-
The House Of Strange Stories
‘The morgue had no electricity, just a kerosene lamp. I had not been sitting there for long when the lamp went out and something moved very softly and quietly past me. Something cold and icy touched one of my hands and felt its way up towards my neck and throat. It was behind me, then it was before me. Then it was over me. I was in the arms of the corpse!’ With the House of Strange Stories, celebrated writer Ruskin Bond brings forth a collection of some of the most blood-curdling tales ever written. Featuring Stacy Marie Belloc Lowndes’ ‘The Lodger’, Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Red-Headed League’, Wilkie Collins’ ‘The Duel’, Bram Stoker’s ‘The Sqaw’, Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ and several of Bond’s own, these tales of macabre, suspense, vampires and haunted houses will leave even horror fans terrified.
-
Fuck Knows Dead or Alive
After the phenomenal success of his first book F?@K Knows, the entertainment maverick turned social entrepreneur is still not turning to the phrase ‘God Knows’. Instead he is back with some more ‘Fs’ in his life with F?@K Knows: Dead or Alive. With the same honesty and humour, he sets out to share his latest trials and good fortunes and weighs in on some of the more universal maladies of our times by gazing back in his life and answering the questions: • What does he see when he looks in to the mirror now? • What is it like to be the prostitute, the pimp and run the whorehouse at the same time? • What’s it like to live with the mother of all mothers? • Is social media really that social? Is there any hope for the ‘wired up’ generation? • Does God have the best PR company?
-
Murder at Lords
The gentleman’s game will no longer be the same. In Murder at Lord’s, different characters from the world of cricket Indian boy wonder, Vinoo Ramji; English team’s manager, Alan Moorcombe; young and ambitious English reporter, Dick Anthony. Pakistani match-fixer and former hitman, Mohammed Musa; the English team’s captain and compulsive gambler, Michael Cookson and its physiotherapist, Tony Abbott cross paths in the shadowy world of match-fixing, a world ruled by syndicates whose sole purpose is luring players and coaches into their dangerous web of fear, deceit and greed. No one and nothing is off limits whether it is the mysterious disappearance of a cricketer’s girlfriend or a murder at Lord’s. A deadly cat-and-mouse game begins when a Scotland Yard detective sets out on this elusive crime trail. The quest to unmask the perpetrators takes the reader from the plush suburbs of London to the dark alleys of Mumbai. As secrets lurk in the shrouds of violence, will justice prevail or will it be too late?
-
Speaking Truth To Power
n a parliamentary democracy, citizens always wish to hear the articulate voice of the Opposition that can offer reasoned criticism of the government and alternative policy solutions to the challenges faced by the country. In 2017, P. Chidambaram braved misinterpretation, criticism and abuse to emerge as that voice. From the reckless adventure of demonetization to the flawed GST to the Central government’s economic report card that had to be marked ‘Failed’, Speaking Truth to Power is a collection of the incisive essays published in 2017 as a weekly column in The Indian Express. The essays highlight why there is a pervasive sense of disappointment after forty-three months of the Narendra Modi government. They are on a range of subjects that capture the reality of India more than the country’s GDP—hunger, children, privacy, intolerance, etc. In a year when Indian politics remained divisive and ugly, Chidambaram forcefully articulates his views on the Budget, the deceptive calm in Jammu and Kashmir, the implosion in the AIADMK, the intriguing verdict in the election to the Gujarat legislature and many other contemporary issues. Following principles of fidelity to truth and unbiased criticism based on sound logic, Chidambaram is at his characteristic best here.
-
Stories From Saratchandra
Some time ago, a sudden rumour spread across our region that unless three children were sacrificed, the railway bridge over Roopnarayan just could not be constructed. Two small boys had already been buried alive under one of the pillions and only one more needed to be caught...’ This book is a collection of twelve widely acclaimed short stories of Saratchandra Chattopadhyay, one of the doyens of Bengali literature. Divided into two sections, the first bunch of stories portray childhood in all its unburdened innocence while the latter section leads on to deeper sensibilities—the everyday experience of casteism, the lived reality of social hierarchy and the bonds of almost filial affection forged between man and animal that sustain both. Stories from Saratchandra shows Saratchandra’s keen eye as a social commentator, presenting a vivid picture of life in rural Bengal during the early twentieth century.
