Crossword Recommends: Must-Read Books for Republic Day

 

Get ready to ignite your patriotic spirit with a reading list that will transport you through the heart of India! This Republic Day, delve deeper than the parades and celebrations with a selection of captivating books that explore our nation's vibrant history, diverse cultures, and the challenges and triumphs that shape its destiny. From the stirring accounts of India's independence to insightful analyses of contemporary India, this curated list from Crossword Bookstores will leave you inspired and informed.

 

1. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre & Larry Collins: This gripping historical account transports you to the heart of the Indian independence movement. Witness the dramatic events unfold, from the rise of Gandhian non-violence to the turbulent birth of the two nations. This book vividly portrays the human cost and political complexities of that pivotal era, offering a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals in the pursuit of freedom. Now available in Crossword Exclusive Edition. 

 

2. The Indians: Histories Of Civilization by G.N. Devy, Tony Joseph, and Ravi Korisettar: This groundbreaking series challenges conventional narratives by offering a diverse and nuanced exploration of Indian history. Moving beyond monolithic portrayals, it delves into the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and social structures that have shaped the nation throughout the ages. Discover the vibrant tapestry of Indian civilization, from the ancient Indus Valley Civilization to the diverse regional cultures that flourish today.

 

3. India That Is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution by J Sai Deepak: This thought-provoking work delves into the core of Indian identity, exploring the interplay between colonial legacies, India's ancient civilizational values, and the framework of the Indian Constitution. It challenges conventional perspectives and offers valuable insights into the complexities of navigating a modern nation while preserving its unique cultural heritage.

 

4. Why Bharat Matters by S. Jaishankar: From the perspective of India's current Foreign Minister, this book provides a unique window into the nation's evolving role on the global stage. Explore the complexities of India's foreign policy, analyze its strategic interests, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this rising power in a rapidly changing world order.

 

5. India’s Near East: A New History by Avinash Paliwal: This groundbreaking work re-examines India's historical and cultural connections with the Middle East, revealing a deeper understanding of the intricate and enduring relationships between these regions. Discover the profound impact of these connections on Indian history, culture, and society, and gain fresh perspectives on the complexities of the contemporary world.

 

6. The Crooked Timber of New India by Parakala Prabhakar: This insightful analysis provides a candid and nuanced look at the political landscape of contemporary India. Explore the challenges and opportunities facing the nation as it navigates the complexities of the 21st century. This book offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand the forces shaping modern India.

 

Visit your nearest Crossword Bookstores or shop online at www.crossword.in  to explore these and many more titles. Find the perfect book to commemorate this momentous occasion and deepen your understanding of the incredible nation we call home!

Book Review - Hi God How Are You

 

Book Review:

Title - Hi God How Are You

Author - Manoj Kumar Sharma

Publisher - Notion Press Publishing

ISBN - 979-8-89446-655-2

A unique novel with a different approach. This is not the usual story you would come across in your day to day life.

Author is known for his versatility since his previous 3 books - Mirrro , Me No Pause Me Play, Juhuuuu showed a variety of story line keeping its readers captivated. 

Who would write a letter/mail to God?

Have you ever thought about the well-being of God?

This is what the protagonist of the story does. She makes use ∀ - an app, which has the ability to do anything, literally. 

A young girl aka Fairy posts a reel on her page, it goes viral. She posts one after few years and so on. 

While she suffers from a rate disease, that does not stop her from posting her reels which leads to confusion and chaos finally leading to the Court.

What happens in the end is an unexpected twist.

If you love reading poems, this would be a double delight since this book features few of them which has gelled well with the storyline.

What are you waiting for? Pick this intriguing book which is available on Amazon. 

Book Review - Idhaya Oli

Idhaya Oli is a detailed life experience of the legendary industrialist, hotelier and educationist Dr Palani G Periyasamy. He prefer to call this book as a “detailed life experience” rather than an autobiography.

This book has 49 episodes. What I liked the most is throughout the book Dr PGP has captured his expression and experience in a detailed way without compromising on little aspects. 

Loved reading this book since I had admired him as a kid. I was born and brought up in Purasawalkam. During 90’s whenever I use to go to my grandparents house in Ashok Nagar, the bus/auto/cab or 2 wheeler I use to travel has to go via Barnaby road, Kilpauk and I never use to miss the glimpse of the sprawling PGP Minor. There was another renowned heart surgeon who lived in the same lane (he is not anymore). 

When I started reading the book which is in Tamil (English version also available ), I  could connect more with his life because there were few similarities. The major one being his friendship with MGR. As a kid, I adored MGR more than anyone (though we had Rajni/Kamal and others by then) & my parents were his fans as well. How will one not be his fan especially when they are born and brought up in Tamilnadu. His meaningful songs, beautiful stories and the guaranteed happy ending made him a Demi-God. I still remember going to the now demolished “Mekala” theatre near my area to watch all his movies as and when they were released.

Born to Pazhani Gounder (who was a farmer) & Palaniammal in a village called Muthukapatty in Namakkal, his path was not “Bed of Roses” but of “thorns”. He was the first boy child and got special care and attention. His elder sister was Silambayi. Younger brother Perumal and sister - Parvatham.

