A Stitch in Time: The Biba Story by Meena Bindra (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

2138th BLOG POST

6th Book of 2025

Reading autobiographies gives me the much-needed kick every time I complete one. Be it written by a person from any field—Movies, Politics, Entrepreneurship, Sports, or Social Causes—it always inspires me. This time I got a chance to deep dive into the life of Meena Bindra, the founder of Biba stores in India, which is one of the leading brands for women’s clothing. This 215-page hardcover book titled “A Stitch in Time: The Biba Story” is one of those rare books written with complete honesty and purity.

 

The book is nicely divided into small chapters, which makes it perfect to read one a day if you’re not a binge reader. The author starts by describing her childhood and the status quo of her parents and siblings. She shares her upbringing in a way that helps us understand its impact on her later years. Meena narrates her college life and clearly explains how girls were perceived in those days. She talks about an instance where one of her friends got married very early, which reflects the mindset among girls then. Her initial meetings with her to-be husband and how things fell into place leading to marriage make for a very interesting read—it’s hard to imagine people falling in love and proposing romantically 4–5 decades back.

 

The whole event where Meena hosts a small exhibition with a friend in Vishakhapatnam by sourcing clothes from Delhi highlights her courage and entrepreneurial spirit, even when she had no vision of becoming one at that point. Earning ₹8000 in a single day during those times was a huge amount, and it inspires us to try something on our own instead of just talking about self-employment. She describes her life as the wife of a navy personnel with deep interest which explains us about the multiple shifting to different cities, staying in an isolated environment, inaugurating ship standing beside her husband etc. We often just hear about the life of defence officers but very rarely get an insight into the life of their spouses- the gap that Meena fills successfully in this book.

 

The story then moves towards her early motherhood days and the challenge of managing budget with two children, which eventually led Meena to decide to earn for her family. The entire journey of BIBA is described in detail—from starting at her home, experimenting with block printing, people loving her designs and spreading the word, Bollywood actresses like Sharmila Tagore and Ratna Pathak shopping from her store, tie-ups with brands for supplying at their outlets, to finally being recognized as one of the best SKD stores in Mumbai and other milestones. The interactions of BIBA with Shoppers Stop and Mr. Biyani of Future Group are very interesting, as they highlight critical thinking, tough decision-making skills, and the importance of trusting one’s instincts.

 

The last one-third of the book focuses on how her children grew up and began participating in the BIBA business, bringing their own vision. It reflects Meena’s open-mindedness, as she allowed them to implement their modern ideas without letting her own thoughts restrict them from trying and failing. She also candidly shares the scenario of a rift between the brothers that eventually led one to leave the business. She never directly criticizes anyone, but through her narration, we can understand who disappointed her at different stages of her life and entrepreneurial journey.

 

In the last segment, I particularly liked the essay Meena wrote on Fashion, which carries a philosophical tone that excited me enough to re-read it twice. She also includes a monologue-like piece on girls and how they must lead their lives with genuineness—something often missing in today’s feminist articles. She speaks about what is truly required for girls to progress and compete against the opposite gender and societal prejudices.

 

The author hides nothing—she even shares intricate details of her growth in business and describes her failures with the same enthusiasm. This honesty makes the book very special and highly recommendable. I would rate this book 4.25* out of 5 and recommend it to everyone who thinks business can only be started with great capital and a big team.

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Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna by Gautam Chintamani (Book Review: 3.75*/5)!!!

2137th BLOG POST

5^th Book of 2025

Being a Bollywood fan, reading a book based on movies gives me the same excitement and thrill as watching films. I always look out for books that speak about the changes in cinema over the years or narrate the lives of popular figures through biographies/autobiographies. This quest led me to Gautam Chintamani’s Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, which has been re-published by Rupa Publications after 10 years of its first launch. I never knew about this book, but thanks to Rupa for bringing it into the spotlight once again.

Gautam, as an author, has a wide range and vast experience, having written for years across different forays covering everything from movies to politics. This was my first opportunity to read his work, and I must say his writing style is adapted to make the book a fast read. Even though the book is around 270 pages, I never felt that any of the chapters or segments were stretched. He knows how to keep you hooked by regularly changing gears and providing insights into different aspects of the same topic.

The author has written the book on Rajesh Khanna in a way that feels like a case study, explaining how he struggled to find his first successful movie, then moved towards the peak of his career with 15 consecutive hits, and finally witnessed his career graph falling drastically, never reaching those heights again. Generally, when a biographer chooses a personality, the writing is often in awe of him/her, but this is one of the rarest books I’ve read where the author remains completely neutral towards the subject. He talks about both his good and bad aspects—professional and personal—very courageously, without worrying about how it might be perceived by his family or fans.