-
Why I Killed the Mahatma
It is common knowledge that Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead in 1948 by a Hindu militant, shortly after India had both gained her independence and lost nearly a quarter of her territory to the new state of Pakistan. Lesser known is assassin Nathuram Godse’s motive. Until now, no publication has dealt with this question, except for the naked text of Godse’s own defence speech during his trial. It didn’t save him from the hangman, but still contains substantive arguments against the facile glorification of the Mahatma. Dr Koenraad Elst compares Godse’s case against Gandhi with criticisms voiced in wider circles and with historical data known at the time or brought to light since. While the Mahatma was extolled by the Hindu masses, political leaders of divergent persuasions who had had dealings with him were less enthusiastic. Their sobering views would have become the received wisdom about the Mahatma if he hadn’t been martyred. Yet, the author also presents some new considerations in Gandhi’s defence from unexpected quarters.
-
Ambedkar An Overview
Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man’s life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self.’—B.R. Ambedkar Born in 1891 into an Untouchable family, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar is the man behind the Indian Constitution and the champion of the Dalit cause. Much ahead of his times, he raised pertinent issues pertaining to the broader cause of nation-building process for India. This is a collection of extracts from some of his finest works that capture him as a modernist thinker with an outstanding intellectual sweep over the major aspects of a then newly independent nation. These writings cover a wide range of issues such as the caste system, Untouchability, Hinduism, status of women, the multiple religions in India, creation of Pakistan, the constitution and much more. Ambedkar: An Overview is both a handy reference guide and a preamble for those who wish to familiarize themselves with the pioneering works of Babasaheb.
-
Cross Connection
When the animals of the ‘The Great Indian Circus’ found their lives all topsy-turvy, they realized that turning the world around takes a lot more than just circus acts.Chunky the Funky monkey and Bhole Ram the Brave are among the performing animals of The Great Indian Circus. While Chunky spends most of his time playing pranks on others, Bhole Ram is a shy and gentle elephant who ends up bearing the brunt of Chunky’s mischief. Things take a turn when their bodies get switched in a freak accident and they are forced to live each other’s lives. A cosmic cross connection that leads to complete confusion all around! Trapped in each other’s bodies, Bhole Ram and Chunky learn to put aside their differences in order to make things smooth in the Circus again—both for themselves and for everyone else—learning some important lessons in life along the way. A delightful read that will leave you smiling long after the last page has been turned.
-
khwaabon ka safar
Relive the golden era of Hindi cinema with Mahesh Bhatt as he recounts the Khwaabon Ka Safar (the journey of dreams) of iconic film studios in India. Did you know that German filmmaker Franz Osten partnered with an Indian studio on some of India’s earliest blockbuster films in the 1930s? Do you know which production house invented the Hindi ‘formula filmmaking’ style in the 1950s that still drives big budget Bollywood films? Khwaabon Ka Safar with Mahesh Bhatt takes us through the incredible journey of Bollywood’s landmark film studios which gave us iconic stars and cinematic masterpieces. This book provides the captivating stories behind Bollywood’s top thirteen studios from Prabhat Film Company (1929) to Filmayala (1958) with which the studio era ended. The book weaves in various interesting anecdotes about our erstwhile studio system, the great entrepreneurial skills of the forefathers of Hindi cinema, their iconic films and the superstars they created. A must-read for all film aficionados.
-
Maharashtra Maximus
What is Maharashtra? What has been the contribution of various communities and castes in making the Maharashtra of today? What makes Mumbai a centre of political power? Why is it that rampage can be unleashed if the city is called by its old name, Bombay? Who is a Maharashtrian? Sujata Anandan delves into history to unravel multiple layers that explain the complexity of Maharashtrian politics and its impact on the Indian State.
