Once Upon The Tracks of Mumbai : Book Review

Source google

Book: Once upon the tracks of Mumbai
Author: Rishi Vohra
Published By: Jaico Books
Year of publication: 2012
Price in India: 175/-

Story: This is an extra ordinary story of an average boy called Babloo. He is autistic, schizophrenic and some what psychotic. He is usually slow to process his thoughts and unusually neglected by everyone around him except Vandana: his neighbor and his dream girl.
The story begins perfectly exploring Babloo's not so perfect life. He is jobless, friendless and to a great extent aimless. However, he is sure of his feelings for Vandana and wants to prove himself to her. He decides to take help of a local playboy Sikandar to win her over. Sikandar has his own notorious plans and at first he seem to be successful in his game plan. The story is also about why and how Babloo chooses to be Rail man and what becomes of him once his secret is out. A realist touch has been given to every episode which at times reminds you of all the stories that you have grown up hearing.

Writing style: the story begins languorously almost lazily building the mood for an insider's views on life in a railway colony. The setting is easy to relate to and quick to accept as your's or your friend's. The author definitely has a grip on the throbbing Mumbai railway map and leads his readers comfortably through the routes while taking the story forward.
The language used is appealing yet understated. The gentle pace at which the story moves is impressive especially in the first half of the story. The last quarter of the story seemed a little rushed. It became more tell than show. By then expectations were running high and the resolution came much too soon. On the whole a good read on a trip or otherwise.

Main characters:
Babloo: He is your common man with a common story. A story that you might read on the news paper in the weekend edition ad have not gotton the chance to explore further. Even though, Babloo obviously has behavioral problems, in his heart he is a hero. And towards that end he leaps happily.
Vandana:  She is a sweet sensible girl who has high ambitions and no means to achieve those dreams. She falls into bad company but soon realises her folly. She agrees to her fate but that was not to be. Vandana is bold, free spirited and responsible. She is definitely heroin material.
Sikandar: He is your rich guy with bad morals, who is out to seduce every dame in sight. His character is one dimensional yet interesting. He has a natural charm and deceptive behavior, something very easy to relate to.

Good quote: 'She has big expressive eyes, which changed sizes innumerable times during each episode of her favorite soap opera'. 

In conclusion, a refreshing read. If promoted well, this book could do very well in the International market. To know more about the author and the book visit http://www.rishivohra.com/.

Shopper's Paradise : Shoppers Stop

To me, looking good is more about elegance than fashion, more about
comfort than style. It is imperative to be presentable in today's world as it
speaks volumes about one's personal hygiene, social  status and dynamics.

The best part in all this is, it is no more difficult to dress decently! In fact,
it has become so simple that you can order your entire wardrobe on line 
without stepping out of your bedroom door. However, one must 
remember to get an ensemble right. One needs to balance it with correct
accessories. If 'less' is not 'more', then it should at least be 'just right'. 

With e-shopping destinations like Shoppers Stop: where you get an
array of trendy and traditional lifestyle brands, one is spoilt for choice.
The name itself speak of Quality and Service. Their exchange and return
policies are easy and they deliver to up to 500 cities in India. Above all,
they offer free shipping on all their products. 

To speak of my personal taste, I prefer an 'electic ethnic' look for festival
wear: some thing that is conventional yet cool. A little girl in a Lehenga 
Choli looks cute or a gentle man in Sherwani would impresse more on
an Indian festival day. 

A recent festival saw me wearing a Red Sari, which was much appreciated
by my family and friends. My look was stylish and swanky yet simple.
Presenting my picture from my album. I am trying and recreating my look 
for this contest.  Wish  me luck...

You can put my look together by e-shopping at Shoppers Stop. Click on 
the product names from the catalog for more details.