Gautam has covered his filmography, describing each movie and its story in detail, which helps us understand the nature of films made in those days. He also highlights how Rajesh Khanna came across as a completely soft, romantic hero without borrowing traits from the then-hit actors like Dev Anand. Similarly, after Amitabh Bachchan became a phenomenon in his ‘angry young man’ avatar, which impacted Rajesh Khanna’s career immensely, the author has been able to compare and discuss both these actors consistently throughout the narrative. At one point, you do feel that Gautam is definitely a fan of Bachchan, given the way he speaks so highly of him every time he mentions him. Haha!

One thing that disappointed me was the non-coverage of Rajesh Khanna’s life as a family man. You get all the details about his behavior off the sets—at home, with colleagues, producers, directors, co-stars, and girlfriends—but you never get an idea of how he was as a son, husband, father, or father-in-law. Since the title of the book refers to him as a “Dark Star,” there must have been a certain amount of darkness in his family life too, which should have been covered.

Overall, the book is written for the new generations who can only relive the era of Bollywood in the 60s, 70s, and 80s through such stories, and this one helps in understanding Bollywood’s first superstar—Rajesh Khanna. This is definitely a page-turner, as you want to know what happens next with a personality like his, someone who constantly tried to reach the heights he experienced right at the start of his career. The author must be appreciated for even covering the last phase of his life, diving deep into his final advertisement shoot for Havells fans and his funeral, which was covered by the media as one of the big events of our country. I would rate this book 3.75* out of 5.

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The Heroes Among us by Sanjeev Sanyal/Sonia Mehta (Book Review: 5*/5) !!!

2136th BLOG POST

4^th Book of 2025

 

I remember my parents purchasing me small biographies of famous personalities during our train journeys in childhood. I would read about them and feel the possibility of achievement and success one can reach in their lifetime. It helped me become disciplined, punctual and a routine-person right from my college days. The impact that such books have on children in their growing years is immense. I still get such books to read for nostalgia as well as dose of inspiration even now. I am glad that Rupa Publication keeps on releasing such books hence I always go through their latest collection on Amazon. My latest read has been “The Heroes Among Us” which consists of small chapters each dedicated to an extraordinary Indian.

 

The book has been written by Sanjeev Sanyal and Sonia Mehta. This 200-pages book is specifically created for children aged 8 and above – exactly the age when I had become friends with such motivating and inspiring books. Authors have ensured that they write it in a friendly language so that it’s understandable by children easily. Even as an adult who is in his mid-30s, I was able to enjoy the book and never felt it’s not for my age. Authors have kept it relevant for everyone.

 

The chapters don’t talk about every personality in the same tone or follow the same pattern while narrating their heroics. It is written in a casual approach with short divisions in the chapter based on a particular event associated with the personality, a major experience or just an incident which impacted them to become what they are. It doesn’t consist of the basic details such as their birth date, birth place, name of parents etc. the way we, millennials, were taught in our school books which only bored us whereas this book makes us want to read more even after we finish it.

 

Another appreciable initiative by the authors are the 25 personalities they chose to cover in this book. It doesn’t speak about the popular or modern public figures only but also talks about some lesser-known personalities who made an equal effort to transform India towards betterment. For e.g. every one knows about Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi, Dhirubhai Ambani, Rakesh Sharma, Kiran Bedi, Vishwanathan Anand, Mary Kom, Neeraj Chopra but not many knows about Nambi Narayanan who helped ISRO with his technologies to make Rocket launching easier, E. Sreedharan whose expertise in railways helped India develop metros in several cities and build lines on difficult ghats of Konkan railways, Verghese Kurien whose willpower and management helped India bring a white revolution and made it capable of providing milk to its big population on daily basis.

 

Authors have also concentrated upon ensuring the coverage of Indians from different fields such as sports, politics, engineering, management, space missions, aviation, literature etc. This will help open the mindset of children towards developing their interest in any field and excel in the same. Overall, this is one of the best children books based on small biographies of multiple personalities which is suitable for adults as well for a short-read. I give this book 5 out of 5.

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The Ayodhya Alliance by Ashwin Sanghi (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2135th BLOG POST

3rd Book of 2025!

 

There are few authors whose announcement of a new book brings you the same excitement as Tom Cruise’s fans who wait for his Mission Impossible series. Ashwin Sanghi, one of India’s top authors, have created the same fanbase and cult following where every new book seems like an opportunity to read the same conceptual novel but with a completely different storyline using the elements of ancient knowledge and strong Indian culture. I just completed reading one of the thickest books of my life named “The Ayodhya Alliance” which is Sanghi’s 8^th book in his Bharat Collection. This book has the same flavour as his previous books and right from the word- GO- you can start feeling nostalgic of all his previous works read by you.

 

The Ayodhya Alliance mixes fact with fiction seamlessly which makes us question what is real and what has been written using creative liberty. The story navigates from 7000 years ago till the present time. It also makes you travel to different continents and countries such as India, Korea, Syria, Europe, Damascus, Switzerland etc. Even within India, it travels to different states and historical monuments. The way it ties all these places with the concept of Dvaitalingam which has the power to create harmony as well as massive destruction with its unique feature of managing the duality of everything under the umbrella is interesting. Every time the reference of two-fish design enters the story, the reader in you gets glued to the book.

