One of the pioneers researchers who has studied Orissa Art and Culture very closely. Particularly, the temples of Orissa and the difference of art forms in various times. Sculptures in Orissa has been influenced significantly from Buddhist, Parsis and South Indian cultures significantly. The existence of two yogini temples in close proximity definitely specifies the society's belief in the occult.
Fabri has kept his descriptions close to the art and have not explored much of ancient Oriya civilization. The degradation of skills of artisans have been pointed out categorically over the periods.
Excellent book to read if you are looking forward to understand Orissa's temples. It was an eye opener for me in terms of existence of temples which I had no idea of.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Man's Search for Meaning - Victor E. Frankl (1984)
A personal experience of a person who has spent a substantial period in a Nazi concentration camp and survived it. The torture to which a person is exposed in such a camp it's obvious to ask these question why does a man feels like surviving that even. In fact, is it worth to tolerate such pains?
To answer this question the author finds answer in logotherapy. A search for meaning in a person's life.
Interesting read. Seems quite obvious yet very powerful as a concept.
To answer this question the author finds answer in logotherapy. A search for meaning in a person's life.
Interesting read. Seems quite obvious yet very powerful as a concept.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Yuganta - The End of an Epoch - Irawati Karve (1991)
Yuganta is a unique depiction of the Mahabharata the grand epic of the Hindu religion. The book tries to rationalize the epic and present it from a terse logic and definitive view point rather than from a religious view. What was the epoch which defines the times of Mahabharata. I see five concepts through which the times of the epoch of Mahabharata can be described.
1. Non-existence of a concept of an Organization as described by a systems theory.
2. Every person in those times had a framework of operation of his own and he made it public for others to know.
3. The personal frameworks which created ripples in the social framework defined during those times is a central theme of Mahabharata.
4. Every framework was rigidly defined and defined with precision upto words. Any concept which was not fitting into the framework was treated ruthlessly.
5. There is no concept of ethics in Mahabharata. It's a time of definitive systems like a defined law.
1. Non-existence of a concept of an Organization as described by a systems theory.
2. Every person in those times had a framework of operation of his own and he made it public for others to know.
3. The personal frameworks which created ripples in the social framework defined during those times is a central theme of Mahabharata.
4. Every framework was rigidly defined and defined with precision upto words. Any concept which was not fitting into the framework was treated ruthlessly.
5. There is no concept of ethics in Mahabharata. It's a time of definitive systems like a defined law.
The Inscrutable Americans - Anurag Mathur (1991)
A culture shock faced by an Indian who has decided to make USA his home for a year. Born and brought up in a small town in India, Gopal suddenly lands in the the alien land which completely changes his values and morals. Every step he takes makes him land up in a new situation. Hilarious yet makes a person realize US is not just what is hollywood, there is more to a US life that is certainly not all about scoring with opposite sex.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Good to Great - Jim Collins (2001)
Rather than writing a review summary for the book I felt it will be probably more important to go further in explaining the book. This is an excellent book but can be interpreted wrongly by some people who may want to use it to get some personal gains and not create a true good to great company. Some people, particularly managers or executives who may use this book to brainwash subordinates in trying to gain some mere small benefits may not agree with me. I am sorry this explanation is not meant for them. They are most welcome in showing people what they think is right as long as no one is interested in believing those dreams.
Here is something that typically is told about good to great companies and hence one should be very careful with the popular misinterpretation of the book.
It's about right people not right work
Most people say flexibility is key to a person's growth. Well it's a fact. But, if your role changes every fortnight and if you are not aware of the roles and responsibility of a particular position you are bound to get to a doom cycle. When right people are hired it's their job to create the right responsibilities and right directions. But, if they do not get that freedom to create then probably the company is telling only false stories to hire people and later to discover the organization is in an unplanned mess.
