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Short Stories/ Non Fiction/ Business & Finance/ Literary Collections / Personal Memories/ Economics/ LiteratureA Touch Of The Wisdom Of India's Nobel Laureates
This book brings together, for the very first time, the work of all Indian (Indian citizens, naturalized Indians, and erstwhile citizens of independent India) winners of the Nobel Prize—Rabindranath Tagore (1913), C. V. Raman (1930), Har Gobind Khorana (1968), Mother Teresa (1979), Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1983), Amartya Sen (1998), Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (2009), Kailash Satyarthi (2014), and Abhijit V. Banerjee (2019). The book, which contains over seventy essays, stories, poems, songs, and prayers, is divided into ten sections—Memoir, Literature, Science, Economics, Religion and Philosophy, Aesthetics, Inequality and Injustice, Politics, India, and Nobel Lectures. Each of the sections contains illuminating chapters that provide the reader with extraordinary insights into the human condition, literature, art, science, religion, philosophy, politics, human rights, economics, and the world we live in. Composed by the country’s finest minds, the pieces in A Touch of Genius will be read and reread for a very long time to come.
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The Lawful and the Awful
The citadel of justice is solemn and serious by design. But this book looks beyond that façade, bringing together a series of intriguing and surprising episodes that will appeal not only to lawyers and judges, but to non-legal readers as well. In The Lawful and the Awful, Tushar Mehta takes the reader into the lesser-known corners of the legal world, where personality presses against principle and the law reveals a side of itself rarely seen. Drawing on real cases from courts across the world, these pages recount judges who brandished loaded pistols inside courtrooms, penned poetry instead of judgments, or pronounced sentences from improbable places; the sharp wit and wisdom of the inimitable Justice Scalia; and memorable instances of the British art of courtroom humour. Written with wit, measured sarcasm, and the practised eye of a courtroom insider, these essays do not seek either to scandalize or to sermonize. They simply remind us that the citadel of justice is not always as solemn as it appears—and that the line between what is lawful and what is awful can sometimes be thinner than we might like to believe. This blurring of the line is what makes the law all the more interesting and fascinating.
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The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre
In The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre, Tushar Mehta invites you on a guided tour through the curious edges of the law—sometimes whimsical, sometimes absurd, and often unexpectedly funny. This book offers a collection of surprising and engaging incidents, events, and judgments that will appeal not only to lawyers and judges, but to non-legal readers as well. Drawing on real cases from around the world, this is the side of the law and its functionaries rarely seen: judges who expressed dissenting views in their judgments with remarkable vigour; maverick litigants who sued demons, the Devil, and even God—not out of mere eccentricity, but to prove a point; judges who harangued others over robes, wigs, and mobile phones; instances of judges unduly absorbed in social media; and those who, from the Bench, allowed authority occasionally to overwhelm restraint. Unpredictable and incisive, these episodes reveal the strange humanity that lurks behind the solemn rituals of justice—and remind us that the law, for all its dignity, can sometimes be gloriously bizarre, yet undeniably fascinating to legal professionals and lay readers alike.