1: Kashish chiffon jacquard Saree
2: Asmi 18KT Gold Earring with 0.09 carat diamonds.
3: Infinity Bangle -B43502G
4: Asmi 18KTY Gold Ring with 0.03 carat Diamond
5: DKNY Womens Watch NY 8560
6: French collection Ladies Solar Heat Clutch
7: Catwalk - Ladies footwear

I confess that Shopper Stop is like a Shopper's paradise to me. I
love their hand bag collection and accessory section a lot. Here is
a picture of a few things I recently purchased from Shoppers Stop.

Personal Collection

1: Haute Curry Handbag -
HB420: I love it. Red hand bags
add to your ensemble. However,
be careful not to go over board. 
Keep rest of your attire simple
and elegant.

2: Hidesign - Handbag: 'Buy
Now' button for this one is so
inviting. Green is in and this
one is the proof of that. Snake
skin finish and a High fashion
look would make anyone swoon
over this your selection.

3: Fastrack Sunglasses - Basics
 -P187BR2F: This is a very 
fashionable and useful 
accessory. It protects your face 
from the Sun God on a day of 
out door fun and frolic. This is
forever use.  





Thank you ShoppersStop  and Indiblogger for this exciting contest. 
Click here for the perfect look contest details.

Disclaimer: Pictures of products and logo are from Shoppers Stop. 
IndiBlogger logo is from it's site. Rest two are my personal pictures. 

Moments & Memories

Personal picture

Memories nudge me

To lazy afternoons

When I was immature

And Playful
Dancing on stage

Camping in the Sun
Rolling on grass
Was so much fun

Hiding in the Moonlight
Learning to fly a kite 

Avoiding Homework

Friends by my side

Bouncing on my bed

Jumping over barbed wire

Stories before bed time

Picnic by garden fire

Love was yet to happen

Dreams were still true

Childhood memories

Take me back with you

             ~

Note: This picture is special because it takes me back to my
childhood: when life was carefree and I was careless.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

I am not an Alien

After a few intense posts, here is a fun post dedicated to all my friends and readers.

Source google

Do I look like an Alien? Or a robot perhaps? I have been daunted with request to prove otherwise in the cyber world. To all those who have captcha code on, let me ask a simple question. Please tell me how many of you been badgered with comments from the outer world?

I am forced to go through captcha code time and again. I am your obedient blogger. You will not find me complaining often. But, I would like to appeal all my co friends who have captcha code on their blogs to please remove it. One such friend was not even aware that she had a captcha code on her space until someone told her. So here is me begging you to please check if you have a captcha code. If yes, please get rid of it now.

Please, do not make me go through complicated and meaningless words to leave a feed back on your blog. My eye sight is not as good as before and I make multiple mistakes in retyping the prompt. Almost always, I end up disheartened and disgusted with myself.

Some ask me to prove that I am not a spammer by clicking on a box. To me, that is okay to some degree. Comment moderation is fine too. I mean, it works for me to a great extent. However, imagine when you come across a captcha code followed by a comment moderation. I mean, how careful can you be? LOL

Dear friends and fellow blogger, this post is written in jest, I do not mean to offend anyone. Please, bear with me. I am cranky today. Have a nice weekend~

Find out more about captcha code here~

Final Good Bye~

She looked like a skeleton

With loose skin on her bones

Her eyes were transparent

Her feelings were unknown

She wore a bright turban

Her hair was mostly gone

She looked much older

Than her forty two years

And seemed unaware

Of people and their despair

Lying on a bed

Blanched and drained
Pale as a white rose

Weathered and wasted

Life had taken a turn

Landing her in a storm

Alien and alienated

She forgot where she’s from…

Her family had gathered

For a final goodbye

Questions on their mind

‘Whats’ and ‘whys’

Her laughter broke the silence

When she thanked one and all

Her strength had given up

Her spirits hung on_

Note: Dedicated to every single cancer patient out there fighting for life.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

Professional Touch~

Blogger:

She doesn't complain when her husband calls to inform that he’s going to the club to watch a cricket match. She tucks their kids in bed and offers a glass of water to her mother-in-law before saying good night. Voila, her world opens up as she switches on her laptop for blogging. Sleep be damned.

