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The Turbulent Years 1980-1996
A sharp insider's account of the many political and economic decisions that shaped the future of modern India The Turbulent Years opens in the 1980s. Sanjay Gandhi is dead under unexpected, tragic circumstances, not many years later, Indira Gandhi is assassinated, Rajiv Gandhi, 'the reluctant politician', abruptly becomes India's Prime Minister. Pranab Mukherjee was witness to (and, sometimes, a participant in) the momentous events of the 1980s and the 1990s, a period that was indisputably the most turbulent in India's post- Independence history. An insider, he sheds new light on every major political occurrence of the time - from Rajiv Gandhi's ascendance as India's Prime Minister to the emergence of P. V. Narasimha Rao as a leader of the nation, from Operation Blue Star to the Babri Masjid fiasco. Equally, Mukherjee is candid about each of the professional crises that marked this period of his career - the rumours that he wanted to elbow aside Rajiv Gandhi for the top post, the possible reasons for his ouster from Rajiv's Cabinet and later the party and the allegation that he aided and abetted the Left by not imposing President's rule in West Bengal and Tripura in the late 1980s. The second volume of Mukherjee's autobiography is not only an honest account of his years in power (And in the wilderness), but also a cogent analysis of the political and social turning points of a key period in the evolution of modern India.
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Karna's Wife
A lot has been written on the Mahabharata. From various perspectives, each author telling the story of one central character. And then there are authors like Kane who speak of the lesser known people, in this case the wife of Karna – Kunti’s son – the outcast, who was only accepted by Duryodhana. Uruvi – the central character in this novel speaks of Karna – the unsung hero. She also speaks of herself, of her relationships with his family, and the way he is. The writing is crisp and to the point in most parts, while in others, the description is too much to handle. Kane has a keen eye of the incidents that occurred in the Mahabharata and weaves in her story quite cleverly in the narrative. Historical fiction is not written a lot in the country as it should. Books such as these will sure change the trend. A must read to not only know more about the epic battle but also a different point of view.
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Menaka's Choice
We make love and leave. That is our motto. Live by it, Menaka or you shall suffer untold, unnecessary grief. Born during the churning of the ocean, Menaka is the most beautiful of all the apsaras in the world, with quick intelligence and innate talent. However, she craves for the one thing she can never have - family. Elsewhere, after severe austerities, a man, now blessed with the name Vishwamitra, challenges the gods and dares to create another heaven. Fearing his growing powers, Indra, the king of gods, decides to put a stop to his ambitions by making Menaka seduce him. What will happen when Menaka and Vishwamitra meet each other? Will Menaka finally find what she really wished for? Or will she again be forced to surrender to her destiny? Find out in this fascinating portrait of one of the most enduring mythological figures.
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Indian Family Business Mantras
Indian Family Business Mantras presents a comprehensive manifesto for family owned businesses. In this book, a well known family business expert and a partner at Deloitte UK, Peter Leach and Tatwamasi Dixit, an internationally renowned Vedic scholar and one of Indias foremost family business consultants, focus on the ways and means to help family businesses manage growth, change and transitions. Richly illustrating each of their arguments with real life examples as well as anecdotes from Indian epics, scriptures and history, the authors present compelling instances of family business, those which flourished and those that floundered. With interviews and analyses of some of the top Indian business families, including the Murugappa Group, Ambuja Group, Haldiram Group, GMR Group and Thermax Group, the book offers ways and means to help both small and large family businesses achieve prosperity and longevity. Other case studies include Biocon, Reliance, Ranbaxy, Godrej, Max India, Future Group, TVS Group, Tata Group and HCL Technologies. Along with addressing issues as varied as governance systems, professionalism, intergenerational integration, generational transition and family business conflicts, the authors make a vital point - in the absence of foresight.
