STORIZEN FOCUS:
ANUJ TIWARI - Writer of Inspirational Romance Novels
"Never
Judge a Struggler with Unrealistic Factors!"
TRAVEL WHILE YOU ARE YOUNG
"MY MOTHER USED TO TELL ME THAT ALL THE TIME. IT WAS THE BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT."
ALLIE CHARDIN
No A ailable on:
hilarious private journal of a highly public pregnancy.
by Raakhee Suryaprakash
STORIZEN
Voyage to Puducherry
by Aparna Mukherjee
STORIZEN
WHAT'S INSIDE
STORIZEN TRAVEL
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The Far India – by Deepak Goel
by Abhirup Dhar
STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE Karma- The Quirky
– by Mamta Joshi
STORIZEN POETRY
It's Time to Depart! – by Isha Sharma
STORIZEN REVIEWS
Be my Perfect Ending by Arpit Vageria
– by Swapna Peri
STORIZEN REVIEWS
Her Last Wish by Ajay K Pandey
– by Siddharth Sharma
STORIZEN REVIEWS
The Perils of Being Moderately Famous by Soha Ali Khan
– by Himani Gupta
calling all writers!
DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF STORIZEN FAMILY?
You can also be a contributor. Mail us your entries at talktous@storizen.com. Your smart ideas and inputs help us create our informative issues. from the editor
Henry Miller said - 'One's destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things.' Exploring different places, learning about new cultures is something our souls are meant for. With a huge response to our June 2018 edition, we decided to keep the travel bug alive by extending the theme to this month too!.
We always try our best to bring for our readers new stories , new outlook that resonates with them and keeps the spark alive and keeps you engrossed.
We are delighted to feature Anuj Tiwari - who has redefined the Romance Genre. In an exclusive interview with Storizen, the author shares his struggles, insides and has a heartwarming message for our readers.
We are excited to present four hot releases this month in association with HarperCollins Publishers viz Koi Good News? by Zarreen Khan, Weird Maths by David Darling and Agnijo Banerjee, I Didn't Expect to be Expecting by Richa Mukherjee, presented by Ravinder Singh, and The Great Indian Child's Guide to Eating Mangoes by Namrata Sharma.
Contributors also share their travel journey’s – from Thailand to the far south aka The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the journey to Sikkim and a short story on a visit to Puducherry and alluring poem for the trip to Ellora Caves.
In this issue, you will also find the book review of Soha Ali Khan's 'The Perils of being Moderately Famous' published by Penguin India and a few more .
With all our gratitude, Storizen team is grateful to all the readers for their love and support which constantly inspires us to keep moving on and strive to be better than before.
We always welcome your feedback and love to hear from you. Keep sharing your feedbacks and views.
Continue to bestow your love and support!
Happy Reading!
Saurabh Chawla, Editor in Chief editor@storizen.com
An Inspirational Romance Writer! Anuj Tiwari
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - "Never Judge a struggler with unrealistic factors!"
by Pria
You started writing very early. Any particular experience which led you to writing or was an impromptu decision? What is the greatest challenge in writing a book?
The greatest challenge is taking the courage to write. Most of us have a story to tell, or it would be correct if I say we all have something to share but we don't encourage us to speak. Second, to publish it.
Indian publishing is very vast. Though the internet has opened many doors to share your story but still to get the best publisher among the list of 45, it's a task and patience of years.
Anuj Tiwari
Your first book, Journey of two hearts (2012) is an outcome of 6 months of depression. Would you like to throw some light on the period of low point of your life and how you managed to retrieve?
It feels like it just happened months ago but it's more than 5 years now. I was suffering from Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD), which is like a termite. It eats you up from inside without your conscious knowledge. Also, I had a long list of
prescription for depression with DPD. That was the worst time of my life. Those six to nine months changed everything. Everything. My mother said one thing when I was going through a tough time that life is on an incline, either you go up or go down.
It's never easy to move on when you have fallen in love so deeply. I am an emotional person, so you can guess, how many times and how much I cried with no clue of being an author. It's all good luck from someone I loved most in my life.
How difficult is it to relive your pained past while writing a book based on reallife incident?
It's easy when you are in pain because you release it but it becomes tougher when you are moved on by time and then remembering those memories. That's worst.
You started by selling the copies of your book on Mumbai streets. What was your experience? At any point, you felt like giving up?
I was always an introvert, so for me, it was a crazy thing to do, but you know, you do every damn thing to just to make you believe that your life is never a shit. It happened that way. perspective to think. I tell stories which are your stories, which are stories of people I love. So lots many things to write before I think, what I need to write. Probably, then it I'll think, about what I am good at.
You write on Romance, any other genre you tried or would like to try?
Small correction, it's inspirational romance, which is a combination of selfhelp plus story of your life which you still remember. I just give a different
So many romance novels hit the stands every month. What still keeps you going in this genre? Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want
I'll always be what I was (before the book). I write what I see and feel. If my books are changed in future, probably we need to ask ourselves - have we evolved over a period.
Every Kashmiri is not a traitor or a terrorist -The book is written with this thought. What made this transition possible? What are your thoughts in the present times?
When I was searching for a publisher in 2012. Editor of a very prominent publisher asked me how many people follow me on social media.
I had only 3 members in my family and a couple of good friends who believed in me. So I was quite. That day it hurt me a lot. Today, I have a family of more than seven lakhs hardcore readers. I turn nonreader into a reader. That's the biggest compliment for me. So never judge a struggler with unrealistic factors. A
good story should be told, and publishers should match their voice to tell a story to everybody.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
My books are independent in reading but mutually connected if you have read them all.
Some people are a part of my life, and without them, it's difficult to write a book. So you'll find them in my books maybe more than once.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Not so far. I think it is just an excuse not to write. How hard is it to establish and maintain a career in fiction writing?
Difficult when you are not full time. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Could you describe the mundane details of writing: How many hours a day to you devote to writing? Do you write a draft on paper or at a keyboard (typewriter or computer)?
Fortunately none. Even my social media statuses are consumed in my books. So nothing is used in my case. Lucky enough. There are many but the latest is the hug between Arjun and his father (from the book I Tagged Her in My Heart) before that scene I never got an opportunity to hug my father but after writing it, it happened. And it is exactly the way I described in my book :).
Creativity is above than boundaries. So I have no particular schedule but usually, I get up at 4 in the morning and spend some time looking out of my balcony and start the day with my laptop. That's how it goes.
What was your hardest scene to write? Are you planning to adapt any of your stories to the screen?
Creativity is above than boundaries. So I have no particular schedule but usually, I get up at 4 in the morning and spend some time looking out of my balcony and start the day with my laptop. That's how it goes.
Any advice you would like to give to our readers and aspiring writers?
Patience is the key. Don't be in hurry just to publish your book with any publisher. I still believe in traditional publishing if you are looking for long term.
