How I read 40+ Books in 2017

Books.

There is a proverb that a man's best friend is a dog. Another one that goes with the dog is a book. Only if one is a bookish nerd. 

I am not a voracious reader, but yes, I do manage or try to touch up to 50 books a year. This year, I did read 40+ books and wanted to share how one can manage to read more than 10 or 20 books.

• If you find the books too hard to purchase from a bookstore, make an amazon account.

• Next, download the kindle app in your cell. 

• Next, search your favorite book in the website. Generally, the price of the book for the kindle app will be less than the purchasing cost. In some cases, it will also be free. 

• Download the book in your app and start reading.

It is not the end of the story yet. 

Resolve to read at least 10 pages a day from kindle app. That way, you can end up with generally 2 books a month. 

Of course, if you are an advocate of reading physical books, that's wonderful and great! Nothing can substitute the feel and the smell of the book while it's in your hand. In this case, try to read 15 or 20 pages a day.

I followed both these approaches. Until I purchased my kindle app, because of my dad, I would purchase books and still do sometimes.

Some of my favorite books that I read were generally sourced from Goodreads, a website that connects books and authors to people and much more.

The books that left any impact on me this year are:

1. The Mahabharat Secret- By Christopher Doyle

2.  Autobiography of an Avadhoot - By Avadhoota Nadananda ( Part 1 and 2) 

3.  Dhanwantari- By Harish Johri

4.  The Secret Letters of the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari- By Robin Sharma

5.  What Every Indian Should Know About Investing- By Vinod Pottayil

Just some thoughts on books.

Chef Saif

This is my first timer in reviewing a movie. Some edits and improvisations will eventually follow.

The film-'Chef' opens to a brief introduction of the protagonist’s (Saif as Roshan) childhood which shows that he was interested to learn cooking different cuisines and would frequently learn from a kind gentleman near his home. As usual, young Roshan's father disliked the concept of his son cooking food and would rather prefer to make him an engineer instead, which made him run away from home.

Fast forward to the present day and we see the chef as an arrogant individual who can’t digest any criticism about his cooking from a customer and ends up bashing him, ultimately landing up behind bars only to be rescued on bail by his partner cum friend. However, he is soon fired from the restaurant by his friend.

Roshan has a hi-bye relationship with his near teenage son back in Cochin-India, who is eager that his father come and to see him perform on stage in school. However, upon insistence and a good sense-uploading about an ideal father-son relationship from his ex-colleague, he lands up in India to be with his son.

We then see Roshan, a father, trying to do a decent job by being a modern dad and aligning well with his ex-wife-Radha, a trained classical dancer. We see him gradually opening out with his son at the boat picnic when he gets fooled by his son into jumping in the water as the kid makes him jealous by mentioning a certain Viju Uncle’s,(Milind Soman), close to Radha.

His son does not know what ‘Cholle Bhature’ the famous food item is, which gets the chef surprised and ultimately, we see the father-son duo visiting Amritsar and around to relieve the times gone by, of course, eating the ‘Cholle Bhature’.

The kid then visits his ailing grandfather who shares a strained relationship with Roshan for following his passion.

The bond strengthens between the father-son as they roam around, where the kid learns about his father’s passion about cooking practically with local cuisines.

Fast forward, we see Roshan meeting Biju, on the latter’s request, pre-assuming that his ex-wife and Biju are planning to get married but instead, is shown the host’s vintage car collection gradually getting himself irritated and then angry. 

Yes, angry, because Biju gives him an offer to start a mobile restaurant on a dilapidated bus which he can’t digest as he is used to a fat paycheck and a professional touch and storms out.

What follows after is a heated argument between Radha and Roshan, who believes that he has still that ‘thing’ to help him find another great job.

This sets him into some soul-searching about his passion, interests and his priorities that ultimately form the remaining part of the story.

Chef Roshan is very ethical and professional when it comes to cooking and occasionally teaching son about it along with the practicalities of life. Vice-Versa, He learns a thing or a two about the power of social media from the kid that eventually helps him out somewhere or the other.

Saif has put on a slightly different role here portraying a life of a chef and coming to terms with himself and establishing a bond with his son and someone else as well. Guess who!

The movie is definitely a one-time watch on a lazy weekend for those who want to see Saif performing a different character.

Dont Buy More Books

These are the words that my father often says to me nowadays.

I have been a good book reader along with my brother from my childhood. Due to that, my cupboard has been overstuffed with books. That irritates my father who believes that since books have been read by us and are no longer been read regularly by us, it is time that they are sold or new books are not purchased at all. 

We have inherited this book reading habit from my mother and father-partly. My father reads-Newspapers 3 times a day... 

I can't afford to sell books or do away with them. Half of them have been purchased by my elder bro, who refuses to part with them even while he's settled in Canada.

So the situation is: I can't sell the books or do away with them nor I can purchase new, because my dad goes into hyper mode if he sees new books. He thinks its a waste of money.

