Book Review - Transforming Indians to Transform India

Its about International Yoga Day everywhere since last couple of days, be it on television or blogs. The Day got special significance this year with PM Narendra Modi's, to be rather called the revolution of Yoga, when PM along with 36k people performed Yoga at the Iconic Rajpath. What was the need for a PM to take Yoga to every individual? This question very much related me to the book, Transforming Indians to Transform India, by Chinmaya mission, which I had read few months back.

My brother who did his MBA from NMIMS Mumbai, received this book along with this Management Degree Certificate at his convocation. I had accompanied him to his convocation, and he who had got through his campus and was ready to mint money, didn't find it apt to read the book, thinking it was something spiritual(which is definitely not the case, its a perfect read for anybody of any age group). The book for some reason attracted me and I took it from him to read, and promised to hand over to him back when he really felt it was apt for him to read it, lol.

Book:  Transforming Indians to Transform India

Publisher: Chinmaya Udghosh

(All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, Chennai)

Binding: Softbound

Pages: 304

Price: Rs.250/-

Genre: Nonfiction

Through 7 interactive stories, the book tries to bring in the over all transformation of an individual, which in turn contributes to the transformation of the nation. First 6 stories, help in the Patriotic, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Cultural, Spiritual transformation, the last chapter which helps in developing a universal outlook, completes the over all transformation in you. Each chapter has transformation toolkit at the end, practicing or inculcating tips from the toolkit in your life helps you transform.

The book is made interesting with scientific reasoning and day to day happenings in everybody's life. I could easily connect each situation to my own, and give a thought on what would be my take at such situation. The tips too are very easy ones, which can easily be incorporated in your daily routine, like few minutes of yoga or a scientific Indian thali. The book relates to many individuals, whose transformation helped in the transformation of the nation, from Swami Vivekananda to Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, from Lakshmi Bai to Dr. Abdul Kalam. "In-Significant Desiland", a chapter on Cultural Transformation takes through different parts of the country, highlighting Indian culture, heritage, artforms, which definitely interested me as a travel blogger. The ones which I felt too hard to follow were emotional and intellectual transformations, I think this can be brought about with quite a lot of practice and a mind set to bring about the transformation.

I suggestion, every individual to read this book, this book will definitely bring about a change in your life style, your acts and thinking about yourself and the nation, which can somehow contribute to the betterment of the nation.

Book Review: Capturing Wildlife Moments in India

I am not a person who is interested much in fiction, all that interests me are those books which create awareness on global issues or those travel books narrating the tales of history, heritage and culture. Being associated with few of the campaigns on wildlife conservation and animal welfare in the recent past, when I received an email from Saevus Wildlife India to review their coffee table book 'Capturing Wildlife Moments in India' by Ashok Mahindra, I happily accepted. Ashok Mahindra is a Chartered Accountant and is now a wildlife and travel photographer. Through Hemchand Mahindra Wildlife Foundation, he promotes the protection of fragile ecosystem and conservation of wildlife through various activities in India.

Book cover, with Ustad(T-24) of Ranthambore National Park

Book:  Capturing Wildlife Moments in India

Author: Ashok Mahindra

Publisher: Oxford University Press(OUP) & Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS)

Binding: Hardbound

Pages: 160

Price: Rs. 1450

Genre: Nonfiction, Wildlife Photography

'Capturing Wildlife Moments in India' contains 120 photographs of animals and birds of India, photographed from author's visits to over 30 parks, sanctuaries and other locations. Through the book, author tries to create awareness of real danger to wildlife from different sources, mainly poaching, man-animal conflict and deforestation. The photographs accompany the location information, along with camera settings and photography techniques. Author relates some of the species to Indian God and Goddess and legends. He also links to myths and tribal rituals which creates the fear of endanger to certain species. None of the wildlife books with Bengal Tigers are complete without Machli, Tigress Queen of Ranthambore National Park, there is a collection of photographs of tigers from different sanctuaries of India. Its just not about wild, but also the forest environment, be it Sal trees of Kanha or roots of Sundarbans mangrove trees, the author showcases the beauty of the forests as well. I liked the way the author narrates the story behind the photographs, spending hours together to get the perfect clicks. The one which interested me was the escape of a butterfly trapped in a spider web. 

Asiatic Elephants, Kaziranga National Park

The book introduced me to many lesser known creatures and sanctuaries, which I hadn't heard of, and interesting facts about certain creatures. The book also sums up the wildlife hotspots and interesting places to stay to explore the wild, which helps wildlife photographers and travellers to plan their visit. As a wildlife enthusiast and travel blogger, I would recommend to add this book to your shelf.

The book will be available at most of the major retail outlets across India and also through online retail sites like Amazon, Flipkart etc. It will also be available for sale through the BNHS website.

"This post is a part of the book review program at Saevus Wildlife India in association with The Hemchand Mahindra Foundation for the book Capturing Wildlife Moments in India"