(As told to Pria)
About Pria - Young mesmerizing freelance blogger, social enthusiast, an economics graduate from Jharkhand University with Master in Child Psychology. She is hardworking yet crazy, a passionate reader, an ardent music fanatic, an avid caffeine lover, and a maniacal animal lover too.
She has been a part of numerous anthologies, articles, and write-ups for newspapers and magazines which are multi-linguistic. She has also written screenplays for YouTube series.
@mystery_pria
@Loudest_Mystery
pria@storizen.com
HOT OFF THE PRESS
An irreverent, honest and funny journey down the road – potholes and all – to (accidental) parenthood!
An honest and tonguein-cheek account of the pre-natal months, I Didn’t Expect To Be Expecting is a lighthearted look at navigating the chaos and unpredictability of being a pregnant, working professional in India.
A delicious, no-holdsbarred story about what to really expect when you’re expecting. Funny, frank and incredibly relevant, this book will resonate strongly with first-time parents, expecting couples and those planning to have a baby.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tara is living a blessed life in the maximum city with her husband Abhimanyu, the love of her life. At the pinnacle of her career, she is the apple of her parents’ eyes and hasn’t spotted a wrinkle yet – so far, the 30s are looking great! Nothing fazes Tara – not a foulmouthed best friend or a food-burning archnemesis in the form of her maid – not even a landlady who chats with ghosts.
And then, Tara discovers that she’s
pregnant, and suddenly, all that wellhoned composure crumbles. It doesn’t help that she’s got an equally jittery (if supportive) husband by her side. Now, Tara must face her anxieties about parenthood as she navigates friendships, marriage and career, all the while dealing with the fact that her body and mind are steadily feeling like they belong to someone else.
The Hilarious Side of Pregnancy!
HOT OF THE PRESS
The Good Indian Child’s Guide To Eating Mangoes
by Natasha Sharma
‘Drool-inducing! Rib-tickling! Timely!
Generations of Indian children will benefit from this prof-BURR…RRP! (Excuse me, it’s mango season.)’
– Anushka Ravishankar, popular children’s author
Does a plate of mangoes make you?
(a) Want to share or
(b) Gobble it up alone?
The book for goody-ness and mango-ness with a touch of madness!
A book that initiates children into the art of eating India’s favourite fruit while featuring a rather cheeky take on what it means to be a good child. It contains within it an illustrated guide to the different varieties of mangoes and features a fun personality quiz that tells the reader what sort of a mango eater they are. Apt for ages 7 and above, this book is an indispensable part of the mango season and a must-have for fans of the fruit.
HOT OF THE PRESS
What's the Moral of the story?
Moral! Moral! Eat more mangoes and read more books!
The Good Indian Child's Guide What characteristics are required to be a “good” Indian child? In a play on the concept, this series takes things that are intrinsic to India—be they mangoes or cricket—and presents a tonguein-cheek exploration of the subjects.
About the Author:
An award-winning children’s books author, Natasha Sharma has published 16 books for children till date. Natasha writes across age groups and formats, from picture books, early chapter books, historical fiction to her new graphic novels. Her poems have also featured in anthologies and course books for schools. Natasha is an MBA with a graduate degree in math and is happiest in her little squiggly corner of writing for children.
HOT OF THE PRESS
Weird Maths: At the Edge of Infinity and Beyond
by David Darling and Agnijo Banerjee
Explores the cutting edge of modern maths and delves into fascinating questions that include: Is anything truly random? Does infinity actually exist? Can maths help us understand chaos? Can chess be solved with maths? If there are aliens and if they play music, would we like it?
Weird Maths is a lively, accessible, fun book about mathematics, the maths that is all around us, that defines us, our intelligence, our curiosity. Agnijo has a particular interest in areas of maths that developed in India, most notably number theory. In the
Weird Maths series, he has written about the origins of zero and the mathematics of chess, both of which have strong Indian connections, and the life and achievements of great Indian mathematicians, such as Brahmagupta and Ramanujan. One of his greatest
fascinations is with large numbers,a topic that has ancient Indian roots in texts such as Lalitavistara Sutra and Avatamsaka Sutra, and that is dealt with in a chapter of Weird Maths called ‘The Biggest Number of All’.
A Global Maths Prodigy of Indian Origin!
HOT OF THE PRESS
Packed with puzzles and paradoxes, mind-bending concepts and surprising solutions, Weird Maths is a book for anyone who is interested in maths or in popular science.
About the Author:
Agnijo Banerjee is a child prodigy of Indian origin – he has an IQ of 162, the highest a human can have (the same IQ as Einstein’s and Stephen Hawking’s). He took Higher Maths in his first year of secondary school, scoring 99%, the following year he passed the Mensa
test scoring the maximum possible IQ for the test of 162, and in his third year scored 100% in Advanced Higher Maths. More recently he has taken part in international maths competitions, such as the Balkan Mathematics Olympiad in May 2018, as part of the six-member British team. Later this year, Agnijo starts his maths degree at Trinity College, Cambridge, where so many great mathematicians of the past have studied and taught, including Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Weird Maths is his first book, co-written with his tutor David Darling. David was born in Glossop, Derbyshire and has a PhD in astronomy from the University of Manchester. For the past 35 years, he has been a freelance science writer and is the author of nearly 50 books on subjects such as cosmology, physics, philosophy, and mathematics. His website, The Worlds of David Darling, has been a widely used online resource for the past 20 years. He also tutors students in maths and physics and this how he first met Agnijo at the age of 13.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Koi Good News? by Zarreen Khan
ABOUT THE BOOK
When Mona Mathur of Dehradun married her college sweetheart, Ramit Deol of Amritsar, there were two things she wasn’t prepared for:
1. The size of the Deol family – it put any Sooraj Barjatya movie to shame.
2. The fertility of the Deol family – they reproduced faster than any other species known to mankind. It’s been four years since their wedding, and
Mona and Ramit have done the unthinkable –they’ve remained childless. Of course, that also means that they’ve battled that one question day in and day out: ‘Koi Good News?’
Now, the truth is, Ramit and Mona had been trying to conceive for the past one year. But having a baby isn’t as easy as it’s made out to be. Finally, aided by the wine at their highly glamorous neighbours’ party, Mona gets
pregnant. And so begins a crazy journey – complete with interfering relatives, nosy neighbours, disapproving doctors, and absolutely no privacy!
Honest, relevant and thoroughly
irreverent, Koi Good News? is the funniest book you’ll read this year.
The hilarious private journal of a highly public pregnancy.
let her roleplay as a marketing consultant. She lives in Delhi with her husband, dealing with the craziness of being halfMuslim and half-Punjabi, which is detrimental to her weight, sanity and sense of humour. Zarreen’s first book, I Quit, Now What?, was published in 2017. This is her second book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After working for Pepsi, Hindustan Times and ACNielsen for ten years, Zarreen Khan decided to take a break and raise two children, who are sometimes kind enough to
The event was in association Fortis Le Femme, Canvas Laugh Club and Gurgaon Moms. Harsh Gujral, standup comic did a performance followed by a conversation between the editor of the book Swati Daftuar and the author Zarreen Khan.