Doctor:

Her nursing home is no less than a temple both for the rich and the sick people. Smallest of ailment is taken care of without a frown of impatience. The fear of cancer is replaced by a stitch here and a trick there. Her Godliness is as good as the patient’s fancy health insurance policy.

Air hostess:

She travels the world and the world travels with her. As a high flying air hostess, she brushes her teeth in a different five star every week. Tall, slim and full of life, she serves everyone with a smile. The world is her platter. However, she vomits what she eats. Bulimia is what does her.





Nurse:

She walks-in in the morning with a smile. She stays back at night when it is essential. She performs like a mother and assists like a sister. She is a nurse and her job is quite Nobel except when an errant patient touches her inappropriately. Fear of losing job does not allow her to complain. 

Hooker:

From painted face to airbrushed profile pictures, from local tailors to designer brands, from shady by lanes to face book walls, from bargaining on the streets to on line money transfer and from a few local customer to International client servicing, she has definitely come a long way with her Personal Computer as her pimp.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda


Note: Five 55 words micro fiction on popular and controversial female professions that I see around or read about.
Disclaimer: All images from Google.

JFK : Book Review

Book: JFK

Author: Jhangir Kerawala

Published by: Grey Oak Publisher

Year of publication: 2012

Cover design: Trinankur Banergee

Price in India: 199/- 

Source BlogAdda

Story: One can say, the story is inspired by the Noida serial murders 2005-2006. It makes only a part of the story. The rest of it is weaved interestingly around it and with it.

The story starts with an unexpected murder, a secret girl friend and an unknown black mailer, giving the impression of a masala pot boiler. And true to that, there are many Bollywoodish or say Tollywoodish moments.
However, as the story moves forward, there are enough material like an antique statue with a secret chamber in its body, a relevant insurance policy, a secret society on the park street etc to raise the curiosity level of the reader and keep one going.
The story keeps shifting pace and does not allow laxity. It slowly gets complicated sometime in the middle and the ending is believable and practical.

Writing Style: The writing style is casual and comfortable. You do not have to own a dictionary for this one. Most of the, the language is colloquial and regular. The author has kept the writing basic and that somewhere helps in understanding the complicated plot. 
Mention of landmarks of Kolkata like park street and KC Das sweet shop makes the reading appealing.

Main Characters: 
Jatin Karunamayee is your common man in the middle of a life threatening and unnatural situation. Although, he is jobless and careless as a husband, he is a good friend and a god human being. 
This story is about his rise as of a hero, where he manages to help capture a serious criminal. His thought process is balanced and easy to relate to. He is someone who lives in your neighborhood, perhaps right down your lane. 

Montu is your typical Bengali babu, he wears his white dhoti with pride. He has a friendly nature and makes the perfect side hero. But is that all to him?

Good quote from the book: "He did not want his shoes to get wet as he had noticed it's sole had started to peel off. With age, this sole too left it's body".

Bad quote from the book: "His last pay check was about fifteen thousand rupees.  Not something comparable to Mukesh Ambani's he knew, but it sufficed with some savings".

In conclusion, the title may sound international but the story and and it's taste is very Indian, somewhat Bengali. If you like adventure and on the road thriller, this one should not disappoint you. 

Know the author:

Before plunging into the creative field, Jhangir a commerce graduate from Kolkata, paid his dues for almost ten years as an accountant and then went looking for adventure and travel, by making a lateral shift into sales. After five years of selling refrigerators he knew that the streets he traveled had a story to tell and that he had a story to tell. After experimenting with a comic series, cartooning and short stories for children, JFK is Jhangir’s debut into the world of novels.

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com . Participate now to get free books!

Kolkata Khabar~

There is a long list of things that I would like to change in my world. I am sure, I can impress you with all of it. However, here is a wish that is small and very close to my sensibility.

