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Zikr In The Light And Shade Of Time
Internationally renowned, Muzaffar Ali has donned many hats in his lifetime. The scion of the princely house of Kotwara, the boy Muzaffar was shaped by the changing post-Partition India. Having studied science at Aligarh University, he started his career in an advertisement agency in Calcutta, worked with the nascent Air India and then ventured on a journey that produced cinematic masterpieces like Umrao Jaan. Along the way, his path collided with many-from Satyajit Ray to Faiz Ahmad Faiz-and he has cultivated many a passion, whether for cars or couture. His autobiography is a peek into this wealth of experience-a close look at Ali, prince, poet, philosopher, film-maker, automobile aficionado and artist. Zikr is also a rich interior portrait of an artist, as Ali takes us behind the scenes of films like Anjuman and Gaman, speaking of the sensibilities that shaped them and the influences on his work. Above all, this is a book that resounds with a deep love for life. Whether you're looking for inspiration, seeking to venture off the beaten track of Bollywood or wishing to bite into a slice of erstwhile Awadhi culture, Zikr has something to offer all.
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Forks In The Road
'One doesn't plan one's life fully. Some of it is planned, but some of it is purely accidental. Much of my life is a matter of circumstance,' says C. Rangarajan. In this book, the veteran economist and policymaker provides a captivating account of his professional journey, starting with his purely accidental entry into the RBI in 1982. Rangarajan, regarded as one of the tallest figures in the history of India's economic reforms, provides crucial insights into the role he played as part of the team which initiated far-reaching reforms in India's economy in the early 1990s. The path-breaking reforms that he implemented during his tenure as governor of RBI included deregulation of interest rates, strengthening of the banking system by a gradual tightening of prudential norms, creation and nurturing of financial markets, giving them depth and vibrancy, shifting to market-determined exchange rates, making the rupee convertible on the current account and the cessation of automatic monetization of budget deficit. Rangarajan describes the key events between 1982 and 2014, particularly in the areas of money and finance, explaining not only what happened but also the motivations and processes behind them. As a public figure and an architect of economic change in India, he also ruminates about his interactions with both political and economic actors. Forks in the Road is not only a memoir of a man who shaped India's economy and positively impacted the lives of many, but also a fascinating account of India's growth story. It is a description of what we did and what we did not, and where we succeeded and where we failed.
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The Battle of Haji Pir
In August 1965, 30,000 Pakistani infiltrators crossed the Cease Fire Line (CFL) in Kashmir and began attacking civilians and army personnel. Codenamed 'Operation Gibraltar', this assault involved a mix of trained militia, mercenaries and Pakistani army personnel. Amidst the devastation, Indian forces retaliated and captured the strategic Haji Pir Pass. The triumph however was short-lived as the pass was returned under the Tashkent Agreement, a bitter pill for the soldiers who had fought tirelessly for it. This book chronicles their courage and sacrifice, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who won the Haji Pir Pass, a symbol of both victory and loss for India.
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Dust On The Mountain
Bisnu finds how dangerous and lonely life can be for a boy who has to leave his home to earn money for his family. As he sets to work on the limestone quarries with the choking dust enveloping the beautiful mountain air, he longs for home more than eve
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Earthquake
What do you do when there's an earthquake?' asks Rakesh. Everyone in the Burman household has their own ideas, but when the tremors begin and things start to quake and crumble, they are all taken by surprise. Amidst the destruction, Rakesh's family stays strong. But will they survive the onslaught of yet another earthquake?
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Great Indian Business Stories
How did Dhirubhai Ambani build a polyester plant in record time? What made J.R.D. Tata launch India's first airline? How did Vijay Mallya wrest control of Shaw Wallace from Manu Chhabria? Why did Bhai Mohan Singh fall out with his favourite son and lose control of Ranbaxy? The Portfolio Book of Great Indian Business Stories contains excerpts from a selection of the finest business books published by Penguin Portfolio. This anthology features snippets from the lives of some of the most eminent business leaders India has seen-M.S. Oberoi, Ratan Tata, Aditya Birla and Rahul Bajaj, among others. There are tales of outstanding successes, crushing failures, extraordinary challenges and relentless determination, some of which chronicle the times when these legends were just simple businessmen trying to make a mark. The grit and ruthless persistence of these men defined who they were and the legacies they left behind.
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Parde Ke Peechhey
Ila Arun burst into public view with the controversial song from Khal Nayak (1993), Choli Ke Peechhey. But several years before that, she was already well known for her contribution to Rajasthani folk music. Mumbai soon became her home, and it was in this city of glamour that Ila made a name for herself in every genre of the performing arts―film, television, music and playback singing―and also as a composer and lyricist. In the course of her creative journey of almost fifty years, Ila has been associated with several of the best-known names in this field―actors and directors, singers and music directors, classical and folk singers, who appear as characters in her story. Her passion however remains theatre. A writer herself, with several original plays and many adaptations to her credit, this is her first book, an autobiography, which records her life from childhood to the present. It is an honest depiction of her successes and disappointments in the world of theatre, film and music. Told in her inimitable style, with sincerity and a touch of humour, this is Ila at her candid best, sharing a glimpse into her life and experience onstage and backstage, parde ke peechhey.