Thailand Travels - Bangkok and Beyond
by Raakhee Suryaprakash
If the cutting viral verbal review of Veere Di Wedding told me anything new, it was the information that Thailand is the destination for the Bollywood-duniya rich to mend their broken hearts. While this may be fact and the rich sooth their broken hearts there amidst unprecedented luxury, I find Thailand has something to offer for all.
This versatile, varied and valuefor-money videshi destination is suitable for a person travelling abroad for the first time, someone travelling solo, or people going on a girls/boys-only trips.
It is also an excellent destination wedding location while also being great for both budget and luxury vacations with or without family.
Really there is something for everyone. I sound
like a PR agent for Thai tourism but I speak from personal experience. I travelled there for a six-day vacation with my mum amidst civil unrest when she won a “buy one get one free” (BOGOF) round-trip ticket and tour. Care was taken to ensure our safety, security, and comfort despite the protests – which were very civilized and didn’t involve inconveniencing
tourists! We spent under Rs. 50,000 for the BOGOF holiday package as well as our shopping, gifts and souvenirs. We visited Bangkok, the district of Kanchanapuri for the “Bridge across the River Qwai” and the Tiger Temple as well as the coral island of Pattaya with its pristine white-sand beaches. Thailand is super tourist-friendly and
welcoming to Indian tourists. There are many tour groups and hotels that cater to the needs, whims, and quirks of a typically demanding Indian tourist. But most importantly for the bling on offer at the multiple “gem palaces” across Bangkok and Thailand and cheap and trendy shopping all have an irresistible lure to the average Indian tourist!
Bangkok
The majority of the Thai vacation we spent in Bangkok. The Suvarnabhoomi airport is phenomenal and packed with interesting cultural installations including a massive colourful sculpture of the Samudra Mantan –the churning of the Great Ocean by the gods and the demons in the quest for the nectar of immortality from Hindu mythology as well as a nearly lifesize wooden house boat.
The high-points of Bangkok for me were the dinner cruise of the River Chao Phraya with live music (including Bollywood songs) and seeing the lit up palace, temples and monuments lining the river; eating Phad Thai and authentic Thai green curry; an unforgettable and super cheap tuk-tuk (auto) tour of our hotel neighbourhood with stopovers at three
“gem palaces”; visiting the temple of the “Emerald” Buddha; shopping at the night market; the friendly and informative local guides; bargain hunting in the shopping complexes (We even came upon an exhibition with a bright red Ferrari!); and wandering around the Palace grounds reliving scenes from The King and I and Anna and the King of Siam. While we
didn’t buy any real precious stones we bought lots of really trendy artificial jewellery.
My mother is a vegetarian so in most places we had to make it known and ensure that fish/prawn/seafood paste was not added to flavour “vegetarian” dishes. But the prepackaged Phad Thai (flat ribbon noodles and vegetables) in the street stalls and markets was proper vegetarian and a boon to my mum!
While we both aren’t keen on massages, across Bangkok there were many spas offering Thai massage at very affordable prices and open-air fish pedicure tanks were ubiquitous in all markets and shopping complexes. If that’s your thing, Bangkok had it in spades. The local Buddhist temples were filled with interesting curios, gold (plated!) structures, rose and teak wood doors and windows and exquisite mother of pearl inlays and were oases of peace in a bustling modern metropolis.
Beyond Bangkok
I travelled to Thailand mainly to visit the Tiger Temple in Kanchanapuri and play with the tiger cubs and handle tigers. So despite the problematic animal rights angle the Tiger Temple was the most interesting part of the trip for me. I fed and played with the cubs for a full 45 minutes and because it was a weekday with no rush I had all the cubs to myself!
The ornate local bus stops were delightful, indicative of the talent for sculpting and carving imbued in the people of the district. Also memorable was the buffet lunch served
in a forest camp by the river before we reached the Tiger Temple after the visit to the “Bridge Across the River Qwai” part of the tragic Death Railway built by the prisoners of war during World War II. We weren’t in time to take the short train trip across the bridge as we had to reach the Tiger Temple but that’s also a popular tourist attraction. Instead we walked across the bridge over the rail lines.
We relished all that Pattaya had to offer as well. We took a ferry over to the coral island with a mid-sea stop for parasailing off a floating platform on the sea. After enjoying the wave-less while sand beaches my mother and I opted to take a local public transport
on the isle – a shared minivan to visit the coves on the other side of the island as well as a temple with a giant turtle and laughing Buddha atop a hillock. The fresh seafood and the chilled coconut water served in a shaved king coconut were delicious after a hectic day on the beach. A quick trip on a glass-bottom boat gave us a glimpse of the colourful marine life of the coral reef without having to dive or snorkel, although both activities as well as speed boat and water scooter rides and water-skiing were on offer at very reasonable rates. The Bhat-
Rupees rate was a blessing! Onshore that evening we enjoyed the risqué Tiffany Variety Show with transwomen and found it to be more spectacular than the Parisian can-can & cabaret shows!
Although visiting two cities and a district is barely scratching the surface of Thailand it was phenomenal nevertheless. It ensures that we will definitely be going back to see other places like Chiang Mai and Phuket to start!
Raakhee Suryaprakash is a Chennai based writer, editor and analyst. She has a master’s degree in International Studies and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Raakhee is associated with civil society organizations such as the Red Elephant Foundation, Chennai Centre for China Studies & Climate Tracker. Her short stories and articles has been published widely both in print and online media.
– IBN BATTUTA
TRAVELING – IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS, THEN TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER.
BonVoyagetoPuducherry
by Aparna Mukherjee
"Don't listen to what they say, go see."
I am Sania, a 25year-old girl lives with my roommate in the City Of Dreams, Mumbai. Usually, on a Friday evening, my roomie, Sonal, goes out with her friends at a disc. I like solitude. Hence,
either I spend my weekends at home or I explore Mumbai all by myself. Today, I came to Chowpatty beach. It is one of the famous beaches in Mumbai. The beaches are my favorite hangouts. I often
come to this place to seek solace from the crowded city life of Mumbai. The sunsets, crashing waves, the hordes of tourists, the children's noise and the roaring business of vendors fascinate me. As the sun was
Photo Credit - Urban News Digest
setting below the horizon, my mind took me back on the day when I had been to the sterling beach of Puducherry.
I remembered the day when my mind was clogged upon facing the the irritation of humid weather. The daily chores at home on weekends and the job at the workplace were prodding me to take a break and go at a place where no one will disturb me. I was exhausted and was resting on a couch when my mobile phone startled me with its ringtone. I saw on the mobile screen the name of my aunty who used to stay in Pondicherry. My aunt had her family in Canada. She came to India for
some months. She had an official meeting at Puducherry. She called me to take me along with her in that beautiful place. Her invitation to Puducherry had gave me a reason to take flight from the hectic life. I grabbed the opportunity and flown away with my aunt to set my feet in the surprise land Puducherry.
