Dolores Cannon

Books:

Custodians

The Convoluted Universe

Keepers of the Garden

A soul remembers Hiroshima

Amish Tripathi

1.    Immortals of Meluha

Good read. It is nice. Loved the concepts and the ideas.

 

2.    Secret of the Nagas

 

 

Douglas Adams

1.    Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

 

Did not like this book. It did not seem to have a beginning or an end. A lot of it was supposed to generate awe and I felt like.. “ok, so what”. I don’t think I want to read him. Either I am too dumb to understand what he has written or it is just one weird genre

Book Review: Life is what you make of it- Preeti Shenoy

This was my second Preeti Shenoy book ( I read 36 Bubblegums and Candies almost immediately before this one), but for some reason, this is the book I want to write about here.

I found the book extremely contemporary and modern, dealing with issues that many of us come across but are unaware of how to handle. the characters are quiet well developed and Preeti has a knack of bringing the protagonist to life, making you identify with her as a firend or an acquaintance you once knew, sometimes seeing shades of yourself in her actions.

I finished reading the book in a day ( it is really a novella, more than a novel) and so did two of my friends who described it as "unputdownable"- one of them infact stayed up the entire night so that she could finish reading it..

I felt that Preeti Shenoy had a knack of identifying contemporary topics and weaving a tight narrative around it without falling into the trap of letting romance overtaking the central theme - I for one am eagerly awaiting her next installment.

P.S:- I did not find 26 Bubblegums and Candies as promising; Am lucky to have bought both of Preeti's books together, else might not have given a second glance to this one.

IMBD Review#1- The Shawshank Redemption

The first time I watched this movie ( cause I have watched it innumerable times and it does happen to be one of my favorites movies ) I find it extremely ironical that a story like this which celebrates human spirit is set almost wholly inside a prison.
The images in the film is filled with depressing images alternating between the insides of the prison and the barred exercise area for the prisoner but as it progresses, the movie fills you with a sense of lightness and ,almost metamorphically depicted in the open landscape scenes towards the end, as you silently cheer Andy's (Time Robbins) successful escape and his reunion with his friend Red (Morgan Freeman) .
Apart from the protagonists, some characters remain etched in your mind - Booksie- the librarian who cannot face the world, the obnoxious prison warden (Warden Norton- IMDB tells me) and the myriad prisoners who provide for more than a supporting cast.
Some of my favorite scenes include Andy turing financial planner ( there is a description of it on IMDB), Andy's escape ( the way he times his strikes with that of the clock) and Red's narrations.

But overall, the movie is not simply a prison story or a story of friendship ( although that is the central theme) , it is an inspiration , a celebration of the indefeatible human spirit; of not giving up hope, ; of planning and biding for the right moment. Many a time when I have felt frightened and fearful, my mind dwelling on the unknown in front of me, I have gained strength from Andy's words..."Fear can hold you prisoner, Hope can set you free"...which is so true, for it is hope is what makes us all human...

A new resolution

For the past couple of days I am having this intense need to keep ticking stuff off a list. A random conversation with a colleague led me to this. Coupled with my love for watching movies, it seems the perfect foil to my restlessness at this point- hence I will attempt to post reviews for all the movies that are a part of the imdb ratings and that I have watched. I will also attempt to watch the other movies in the list that I havent till now- but given my paucity for time these days, it will be just an attempt- no promises or resolutions are being made here...

From Jalgaon to Harvard - Success story of a farmer

Suraj nikaltehi roshni dethi hai
Phool khilte hi khusboo dethi hai
Zindagi may kuch karne ka tamana hai agar dil may
Zameen to kya aasman bhi saath dethi hai

 

In a state that tops in the number of farmer suicides across the country, the success story of two farmers from Jalgoan is a shining example of how technology and innovative cultivation methods can transform the agrarian economy and uplift the lives of millions of farmers. In this two part series, we take you through the success stories of two farmers. Job loss, financial problems and meagre income from a small farm is history for Rajendra Hari Patil, who now earns Rs 25 lakh annually.

It has been an incredible journey for Rajendra Hari Patil and Hemchandra Dagaji Patil who traveled from Jalgaon to the Harvard Business School to talk about their success. Rajendra Hari Patil is reminded of this inspiring couplet before he walks to his vibrant fields every day. The vast expanse of greenery is his inspiration to live and work hard.