Good to Great Companies do not explicitly plan
Well completely wrong. Most of the companies mentioned are very clear of their core strengths and they keep focused to that and deliver that. They improvise in nitty gritty of details or the product and services they provide. Look for the defects in your product if it's clear that there is too many of them and the product development teams is not accepting them with a spirit of urgency or willingness or all the features of the products are decided without you knowing what is going on definitely that is a clear indicator your company is probably not designed to move from good to great.
It's all about hard work silly
Well very simple statement made at most companies who never come out of a start up cycle. Smart work is about doing it once and doing it right. If you are putting more effort than is required take a look if you are actually doing it right the first time. If you don't work smart you only have to put in more effort. Good to great is about developing core skills and focused knowledge management, hard work is not the solution for good to great. If you can work smart that is the key for success ahead.
Developing culture
An organization culture is an important activity that needs to be built up for every good to great company. Should that organization culture challenge the establishment or location culture or culture of the people? Very simple management principle in any industry in the Key Success Factors (KSF). In IT industry it is clearly the people and HR practices. Ask yourself the following questions. Can I talk to someone in the HR department regarding the people's problem? If the answer is no then I guess the organization has shown no interest in developing the KSF the industry needs most. Secondly, has the organization been sensitive to people's needs or local needs. If it has taken any of your holidays from you has it compensated it back in some sense. Did you enjoy going to office on a holiday. If the answer is no then then again this is a company that's using you and not giving you enough to be with it. Last but not the least if a company says working longer hours is a culture then this should be the last place to work as they are surely not interested in the employee developing his/her skills and interests.
Level 5 Managers
This is the key factor for Good to Great companies. Ask yourself what did the CEO last talked you the recent football match or the great golf game he played with "Bill Gates". How many times he has shown interest in having lunch with you all? Did he ask you if you had a good sleep when he knew that you were working late. Sense of humility is to do with empathy. And if that's lacking then I guess you are missing a Level 5 manager right there. Without a level 5 manager the whole of good to great is a big farce. Do you want to be part of it and be laughed at or sit outside and watch is a choice that you should make for yourself.
Here is something that typically is told about good to great companies and hence one should be very careful with the popular misinterpretation of the book.
It's about right people not right work
Most people say flexibility is key to a person's growth. Well it's a fact. But, if your role changes every fortnight and if you are not aware of the roles and responsibility of a particular position you are bound to get to a doom cycle. When right people are hired it's their job to create the right responsibilities and right directions. But, if they do not get that freedom to create then probably the company is telling only false stories to hire people and later to discover the organization is in an unplanned mess.
Good to Great Companies do not explicitly plan
Well completely wrong. Most of the companies mentioned are very clear of their core strengths and they keep focused to that and deliver that. They improvise in nitty gritty of details or the product and services they provide. Look for the defects in your product if it's clear that there is too many of them and the product development teams is not accepting them with a spirit of urgency or willingness or all the features of the products are decided without you knowing what is going on definitely that is a clear indicator your company is probably not designed to move from good to great.
It's all about hard work silly
Well very simple statement made at most companies who never come out of a start up cycle. Smart work is about doing it once and doing it right. If you are putting more effort than is required take a look if you are actually doing it right the first time. If you don't work smart you only have to put in more effort. Good to great is about developing core skills and focused knowledge management, hard work is not the solution for good to great. If you can work smart that is the key for success ahead.
Developing culture
An organization culture is an important activity that needs to be built up for every good to great company. Should that organization culture challenge the establishment or location culture or culture of the people? Very simple management principle in any industry in the Key Success Factors (KSF). In IT industry it is clearly the people and HR practices. Ask yourself the following questions. Can I talk to someone in the HR department regarding the people's problem? If the answer is no then I guess the organization has shown no interest in developing the KSF the industry needs most. Secondly, has the organization been sensitive to people's needs or local needs. If it has taken any of your holidays from you has it compensated it back in some sense. Did you enjoy going to office on a holiday. If the answer is no then then again this is a company that's using you and not giving you enough to be with it. Last but not the least if a company says working longer hours is a culture then this should be the last place to work as they are surely not interested in the employee developing his/her skills and interests.
