Come On, Inner Peace. I Don't Have All Day.- Book Review!

The moment Sachin's mail notification popped up i was more than happy , And the fact that i had been asked to review the book made me even more crazy. I was looking out for a book which had all the elements of love, craziness etc and was worth spending time too and luckily this book Come on, Inner peace. I don't have all day was an all in one package.

Life is full of ups and downs and hustle and bustle. There would be hardly anyone who has not been through a period of trials and tribulations atleast once in life.And when one is going through such a period, people seek some kind of divine intervention to seek mental peace.

This book is a story of Samar who has lost his girlfriend Kanika whom he loved madly and he thinks he has been responsible for her death.Because of the guilt he ends up losing his mental peace and the desire to live life. Seeing his pitiful condition , his best friend Saloni sends him to an ashram in Rishikesh to bring him back to life. Samar finds himself going to the ashram and one incident after the other keeps happening in his life. In the ashram he ends up meeting Guruji, who  understands Samar's problem and decides to chalk out a way to get the old Samar back.On his way to Rishikesh, Samar ends up meeting Vandana in the bus and later realises she too is a follower of the Guruji in the Ashram.Two different people with totally different backgrounds and stories of life , Vandana and Samar both set out on a journey to find mental peace on Guruji's advice.Both have different destinations but have been asked to walk on the same route to unearth their mental solace.

Would Samar ever be able to come out of the guilt of Kanika's death? What is Vandana's. story? What brings this 40 year old lady to the Ashram? Would Samar and Vandana ever find their mental solace? Read on this gripping tale to find out..

This book kept me hooked till the last page and it was really interesting to read the way Vandana and Samar chalk out to find their much needed answers to the questions life had put in front of them.This book has all the elements- love, emotions, relationships, divine intervention, spirituality to make it the best seller.. 

One thing i think could have been better is the title of the book.... I think something more creative could have been put up. Rest it is a fun book to read!!

Rating - 3.5/5... Grab a copy of the book and make your boring 2 hour bus/train travel to office an awesome one ....

The Reli-able(-ance) Digital Experience

 This post is for Reliance Digital in conjuction with Indiblogger

I was waiting eagerly for 22nd June and 23rd June so that i could visit the Mulund Reliance digital store and grab the goodie bag . Had set in several reminders on my mobile phones just to ensure that i didnt miss out on this much anticipated visit.And the day finally arrived.
I stay in dombivli and had to come all the way to Mulund to visit the Reliance Digital Store at around 11am. Thanks to the Rain God it didnt shower much and i could safely accomplish the mission of reaching the destination - RELIANCE DIGITAL STORE
Unlike many of my other blogger friends who were greeted by several managers unaware of this initiative  at different stores accross Mumbai, the experience at the Mulund Store was quite a different one.  When i reached there, we had Mr.Kapil - The store manager for all the North Maharashtra regions waiting eagerly for us and taking us on a tour around the shop. Reliance has their main motto - "Grahak Devo Bhav" and i actually could experience it the way they dealt with us inspite of knowing the fact that we arent going to buy any stuff from their store. The way Mr. Kapil answered all the questions  put up by fellow bloggers was commendable . We later had Ms. Swati Veeramani joining Mr.Kapil to take us around the store.

                                 
 I have managed to capture several pictures of the store .. And as it is said
" Pictures speak louder than words " it will definitely speak louder than words.
Reliance digital store - Mulund is a sprawling large showroom which houses all the appliances under one roof , name an appliance and you would find it there. We have different sections for televisions, LED Tvs , Home Theater System,  Home appliances, Personal Grooming Appliances etc etc.Mr.Kapil took us through all these sections explaining each and every stuff with lots of patience.

 

                        Mr.Kapil In Action - explaining various sections of the store .

 As you can see in the picture it says - Choose the right TV. How do we come to know what is the right TV... We all love watching shows, movies on the BIG screen  or atleast have the same experience that we have viewing a cinema on the big screen.. but do we actually need such big screens at our place? To answer this question, Reliance Digital has made special facility or rather special markings on the floor at several distances from the TV which actually makes us understand what kind of a TV would be required in our 1BHK flat and what would be the experience of keeping the TV at particular distances.We can actually take the experience and  then go for buying the TV. That is why it is a Reliable Store  for buying out electronic goods

                                                        Markings on the floor

I  actually stood by each of the markings and visualised the difference and i now know how big the screen should be for my house. Go Try  IT!!
Apart from TV's we have an amazing collection of MP3 players, Laptops, Desktops , Speakers, Cameras , Phone accessories all at pocket friendly prices. Though i couldnt capture all of the appliances in the pics, i did manage to frame a few of them of the many appliances placed in the store.