A high school teacher-turned farmer, Rajendra's life has been full of uncertainties since childhood. His father, a farmer, passed away when he was very young. He along with 6 brothers worked hard in the fields to manage the house and earn enough money for their education. "It was a tough life but the struggle itself was a learning experience. My mother took lot of trouble to raise us. So we became very independent," says Rajendra. All of them eventually turned out to be school teachers. As a teacher, he has a respectful job in the village. He got married to a teacher as well. But destiny willed otherwise. The biggest blow came when he lost his job. There was nothing he could bank on except the 1.5 acres of family property. "I decided to try my luck with farming as it was difficult for me to get another job. Everyone including my wife were disappointed. I started going to the fields but I realised that with such a small area, he could hardly earn any money. I took 6 acres on lease as well," reminisces Rajendra. Without money, it became difficult for him to manage even the household expenses. As every other farmer in the region, he also practiced traditional farming till he saw some success stories of farmers on television. They had adopted newer methods of farming like drip irrigation and tissue culture. In 2006 he approached Jain Irrigation, a company that manufactures drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and components.

Besides supplying drip irrigation equipment, the company also helped him with seeds, tissue cultured plants, micro-irrigation systems and advice from agronomists. "Rajendra and Hemachandra are just representatives of thousands of successful farmers who have taken up newer technologies and drip irrigation. In India, Maharastra has the maximum number of farmers adopting drip irrigation. Now, there is more demand from farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu also," says Dilip Kulkarni, president Agro Foods, Jain Irrigation

It was a turning point in his life. "I started off with 10,000 tissue culture saplings of bananas in 2006. I got a good harvest after 10 months. In 2007, I planted 18,000 saplings. The total investment per plant is Rs 55. The yield was truly God's gift for me. We got a yield of 28 kilogram per plant. Eleven trucks were hired to carry the harvest to the market. On the way, we got down and sought the blessings from Bhavarlal Jain, founder of Jain Irrigation.  "In 3 years time, I took 60 acres of land on lease and cultivated 5 lakh saplings. While in traditional farming the loss is up to 35 per cent, with tissue culture the loss is just 5 per cent. We get Rs 25 per kilo per plant," says Rajendra.Besides banana, the farm also cultivates wheat, ginger and sunflower. He owns 7 acres of land now, besides 60 acres taken on lease. The production has gone up by 60-65 per cent. Out of the total irrigated area in India, only 2 per cent is under drip irrigation.

"Many farmers in northern states have plenty of water. They have a misconception that drip irrigation is not useful. We have found the crop yield rise by 2 to 3 times in every state," Dilip Kulkarni explains. The cost of installing the equipment could vary from Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 per acre. While the government offers a 50 per cent subsidy, not all small farmers can afford to install the drip irrigation systemThe banana yield rose to 40-45 metric tonnes per acre from 22-24 metric tonnes per acres. The profits were encouraging as it rose to 3-fold. Rajendra now earns Rs 25 lakh annually. Rajendra leads a better life today. He commands lots of respect. He no longer worries about losing the teacher's job. "I would have never tried my luck with farming if I had not lost my job. I do no regret it anymore. This job gives me a lot of satisfaction," says Rajendra.

Rajendra's path to success has not been easy His day starts at 7 am. He drives to the field twenty kilometers away daily. He is at the fields till 9 almost every day. "The field never tells you what to do. Even 24 hours is less for a farmer like me," says Rajendra. Besides working hard himself, he also has to monitor the work of the labourers. "It is difficult to get good workers. They do not come for work everyday. The government offer rice for Rs 2 per kg so why should people work hard. The worker takes things so easily," says Rajendra. A farmer can never be sure of the final yield as climate is a major factor for a good crop yield. "The ideal temperature should not vary beyond 16-44 degree celcius for tissue cultured crops but this time temperature has risen up to 47 degree celsius. Our production will be affected as the temperature has not been stable. When the production is less, the price is high and vice versa so a farmer doesn't benefit much from the price rise," he says. It is a tough life for farmers in India. God is the only hope for farmers. In Jalgoan, out of the 120 hectares of land, only 25 hectares have got a subsidy for agriculture. Unless, government and banks helps the farmers with timely loans, how can we progress," asks Rajendra. Recently, the government of Maharashtra felicitated him with Udyan Pandit Award-2010 for his success. He also won the 'Dr Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Ratna Puraskar' in 2009 from Bharat Krushak Samaj, New Delhi.  "I feel this kind of awards should be stopped. There is no respect for farmers in India. What is the purpose of such awards when they cannot help us when we are in need. Farmers should instead have a say in policy making," Rajendra explains. My life has changed quite a bit. I have a great respect. People from far off places call me to their fields to guide them. But I still live in a rented place," Rajendra says. He is happy that he has enough to keep his family happy. His children go to English-medium schools. His son is in the 8th standard while daughter is in the 5th. "I always tell them to value a farmer's money and hope they can do something good for the farmers and agriculture," he says. The journey doesn't end with this success. Rajendra feels he has miles to go. "My earning is ploughed back into the farms. I feel the farms need it the most. Being educated helps as he knows more about plants, fertilizers and the technologies that can be used," he says