Level 5 Managers
This is the key factor for Good to Great companies. Ask yourself what did the CEO last talked you the recent football match or the great golf game he played with "Bill Gates". How many times he has shown interest in having lunch with you all? Did he ask you if you had a good sleep when he knew that you were working late. Sense of humility is to do with empathy. And if that's lacking then I guess you are missing a Level 5 manager right there. Without a level 5 manager the whole of good to great is a big farce. Do you want to be part of it and be laughed at or sit outside and watch is a choice that you should make for yourself.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Mediocre But Arrogant - Abhijit Bhaduri
Just like I cannot say that "Five Point Someone" is an IIT book, this is a typical book on MBAs. The theme is more a person's life in a social get up that is alien to him before he gets in there. He dislikes some parts of the academics and likes some. Creates his associates, his lovers, experiments with life, the best that life can give him.
Then what is this book about?
It's a book about students who away from their homes are rediscovering themselves, learning about everything including the attractions to the opposite sex. The writing style is lucid and makes the book unputdownable.
A must read.
http://mediocrebutarrogant.blogspot.com
Then what is this book about?
It's a book about students who away from their homes are rediscovering themselves, learning about everything including the attractions to the opposite sex. The writing style is lucid and makes the book unputdownable.
A must read.
http://mediocrebutarrogant.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy - Bertrand Russell
Excellent read. Although, I read it long long back may be almost ten years back, this is the best book which described the method of induction the best I have ever come across. If you are really keen in logic, mathematics and want to know how all these theories evolved this is the definite book to read.
ABC of Relativity - Bertrand Russell
A Russellian attempt to make Relativity understandable to common man. I think Bertrand Russell has tried his level best to make it as lucid and simple as possible yet the most important thing here is to remember the words from Einstein, the father of relativity.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
The book lives upto it. You can read it if you want. This book was really beyond me.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
The book lives upto it. You can read it if you want. This book was really beyond me.
The Man Who Divided India - Rafiq Zakaria
One of the books that exposes Jinnah to the extent that you start having doubts how come so many people were following him on values that Jinnah never followed. Being a good netizen I will not like to get into the controversies that this book can create and debates that can follow.
It's worth reading for every individual who feels partition was avoidable and on the hindsights looks as the ugliest outcome of Indian freedom movement.
A Must Read.
It's worth reading for every individual who feels partition was avoidable and on the hindsights looks as the ugliest outcome of Indian freedom movement.
A Must Read.
India Wins Freedom - Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
An autobiography of the forgotten hero of Indian Freedom Movement. He served the longest term of Congress president and till India actually became independent. This book after long controversies saw the day of light in 1997. Detailed, straight and critical in its style provides the differences that existed during the freedom movement and how difficult was it to conceive of a country which never existed as a single government. More over it also describes if partition was really necessary for India. Some of the questions raised also are characteristics of each personality Nehru, Patel, Gandhi and Jinnah.
A nice read to realize the true team work of Indian politics of pre-independent India. Shows unparallel knowledge and wisdom of the author.
A nice read to realize the true team work of Indian politics of pre-independent India. Shows unparallel knowledge and wisdom of the author.
My Experiments with Truth : Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
A book that shows what it means to be a Mahatma.
Mahatma Gandhi's life achievement stands unique in political history. He has invented a completely new and humane means for the liberation war of an oppressed country, and practised it with greatest energy and devotion. The moral influence he had on the conciously thinking human being of the entire civilized world will probably be much more lasting than it seems in our time with its overestimation of brutal violent forces. Because lasting will only be the work of such statesmen who wake up and strengthen the moral power of their people through their example and educational works.
We may all be happy and grateful that destiny gifted us with such an enlightened contemporary, a role model for the generations to come. - Einstein
If there minority is just one voice that speaks the truth the truth shall prevail. - From the movie Gandhi when Gandhi was asked how come being a minority the Indians could change the views of the British Govt.