Since living in Kolkata, I have noticed these Rickshaw pullers. Yes, I rode on a few too. By now, some of them know me. They call out to me when they see me waiting for a cab. And if I am going anywhere near, I give in, to their invites. 
Most of them do not wear slippers and all of them are old in age. I like to chat with them and they do not mind my curiosity. They seem well aware of local politics and amaze me of their intelligence.
Somewhere deep within, I wonder, if is this how God planned this world? My thoughts are fleeting and I forget about it all, as soon as I reach my destination. 
The other day, I was crossing Gol Park, a corner in Kolkata. It is not exactly a corner, it is quite central to Kolkata. Here, time seem to have stopped tick tocking. It is like a part of history that is trying hard to fit in. It has lost it's sparkle, speed and is struggling to impress. I stopped here, to soak in the atmosphere and click a few pictures. I was running late and I was not carrying my camera. Here  are some pictures that I took on my mobile.
If I had the power to change something, I would change the lives of these Rickshaw pullers. Give them a world free of menial labor, a world free of neglect and disregard. If I had the power to change something, I would give them the power to choose a life that does not ignore them, that celebrates them. 

Some action for this one.

And this one had free time.

No customer around for most.

Competition for Rickshaw dwellers.

And roads are full of Auto Rickshaws.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

Spare Me The Horror~

Sorry, removed for further editing. I seriously suck at it, so do not hold your breath :p

Diary Of An Average Woman~

Monday:
Dear Diary,

It has been almost fifteen years to my marriage and I am still waiting for life to happen to me. I am still waiting for every one to take notice of me. I feel restless and incomplete. My husband is always busy and my children have no time for me. 

Tuesday:
Dear Dairy,
Tomorrow, My husband is returning from Singapore. I wish, he would stop and look into my eyes and ask me how I have been. But I know as soon as he is back, he would hand me down his jacket and call his office.  

Wednesday:
Dear Dairy,
At the airport, while waiting for my husband, I browsed through a men's magazine. The cover girl wore a lot of make up and a tiny yellow bikini. Surprisingly, her features were similar to me, nothing great. However, her breasts could stop traffic on Howrah Bridge. That gave me an idea.

Thursday:
Dear Dairy,
I have finally decided to change myself. No, I am not posing for magazine covers. Nevertheless, I plan to turn heads. I am tired of being an average looker, an average student, an average wife with an average life. I am going in for breast implants. With hubby dear's contacts, I have managed to get an appointment on Saturday with the best plastic surgeon in town. 

Friday:
Dear Diary,

Today, I called my son's hostel. His football team had won some match and he was in the middle of a boisterous party. Even though, I call him once a week, he had no time for me. My thirteen year old daughter is always in her room, on the computer. At times, I feel she lives in a hostel too.

Saturday:
Dear Diary,
I went to the clinic on my own, I want to surprise my family. I met a panel of thee doctors. They asked me multiple questions. I assured them that I knew what I was getting into. They asked me to go through routine physical check up. A lady doctor checked my breasts. I felt shy but she made me comfortable. 
‘There is a lump on your right breast. It may not be cancerous. But we need to do a mammography to be sure. I will write down the tests that you need to take. We should be ready to meet you again in about a week's time. Best of luck!’ she said with a straight face.

Sunday:
Dear Diary,
My head is still spinning. My mother had Breast cancer. I tried to keep a positive frame of mind. Medical science has progressed since then. My husband is in shock. He did not take the news very well. He is positive the lump in my breast is not malignant.
I realise, my husband may not be the most romantic person in the world but he cares to hold me at night. He makes sure I am safe and well cared for. My kids will be worried too. Maybe, my son is too involved in school. But his grades are high. My daughter is in her own world but she stays home, unlike some of her friends who party late. My ‘Cup of life’ is full. It just needs to be stirred by me. 

Tomorrow:
Dear Diary,
I am keeping my fingers crossed for a good report. I am never again thinking of spicing up my life in an unnatural way. For me, the only way to go forward in life is by opening my eyes to the glories of this life and making the most of what I have.

Source Google

PS: I dedicate this piece of fiction to October : National breast cancer awareness month. 

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

You and I...