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Amazing Sanatan Dharma Hinduism Is Science Not A Religion
• The numeral system was invented by India and is known as Hindu-Arabic numeral system. • The first university in the world was established in Takshashila, also known as Taxila, during 700 BCE. • Aryabhata (476–556 CE), the astronomer and mathematician, discovered ‘shunya’ or zero. • Many languages originated from Sanskrit. Some of the first words of the English language came from Sanskrit words, such as ‘father’ from ‘pita’ and ‘mother’ from ‘mata’. According to Forbes magazine, Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software. • The decimal system as well as the place value system were developed in India in 100 BCE. • Electric Battery: Maharishi Agastya (approximately 1500–1200 BCE) invented electricity generation as well as the use of electricity, electric wire and battery cells (formula for electric battery). • The value of pi was first calculated by Baudhayana, who lived around 800 BCE, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this long before Pythagoras. • Surya Siddhanta has calculations of the diameters of Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Earth, Moon and Sun, as well as their distances from the planets. • Mathematical subjects like algebra and trigonometry were discovered by Indians. Quadratic equations were invented by Bhaskaracharya (1114–1185 CE). • Mayasura, in his treatise Surya Siddhanta, calculated the time taken for the Earth to orbit the Sun to nine decimal places (365.258756484). • Ayurveda, which is a part of the Hindu Upavedas, is also one of the earliest schools of medicine in the world. Charvaka, the father of medicine, consolidated Ayurveda 2,500 years ago. • Atomic Theory: Maharishi Kanada, the creator of Vaisheshika Upanishad, said in 600 BCE that paramanu (atom) is the indestructible particle of matter and discussed atomic theory long before the West did. • Rishi Sushruta (800–700 BCE) is considered the ‘Father of Surgery’. • The ‘vimana’ (aeroplane) that Mayasura built is said to be a three-storied flying craft operated by motive power generated by solar rays. Details of the Pushpaka Vimana are described in the Valmiki Ramayana. • The art of navigation was born in the river Sindh, 5,000 years ago. The very word ‘navigation’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘navgati’. ‘Nav’ means a ship or a vessel and ‘gati’ means speed or progress.
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The Curious And The Classified
The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries Did you know that the popular cheer of chak de phatte actually has its roots in the Sikh army of the 17th and 18th centuries? Or that Badluram, the inspiration behind the foot-tapping number ‘Badluram ka Badan’, was killed in action in the decisive Battle of Kohima in 1944? How did the city of Bangalore come to be associated with a weapon that was regarded as a game-changer during World War I? In The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, General Manoj Naravane (Retired) pulls aside the still-drawn curtains on some of the most riveting and compelling arcana that colour the legends and lore of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Be it the enduring spirit of Baba Harbhajan, the fate of INS Khukri, the extraordinary sagas of airmen and their call signs, or the raw courage of Pedongi, the military mule, you will find it all and more in this thoroughly entertaining yet meticulously researched foray into the underexplored, bizarre and often wildly amusing aspects of our armed forces. Equal parts accessible, humorous and thought-provoking, and embellished with warm personal vignettes and quirky illustrations, this definitive masterwork from the man who led India’s most revered institution also shines the spotlight on the tenets of every soldier’s life—duty, loyalty, comradeship and pride in deep-rooted traditions—tested by insurmountable odds, hard choices and their lasting consequences. The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries is a captivating, eye-opening, boots-on-the-ground page-turner that will excite anyone who refuses to settle for surface-level truths.
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Flower Of India Ways Of Seeing The Lotus
In Flower of India, bestselling author and renowned mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik examines the lotus as one of the most pervasive and resonant symbols of the Indian subcontinent. Through its many avatars—as plant, resource, metaphor, design, and sacred form—he traces how the lotus has shaped India’s cultural imagination across history, religion, art, and everyday life. Concise yet expansive, accessible yet intellectually serious, and rooted in both lived experience and wider historical enquiry, this book offers a fresh perspective on the lotus—a symbol central to India’s cultural consciousness, and integral to the nation’s aesthetics, cuisine, erotica, romance, mythology, and spirituality.
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Sporting Tales
‘Imagine my situation as I clung desperately to the wing of the enraged bird. He was whirling me round and round as though he were a discus-thrower—and I the discus! My arms soon began to ache with the strain, and the swift and continuous circling was making me dizzy. But I knew that if I relaxed my hold, even for a second, a terrible fate awaited me.’ Things rarely go as planned in Ruskin Bond’s world, especially when cricket bats, bicycles, jungle creatures and Uncle Ken are involved. In Sporting Tales, Ruskin Bond gathers some of his most entertaining adventures where games, competitions and small challenges lead to very big surprises. There are boys who dream of glory, friends who fall out and make up again, unexpected heroes and the occasional crocodile, ostrich or ghostly interruption. Funny, fast-moving and full of heart, these stories remind us that sport isn’t only about winning. It’s about spirit. And sometimes survival.