 

The blend of history, mythology and religion is common in such books but the way Ashwin further marinates it with science, geopolitics, spirituality, anthropology, philosophy, archaeology and many other such concepts is unbelievable. His hard and smart work behind researching for this book is evident in every chapter. I was astonished at times that how could he even think of a concept and then find about it in subjects which are enough critical for us to understand it properly to blend it in our fiction story. This is what makes Sanghi a unique author and the reason why he is compared with popular foreign authors as well.

 

The book could become heavy and boring if it would consist all the above concepts that has been covered by Ashwin in his novel but he knows that he has to keep the readers hooked for more than 500 pages which makes him narrate his story bringing in the human emotions at play. The story revolves around friendship, betrayal, love, romance, childhood issues, jealousy, relationships etc. This makes him create few important characters who form the crux of this book such as Soju, Mithra, Suriratna, Bhadraketu, Padmasen, Indumati, Kulasekara etc.

 

The characterizations are wonderfully handled considering different personas belong to different region and language spread over different continents and timeline. I was completely engrossed in how the characters in different timelines are fighting for themselves and bigger purpose at the same time. The character of Aditya and Somi are equally important in the modern context. I just wished if the modern antagonists were also narrated as dangerous and powerful as Talhae who is based 2000 years ago.

 

Ashwin Sanghi’s respect for Indian culture and religion is evident from the way he narrates the characters and stories whenever it involves references from Ramayan/Mahabharat or mentions the names of Gods and Goddesses. Even the book starts with the plot where Ravan is on his deathbed and Ram sends his younger brother, Lakshman to learn whatever he can from a knowledgeable being like Ravan.

 

Talking about the drawbacks, I must say that the regular shift of story’s timeline with short chapters makes it difficult for readers to read it in fast pace. It takes an extra effort to regularly remember the storyline in each timeline and region. There are few chapters wherein I had created notes to refer later on in the story but I identified that there wasn’t much fallback to those subplots at all or didn’t have that impact. Sanghi could have easily shorten the book by 80-100 pages to make it more fast-paced. I was expecting a surprising revelation in the climax but it isn’t as thrilling as few books of Sanghi such as The Krishna Key.

 

Overall, reading this book has definitely given an unforgettable experience with its vast research and beautiful characterization based around the story distributed in several timelines. The mixture of multiple concepts blend into a single book keeps you in awe of both- the creator and the creation. The title of the book- The Ayodhya Alliance is very strategically handled in the story on how several countries are involved in safeguarding a concept that keeps them and the world harmonious. I give this book 4.5* out of 5. Recommended for the readers who have read similar books before. Beginners might find the story tough to read due to complex timeline shifts.

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The Champion Within by Samir Parikh/Divya Jain (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2134th BLOG POST

2nd Book of 2025! – “The Champion Within” by Samir Parikh & Divya Jain

 

The reading journey in 2025 has started on a slower note for me, and I found myself searching for a book that could offer both positivity and ease of reading. With the IPL season in full swing, what better theme to dive into than Sports? That’s when I picked up The Champion Within by Samir Parikh and Divya Jain, published by Rupa Publications — a compact read at around 202 pages, but packed with impact.

 

The book carries the tagline “Life Lessons from Sport Psychology,” and while there are many titles out there that try to draw life lessons from sports, what sets this one apart is the authors’ credibility. Both Parikh and Jain were appointed as Mental Wellness Officers by the Indian Olympic Association for Team India at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games — an impressive credential that immediately raised my expectations.

 

And I must say, the book lives up to it.

 

From the first chapter, it becomes evident that the authors bring in deep psychological insights, but present them in a way that’s relatable for everyone — not just athletes. Whether you’re a student, professional, entrepreneur, or simply someone navigating everyday challenges, the lessons from the book transcend boundaries. The authors back their perspectives with scientific reasoning but avoid overwhelming readers with jargon, making the content accessible and impactful.

 

One refreshing aspect is that while most Indian sports books lean heavily on cricket, The Champion Within takes a diverse approach. Yes, you’ll find familiar names like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, but there are also inspiring references to Pete Sampras, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Phelps, and other global legends. This not only keeps the narrative engaging but also introduces readers to elite mindsets across different sports — some of which we might not follow regularly.

 

Structurally, the book is thoughtfully organized. Chapters are broken into clear subheadings, making it easy to digest key concepts. One chapter that stayed with me talked about the importance of practicing in realistic and varied environments — something we often overlook in our preparation routines. Another great takeaway was around the concept of self-talk, and how being consciously present with our thoughts can reframe our mindset during high-pressure moments.

 

Every chapter starts with an inspiring quote from a sportsperson that sets the tone and ends with a summary section titled “Podium Finish”, which encapsulates the core takeaways in concise bullet points. These sections act like motivational and mental bookmarks — easy to return to when you need a quick boost.

