Books that can turn your world upside down!

Here are the shortlisted names of some books that can make you think and kinda inspire too...didnot read all of them but will definitely do so in this lifetime!

The World is Flat - Thomas L. Friedman
It revolves about America and the competition it faces in this flat
(globalised) world...completed half of the book..need to speeden up!

The Undercover Economics - Tim Harford
This book relates day to day activities with the old theories
of Economics...Still left to read it.

Business Maharajas - Gita Piramal
A very good handbook to peep into the details of some of the pillars of
business of India and their success stories...must read for every
Indian and budding enterpreneurs.


Scam - Sucheta
I know nothing about this book execpt for the title and the incomplete name of the
author.It looks interesting as it deals with the major Stock scams of India. Hunting for it!

Blink - Malcom Gladwell
The Power of thinking without thinking'-says the book cover. Need to read it soon!

On Bullshit - Harry Frankfurt
I read about it in a newspaper..Consider this line- Bullsh***ing is not exactly lying, and bullsh*t remains bullsh*t whether it's true or false. The Difference lies in the bullsh***er's complete disregard for whether what he's saying corresponds to facts in the physical world : he doesnot reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. He pays no attention to it at all. By virtue of this, bullsh*t is a greater enemy of thr truth than the lies are'....Woah. Should lay my hands on this book a.s.a.p.!!

The Magic Of Thinking Big - David Schwartz
Dr. David is gonna impress you for sure with his simple yet
effective ways to succes...Made little notes while reeading, for
future reference.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin Sharma
A nice story about a successful foreigner who comes to India in the search of peace and happiness in the saintly Himalayas. The story throws open many simple ways to attain what you want from life. One of the best creations of Robin Sharma.

The Greatness Guide - Robin Sharma
It put a smile on my face every time I completed a chapter. Simple and straight, Robin Sharma is sure to enlighten you again.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coehlo
Um, Well I read its review but was disappiointed after reading it. Read the story but was not able to get what Mr. Coehlo wanted to convey through the story. If anyone has understood it, S.O.S!

Like The Flowing River - Paulo Coehlo
Paulo Coehlo's work definitely brightened me with short stories from the real world and truly inspired to lead a better life. Short and a sweet read.

Pottermania!!

Heres my review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix (finally!)

The movie starts with Harry's trial by the Ministry of Magic for performing magic in the Muggleworld with Dumbledore (wise and firm as usual) defending the Boy who lived who finally got entry into Hogwarts but was not welcomed due to his constant belief that You-know-who has finally returned and is gaining more power and strength. One can easily identify the dirty politics played by the Ministry with Kitten-crazy pinky Dolores Umbridge replacing Albus as the new Hogwarts head (Her room walls were covered with countless pictures of cats and kittens and the whole room bathed in pink!) . She loathes Harry who gets serious punishments like impostion of writing 'I must not tell lies' with his own blood! No wonder Filch was a loyal to the ferocious female...But the Weasley twins (Fred looks damn good!) stole her show by turning things upside down with their famous pranks before flying off the school.Things get interesting when the Dumbeldore's army is formed lead Hermione(she looked so malnourished!) and Ron with Harry teaching some students Defence against the Dark Arts as the school studies were no fun loaded with heavy dull old useless theory. Harry is smitten by Cho Chang and the much-hyped kiss is depicted well. Liked the scene after the kiss though. And yes, Snape teaches Harry Occlumency and we get an insight of Snape's past with the Potters. Harry is nearer to Sirius while working with the Order(they could've thrown more light on the Order and Black's house-elf Kreacher). The movie gets darker with the scenes in the Department of Mysteries where the Order fights with the Death Eaters (liked Bellatrix for her insanity and the way she killed Sirius). The Dark Lord is in full form and the action between Albus and Voldy is depicted beautifully. One can feel how powerful Lord Voldemort has become and how Harry tries to defend himself in every possible way. Thus it proves to be the darkest of all Potter movies...(was hungry for Quidditch actually) and Potter fans will like it as usual!

Yawn-o-mania...

The title itself induces me to sleep....again...
Me suffering from tryin-to-sleep-as-less-as-possible syndrome. The more I try to wake up early, the more I sleep! which leads to droopy days and eyes that sleep 'wide awake'...lolz!! Hence, I decided not to wake up early today and obey what my eyes say...got a nice 8hours sleep, still can't stop yawning! Not able to figure out why...Gotto splash some water on my face to temporarily get rid of the yawns flowing out...

One of my poems written in 2006 - The Brave Layman

Sweaty brow and fists clinched,
Wrinkles on the forehead,
The warrior stands on Platform No. 4,
Ready for and upcoming fight.

The noisy speaker blurts out the call
The horn of the Antagonist
Rings into the Braveheart's ears
And he gathers his energy and strength.

The noisy train enters the battlefield,
With hundreds of soldiers alike
The warrior battles through the flock
And rushes to the door.

Howls and cries bombarded upon him
But he is no coward
He struggles, he fights and wins
And thus rewarded a Fourth Seat.....!



Comments and Suggestions accepted!

Conscience...for Me

Well I got hit by this question on a local train 'journey' this morning...

What is Conscience?

Well, if we go by the general way, the term Conscience refers to the inner self. The inner voice. It is nothing but the feelings of ones mind. (I'm still not able to figure out the difference between a Heart and a Mind...Or are the two synonyms??)

According to my thoughts that popped up one by one while I was on wheels that were running at a snail's pace, Conscience is talking to oneself. It can me 'Me for Me' or can turn out to be 'Me against Myself'. It is the divine connection to the li'l God that resides within us who helps a great deal in making decisions. Afterall, this is what we really mean by God if we go by the saying- 'God helps those who helps themselves'. Our inner voice sometimes might be wrong (I wonder how people say,the heart always speaks right??!) but the decisions, the tasks, whethr right or wrong, give a sense of satisfaction of doing something what one wanted to after they are implemented or accomplished. Believe me, you will hear a little voice guiding you when you are in trouble, telling you what you really want to do further to slowly de-tangle the situation. This reminds me of a hymn we students used to sing at the school assembly....

Make God your Guru,
Let Him tell you what to do
Listen He's calling clear and true...!
Take time to listen,
Have courage to obey
The Inner Voice is calling calling you
The Inner Voice is calling calling you...

There are voices all around me
My families and my friends
Do this, Don't do that
The chorus never ends
But I will always listen to the quiet Inner Voice,
It is swift and definite and I have made my choice...!

Make God your Guru,
Let Him tell you what to do
Listen He's calling clear and true...!
Take time to listen,
Have courage to obey
The Inner Voice is calling calling you
The Inner Voice is calling calling you...



Think about it...

Monsoons....here I come!

So the month of July kickstarted on a Sunday with a dull grey sky with its army of loaded clouds bringing in gallons of water to attack the noisy earth with the wind egging the angry clouds to run to every empty corner of the sky and follow guerilla tactics to defeat the messy humans who helplessly try to protect themselves by silly weapons of umbrellas and wind-cheaters... Mini-floods were created leading to man-made rivers of grey water making it difficult to balance on one's feet...yeuckh! And the leaked fuel of rusty old pomping vehicles on the road mixed with this grey water giving it an 'oily touch'. A stinky smell replaced the mesmerising fragrance of the damp mud in the breeze, thanks to the garbage which is seen much more on the roads instead of rotting in the bins! The Municipal Council truly disappointed me thereby strangling my plans of enjoing the rains by walking down the roadside with music plugged in my ears and little droplets moistening my face...boohoo!