A must read for anyone who wants to know what India is all about.
Mahatma Gandhi's life achievement stands unique in political history. He has invented a completely new and humane means for the liberation war of an oppressed country, and practised it with greatest energy and devotion. The moral influence he had on the conciously thinking human being of the entire civilized world will probably be much more lasting than it seems in our time with its overestimation of brutal violent forces. Because lasting will only be the work of such statesmen who wake up and strengthen the moral power of their people through their example and educational works.
We may all be happy and grateful that destiny gifted us with such an enlightened contemporary, a role model for the generations to come. - Einstein
If there minority is just one voice that speaks the truth the truth shall prevail. - From the movie Gandhi when Gandhi was asked how come being a minority the Indians could change the views of the British Govt.
A must read for anyone who wants to know what India is all about.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
His Fifth Woman - A Play by Vijay Tendulkar (2004)
This critical appreciation is submitted as a project assignment for a course I have registered for.
Introduction
The play by Vijay Tendulkar brings out the essence of oppression towards the fair sex in gory details in the Indian Society particularly in the lower income group of the society. Short, yet a depiction which leaves a little to imagination to the reader in treatment of woman as an object to fulfill one's desire is all very clearly shown in the play. The play exposes a man's sexual ego even after death and long past his death which makes even afterlife unsatisfactory for him.
Characters
The play has the following characters performing on stage:
1.Shakharam
2.Dawood
3.The Woman
4.A brahmin
5.Bunch of Crows
6.A nurse
7.A Ward Boy
8.An Afterlife Man
9.Chitragupta
However, I feel the characters which from a story perspective is important are the following:
1.Shakharam
2.Dawood
3.The Fifth Woman
4.And her husband
5.His first wife
We will try to read through the story from the above mentioned five characters rather than from the angle of the play and try to see how each character's outlook is for women in general.
The Story
The Fifth Woman
A woman bread in the simplistic social values taught to her as husband as the sole authority of a woman's existence. With all the vices the husband may have she thinks the husband is her whole sole protector even after his death and is protecting her all through her life. This faith has led to her accepting all the ill-behaviors done towards her by her husband's first wife, even the sexual hunger of Shakharam, which she willfully accepts in full respect to her husband's soul. A woman who has not revolted against the social injustice and has surrendered to fate. She feels she is even duty bound to Shakharam for the food and shelter he has provided to her.
The First Wife
In a male dominated society, which has bestowed on her very little power to execute her prowess upon, has identified the hapless Fifth Woman as the sole target to release her anger and throws her out of the house. Something she could not have revolted against the will of her husband had he been alive. A thing to note here is, although the man has been behind all the miseries of the this woman she identifies another victim as the cause of her sorrow. This is the most sorrowful part in the male dominated society a woman is living in helplessly.
The Husband
Buys a wife thirty years younger to him in age, like a slave from a slave market. Very little can be told about how oppressive the society allows a man to become to fulfill his sexual desire. The superiority that man gets of his manhood is clearly depicted when after death the man ceases to exist to have the sexual superiority and grapples in deciding whether let his soul move to a peaceful recluse after a struggle of life. This man identifies woman as an object of desire which he can buy and tie to her a sacred thread, yet very little can he do to protect his woman.
Shakharam
The most described character in the play, yet does he deserve a mention. What do really women to him other than a definition of white slavery? A contractual relationship of give and take for the food and shelter he can provide a woman for staying with him. A self proclaimed messiah to women, is that a reality? When the husband bought a slave Shakharam bought over the Fifth Woman everyday for the carnal desires as and when that came to him. She does not even provide the social protection of marriage or a sense of respect for the woman to provide her a respectful life in the society. The Fifth Woman lived with him, provided for his desires although not accepting to the fact that he has a right on her body, yet her body was to be left abandoned as unclaimed object when she was little use to him after death. Of course, Shakharam was way away from being social, he had no respect for the women he lived with. More over, when he conducts the last rights for the fifth woman he is seen terribly upset, confused and completely annoyed with the whole situation. If Dawood were not available he would have definitely left her unclaimed. As soon as she cremates the fifth woman he is ready for his search for the sixth woman.
