The World We Live In!

I have read it few months ago, and loved the book. So, why am I writing about it today? Something happened, which prompted me to write about this now, and it’s not that I read the book or any specific part again today. Infact, it’s somewhere in my house, and I don’t know where I put it after reading. So, what happened?

I am not a big fan of English fiction, have read some Tom Clancy ones earlier, but recently tried one of the English translation of my favorite Hindi thriller writer, Surendra Mohan Pathak, The 65 Lakh Heist! and loved it. Then comes Chetan Bhagat series, I tried 2 States while travelling to Mumbai on business trip, and that opened up a new frontier for me in reading. I was limited to Hindi fictions only so far, and liked the simple yet interesting writings of Indian writers. Now, after just 4 months, I have finished all Chetan Bhagat books, two of the SMP translations, and few others. Rece ntly finished The Immortals of Meluha, a 400 pager fiction about Shiva. A mix of mythology, history and fiction. This is a thriller, and first part in the Shiva trilogy. I really liked the pace of novel, as things happen very fast and you are really hocked to the book till very last page. The only downside of this book is that its not complete in its own, and you have to wait for the second part....

This time terror strikes at Pune. Again, some innocent people are killed in the blast at German Bakery! And in another few days, we are going to start our Indo-Pak talks again! Even without any anti-terrorist activity shown by Pakistan! Are we so desperate for this? Why can't we just accept Pakistan as our enemy and leave the things as it is? Why can't we disconnect ourselves completely from Pakistan? No ties at all! No Business, No Sports, No Art (specially No AMAN KEE ASHA), nothing at all!

Don't be surprise by the "Be Safe" part in title, as it is a normal wish I use on every occasion now a days. We are in today's world of terrorism, and specially in India, you never know what terrorist act is in store for the next hour! So, "Be Safe" is my wishing mantra for everyone! We have completed 60 years as a Republic, and achieved the most tough task of forgetting the meaning of Republic today! Go ahead, and ask anyone on the street, specially aged between 5 to 35 yrs about if they know the meaning of Republic or understand what this work "Republic India" stands for, and you will come to know that no ones understand that today! Why go out and ask around, YOU, who is reading this, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? Don't try to Google it in another tab! Its ok not to know, as it is normal for our period! In 2010, Republic Day means, a chance to get a long weekend by taking Monday off! Thats what it stands for today!

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year 2010 !

I was recently in Kolkata, for Durga Puja. It was a very short trip, of just 7 days. Considering Kolkata my home town, and birth place, 7 days is short! All my childhood friends are their, my school, collage, places where we hangout, the list is endless! Its been almost 13 years I left Kolkata, and moved to other cities for job, but I haven't left Kolkata as such. I can not leave Kolkata, not just because it is my birth place, but there is something in this city, which keeps this very close to my heart! The city is still very much traditional, old fashioned, and full of poor people. But the city also have new shopping malls, multiplexes and clubs/discs. So, you get the best of both world. You can sip a cup of tea early in the morning in Bhand (small clay-pot), and I mean as early as it gets, even at 4 AM! Then you have the option of egg-roll @ Rs 20 to Kathi Roll @ Rs 700/-, both in the same city! Hand-pulled Riksha to Auto Riksha to Taxi to Radio Taxi, the choice is yours! Wel...

Wishing you all SUBHO BIJOYA! Those who don't understand the meaning of Bijoya, its the celebration of victory! Victory of Good over Evil! I will post more details and some pics, as I was in Kolkata, the home of Durga Puja! But, for the time being, here is an video with lovely animation and Durga Puja Dhak Music!