The first flight he took was to America. Jain Irrigation had organised a trip for two farmers from Jalgoan to go to Harvard Business School for a presentation. "It was a great experience.  I had never imagined that I would travel to America and meet so many eminent people. Professors there asked tough questions like, 'Why are there so many farmer suicide if you have the latest technologies'.  He says one cannot compare an Indian farmer with an American. A person with 4 acres of land is considered a small farmer in India whereas in America a person with 4000 acres is a small farmer," he observes. Rajendra was impressed to see how America practices mechanised farming successfully. He was envious of farmers who did not face problems to avail loans and financial assistance for farming. Our farmers still struggle to get money on time so it affects the farming cycle. Many of them end their lives unable to bear the pressures of farming," Rajendra says. He hopes the government takes more interest in helping farmers as thousands of farmers live in penury. On his own initative, Rajendra tries to reach out to as many small farmers and guides them. He plans to join hands with other farmers, take 50 acres of dry land on lease and turn it into one of the best farms. "It is a big dream which will take an investment of Rs 3 crore (Rs 30 million). I can invest about 20 per cent of this and hope I will be able to get loans to make this a reality," says Rajendra. The land will then be used as a demonstration field. "I will train and guide other farmers free of cost. I wish to see many more success stories in the agriculture sector," says a confident Rajendra

Conn Iggulden

Emperor series

• The Gates of Rome (2003)
• The Death of Kings (2004)
• The Field of Swords (2005)
• The Gods of War (2006)

He is one of the best Historic fiction writers. This series covers Ceasar's life. There is something about the writing that has you glued to the books. He covers concepts like leadership, honor, facing up stronger people, loyalty etc with such instinctive ease that one is taken in. Amazing series. I liked the parts about the Romans fighting the gauls, the parts about how he inspires loyalty among his men, the part about how when down in the dumps as an ordinary soldier, he amasses an army from the plebs (former soldiers as well) and defeats the pirates, truly amazing.

Conqueror series

• Wolf of the Plains (2007) (titled Genghis: Birth of an Empire in North America, 2010)
• Lords of the Bow (2008) (titled Genghis: Lords of the Bow in North America, 2010)
• Bones of the Hills (2008) (titled Genghis: Bones of the Hills in North America, 2010)
• Empire of Silver (2010) (titled Khan: Empire of Silver in North America, 2010)

Another amazing series. Covers Genghis from the time he rose from being an outcast to the way he conquers almost every part of the world. So many interesting scenes - Genghis & Kachuin killing elder brother Bekter, Protecting his family as a kid, getting his men trained in the way of fighting of the chinese under the tutelage of the chinese general, his campaign to beat the chinese, his arab conquest, the fight against he killer clan (I don't remember the name), each of the scenes are vivid in their description. Very interesting characters like Tsubodai, his elder son - Jochi - all interesting ones. It’s a must read for all lovers of historical fiction.

Miyuki Miyabe

• All She Was Worth (original title: Kasha), trans. Alfred Birnbaum (Mariner Books, 1999)
• Nice novel. Fast paced. This talked about the credit card problems at a particular time in japan. The lack of financial literacy in people and how they get caught in credit card traps. Gripping novel.
• Crossfire, trans. Deborah Iwabuchi and Anna Isozaki (Kodansha America, 2006)
• This was a bit too fantastic. It is like the Xmen where people have powers to move fire. Talks about such people on earth. A story is woven around such people. Nice story.
• Shadow Family (original title: R.P.G.), trans. Juliet Winters Carpenter (Kodansha America, 2006)
• This was an amazing novel. Touches upon latest concepts like Second Life. This is like fiction in the modern world where old values meet new trends. Amazing book. The best I have read.
• Brave Story, trans. Alexander O. Smith (VIZ Fiction, 2007)
• The Devil's Whisper (original title: Majutsu wa sasayaku), trans. Deborah Iwabuchi (Kodansha America, 2007)
• This was an ok book. True to her style, Miyabe introduced a modern concept - Subliminal advertising. It was an amazing concept in display. The story was average.
• The Book of Heroes (original title: Eiyu no sho), trans. Alexander O. Smith (Haikasoru, 2010)
• The Sleeping Dragon (original title: Ryuu wa nemuru), trans. Deborah Iwabuchi (Kodansha America, 2010)