My aunt left for her conference on the day we landed in Puducherry. I did not want to get bored in the hotel. So, I went down at the reception counter and asked the staff about sightseeing of the place. The staff suggested me to have a stroll on the beach
nearby the hotel. They helped me book a tourist guide who would help me show the captivating land.
What a mesmerizing sight it was! My eyes had been fortunate to witness breathtaking scenic beauties of the beach. As I walked along the seashore, the blue water, the fresh air of tall coconut trees, sparkling sand, roaring shores and the foamy waves soothe my tired mind. While I was walking along the beach, I learned from my tour guide that French had established its colonial rule in this place. It was indeed a fascinating sight to view a gigantic tall lighthouse on the seafront.
One can be thrilled to feel the blend of the East and the West in this exotic location. The entire afternoon I spent sitting on the beach. In the evening, I explored the silent streets of Puducherry. My eyes caught sight of the French names that were engraved in the colonial bungalows and on the clean pave blocked streets which will give you a feel of the past century. That evening was wonderfully spent as I delved into the the French heritage while I was exploring those spectacular beach and streets. Next day, my aunt and I were all set to dig in the rich art of the place. The Aurobindo Ashram is
an acclaimed tourist spot where I got to see spirituallyinclined people. It is a tranquil place where the abundance knowledge from the learned people in the Ashram will enlighten your soul. Not the fluttering sounds of feathers of birds can be heard inside the Ashram. I have seen countless tourists flocking at the Auroville to attain spiritual salvation. I found a meditation centre in the premise of the Ashram. I booked a ticket to see the enchanting golden color globe of Matrimandir which is a meditation centre. My tour guide told me that you need to have a serene state of mind before you
meditate inside the Matrimandir. I saw many tourists were sitting in the garden of the premise of the Matrimandir. While sitting in the garden and watching the petal globe from a distant, I was feeling peace inside my soul. For the time being, I felt detached from the materialistic world. In the evening, we tasted sumptuous meals of Puducherry. The food joints dished out a variety of cuisines ranging from Tamilian delicacies to lip-smacking French delicacies. I was elated to find the blend of the East and the West in the cuisines served in the food courts.
The next day aunty was about to fly back to Canada and I was getting ready to fly back to Mumbai. Leaving the bewitching place was tough for me. With heavy heart, I left Puducherry. My body flew back to Mumbai, but my mind stayed back in the spellbinding land of Puducherry.
Aparna defines herself as a woman who beholds high aspirations and firmly believes in expanding her horizon. She holds a Master degree in English from Mumbai University. By profession, she is a blogger and writer who writes informative articles for UK and US blogs and websites. She has been a contributing author in the anthology "Memoirs of Love". As a person, she is open-minded, down-to-earth and amiable in nature. Her world revolves around creativity. She wishes to make her mark in the literary world, hoping to leave an indelible imprint on her readers' minds.
@mukharji.appy18
Of Warm Hearts and Fascinating Stories
Exploring Sikkim
by Pavithra Anand
When you are accustomed to a busy city lifestyle, where conversations with strangers are seldom and conversations with friends are usually planned, stories from strangers when on a holiday in the Mountains come as a welcome surprise. One of the best, and
Exit Glacier is not huge, but it looks big up close, so it makes a great place for photos. It’s also a good spot to learn about glacial movement, since it’s receding quickly humbling, experiences of travel is that you share stories with people you most definitely will never meet again. These conversations, that break geographical boundaries and go past social strata, are neither patronizing nor judgmental.
Exit Glacier is not huge, but it looks big up close, so it makes a great place for photos. It’s also a good spot to learn about glacial movement, since it’s receding quickly; there's even a guide marking its recession over the
past 120 years.The driver – Jayanta, and an Innova waited for us at Bagdogra airport, as a result of three girls meticulously planning the week long holiday. Our very cautious mind had just one apprehension, if we should trust this driver, and his driving skills, to wade us through the terrain for the next one week. Five hours and a little bit of local sightseeing later, we arrived in Kalimpong, elated to have reached our first destination. It probably is the mountain air that
helps clear the mind and not second guess a stranger’s niceness but all our earlier qualms were put to rest. Jayanta, a driver by profession, trained snake catcher as a passion and a Buddhist at heart, regaled us city girls with his stories of witnessing the shooting of a BBC documentary on tuskers and another documentary on the Ganges. Each family member at the Homestay, Daragaon Retreat, in Darap Village, did their part in making us feel at home.
A family of three, the gentleman, Siva, drove us around in his Maruti car, showing us unexplored local sights. The daughter would bring us our tea, in little porcelain cups with a lid, in the early morning cold; tea that we would sip sitting in the balcony, taking in the majestic Himalayas in the distance. The lady of the house ensured we ate, and ate some more, local food for our three meals and steaming hot bowls of Maggie in frosty evenings. Our meals were usually accompanied by tales of their
folklore, politics, education system and economy. Marriage is an integral part of every custom with unique practices followed. Their community in Sikkim has an interesting manner of choosing a bride and groom.
Conventionally, at a wedding ceremony in the village, a circle is formed with eligible boys and girls standing alternatively. Amid music and dance and under the watchful eye of the elders, if cupid strikes, the boy asks the girl if she is interested. If the feeling is mutual, families are approached. That was how Siva found his bride.
She couldn’t help smiling ear to ear when her husband narrated their story. When it was time to head back, all three stood waving behind our departing car, like one would when a family member is leaving.
The Indian army stands guard at the India – China border in Sikkin at Nathu La. Nathu La, a sensitive tourist spot that needs to be evacuated either before 2:00 pm or before the fog affects visibility. The Tri-colour fluttered against the Himalayas and it was difficult to say if we had goosebumps because of the howling wind or the sombre
atmosphere of the memorial for Indian soldiers who fought the India – China war. The fog ascended quickly and the army personnel had to ask us to leave immediately. The Uniform comes with a sense of authority and aggression under which is a polite and patient human, asking civilians to vacate the border areas instantly else they would have to accommodate tourists in their bunkers.
Heaters in rooms and cars fall short of the warmth that people in the Mountains carry in their hearts.
Pavithra is a Corporate Legal Counsel by profession who takes every possible opportunity to travel, with friends, family or alone. She holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science and wants to be a teacher someday.
An amateur blogger, she has taken to writing about her travel experiences. An avid reader, Bengaluru based, foodie, and a yoga enthusiast, she tries to juggle her day between legal jargon, reading fiction and a few asanas on the mat.
@pavithra.anand.5
@PavithraAnand
https://footprintsembedded.wordpress.com/
Andaman and Nicobar IslandsThe Far India
by Deepak Goel
There are few examples in the world of places that have none of the attributes and characteristics of a metropolitan yet have an eclectic amalgam of cultures languages and food habits.
One such place is Andaman and Nicobar Islands, beautifully and rather strategically tucked in the Bay Of Bengal that forms part of the Indian Ocean. These islands are closer to countries like Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka despite being Indian territory, giving India a peculiar strategic dimension in terms of geographic spread close to the Equator. The same fact also allows North Indian tourists their longest domestic flight.