How many of you know this? 

He was born as Krishnasamy. Raised as Sankar but finally known as Periyasamy as it is the name that is given to him by Sayibu Teacher. 

Dr PGP is a Distinguished Alumni of Dr Alagappa Chettiar’s institution. I too studied in Alagappa Matriculation Higher Sec school from STD 6 to 12. 

How he got admission in Trichy St.Joseph’s and became a Lecturer in PSG College is a detailed story by itself. This comes at a time when he got an offer of almost 3 times the salary in MRF. He then worked in Tagore Arts College, Pondicherry as Asst Professor.

On 29.4.1964, he marries his better half  Mrs. Visalatchi in his home town. This shows the kind of binding they have as they have completed 61 years of being together and going strong. I pray to Lord Almighty to wish them give more and more years of togetherness. The similarity here is my parents are married in Apr (Apr 21,1978 & completed 46 years of togetherness).

Mr PGP is the father of 4  - Jayanthi, Shanthi, Ananthi & Nalini. While the eldest daughter was born in India and they had to leave her when they traveled to USA for work, the other 3 were born in USA.

Do you know?

Despite plenty of opportunities that came his way to become a U.S. Citizen, Dr PGP still holds a Green Card. 

₹4500 was one way airfare to USA in the late 60’s. When he got selected to University of Pittsburgh to pursue his PhD, he only had USD 7 in his hand. What pushed him to pursue his PhD there? 

How Ganguly from RBI helped with forex and how he praised Periyasamy when the latter decided to forfeit them after securing university scholarship is a heart touching story. 

He recommits an incident of “Be a Roman when in Rome”. How he missed an “open book” exam. How he get caught in “Judicius Non Excusat” (Ignorance of Law is not an excuse).

His detailed recount of his days with MGR is a breeze to read. What made MGR so special? How his speech in USA was misunderstood?

What steps taken by Dr PGP to arrange for treatment of Bharat Ratna Dr MGR in the USA. 

Shivaji Ganesan meeting MGR in the USA.

How will I miss his meeting with late CM Perunthaliavar Kamaraj? He is one of the few cleanest politicians works world have ever witnessed. I take pride in mentioning here that his residence as a CM (which is now turned into a Govt Monument) was gifted by my wife’s family :)

Do you know?

Dr PGP’s House Name in the USA is called Tamilnadu

Publication - Vaazhum Thamizh Ulagam 

Owns Ramada Inn hotel in USA

Who all helped him in various stages was vividly captured in this book.

His life of setting up the Cement factory - Dharani Cements and how it is transferred from Epodhum Vendram to Disayanvilai (The term he used Disai Thiruppi shows his sarcastic humour).

Setting up of Dharani Sugars and Distliieries, Schools and colleges.

Purpose of naming Dharani was so thoughtful.

He has mentioned few names including Professors who helped him shape his career, his close confidante Mr Chennimalai who is looking after Le Royal Meridien, Chennai in the capacity of MD.

The initial plan for Le Meridien in Coimbatore was 4 acres with ₹80 crore investment but later 2 acres were added - 255 rooms in total. 

Le Royal Meridien in Chennai (on the 4 acres  land that was purchased from the late NPV Ramasamy Udayar) has 250 rooms. 

There is a dedicated chapter for his friends.

No hobbies. Only work. 16 hours. People who think that he got benefitted due to his proximity to MGR is incorrect since he never used that true friendship for his personal gains. Had it been the case, he would have grown manifold. Like what Ajit Kumar says in one of his movie “Each and Every Second of his life was sculpted by Dr PGP himself”.

It is really overwhelming to see him say this “people think I’m having all the luxuries in life since I own many properties but I too face difficulties from time to time” which clearly shows despite the heights he has reached, his legs are standing firm on the Earth(ground) and not flying above the sky. 

I’m happy to publish this review today (12th Jan) which is his 85th Birthday.

You can also watch his interviews online (YouTube channel of Galatta).

Press Release - Anjali Piramal’s New Children’s Book, Korra & Cloudy, Teaches Young Readers the Importance of Emotional Resilience

 

In a world often painted in shades of grey, a beacon of hope shines brightly. Anjali Piramal, a mother of two, financial journalist, and the beloved author of What Santa Does All Year Around unveils her latest masterpiece: Korra & Cloudy. This heartwarming tale takes readers on a whimsical journey through clouds of emotion, teaching them resilience and the power that comes fromembracing change.

 

Korra & Cloudy follows the adventures of a young kangaroo named Korra who faces the universal challenge of saying goodbye. When her grandparents leave, Korra feels a wave of sadness wash over her. She eventually learns to face her emotions and choose joy in the present moment. Suitable for children aged 3-10, stunning illustrations capture the essence of the story, bringing Korra and Cloudy’s world to life with vibrant colours and expressive characters. Each page is a visual delight, with its captivating storyline and vibrant illustrations, making it a must-read for every young reader and their families. 

 

"I wanted to create a story that would help children understand that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or scared," says Anjali. "These emotions are a natural part of life, and while it is important to acknowledge them, it is as important to choose to move forward.” 