 

Despite its sporting base, the book is universal in appeal. It’s not just about sports — it’s about resilience, mindset, focus, and growth.

 

🌟 Final Verdict: 4.5/5 Stars
This is a book that motivates without preaching and educates without complicating. If you’re seeking that extra push to break out of a rut or just want to adopt a champion’s mindset, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended! 

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Trishul: Book 3 of KAVAACH Trilogy by Pranay Bhalerao (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2133rd BLOG POST

1^st Book of 2025

There are few books which makes you miss them as soon as you are done reading them. You are not able to move on from it to be able to pick your next read. There are few authors who are able to create this magic every time they release a book. I remember the phase when there were ample of trilogies releasing after The Shiva Trilogy’s success but none could create the same energy whereas some of them couldn’t even release all the parts as the initial books didn’t sell. One Indian author who has brought the same magic again with his trilogy is Pranay Bhalerao undoubtedly. I have just ended up reading the 3^rd and the last book of The Kavaach Trilogy named “Trishul: The weapon of Lord Shiva”.

 

I completed this 328-pages book in just two days which is enough to explain how engaging it is. Pranay has been able to give a perfect closure to the story which was running for 3 years through 3 different thick books. He is a great craftsman who knows how to engage the millennial and Gen-Z readers in a mythological tale by embedding it with modernity. His writing style is very friendly wherein he ensures that he proves his mettle only with his story-telling rather than complicating the language of the book to sound intellectual. All the characters are created by him in both the timelines- 555 BCE and the present world yet when you read it you feel that these are famous characters which are being rewritten.

 

Bhalerao’s research work is phenomenal as his own reading experience of the ancient Indian stories is evident in the way he has created his own. He ensures that even when he is using the names of the ancient historical characters such as Karna or reference of Gods such as Lord Shiva, he is doing it with respect. The way he builds connection between the real characters and his characters’ storyline is again something a very good narrator can only do it. Like the previous two books, even this story is written where both the timelines are written in parallel but the transition is seamless. You never get confused while reading and enjoy moving into both the stories back to back.

 

All the cliffhangers and secrets that Pranay had held in the first two books are nicely disclosed in this book one-by-one. The 3^rd book is very action-oriented and emotional – both at the same time. The past of Kaal which was a great interest is finally disclosed. Author explains the origin of the darkness behind his character and reading the whole part was such an exhilarating experience. The romantic angle between him and Nandini is one of the best love stories you would read in a book which is not even marketed as a romantic book. Haha! The scene when both of them gets apart in one of the sections is very tragic and you’ll have to fight tears to control yourself. The whole writing moved me and the impact of it is still with me.

 

How Kaal gets disassociated with his own teachers and how they become enemy for him is a nice twist to the story. Pranay also ensures that he hits some of the societal issues through his stories. For e.g. he discusses about menstruation and people’s reasoning of it for not letting females enter the religious ceremonies or temples during these 5 days. He does it so smoothly that it transforms your own thinking and doesn’t even sound preachy, forced or pretentious. He has regularly given insights into the lives of Aghori sages which helps us relate with them and understand their point of view as well.  Similarly, all of us have heard about Konark Temple but the way he has made its relevance and importance justified makes you visit it and feel its spiritual importance.

 

The Mahakumbh is one of the important backdrop of this book and reading it was such a beautiful feeling as the same is currently in talks every day on News channels and Social media. Kaal’s initial story is based in Mahakumbh and you will feel goosebumps while reading about his dip in the water. Author has helped us understand about this religious event in a very subtle manner. Pranay’s writing makes us imagine all the eventful scenes- whether its action-packed, violent, emotional or something completely based in fantasy set-up. This is his main USP which makes this trilogy an important milestone in the self-publishing context.

 

I have rated both the previous books above 4 and I am going with 4.5 stars for Trishul – the 3^rd book as well. This speaks enough how consistently beautiful this trilogy has been written. Pranay has never gone out of touch or tried experimenting with it differently than his original plan. I recommend the same to everyone who is interested in mythological books with a modern set-up. I am eagerly waiting to watch this story in its visual format as revealed by the author in the book. On top of that, I want to learn what next is Pranay writing. 😊

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Ullu Bhai Ki Jagmagati Barat by Swati Sinha (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

2131st BLOG POST

36^th Book of 2024

Well, and finally I complete my reading target of 36 books by reading almost 22 books in last 2.5 months. After an unbelievable reading marathon, I chose to read Sonalika Publication’s Ullu Bhai Ki Jagmagati Barat which is a short Hindi story book for kids. This year I have read many books from their publications house which are meant for kids and I am jealous of the fact that I didn’t get such story books in my childhood to read.

 

This book is written by Swati Sinha with a great support from the illustrator, Sachi Shukla. Her illustrations and graphics bring life to the story. This book is perfectly designed for kids who have just started reading properly from the year of 5 and above. Swati Sinha’s story is about the King Lion announcing the marriage of an Owl which rejoices everyone. But it comes with a challenge wherein the owl’s marriage shall be performed during night when it becomes difficult to travel. A Small mongoose then comes up with an idea which helps them beat this challenge.

