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 

Book Review - A Glimpse of the Future

 

Title - A Glimpse Of The Future

Author - Mayank Manohar

Genre - Fiction

Publisher - Leadstart Publishing 

ISBN - 978-93-6263-449-8

The story starts with Arpita. Her mom lives in Chandigarh. She was in love with Rehan but they split due to sone issues.

Rehan who is the best in his work starts showing signs of decline as he struggles to cope up with his personal life which affects his professional life as well. 

Prior to meeting Arpita, he was in love with Lavanya who splits up and eventually passes away due to Breast Cancer.

Anirudh was Rehan’s Manager. He tries his best to help him out.

This novel is based on two timelines - Story on past and present. 

Arpita visits Kasol for trekking. She Meets Karan. Rehan also travels to address his issues for a retreat meets Namrata. Here, both Rehan and Arpita bump into each other. Destiny?

I liked the Title of chapters which were good and intriguing too. One of them “Let us tell lie about ourselves” followed by “Until we find the truth about everything”

Expressions get really powerful in “There is no place like home”

Ali, a colleague of Arpita comes in between the love life. Was Arpita cheating on Rehan going with Ali?

Dr Meera - Counsellor of Rehan. She tried her best to keep him in good spirit.

Rahul - Janitor. Helps Rehan and eventually gets fired for doing so. Why?

Then there is a 3-page beautiful poem.

Who does Rehan end up with? 

Emotions were captured so well in the entire book. Mental illness isn’t an illness or an issue if you are willing to open up and discuss it which will help you get a solution . It is also the need of the hour since these days, we witness lot of them committing suicide which could be avoided. GOI and the respective State Governments are doing their best by establishing helplines and there are also many NGOs which is into this yeoman service of giving online counselling/consultation.

Open up. That is all is required. 

We are born to live and conquer and not to be a loser and take our own lives. 

This book is available on Amazon 

Read my review of the prequel here

Crossword Bookstores Unveils the 2024 Long List for the Prestigious Crossword Book Awards

 

Mumbai, India — 8th October 2024 — The Crossword Book Award, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the country is back after a hiatus of five years. Launched in 1998, it is one of the longest running awards in India, and aims to recognise and celebrate Indian writing in English across several categories and segments.

This year, the entries for the five categories—Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s, Translations, and Business and Management—opened on 18th March and saw hundreds of submissions from publishers around the country for books published in the English language in India from 1st March 2023 to 1st March 2024.

The winners of the Jury Awards and the Popular Choice Awards in each category will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000. The translators (in the Translations category) and illustrators (in the Children’s category) will be awarded Rs 25,000 wherever applicable.

After reading and deliberating on all the eligible books, the three-member Jury in each category, comprising some of the most distinguished and acclaimed names from the literary world, submitted the longlists of ten books for the 2024 edition of the Awards.

Fiction (Longlist)

History’s Angel, by Anjum Hasan

Never, Never Land, by Namita Gokhale

The Memoirs of Valmiki Rao, by Lindsay Pereira

The East Indian, by Brinda Charry

The Gallery, by Manju Kapur

Quarterlife, by Devika Rege

Can’t, by Shinie Antony

Chronicle of an Hour and a Half, by Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari

Tall Tales By a Small Dog, by Omair Ahmad

Shakchunni, by Arnab Ray

Non-fiction (Longlist)

From Phansi Yard, by Sudha Bhardwaj

The Day I Became a Runner, by Sohini Chattopadhyay

City on Fire, by Zeyad Masroor Khan

Swadeshi Steam, by  A. R. Venkatachalapathy

A Part Apart, by Ashok Gopal

Mother Cow Mother India, by  Yamini Narayanan

Anger Management, by Ajay Bisaria

Being Hindu Being Indian, by Vanya Vaidehi Bhargav

Marginlands, by Arati Kumar-Rao

Fire on the Ganges, by Radhika Iyengar

Translations (Longlist)

Beneath the Simolu Tree, by Sarmishtha Pritam, tr from Assamese by Ranjita Biswas 

Boy, Unloved, by Damodar Mauzo, tr from Konkani by Jerry Pinto 

I Named My Sister Silence, by Manoj Rupda, tr from Hindi by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar 

Dudiya - In Your Burning Land, by Vishwas Patil, tr from Marathi by Nadeem Khan

Mithun Number Two, by Jayant Kaikini, tr from Kannada by Tejaswini Niranjana 

Fire Bird, by Perumal Murugan, tr from Tamil by Janani Kannan

Sakina's Kiss, by Vivek Shanbhag, tr from Kannada by Srinath Perur 

A Woman Burnt, by Imayam, tr from Tamil by GJV Prasad 

Maria Just Maria, by Sandhya Mary, tr from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil 

