Indica - Pranay Lal (2017)

Most texts on the world's natural history are silent on India. India's focus in this book makes it unique. India has a place in the world's geological development as it's a breakaway territory from Africa, Antarctica, Madagascar, and Australia and moved into the euro-Asian plate. These led to a unique geological structure, flora, and fauna of the Indian subcontinent. In places, we have gene pools shared with other parts of the world, and in others, we have isolated the development of flora and fauna unique to India. The story begins with the earliest rock formations and ends with human settlements of pre-historic Homo sapiens. 

The explanations are simple; the illustrations are detailed and relevant. It seemed like a book meant for young adults, but the topic is well-researched that may not be mere storytelling. An inquisitive mind will get food for thought, otherwise of little use for a practically inclined person. Where do I get to apply this knowledge? - maybe the question that will bother your practical adult mind. I really did not find it connecting to my current pursuit of knowledge. But, the author has shown remarkable scholarship and research. 

Hegemony or Survival: Noam Chomsky (2003)

 The book is a period book. It had relevance during the Iraq war period and is probably not so relevant to today's context. However, looking back two decades and how the world moved and the USA withdrew from Afghanistan, there is a need to relook at the current USA probably does not carry that much hegemony as it did two decades back. China is the second superpower that can economically challenge the USA. Military superpower is a thing of the past. With the USA so dependent on China's imports may not have the univocal power in the international circuits. 

The book explains in several details how the USA has been a party to much international unrest. The book highlights the US's interest in the resources of South America or the middle east. Sometimes, the USA has supported non-democratic dictators in such regions. Towards the end, the book mentions USA's interest in exploiting space for warfare using her star war programs. The USA's interest in world peace is of passing concern. The USA is only interested in her national interest. Many times, the USA has acted on specific regimes just on a doubt that they may pose a risk to them than actual risk. 

An analysis of the other side of world politics than what is the visible narrative. 

The Times Su Doku Book 4 - Wayne Gould (2005)

If you are a Su Doku fan, these hundred puzzles will keep you engaged for some time. Particularly the last twenty puzzles in the Fiendish section are killers. They can take 30 minutes to several hours and can test your patience. 

I recommend this book. What a relief completing as soon as the year begins. 

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Steven Covey (1989)

This book needs neither an introduction nor a review. When you have read a book in your 20s and again read it in your 40s, the perspectives are quite different. That's what I can say after re-reading this book. I have read several books on the topic. A few are probably influenced by this book. What are the seven habits?

• Be Proactive
• Keep the End in Mind
• Put First Things First
• Think Win/Win
• Seek First to Understand and then be understood
• Synergize
• Sharpen the Saw

While the outcomes and expectations from the habits are clear, one may find the methodologies described to achieve can be a bit restrictive and not to your liking. I think one can choose own technique to inculcate these habits. 

The Discovery of India - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (1945)

The last in the Nehru Saga, this book is not just about the history of India. We draw that conclusion as most of us grew up with the televised series Bharat-Ek-Khoj by Shyam Benegal. This book is about Indian people, their aspirations, mistakes, and learnings from the mistakes. While one may wonder if this is the India-centric aspect of Glimpses of World History, the answer is not quite. There are parts where Nehru discovers India for himself by interacting with her history and people; there are chapters on how India needs to model herself based on the progressions of the modern world. 

The last hundreds or so pages are on the post-war world order. The situation had not completely unfolded when Nehru wrote the book. Hence the explanations are a bit sketchy in places. Some may challenge the viewpoints, and with the wisdom of hindsight, we know some of the events did not take the direction Nehru expected to happen. But, with many of the follies, it still can be considered a great compendium to understand India.  

Raso Vai Sah - Brahmananda Panda (1980)

"Raso Vai Sah - Sweetness only is He" was written in the late 70s when Brahmananda Panda was still a member of the Rajya Sabha. The book apprises us of the scholarly understanding of Hinduism of the author. It also tells us about how devotees of Satya Sai Baba mingled with Him like a friend, making Him a part of their daily life, expressing their doubts and uncertainties. Sai Baba used to call him Panda lovingly. He used to ask him about his well-being whenever He met. He has graced Panda's son and his grandkids on several occasions. 

Overall it's a book about a devotee who reached his spiritual master and created a lifetime association. A person's spiritual journey is a great read.  At the end of the reading, you still wonder what happened next. Panda continued to serve as the state president for many years later. Children as we were have interacted with him several times. He was popularly known as Brahmananda Aja (Grandpa) by the kids. Always, smiling, and encouraging, with lots of stories and fables with divine messages. Sahitya Academy has published his life story in Odia,  but the book is no longer in print. 

https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/brahmananda-panda-old-and-rare-book-in-oriya-mzr127/ 

An Autobiography - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru (1936 and 1940)

 Who is Pundit Nehru? Here he replies in his own words:

"I have become a queer mixture of East and West, out of place everywhere, at home nowhere. Perhaps my thoughts and approach to life are more akin to what is called Western than Eastern, but India clings to me, as she does to all her children, in innumerable ways; and behind me lie somewhere in the subconscious, racial memories of a hundred, or whatever the number may be, generations of Brahmans."

Writing a review of this book will be superfluous. But, not writing a short opinion will be criminal. For the past month, I have consciously taken a few hours a day to read through these 600+ pages to understand the man. With the unfathomable intellect he had, it is hard to overlook his capabilities as a passing interest. The book starts with his early life, with a lot of focus as a congress worker. He openly discusses his shortcomings and the clashes he had with Gandhiji in terms of viewpoints. Even openly admitting his aversion to Fascism to the extent of rejecting a meeting with Mussolini from a Rome airport. He was not even a communist and had clashes with the principles. He was a socialist to a great extent. The book focuses a lot on his works, views, and vision for India before he was anywhere near consideration as a prime ministerial candidate. If you read this text, you will realize to a great extent why Nehru, the prime minister, took the actions he undertook. It refers to the planning commission and constituent assembly and many such congress initiatives much earlier to their actual effect. 

Everyone who wants to understand Nehru and his contribution to India must read this book.