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Afsaane by @authorameya is a collection of 11 short stories.

The stories talk about memories, distance, jealousy, love, longing, divorce, loss and various other aspects that are important for people to talk and understand. Relationships are very complex but also involves a lot of hard work. The concept of each story is very relatable and relevant to the current generation.

The story that stood out was – ‘Blinkers On’. The theme of the story was about adoption and issues surrounding that. It talked about the stress the couple does through, difficulty in getting the extended family onboard. I consider the family to be courageous to take the step and adopt a child. The story clearly outlines the issues the couple faces in the process. Change is difficult to handle, but if that change is for good it is important to accept and adapt.

Adoption is something that people do not consider or talk about. I am glad that the author has taken an amazing effort to write a short story on it. I am looking forward to a day, adoption becomes a regular norm and people start considering adoption as one of the option to have kids

Personally, adoption is close to my heart and support anyone who takes a step in that direction. One day, I hope to adopt a child of my own.

I also liked few others such as Dreams, Healthy home and Trapped. The theme of these were also equally important. These stores talked about following your dreams, healthcare workers, health policies, gaps jn implementing those policies and lastly drug addiction.

In short, the stories were to the point and gives emphasis to important issues.

People are born for a reason and purpose, sometimes they tend to lose it over the course of life.  It takes effort for people to take a step back and get back to understand the purpose.  The author Camilla, is herself a protagonist in the story. Camilla is a psychic who knows her past and the different life experiences she has had.

She takes us back to the Mughal era in India, about  Arjunamand who a princess during the time. She was far more progressive and matured in her thoughts. She leads a fulfilling and cherished life and finds true love when she marries her husband.  She became a queen and played an equal role in shaping up the country and playing an integral role in the lives of people around her. It is said that she took 650 births and having lived for 350 years to be born as Camilla in the present times. 

What exactly happened to Arjunamand? How is it she had an impact on the shaping of her country? What was her destiny and purpose in her life? How did she stay true to the purpose of life? How did she find her true love when it is the most precious and difficult thing to have? What defined her as a person?

The answers to these questions make the rest of the storyline. In life, we don’t get the answers to what we are seeking very quickly. Searching for answers to the most important questions in our life and understanding them makes our lives worthwhile. In doing so,  we tend to lose a sense of direction and purpose, being patient, and understanding what such process entails also makes it easier.

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The Tata Group – From Torchbearers to trailblazers brings to life the heritage of the 150 plus old Group which has 100 companies under its wings. The Tata group is part of Indian heritage and has impact generations of so many Indian lives

Jamsetji, the founder of Tata group is referred to as “Father of Indian Industry” and seems to great respect and unrivaled position in history of Indian business.Starting from setting up of empress mill in 1869, to setting of core Industries such as tata steel at times when people did not venture. He was pioneer, always ahead in his thinking, understood what India, and its people would need to grow post the independence.

Tata group is a firm that was established in Indian soil with Indian blood and with the hard earned money of Indian. He laid down strong foundation for the group and based on values which are relevant even today. When Indian and India as country was fighting for freedom from British rule and colonization, he envisioned what the nation would require to run post Independence.

We all know that Air India was nationalized by the government after the Independence, but New India Insurance which was also started by the Tata group to was nationalized. I didn’t know that New India Insurance was initially started by Tatas.

As a group, they believed in standing for what they believed in , never believed in bribing to get any approvals from the government even when their competitors were doing so. There have been several occasions, under both the Nehru and Indira Gandhi rule, they has to wait to few years to get permission despite their reputation, trust and contribution to the India and its growth.

Another fun fact, they did divest few firms which I didn’t know was once under their umbrella. To names them, few of them were Lakme to HUL, ACC(cement) to Gujarat Ambuja Cement, Merind(Pharma) to Wockhardt, and Goodlass Nerolac(Paints) to Kansai Paint Company.

Certain amount of profits from Individual companies under the Tata Umbrella, goes to Tata Trusts and they are used for funding various NGO companies. Infact a good portion of the money goes to giving back to community. Instead of being profit oriented, or personal profit, the Tata believed in giving back to the community. Given their global presence, they collaborate with the various organisation in India and other countries, to do something for the betterment of people and for various social causes. If they have been profit oriented and adding money to their own pockets, they would be richest group.