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The Wonderful Stone
High in the hills of Mussoorie, where clear streams run through forests of oak and pine, a boy spends his summer exploring the mountains. One day, he discovers something unusual in his favourite mountain stream—a smooth purple stone that glows softly in the sunlight. But this is no ordinary stone. Some believe it is a valuable mineral that can bring them riches. Others think it might bring luck—or perhaps, trouble! As the attractive stone travels from one owner to another, it has strange and surprising effects on all of them. But its various owners are never able to hold on to it for long. Sometimes, the most wonderful treasures are not meant to be kept—only admired. Set against the serene beauty of the Himalayan hills, The Wonderful Stone is a delightful story about adventure, curiosity, and the simple joys of discovering the natural world. After all, the mountains still hold many secrets—if only you know where to look.
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Voices In The Waiting Room
Five doctors. One hospital. A cacophony orchestrated by forced silence, ruptured memories and the quiet fight to belong. When Dr Silva receives a bangle, it threatens to unravel the life she has so carefully constructed. Around her, four colleagues carry burdens of their own. There is Dr Ankit, who fled a broken system in India and is now struggling to find a sense of home in a country that sees him as a stranger; Dr Pooja, poised on the outside but aching beneath the surface; Dr Shashi, brilliant yet adrift in the ubiquity of human connections; and Dr Jindal, a pillar of the diaspora, undone by a grief too vast to articulate. In the antiseptic corridors of a hospital in the United States, these voices intersect and intertwine, bound together by the universal need to be seen, understood and remembered. Voices in the Waiting Room is a powerful, multi-perspective debut by Mayank Gupta about identity, displacement and the fragile bonds that tether us to one another. As each voice rises, falters and finally finds its place, Gupta crafts a chorus that is both intimate and resonant.
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Mahagauri
The brilliant Gauri Vishwanath is a senior scientist at a top defence lab in Bengaluru. A recurring violent dream sees her transformed into a fierce warrior, wielding weapons and spilling blood on the battlefield. One night, the dream turns into a horrific reality when a freak lab accident transports her to the ancient kingdom of Saptapuri. Saptapuri is under siege—Moishan, the buffalo-demon, and his formidable army of demons are marching towards the kingdom to seize the precious Ajna Chakra. According to legend, the purple jewel, forged from the fire of Shiva’s Third Eye, grants immortality and power to whoever possesses it. Saptapuri’s only hope lies in an age-old prophecy that speaks of one of Goddess Durga’s avatars descending from another world to save them from Moishan. To Gauri’s astonishment, the prophecy points to her.
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At The Altaras Of The Unkown
Just beyond the veil of reason lies the expanse of the unknown. Who goes there, nobody knows. Certain footsteps echo and certain (un)life blooms, yet it is darkness that greets us when we peek within. The unknown—the incomprehensible—demands a fearful capitulation. Thus we kneel at its altar and pray—for the respite from the need to pray. But its touch is infectious and reveals the lurking fear underneath the mundane. And there’s nowhere left to hide. At the Altars of the Unknown is a collection of 13 classic horror tales about those beings that exist beyond the veil—be they deities, demons, or visitors from outer space. Step in, why don’t you? What have you got to lose?
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The Night of Fear
We are not always what we think We are, but we can become what we choose to become. The mahaguru proclaimed that the temple was a rare pure spot on Earth and a ‘divine’ blessing for the people of the Himalayan town, but he also warned that dark forces had already laid siege to the temple. Within the walls of the revered Mountaintop temple thrives a temple legend. When a young girl accidentally discovers the truth, her life takes a dramatic turn. If she exposes the truth, the dark forces will have their revenge. If she doesn't, she won't be able to live with herself. Will the young girl survive? Can the temple remain pure? Before she can take on the influential outside world, she has to battle the monsters within—the helplessness, the fear and the weight of past failures.
