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.

Aging gracefully

Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place.
― Abigail Van Buren

Every time I see an article or a talk show about how old people are not respected, are not treated good, how their off-springs are not performing their duties etc etc, I earnestly desire they see the other side as well. People, old or otherwise, have to be treated well, respected and cared for. Agreed. But why blame the young generation all the time without considering what they are/were being subjected to by the now old people.

I am not talking about ALL old people here but just trying to say that its very easy and common to take the side of a self-sympathizing, ailing, aging parent without considering the stance of the younger generation.

Today's senior citizens seem to want both the security of joint family and the luxury of nuclear family. They want the comforts that their children's money could buy but do not want to offer help with the struggles faced by the son/daughter and their spouse in balancing work and life and raising kids in a nuclear family. While I don't expect them to raise their grandchildren all by themselves, can't they be accommodating enough to oversee a cook or a servant or a baby caretaker?

They want to spend their retired lives peacefully with trips, tours and other leisurely activities but they do not realize that the youngsters too need some peace with all the struggle in today's fast paced life and the stress & pressure it brings along. While I don't expect them to cook, clean up and care for the home all the time, can't they be accommodating enough to give them a break once in a while?

Your children are neither an extension to your life to do things that you missed doing nor an accessory to be shown off proudly to your relatives and friends or to be compared with theirs. So what if a relative's daughter/son settled abroad and invited her/his parents to visit them on a vacation? While we don't expect them to leave behind a 'fat' will, can''t they be grateful enough for the life they lived and are living rather than whine and complain?

They dwell in the past, have the same rules or 'duty list' for their children and daughter in laws(especially) and fail to understand that the times are changing and so should the rules. While I don't expect them to treat their DILs like their own daughter, can't they be accommodating enough to not expect the DIL to take complete charge as soon as she enters home after a long day at work or in the weekends?

Aging gracefully doesn't just mean looking young at your 50s and 60s but its all about feeling young, lively, matured, accommodating and forgiving. Give, Offer and Love your children without expectations and they will follow your example.

You end up as you deserve. In old age you must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children you have earned.
- Judith Viorst

Do you see the point behind this post? Let me know your thoughts...

Prince of Ayodhya

Prince of Ayodhya by Ashok K. Banker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though I have grown up hearing stories from Ramayana, I have never attempted to read Ramayana in any form. From that perspective, Ashok K.Banker's retelling is a great start. Although am not sure how much width and depth of the epic AKB's series covers, the narration is captivating, characters are well defined and the writing style is apt for the time period the story is set in. Reading a book with 500+ pages is not an easy task. Not only has the author succeeded in this, but also he has left me looking forward to reading the other volumes as well.

Nevertheless, this book is a good read for anyone wanting to read Ramayana for the first time or otherwise.

A note to self:  Read Ramayana by other author(s) after completing this series and update this review.

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