                                 

The best part of the store is the Home Theater Engagement Zone where in a home theatre system - Reliance's own baby  is placed . You guys can go,sit relax on the couch, experience the wonderful sound effect of the system .  The TV in the home theater system is powered by Harman Kardon - leading producers of Sound Systems as a result of which the sound quality produced is commendable. I felt so comfy on the couch  that i felt like buying the entire system and rushing back home.That is the feeling that you get in the store- friendly store managers, at home feeling and appliances worth buying.

Home theater system - yeah All thanks to my terrible photography :P

Another section that i loved the most is the personal grooming section  where in a range of hair dryers and hair straighteners were placed. That section is my personal favourite because  i am not a techno freak and the only time technology allures me is when it has got something to do with beauty and grooming and listening to music .

                                                

After seeing all the appliances which i know, you guys may feel would create a hole in the pocket.. Chillax!! We have a special ResQ(Rescue) plan which will help you breathe easy. Reliance has indeed proved that our happiness is their mission ( as in the pic) by bringing up this rescue plan.

Rescue Plan or rather ResQ

                                                  
When one of the bloggers put up the question, how does Reliance deal with Customer Complaints. Mr.Kapil answered the question with ease  ,that they have a CRM department - ResQ centre(please find the pic below) which handles all the customer complaints and deals with them . Also Reliance has been planning for Customer Care centres which is already in the pipeline which would be dedicatedly dealing with customer queries and services. He says that would be something to watch out for because that would make them the most efficient service providers. And as Mr.Kapil says, Reliance aims to be most efficient service providers and the most customer friendly service rendering store.

CRM Department

Another USP of the store is the store has  a MPOS(mobile point of sale ) which was demonstrated by Ms.Swati Veeramani.MPOS is an iphone enabled with a software developed by  Infosys for Reliance which helps all the transactions, right from acting as a barcode scanner to  swiping the card for payment in  a single go!! This helps the customer to finish off their payment transactions in a second and can avoid waiting in long queues.


There is a dedicated kiosk handling the billing  transactions too for people who can purchase a product  and see how the product functions and then pay for the same. This  enables the customer to be sure of the working of the product they have chosen and buy it without any worries. Reliance also provides Gift cards to all those who want to gift these gadgets to their near and dear ones but donot want to carry those heavy appliances on their own.These gift cards act as prepaid cards,where in we fill in the amount we want to and gift it to our close ones who can then buy the appliance of their choice.

Billing Team At Work

 There is an other department that helps you with all your financial queries, all your EMI problems and concerns and helps you have your dream gadgets. Now having dream gadgets isnt a distant dream . Reliance is striving to make your dream come true.
After a complete tour around the showroom, we were informed our goodie bags would be couriered to our address. But who cares!! the entire experience was a breathtaking informative and cutomer friendly one. I have been to other stores like Vijay sales , Chroma but have never experienced this kind of customer service and hospitality.Five reasons why Reliance Digital wins a thumbs up and is a Reliable brand :

• Customer Friendly.Efficient CRM department.MPOS saves the amount of time spent in billing
•  We can  see the functioning of our appliance be it microwave or be it any other appliance before we buy it
•  Efficient Service Providers
• Discounts on Several Products
• Affordable EMI plans

Next time you plan to buy Electronic Goods, rush in to the nearest Reliance Digital Store and have a WOW experience . And you guys thought money can't buy happiness... ?? Rush in to Reliance Digital -A Store That Sells happiness to have your share of bliss and happiness :)

Shoes Of The Dead -Book Review !!!

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers.


This book written by senior journalist Neelima Kota throws light on the pitiful condition of the farmers and the hassles they face. It is an exact reflection of the plight of the farmers in our country , in the Vidarbha belt. Its a serious no nonsense book which unearth the ground realities of the farmers in our country.


The story is about a farmer Sudhakar Bhadra , who commits suicide due to consistent crop failures and the increasing burden of debt on his family. Sudhakar is just one of the many farmers in Mityala who have committed suicide due to increasing debt. The government forms a committee to investigate the alarming increase in the number of suicide cases .The committee dismisses the deaths as debt related deaths and deprives the widows of the compensation they have the right to.

Gangiri, Sudhakar's brother who works in the city is highly affected by his brother's death and decides to bring justice to the death of his brother and many other such farmers by  influencing the Committee to validate the similar deaths of farmers .Gangiri decides to fight for the farmers and sees to it their widows get the compensation .At the same time first time MP Keyur Kashinath of the Democratic party, son of the Party's General Secretary Vaishnav Kashinath is worried about the increasing suicide deaths in his territory .Keyur is considered to be the heir of Vaishnav Kashinath's power in politics. Keyur was considered to be in politics because of his influential dad and this fact was what exactly Keyur wanted to prove wrong. The first time MP faces challenge to his seat in politics when the number of certified deaths by the committee increases. Keyur is under a threat as he realises that the increasing number of deaths will tarnish his image as a politician.
 The story throws light on the struggle of the farmers against the committee set up which declare debt related death as ailment related deaths.  The book is a battle between Gangiri who life's mission is now to bring in justice to families of farmers and Keyur Kashinath who is on a  race to save the party's image . Who wins the battle? Will Gangiri ever get justice ? Will the deaths of such farmers  be ignored and justice denied? Will Keyur Kashinath be able to save his party's image?  Read on to find the answers.. A very insightful and a gripping book .. A must read...