 

Any story meant for kids is incomplete if it doesn’t come up with a moral. Swati takes extreme care about this and involves a lot of lessons in this short story. It teaches about the teamwork as to how everyone can sit together and come to a decision. It also signifies the importance of considering everyone’s intelligence equal and allowing everyone to speak.

 

It reflects upon how even the smallest of insects can also help the whole group of animals in the jungle for which even the King Lion didn’t have any solution. Author emphasizes on friendship and how it helps everyone in the process.

 

The book further ends with few DIY exercises for children which will push their creativity. Overall, this is a good initiative Sonalika CSR group to spread knowledge among young kids and develop them into better and compassionate human beings. I give this book 4.25 stars out of 5.

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The Heart of Understanding by Thich Nhat Hanh (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2130th BLOG POST

35^th Book of 2024

Well, there’s a tendency I have observed in my reading marathon where I always start and end my year with either spiritual or self-help books. And this is definitely not planned but a pattern that I have observed. After reading Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, I picked up “The Heart of Understanding” written by Thich Nhat Hanh today and completed it within two hours with slow and mindful reading. This book by Aleph publication also comes up with a tagline that says “Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy and Liberation”.

 

The book starts with a foreword by Shantum Seth who tells how he got intrigued by Buddha’s teachings and went through trainings like Vipassana etc. after which the teachings of Thich started inspiring him. The foreword gives the book a good start as you are first taken into confidence before starting with the real content. Then there’s a second foreword as well written by Peter Levitt. Here he introduces us with Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra which is one of the Buddhist teachings through which you can discover a way for peace to be realized. This Sutra is basically what this book is all about.

 

As I have myself been to Vipassana meditation recourse for 11 days, I was able to relate with the concepts being discussed in the book. The chapter starts with making us understand how all of us are tied together as Interbeing. None of us can survive without each other. Author helps us understand it with a great example of paper as to how a paper can’t exist without wood, cloud, water, sunshine, soil, time, space, the earth, the river, the heat etc. It gives immense clarity behind the logic that we have the whole Universe within us as well as being a part of the whole Universe as well.

 

Further, author explores the concept of emptiness and breaks down the concept of duality for us. It makes us comprehend how every positive thing exist because of non-positive elements and vice-versa. It realizes us of the fact that when we get the food, it is because someone else is not able to. That makes us understand the term called “Inter-are” where all of us are present because of someone’s absence.

 

The concepts are definitely new and gives the Buddhist vibes throughout. It helps us understand the law of nature and appreciate everything- good or bad – because the beauty of life is such. It also explores the fact that just life and death are not our starting and ending point but we continue even before and after that. It helps us understand that just as wave is water and water is wave, similarly we are just a wave which shall keep on occurring and dissolving.

 

Overall, the book is full of spiritual wisdom which is enjoyed by someone like me who has always believed in it. It ends with the topic on meditation and chanting as well. I never read anything by Thich Nhat Hanh before but after this, I am sure I am going to explore more of his writings and learnings. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2129th BLOG POST

34^th Book of 2024

It’s very rare when people gift me book or even exchange books for that matter. I have mostly been dependent on my own when it comes to books. Incidentally, someone gifted me a book when I met them on this Christmas and I ended up even finishing it today as soon as weekend began. The book is none other than the popular Kahlil Gibran’s most popular book called “The Prophet”. The book was originally written in Arabic which has been translated into many languages. Obviously, I read the one in English.

 

The book is a very short read which you can easily complete within an hour or two. More than its quantity, what matters is the quality it reflects. This is not just a one-time read but something you can read every now and then. Every time, you will find something new which you must have missed in your previous reads. Similarly, you’ll find new meanings to the same text with each read. Such is the philosophical outlook of this man, Kahlil Gibran!

 

The book seems like a blend of spirituality, philosophy, poetry, prose, wisdom etc. Though a prophet talks with the people of Orphalese in this book, I felt as if a soul talks in a similar fashion with our mind when we get enlightened or reach the Kundalini stage which all of us aspire for. There are few sentences which aren’t distinct as many authors or poets have spoken the same facts of life in different words but there are few of them which Kahlil has said a century ago but is yet so defining and transformative.

 

All the chapters are short but covers the philosophical and spiritual aspects on the topics such as love, marriage, children, giving, joy/sorrow, buying/selling, reason/passion, pain, reaching, friendship, talking, time, prayer, beauty, religion, death etc. I wish if I could read a detailed explanation to all of these which would help us explore more of Kahlil’s insights towards these social and internal issues.

 

This book is definitely difficult to understand in few sections but wherever it engages you, it teaches you something you didn’t know before. Even though it has been written a century ago, the ideology is very profound and modern which can be applied even in modern times. This is what makes this book special for being relevant even after the changes a human psyche has gone through.

 

Overall, I give this book 4.5* out of 5.

