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14th RAYMOND CROSSWORD BOOK AWARD ANNOUNCED


Gulzar Sahab presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Ruskin Bond.

A battle of epic proportions has been underway, over the last month, as authors found themselves part of an electoral process, to  win the coveted trophy of the Raymond Crossword Book Award, India’s oldest and most prestigious award.

Over the years, the Award has been equated to the Pulitzer and Booker and is a definitive,veritable platform for Indian Authors. The Raymond Crossword Book Award not only recognizes and rewards Indian literary talent but actively promotes the same to a wider audience.

The awardees have always had, or risen to stature in the world of literature. And it was a star-studded shortlist this year.

Kinjal Shah, CEO Crossword Bookstores says, “It’s that time of the year when the whole publishing industry in India comes forward as one family to recognize its own stars. It’s exciting that the voting numbers have been heartwarming this year.”

A bevy of glittering stars were present at the Award, including Shekhar Gupta, Mynoo Maryel, Anupama Chopra , Twinkle Khanna, Piyush Pandey, Roopa Pai, Amish Tripathi, Ashwin Sanghi, Durjoy Dutta, Radhakrishnan Pillai, Hrishi. K, Subashree Krishnaswamy, Annie Zaidi, Mohd. Asaduddin, Naresh Fernandes, Kalpana Sharma, Harsh Sethi, Ira Pande, Prof M S Sriram, Prof Sukanta Chaudhuri, Aravinda Anantharaman, Sujata Noronha, Siddhartha Sarma, B S Nagesh and many more authors and guests.


Social media maven Miss Malini was the host of the evening. Major publishers present at the Award included Penguin Random House India, HarperCollins India, Hachette India, Scholastic India, Niyogi Books, and Westland Books.

This year, the Award has gone through a makeover, with ten categories and a lifetime achievement award. A total of 11 awards were given away, in the following three categories.

WINNERS: POPULAR AWARD


Fiction

Scion of Ikshvaku by Amish wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award – popular - fiction category 




Non-fiction

Mrs. Funnybones by Twinkle Khanna wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - popular award – nonfiction category




Biography

Playing It My Way by Sachin Tendulkar (co-author Boria Majumdar) wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - popular award for best biography


Business and management

Chanakya in You by Radhakrishnan Pillai wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - popular award in Business and Management category



Health and fitness

Body Goddess by Payal Gidwani wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - popular award in health and wellness category




Children

Gita: For Children by Roopa Pai wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - popular award for Children’s writing

WINNERS: JURY


Fiction

Flood of Fire by Amitav Ghosh wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - jury award for fiction


Non-fiction

Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India by Akshaya Mukul wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - jury award for best non-fiction




Translation

The Sun That Rose From the Earth by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi is the Raymond Crossword Book Award - jury winner for the best translated book



Children


Our Nana was a Nutcase by Ranjit Lal wins the Raymond Crossword Book Award - jury award for the best book for children’s writing



WINNER: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

India’s finest lyricist and poet, Gulzar Sahab bestowed the Lifetime achievement award to beloved author Ruskin Bond. Speaking on the occasion, Gulzar Sahab said, " Bond sir and I share a deep friendship that goes a long way back. I would like to say, "Cheers" to Bond sir, for winning this award."






About Crossword Bookstores.

With the tagline ‘educate, entertain, enlighten’, Crossword Bookstores is India’s largest retailer of books that endeavors to spread knowledge & inculcate the habit of reading.

Crossword Bookstores stands by the objective to promote 'Reading and Writing' through 95 stores across 33 cities in India. The Book Award is a mega event, organized every year, to award Indian Authors to promote readership and recognize the best of literature.   

Crossword Bookstores also launched a short film, “A Book Never Runs Out of Battery” to mark the 14th anniversary of  the award.

The event was attended by over 100 authors, prestigious guests and customers,all at the Tata Theatre – NCPA.


Myriad Of Emotions


Title - Myriad Of Emotions
Author - Revathy
Genre - Fiction
ISBN - 978-93-86163-85-1

What does a parent expect from a child? What does the child expect in return? Are they bound to serve each other till eternity? This story clearly outlays the relationships and its importance in a precise way.

Sometime, as a reader, you may also feel yourself being a part of the characters in the story. If you did feel it any some point, that proves the success of the story.

