurance Company. Few additions were GEICO and owned nearly half of its outstanding common shares by the 1991.The amazing qualities of Warren Buffet were being logical, simple and understandable and never complicated the business. Even in the annual report published by the company the data provided are very transparent. The report shows both the sides of the organization risk and uncertainty involved.

Investment Learning Days….

Warren buffet education was influenced by 3 different people who had 3 different distinct philosophies towards investment. They were also very powerful people in this profession. They were Benjamin Graham, Philip Fisher and Charlie Munger. Buffet was influenced deeply by Graham. He initially learned the philosophies of investment through him and worked for his company. Graham always believed in taking logical approach when considering whether to buy a stock or not. He also believed that it is important to buy undervalued stock No matter what market value is, ensuring there is always a good amount margin of safety. He also believed in importance of calculate the future growth of the firm.
Philip Fisher started his career as an investment counselor and a graduate from Stanford graduate school of financial administration. His main philosophy, it important for any investor to first analyze the company and industry thoroughly first. Understanding their operation, how consistent their earning has been, efficiency of the management and the future prospects of the firm. Buffet met Charlie Munger, a lawyer through Dr. Davis when he had returned to Omaha at a local diner. But had great interest in stock market and just intrigued by them. Later he started an investment firm simultaneously practicing law as well. Later Charlie joined on Berkshire board and today he is vice chairman of the firm. Charlie laid business foundation apart from involving in investment decisions with buffet.

Investment Principles:

There were certain set principles or tenets that acted as a guide in this decision-making process and they were grouped in 4 broad categories. They were Business tenets, Management tenets, Financial tenet and Market tenet. There are totally 12 tenets which served as principles based in which Buffet as well his firm Berkshire Hathaway worked. Although all the investments made by him didn’t follow all 12 of them at once. The only exemption that deviated this principle was General Dynamics and Wells & Fargo company(bank). With General Dynamics he initially brought arbitrage stocks in Dutch action. The industry should be easy and understandable and should have efficient management. The investment should be made for longer term to reap better benefits. Warren buffet after brought at better discount rate and ensures that there a good margin of safety. He always buys shares of a company and preferred the stock market to delay the recognition as it gives him occasion to buy more shares at bargain prices. It is also important to analyze the long-term prospects or the prospects of the company. Buffet also said for every penny invested in the market, the return should be at least one dollar.

Learning and Tips:

For me as a learner, I learnt that for a firm which makes excessively good amount of profit it either pays more dividends to its shareholder or buyback /repurchases of shares else they invest in buying or expanding in other business. They buy other companies from business line or other which might not be doing well. This increases the expenses of the firm and reducing the profit that is earned. This leads firm to a very bad position of the firm and it leads to change in management and liquidating the business. Another learning is that Buffet is not interested short term appreciation and is not in a hurry to sell that stocks. He prefers to keep them as long as the firm is functioning well, management is efficient, competent, honest and business is not overvalued. But it is not important that we analyze and buy stocks or owning business, it also important that we manage the portfolio that we invest in. Though decisions to buy stock are taken majorly based on margin to safety approach but there 3 other important constructs for portfolio management which buffet developed. There are 2 types of strategies one being active portfolio management and another index management. Both the strategies offer more diversification, but do not offer exceptional returns on the investment made. But according to buffet there is a third category that is focus investment. This simply means that choose and invest in few stocks that are likely to give above average returns over long period of time, rather than investing in bulk and can sustain the short-term fluctuations. He further talks about how focus strategies have advantage over the convectional diversification. We all know stock market, probability plays a very important role and one plays one of the determining factors of the stock prices. There were lot of theories explaining this concept and they are amazing and can be better understood in reading them.

People who are into the stock markets can divide their strategy into two ways one is prime bet and other action bets. Prime bets are serious bets. Action bets are for longer shots and hunches. Focus investing has been recommended by from the time of Graham. People like Graham, Philip, buffet and few others are known as super-investors and believed strongly in focus investing. Also, they were involved investing in stock market with the long-term returns and invested in business or stocks after details research. But nowadays it’s different what they the investors tell the client and what they follow are completely different. Also, the performance of people who recommend where invest, sell, buy or hold of the stock based on their return they in short term. They analyze their performance for each quarter and hence they do not get the exponential return on the investment but also, they do not get to deep research on the recommendations they give. It is because of their nature of working on short term return, they are not able to achieve what people like Warren buffet, Graham was able to.