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Murder in the City by Mayabhushan Nagvenkar (Book Review: 4*/5)!!!

2128th BLOG POST

33^rd Book of 2024

I have been reading murder mysteries this year but never thought that by the end of the year, I would also get a chance upon reading the real murder tales. I just completed reading Mayabhushan Nagvenkar’s “Murder in the City” which is published by Rupa Publications in around 192 pages. The book covers deadly crimes and murder from eight metropolitan cities of India. I liked the way this book has been narrated as author focuses upon those cases wherein the murder had relation with the city or the way city’s mindset got transformed after the murder case.

 

Author has deep-dived into the mindset of the perpetrators who enforced these crimes and tries to decode the human psychology with us. As a reader, it’s really challenging to read few scenes where the murder has been performed maniacally or a human’s body has been exploited violently. All these murder stories are based before 1990s and that’s where it becomes an exploration. Most of us are not aware of such big crimes which has been a part of its cities’ timeline defining them. Hence, reading these events are an eye-opener.

 

As the author has chosen cities as the theme of his book, he has very nicely described and explained all the cities and its certain locales. As I belong to Mumbai, I was able to relate a lot with the way South Mumbai has been represented. Similarly, I was able to enjoy the descriptions of other cities as well. The aesthetics are nicely visualized. Similarly, author has written all these real-events as short stories hence while reading, I would forget a lot many times that I am reading a non-fiction story. Mayabhushan has described all the characters, their families and their history quite vividly that it appears to be a story than reality.

 

There are few stories that I would like to mention below that really moved me:

The 2nd story about the death in Godrej family was such a nostalgic read as all of us are aware about d clock tower figure and charm of South Mumbai. The whole proceeding from molestation to murder to suicide is just mindboggling. The closing lines on Aredeshir on how he became the biggest brand of locks is just goosebumpy.

The story of Billa and Ranga was such a horrific tale which happened around d same time as Indira Gandhi’s assassination where they kidnapped two children of an Indian navy officer and killed them brutally. The same person who hung Gandhi’s killer hanged both these criminals as well.

The Bangalore story where a rich woman leaves her family for a conman just because of his trust of giving her a baby son and in return gets all her property and eventually kills her tells how desire and superstition can target anyone- rich, poor or middle-class.

 

Jakkal’s story of moving to different towns of Maharashtra from Pune to Kolhapur to other cities is just chilling. How he targeted one murder after another just to feel empowered tells a lot about destructive mindset that a person gets into after doing one wrong act.

 

Overall, this is a very unique book and could be a cult or classic after years to go. Mayabhushan’s theming and storytelling skills make this book unforgettable and recommendable. I give this book 4 star out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Badge and the Bullet: Memoirs of a Super Cop by Rajesh Pandey/Rakesh Goswami (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

2127th BLOG POST

32^nd Book of 2024

 

Every time we see a man in uniform, we wish to understand how they lead their life and what are their day-to-day activities at their workplace. It is just that we as normal citizens are intimidated by their power and don’t develop courage to go up and speak with them. Books, again, becomes a great medium for them to tell their lives to us and for us to consume and understand them better. I read 2^nd book in row which is written by a cop about their work-life and I am in a different thought process altogether after the experience.

 

I read “Badge and the Bullet” written by Rajesh Pandey who retired as IG of Bareilly Range in May 2022. He has been a part of nearly 70 police encounters and has been one among the founding members of the elite UP STF – Special Task Force. The book has also been co-written with a journalist, Rakesh Goswami, who has always been fascinated by crime reporting. This 170-pages book published by Rupa Publications is an adventurous one-sitting read as I thoroughly enjoyed reading it completely on a Sunday.

 

As a memoir, the book has been very well edited by keeping it short and crisp where the Cop tries to highlight only the main events of his life by giving us insights upon the kind of cases he was dealing with and the background of all those events which made them such big crimes. He touches base on various incidents such as kidnapping cartel in his initial posting, La Martiniere Murder, Raj Bhavan siege, dacoits tales, the Kota kidnapping case, Sanjarpur ecosystem and lastly the fight against ceasing fake currencies.

 

He keeps his chapters short yet manages to help us understand the whole process of nabbing the criminals. He has very intelligently spoken about the governments as well who were in power during certain events. He manages to let us know which of the Chief Ministers empowered him whereas few phases where he felt overpowered by the Government.

 

There’s a chapter where he tells how he was transferred from one place to another for almost six times within ten months itself. The reason for which has been commitment towards resolving a case which a minister wanted to be stopped right at the moment. He tells about how his personal life would get impacted due to the transfers as the children have to change their schools as well.