You and I, we go together

Like copy and paste

Like recycle bin and waste

Like wifi and server

Like chat and a lover

Like power and connection

Like message and notification

Like a bug and antivirus

Like touch screen and stylus 

Like mail and edit 

Like Junk and delete

Like Space and backspace

Like refresh and escape

Like F2 and F4

Like Battery and charger

Like key board and monitor

Like power point and picture

Like e-book and kindle

Like search and google
Like youtube and upload
Like video and download

Like facebook and status

Like blogs and comments

You and I are forever~

Source Google

Free Books Give Away~

‘Waking up, now that September has ended’. 

October is here and it is time for me to indulge in some good heart warming action. The month of October is special to me in many ways. Yes, it is my Birthday month and more than that it is also the month when two years back, two of my short stories were noticed on blog sphere and were published in an anthology of short fiction stories by 26 Indian women writer, titled Ripples.

To celebrate that and to thank all my blogger friends who support and cheer me, I have decided on this free books give away. yes, I would be giving away two copies of Ripples for free. 

Here is about Ripples:

Price: 195/-

Released in October 2010.

Publisher: APK Publishers.

Following is the text on the back cover:

One drop fell. And another. Creating ripples in still waters...

When you bring together 48 stories from 26 exceptionally talented Indian women writers, you can expect imaginations, passions, and emotions to set pages aflame. Ripples is the result of one such effort. It is an anth

ology of short fiction stories that showcases superior creative writing and is a great representative of contemporary Indian women’s writing. Though the stories vary greatly in genre, style of presentation, and length, the issues and choices faced by the protagonists of the stories are exemplary in their portrayal of the duality and contradictions of the contemporary world. Written with great dexterity, eloquence, and sensitivity, these stories are sure to leave their lasting ripples on your mind and heart. With stories by first-timers as well as by national and international award-winning writers, this book is a must-read for one and all!

The contributing writers to Ripples are (in alphabetical order):

Aaleya Sen
Abha Iyengar
Anita Satyajit
Asha Francis
Bina Gupta
Dagny Samrock
Fehmida Zakeer
Ghazala S. Hossain

Irene Dhar Malik
Jayati Dasgupta
Monideepa Sahu
Nupur Roopa
Pervin Saket
Pushpa Ramachandran
Richa Wahi
Ritu Lalit
Shaily Sahay
Sharada Balasubramanian
Sucharita Dutta-Asane
Sudha Sharma
Suja Sukumaran 

Suneetha B

Suseela P. Ravi
Tikulli Dogra
Vasundhara Ratakonda
Vibha Batra 

~

To get this book, all you have to do is:

1- Follow this blog

2- Go here and Like my facebook page 

3- Please leave a witty comment, why you want to read this book?

Two deserving participants will receive a free copy each, of the book Ripples. 

Disclaimer: This give away is from my own pocket. You will need to provide your postal address and mobile number, in case you are the winner. It is required for sending the book. Thank you~ 

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

This give away is closed now. I want to give a copy to each of the participants for they all are my inspiration and motivation. But like they say,  if wishes were horses beggars would ride.
Here are the two co-bloggers who will be receiving a copy of Ripples each,

Amit Agarwal and Subhorup Dasgupta.

Life is a Circus~

I wish someone told me

Life is a circus

You are a clown

Greed is hot dog vendor
Love is cotton candy seller,

Floating in a ballroom gown

Education is lion tamer

Achievement is dwarf,

Who keeps falling down 

Memory is souvenir seller

Imagination is ballerina,

Wearing a glitter crown

Survival is French dancer

Failure is Italian acrobat brothers

In a suit: olive brown

Money is the ticket booth cashier

Reward is the gift shop seller,

Who lives in boom town

Instinct is the Magician

Endurance is his assistant

With a constant frown 

Passion is a cowboy
Friends are audience member

They never stop coming around

I wish someone told me

Life is a Circus and

No valet parking allowed

Picture courtesy Google

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
This post was selected by BlogAdda as a WOW post.