A Decent Read (Book Review)

Book: The Code Of Manavas (Maha Vishnu Trilogy – Part 1)

Author: Arpit Bakshi

Publication: Rupa Publications

The Code Of Manavas authored by Arpit Bakshi and published by Rupa Publications is a blend of sci-fi and mythology. My tip to the readers (of this book) this that keep aside all your presumption of Lord Krishna as described in mythology, past, present and future and look at this book with a fresh perspective.

The plot is set in the era which is 2 million years after 2050 AD, which is the Swarnim yug. As per several mythology texts, this cycle of 4 yugs will repeat itself and the world will begin and be destroyed in every cycle. This story is set in one of such cycles, somewhere into the extreme future but borrowed heavily from the past.

Krishna the Chief scientist has been given a task of finding a new habitable planet for the race of humans called ‘Manavas’. The beginning of any book is expected to be a little slow as it focussed more on establishing the plot, however, in this case it was little too stretched. The technical jargons, fusion of mythological and scientific terms (Bhoomidium), protagonist dressed as our mythological characters talking in the modern-day language, terms etc…. it feels a little jumbled up and force -fit in the beginning. Nevertheless, when you read it from a different perspective, the puzzle pieces start coming in together.

The book has some interesting parts as well, when the hermit – Gopaldas recounts the Bhagvad Gita; or when the protagonist is using sheath mode to mention a few.

Interestingly, all the male characters are named after Lord Krishna, while female characters after his beloved. This concept for me borrows heavily from Lord Krishna’s avatar of Bhagvad Gita, when He exhibited His almighty universal form; which highlights that ‘He is the beginning and end of everything’.

The thought and concept of the story is something new and could have been treated in a more interesting way. Though it doesn’t come across as a very fascinating story, it is a decent read.

My ratings: 3 out of 5.

I received a review copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Of Personal Space And Accepting Oneself (Book Review)

Image Source Book: My Space My Body – starring Taka Dimi Author: Roopa Pai Illustrator: Archana Sreenivasan Publisher: Fitkids Education and Training Pvt Ltd For: Children above 3 years Books for children is an important responsibility; not just for the publishers and authors, but also for the parents and teachers. It is essential that the books we share with our children should not just be informative and engaging but also educational. My Space My Body (MSMB) is an interesting blend of all the above elements.

You Hired Smart Talent. But Are You Training Them Right?

Every year, organizations hire bright interns and freshers from top institutes. They come in with promise, potential, and the right intent. But somewhere between onboarding and execution, something quietly breaks. Not because they lack capability. But because they’re not really trained, properly. In many workplaces, especially in fast-paced functions like communications, freshers are given tasks, targets, and timelines, but not the depth required to execute them well. Take something as simple as media outreach.

Heart Lamp: Stories Too Familiar, Yet Still Unheard

My latest read (a bit delayed, but never mind), winner of the 2025 Booker Prize , Heart Lamp is a collection of selected stories by Banu Mustaq , translated by Deepa Bhasthi , originally written in Kannada between 1990 and 2023. As promised, it shines a light on the everyday struggles of Muslim women, focusing on gender inequality, patriarchy, oppression, domestic violence, and more. Now, is it worth a Booker Prize? Honestly, I’m not the best person to comment on that. But here’s what I felt—many of these stories felt familiar, maybe even too familiar, if you’ve grown up in India. Tales of patriarchy, domestic abuse, women belittling women… we have all seen or heard these around us. So, what makes Heart Lamp special?

A(NU) Thought

Search This Blog