 

Author helps us understand the world of small gangs which existed few decades ago and the way police benefitted from the tips they got from the informers or intelligence department. He also tells how STF got formed and how he led one of their initial missions and kept on contributing for the same. I liked the author’s narration where he doesn’t boast about himself much but talks about the crime and the way police got the hold upon them. Even though it’s a memoir but the way the author-duo handled it needs to be appreciated. Overall, I would recommend IPS aspirants and others who would like to know about the real life of policemen read this book. I give it 4.25 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Did I Really Do All This? by Vijay Raman (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2126th BLOG POST

31^st Book of 2024

I am almost in the last leg of completing my reading challenge of 36 which is making me pick up some interesting books before I take a break of a week or two at the end of this year. This made me pick up a non-fiction this time named “Did I Really Do All This?” written by Late. Vijay Raman. The book published by Rupa Publications in around 250-pages comes with a tagline “Memoirs of a gentleman cop who dared to be different”. The author who lived a life being a cop serving the nation lost his life in the last phases of writing this book. The rest of the book was completed by his wife, Veena Raman, who has ensured that we don’t feel the difference at all while reading.

 

From the outside, we view all the policemen just as security personnels walking on the streets in their uniform. Very rarely do we get a chance to talk with them and understand how challenging their life could be. Books are a great medium for us to read about them and learn what goes behind the scenes in keeping us safe and crimes in check. It is wonderful initiative of people like Vijay Raman who are coming forward and reiterating their life in such forms for us to get familiar with their tough working lifestyle.

 

The book starts with his initial days where he tries to get into IAS service but lands up into IPS. His resolution to get his medical test clear by restricting his salt intake talks about his commitment right from the formative years. Vijay Raman’s narration style is very friendly and while reading you can feel a very senior retired person telling you all about himself to read between the lines and learn the said and unsaid life lessons from it.

 

This book wouldn’t have been interesting if Vijay would have been associated only with police functioning of a similar nature or at the same location. What makes his journey and this book incredible and memorable are the different kind of challenges he took in his tenure. Right from encountering a long wanted Paan Singh Tomar, making other harmful and dangerous dacoits like Phoolan Devi, Malkhan Singh etc. surrender, breaking Guinness world record of driving maximum kilometers in minimum duration, protecting four different Prime Ministers being in their first circle of security force, being deployed near the location of Bhopal Gas tragedy, making the Indian border secure by installing wall and wires, Vyapam case, how he ensured that Ghazi Baba, the mastermind behind 2001 parliament attack was killed etc. – all these different tasks associated with one Supercop is hard to believe and amazing to read.

 

Vijay has told all these stories in the right proportion by directly moving to the next story before the one starts boring the readers. I liked how he didn’t let emotions get into him and get biased with one tale over others. The chapter on his driving adventure which made him register his name in Guinness world record is a very uniquely written chapter where you will enjoy it more like a fiction story. Vijay has ensured that he adds humour as well wherever required which keeps the mood relaxed despite reading such stressful encounters of the author.

 

It's obvious for anyone to get a bit obsessed with themselves after achieving so many fates but it shows quite often in Vijay’s writing. He has kept self-admiration going on in almost every 3^rd page which can annoy some readers. This is evident from the title and tagline of the book itself. It is filled with self-appreciation. Secondly, I wished author could have talked about his family life and members in details as well. He just introduces his family and doesn’t discuss about them at all. In the first half, there are still few sections where he talks about his communication with his wife through letters or calls etc. but nothing after that.

 

There are fillers in between where Veena Raman has also scribbled few words for her husband or told some incidents from her perspective. It was a great fun reading her version as well. The photographs featured in between the chapters make us explore Vijay Raman a bit more closely and understand how he looked or aged during the particular milestone of his life. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Quills: The Hungry Little Porcupine by Shibani Alter (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

2125th BLOG POST

30^th Book of 2024

After reading 3 books back-to-back by Stephen Alter, I finally got a chance to pick up the book written by his daughter, Shibani Alter was well. The name of the book is “Quills: The Hungry Little Porcupine” which is published by Aleph in around 30-pages. The book has almost the same aesthetics as the books written by Stephen in the same section for Aleph publications. The illustrations adding up to the story are created by Shruti Hemani.

 

Shibani has narrated this story in a very simple flow wherein the same loop repeats as the group of animal friends keeps getting increased one by one. Starting with a porcupine who has left his home in search of food gets scared every time he feels leopard is around him and ends up meeting one of his friends. The set of animals introduced in the story are pig, money, mongoose and goat.

 

The authoress has ensured that she helps the young readers understand the nature of each of the animal and their different skillsets using which they move to the distinct places for survival. Similarly, they bring back different kinds of food produced of different type of plants and lands. She has shown intelligence and presence of mind while scripting the story. The main feature of porcupine which is its quills which hides one of its important features that it can use to protect against harmful animals is revealed in the climax.

 

Overall, this is a well written simple story which the young readers would love to read repeatedly and share with their friends. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

If You Were a Tiger Cub by Stephen Alter (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2124th BLOG POST

29^th Book of 2024

Stephen Alter is one of the very matured authors who know how to infuse the adult-based philosophies in a children book without making it difficult to understand. This is the 3^rd children book I had read by him in just 2 days and I must say with each book I could sense his intention while creating the stories. This time I read “If you were a Tiger Cub” which has been published by Aleph in 30-pages. The book also consists of illustrations created by Mohit Suneja.

