Why I love the world

Humans have always been inquisitive about knowing foreign lands. This itch to travel, to know the world is much more than sheer curiosity. We all humans are made of the same flesh and blood and it would be no surprise that we are drawn towards each other. The world is a family and that is the reason why I love the world.

I have travelled many places and my kitty of travel stories is filled with umpteen anecdotes where persons who weren't of my race, religion or nationality, who spoke a language different from mine, held a set of beliefs which I didn't share, went out of their ways to help me. Locating my hotel, a tourist spot which was hidden some where behind numerous alleys, these friends really helped me. The smiles on their faces were genuine, the warmth which they radiated stood in my heart forever, telling me that the world is a nice place to live. Strangers from the far foreign lands have now become close pals, with whom I share the ups and downs of my life. 
 

Can you imagine what the world would have been if the two Fs were absent – F for food and F for friends. Well I have already spoken about friends. Food is a very important, rather most important reason of my survival. I am a sport to try new gourmets. I love the world because it offers such delicious, mouthwatering recipes which I first devour with my eyes and than tongue.

I like the world because whenever the din of my everyday life leaves me bogged and heavy, I can leave it all behind and travel to another corner of the world. Travel lifts our spirits for we leave everything behind. 
 

One Minute Super Dad - Book Review

Many books have been written on parenting for young mothers, but when it comes to young dads the book shelves are almost empty. One Minute Super Dad Dr.Prashant Jinal fills this void. Being a young father in today's modern age I can certainly say that parenting is no longer a woman's job. One Minute Super Dad will definitely serve as a guide, as a manual for inexperienced fathers.

The book opens with alarming statistics showing how young children are affected with spectrum of mental health disorders. By citing it the author underlines that today's father have a challenging role to play.

Today's fathers are no longer the dictators that they used to be a generation back. Yet it is equally true that there exists a communication gap between the father and children. The book equips you with a variety of open ended questions whereby this communication gap could be bridged. It also shares a number of techniques, both heard and unheard which would help in better bonding. The author uses a language which is both simple yet riveting. He quotes various research findings and it is indeed the author's success that you don't yawn while reading them. This book addresses a welcome change in the parenting responsibilities on the Indian scene. Hence it should be lapped up. 

Save Water Save Life

We take many things in life for granted. One such thing is water. Most of us are blissfully unaware of the fact that like most of the resources the quantity of water on this earth is limited. 'Paisa paani ki tarah bahaya' is a phrase which denotes that money was spent like water. Thus money a valuable asset is spent like water, which in our country is of no value. But gone are the days and many parts of the country including the posh colonies are facing water scarcity. When it comes to environment Reduce, Reuse and recycle is the key. Fortunately like most things in life small steps can go a long way in saving the precious resource called water.

In our culture, water was always served in a lota covered with a small glass called bhanda. The person would pour as much water as he wanted in the small glass and drink it. This practice ensured that there was no water wastage. We should go back to the roots and start following this practice.

Rain water harvesting should be made mandatory. Though many municipal bodies have made it mandatory, unfortunately it still remains on paper. We are a country which receives ample rainfall. However majority of the rain water goes into the drain and sea, making it unsuable. With rain water harvesting we could create a water bank which would be of use in times of crisis.

Awareness through media will go a long way in saving water. A large section of our society is illiterate and semi-literate. Even the educated classes do not respect water. It should be impressed through the media that water is a limited resource, if we don't save it today, our posterity may die with parched throats. Ganga Arti is held at many places. This can be used as a platform to canvas about saving water. The same can be done at Ganpati and Durga puja pandals. 

 Don't leave the tap open. Closing the taps when not in use is very important. Many of us just let the tap open while we are attending to some other chores. Many municipal taps gush out thousands of cubic metres of water only because no one bothers to close them. All the dripping faucets should be repaired promptly, both at homes and public places. 

 Keeping the existing water resources clean. We need preserve something that is scarce. We should keep the existing water resources which includes lakes, rivers and wells clean. We should avoid throwing garbage into them. We should respect them and care them live our children. 