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For All Seasons
‘In the spring, when the banyan tree was full of small red figs, birds of all kinds would flock into its branches, the red-bottomed bulbul, cheerful and greedy, gossiping rosy pastors, and parrots and crows, squabbling with each other all the time.’ How does the world change shape with the change of seasons? What does ‘A Rainy Day in June’ look like? What secrets lay hidden ‘In Grandfather’s Garden’ in the bloom of spring? Can ‘The Blue Umbrella’, so tiny and delicate, withstand the force of a mountain shower? For All Seasons brings the world alive through Ruskin Bond’s searching eyes, at once restless and contemplative. Pay attention and you will hear ‘When the Cicadas Chorus’, be privy to the private dramas of garden animals, and feel the foot-tapping rhythm of ‘A Calypso Christmas’ taking place a lifetime ago…
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Flowing With The Currents
‘It was our last night sleeping beside the Ganga, and we rested with our chins in our hands, watching the river move silently past us, surging onward, India’s lifeblood, inexorable and irresistible.’ From the Indus to the Kaveri and the Ganga to the Brahmaputra, the rivers that flow across our land have enriched and defined it for centuries. Their bends and meanders have been home to countless stories, shaping our history, culture and religion. Flowing with the Currents is a collection of Ruskin Bond’s writings that pay homage to the diversity of our land and its rivers. Journey down the stream of Ruskin Bond’s evocative prose as he captures in words the eddies and the waves, the crests and the troughs of the waters, and of life itself.
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The Very Best Of Ruskin Bond's Travel Writing
‘I have discovered their secret. Now I know why they look so cool, so refreshed, while we who walk the streets of Old Delhi do so with parched mouths and drooping limbs. The pigeons are the only ones who still know about the Red Well.’ From retellings of comical mishaps to attempts to put words to moments of profound appreciation for the world, travel always leaves one with stories to share. Even reading or listening to these stories can make one vicariously experience the charm of these moments, but in the hands of master storytellers, they take on a life, a magic of their own. The Very Best of Ruskin Bond’s Travel Writing brings together the finest of the writer on the hill’s contributions to the genre. Let his scintillating prose take you down city alleys, mountain roads, railway tracks and roaring seas, so you can experience the wonder of the world through his eyes.
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Tricksters From Fables & Mythology
Who are the world’s greatest mischief-makers? Tricksters, of course! Every culture and mythology has its own clever, curious and cheeky folk heroes, who entertain everyone with their pranks and wit. Tricksters from Fables and Mythology, a delightful retelling by Anitha Murthy, brings young readers face-to-face with 13 unforgettable tricksters from around the world. Each trickster reveals a bag of tricks that will make you roar with laughter. • Narada (India)—The wandering, gossip-loving sage who stirs up controversies in the heavens. • Mullah Nasruddin (Turkey)—A populist philosopher known for his quick wit, humour and wisdom. • The Kitsune (Japan)—Shape-shifting foxes with supernatural abilities known to deceive humans. • The Dokkaebi (Korea)—Goblins who play tricks on bad people and reward those who are benevolent. • Hermes (Greece)—The sneaky young god who stole Apollo’s cows within hours of his birth! • Anansi the Spider (Africa)—The clever spider who spun his way into owning all the world’s stories. Get ready to go on a whirlwind tour across continents and cultures to meet many more such tricksters in this book. And be on the alert, because anything can happen with tricksters around!
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Glimpses of Past
‘We took the railcar from Kalka. It glided over the rails without any of the huffing and puffing of the steam engine that dragged the little narrow gauge train up the steep mountain. I would be travelling in that train in the years to come, but on this, my first to Shimla, I was given the luxury of the railcar.’ There is the past, just out of reach; fog-obscured yet perceptible. The stories of school-time spent in a chaotic prep school in Chotta Shimla in the company of ‘The Four Feathers’, or the sumptuous stopover ‘Breakfast at Barog’ on the way. And there is also the time spent in ‘Grandfather’s Garden’, a lavish green expanse where the epic dramas of the animal kingdom are everyday occurrences. Ruskin Bond’s Glimpses of the Past are—at once—hilarious tales of a richly-lived life and poignant peeks into Mussoorie’s storied history and culture. But, above all, it is an invitation to experience a time gone by, delicately remembered and recorded by an author whose entire life is mired in the mountain mists.
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The Resolution Rebellion
Tired of setting goals that feel like punishment? This is your permission slip to quit playing by the January rulebook. Forget forcing structure where you need softness. This manifesto unpacks why traditional resolutions don’t work—and what might actually feel like freedom instead. It’s not anti-growth, it’s pro-you. Especially the you who prefers detours, cosy chaos, and skipping the gym for a long walk nowhere.