So I took the alternate mode- I purchased a Kindle Device. Now, I can read books, mark anything I want to and delete it when read. 

My father obviously was not happy-Waste of money.

Kuldip

WiFi Addiction?

  WiFi is everywhere. 

  Except Antarctica of course!

 Have we humans become so overdependent on technology or the Internet that everywhere we go, we expect WiFi? We go to a friend's place and we ask for the password. We go to a public place and search for a free connection. Every 3 hours, we want to be connected to virtual world to know the latest news, see stupid stuff and what not! Yet, are we aware of our immediate neighbor?

Let me give you some interesting facts that I read here about a WiFi Survey.

It came to the fore that at least 73% of Indians surveyed said that they would exchange something for a strong WiFi Signal. Wow, that means we would unknowingly press the 'Accept' button for some minute of internet for something that we are unaware of!

What can be these things that we exchange the Wifi For?

It can be a small advertisement that wants to know our preferences for a product. It can be something that 'asks' us to allow an access to our personal emails, bank accounts or online dating websites. Not to forget those famous advertisements that ask for permission to edit our social media profiles. 

Indians are increasingly becoming addicted to the Wifi. In their homes, in public places. The urge to stay connected with their peers, remain updated with latest news.....

But we are forgetting that when we access internet at public places, we put our personal information at stake. This can invite some trouble from wannabe hackers. 

One more disadvantage is WiFi's effect on birds. Have we noticed that sparrows are becoming less or extinct now? Why? Probably because of WiFi rays everywhere and cutting of trees to make way for 'Development'.

Protect yourselves.

A Flight of 2 Birds

A month ago, a robin bird started building a nest in our verandah in one of the paper boxes that comes nowadays built like an actual nest.

It soon began apparent that it had laid some eggs as it would sit continuously for longer duration to give them some body heat. Mummy asked us not to disturb the nest. The ceiling fan was also not to be started in the last days of summer, lest one of the parent birds has an accident with it.

Of course it did happen. The accident! 

The small babies began to come out of the eggs and mark their presence by chirping. We could see 2 of them, then we noticed there were actually 4. Great! In-between, one of the parent birds, probably the male  happened to change it's course midway and thrashed onto the fan. It was probably dead as mummy lifted it up and looked for some signs of life. It did not move.

She kept it in the corner for some last minute hope. And hope did come. Someone told her that there was some movement, and the bird came back to life again after sprinkling some water on her. 

The birds then knew, we meant no harm, yet they chose to stay away from us.

Then came the rain and Strong Winds that come along.

The strong winds shattered the nest of the birds. However, mummy again came to rescue and rearranged the paper nest. The babies however were impatient to test the world waters and hence made a long jump on the ground. One of the fledgling was powerful to fly away in the vast world as it was of ripe age. One of them had died inside the nest, while the other one was consumed by a predator.

The last one interestingly tested our patience. 

It was only a baby of a week. We took turns to protect it as it hopped around while the mother came and feed the baby all day long. We had to protect the baby from the regular cat and the rain. In the evening, we kept it in our storeroom. It also made it a habit or rather liked the new place for night-sleep as it would automatically go hopping to the store-room gate.

I would try to lift it up when it needed to get a shelter, but it could not come easily in my hands. However, mummy would always pick it up with precision and it would always accept her hands. It seemed that both had developed a bond. 

It was only a week after that Mummy had to go abroad to visit my brother. It seemed that it would not fly that easily as it looked lazy and seemed to sit all day long not bothering to even give it a try. 

However, on the day that mummy had to catch a flight, I noticed that the baby was sitting on a higher platform and then a wall. 

As we were leaving for the airport in the afternoon, I noticed the baby become an adult and fly away confidently. 

Mother gave a satisfied look.

A True Karma Yogi

We often come across people in our lives who leave a permanent mark upon us and teach us something in a subtle or practical manner. Whether it is teaching us how to live life practically, how to help others subtly and how to progress.

These people have themselves gone through tiring situations and circumstances in their life and have come out a better person each time. They maintain their calm and composure always. Their mind is under their control. A controlled mind can do wonders for people, isn't it?

This makes people automatically give them respect. After all, respect is earned and not demanded! 

But why am I talking all these? I am, because I would today like to introduce a person who has had a huge impact in my life and probably, my brother's life too.

Jayessh Patel!

Yes, this individual has garnered respect in hundreds of people in Gujarat, who have been trained under him for mind control. He has been a mind control trainer for 2 decades-yes, 20 years. A trainer, who knows how a particular student-whether a youngster or an elder, needs to be trained according to their nature. His students are all over the world, doing great in their respective professions or jobs.

There are many mind trainers in the world, so what makes him different? For starters, Jayessh Patel or Jayessh Uncle (for me) as noted above, always connects one to one or personally to each and all. His mind control teachings have helped people in their professions, personal lives and also to help others as well. 

But first, lets dive briefly into his background.

Jayessh Patel was settled in Kenya. But suddenly, life threw a bouncer at him and he had to come back to India due to his increasing back pain. He was unable to walk straight and had to use a cane or two for support. The doctors had given up on him! 