Dawood
A soul who has not come across many women in life save the women he had his carnal pleasures satiated in the whore house or the women he interacted who came to stay with Shakharam. Always, respected the women who stayed with Shakharam thinking that there was real respect Shakharam had for those women. He in fact completely bears all expenses related to the fifth woman's cremation. In a society with so much of torture for women he seems to be the only hope who shows some true respect for them as humans.
What does a woman really want?
This is something differently put forth in the story. At one point through the crows who do not eat the offered food and the final tale of fifth woman in Chitragupta's court.
Shakharam's belief that he has done enough for the woman and has taken enough pains in giving back the woman what he received in return. There is a point the crows reject the food and finally attack to eat all the food when they hear the sacred thread has been left to burn in the funeral pyre by Shakharam. There are two distinct meanings that can be attributed to this. One the crows were not hungry and when they got hungry when they ate the food as has been mentioned by Shakharam. The second aspect could be the fifth woman's only symbol of marriage was passed on to her in dignity, a small respect that she always deserved as a married lady, the sacred thread which she never allowed Shakharam to touch.
In the end the fifth woman after her death describes her desire of having a level playing ground where she is not subjected to male domination. A place which has values beyond just physical needs of a tyrant male. Will she get that ever?
About the Author
Vijay Tendulkar is a prominent playwrite, social commentator, political essayist, and screen and television writer. His writings have influenced the Marathi literature for over forty years. Some of his famous works are:
Shantata!!! Court Chalu Ahe (1967)
Shakharam Binder (1972)
Kamala (1981)
Kanyadaan (1983)
Ghashiram Kotwal (1972)
The Fifth Woman (2004) is a prelude to the Shakharam Binder which is probably the first English play written by the author. Written in simple English, it has communicated and presented the social status of a woman's life on the streets of India and the level of torture she is exposed to.
Vijay Tendulkar is an eminent screenplay writer. He has written original scripts and dialogs for eleven Hindi movies. Some of his movies are:
Nishant (1975)
Manthan (1977)
Akrosh (1980)
Ardh-Satya (1983)
Aghat (1986)
These movies remain as the flag bearers of "parallel Hindi cinema".
The author has been honored with many awards. Some of them are:
Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1971)
Filmfare award for original screenplay (Akrosh 1981, Ardha-Satya 1983)
Padma Bhushan (1984)
Maharastra Gaurav Puraskar (1990)
The Janasthan Award (1991)
The Kalidas Samman (1992)
The Saraswati Samman (1993)
Dinanath Mangeskar Award (2000)
Introduction
The play by Vijay Tendulkar brings out the essence of oppression towards the fair sex in gory details in the Indian Society particularly in the lower income group of the society. Short, yet a depiction which leaves a little to imagination to the reader in treatment of woman as an object to fulfill one's desire is all very clearly shown in the play. The play exposes a man's sexual ego even after death and long past his death which makes even afterlife unsatisfactory for him.
Characters
The play has the following characters performing on stage:
1.Shakharam
2.Dawood
3.The Woman
4.A brahmin
5.Bunch of Crows
6.A nurse
7.A Ward Boy
8.An Afterlife Man
9.Chitragupta
However, I feel the characters which from a story perspective is important are the following:
1.Shakharam
2.Dawood
3.The Fifth Woman
4.And her husband
5.His first wife
We will try to read through the story from the above mentioned five characters rather than from the angle of the play and try to see how each character's outlook is for women in general.