Fruits of the Barren Tree, by Lekhnath Chhetri, tr from Nepali by Anurag Basnet

Children’s (Longlist) 

Zen, by Shabnam Minwalla

The Henna Start-Up, by Andaleeb Wajid 

Bipathu and a Very Big Dream, by Anita Nair 

The Case of the Vanishing Gods, by Mallika Ravikumar

A Children’s History of India in 100 Objects, by Devika Cariapa

Mommies, by Richa Jha and Priya Sebastian

From Makaras to Manticores, by C. G. Salamander and Sheena Deviah 

Are There Bun Shops in the Jungles of India? and Other Secret Stories from History, by Nandini Nayar

The Dog with Two Names: Stories that Celebrate Diversity, by Nandita Da Cunha

The Misadventures of a Diamond Thief, by Lubaina Bandukwala 

Business and Management (Longlist)

Accelerating India's Development: A State-led Roadmap For Effective Governance, by Karthik Muralidharan

Al Rising: India's Artificial Intelligence Growth Story, by Leslie D’Monte and Jayanth N. Kolla

Exprovement: Exponential Improvements Through Converging Parallels, by Hersh Haladker and Raghunath Anant Mashelkar

Farmer Sutra, by Kalpana Manivannan

Inside the Boardroom: How Behaviour Trumps Rationality, by R. Gopalakrishnan and Tulsi Jayakumar

Lilliput Land: How Small Is Driving India’s Mega Consumption Story, by Rama Bijapurkar

Mastering the Data Paradox, by Nitin Seth

The Eight Per Cent Solution: A Strategy for India’s Growth, by Nikhil Gupta

Unfiltered: The CEO and the Coach, by  Ana Lueneburger and Saurabh Mukherjea

When the Chips Are Down, by Pranay Kotasthane and Abhiram Manchi

Instituted in 1998, the Crossword Book Award brings together the entire literary community—readers, authors, booksellers and publishers—like none other. It is the only Indian award that recognizes and rewards the finest of Indian writing in English, as selected by the Jury, and actively promotes Indian authors and their books. In addition to the Jury Awards, the eligible books are also open to be voted on by readers, the results of which will constitute the Popular Choice Awards. 

The Jury for this year’s Award constitutes respected literary figures from a range of experiences and expertise. In the Fiction category, the three-member panel is composed of Prayaag Akbar, award-winning author, journalist and mentor, Manjula Narayan, Books Editor and Podcast host at Hindustan Times, and Somak Ghoshal, writer and critic. In the Non-fiction category, the Jury consists of TCA Raghavan, former diplomat and author, Kaveree Bamzai, senior journalist, writer and editor, and Anuradha Sengupta, journalist and editor. The panel for the Children’s category comprises Paro Anand, Sahitya Akademi awardee, writer and children’s literature activist, Bulbul Sharma, the acclaimed painter and writer, and Parvati Sharma, the renowned writer and author of children’s books. In the Translations category the judges include Arshia Sattar, award-winning translator and writer, Nandini Nair, Arts and Literary journalist and editor, and Malashri Lal, academic and writer. The Business and Management category has a judging panel composed of Khozem Merchant, former journalist and head of Brunswick India, R. Sriram, the noted entrepreneur and business advisor, and Shaili Chopra, author and founder of SheThePeople and Gytree.

Speaking about the Crossword Book Award and its return, Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Bookstores, said, “As we bring back the Crossword Book Awards, we aim to celebrate the rich tapestry of Indian literature and honor the voices that shape our literary landscape. This event is not just about recognizing excellence; it’s also about inspiring future generations to explore the power of storytelling and the joy of reading.”

The shortlist for the Crossword Book Award 2024 will be announced on 11th November. The voting lines for the Popular Choice Awards will be opening soon. The final Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Mumbai on 12th December with some of the most acclaimed writers, artistes and industry leaders in attendance.

About: 

Crossword Bookstores, founded in 1992 with a simple yet passionate mission – to positively impact the world through the power of reading and learning. With a legacy spanning 32 years, with 115 stores across 39 cities today, Crossword has made a place for itself in the heart of the literary community.

Press Release_DroneTech Company, PDRL Announces the 2nd Edition of AeroGCS Global Competition: Elevating Drone Innovation to New Heights

 

PDRL Announces the 2nd Edition of AeroGCSGlobal Competition: Elevating Drone Innovation to New Heights

- This year’s prize pool features a cash award of Rs 2.5 Lakh for the AeroGCS Champion, Rs 1 Lakh for the AeroGCSExpert, and Rs 50 Thousand for the AeroGCS Professional.