Nainika had a happy married life until one day she receives a call from Kaushalya, her mother who fell and broke her hip. As i was a testing time, she wanted care and protection. Nainika's father Vasudevan was confined to his medical shop where as her husband Prithvi was very much eager in leaving to the U.S seeking for better prospects and to stay close to their daughter Suvarsha.

Nainika was stuck in a difficult situation - a situation where she needs to take a call between staying with her mother or to leave to US. At this juncture, she gets to know about Chaturvi. Her life takes a drastic turn after that. 

Who is Chaturvi? What did she do? Read this beautiful book to find out more.

First Meet of Lions Club of Chennai Centennial Heroes


Date - 27/11/16
Time - 6:30PM
Place - Ln.Sarath Babu's Residence
Purpose - Monthly Meet

The first ever monthly meet of Lions Club of Chennai Centennial Heroes took place as scheduled. The meet saw the active participation from the members of the fraternity with President Ln K Baskar being the first person to reach the venue.


By 6:30PM, Almost everyone has arrived. After Initial Prayers and Flag Salutation, we also observed a minute silence for the couple of Lions who had passed away. 






Followed by this, President Ln K Baskar spoke about the agenda of the meet.










It was followed by Secretary Ln.Dr T Sekar's Speech.




This was followed by the discussion of Financial Statement by the Treasurer.


A new member was introduced by Ln,Jayaraman and he took the oath.


Points that were discussed:

1. Introducing new members to Lionism.
2. Meeting once in a month every month as per the convenience of all club members.
3. Working together for the Projects and doing more but innovative projects.
4. Payment of Dues,if any,on time.
5. Conducting GAV and Charter Meeting.

The minutes were duly recorded.

It was an evening well spent. It was my absolute pleasure to host all the members and looking forward to work with them in the upcoming projects.








Book Launch - Wild Card

Wild Card’ is a fresh story that centers on an interesting plot.
Sports and Literature always make a superlative combo, if put together nicely. With limited books on the sports genre, this fresh piece of fiction from Delhi based publication house, Half Baked Beans is a treat for all the sports and books lovers.

About the Book
Wild Card is the story of Karan Mehrotra, one of the world's best tennis player who suddenly disappears from the sports.
Karan Mehrotra thinks he has it all. He is about to marry the love of his life, Riya and is on his way to win at Wimbledon, fulfilling a childhood dream of his. However destiny has other plans for him and he is forced to put aside his dreams when life throws a wild card at him. Eight years later destiny coyly lays another opportunity in front of him. Does he finally get another chance to fulfill his childhood dream or will he let his fear stop him from taking up the challenge? Find out how a tennis champion is forced to step away from his fame into obscurity and how a bossy little girl forces him to take up one of the hardest challenges of his life and face the life he had left behind.
The Book launch was held at the India Habitat Center, on November 26th 2016 amongst the presence of some big names. Actor Tom Alter graced the event as the chief guest and Shri Zafar Iqbal, former Hockey Captain of the Indian Team was the Guest of Honor. With much pomp and show, the book was released and it was indeed a glorious event.
"The book is the first sports based drama , considering the Indian literary arena, and what a splendid book. I LOVED it." Actor Tom Alter said talking about the book.
Talking about the author, Asfiya Rehman, she debuts as an author with this book into the literary world, though she has time and again proved her mettle in the literary arena by way of blogging and writing short stories.

Asfiya Rahman; a management graduate; is a teacher by occupation and a writer by inclination. She teaches French and English and often uses her students’ idiosyncrasies in the stories she writes in her free time. She has published stories and articles with various different publications. Her hobbies include reading and travelling. She looks forward to the day when she can earn enough from writing to concentrate on pursuing her hobbies. (Follow her on twitter @doonwriter.)
This is one of a kind project where the publishing house has forayed into the Co-author Project model. This book has been conceptualized by Mr Chetan Soni, who contributed towards the story and the plot, which is beautifully penned by Asfiya Rehman.
Will the book be a national bestseller? Will it allure the readers with its spunk and novel style?
Only time will tell. 
Till then, grab your copy here.
http://www.amazon.in/Wild-Card-Asfiya-Rahman/dp/9384315427/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480088440&sr=8-1&keywords=wild+card