The islands get their share of the amalgam because of their proximity to three Indian states-Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. All these three states have different languages, cultures and cuisines. People from all the three states gradually migrated to the islands over the last many decades but continue to hold on to their distinctive food habits and other traits allowing very little fusion despite living together for long.
Andaman and Nicobar are set of two different islands but they are collectively defined as Union Territory of India. The islands were primarily used by the British to confine the Indian freedom fighters in what is now very famous Cellular Jail.
After India got freedom from the British, the Cellular Jail has now been consecrated as a place marking India's long, arduous and traumatic fight for freedom in which hundreds lost their lives. Cellular Jail is now an intrinsic part of anyone's itinerary visiting the islands, particularly of the Indians.
For those tourists who are looking for a break from overuse of their communication devices, these islands can definitely offer that respite since there is very poor internet connectivity, making the possibility of overuse of such gadgets impossible. The few cyber cafes on the island offer more of frustration and less of connectivity in the name of internet surfing.
Ditto for mobile telephony. One would be in a shock on the islands to note how easy it is for government employees. Despite the islands being Union Territory of India, very different rules seem to apply to the government employees who start their work at 10 am and go for lunch at 1pm, resuming work for barely an hour from 3pm to 4 pm after which the office gives over. The private sector employees also get to enjoy similar long lunch breaks but they work till 6 pm.
The short working hours of the government departments poses some problems for the tourists. Visit to many islands requires permits which is only given by
Government authorities there but the office of these authorities is open for a short time, allowing very little opportunity for a tourist to get the permits and also be able to go around places of interest. For an island where most of the people derive their livelihood through tourism, the inconvenience caused to tourists by way of timings like this comes
across as a stark occurrence.
Another thing that comes as stark is the extremely loud music that plays in public transport buses on the island. Making a mockery of any civic sense that can be there, the buses play music loud enough for people living in neighboring Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka to enjoy. One may also be
surprised with that fact that locals travel long as 7-8 hours in ferries from one island to another carrying live chicken in their handbags to offer their relatives or friends. Among all these traits of the place comes the uique features of nature that an be found on the islands like the Barataang caves that have been formed by limestone stalactites and stalagmites that shine and even glow at times.
It also has some of the most stunning mangroves which dot the length and breadth of the islands. No description of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be complete without the mention of scuba diving sites. Without argument, the islands are one of the few places in the world that offer such exhilarating scuba diving experience. One can also do the entire PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) course that is offered by many private companies. It is these unique and distinctive features and sights that make a visit to these islands vivid in the memory for a long time.
Deepak has post graduate qualification in journalism from Asian College of Journalism and has worked with organisations like The Hindu, PTI, Outlook magazine and Times of India Group.
He is an avid traveler and has traveled to almost all states and UTs of India. He has also visited 11 countries in Asia Pacific and Europe. He is an acute observer of life and extremely happy-golucky.
AUTHOR'S JOURNEY
Abhirup Dhar
AUTHOR'S JOURNEY
To me, writing is like a dream. Each time, I sit to write anything, I make it a point that it’s a sweet one. I write for the sheer joy of it. I write because I enjoy it and that too, since childhood days. Back then, I weaved stories, wrote them and kept to myself. Yes. I also used to contribute to the school magazine. When in college, I started reviewing movies on mouthshut.com. The platforms got better with time and I continued to explore my passion further one
To me, writing is like a dream. Each time, I sit to write anything, I make it a point that it ’ s a sweet one. I write for the sheer joy of it.
day by writing a fullfledged manuscript. Not with any intention of getting published, but just for the creative satisfaction I would derive from it. There was a gap of four months between the end of my MBA course and the first job. One day, I literally locked myself in my room and began writing. It took me over a fortnight to complete it and again, I kept it to myself. I enjoyed every moment of the experience. I laughed
along with the fictional protagonists; I cried with them, I got angry on some of them. I live my stories! A few years later, I happened to share the manuscript with a few friends. They loved it and said it struck a chord! It took me some more time to decide that I should now become a published author. Then, I began approaching publishers and my first book ‘Once Again… With Love!’ was out. That was year 2015. My second book,
AUTHOR'S JOURNEY
‘Stories Are Magical’ released this year in April. This one’s a celebration of storytelling wherein six stories with different genres are being loved by readers. I intend to balance both my profession with passion and I’ll tell you why if you haven’t figured it out yet. I was a writer first and then, work happened years later. I think writing is ingrained somewhere deep within now.
AUTHOR'S JOURNEY
My message to amateurs, aspiring authors would be simple. Look into your heart; write for it and from it! Write for the joy of it. Getting published is secondary. You love writing, that my friend is important. Things will fall into place. Don’t hurry. Writing requires a lot of patience and can be an emotionally draining process. Just don’t over think. Keep writing.
(As told by the author)
Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and is still being brought up in India. A banker by profession, he is filmy to the core and reviewed movies for certain portals. He is passionate about writing and that itself led him to pen his first book ‘Once Again… With Love!’ – a quirky take on love, confusion and modern-day relationships. He believes the best stories are always the simpler ones. He is now celebrating storytelling in his second outing with ‘Stories Are Magical’ and readers are having a relaxing and fun read. Abhirup currently lives in Mumbai.
Karma- The Quirky Matchmaker!
by Mamta Joshi
Not only in the qasbas and mofussil towns, but in metros too, almost every girl reaching a marriageable age, is under surveillance. It could be a close relative, a nosy neighbour, a vivacious friend’s mother or a professional matchmaker, trying to settle a perfect match for a nubile nymphet with a suitable boy. Pinky Bhatia too was in the midst of such a maelstrom.
“Do you like the boy?”
Everyone in the living room was waiting with bated breath.
“Yes, I do but!”
The news in affirmative spelt such relief that nobody bothered to notice the incoherent ‘but’ of Pinky in sheer excitement: no more restless nights for mom, no more tension for dad, the neighborhood Romeos, high on testosterone, would not trouble Bablu, her younger bro for an ‘intro’ with his pretty sister, no
more rounds of trayladen- with- snacks in front of prospective grooms for the infuriated girl.
A very popular IBM i.e. Ideal Bahu Material, Pinky was tall, with peach and cream complexion , robust health, waistlength hair , ample bosom and a swaying derriere in short, a natural beauty, without any denting -painting of sorts and no silicon enhancements. Even the smile she flashed was nonmetallic, the row of teeth being even and pearly.
A very popular IBM i.e. Ideal Bahu
Material, Pinky was tall, with peach and cream complexion , robust health, waistlength hair , ample bosom and a swaying derriere in short, a natural beauty, without any denting -painting of sorts and no silicon enhancements. Even the smile she flashed was nonmetallic, the row of teeth being even and pearly.
