Follow Every Rainbow

Follow Every Rainbow by Rashmi Bansal

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Though I have been wanting to read Rashmi Bansal's books for quite sometime, this book made me take the plunge immediately as its of much relevance to me personally, being an inspirational book on Women Entrepreneurs. 
Am at that crossroad in my life currently, where am forced by circumstances to either slow down a bit and solve the more important life's priorities before its too late or dance like a joker trying to balance work and home. I chose the former. Though I have never regretted my decision till date, building a second career, if possible in a varied field of interest than my first career , is always at the back of my mind. 

I loved everything about the book. Firstly, the book title, which is a phrase from a song in 'Sound of Music' and gives enough motivation to pursue something varied and look out for opportunities.

Climb every mountain,

Ford every stream,

Follow every rainbow,

'Till you find your dream.

A dream that will need

All the love you can give,

Every day of your life

For as long as you live

Secondly, the grouping of the entrepreneurs as Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswathi -  the `ghar ki lakshmis` who brought wealth and prosperity to the home by co-opting family members into their business; those who had to fight for survival and rose to the challenge, slaying demons within & without and those  armed with a professional education and are carving out an identity through entrepreneurship respectively. Am not getting into the details of those who are featured and my favorites as each one of the story gives you something or the other to be inspired.

Thirdly, even within the sections (Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi) and across the book, there are entrepreneurs from varied fields. Though my favourite section happens to be Saraswathi which is more relevant to me, I enjoyed reading every other story as each one provides you with valuable insights. In addition, each story ends with an Advice to Entrepreneurs from the featured Entrepreneur. Especially, I feel more confident after observing the fact that many of the featured Entrepreneurs have taken the plunge at a later stage in life post their motherhood and that hard work and perseverance is more important than the age that are mere numbers.

Last but not the least, the Helping hands section on various courses and opportunities that's an eye opener for women who have the motivation but lack direction.

The only complaint I have, which is mentioned by the Author herself as a feedback she gets from many, is that there is liberal use of Hindi throughout the book which I feel doesn't add any value. 

Overall, a great read for those who want to pursue something in life to keep them motivated till they make things work and even for those who are already into the bandwagon.

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Atheism, Theism and Tolerance

The 'Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi '(Tamil version of KBC) program yesterday featured Actor Kamalhaasan and today I see a harsh status on Facebook from a friend about his repeated expression of atheistic views in every stage claiming he mocks at God and religious views. This is not the first time I hear reactions about Kamalhaasan's atheistic views among my family and friends. And almost every time the reaction is more of an outburst, explosive anger expressed with so much hatred and rage. On a deeper note, it seems like the person wants to hide oneself under a protective shell of unarguable belief, which should not even be attempted to be questioned. In doing so, they end up targeting the private lives of the atheist and finding faults in their behavior, as if theists are void of these. 

To sum up, Religion is just a view and a way of living. Everyone is entitled to their own views and no one has the rights to derogate other's beliefs. But the point am trying to make here is, theists are the ones who mostly take offense in whatever an atheist says. Every question about a belief is an insult! If you are a firm believer, why not brush off the so-called-offenders without an ugly show off of insecurity, intolerance and blame game. Live and let Live!

Not-so-brief P.S: To answer the question whether am an atheist or theist, am neither! Yes, am a confused soul. If complete refusal of existence of a super power and shunning our Vedas, Epics, Culture and the way of living practiced by our ancestors  is atheism, am not an atheist. If blind surrender to religious views, visiting temples dutifully, saying Rama/Krishna/Jesus even at the drop of a pin, performing fasting, 'nerthi kadan/venduthal'(tamil word for offering something or performing a ritual in return for a fulfilled prayer) and the likes is theism, am not an theist.

And regarding the FB status on Kamalhaasan's views, I have followed Kamal's remarks and views in many stages and yes, he stresses atheism at every given opportunity but never have I felt that he insults or mocks. Infact, he quotes liberally from Epics and the like which only shows that he is well-read and has taken his stand after understanding what Hinduism and other Religions propagate.

The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and other stories

The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and other stories by Vandana Singh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a first time reader of Sci-fi genre, this collection of short stories was a great start for me - particularly as the stories are set in India. In addition, this seemed to be a wise choice after a failed attempt at reading 'The Hitchhiker's guide to Galaxy'(not that I did not enjoy the book but because I held an omnibus edition and found it overwhelmingly big to read :-( ). All stories with the exception of one(Three tales from Sky river - which I did not understand how it fits in this book) left me in awe at the imagination of the author.