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50 Greatest Short Stories
50 Greatest Short Stories is a selection from the best of the world�s short fiction, bringing together writings by great masters such as Anton Chekov, Rudyard Kipling, H. G. Wells, Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, Saki, O. Henry, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Guy de Maupassant. Each story is a classic, a testimony to the skills of its creator that make it resonate with readers even today. Carefully picked for their timeless quality, readers are sure to be delighted by the inclusion of such favourites as �The Gift of the Magi�, �The Lady with the Dog�, �How the Leopard Got His Spots�, �The Man Who Could Work Miracles�, �The Curious Case of Benjamin Button� and �Mrs Packletide�s Tiger�, to name but a few. This outstanding and wide-ranging anthology of stories by great writers from Britain, America, Canada and Europe is a collector�s item, designed for readers to refresh their acquaintance with some of the world�s finest writing and for newer readers to be introduced to it. Anton Chekov, Charles Dickens, Katherine Mansfield, Guy de Maupassant, F. Scott Fitzgerald, H. Rider Haggard, O. Henry, Rudyard Kipling, W. W. Jacobs, Virginia Woolf, D. H. Lawrence, Saki, Jerome K. Jerome, H. G. Wells, Kate Chopin, Ambrose Bierce, Jack London, Frank Stockton, Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen Leacock, James Joyce, Bram Stoker, Joseph Conrad, M. R. James, W. Somerset Maugham, R. L. Stevenson.
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Let The Reason Be Love
What makes strangers fall in love? This remains a conundrum - one that neither technological breakthroughs, nor the most passionate of lovers has managed to unravel. While some may attribute attraction to shared sensibilities or even a karmic connection, the fact remains that love comes without simple answers, it�s damn complicated! Rishaan and Kiara, both incurable romantics, recovering from their respective heartbreaks, fall in love with one another (or so they think!). Soon, they are in a relationship, their affair is as blissful as it is chaotic. Then, in an unexpected turn of events, the bohemian Kiara proposes marriage. But Rishaan is not so sure, and things get especially problematic when Rishaan realizes that it�s Kiara�s best friend he could be falling for! Written in Tuhin A. Sinha�s impassioned and disturbingly honest narrative-style, Let the Reason Be Love is the author�s second exclusive romantic offering after his 2006 debut bestseller, That Thing Called Love.
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My Life-An Illustrated Autobiography
The story of my life has become intertwined with the story of this country. And somewhere along the way, as I met a million children across this land, I too learnt from a million minds. This book was not written to only tell my story. I want every young reader to think that this book is his or her story too. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has been one of the most iconic figures of Independent India. A scientist, leader, thinker, teacher and writer, he achieved remarkable success in various fields. Yet, what endeared him to so many was his dedication to the idea of a developed India, his simple and direct way of interacting with people and his deep love for his fellowmen. In My Life Dr Kalam writes his life story starting from his days growing up at Rameswaram, about working on India�s space and missile programmes, his years as the eleventh President of India; and about his life thereafter. Full of anecdotes that demonstrate the importance of hard work, commitment, courage and innovative thinking, this autobiography is a wonderful introduction to a remarkable life. Beautifully illustrated and simply written, My Life will inspire readers of all ages.
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Chandrakanta
Chandrakanta, Devaki Nandan Khatri�s extraordinary novel, first published in 1888, is set in the courtly world of princes and princesses, magnificent palaces and gardens. The beautiful Princess Chandrakanta is imprisoned in an ancient tilisma, and waits to be rescued. Her lover, the valiant Prince Birendra Singh, battles jealous rivals and tries to break the ancient enchantment in order to reach her. The real protagonists of the story, however, are not the prince and the princess, but their secret agents, the �spy-magicians� known as aiyaars.Written in the spoken Hindi of northern India rather than in any difficult literary idiom, Chandrakanta became an instant hit upon publication and was modern India�s first bestseller. Over the years its appeal has remained intact through various translations and adaptations, both in the printed form and in the visual medium. Now in a sparkling new translation by Rohini Chowdhury, this fantastic classic will enchant a fresh generation of readers and entice them into an unforgettable realm of magic and bravery
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City of Dreams
Buildings, roads and bridges made up the city, Kanti knew that. So did trees, rivers and hills. But he had never quite thought about people. He was told that they, too, were integral parts of a metropolis; if Kathmandu were an organism, people were its red blood cells, navigating busily through road-veins and street-arteries. City of Dreams is set in the multifaceted, fast-changing Nepali capital, Kathmandu. And through a series of deftly woven short stories, it exposes the interaction of city-dwellers with this teeming, schizophrenic metropolis, caught in the tussle between tradition and modernity. In the title story, a Kathmandu native wanders the streets of his hometown and encounters a deep secret. In �The Presence of God�, a couple bickers about faith and ambivalence, only to be confronted with an event so inexplicable that it changes the very foundations of their argument. In �Dashain� a young man�s attempt to leap into adulthood goes horribly awry. And in �The Smoker��the only story set outside Kathmandu, in New York City�a writer begins his quest to craft the perfect narrative; yet, even here, the Nepali city is a shadowy presence. As Kathmandu becomes the protagonist of the collection, what we see emerge is not just the skeletal outline of the metropolis, a cartographer�s map, but a capital of stories. City of Dreams is one of the most startling literary debuts in recent times.