The Story
The Fifth Woman
A woman bread in the simplistic social values taught to her as husband as the sole authority of a woman's existence. With all the vices the husband may have she thinks the husband is her whole sole protector even after his death and is protecting her all through her life. This faith has led to her accepting all the ill-behaviors done towards her by her husband's first wife, even the sexual hunger of Shakharam, which she willfully accepts in full respect to her husband's soul. A woman who has not revolted against the social injustice and has surrendered to fate. She feels she is even duty bound to Shakharam for the food and shelter he has provided to her.
The First Wife
In a male dominated society, which has bestowed on her very little power to execute her prowess upon, has identified the hapless Fifth Woman as the sole target to release her anger and throws her out of the house. Something she could not have revolted against the will of her husband had he been alive. A thing to note here is, although the man has been behind all the miseries of the this woman she identifies another victim as the cause of her sorrow. This is the most sorrowful part in the male dominated society a woman is living in helplessly.
The Husband
Buys a wife thirty years younger to him in age, like a slave from a slave market. Very little can be told about how oppressive the society allows a man to become to fulfill his sexual desire. The superiority that man gets of his manhood is clearly depicted when after death the man ceases to exist to have the sexual superiority and grapples in deciding whether let his soul move to a peaceful recluse after a struggle of life. This man identifies woman as an object of desire which he can buy and tie to her a sacred thread, yet very little can he do to protect his woman.
Shakharam
The most described character in the play, yet does he deserve a mention. What do really women to him other than a definition of white slavery? A contractual relationship of give and take for the food and shelter he can provide a woman for staying with him. A self proclaimed messiah to women, is that a reality? When the husband bought a slave Shakharam bought over the Fifth Woman everyday for the carnal desires as and when that came to him. She does not even provide the social protection of marriage or a sense of respect for the woman to provide her a respectful life in the society. The Fifth Woman lived with him, provided for his desires although not accepting to the fact that he has a right on her body, yet her body was to be left abandoned as unclaimed object when she was little use to him after death. Of course, Shakharam was way away from being social, he had no respect for the women he lived with. More over, when he conducts the last rights for the fifth woman he is seen terribly upset, confused and completely annoyed with the whole situation. If Dawood were not available he would have definitely left her unclaimed. As soon as she cremates the fifth woman he is ready for his search for the sixth woman.
Dawood
A soul who has not come across many women in life save the women he had his carnal pleasures satiated in the whore house or the women he interacted who came to stay with Shakharam. Always, respected the women who stayed with Shakharam thinking that there was real respect Shakharam had for those women. He in fact completely bears all expenses related to the fifth woman's cremation. In a society with so much of torture for women he seems to be the only hope who shows some true respect for them as humans.
What does a woman really want?
This is something differently put forth in the story. At one point through the crows who do not eat the offered food and the final tale of fifth woman in Chitragupta's court.
Shakharam's belief that he has done enough for the woman and has taken enough pains in giving back the woman what he received in return. There is a point the crows reject the food and finally attack to eat all the food when they hear the sacred thread has been left to burn in the funeral pyre by Shakharam. There are two distinct meanings that can be attributed to this. One the crows were not hungry and when they got hungry when they ate the food as has been mentioned by Shakharam. The second aspect could be the fifth woman's only symbol of marriage was passed on to her in dignity, a small respect that she always deserved as a married lady, the sacred thread which she never allowed Shakharam to touch.
In the end the fifth woman after her death describes her desire of having a level playing ground where she is not subjected to male domination. A place which has values beyond just physical needs of a tyrant male. Will she get that ever?
About the Author
Vijay Tendulkar is a prominent playwrite, social commentator, political essayist, and screen and television writer. His writings have influenced the Marathi literature for over forty years. Some of his famous works are:
Shantata!!! Court Chalu Ahe (1967)
Shakharam Binder (1972)
Kamala (1981)
Kanyadaan (1983)
Ghashiram Kotwal (1972)
The Fifth Woman (2004) is a prelude to the Shakharam Binder which is probably the first English play written by the author. Written in simple English, it has communicated and presented the social status of a woman's life on the streets of India and the level of torture she is exposed to.