 

Korra & Cloudy is more than just a children's book; it is a tool for parents, educators, and child therapists to help children develop emotional intelligence; and a valuable addition to any library. The book masterfully tackles separation anxiety, offering a valuable framework for sensitive discussions with young children. It is ideal for toddlers and bedtime reading because of its lively illustrations and gentle message, which imparts an important lesson about coping with sadness. By reading this book together, parents and children can have crucial conversations about feelings, loss, and the power of hope. 

 

“Emotions are rarely expressed in black-and-white terms,” says Megha Sekhsaria Mawandia, a Mumbai-based family and child therapist. “When working with children and families, one of the challenges we face is exploring the dualities within emotions. How can something be both sad and hopeful? How can one simultaneously feel the ache of missing and the excitement of anticipation? Anjali’s Korra & Cloudy serves as a beautiful metaphor for exploring this subtle emotional language. The earlier we introduce such nuanced ways of expressing emotions, the more opportunities we give our children to build emotional resilience and navigate life’s ups and downs with greater self-awareness and confidence.”

Korra & Cloudy is now available for purchase on Amazon and Crossword. It is an emotional tale that will resonate with young readers and inspire them to face life’s challenges with courage and optimism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author:

Anjali Piramal is a passionate children’s author and financial journalist. She is committed to creating stories that inspire and educate young minds. Her previous work, What Santa Does All Year Around, has been widely acclaimed for its heartwarming message and engaging storytelling.

 

About the Book:

Korra & Cloudy is a poignant tale that teaches young readers the importance of emotional resilience and the power of hope. Through the adventures of a young kangaroo named Korra, children learn to move on from sadness after embracing their emotions and finding strength in connections.

 

Book Review - War Of Brotherhoods

 

Title - War Of Brotherhoods

Author - Sumit Agarwal

Genre- Fiction

Publisher - Rupa Publications

ISBN - 978-9355208-545

This is a gripping novel which takes you to places and various characters. Set on two different timelines but converge in the end with some startling revelations, this novel is an interesting read.

It all begins with Adel & Mokhtar. Mokhtar’s dad worked as driver of Adel’s father.

While Adel was non conservative, Mokhtar did not liked the Westerners especially British.  They both were Contrasting figures.

Adel had never stopped caring, right until the point he had been killed

On the other hand, Mokhtar, the protector, had never stopped killing all those who had cared for him. He killed his own mom, Nouran & Adel, his best friend.

While Kabir Rathore, a Military Intelligence officer was studying about the disappearance of MJ470 and his friend Jayant who traveled in that in the name of Danish, a Malaysian citizen, he stumbles upon something important. He figured out 

Air-Bee,the 2nd largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, had repertoire of hidden Features on their planes. 

Kabir gets attacked and eventually escapes. A mercenary was sent to kill Kabir when he was in hospital. Who was he? Why was he sent? Sarah notices a Red Mark sitting low on the right side of the neck of the assassin. 

Kabir meets Keira Brooks from U.S.Secret Service. Why would she come to save Kabir?

Were the mom’s of Adel & Mokhtar cheating on their spouses?

Why did Alan, the head boy when Kabir was in school never bullied him? Ghassan Al Banna meets Mokhtar. How Mokhtar becomes his trusted aide?

Why did the assassin hated Indians? 

The Murshid (Abu Bakr) of Islamic Secret Society

Zain - most trusted commando of The Murshid. Cover name for Khabib.

Ibrahim.

Sayyid.

Shaytan - insider gone rogue

Mr Menon - Director General, Military Intelligence. Kabir travels without letting him know to a secret place on a supersonic plane. He did this in the behest of Col Bakshi.

Victor Turner - Protettori, an International organisation which tracks down and fights terrorism. Col Bakshi worked for them.

Mokhtar saves Nouran when she gets assaulted. Who is she? How he uses her at the later stage was a spine chilling one. 

Ikhwan-al-Jihadiya or Jehad Brotherhood. A secret organisation trying to establish The Caliphate which is bigger than the Ottoman Empire.

Vladimir 

Bruce

Keira

Kabir

Wilson

Goes to Libya 🇱🇾 

They get to have just 3 days to stop a mission that would endanger the world. What was it? 

They team up with Nazis. For what?

Murshid gets captured but he eventually escapes. How?

What was 40k times costlier than Gold? 

What is Palimsest?

Khabib, right-arm of Murshid gets Olaf and Tareq killed. Olaf confesses something before he passes away. What was that?

Mukhtar kills Nouran and her hubby, Jameel(a French Diplomat cum agent)

Nusrat - Leader of all woman tribe. She carried a F-2000 Assault Rifle 

Bruce & Vladimir were injured.

Shocking revelation about Keira.

Kabir stumbles upon an important classified document which mentions about Idaho. What is kept there?

Ghassan gets assassinated. Who did this? Reason?

Zahur - Hanif’s son.

Fatih & Fatima - Tain siblings, brother. D sister. Kids of Zahur 

Bilal

When the story ends, you are in for a real surprise :)

This book is available on Amazon