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India In Greece or,Truth in Mythology
Where did the Aryans come from originally? Did they invade India? Or were they actually Indian invaders who colonized Greece? In India in Greece, E. Pococke explores the theory that the Aryans may have originally travelled from India to Greece, colonized the latter and influenced the culture there. Centuries later, they came back to India. Covering topics as diverse as the sources of the Hellenic Race, the colonization of Egypt and Palestine, the wars of the Grand Lama and the Bud�hist propaganda in Greece, the author tries to show that at some point in history, India and Greece were closely associated.
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The Big Book Of Animal Stories
And the roar came back to him, calling him, calling him forward: a roar that meant there would be more tigers in the land! For decades now Ruskin Bond has been charming us with his simple and captivating tales of Himalayan fauna, the zany and temperamental animals that were part of his grandfathers delightful menagerie of unusual pets in Dehra, the peaceful creatures that live in and around his house in Mussoorie and the mythical and fanciful beings of his fertile imagination. The Big Book of Animal Stories is a compilation of the best of Ruskin Bond animal stories and poems. Its pages are inhabited by the doughty tiger who survives against all odds, spelling hope for Indias fast-vanishing wildlife, the beautiful, sinewy leopard whose trust costs him dear; the good-natured hornbill who loves the rain, the mischievous monkey who insists on shaking hands with all who visit the house, the cross-grained cassowary bird who rudely rebuffs all attempts to befriend it, the python who keeps turning up in unexpected places, the squirrel who picks crumbs off the table, the beetle who keeps falling into the goldfish bowl, the whistling thrush, the leopard girl and the tiger king. Bringing together the finest writing by a master storyteller on the creatures, humble and mighty, that inhabit this earth along with us, this collection will enchant the Bond aficionado and initiate alike.
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A Children's History Of India
Which were the first cities of India and how were they discovered? What was it like living in Mughal times? How did the British, who had come to trade in India, end up ruling the country? How has India changed after Independence? Delve into Indias past to discover the answers to these questions and many more in this comprehensive history of our nation. Journey through time to visit the baths and palaces of the first cities of Harappa, the stupas of Ashoka and the flamboyant courts of the great Mughals, rich in art, culture and architecture. Learn how the revolution of 1857 really started and march alongside Gandhi on his quest for an India free from British rule. Plus, discover more about each period through fun and easy To do activities. Told in simple, lucid prose and interspersed with beautiful illustrations, A Childrens History of India makes learning history a fun and engaging experience for readers of all ages.
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Three Rivers And A Tree-The Story Of Allahabad Uni
The University of Allahabad is the fourth oldest university in India, an institution that has produced innumerable political figures, jurists, bureaucrats, writers and men of letters. Its history resounds with famous names, and its inspiring and entertaining campus lore has been passed down for decades. The story of the university has been enriched by the many constituent stories of the personalities therein, European and Indian. It counts, amongst its luminaries, Motilal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya, Dr Meghnad Saha, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Dharamvir Bharti and many more. Not to forget vice chancellors like Sir Sunder Lal, Ganganatha Jha and Amarnatha Jha, who were legends in themselves. In this book, Neelum Saran Gour fondly recalls the many stories and anecdotes associated with the University to put together a comprehensive history of this iconic institution. Starting from the inception of the college at what was then Lowther Castle to its present day status, she traces its long journey of almost 128 years, analyzing the history of the University against the backdrop of the emergence of the Indian nation. Along the way she also reflects on some of the unforgettable personalities that peopled the campus. A centre of high learning, a political hub during the national movement and a celebrated literary nucleus, the story of Allahabad University is one that deserves to be told and more importantly, read by all.