Vijay Tendulkar is an eminent screenplay writer. He has written original scripts and dialogs for eleven Hindi movies. Some of his movies are:
Nishant (1975)
Manthan (1977)
Akrosh (1980)
Ardh-Satya (1983)
Aghat (1986)
These movies remain as the flag bearers of "parallel Hindi cinema".
The author has been honored with many awards. Some of them are:
Sangeet Natak Academy Award (1971)
Filmfare award for original screenplay (Akrosh 1981, Ardha-Satya 1983)
Padma Bhushan (1984)
Maharastra Gaurav Puraskar (1990)
The Janasthan Award (1991)
The Kalidas Samman (1992)
The Saraswati Samman (1993)
Dinanath Mangeskar Award (2000)
The IITians - Sandeepan Deb
The book definitely makes you think if you are from IIT and particularly if you have lived a pseudo Bengali life in IIT, Kharagpur. When I made the comment pseudo bangali there is nothing wrong I mean. One most important thing that Kharagpur has taught me and I guess to many of the fellow alumni as well is to not to have fear to voice a fact and strong motivation towards cultural activities of all kinds (a strong Bengali trait).
The book of course is a really excellent read. But, certain questions still arise which I do not think has a coverage in the book.
1. What would have happened if the people had not been to IIT but had been to somewhere else?
2. Are IITians all that good as claimed?
3. What does IIT really teach?
Answers:
1. The particular person would have been lost in achieving very little in life as mostly the people who we are discussing are middle to upper middle class good student bookworms who make it to IIT in large numbers. The set up provides them to grow to individuals who have ability to choose and reach to where they aspire.
2. Not sure. IITians are good in analytics and problem solving. Staying in a residential campus can make you a bit tough as well. But, all said and done IIT campus is quite far away from reality in many senses. A strong meritocracy which society finds hard to value and respect. Many IITians in real life and jobs have complaint of monotony, struggled hard to get to the right position they want for themselves. Whether, good or bad is a different question but definitely they are different.
3. I cannot say for others, but the only thing that I have learnt from my stay at IIT is only one thing you are just a mediocre. The guys around you are so smart that they actually make you look like a mediocre. Believe me the guy next to you feels exactly same of you. Hence, every appreciation or reprimand is purely transactional and goes away after the instance of discussion is over.
I think every IIT aspirant, their parents and IITian must read this book.
The book of course is a really excellent read. But, certain questions still arise which I do not think has a coverage in the book.
1. What would have happened if the people had not been to IIT but had been to somewhere else?
2. Are IITians all that good as claimed?
3. What does IIT really teach?
Answers:
1. The particular person would have been lost in achieving very little in life as mostly the people who we are discussing are middle to upper middle class good student bookworms who make it to IIT in large numbers. The set up provides them to grow to individuals who have ability to choose and reach to where they aspire.
2. Not sure. IITians are good in analytics and problem solving. Staying in a residential campus can make you a bit tough as well. But, all said and done IIT campus is quite far away from reality in many senses. A strong meritocracy which society finds hard to value and respect. Many IITians in real life and jobs have complaint of monotony, struggled hard to get to the right position they want for themselves. Whether, good or bad is a different question but definitely they are different.
3. I cannot say for others, but the only thing that I have learnt from my stay at IIT is only one thing you are just a mediocre. The guys around you are so smart that they actually make you look like a mediocre. Believe me the guy next to you feels exactly same of you. Hence, every appreciation or reprimand is purely transactional and goes away after the instance of discussion is over.
I think every IIT aspirant, their parents and IITian must read this book.
The Manual of the Warriors of Light - Paulo Coelho (1997)
Actually, it's the part of Fifth Mountain and a collection of various thoughts and quotes that comes to Elizah's mind as he is on his expedition. However, it's good as a quotation book only and there is very little take from it as a reading.