The same has been published on Half Baked Beans on their website because I am a Guest Blogger for HBB. Please check it by clicking here

2016 Novak Djokovic Limited Edition Astron

2016 Novak Djokovic Limited Edition Astron

The Astron GPS Solar World-Time
Novak Djokovic Limited Edition

Seiko is one brand that has time and again proved its mettle in the watchmaking industry. Each and every watch created by them is unique in the horological world. The Astron GPS Solar World-Time Novak Djokovic Limited Edition is no different. Astron GPS Solar comes with innumerable functions, the most significant of which are - GPS controlled time and time zone adjustments, perpetual calendar set to the year 2100 and world time function. The watch adjusts to each new time zone with a single touch of a button. Using just the power of light, Astron GPS Solar connects to the GPS network and automatically adjusts, at the touch of a button, to every time zone¹ on earth, showing the time with a precision of one second every 100,000 years.  

Launched worldwide in November 2016, this watch is set to break some new records!


MRP - Rs. 155,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028900 or +91 8725028893.

Discover all Seiko Astron watches

Why is this the perfect watch for the best player in the world?

Since the beginning of 2014, when he selected Seiko as his watch partner, Novak Djokovic has travelled the globe in pursuit of ever greater tennis glory, and what a journey it has been. Today, Novak is not only the number one tennis player in the world, but, with his win at Roland Garros in June of this year, he became one of only eight players in the history of the game to have achieved a Career Grand Slam. Over this period, Novak has won an astonishing 25 titles in ten countries on four continents.
Accompanying Novak throughout this gruelling schedule has been his Seiko Astron GPS Solar watch. International travel is never easy, but with the Astron GPS Solar, Novak can adjust to each new time zone with a single touch of a button. Using just the power of light, Astron GPS Solar connects to the GPS network and automatically adjusts, at the touch of a button, to every time zone on earth, showing the time with a precision of one second every 100,000 years.

MRP - Rs. 155,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028900 or +91 8725028893.

The sportingly elegant 44.8mm titanium case

The new Novak Djokovic Limited Edition has a unique design that reflects both Novak’s taste and the uniqueness of the new Astron caliber. Encasing the watch is a 44.8mm rose gold coloured titanium and ceramic case with super-hard black coating. The dial is a dark shade of mother-of-pearl, which, in combination with the black crocodile leather strap and the rose  gold colour case, gives the watch a powerful yet refined appeal, combining both elegance and sport. 


MRP - Rs. 155,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028900 or +91 8725028893.

The dial in a dark shade of mother-of-pearl

The use of a coloured mother-of-pearl is a silent tribute to the power of the technology beneath. The GPS Solar module requires so little power that it obtains all the energy it needs from light absorbed through the dial, even though it is made of this natural material.​ The dial is simple, with all the indicators in one small sub-dial, giving the watch an understated look and perfect legibility​.

MRP - Rs. 155,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028900 or +91 8725028893.

How the Astron works?

The new Astron GPS Solar watch incorporates the caliber 8X22, a notable advance in Seiko’s GPS Solar technology. The case is slimmer than any other GPS Solar watch, even slimmer than all other Astron models. This multi-functional watch has features like GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment, perpetual calendar correct to the year 2100, signal reception result indication, world time function (40 time zones), daylight saving time function, and a power save function accuracy. This is how the watch works:

  • The world’s first GPS solar watch - By connecting to the GPS network, the new Astron adjusts at the touch of a button to your time zone* and, by taking all the energy it needs from light alone, never needs a battery change.

  • Automatic time adjustment - Whenever the dial is exposed to bright light, the watch automatically receives GPS signals. When the watch is concealed under a sleeve and the dial cannot receive enough light, the watch stores the time of the previous successful manual time adjustment or time zone adjustment, and automatically starts time adjustment at the same time.

  • High reception performance of an exclusive Seiko ring antenna - An exclusive Seiko ring antenna placed under the dial ring is suitable for automatic reception as it can easily receive signals regardless of posture.

MRP - Rs. 155,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028900 or +91 8725028893.

Daylight saving time

In areas where DST (Daylight Saving Time) applies, the time can be adjusted manually.