The mothers of eligible boys swooned when Pinky made her entrance into a gathering. They all wanted this very apsara(celestial nymph) –the very incarnation of a popular heroine from celluloid , for their son. She will mesmerize him with her beauty,
forcing him to leave his wanderlust and settle down. Once their besotted son marries her, they will have him live in the same house, next to them and take care of them in their sunset years; an idea abhorrent to their free-spirited son.
The matchmaker, Amma ji , was a balding, shortlimbed, round eyed woman of sixty: tied in a frame of limited area, with a mouth full of tobacco and rotting teeth. Her sari was always well starched, emphasizing her short height and roundness. Amma ji was ecstatic that Pinky had approved of the match. After the final fixation of the match of a pretty girl like Pinky,
she will hike her rate, no less than Rs.3001 for future reference.
“Nahin! Kabhi Nahin!”(No ! never!)
Amma ji’s comfort zone was shattered by the shrill shriek of Pinky.
“I like him very much but like a bhaiyya(brother).”
How could Pinky have married Tunnu ji! She had known him since childhood. Her feelings for him were purely sisterly. Besides, the family was too downmarket to match her gossamer dreams. Her mental block was the ‘attachakki’(flour mill) that was housed in their basement. Everyone knew the family not by their name or sir- name but by the suffix
referring to that wheat grinding machine.
“How obnoxious that this old hag, in the whole wild world, found Mr.Chakki’s son suitable for me”, the inconsolable girl muttered to herself. “Hey Bhagwaan!(Oh God!”), wailed the matchmaker from deep within. There slips another match from her hand. “Why couldn’t this bird brained chokri (lass) say it frankly in the beginning? Fanning my hopes, Bah!”. Now she will have to trudge with the photograph of Mr. Chakki’s son to other houses. With eligible girls as fussy as this one and the mushrooming internet phinternet matrimonial sites, she will have to wind
up her match making business. Her knees became aware of the endless journey ahead and gave her an electric jolt in return. “Ouch! I curse this girl. She will never get married without my marzi(will).” The sharp searing pain in her joints made Amma ji's venom rise in exponential quantities.
A fierce battleground was set between two warring females--the girl on one side and the matchmaker on the other. If curses could ill, both would have been dead. Karma smelt a delightful situation. It lurked patiently to do proper permanent damage. If possible, on both lives!
Grabbing eye- balls acted as a drug for Pinky. Addicted to male attention, she knew how to make her provocative moves in public. When all her cousins came to a wedding, coyly draped in a saree, she would move seductively in a tight churidaarkurta. When the cousins decided to wear churidaarkurta aping her in the next function, she would turn-up demure and pretty, in a saree, of course!
During the marriage season, she had to be careful about her wardrobe, accessories and make-up. Paranoid about her skin, nails, hair and of course, her pearly smile,
she practiced all the angles of her profile in front of the mirror, looking critically to see whether she looked better from right, left or frontal view. Life is so tough for the beautiful. To look pretty all the time is not easy, mulled Pinky.
Pinky loved being a prima donna at social gatherings, teasing the poor adolescent victims infatuated with her; the young men, with faint traces of hair on their upper lip, their voice-a curly mix of hoarseness and shrill twang: Pinky, like a female Pied Piper, would lead the procession, followed by these love-sick lads when she made umpteen trips to the buffet
table, espresso coffee booth , ice cream corner or the spicy chaat stall. Their immediate neighbours, the Varshneys, were to have a big fat wedding that summer. They were a very prosperous business family, being the fifth generation involved in selling utensils and brass ware of all kinds. They had fixed their only daughter’s match to another well to do business family but their prospective son-in law was an engineer from the prestigious I.I.T, Kharagpur. The delirious Varshneys were bent upon making the event so lavish that the grand affair would be remembered for a long time.
Mrs. Bhatia hadn’t recovered from her daughter's refusal. She didn’t dare to face the thronging inquisitive crowds at the marriage venue, all asking the same question, “Mrs.Bhatia, ho gayi twaddi Pinki di kudmai ?”(Has your Pinki got engaged?) She wrapped the dohar (light blanket) around her tightly, battling inner demons and decided against attending the wedding. Better to sulk inside the air conditioned room at home then to be bombarded with awkward probes which would spike her blood pressure. Mr. Bhatia, Pinki and Bablu, each having their own agenda, left Mrs. Bhatia to nurse her grief alone.
The brother, Bablu, was a carnivore. He knew that all the best non-vegetarian dishes would be served as his friend's father was the caterer. Without his mother freaking out, he could gorge on unlimited kebabs, tandoori chicken and biryani. The father was drooling about the single malt since the invite had come, a definite nono when his wife was around. The daughter was planning to wreck adolescent hearts, which she couldn't have for her mother cum bodyguard’s keen antenna would have scrutinised her moves so closely that her amorous adventures wouldn’t have dared to germinate.
Having dressed with usual care, in a peach flowing lehenga-dupatta, with intricate zardozi work, Pinky was restless. The seating arrangement, with women on one side of the canopy and the menfolk on the other, was stifling her. Missing her usual fix of attention, Pinky decided to glide over to Bablu's friends. Ah!so refreshing to feel the appreciative glances of males. There He was! Her hero in flesh and blood! The man in front of her was a perfect chiseled creation of God. She met his eyes. Pinky felt her hair rise; her scalp stiffened. She felt her blood
draining from all parts of her body and rushing straight to her heart in a violent gush. She suddenly felt cold and clammy when she saw him looking at her. Dressed in tight fitting stylish black bund-gala and cream jodhpurs, her dream man looked like a male model from a sleek fashion magazine. Boom! Boom! Suddenly there were fireworks and loud music or was it Pinky's heartbeat going berserk?
The baraat (marriage procession) had come. Everyone was rushing to the gate to have a glimpse of the dulha (groom) but Pinky stood transfixed.
She came to senses only when there was a burst of cheer and the jaimal (the exchange of garlands) was taking place. Where was he?
Her hero was on the stage lifting the groom, not allowing the bride put the garland around the groom's neck. How strong he was! Those rippling muscles under his coat! Ooh!
Pinky went to find her father so she could show him her choice in life and blood. Her father was in a cheerful mood, having downed his fifth Patiala-peg. The timing was perfect, thought Pinky. In his tipsy mood, Papa would generously
agree to whatever she asked for.
"Papa, can you see that guy. Papa, that man on the stage with the groom!"
"Yes, Yes. I am not so drunk. What about him?"
"Oh Papa, isn’t he good looking!"
"Bah! A man should be earning well. What are good looks if he doesn't have a decent job?”
"Then, Papa, why don’t you find out about his job? Papa, please!"
Pinky's Papa melted at his beautiful daughter’s plea and quickly downed another peg, happy that his fastidious daughter had finally liked someone. These fussy children should find their own match. If parents interfere in arranging
marriage for them then the blame falls on them life-long.