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Sept-Opus (Adventures Of An Almost-Octopus)
Introducing a brand new superhero, Rot8, the octopus with seven and ahalf limbs and a belt-full of amazing tools. Rot8 lives with his octopus family and other water creatures in the Goa Sea World. All his friends other than Tumboo the turtle, his best friend, make fun of him because of his seven-and-a-half limbs. When an accident lands Rot8 in the lab of vet Reena Renaldo and the mad scientist Zubbu Zwami, he finds himself outfitted with a number of attachments for his half-limb. These amazing add-ons, combined with his phenomenal intelligence and amazing speed soon turn him from a not-quite octopus to a super octopus. Rot8 and Tumboo now set forth on their adventures. A clumsy workers mistake leads to sharks and killer whales being let loose in this underwater utopia. Can Rot8 save his friends from getting eaten by Rakshus the hungry killer whale? Or will he end up as a whale-snack himself? The first in a series of adventures featuring Rot8 the Sept-opus, this hilarious story will have readers rooting for this unusual superhero. Very funny, warm, filled with memorable characters and with a nail-biting finish! - Juhi Chawla
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Smart Parents Smarter Kids-The New Age Parenting G
Parenting has never been as challenging as in todays world of working parents, hectic schedules and nuclear families. Along with being a confident professional, you also have the crucial responsibility of nurturing and shaping your childs future. Smart Parents, Smarter Kids brings to you a new-age parenting philosophy that will make sure that your kids outshine you! Inside are topics as diverse as Working Parents - striking a balance between your childs needs and your career goals, Creche - the Dear Friend, The Go, Grow, Glow Nutrients - planning nutrient-rich diets for your kids, to the more sensitive and rarely discussed, CAN - Child Abuse and Neglect and Single Parenting. Including tips, suggestions and solutions, coupled with personal accounts of parents and children and written by a doctor couple with more than two decades of experience, this book is an experts guide to optimal child growth and development.
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The Mindful Mother
Mindfulness is perfect for new mothers - The Mindful Mother will support, nurture and guide you through pregnancy, labour and early motherhood. Naomi Chunilal shows you how to cultivate a daily practice of mindfulness, to be present through the joys and frustrations of becoming a mother of a newborn child. Using simple and powerful self-development practices based upon Buddhist and Yogic principles, you can steer a clear path through pregnancy and childbirth, into new motherhood. Speaking to the heart with wisdom, insight and humour, The Mindful Mother gives you a practical life and emotional lifeline, helping you to - cope and thrive through common mothering dilemmas find balance and equilibrium between work and home restore and raise energy, vitality and resilience levels engage your mind to work with you, rather than against you survive and enjoy daily life with a newborn baby awaken the heart to greater love, contentment and happiness.
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R.D.Burman:The Prince of Music
An unpredictable music composer who defied the conventions of his time, a trendsetter who introduced a fusion of Western rock and jazz with Indian classical music - R. D. Burmans life and career make him one of the most important and versatile artists to dominate the Indian film music scene from the 1960s to the '80s. Whether the film itself was a blockbuster or a flop, his music always stood out - from the peppy Dum maro dum and the evergreen Chand mera dil to the soulful Tum gaye ho, nur gaya hai and Tujhse naraz nahin zindagi. It is said that some films became hits on the strength of his songs alone! But while he was hailed as the reigning prince by all when he created one chartbuster after another, towards the end of his career he was labelled luckless and subjected to indignities when his films started failing. In R.D. Burman: The Prince of Music, Khagesh Dev Burman fondly remembers this exceptional talent with an eccentric streak, who still inspires universal awe, admiration and nostalgia. Replete with several personal moments from the maestros life, this book not only discusses his career in loving detail, but also throws light on his relationships with many other artistes of his generation-his legendary camaraderie with Kishore Kumar and his defiant involvement with Asha Bhosle and most significantly, the strained yet respectful bond that he shared with his father, S. D. Burman. With a chronological analysis of most of his important works, R. D. Burman: The Prince of Music is a collectors edition that should adorn the shelf of every music lover. Key Selling Points : Detailed analysis of R.D.s biggest hits as well many lesser known gems from his career Narrates several personal incidents from R.D.s life which are little-known and often disclose his passion for music and inimitable sense of humour Throws light on his relationships with many legendary artistes of his generation, including music greats like Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and his own father S. D. Burman Goes beyond his Bollywood image and examines his endeavours in regional as well as international music.