-
The Indigo Sun
Home—neither a place you live in, nor a place you arrive at. It’s where you belong, and ultimately return—a return to the beginning, a return within. The Indigo Sun is an enchanting tale set amidst the deserts of Rajasthan where Maya, a young NRI woman is led on a transformative journey by a young boy Ananda; a mystic gypsy woman named Leela; and Veer, a well-respected, socially driven entrepreneur from London. Together, they embark on a colourful odyssey encompassing culture, heritage, simplicity and celebration of life. In this unknown and distant land surrounded by strangers, Maya’s past, present, and future come together as do her body, mind and soul. She discovers another meaning of life, forms incredible bonds, meets the man of her dreams, and finally comes face-to-face with her truth—the indigo sun, a treasure that lay buried in her heart all along. She is finally home.
-
Odyssey Of Courage
`Do not be afraid of making mistakes, but never repeat them.' With these words of paternal advice, Habil Khorakiwala set forth to create one of India’s most respected, research-based pharmaceutical companies—Wockhardt Limited. In Odyssey of Courage, Khorakiwala narrates a saga of Indian enterprise, talent and creativity. Hailing from Palanpur, Gujarat, the Khorakiwalas arrived in Bombay in 1896 to build one of the city’s iconic retail chain stores—Akbarallys. Opting to strike out on his own, Khorakiwala entered the pharmaceutical business in 1967. Despite fierce competition at home and abroad, Wockhardt has emerged as a global firm with subsidiaries in the US and Europe. The pharma giant is now ready to launch an antibiotics ‘super drug’ that will mark a new stage in the evolution of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Odyssey of Courage is more than just the story of Wockhardt. It offers invaluable insights into the making of a knowledge-based Indian multinational. Policymakers, business executives, students of management and public policy will relate to Khorakiwala’s experiences in ‘learning by doing’, taking risks and handling crises and in managing change—within the industry, within India’s policy environment and within the world of global pharma.
-
CHANAKYA IN DAILY LIFE
Life is unpredictable and full of challenges. One wrong step and everything can come crashing down. In such a scenario, one often wishes for a roadmap of life, but how is that possible? Bestselling author Radhakrishnan Pillai's much-anticipated book, Chanakya in Daily Life, will help you navigate the rough seas of life and stay on course. Covering all aspects of life from the personal to the professional, it will tell you everything from how to begin your day to how to end it, how to choose the right job, stay financially secure, have a happy married life, raise your children the right way, achieve the perfect work-life balance and much more. Like always, Pillai decodes and simplifies the visionary king-maker Chanakya’s teachings from the Arthashastra and Chanakya Niti to provide solutions for any problem that might crop up in any aspect of your life. Thus, Chanakya in Daily Life is the perfect guru who expects only one thing from the shishya—a willingness to learn.
-
Parenting In The Age Of Anxiety
Parenting in the Age of Anxiety acknowledges that today's generation is tormented by a number of issues - exam stress, bullying, peer pressure, sexual uncertainty - hat can snowball into full-blown psychological conditions, from borderline personality disorders to anxiety and learning impairments. Added to this are specific early, emotionally fraught life experiences that demand coping skills, such as bereavement and adoption. How should one help a child deal with a bullying in school? What should you do when your son is burdened with exam stress? How is a parent to deal with a depressed teen? Equally, is anxiety a two-way street, passed on from caregiver to child, and vice versa? Drawing from case studies, diary entries, letters, and conversations, Parenting in the Age of Anxiety sensitively approaches each of the issues that distress growing children, and offers valuable lifelines. This book reminds all guardians and nurturers to grant themselves the right to make mistakes and give their children the freedom to err and recover.