The handsome one was also making inquiry regarding Pinky; this news was conveyed to Mrs. Bhatia by Mrs. Varshney with a wink and a warm hug. The responsibility fell on Bablu to find out the details and he took his task seriously. Bablu found out that the handsome one was serving as a mechanical engineer in the Digboi refinery, Assam. It was a government job, well paid and safe, with pension and very good perks. Indeed, for the first time, Cupid had thrown its darts on both sides and the aim had been bang on target!
Everyone was ecstatic. The handsome one was approached through Mrs. Varshney, to meet Pinky and her family formally. The handsome one was clear that he would like to see the girl without fanfare .He will be accompanied with his widowed mother at Varshneys’ home; neither in some fancy five star hotel lobby nor in Pinky’s home: Pinky’s future should not be in jeopardy in case things didn’t work out amicably. The guy sounded grounded and mature. Pinky's family approved of his wish for a low key affair. Giddy headed Pinky would have loved to meet
her Prince Charming at a fancy place, with a loud DJ and a psychedelic dance floor but she was too excited to feel upset about the ordinariness of the arrangement.
A cheerful Pinky sought an appointment with the leading hair stylist and beautician. Her entire being was tingling. The man of her dreams was to come in the evening with his family. She kept pinching her to make sure it was not a fantasy. By late afternoon, the entire family of Bhatias’ was at the Varshneys’ mansion.
A restless Pinky could not concentrate on anything.
Every now and then she glanced at the clock, the time would not budge .Why was the clock so slow? It was getting dark. Maybe they will not come! Maybe they had an accident! Maybe he balked at the last moment. Just when Pinky's fertile imagination was going haywire, she heard a car screech to a halt in front of the gate, the doors slamming. She heard them coming in, her father's delighted guffaw and her mother's nasal high pitched nervous laughter fanned her panic. The Handsome one was coming in flanked by her father and mother.
Following them were Mr. and Mrs. Varshney, Bablu and a feminine silhouette trudging cautiously behind in the dim light. Pinky peered from inside but it was too dark outside to see the guests clearly. The company moved into the lighted patio. The gait of the female figure looked too familiar. It was the match maker!
“Is ssshe the mother of the bbboy???”
A visibly shaken Pinky whispered; stuttering into her mother’s ear.
“Yes!” said her unfazed mother. Nothing mattered to her, as long as her stuck up daughter was getting married.
“Oh no! Not her! Never!” shouted Pinky. “Hey Bhagwan! Yeh kya kiya,Beta?” (Oh God! what did you do?) wailed the matchmaker.
“Oh Yes!” shouted Karma with glee. No one messes with Karma, the powerful, the potent, the ultimate matchmaker.
Mamta Joshi did her Masters in History from Allahabad University. Her poems, reflective essays, prose pieces and short stories have appeared in national dailies and international emagazines. A free spirit ,she works with equal ease in Hindi and English.
@mamta.joshi.942
It's Time to Depart!
by Isha Sharma
Mid-summer was at its peak; In a pink-painted traveller, I took the window seat, My two companions sat beside me; The colourful world outside with my shades I could see,
I took my earphones from the bag; And began to listen songs of 'Desi' swag.
In a mean while, it started to rain; The journey to Ellora Caves began, After four hours, finally the bus reached the destination;
I was enjoying my vaccations, Fascinated by the beauty of those black stones; I pondered of the game of thrones.
Gods & Goddesses from different religions were so adorably etched by using hammer; I took a selfie with them altogether, But it was pathetic to see the damages done to the structures by an evil king; We got to know that slowly &steadily the idols there were vanishing.
We saw a hanging rock without a base; Closely looking to that my eyes were amazed, A huge elephant, stories of Mahabharata & Ramayana were engraved on those grey walls; Some caves were gigantic the other ones a bit small, The scenic beauty was mesmerizing; On those adventurous hills, the green grass was smiling.
Our Driver summoned us as that was the time to go;
While leaving that place I was feeling low, I wish one day I will go there again; And will dance inside those caves, for hours&hours in infinite droplets of rain, That visit of mine, I will always cherish in my heart; Adieu, 'O' Black Beauty! It's time to Depart.
Born on 3rd Nov-1994 in Rampur (U.P). Isha Sharma is a bilingual writer/poet/editor. She had been a part of 15+ anthologies, e-magazines and print magazines. The author was also awarded by YUVA PRATIBHA SAMMAN in 2015 by a literary organization in Noida. She has recited poems in various literary events. For her writing is her passion without which she can’t survive. Apart from writing, she is insane about dance. Currently, she is working on her debut solo book.
@dilkaaina
Be My Perfect Ending
by Arpit Vageria
by Swapna Peri
Armaan, a young, aspiring and zealous man, who is a television writer is the protagonist of the story. The story starts with his love story. He falls in love with a girl he once saw at one of the Mumbai beaches. He feels an instant karmic connection with her that he cannot explain. Sara, the female protagonist in the story also works in the same company as Armaan does. Sara is a girl with a teary and lost love story who happens to find love again with Armaan. Incidentally, Sara is the girl he saw at the beach.
Sandy is another character introduced as Armaan's flat mate. Both are very good friends and support each other emotionally.
The collision of emotions between Armaan and Sara are beautifully depicted. Life is anot n=bed of roses is again explained through their journey.Author has made a classy attempt in binding few interesting philosophical topics of life with the ongoing story.
Narration: A different style of narration is observed and it's definitely striking.
Characters: All the characters are plotted perfectly.
Language and Grammar: Good language and neat vocabulary are used.
Book Title: The book title 'Be My Perfect Ending' hints to the reader the book might be a love story or an emotional story.
My Verdict: A good read with a surprising climax.
Book Cover: The book cover is just a digital image of a couple having happy times at the beach. The colors in the background are very beautiful and eye-catching.
Rating
Book Title: 3/5
Book Cover: 3/5
Plot: 4/5
Narration: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Language & Grammar: 3/5
Final Rating : 3.5/5
Swapna worked as SAP Consultant for 10 years in Major IT companies. Reading has always been her passion and occasional painting her hobby. She decided to quit her job, look after the family and pursue her hobby of reading and painting in a larger way. Thus, her big leap into book reviewing has paved a way and has been successful to date. Reading challenges interest her a lot and visiting book fairs is her favorite thing. She believes that there is no good back or bad book, but only books. Writing unbiased reviews is her strength and she is appreciated by fellow reviewers and readers for the same. An anthology of musings with her paintings is her pending dream!
@swapna.peri
@sappy_dreamz_unlimited
@swapna508
Oby Siddharth Sharma
Her Last Wish
by Ajay K Pandey
ur emotions are the most unique part of all humans who do cry whenever they want to and also control when they don’t want to do so. But some books are made to make you cry. Like Ajay K Pandey’s ‘Her Last Wish’, as when I started this book I was just expecting a simple regular Indian love story, but this time I was proved wrong by the author.
On a beautiful windy evening, I started reading the book, probably at 6 pm, and I completed this book by 9:30 pm.
