A(NU) Thought

So, are you a good person or a nice person? It’s not always good to be nice, you know. Sometimes it’s okay to be ‘just you’.   We often end up mixing the two attributes - good and nice – assuming them to be the same. But there is a vast difference between the two. What is the difference, you ask? Or is it just that I am going bonkers? Well, by definition … ·          A nice person is someone who is pleasant to be around, has good manners, and is cheerful; ·          A good person on the other hand, is someone who is honest, helpful, and morally good. A person who has generally been good tends to be nice to others, most of the time. However, the question is: should they be nice to people, even if they don’t want to? Would people consider them as ‘good’ if they are not nice any longer?   The Burden of Being Nice Here’s what I think: you might be a good person, who doesn’t want to intenti...

  A Tale of Two by Abhishek V . is a gripping crime thriller that tells the story of two childhood friends, Nitesh and Vatsal, whose lives take drastically different paths. Nitesh, eager for quick success, becomes involved with local goons and gets entangled in illegal activities. In contrast, Vatsal pursues his dream of becoming a dancer with honesty and dedication. Though their lives progress like parallel train tracks, a tragic intersection leads to bloodshed. The story begins with the murder mystery of Vatsal, where Nitesh is the prime suspect. The plot explores the outcome of this violent incident, which results in 14 deaths, and follows Inspector Sawant's ruthless investigation to uncover the truth behind the killings and determine Nitesh's involvement. The narrative alternates between past and present, giving the readers a vivid portrayal of life in Mumbai’s slums. It explores the themes of friendship, ambition, betrayal, and morality, highlighting the struggles of s...

Those Unsaid Words by Anshuman Agrahar i is an interesting read that seamlessly blends Travelogues, Philosophy and Romance. The author has created a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Manali, Leh, and Ladakh, the story takes readers on a journey through untouched valleys, majestic mountains, and serene lakes. The vivid descriptions of these landscapes provide a picturesque setting but also serve as a metaphor for the protagonist's inner journey. The story revolves around Tanvi, and her quest for true love. Her journey is not just a physical one through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas, but also a deeply personal exploration of her own emotions and desires. 

Background: Varun N Rao's Spring Art Collection Suryavamshi: The Sun Kings of Rajasthan , authored by Late Abanindranath Tagore and translated by Sandipan Deb is published by Juggernaut .  The book traces the lineage of Suryavamshi dynasty based in Rajasthan. The stories, include – generations and generations of kings and their tales of protecting and ruling over their regions and people.  The author (and the translator) have woven the tales of generations with blend of human emotions such as love, ego, sacrifice, courage, anger, jealousy, fear and treachery, very common to any of us. 

Touted as India’s answer to Harry Potter, Samsara: Enter The Valley Of The Gods , authored by Saksham Garg and published by Penguin , this book is an engaging read.   It's great to see Indian authors drawing from country’s rich cultural heritage to create fantasy worlds that can captivate readers globally. Now imagine this: an overlooked teenager bullied all his life, has no friends or relatives to support except his mother, is suddenly brought into a mystical world. His journey starts as a chosen one among the 11 to protect the valley. Aman Chandra, here among strangers, finds a purpose of his life in this mysterious valley. The story is about his journey of becoming courageous protector of the valley.

  "An Uncommon Love" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni illustrates the early life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy, as mentioned on the cover. We all know the couple: their stories of how they met, how Infosys was founded, and how the Infosys Foundation was established. But one might wonder, what's new in this book?

As a proud Bengalurian, I certainly am familiar with the city’s tech/IT industry, start-ups culture. However, reading ‘ Brandgaluru – Made in Bengaluru ’ by Devatha Sriram , got me intrigued about the rich entrepreneurial history of the city. Through this book the author delves into the stories of four iconic brands: P N Rao, Radel, William Penn, and Judge Press .  It shows how entrepreneurial culture has been in the city’s DNA even in its quieter days. Whether it is agility, innovation, or quality, these iconic brands in Bengaluru had it all.     I enjoyed the experience of reading about the ‘becoming of these brands.’ The narration painted vivid pictures, making their stories come alive . I felt as if I am watching a documentary on BBC, History, or Discovery channel. Despite being a non-fiction, the story-telling   transported me into the lives of these brands' founders, making their journeys feel as captivating as a well-scripted fiction narrative.

A few months back, I came across a digital advertisement of a Furniture brand offering a solution for couples who break up and move out of their relationship. Well, that's good but then, why??? The advertisement made me realise that people  don’t shy away from stating that romantic relationships today are similar to ‘2-minute noodles’. The essence of slow cooked biryani seems to be lost. ‘I call it ‘2-minute noodles’ because people want things to happen fast, if something doesn’t add up to their convenience. They easily prefer to break up and move on. Well, of course there are exceptions. In some cases, people don’t give up, while in others, people should.