At the same time, giving back something to the society that has impact on million of lives, help gain trust and thus earn them economic values. They even work for the communities surrounding their factory or tea plantation and those working for them. The employees were taken care, from both the financial aspects and They were given various employee benefit even before the government mandated few policies for the employees.

The first thing we look at is what is right for the nation and larger economy, the we look at what is right for the group, and what is right for the company and business. That is how the entire thought-process works in the Tata group and that is how this group has been for over a century – Veeramani Shankar

The Tata group believed in having human touch with their shareholders. JRD was referred to known as “Benign Baron” and preferred to have relationship with stakeholders on normative, moral commitments rather than as those who are responsible for profit. He liked to have human touch in his relationship with stakeholders rather than seeing them only in terms of profit and business. This approach did earn them reputation and trust, thus providing the firm the required economic benefits. The group gave immense importance to ethics and values

There were many instances and incidences in the book which played an integral part in the growth of various companies under the Tata group. They help understand how they have survived 150 years, stood test of time, overcome cyclical changes in business, liberalization, mastermind behind the global expansion.

This is a book worth reading and must-read to understand the essence and the heritage of The Tata group

Brief about the story: Dunbar boys loved, fought and lived life as brothers would do. Bridge of Clay is the story of Clay, third brother and narrated from the perspective of Mathew of the elder brother of the Dunbar boys….. Their mother Penelope died out of cancer and father Michael Dunbar left them after her death to fend for themselves. Michael comes back to just ask for their help to build a bridge. What happens next? Why has he come back now? What is Clay offering to help build the bridge? What is it that is worrying Clay?

My opinion: Makes for a good emotional read. There were characters did touch you so deeply. Penelope and Carey are two characters who had an impact on me. Clay was different from the five brothers and loved by parents. He was a unique character and stood out in any crowd. Although very silent, he cared deeply for people around me. This Clay was a man of few words but had a great impact on people around him

The book also talked a great deal about relationships between siblings and especially among brothers. Given that I am a single child, I enjoyed the camaraderie shared among them. Although they fought, pulled each other’s leg but at the end of the day they were there for each, should solidarity and great love for each other.

A book that talks about relationships and their impact on the lives of the people around them. The kind of relationship they shared amongst each other. The genuineness and trust shared in the relationship between the brothers, between Penelope and Michael or Clay and Carey is something that is missing these days.

The story gives emphasis on living life without killing ourselves. Life can get complicated, and it is complex anyway. Making sure to live an outstanding what we want from life is equally important as well. Carey fought for what she wanted to do, that is horse riding when parents thought it isn’t for her and that should be taken as a profession by her brothers. Clay took up the responsibility to build the bridge when no one could understand why he was doing it especially for person who left them when in need.

I would rate the book 4/5

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William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 – 23 September 1889) was an English novelist, playwright and short story writer best known for The Woman in White(1859) and The Moonstone(1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to the family of a painter, William Collins, in London, he grew up in Italy and France, learning French and Italian. 

The moonstone makes for a good 5 star read. I would recommend the readers to read this book. One of the best mystery novels that I have come across after Sherlock Holmes.

The moonstone which is part of Indian legacy for centuries and safeguarded by three Brahmins in India. Until one day colonel Herncastle takes the precious and highly protected stone back to England. It was one of his usual foul deeds in his life.

His niece Rachel, daughter of Lady Verinder receives The moonstone on her eighteenth birthday. But only to lose the precious stone the very next day. On the other side of the story, the three Brahmins who have been given the responsibility to guard the stone have reached to England to get hold of it and bring the stone back to its place

The mystery of the entire story revolves around finding back the diamond from the culprit. Each character plays an equally important and significant role in retrieving the diamond. I loved a few characters loved in the story.

Miss Virender – Loved her for the fact she stood her ground for her choices and opinions. She held her head high and strong for what she wanted, in a time when it trait preferred more in men than women. She stood for her love too

Sergeant Cuff – I loved him for the fact that he was similar in many aspects to Sherlock Holmes. He knew his way around while working cases. He had an acute sense of understanding of people and a great reader of body language. Although he did a few mistakes, he was right on judging who the Culprit was

There two or three others that I loved them for what they and what they stood.