In-flight mode

Another important function. In order to avoid any interference with the operation of electronic devices in an airplane, in-flight mode is available when boarding a plane. In the in-flight mode, the GPS signal reception function will not work and in areas where DST (Daylight Saving Time) applies, the time can be adjusted manually.

A titanium case back with Novak Djokovic's signature

Each watch in this limited edition carries Novak’s signature on the case back and is accompanied by a card carrying a personal message from Novak. Every watch has its own individual serial number and is offered in a special presentation box. Only 3,500 will ever be made.

MRP - Rs. 155,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028900 or +91 8725028893.


Image and Article Credit - Ethos Watch Boutique

Kishori and Umayalapuram to be felicitated at Mumbai Swaralaya launch

Popular cultural organization Swaralaya promoting classical Indian music and dance will be now active in Mumbai as well with the launch of the Swaralaya Mumbai chapter this weekend at a special function on November 27.



Noted singer Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj will inaugurate Swaralaya Mumbai at the Leela hotel on Sunday. Two eminent musicians noted singer Padma Vibhushan Kishori Amonkar and well-known mridangam artist Padma Vibhushan Dr. Umayalapuram  K Sivaraman will be bestowed with the Swaralaya National Awards on the occasion.



The highlight of the program will be an exclusive musical evening by Nandini Bedekar a disciple of Amonkar and a solo mridangam performance by Sivaraman.

Swaralaya has been conducting music, dance and other cultural events in Kerala, Chennai, and Delhi for over a decade. While recognizing the talents of the veterans in the music and cultural fields, it has become a springboard for emerging talents across the country.

Be there, and be enthralled.

Venue: Auditorium @ The Leela Hotel.
Time: 7:30 pm
Date: 27th November'16

A. Lange & Söhne Sale at Ethos Watch Boutiques

A. Lange & Söhne Sale at Ethos Watch Boutiques

Ethos brings to you 6 great watches from the high-end German watch manufacturer A. Lange & Söhne, at special prices. Click here or scroll below to view the watches on sale.

For more information, please call +91 8725028896 or  +91 8725028893


For more information, please call +91 8725028896 or  +91 8725028893

Discover all A. Lange & Söhne watches with special offers

A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone

Based off the original Lange 1, the Lange 1 Time Zone is every world traveller's delight - a dual timezone watch with nine hands. With a multitude of dials (five, including both time zones, both day/night indicators, and the city ring) hands and indicator arrows, the watch looks complicated but isn't actually. The main dial, at the traditional 9 o'clock position, is your home time or reference time. This is the time zone that should never change, in theory. At 'XII' on this main dial, you have a day/night indicator and at 6 o'clock, the running seconds. Directly below the running seconds is the "Made In Germany" signature, further indicating that this is indeed the "main' dial of the watch! The second time zone is indicated by a small secondary dial at what would traditionally be 4 o'clock. Inside the secondary dial, at 5 o'clock lies an indicator pointing to the outer city ring, this informs the wearer which foreign timezone he or she is currently in.

Straddling between 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock is the word "Doppelfederhaus," which translates to "double-barrel." This indicates that this watch, like the Lange 1, has two mainspring barrels. In addition to all these functions, the watch comes with a large date and a power reserve indicator. At the traditional 2 o'clock position you have the Lange-patented oversized date, which is activated by a pusher at 10 o'clock. The hands, indices and indicators are crafted out of rose gold. Encased in a 41.9 mm rose gold case and operating on the in-house Lange caliber L031.1. movement, this watch stands out for all the right reasons.

 

Model No - 116.032G
MRP - Rs. 3,515,000
Special Offer Price - 2,460,500
For more information, please call ++91 8725028896 or  +91 8725028893

The small second time zone dial at 4 o'clock is linked to the outer cities ring and to the pusher at 8 o'clock. When you push the button, the cities ring advances, as does the hour hand on the small dial.

A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase

Why was the Grand Lange 1 introduced? Following the requests of many lovers of large sized watches, the manufactory presented the Grand Lange 1 with an improved movement and the same features as Lange 1.

The Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase carries a unique personality in this particular variation. Thanks to matching hand and numeral treatments, as well as differing leather straps, the dial and moon phase display adopt a life of their own. The platinum case cools the blue tones out for a more subtle overall experience.
The moon phase display on the new Grand Lange 1 is situated within the familiar dial layout (similar to Lange 1) in a way that maintains identity while commanding attention thanks to its richly detailed execution. The moon phase indicator is located inside the main dial at 9 o'clock. Each of the 382 individual stars adorning the continually rotating disc, creates a life like impression of depth. The visible L095.3 movement is classic Lange in design and finishing. Equally impressive is the movement’s svelte dimensions. Thanks to its sub 5mm thickness, the watch as a whole clocks in safely under 10mm. When worn, the watch which is 41mm in width on a platinum case, appears smaller than it looks otherwise.

 

Model No - 139.025
MRP - Rs. 3,990,000
Special Offer Price - Rs. 2,793,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028896 or  +91 8725028893

Similar to the Lange 1, this watch comes with a date function, a power reserve indicator, a seconds sub-dial along with a moon-phase indicator. The black leather strap complements the platinum case.

A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1

First introduced in 1994, the Lange 1 is the most recognisable watch ever created by A. Lange & Söhne, the symbol of the Saxon brand. The asymmetric dial and the patented outsize date won acclaim by watch enthusiasts, experts, collectors, making the Lange 1 an instant classic. After two decades it remains virtually unchanged since its introduction. Very few watches could gain an iconic status in such a short time frame.

Taking the legacy of the Lange 1 forward, this watch is another stellar piece in rose gold. The functionalities remain the same - an off-centre main dial, subsidiary seconds with stop seconds, an outsize date, and an UP/DOWN power-reserve indicator. The watch has a power reserve of 72 hours and operates on the Calibre L121.1 which incorporates the horological experience accrued during a period of more than 20 years. With a silver dial and gold encasing, the watch is bound on your wrist by leather in brown.

 

Model No - 191.032G
MRP - Rs. 2,455,000
Special Offer Price - 1,718,500
For more information, please call +91 8725028896 or  +91 8725028893

Minimalistic and classic, the watch is every gentleman's choice.

A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1

The A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 in white gold is another spectacular and iconic creation from the manufacturer. This iconic Grand Lange 1 is fitted with a white gold case measuring 40.9 mm in diameter and 8.8 mm in thickness. The craftsmanship of this timepiece is just exceptional. This white gold model features a black dial with the exact same layout as the Lange 1 with an off-centered hour/minute sub-dial at 10, a small seconds counter at 5, an Up/Down power reserve indicator between 2 and 4 and a large date aperture at 1 o'clock. The dial is perfectly balanced and simply beautiful.

The beating heart inside this watch is the new manual wound A. Lange & Söhne calibre L095.1 composed of 397 parts, 42 jewels —7 of which are screwed in gold chatons— and which provide a power reserve of 3 days. This new movement was specifically designed with the idea of transposing the well balanced dial layout of the Lange 1 into a larger and slimmer case. The movement is fully visible via the display case back and extremely well decorated just as the calibre L901.0 inside the Lange 1. The solid white gold case features a combination of satin-brushed finished areas as well as highly polished contrasting touches around the bezel, the crown, the top of the lugs and around the push-piece located at 10 o'clock. To round out the elegant look of the watch, the watch is fitted with a matte black alligator strap with a pin buckle. 

 

Model No - 117.028
MRP - Rs. 2,734,000
Special Offer Price - 1,913,800
For more information, please call +91 8725028896 or  +91 8725028893

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange

Before we get to the watch, let's shed a little light on the collection. The Richard Lange family is a young one, launched in 2006 as a revival of scientific observation watches. Essentially, the goal was to create the purest, most precise expression of timekeeping possible. They did so with a traditional three-hander, with a large sweeping seconds hand. Here, precision and finishing of the caliber L041.2 movement trade priority over all else. The A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange watch features the L041.2 mechanical manual winding movement, a solid silver dial with painted black Roman numerals & pink gold hands, a blued-steel center seconds hand, sapphire-crystal, transparent case back; and a 40.5mm, 18k rose gold case on a hand-stitched, brown crocodile strap with an 18k rose gold ardillon buckle.


Model No - 232.032
MRP - Rs. 2,150,000
Special Offer Price - 1,505,000
For more information, please call +91 8725028896 or  +91 8725028893

Image and Article Credits - Ethos Watch Boutiques