 

In If You Were a Tiger Cub, the author takes readers on an enchanting journey through the vibrant Indian jungle, where each creature is brought to life with vivid detail and unique traits. A playful tiger cub sets off on an adventurous exploration, encountering the jungle's diverse inhabitants. A sleek leopard moves silently through the undergrowth, while a hornbill perches high among the branches of a fig tree. Beyond a screen of bamboo, the majestic elephant makes a quiet yet commanding appearance.

 

The sharp call of a sambar deer serves as a sudden warning, urging careful observation—its swift departure reminds readers of its wariness. In a dimly lit cave, a swirling cluster of bats dangles from the ceiling, and a shaggy, fearsome sloth bear arrives, its powerful claws on display. Beneath the forest canopy, the jungle’s secrets unfold: tiny creatures scurry near a towering termite mound, while the roots of a sprawling banyan tree shelter hidden marvels. Through this poetic lens, the author paints a rich tapestry of the jungle, showcasing the beauty and distinct personalities of its wild residents.

 

Stephen wonderfully entertains his readers by making them imagine their life as a tiger cub. One hypothetical version of tiger cub that he mentions, he helps us feel relatable by explaining her relationship with her mother and two brothers. She tells how her brothers put less efforts in good task as compared to her whereas she can be called a tiger baby with good habits. Similarly, author also mentions how even she is dependent upon her brothers at times. The relationship between a mother and child is also given equal prominence and role of a mother is nicely depicted.

 

By the end of the book, I loved how author involves a human being in the story without having highlighted it specifically. That was such a great section to read and relate. Overall, this book is a good empathetical work which makes you feel more compassionate and related to the world of animals. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

How the Cobra Got His Spectacles by Stephen Alter (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2123rd BLOG POST

28^th Book of 2024

In India, we have multiple legends for any of the cultural aspect, festival, events etc. The positive thing about it is that we never debate or discuss about it but optimistically accept it considering it to be truth. Based on this concept, Stephen Alter has written this amazing short story named “How the Cobra got his Spectacles” which has been published by Aleph.

 

This 30-pages book discusses the Indian cobra’s regal hood which has a mark shaped like a pair of round spectacles. Author gets deeply into this concept and tries to creates a legend around it with a story that has a great message to it. First of all, the book starts with a introduction explaining about the breed and its special mark keeping it non-fiction. Then author dives down into the story and creates a wonderful tale about the relationship of an old hermit and a young naga.

 

Stephen has very intelligently helped us understand the complete characteristic of snakes. Unlike another book, A Little Lost Elephant, which has many animals mentioned but none explained in details, this book covers snake extensively and helps the readers connect with its personality. Even when the character of monkey enters the story, the nastiness of the animal is nicely displayed through its act of stealing the spectacles.

 

The whole flashback story/dream of the king etc. is nicely narrated which makes us believe it to be a reality. The ending is phenomenal which makes the readers learn that one who does good shall always be blessed by others and elders. Similarly, your good deed shall always be remembered for ages. Overall, the book has been nicely conceptualized and story has been told in a very realistic manner. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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Writing Buddha

How the Greedy Crane Was Killed by the Clever Crab by Meena Arora Nayak (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

2122nd BLOG POST

27^th Book of 2024

If there is one collection of short stories that everyone remember from their childhood is – it’s none other than Panchatantra. The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose, arranged within a frame story. It’s intent of making children learn about animals as well as our culture through stories are dominant in all its short stories. I just read a book which has two of their short stories retold by Meena Arora Nayak in a book published by Aleph in around 32 pages.

 

The two stories included are “How the greedy crane was killed by the clever crab” and “The Tale of the Fearful Rakshasa Vikala”. The first story about the crane and crab is such a great story to have chosen by the author as it teaches a very important lesson about life. It is as much effective for adults as it is for children. Once the suspense gets unfolded wherein crane’s harmful intention and act gets revealed, the way story takes turn and teaches the lesson about how anyone looking innocent and concern can’t be trusted on face value.

 

It also talks about the difference between a friend and an enemy. Also, how there can be an enemy in the form of a friend who might be close to us but must be planning things against us. This particular story has some tough words which might make the readers pick up the dictionary and learn a new word. I liked how author also mentions about our ancient methods of nakshatra and planetary movements which impacts the life on Earth. This tells how the ancient principles weren’t superstitious but scientific and logical as well.

 

The second story about Vikala is a light-tale which speaks about how a misunderstanding makes an evil person dig his own grave without having anyone else punish him. This teaches the reader how having wrong intention and doing wrong acts shall punish us later if not sooner. The concept of Karma is indirectly shared with the young readers to get an idea about how one shouldn’t trouble anyone as someday you shall be troubled as well. The involvement of animals in this story is also magically handled.

 

Overall, both these stories are impactful and retold in a beautiful manner. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA