Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 10

Hawala Agent By Smarak Swain

 Hawala case has been In the news when I was school. Other than the fact that it is some illegal deal or scam I was unaware of what it was and how and why it hit the headlines. By the time I grew, Hawala became a term synonymous to any shady deal. And I grew without really knowing what it is.Then I came across the book Hawala Agent. 

The plot touches the life of a forensic auditor and corporate spy Digyen Burmah who is approached by his friend who wants to find his absconding wife. He believes that his wife has been kidnapped, but for what? Burmah seta out to find the truth and ends up unearthing a can of worms...

The book opened a world of fantasy, which is a reality in itself. With the practical experience into the sector and with the inputs from the officers who had hands on experience during the scandal the author has woven an unputdownable craft of literature for the readers.

Fiction and non fiction intertwined seamlessly to provide an impeccable reading experience, the book has done total justice to the subject it was dealing with.

The backstory could have been stronger and brought down to an abstract because the readers would be picking up the book to read about the Hawala scam. Having said the author has taken ample care not to divulge too many details while giving a complete picture.

Overall it is a thrilling read which is a mix of fiction and non fiction.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.' 

In Conversation With The Author of The Teenage Chronicles - Saania Saxena

While I was reading Teenage Chronicle, all I was thinking was how could such a young girl possess wordly knowledge and philosophical expertise. I had these questions reeling in my mind when I got a chance to interview the author herself. Yes, today we have Saania Saxena, the author of Teenage Chronicle sharing her vast experience at her tender age. She is a cosmopolitan Indian whom has been a globetrotter student.

Born to loving and caring Indian parents and grown with with Singer twin sister, Saania had her learning experience for a lifetime. 

"I have lived in 4 different countries including Singapore, India, South Africa, and the UAE and hence have moved around schools that have each been enriching in their own ways," she says. "I have always been into writing since I own a blog titled Fun with Philosophy from the age of 12, and read various different books and met some incredible authors that sparked my interest in writing my own."

Lets learn more about her in the virtual tété-â-tété by Outset Books.

You are born and brought up in the UK but your book has ideologies that reflect Indian culture. Was that adapted or a coincidence?

Since I wanted my book to have a wide appeal, I incorporated ideologies from several different cultures. Before writing, I interviewed some of my friends across different countries. So, there are indeed certain ideologies that reflect the Indian culture. 

How did you gain so much philosophical knowledge?

From a young age I was immersed in books that questioned life. Some include Magic of Reality and Sophie’s World, which provoked my own mind to wonder/ponder about such questions about why things are the way they are. 

Who is your favorite author?

Mitch Albom, because of his inspirational stories and themes, and how his books like Finding Chika and Tuesdays with Morrie tells us stories that find their way from the deepest spaces in his heart. 

Are you planning another book?

I would definitely write another book at a later stage in my life, moving away from the teenage life, haha. Perhaps on my travel journey.

How is your writing pattern?

My writing pattern is very original. I try to use my life experiences that have given me a particular point of view. I then try to make sense out of it by putting in some scientific evidence, and I also try not to sound too complicated, and use easy emotive language that others can relate to, especially the younger audience.

Is philosophy your favorite genre? If so, which other genres would you like to try?

Philosophy is an interesting genre, and I feel books like Philosophy 101 question the nature of reality. They also delve into and argue the answers to life’s most basic questions, definitely enabling me to think critically and logically. However, reading fiction books also increases my creativity and sparks some incredible ideas. Fantasy and magic-based books are things I love to switch between non fiction sometimes. 

That was a candid conversation with Saania Saxena. You can connect with her in her Instagram handle @teenage_chronicles. Read my review of Teenage Chronicles only on Outset Books.

The Stranger in the Mirror - Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra - An Honest, Unpretentious Autobiography

 Rang De Basanti - The movie that raised our heartbeats and piqued our patriotism. Delhi-6, the movie that showed us the mirror and acted as a reminder to introspect and kill the 'kala bandar' inside. Bhaag Milka Bhaag is the tale of the unsung hero that laid bare the atrocities in British India and during Pakistan. By now you would have understood whom I am referring to. The man behind the legendary modern classics - Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. The Stranger in the Mirror is a reflection of his life which gives us the most important lesson of our life. Never give up.

The man with a talent to envyWhole through the book I could only envy the creative talent and the unrelenting perseverance of this soft-spoken man. While the book doesn't delve deeply into his childhood and teenage, deep-diving into his professional life is a pandora's box for aspiring filmmakers. Notwithstanding the stream of work, his life is a book in itself. It gives you practical lessons on how to think beyond the obvious, how to stretch your boundaries, and how to be the fire that lights the enigma of life.Delhi 6After reading the book, I went back and watched Delhi-6 again because as a teenager, I was unable to perceive the vision that the author has materialized. Right from the symbolism of Masakali to the mirror, everything looked different and powerful. The message that he wanted to convey and how we went on to rewrite the climax so as to give it a shot again speaks highly about his conviction in his craft.The giverWhile his friends would vouch for him for being a philanthropist, he has proved it beyond doubt by giving due credit to each person who contributed to his movies.  Despite being a man with so many personal connections, when no one stood for him, he found a way out himself instead of pinning the responsibility on his friends.The relationshipsIt is interesting to see how he has been attached to his loved ones and despite being an introvert, he has managed to have some cherishable friendships. This is a testimony for the youngsters who aspire to start something with their friends. A foreword by AR Rahman and afterword Aamiir Khan. It is the icing on the cake for this book. The book is preciously wrapped by a foreword and the afterword.
Overall the book is a learning experience for everyone irrespective of the stream of work. It is also a lesson about not giving up and persevering vehemently. 

Prophet and Other Works - The Quotes Khalin Gibran has Sprikled for The Generations to Come By

 Khalil Gibran the legend who has ruled the hearts with sheer brilliance and inimitable talent with words. When I got hi Prophet and other works for review, I did not have to think twice. For I knew I am going to get my hands on a classic. Hence this is indeed not a review. It is musing by a reader who is stuck between the quotes Khalil Gibran has sprinkled all over this work of fiction.

The prophet

The prophet is a classic by Khalil Gibran. It is presented as the 26 lessons narrated by Al Mustafa. It is the ultimate lesson of philosophy. What makes it a timeless classic is the fact that the lessons are all the more relevant in contemporary lives.

And there are those who have truth within them, but they tell it not in words.

Each sentence of this work is a quote Khalil Gibran has crafted with a touch of magic. Each one is unique and stands true if taken alone.

The works of magic

The works that we see further, be it Broken wings , the creator or any other work, each of them gives us ultimate lessons of understanding, fighting your ego, being true to one's self, and that of love, life, and death. These are pearls of wisdom that we could cherish for the rest of our lives.

This is one book that every literature lover should possess. The works are handpicked ones and they are collated into a 209-page book that you can carry anywhere and keep with you for life. Moving forward, this is one book that I would want my kids to read again and ag

Harijan By Gopinath Mohanty - Eerie Reality Of The Past

Harijan is the term coined by Mahatma Gandhi to address the underprivileged people of society. Children of Hari(Lord Vishnu). This was my only knowledge about the Harijans in India. Being brought up in a state where caste discrimination is not as stark as in the rest of India, or so I thought, I never bothered to delve deeper into the subject. Harijan by Gopinath Mohanty opened a new perspective on the lives of the lower caste in the post-independence era.

"I don't let them inside the kitchen", is the most discriminating statement that I have come across in this matter. Yes! this mindset is still there in the so-called upper strata of society. But nothing prepared me for the horror that the underprivileged folks have gone through in the past. Harijan is a work of art and reality.

Carrying the human excreta on the shoulders and unloading them with bare hands! I was shocked by the bones. The author has deftly depicted how Punis life transformed on the day she started working for the first time.

The characters are crafted perfectly. Be it Puni, her mother, boyfriend or Manomayee and her family - each character had a story to tell. When the real laughs on our faces we will be unable to sleep with the horror of what they are going through.

The relationships are lucidly depicted. How the relations change with circumstances is another highlight of the story. The plot is taking place in another era that we could never visualise but with sheer talent and finesse the author has achieved the feat.

In short, without any doubt, I can say that Harijan by Gopinath Mohanty is one of the best-crafted novels that I have read in recent times.

Think Big To Win By Shubha Vilas - Review

Ramayan, an epic that is a bedtime story for kids, a point of reference for students and a way of living and worship for adults. The epic has seen several re-tellings over the years. Be it the narrative of Sita, Urmila, Lakshman, or Bharata, the re-tellings never failed to entice the readers. Despite having numerous re-tellings that already took the position in hit charts, the new version by Shubha Vilas, Think Big to Win, the 6th installment in the Game of Life series has a new perspective to the whole tale. 

The real-life adaptation

The author has seamlessly connected the tale to the lives of the new generation, Gen Z, as we say. The lessons that are conveyed are translated in the millennial context without losing the essence. This in turn is the highlight of the book. In several instances, the author, with the lucid narration has pulled a thread of complicated lives and complex relationship hassles.

Nothing looks the same

While reading the book, nothing looks the same as we felt while listening to or reading about Ramayana till now. All that we have seen is love between brothers, spouses, brotherhood, enmity, and the victory of good over evil. But 'Think Big to Win' is a beautiful rendition beyond the obvious that we have failed to see. Game of Life series is a revolution in Indian mythological retelling.

Powerful Sita 

While I have read numerous retellings that depict Sita as a woman of substance and have despised the injustice that happened to her, nothing has prepared me for this powerful woman who unleashes her fury on the man whom she loved, married, and finally rejected for not giving her the due respect. What a wonderful rendition.  

Practical lesson from mythology

The book is a practical lesson indeed for the laymen under the context of the Ramayana. Read it carefully to imbibe the lessons and re read it for everytime you will see a different perspective.

Mind management books are plenty but one that brings entertainment, philosophy and self help - this is what we need and that's what Think Big to Win stands for. Grabbing a copy of the previous books in the Game of Life series soon...

A Language of Lies by Saugata Chakraborty - Not Just a Book About Theft

 Con movies and stories have never failed to entice the audience and readers. Right from 'Catch Me If You Can', to any latest movie or book about theft, the readers have been lenient in supporting the author or creators behind the same. This pretty much explains why Money Heist has been a rage in the past couple of years. Because we love to see smart protagonists who can bring the authorities on their knees.  Hence, when Sean Brignac comes to the picture as Prince Khalid, fooling practically everyone the readers want to adore his agility and smartness. Thus A Language of Lies by Saugata Chakraborty brings to the readers an anti-hero to adore.

The noble beginning Sean's childhood as Antonio briefly helps the plot take off.  The complications in the families that seeped into sean's life like a cascade of changes, be it the demise of parents or separation of adopted parents or even being disowned in his teenage, Sean is a troubled child. The back story that crafts Sean's character is a strong one but it was not given much space to develop. A few incidents to depict the relationship between Sean and his parents and their life before their demise could have connected the audience with Sean better.
The con-man in the makingSean's interest in cars and bikes and how he pursued the passion is what drives the plot forward. It is interesting to see how the author has led the plot in the reverse order and pulled of an interesting array of incidents. The author has deftly presented the scenario for the readers to engage in. 

The characters testify for the authorThe characters of A Language of Lies are crafted in such a way that the plot is pushed forward by the character notwithstanding the fact that the development space has not been allotted for them. The same is a testimony of the author's finesse as the readers are gripped with the suspense. The narration is meant for the readers of all strata. That said, the fact that the author has outdone the commercial Indian English writers is undeniable. Unlike the books and movies about the theft that we have come across, the author has made sure not to squeeze undue lovemaking and fight sequences in the book. The scenarios whatsoever are in sink with the plot.The inconsistent gripWhile the book calls for an unputdownable read, the author was intermittently losing the grip on the plot. This could have been avoided with a round of developmental edits. However, the fitness in the craft negates the inconsistencies to a great extent. A Language of Lies is the same everywhere, and the author has translated this with ease

Benefits Of Chocolate Eating While Reading Books

I have never been someone who used to gobble up chocolates but pregnancy did the magic. I ended up being born a chocolate lover and boom, my books are chocolates became my ecstasy. Being a Biotechnologist and Holistic wellness, I knew the benefits of chocolate eating while reading books and decided to go forward with this newfound hobby. But yes I knew how to eat chocolate without gaining weight. While I am at it, let me share what I know about the benefits of chocolate eating while reading books.

Benefits of chocolate eatingThere are numerous benefits of chocolate eating be it while reading or studying or working. Let's see a few1. Improved blood flow to the brainChocolate enhances the blood flow to your brain and thus your brain functions better. This in turn improves your memory and concentration. You could be reading for entertainment, studies, or work but the flavonoids in chocolate, especially the dark chocolate, would do the magic.2. Protects skin against sun damageAre you a book maniac like me who loved to read anywhere under the sun? Basking under the sunlight, by the poolside or on the beach, or sitting in your garden? A bar of chocolate or two could protect your skin from sun damage. But, don't sit under the sun in the middle of the day and get sunburned in peak summer just because I told you to.:)3. Improves visionWhile I near the climax, I cannot help but stay awake the whole night with a bar of chocolate so that sleep would be at bay. This in turn helped in preventing the damage of reading with strained eyes and a sleepy head.

4. Enhances the moodIf you are a book lover, reading itself is ecstasy but have you tried and experienced how ecstatic you feel after eating a bar of chocolate while reading? The phenylethylamine present in chocolate helps in improving your mood and you would be able to enjoy the book better. This is all the better if you are studying. This is one of the best benefits of chocolate eating that you could tap into.5. No reason is neededWhile there are many more benefits of chocolate eating while reading, do you read to state anymore? If you like eating chocolate while reading just go for it but keep in mind to eat the right type of chocolate that is healthy and without any side effects and added sugar.

Recently I stumbled upon the chocolate by Beetees Melt Chocolate. Their chocolates are devoid of refined sugar. They have dark chocolates, milk chocolates, and coconut milk chocolates but none of them have refined sugar and have palm sugar instead. Should I state the benefits of palm sugar? I know that you know it better. So stop fretting and grab your chocolate and have some ecstatic reading experience.