Mumbai, 4th October 2024: – PDRL announces its 2nd AeroGCS Global Competition inviting participants to register now. Building on the success of last year, this year the competition is set to further encourage drone technology enthusiasts, innovators, and professionals to contribute to the evolving drone ecosystem while placing a special emphasis on creativity and positive social impact.

Global Platform for Drone Pioneers

The AeroGCS Global Competition 2.O invites individuals aged 18 and above whether Drone enthusiasts, Professionals, or Students—to join a journey of innovation. Beyond technical skills, the competition emphasizes the development of drone solutions that can bring about meaningful social change. The competition seeks to challenge participants to apply their technical skills toward addressing pressing global issues, such as agricultural efficiency, environmental sustainability, and disaster relief, among others.

Competition Overview: Phases and Structure

Registration is open until 7th December 2024, and the competition will progress through a series of rounds designed to assess participants' technical knowledge and practical drone flight skills:

● Round 1 on Saturday, 14th Dec. 2024 – An online multiple-choice quiz focusing on drone technology fundamentals and its potential for social impact.

● Round 2 on Saturday, 4th Jan. 2025 – A virtual simulation challenge using AeroGCS GREEN and an advanced drone simulator.

● Round 3 on Saturday, 25th Jan. 2025 – The final on-field challenge held in Hyderabad where participants will go through a written test followed by configuration and execution of a live drone flight mission using AeroGCSGreen & AeroGCS Enterprise.

This multi-stage format will ensure that only the best drone experts advance to the final on-ground event, where they will compete for top honours.

Awards and Recognition

The AeroGCS Global Competition 2.O offers more than just prestige; it provides participants with substantial rewards and career opportunities. This year’s prize pool includes a cash prize of Rs 2.5 Lakh for the AeroGCS Champion, Rs. One Lakh for AeroGCS Expert, Rs. 50 Thousand for AeroGCS Professional along with a PDRL Certificate, Social Media Spotlights, and potential job offers from PDRL and partners in the drone industry. Beyond the prizes, participants will also have the chance to network with industry leaders and potential employers, positioning this competition as a valuable stepping stone for their future careers.

Opportunity for participants

This year’s AeroGCS Global Competition 2.O is more than just a contest; it’s an opportunity to shape the future of drone technology while contributing to the broader good. Participants will have the chance to connect with thought leaders and innovators from around the world, gaining insights and mentorship that extend beyond the competition itself. 

PDRL is committed to supporting the development of drone technology that not only pushes technical boundaries but also addresses the challenges facing communities worldwide.

Registration Details

Participants can register online at https://aerogcs.com/aerogcs-global-competition-2-0/, pay a nominal participation fee, and gain access to learning resources through PDRL’s AeroMeghplatform. For those who qualify for the final round, PDRL will provide support in terms of travel and accommodation, ensuring the competition remains accessible to all.

Speaking about the competition, Anil Chandaliya, Founder of PDRL said, “India is undergoing a technological revolution as we strive for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and drones, along with other emerging technologies, are leading this transformation across industries like construction, agriculture, mining, and healthcare.” He further added, “At PDRL, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of drone technology through continuous innovation. The AeroGCS Global Competition is the ideal platform to showcase this vision. We are eager to see how participants not only advance drone technology but also apply it to solve real-world social challenges.”

Vishal Joshi, Head - Training and Certification of PDRLsaid, “AeroGCS Global Competition is not just about identifying the next wave of drone innovators; it’s about giving them the tools and platform to create technology that makes a difference.” He further added, “We believe that drones have the potential to solve real-world problems, and through this competition, we want to spark a global conversation about how technology can be used to drive positive social impact.”

About PDRL: 

Established in 2018, PDRL has swiftly risen as a dominant force in the DroneTech industry, commanding a market share exceeding 50% in GCS software. With three patents filed and three more in the pipeline, PDRL is committed to pioneering advancements that Create More Time to Live.

Central to PDRL’s mission is the development of cutting-edge drone technologies that streamline operations, boost efficiencies, and reclaim valuable time for people. At the heart of PDRL’s innovation is AeroMegh, a revolutionary drone SaaS solution integrating flight management, data capture, processing, and analytics. AeroMegh consists of: AeroGCS: Ensures seamless flight operations, DroneNaksha: Delivers precise photogrammetry solutions, PicStork: Provides advanced data analytics with AI. Together, these products empower users with actionable insights, simplifying drone operations and enhancing overall efficiency.