Psychology and economics go hand in hand in the investment and use them to look through the issues of finance is today’s world known as behaviour framework. Overconfidence and overreaction bias characteristics of any investor play a very bad role. Today’s investors think they are over-smart, have superior knowledge than other /their colleagues and are not ready to accept their mistakes. The investors usually follow what other people follow or act accordingly to the trend with understanding where they are headed and their impact. This effect is known as the lemming factor. Investors should be psychologically ready even bad effect of the stock market, they should analyze them and rectify the mistakes. Generally according to modern portfolio diversification, in order to reduce the impact of its important diversification and selling the stock off in shorter time. According to buffer risk refers to harm or anything bad. Also holding the investment for a longer period of time can minimize the risk or there can no risk.
Time and patience play a very important role in economics and investing. There are 2 sets of strategies involved in the stock market that short term and long term. The risk involved with the short term is high and return is unpredictable. In long term investment, the return is much higher, and the risk involved is lesser when compared to short term strategies. Also, it is important for an investor to be rational in his decision-making process in the stock market. Rational meaning taking the decision very logical and full knowledge rather than taking decision-based on speculation or what others in the herd/group is following. Thus, in long term investment, it important to consider the time factor and have the perseverance to patience. In the investing field, it not only important to have IQ and talent, but also necessary to have output in proportion. To get the desired output it is required to have a rational decision-making process and do thorough research before deciding where to decide and how much to decide and hence acts as tip of the iceberg.

Three Thousand stitches.

Three Thousand stitches is written by Sudha Murthy. She is the founder of Infosys foundation and wife of Narayan a Murthy. Narayana Murthy is founder of the IT giant Infosys. Her others books are Wise and unwise, The old man and his God, The day I stopped drinking milk, Something happened on the way to heaven. Her books are usually a collection of true stories that are relatable to everyone. The audience reading this book not only find the book relatable, but they give out strong message. These are real life stories that are encountered by the author in due course of her work and also with people around her and how they have influenced her. She finds a sense of joy and happiness in sharing them with the people and also make a impact on them.

Infosys foundation was set in the year 1996 with less knowledge of how an NGO works. There were lot of issues in India such education, malnutrition, rural development and many more to go on. But there was one issue which caught the attention of sudha was the tradition of devadasi. Traditionally, devadasi where dancers and musicians who dedicated themselves to the service of God. They could be both men and women and held a high status in society next to priest in those days. Kings donated huge amount money to temples. But as Britishers and others invaded our country, the temples were destroyed and kings lost their power. Slowly the Devadasi’s lost their only support, eventually becoming sex workers. In order to help first she went to a small village in Belguam district for few times to get am idea of the struggles they go through. But couldn’t get much, then she took help of her father she visited again. His father spoke them that Sudha was a teacher and was there to help them through scholarships for their children. This will help children get education and not to become as Devadasi. Devadasi’s got convinced and Sudha gave them the support and got them scholarship for their education. On achieving she was in their good books. She went ahead and gave every other help. She talked to AIDS and gave help to pursue other jobs and leave the profession of Devadasi. They came to her saying they wanted to start a bank and help their community. Sudha and her colleague Abhay after giving some basic knowledge on banking helped them setting a bank. People who worked there were mostly Devadasi’s. After three years of establishing, the bank earned about 85 lakhs. They even conducted a program to honor her for the support she gave. She has helped 3000 children of the Devadasi pursue a better education and they are in a better position. The task was not easy for her. She recorded threats from various people but it was her will and conviction to do better for them and the society made her go ahead