Pride Prejudice and Punditry by Shashi Taroor - Majestic, Spitfire, Entertaining

It feels surreal to realize that I am blogging after nearly a month. I was diligently reading a book that simultaneously enticed and instigated me. Enticed with the sheer brilliance of perception, consummate writing, and coherent thoughts. Instigated due to the veiled attempt of seemingly deliberate political propagandizing. Am I using words that are hard to get your tongue around? Well, can't blame me as I was sitting, eating, and sleeping (metaphorically) with the maestro of majestic words Shashi Tharoor and his Pride, Prejudice, and Punditry. I was reading it word by word, biting each part into pieces, talking to myself as if I am debating with his ideologies, sometimes concurring and sometimes disagreeing with his tenets.

The brilliant wordsmith:

As with any of his books and social media handles, the book is also a pandora's box when it comes to literary panache. But contrary to my expectations, he did not wave his Sesqipedalian flag in the book. The words were used in the right meter, where it is inevitable. The language is crisp and sharp, woven into a tightly knit package. The book is systematically categorized into several parts that if you want to skip a part, for instance, I would have preferred to skip the politics, you could do so without missing out on what you want to devour.

The idol minus politics

The next statement that I am about to make would be surprising for those who know me but I could see a glimpse of Late Abdul Kalam in his writing. The man is an ocean of knowledge, extremely talented, and kind. I was in school when I started adoring the fair man, who raised the pride of Indians by contesting for the UN Secretary-General position, the tech-savvy politician who brought the tweet culture to Indians. That said, I have always been on the other side when it comes to political ideologies. So what is my politics? My politics is working for the betterment of the nation without being bound by the party rules or whatsoever as I believe that NO political party in India is selflessly working for the citizens. Hence his predisposition towards a party and attempt to cite examples to prove that one is better than the other was tough to digest for me. But yes! I must agree that the examples that he cited and the explanations he put through are extremely convincing and hence once again gained brownie points for the same. This reflects the qualities of A.P.J Abdul Kalam and reminded me of his books, minus the political propaganda.

Hinduism defined with authenticity

If you have been following me for a while you might have noticed my unhindered and explicit hatred towards the despicably misconstrued ideology of Hinduism. It is a welcome fact that the author has delved deep into the crux of the matter and defines religion which according to me is a way of life and not something that should be pulled down to the level of religious fanaticism that we see around. The author tells in no uncertain terms about his disappointment in how religion and its dogma are imposed on the masses without any explanations and how the 'believers' follow them without any real knowledge. 

A Kerala woman who readsMy heart was beaming with pride to read his view on how advanced women in Kerala are. Citing MF Hussain, he established the fact that compared to the rest of India Kerala is a land where more women are literate. Being a woman from Kerala who reads and has converted her passion for reading into the profession, I was feeling a selfish personal pride while reading that part.
Miscellaneous
The fun, humour, snippets from persona life and the collection of fiction and poetry along with the rest makes for a break in the pattern and hence prevents the feeling of monotony from seeping in. These sections wrap it tight and make the book a complete package.
Overall the books are a perfect gift for non-fiction lovers. If you love to read the words that spit fire while simultaneously igniting your trail of thoughts this is the one for you... Keep aside your political preference and read the book for its magnetic literary finesse.

Outset Book Marathon Season 3 - The Ultimate Reading Challenge 2022

 Every year Outset Books come up with the ultimate reading challenge Book Marathon. It is a crazy one month of unrelenting reading and gobbling up the character and reliving the moments. This year we are clubbing the Book Marathon with OL Book Dragons. You can join the book club, be a part of our BOTM and simultaneously take part in reading challenge 2022.

Book Marathon:We are conducting the Book Marathon in two legs.1. Half Marathon2. Full MarathonHalf MarathonIn a half marathon, you have to post a book-related post, preferably a review on alternative days. You will be assigned a team of 5-10 members according to the participation. You have to engage in and share each other's posts. 
Full MarathonIn a full marathon, you will be posting every day and simultaneously engaging in each other's posts every day. In a full marathon, the team size will be 3-5 only. 
Rules to followHere are the rules to be followed in Outset Book Marathon Season 3 - The Ultimate Reading Challenge 2022In your review, there should be a line. This review is a part of Outset Book Marathon with a backlink to https://outsetbooks.com. In addition, the teammates can provide backlinks to each other. This is optional and the teams can decide among themselves. A regular check will be done and the members that are not reciprocating will be removed. Outset books will share your review on our social media pages and also a collated list of your blogs will be shared on our website.Certificate and badgeOnce you successfully finish the book marathon you will receive a certificate and badge from us. In addition, you will be added to our reviewer list and would be core members of our OL Book Dragon.
Your activities don't end here. More are coming your way. As a started to sign up for the Book Marathon.