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Mission Saudi
A Crime That Shocked the Nation. A Pursuit That Redefined Justice. A heinous crime. A criminal beyond reach. A trail of tragic deaths and suicides. A young IPS officer who will stop at nothing to deliver justice. Mission Saudi is the gripping true story of India’s first-ever extradition of a sexual predator from Saudi Arabia—a landmark case that tested the limits of international law, diplomacy and courage. Based on True Events Pooja, a ninth-grade student and the middle child of a loving family, was eagerly awaiting the Onam celebrations. But what should have been a day of joy turned into a lifelong nightmare—one that ultimately claimed her life. Years later, Merin Joseph, IPS, leads a determined team of Kerala Police officers through a maze of systemic oppression, sexism, and international bureaucracy to bring justice to the wronged child. Drawing from official case files and court judgements, authors Aloke Lal and Maanas Lal craft a powerful narrative of perseverance and the indomitable spirit of a woman officer who refused to give up. Inside This Book, You’ll Find ⚖️A Historic Case: The true story behind India’s first extradition of a rape accused from Saudi Arabia. ♀️A Woman’s Fight for Justice: IPS officer Merin Joseph’s fearless pursuit through international and institutional barriers. 🌍Law, Power, and Persistence: A rare insight into the workings of India’s justice system and its global reach. 💔The Human Cost: The tragic consequences of systemic apathy and a society slow to protect its most vulnerable. 🔥Inspiration in Uniform: A tribute to those who fight quietly but relentlessly for justice and dignity. Why This Book Matters • A milestone in India’s legal and diplomatic history • An unflinching look at crimes against women and the courage to confront them • Written by acclaimed authors and real-life investigators of crime and justice • For readers who value truth, integrity, and the triumph of human spirit Why You Should Read India’s Most Loved Crime-Writing Duo Aloke Lal is a former IPS officer and bestselling author of The Barabanki Narcos. Twice felicitated by the President of India, he brings over three decades of policing experience to his writing. Maanas Lal is an acclaimed author, columnist, artist, and musician. Together, they have co-authored several true-crime bestsellers and founded the Crime Literature Festival of India. A True Story of Courage, Conviction, and Justice Mission Saudi is more than a police chronicle—it’s a testament to the power of integrity, empathy, and determination. From the heart of Kerala to the deserts of Saudi Arabia, this is the story of one woman’s unyielding mission to bring a predator to justice—and restore faith in humanity.
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When The Body Says Stop
You said yes too many times. You pushed past exhaustion. And now your body’s raising its hand, whispering: enough. When the Body Says Stop is a reckoning with the physical cost of ignoring your limits. It’s not just fatigue. It’s language. Headaches, tight shoulders, sudden tears—all trying to speak before you crash. This book gently walks you back to yourself, one boundary at a time. Rest isn’t laziness. Slowness isn’t weakness. They’re medicine. Your body isn’t betraying you. It’s protecting you. Listen. Respond. Begin again—softer, slower, and more in tune than ever.
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Laugh Before Crying
Sometimes the tears come. But before they do—there’s a laugh. Laugh Before Crying is a book for anyone who’s lived through absurd grief, exquisite awkwardness, or the strange beauty of falling apart while still being funny. It’s permission to hold humour and heartbreak in the same hand. To be joyful in your wreckage. To crack jokes mid-meltdown and mean them. This isn’t toxic positivity. It’s emotional range. You’re allowed to feel it all. You’re allowed to laugh even when the ground is shifting. Especially then. The soul is complex. So is your healing. Let it be both.