In continuation of my intention to learn and understand economics better, I picked up Poor Economics. Various aspects and factors affecting poverty were discussed in detail. They say there two sides to the same story. Hence when discussing every aspect relating to poverty, they have talked in detail taking into account both sides of the story. They have told what has worked and what hasn’t. Although they haven’t provided the perfect solution, but have proved that with the right intention and focus change can bring about in poverty. Small changes in dealing with various things can have a huge impact. Hopefully, everyone can bring about such small change and create a positive impact

It changed my perspective on how I look at the concept of poor people and poverty as well. I was believing in a few common perceptions the world has on the entire concept of poverty and how to get rid of it. Reading this book has given me a fresh perspective on poverty and would look at it from point of view of all the stakeholders involved with it

I would rate the book 4/5

#qotd: what is your opinion on poverty? Is it a possibility in our lifetime to eradicate poverty?

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#review Paraa “Your choices will gather the courage if a lion, the strength of an elephant, and the wisdom of a monk to face the challenge of life if you want to face the adversity”

The book is story of women who marries a naval officer who is very abusive and possessive. She tried to satisfy him and tries to fit herself as per the set societal norms and the expectations of people around her. She comes of that mold and tried get footing for herself and her daughter’s
Along the way she also shares learning based on her experiences and give tips as well which can helpfull for reader of implemented. It is important that we stand for what we believe in rather than fit into preset norms.

As a women it is important to be financially independent and pursue her dreams. At the same have a partner would accept her as she is and encourage to purse her dreams and desires

That thing about you by @authorabhaidev
My first post and review for this year 2020….. Subodh, who works for a multinational IT firm based in Mumbai. He is introvert, immature, indiscipline and has no goal with what he want to do with his life. Although he is very aware of this, he doesn’t do anything about it. Untill he overhears his crush sneha talking to her friend that she plans to reject for the cited reason.

It is , then he seriously considers and introspects his nature and habits. It is at the same time he happens to hear a voice of the girl, Kalpana who helps him not only to  introspect, but answers all his questions regarding himself. He hears the voice, but she is not visible physically

Another girl undergoes similar experience. I don’t know whether it is a co- incidence or it was  destined to happen. But it happened and helped them in  self analysing themselves.

In case of Subodh, his first rejection on love, takes him into path of introspection and self- discovery about himself. Although it led to chaos in his life for while, at the end of the path, he came out as better person.
Sometimes it is certain incidences that wakes a person up from his sleep and monotony to sharpen him/ her . These  incidence and life experiences can makes bad at the time of occurrence, but they are sometimes good things. They can bring about drastic, yet postive changes

The book also highlights that it is good to visit a psychologist as and when needed. And that is normal for person to do and is not something to feel bad about. It is important to set goal for life and also introspect our lives from time to time. It helps us understand how we have grown as a person

#bookreview of Becoming by Michelle Obama “When they go low, we go high” – Michelle Obama, Becoming

Becoming is a that you must take your time to read to enjoy reading. The book is a very inspirational and motivational read.

The memoir is a journey of amazing women whose first choice wasn’t to be first lady, yet she took in her stride and made an effort to bring about as much change and impact she could make on young girls, education among others

Michelle Obama talks about finding your voice and how powerful tool it can be if used efficiently. She not only used it to voice her opinions, but also to have imapact on various issues and people of US.
She mainly worked in areas of improving health, reducing obesity, inculcating healthy eating habits and improving life of families of army who have lost thier loved ones.

To conclude, make sure your voice is heard. Allow yourself to be known, own your unique story and use your voice. I would recommend to read this book.

Pic courtesy: @pinterest

The book is collection of poems which are categorised into different sections.

The poems covers various aspects of life  ranging from romance, breakup, harsh realities, the dilemma that we face on different situations etc…

He even touches on few topics that are relevant to society and politics such the communal riots, caste divide etc and it’s impact on lives of the people part of it

There are few poems that I connected to and few i was touched by reading it. The poems do talk talk about the reality that we face in life or might in the future. It is important to be open minded about life and face the ups and downs that life has to offer us.

I would rate the 3.5/5