He learnt mind control methods and first healed himself of his back pain completely before teaching thousands of others the same. Even the doctors were stunned of this miracle in his life!

He took it upon himself to teach people how to grow in life by first helping themselves and then others. Jayessh Patel is always available for people who have a query, a doubt about the mind control techniques they have learnt or need guidance from him anytime. I myself have sought his help many times at odd hours of the day and he has always been willing to guide me in my life.

Jayessh Patel has conducted more than 350 mind control workshops in 20 years. Owing to his wide experience of mind control expertise and connecting to people personally, he has now introduced the ‘Miracle Mind’ control workshop

His Miracle Mind Control Workshop which will be operational from June 2017 onward will focus on the following aspects:

• Goal Achievement
• Healing Power (for personal and others)
• 3rd Eye Activation
• Being magnet for success
• Growth (Spiritual, physical and life)
• Controlling your mind and more.

If you or anyone, who is really interested in personal development, can definitely contact him. Again, a genuine, caring and down to earth individual.

Be Health, Go Happy & Try Natural

Too hot this season, isn't it?

Damn this global warming, Damn these politicians! And Damn US! ( It is us-we and not U.S) 

Yes Us,but why? Who elects the politicians? We. Who creates pollution and trash? We. 

So what is the solution? While owning to our habits, we can't go completely natural or healthy or organic, we can at least try at 35%?

How?

Using less plastic. Plastic takes millions of years to disintegrate in earth. And we keep making it. We can order drinks without straws, how about that?

Using LED Bulbs and lights

Shop and eat organic foods. Atleast they are healthy and naturally tasty.

Use cloth bag for shopping.

Shop more often at your local stores instead of supermarkets. They anyway have lots of money.

Use non toxic body products for a change

Conserve water. There are lots of ways to do that. Google it. 

Plant 2 trees on your birthdays and anniversaries. And maintain them till they can maintain on their own.

Turn off your Wi-fi at night when you go off to sleep. Anyway you are not using it while sleeping and the rays affect your health while you sleep. Heard of Arthritis, Depression, Headache, Memory Loss, Eye issues? 

When its raining, smell that wonderful aroma from the earth.

Walk more often.

Play with a small child

I have been trying to do these things, and it has made me satisfied and happy and more healthy.

Eco-Sensitive Anyone?

Come summer and advertisements will begin in the TV. about Maaza and the need of saving trees and planting them. Facebook will also not be spared either. People will become conscious and aware of the need to plant and save trees for the season and then... Boom! They will shift to other 'issues' once the season is over.

But some people are taking this concept seriously.

Take the example of one retired gentleman in my city, whose passion is to plant trees on any barren land, whether it is a newly constructed staff quarters of a hospital or a municipal owned land or a party plot. Everyday, he and his volunteer team go to a selected destination... plant saplings and protect them everyday until they are strong enough to grow on their own. 

Another example is in Telangana's Khaman District. This gentleman known as Daripalli Ramaiah or Chettu Ramaiah is a 70 year young, who has recently been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award by the Indian Government. 

His work: He has planted at least 10 million saplings or trees in Telangana. All these with just his passion and his bicycle.

Mr Ramaiah has even made it a point to gift saplings on occasions such as birthdays or marriage or someone's anniversary. It is certainly refreshing and an inspiration to know about him.

Then there is another gentleman in Hyderabad ' Ramachandra Appari', who may not plant trees, but sure knows how to save them or relocate them. Till date he has relocated 5,000 trees which would have fell down in the name of development, home building, road making, etc. with scientific techniques in coordination with the local authorities. 

What have I done in this regard? Well, I may not devote as much time as them, but I make it a point to plant 2 saplings or trees on my birthday and nurture them.

A Century of age and Bye Bye

Uttrayan!

Gujarati's need no welcome sign from anyone when it comes to the festival of Uttrayan! Their terraces literally becomes a war zone during the 2 days of January. 

Enough has been said about this festival, so I will not delve into it again. However today's uttrayan was different for me somewhat.

I had heard that a young granny of 100 years was going to celebrate her birthday differently. It is not every day that you meet people who have crossed 100 years. I had almost forgotten this event but remembered it at the last moment and here I was seeing the young granny celebrate her big day by planting some trees. 

Yes, trees! Even if she is no more tomorrow or the next year, the trees planted by her will stand testimony to the fact that here was someone who cared for the future generation's health and did something for them.

And she was all smiles  when she planted a tree. she was almost 30 years when India got her independence. 

Another good incident of the day happened when me and my mother went to give out some old clothes to street dwellers in the morning. The little urchins who we know are uneducated lined up around us and their face lightened up as we gave them their 'new' clothes. 

As we started to go back, one of the street urchins, hardly about 8 years and without any education or so shouted back to us happily. 'Bye, Bye' in English.  I was shell shocked and pleasantly happy. He might have picked up this line from someone passing by but such a surprise. India sure is progressing.

Kuldip