 

Many tanks over flow. Installing auto stoppage valves will save a lot of water from literally going down the drain. Reusing of waste water for cleaning and gardening is another way to conserve water. RO water filters discharge lot of waste water. New technology should be devised to prevent this wastage. Don't use showers and flushes. Use a bucket. By doing so you will use limited amount of water. Respect water. Don't use bottled water for bottled water industry reduces the water table, turns lands barren.

There are many ways which we can undertake to save water. Like I have signed this petition. You can sign it too and take your baby step towards water conservation. 

Stepping Stones - Book Review

Stepping Stones Taking Towards the Goal is a very special book. It is written by a young girl of fourteen years age. This young girl wrote to many famous personalities and asked them for guidance. She culled out important lessons from these letters and wrote a book which would inspire young readers and help them in goal setting and achieving success in their lives.

The book is surprisingly well written. The author has shown tremendous dedication and devotion in her noble objective of guiding the young generation. She has persevered towards her goals and I am sure she will be successful in fulfilling her dreams.

The correspondence which she entered with galaxy of stalwarts forms a part of the book. It is sheer delight reading them. While some of the replies which she received are curt and formal, many luminaries have squeezed their time to write special letters to this young girl. I really liked the letters written by Anu Aga, D K Shrivastava, Ravi Wankhede, Abhay Bang and T N Ashok.

I look forward to read more books from the author. With such clarity and focus that too at such a young age she is bound to go places.

Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar

 What I liked about Men and Dreams in the Dhauladhar is that irrespective of what sells in the market, it dares to tale an earthy story from the heart of the mountains. Destiny brings Nanda, an engineer, Kusru a man on his mission and Rekha a doctor together. All of them  have skeletons from their past. A new hydro-electric project has commenced in the hills. Everything from ecology to human thinking is affected by it. The novel touches lives of the poor and effects of terrorism. There are sacrifices behind every project, poor farmers are ousted from their ancestral fields, uprooted they are strewn across strange landscapes with wand of notes in their hands. The novel weaves all threads of a project adroitly.

This novel definitely offers something new. The writing is clean. Though the novel drags at a few places, it is worth giving a try.

Fear is the key - book review

Fear is the Key by Juggi Bhasin is story of a girl who has just disappeared. Nothing is known about her. Simon disappeared from a party where everyone from her office, including her boss cum boy friend Rahul was present. Rahul is shattered by her sudden disappearance. Neither the police is able to find any lead. That is when Rahul takes the investigation in his hands. There are three suspects. A pizza delivery boy, a swimming instructor and a driver. They all have seen Simon’s inviting bronze complexion and were drawn towards her. Some for lust and some for the money that voyeurism offered. The story unravels and we come across a gory, scary end.

I liked the book for its narration. It creates characters that are true to life yet intriguing. There is something which each of them in holding back. There are ulterior motives and hidden agendas. The office space is nicely described in the book. The same stands true with Rahul investigations. The Haryani cop Kripal appears to have fallen from the bollywood movies and landed up right into the novel. He hardly has any investigation to do. Rahul and Suhel’s past continues to haunt them. Suhel arranges a psychiatrist for Rahul. She too soon disappears – as if the earth had gulped her down.

The book cast a spell on me and I simply couldn’t put it down. Though I didn’t like the climax, it doesn’t mean that Fear is the Key is a bad book. If you love thrillers, you shouldn’t miss this.

Where there's a Will - Book Review

Where there's a Will marks the fantastic debut of Piorre Hart. Mr. Pratap Sharma, a billionaire business is found dead. He has left behind a will with his attorney, with strict instructions to open it only in the presence of all family members. The will is in the form of couplets which make no sense. Pranita Roy is a novice in the detective agency. This is the story of how she discerns the hidden meaning in the will.

There are no flaws in the book. The author maintains a superb pace in her writing and hooks up the reader from the first page. Though this is her debut novel, she knows very well how much to reveal and how much to withhold. The language is error free and the editing is superb. She succeeds in weaving all the suspects in front of your eyes. She makes the plot murkier by drawing Pranita towards Rohit, Pratap's son. Pranita's family is a huge put off in this story. I felt like turning the pages during her insipid conversations with her sister. The couplets remind you of Da Vinci Code, but fortunately all the similarities die there.

As I said earlier this in undoubtedly one of the most impressive debut I have ever come across. I look forward to read more from the same author. This book is highly recommended.