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Kesariya An Ode To The Karamsot Rathores Of Kheenvsar
The 500-year-old saga of courage, faith and valour of the Karamsot Rathores remains unparalleled. Kesariya: An Ode to the Karamsot Rathores of Kheenvsar brings to life the extraordinary story of one of Marwar’s most distinguished Rajput lineages. Descendants of the mighty Rashtrakuta kings—whose prowess once thundered across central and southern India—the Rathores became the very heart and soul of Marwar, their blood fortifying the towering walls of Mehrangarh. In 1523 CE, Rao Karamsiji, the ninth son of the legendary Rathore king, Rao Jodha, founded the kingdom of Kheenvsar (Khimsar). Guided by a divine calling and a warrior’s resolve, he began the indelible legacy of the Karamsot Rathores. Spanning twenty-one generations, the Karamsots are among the world’s only Rajput dynasties with an unbroken line of descent. Inside this book, you’ll find ⚔ The rise of the Rathores: Discover the roots of Marwar’s royal dynasty. 🏰 A royal legacy: Journey through 21 generations of courage, loyalty and unbroken lineage. 📜 Untold histories: Unearth rare stories from handwritten Rajput archives and oral traditions of Rajasthan. 🌹 Rajput pride and honour: A tribute to valour, sacrifice and the timeless spirit of Rajputana. ✨ A woman’s chronicle: Authored by a 20th-generation descendant, blending authenticity, empathy and cultural depth. Why this story matters • A one-of-a-kind Rajput history chronicling a royal dynasty from within the house of Kheenvsar. • A blend of historical biography, heritage storytelling and cultural preservation. • A must-read for history enthusiasts, heritage lovers and readers of Indian royal chronicles. • Captures the spirit of Rajasthan—its forts, faith and fiercely independent people. A living legacy of valour Fearless, loyal and formidable on the battlefield, and committed, compelling and unyielding at the negotiating table, the Karamsot dynasty of Kheenvsar has not only been a defining force in Marwar’s glorious history but also stands as a living testament to Rajput pride and honour. Drawn from rare, handwritten family archives, Kesariya is the first-ever chronicle to emerge from within the house of Kheenvsar. Through meticulous research and powerful storytelling, Urvashi Singh—a descendant of this proud lineage—immortalizes the heroes of Kheenvsar and their enduring legacy that continues to inspire. A chronicle of heritage and heart Kesariya is more than a historical account: it is an ode to identity, lineage and belonging. By bridging centuries of Rajput tradition with the present, it revives the forgotten voices of Marwar and preserves their spirit for generations to come. For lovers of history, heritage and storytelling, this book stands as a reminder that courage, once kindled, never truly fades. It continues to burn bright in every descendant who carries the name, the memory and the pride of Rajputana.
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Shadows Over Ayodhya
As Ayodhya prepares for the Ram Mandir inauguration, a bomb is ticking beneath its holy soil. When SP Naveen Shukla uncovers forged contracts, missing funds, and a string of suspicious deaths, he realizes this is more than corruption—it’s a countdown. Teaming up with Nikhat Sherwani, a fearless journalist following the trail her father died trying to expose, the two trace ghost companies and buried ledgers to a shadowy foreign investor with ties to terror. As the threat grows harder to contain, the city edges closer to disaster. Can they expose the truth before faith becomes the target—and violence engulfs Ayodhya? Inspired by true events, Shadows Over Ayodhya is a razor-sharp political crime thriller about power, fear, and the deadly consequences of uncovering a secret buried beneath holy ground.
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Crisis Management Cutting Edge Strategies And Approaches
In an ever-changing world fraught with chaos and uncertainty, crisis management is a necessity. Every crisis situation or event is unique. Whether it’s an accident, a natural catastrophe, a PR disaster or an unforeseen cyber-attack, every situation presents a unique set of challenges. This is what makes crisis management such a challenging endeavour. Crisis Management is an indispensable guide to help you navigate the stormy waters of any given crisis. Seasoned management expert Alan Clifton draws from a reservoir of theoretical knowledge and his own rich experience to develop a guide for both novice and seasoned crisis management professionals—leaders, managers and team members. Drawing from real-world experiences, expert insights and incisive case studies, the book is sure to help you harness the transformative potential hidden within every crisis and navigate with clarity and precision. Crisis management is both a challenge and an opportunity. Handled well, the techniques and models in this book can be a transformative force that empowers us to navigate crises with confidence; ensuring individuals, organizations and nations to not only survive, but thrive.