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/manual.htm
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/manual.htm
The Fifth Mountain - Paulo Coelho (1996)
Another excellent book by Paulo Coelho on faith and love. Excellent read. May what come faith and love makes you come over all obstacles. Truely incredible.
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/fifth.htm
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/fifth.htm
Veronika Decides to Die - Paulo Coelho (1998)
A book on iconoclasts. Veronika is born and brought up in a perfect environment. Life has no challenge for her and she decides to die. Later this makes her land up in a mental hospital and here she discovers an alternative to living, a struggle as she has been warned that she will die in couple of days and ultimately she finds the love which makes her yearn for life.
An excellent book written to make you think beyond the obvious.
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/veronika.htm
An excellent book written to make you think beyond the obvious.
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/veronika.htm
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho (1988)
If you have decided to fulfil a dream the environment conspires to enable you fulfil the dream. The moral of the story that probably is one of the most read books in modern times. Translated into 58 languages this book has reached to the mass.
The details of the book can be found at:
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/alchemist.htm
The details of the book can be found at:
http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/alchemist.htm
Book Reviews: Five point someone ... and One night at the call centre
Book Reviews: Five point someone ... and One night at the call centre
I do not believe in copying other people's work. But, if I know someone else has done a good job of it, I should quote him. I think by providing the link to Samrat's reviews I am doing justice to both Samrat for his reviews and the author for his amateur attempt for his second novel.
I do not believe in copying other people's work. But, if I know someone else has done a good job of it, I should quote him. I think by providing the link to Samrat's reviews I am doing justice to both Samrat for his reviews and the author for his amateur attempt for his second novel.
The Old Man and the Sea - E. Hemmingway
But, Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated. - E. Hemmingway
So tells the wise man in about 100 pages of genious and original work which brought him the Nobel prise for literature. Written in simple English the novel is a characteristic monologue of Santiago an old man who fights eighty-three days without a fish and finally catches a large fish to be eaten away by sharks. But, he leaves no hope and brings the skeleton back to the shore as the prowess of his skill and pride.
I started reading novels very late in life. And this was my first novel and was in my school curriculum in class XII. One of the most powerful and impacting stories I have ever read in my life. I have read it numerous times when I felt down, bored or have doubted my potential.
So tells the wise man in about 100 pages of genious and original work which brought him the Nobel prise for literature. Written in simple English the novel is a characteristic monologue of Santiago an old man who fights eighty-three days without a fish and finally catches a large fish to be eaten away by sharks. But, he leaves no hope and brings the skeleton back to the shore as the prowess of his skill and pride.
I started reading novels very late in life. And this was my first novel and was in my school curriculum in class XII. One of the most powerful and impacting stories I have ever read in my life. I have read it numerous times when I felt down, bored or have doubted my potential.
Why a blog on book reviews?
I was a good student, which in most middle class Indian family means a bookworm. That too a person who has invested more than half his life in his course curricula. When I look at the books I sometimes feel how silly of me to spend the whole year the books which ideally should be no more than three months of reading for any one with average level of intelligence as I have.
In any case, as I started growing up (I have doubts if I am really a grown up) subsequent to joining my job I found very few things interesting that reading. Now probably I have a collection of over 500 books of various genre and reading has become a passion than a just a hobby.
I found a couple of my friends reviewing books and journals and posting them as blogs. I find it quite interesting and useful as well. May be you will find some of these notes useful. Please comment on them if you do not agree to my viewpoints.
In any case, as I started growing up (I have doubts if I am really a grown up) subsequent to joining my job I found very few things interesting that reading. Now probably I have a collection of over 500 books of various genre and reading has become a passion than a just a hobby.
I found a couple of my friends reviewing books and journals and posting them as blogs. I find it quite interesting and useful as well. May be you will find some of these notes useful. Please comment on them if you do not agree to my viewpoints.
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