Sudha Murthy was invited to US to address a mixed audience of both students and successful people. Since she prefers to have a interactive session she opened to Q&A session. One kind person asked her what made her a confident person that she is today. After her 12th or PUC, she wanted to pursue engineering. In those days, it was not common for a girl to do it and people were against her doing it. She still went ahead to pursue it though she was the only girl in her college.She did it in BVB Bangalore. Being around boys for years and prone constant teasing and handling things on her gave her that confidence. Also the due support from her father especially

Handful of water can change many thought process and ideals. It did for our author. Sudha spent some time of her childhood with her grandparents one after School she went with her grandma for lunch and to attend Kashi Samaradhana. It was then she came to know the belief people has about Kashi and ritual people follow when they go there. Also it was considered good luck if person successfully completed the trip to Kashi and came back. It was difficult those days. It was also a dream for grandma to visit Kashi. But she died in vain and with regret that she didn’t visit Kashi. But Sudha started reading Buddhism books and was inspired to visit Kashi. She took the trip to Kashi, after visiting all temples and her friend there she thought of took dip in Ganga river. It was then she was reminded of her grandparents had her about Kashi. She was told after taking bath in Ganga river thrice, they should give the thing up something they loved the most. She gave up shopping for dresses and other desiring stuff that we buy. This vow was the gateway for her freedom.

On occasion she visited her friend home Rekha for lunch. It was the day there was shaven in Rekha’s home hence food was bland. Usually on shaven we cook food from thing that traditionally grown in our country. Rekha father’s was botanists and they had a small garden. It was through him, that Sudha gained huge knowledge of various plants that we considered consuming were Indian, but actually were not. Red and green chili were from Europe. Tomato’s are Mexico native. But we use them in day to day cooking and indispensable. Black pepper is of Indian origin. Today we have forgotten about the spices and vegetables of Indian origin and have taken stuff of foreign as our’s.

Once Dr. R. H. KULKARNI father of sudha Murthy was post rural clinic, a place in border of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Not many use to visit the clinic as they believed in home medication But one night he was called by few people and was taken in cart to middle of farm. He saw pregnant girl in labor and helped her despite her asking not to. She was a 16 year old. After the labor, he gave the fee he received and helped become a nurse. Later through her daughter he came he to know about and she had actually become a nurse. Few encouraging words helped a person to come what she is today.

Sudha wanted to build a proper office for foundation in bangalore. But real estate in bangalore was very costly. With little saving in interest from fixed deposit, she was able to buy a land with a old building in it. She shifted there for time being as she couldn’t rebuild the building. Meaning she went for talk in one of the gulf countries there she meet two women who gave shelter to maids who brought through agent and later mistreated by the employer and send them back home. But we’re finding difficult to find funding. When sudha Murthy went there and heard their stories they was moved. She offered to help even if her dream of building her own office will be delayed. After 15 years after this,she shifted to new office and name it as Neralu.

One day Shiba, one of her dearest friends from Belgium says called her to invite for her her grandson first birthday. But schedule of person who is the backbone of running a huge NGO such Infosys foundation is very tight and always have some things keeps popping up. Loads of mails, meetings to attend, call to answer and attend various events. Keeping all this in mind she had say no. But her friend kept persuading to attend, so sudha asked her to coming to office and see how her work schedule is. When shoba did, she observed that she didn’t have time to eat or talk properly even to her family properly. Also whole weight of foundation was on her. At end of day when shoba question her why take so much effort, the answer was just that following passion is sometimes also important.

Last stories covers an important issue is alcoholic addiction. On one occasion where she attended a relative wedding, she met her cousins. One of her cousin’s asked her give advice to her daughter about which path to pursue as she had job in hand as well PG admission also. When the daughter visited she came know that the girls father was alcoholic and recovered with help of group alcoholic anonymous. She did further research and spoke to people and as well as her stories of those who recovered through AA. She attended a session of AA to get to know these stories after hearing all of then she realized hope live and go ahead in life matters more than money

After reading these I learnt devadasi and who they were. I never knew their history. Also got good insight about cultural aspects of Kasi. It is important to pursue a passion and more importantly we create impact. Hope is one the helps us to move on in life. It’s ok to take break to sort ourselves and find what we want. The attitude that you have is enough to make a difference not how you dress and there is no need to show off that you are rich.