No breaks. I, without expecting that, completed the novel in one sitting. I am, as I already mentioned earlier, not a reviewer, but an avid reader of good stuff. As I was experiencing the characters of the novel, I was, like a slow poison, also falling in love with Vijay’s character in the book. A simple, regular, character of Vijay showed the importance of life. I was asking myself that why I am running for the destinations I’m not at all aware of. Maybe that’s the essence of the book. I am not at all going to talk about the story of the book because the readers might lose the charm to explore what this book really wants to convey to you. I, post reading the book, can say you only that it’s more important to be a good person than anything else. Be a soul purer compared to the gold. Money is not everything, relationships are. Thank you for your time. I hope you’re smiling.
What's Good:
The simplicity with which the author tried to express the emotions is something really missing in the new Indian authors. One can feel the honesty of the author through his writing. A good love story.
What's Bad:
There are not too many moments to believe when the main character (Vijay) started falling deeply for his wife. Fewer moments to talk about the love between the characters, even though Vijay proved to be a perfect example of a perfect husband.
Read or Leave:
A must read. If you want to read a book about the importance of love, Ajay K Pandey’s ‘Her Last Wish’ is going to be a perfect one for you. Love is just as simple as we humans are complicated about love. Read this beautiful book for the
Book Review
Buy Now:
author’s a perfect presentation of emotions and loves more to the most special person of your life. Be it your mother, father, wife, girlfriend or anyone else.
Summary:
Book – Her Last Wish
Author – Ajay K Pandey
Genre – Love/Romance/Fiction
Book Rating – 4/5
Siddharth Sharma is a Journalism and Mass Communication graduate and working as a freelance writer. He is currently taking up a Master’s degree in M.A. English. He is highly passionate about writing and exploring the new roads of life. Being an avid reader and movie buff, his fortune gives him an opportunity to review books. More than 30 times, his opinions published in the ace newspaper ‘Hindustan Times’
Iby Himani Gupta
The Perils of Being Moderately Famous
by Soha Ali Khan
t is a nonfiction autobiography of the famous family of Soha Ali Khan. Nawabs, as well as the family of poets, was interesting to read. Soha had a very huge legacy of ancestors from both sides but when you read her life you feel so much connected to her. Though she had a huge famous personality in her family, yet she had to struggle a lot in her life. She was treated just as a simple human being who had to study and, she did a 9-5 job in a bank just like us for a living. Soha had introduced both her family history at the beginning
of the book which was really an interesting read and to know more closely about her family. It also shows how much she values her family. Soha Ali khan really know how to play with words and she had narrated this tale brilliantly. I really enjoyed reading the chapter on Safeena. That was witty and an interesting read. The narration of the book was flawless. The title clearly reflected Soha as a person. Though she was born in a famous family, yet she leads a simple life. She was never in a limelight like all her family members.
Some parts of the story dragged too much but still her travel, Her love life was interesting to read. She had put her hand in every part of her life whether corporate world, Movies, author, wife and now mother to a beautiful daughter. Her journey was witty, enjoyable and courageous. I as a reader loved the memoir of her. Those who love to read
Bollywood memoir must grab this book. I recommend to everyone.
About the Book:
What is it like to be known as Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's daughter?
Or to have a mother as famous as Sharmila Tagore?
Or to be recognized as Saif Ali Khan's sister?
Or as Kareena Kapoor's sisterin-law?
And where do I stand among them?
Actor Soha Ali Khan's debut book is at heart a brilliant collection of personal essays where she recounts with selfdeprecating humour what it was like growing up in one of the most illustrious families of the country. With never before published photos from her family's archives, The Perils of Being Moderately Famous takes us through some of the most poignant moments of Soha's lifefrom growing up as a modernday princess and her days at Balliol College to life as a
Book Review
celebrity in the times of social media culture and finding love in the most unlikely of places-all with refreshing candour and wit. 'An expert storyteller'-Pioneer 'Written with absolute forthrightness and impeccable wit'-Statesman
'Perhaps only the moderately famous celebrity should write their own stories . . . or perhaps, only Soha Ali Khan should write a memoir'-Ladies Finger 'Tender and affectionate . . . Stardom may have gone to the brother but grace seems to be a legacy received by Soha. Significant for the perspective that rich and famous or not, in the end it's our values that define us'-Asian Age
'A light, breezy read, The Perils of Being Moderately Famous is unlike any other memoir'-DNA 'Her self-deprecatory humorous streak shines through'-Free Press Journal
'Who can resist such a warm and self-deprecating title?'-Business Standard
'If, until now, Soha Ali Khan was moderately famous, then after
Book Review
reading The Perils of Being
Moderately Famous I have no doubt that tomorrow she can become extremely famous'Firstpost
'If you are one of those who closely follows the news about royalty, Soha Ali Khan will soon give you another reason to keep your passion alive'-Mid-day 'With a crystal-clear insight on who she is and what she has gone through, Soha proves with the book that even "moderately famous" people are normal human beings'-New Indian Express
'Moves you to both reflect on life and chuckle at many of its moments'-Verve
'Read it in one go and loved it. Unselfconscious, truthful, funny and wise'-Shabana Azmi
'Soha Ali Khan is not just super confident but an amazingly courageous, brutally honest and deliciously funny person who is consistently thoughtful and naturally bright in all that she chooses to pursue-a trek, a job, a role and now motherhood . . . It is difficult to believe this is
Soha Ali Khan's debut book and I will never forgive her if this is her last book'-Bhawana Somaya 'Absolutely delightful-urbane, witty, self-ironic! The authorial self is not isolated but, rather, embedded in a kaleidoscope of dramatis personae, events, narrative detours'-Ranjit Hoskote 'Such a wonderful read. So warm, wise and witty'-Konkona Sen Sharma
'You of a starry night over the Sahara are fun, simple, deep, quirky, funny, emotional, real, brave, honest and beautiful company'-Maria Goretti 'Witty, self-depreciating but in the right way and so insightful! Some of the points made about human beings and life need to be mandatory reading!' -Sophie Choudry.
About the Author:
Soha Ali Khan is an Indian film actor who has appeared in movies such as Rang De Basanti, Tum Mile and Go Goa Gone. She studied modern history at Balliol College, Oxford, and earned a masters' degree in
international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is the youngest daughter of actor Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the ninth nawab of Pataudi. Both her father and paternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, were former captains of the Indian cricket team. Her older brother is Saif Ali Khan and she's married to actor Kunal Khemu.
Summary:
Book: The Perils of being moderately famous
Publisher: Penguin India
Verdict: ☆☆☆☆☆ A book that will take you to the inside of a famous Nawab’s family. I just loved reading about famous but simple and courageous girl Soha Ali Khan. Those who are interested to read Autobiography must buy this book.
Book Review
In her own words: I am Himani Gupta, By profession, I am an HR Manager working in Bengaluru. Reading is my hobby which led me to write reviews for my readers. I have read and reviewed numerous books so far. Rohit is my favorite writer as far as writing is concerned and I wait for his books to read. If you wish to get your book reviewed, do feel free to contact me.
@himanigoyal21
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