-
Myself Meena, Ias
Meena, a young, attractive, fun-loving girl from Bareilly, finds her life in a state of disarray. On the one hand, she is compelled to play the role of a dutiful daughter, living out the ambitions that her father had dreamt for her - being an IAS officer. On the other hand, she remains perpetually confused and bored. Worse, she falls out with her best friend, is unable to sustain long-term friendships and falls in love but struggles to make choices. Meena is forced to confront a few loaded questions. In blindly following her father�s aspirations, has she missed out on living a life on her own terms? Will she grow to adjust to a new job, and equally, will she be able to work out her romance with her colleague and mentor? Most importantly, will she find herself? Find out in this story of self-discovery and resilience.
-
Destiny Of Shattered Dreams
"An insider's view into what goes on behind the glittering fa�ade of corporate stardom, Destiny of Shattered Dreams is a fast-paced tale of a brilliant young man's meteoric rise at business. It is also a moving portrayal of love and its fallibility. Ambition, passion, and raw courage are Atul Malhotra�s key aides to realizing his dreams as he learns the art of gambling for high stakes. What follows is a game of treachery, infidelity and murder. The book lays bare the sordid corporate-politico nexus that compels this once middle-class boy to deftly learn the ropes and negotiate a world where dirty deals and power plays can make or break lives, where one wrong choice could prove fatal. A tale of yachts and hidden Swiss accounts, sordid affairs of lust, intrigue and exhilarating highs, Nilesh Rathod�s Destiny of Shattered Dreams is also the story of innocence forever lost."
-
The Jim Corbett Omnibus
Jim Corbett's tales of tiger hunts are legendary. Mostly alone, he would traverse the hills and jungles of India, hunting his quarry using blood trails, examining pug marks and following broken twigs and branches, often putting himself at risk. Later, he became a conservationist, taking up the cause of the endangered royal Bengal tiger. This comprehensive volume contains some of Jim Corbett's best-known books and short stories, from The Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, a gripping tale of a notorious leopard, to the fascinating stories in Man-eaters of Kumaon and The Temple Tiger. Showcasing Corbett's acute awareness of jungle sights and sounds and enlivened by his descriptions of village life, this is a must-read for those interested in wildlife and tiger tales.
-
The Mughal High Noon
In the mid-seventeenth century, the sons of ailing Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan - Dara, Shuja, Aurangzeb and Murad - are locked in a fierce struggle for succession. As Shah Jahan's treatment is kept under strict supervision, rumours begin to swirl. Is the emperor alive? Or is his death being kept a closely-guarded secret? It's impossible to know for certain, since the spies and agents of the kingdom trade in misinformation and half-truths, and only heighten the tension between the brothers. In this atmosphere of palace intrigue and chicanery - as Murad acquires a reputation for overindulgence, Dara for sensitivity, and Shuja for impulsiveness - the stage seems set for a power-hungry Aurangzeb to make his ascent as emperor. However, will Aurangzeb's quest for domination become his ultimate undoing? The Mughal High Noon, with master brushstrokes, explores questions of power, faith and contentment.
-
It's Not Right But It's Okay
Everyone has a past. But what if it becomes daunting baggage and spills over into the future? A fiercely independent, career-driven girl, Angira, has recently changed her Facebook status to �single in Mumbai�. While work has been her only priority, a twist of fate brings Ved-a strikingly handsome footballer, the heart-throb of the college-into her life. He seems genuine and fun-loving, but based on past experiences, Angira knows better than to trust him! Despite their contrasting personalities, the two develop an unexpected bond-a link for which they are about to risk everything they have. A riveting tale about incorrigible lovers with a dark past, It�s Not Right�but It�s Okay is a true story about finding friendship and love again.
-
All about Satellite
What are artificial satellites? Who makes them? Why do we need them? In the modern technology-driven age of telephones and instant communication, what role do satellites play? How did these versatile and complicated machines come to be made? How are they put into orbit and how do they stay there? What would life be like if all the satellites were to stop functioning? Find out about all this and more in this fascinating book. Accompanied by diagrams and photos, All About Satellites will interest everyone fascinated by space science and technology.