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Bantaism 2-The Metaphysics Of Mainnu Ki
Oye Bante, Madrasi saare de saare kaale honde ne? Bhaji aistraan hai, uthhe loki baghair sunscreen lotion la ke saara din Sun TV, Surya TV de samne baithe rainde ne ais kar ke. With a fresh set of uproarious anecdotes, full of infectious humour, Banta Singh and his friends, including his perennial partner in crime, Santa Singh, are back. In this sequel to the ever-popular Bantaism, rib-tickling anecdotes of Bantas unique worldview, like MBA or Ainvay E?, Bill ki Baatein Kahi Nahin Jaati, Pran Jaaye Bin Button Dabaaye, among others, are sure to shake up many a smug certainty. Each joke is coupled with philosophies of its own, looking to strike a chord with deeper levels of meaning and life in general. And even as you chuckle at all the gaffes of Banta & Co. You cannot but identify with the universality of the penchant for blunder.'Hun assaan saare Bante haan (We are all Banta Singhs now) as proclaimed in Bantaism, is thunderously underscored in Bantaism-II. Je suis Banta.
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The Essential Collecetion For Young Readers
Ruskin Bond has been writing stories for children for over six decades now, delighting and enchanting each new generation of readers with his heart-warming tales of friendship, love and coming-of-age. Curated in this essential collection are some of his best-loved stories, designed to introduce the young reader to Ruskins cast of beloved characters from the irrepressible Rusty, with his constant thirst for adventure, to his Grandfather, with his overflowing kindness towards all creatures great and small, from the resolute Bina, who braves a leopard to walk to school, to Suraj and Sunder Singh, who become unlikely friends. Including classic tales such as The Girl on the Train, Coming Home to Dehra, The Room of Many Colors' and The Blue Umbrella, in turns funny, touching, whimsical and nostalgic, this collection is a must-read for children and adults alike.
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Akbar And Birbal-Tales Of Humour
Birbal, oh Birbal the emperor exclaimed. You are wiser than any philosopher. Stories about Mughal Emperor Akbar and his witty and intelligent prime minister, Birbal, have delighted readers since time immemorial. In this lively collection, learn how an ordinary young man, Mahesh Das, became the beloved Raja Birbal we all know today and how he uses his famous wit, time and again, to build a celestial palace for Emperor Akbar, order a census of crows, trap a thief using a magic bamboo and much more. Replete with wisdom and wit and brought to life by Tapas Guhas beautiful illustrations, this clever collection of stories also offers valuable life lessons hidden beneath its humor.
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The Thirteenth Day-A Story Of The Kurukshetra War
There can be no peace with the Pandavas now. No hope of conciliation. Were doomed to kill our cousins, or die in the attempt. It is the tenth night of the great war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Bhishma, the venerable patriarch of the families, lies fatally wounded on the plains of Kurukshetra. On his deathbed he offers Radheya, his nemesis, a chance to rule the Kuru kingdom by capturing Yudhishthira. In the Pandava camp, Yudhishthira, a reluctant warrior, tries desperately to hold his allies together and escape capture without appearing to be a coward. Meanwhile, his young and impulsive nephew, Abhimanyu, a warrior prince, dreams of glory and yearns for a chance to save the Pandava cause. The lives of these three warriors, Yudhisthira, Radheya and Abhimanyu, collide brutally on the thirteenth day. A story of how stories are created, how fact becomes fiction, how history becomes mythology and how men become legends, The Thirteenth Day re-imagines Indias greatest epic like never before.