 

Jeffrey Archer

Kane and Abel series

• Shall We Tell the President? (1977)
• Kane and Abel (1980)
• The Prodigal Daughter (1982)

Prison diaries

• 1. Hell – Belmarsh (2002)
• 2. Purgatory – Wayland (2003)
• 3. Heaven – North Sea Camp (2004)

Other novels

• Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less (1976)
• Was my first introduction to Jeffrey Archer. I was very small used to the Hardy boys series at that point of time. I thought it was slow then. Never touched Jeffrey Archer for a long time after that. Now that I think back, it was an interesting story.
• First Among Equals (1984)
• A Matter of Honour (1986)
• As the Crow Flies (1991)
• Honour Among Thieves (1993)
• The Fourth Estate (1996)
• The Eleventh Commandment (1998)
• Read this in 2011. Fast paced book. Honor is a keyword that rings through the main character.
• Sons of Fortune (2003)
• False Impression (2006)
• The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot With Francis J. Moloney (2007)
• A Prisoner of Birth (2008)
• Paths of Glory (2009)
• I thought there wasn't much you can write about a person climbing mount everest. It was a good book. It was gripping.
• Only Time Will Tell (2011)
• The author has a way of narrating an interesting tale. This seems to be one in a series. NIce book. Gripping as usual.

Short stories/Collections

• A Quiver Full of Arrows (1980)
• A Twist in the Tale (1989)
• Twelve Red Herrings (1994)
• The Collected Short Stories (1997)
• To Cut a Long Story Short (2000)
• Cat O'Nine Tales (2006)
• And Thereby Hangs a Tale (2010)

 

 

Books i plan to read

Given below are some books that i plan to read, obviously when i have the leisure...
1. The Charisma Factor - How to develop your natural leadership ability - Robert J Richardson & Katharine Thayer
2. The Magic of believing - Claude M Bristol
3. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Steven Covey
4. As a man thinketh - James Allen; Discovering Happiness - Dennis wholey
5. The 16% solution - Joel Morkowitz
6. Stone Soup - Marcia Brown (Leadership)
7. The Millionaire Next Door - Thomas Stanley
8. E-Myth - Michael Gerber (Starting own business system)
9. Books: Think & Grow Rich - Napolean Hill
10. Emotional Intelligence - Daniel Goldman
11. Trading for a living - Alexander Elder
12. Worldly philosophies - Robert Heilbroner
13. Unlimited wealth - Paul Zane Pilzer
14. Sovereign individual - James Dale Davidson
15. the crest of the wave - Robert Prechter
16. The Great Boom ahead - Harry Dent
17. Go-geter - Peter Kyne
18. Winning: The Answers: Confronting 74 of the Toughest Questions in Business Today - Jack and Suzy Welch
19. Success Built to Last: Creating a Life That Matters - Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery, and Mark Thompson
20. The Number: A Completely Different Way to Think About the Rest of Your Life - Lee Eisenberg
21. The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything - Stephen Covey
22. The Difference Maker: Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset - John Maxwell
23. You're in Charge - Now What? The 8 Point Plan - Thomas Neff and James Citrin
24. What Color is Your Parachute? 2007 - Richard Nelson Bolles
25. What Should I Do With My Life? - Po Bronson
26. Now, Discover Your Strengths - Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton
- Nice book. The one concept that i liked is to focus on one's strengths and bypass the weaknesses. If the time you spend in developing your weaknesses is spent on developing your strengths, it would be more productive.

I have been compiling this list for sometime now... :)

 

Malcolm Gladwell

 

Leon Uris

 

Mitch Albom

 

Richard Paul Evans

 

Dominique Lappiere & Larry Collins

 

Wilbur Smith

 

Sidney Sheldon

 

James Michener

Hawaii