I loved the book cover. The book cover gives the feel of the story inside. The 
barren land shown on the book cover is a grim reality that our farmers are facing with no support and co-operation from the ruling parties.  The other best part is the writer has kept the underlying tone of the book serious , and haven't tried to incorporate a love angle to the story. Its a book for people who have an appetite for political fiction novels


A good book to read but still I believe the book could have been priced somewhere between 100- 200 bucks.

Rating: ***/5

Carefree Rainy Days

The rains have hit the city and there is a lot of relief from the terrible heat we had to bear during this summer. Monsoon always brings in a lot of memories with it.All i can think of eduring rainy season is my school days where in our schools would reopen after a long summer vacation and I would loathe going back to school again. Shopping for rainy season always began well in advance. New rainy shoes, new raincoats..monsoon was fun then apart from the school factor.

Source stephaniefiman.blogspot.com

Monsoon then was fun when i was a kid..No one would reprimand me for jumping into a puddle of water, no would scold me if i splashed water all around, making water boats and if they sailed around in the puddle of water meant a big deal then. I could run out of my house and be drenched in rain water and no one would bother to stop me. I wouldnt have to worry about my cellphones or tablets being drenched in water. All i would have had to worry about my bag of books and notes written with inkpen. Monsoons then meant having hot bhajjis and tea .Now i have to bother about the extra calories that would come with the bhajjis.Life then seemed to be cool and calm , no rushing in. My school was near to my home and I had no worries about traffic jams or trains .
I miss those carefree days. I still feel like running out of my cubicle in office and getting drenched. I feel like forgetting everything for a moment and enjoy the drops of water falling all over me. I want to forget my pains, pleasures and submit myself to the power of nature. I wonder what my boss would think about this (running out of my cubicle and getting back drenched) but then i want those carefree days back again. I want to jump in puddles of water and laugh out loud with my friends not worrying about what others would think. I know people would say you can do it even now..yeah right !! i can jump in a puddle full of water and splash water on someone when am 26 !! Has there been a single day where we consciously decide to part ways with our cellphones and laptops and just have some ME- time for ourselves.Best way to enjoy the rains is sit by the window side, see the raindrops pouring down the window pane, play soft music , have a cup of coffee and be lost in one's thoughts. Nothing is more de stressing than enjoying the rain.Next time you see the rains pouring down heavily just step out and let it fall on your face.. the feeling is simply awesome!!
Everytime people crib about rains, its these following lines by W.H Davies that comes to my mind :
 WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—

Suicide – An only option ?

Few days back, entire Bollywood was startled with the news of Jiah Khan ending up her life due to reasons best known to her. Another one to be added to the list is Michael Jackson’s daughter who recently tried to end up her life because she was under tremendous stress. Both the news were equally disturbing and has made me wonder whether suicide is the only way to solve problems of life

Read a lot of articles where in people termed the ones committing suicides as “coward”,” weak “ and “selfish”. But are they really weak, selfish and coward? People also come up with explanations that they should have thought about their family before taking up an extreme step. My question is , if someone was in a stable state of mind where   in they are taking all kinds of possibilities ,thinking about family etc etc .. why would they even try to commit suicide. If I know , I have my family who can support me during all my problems why would I want to end up my life. The one’s who call such people coward must think twice. The most difficult thing in life to do is to hurt oneself and it takes a lot of guts to come to the decision to induce pain to oneself. By saying this am not trying to glorify suicides .. all that I am trying to say is stop accusing people who commit suicide . No one wonders why they had to take the extreme step even when they had their “relatives”, “family” around. It is easier to point out that she /he committed suicide coz she was going through a rough patch , or had a heartbreak etc … But have we ever wondered how much have we stopped and taken some time out for our friends or family members who need help.

We are somewhere responsible for the loneliness that hounds us. In this level of cut throat competition , there is no time to stop and wait .Everyone is in a race to achieve something materialistic. What one must understand is failure and success  are part and parcel of life and not our life. Gone are the days where people used to spend hours chatting with family, discussing issues with them and coming to solutions. Now all  that people do to get rid of their problems is have a smoke, go for a drink etc. People are scared to come out and discuss their issues with friends because everyone is concerned about their image in society , “ what will they say, what will our relatives say etc etc”  . I believe the society is the one that is more coward than the ones who commit suicide. There are hardly few instances where in people give someone a chance to come up in life once they fail.

 In Jiah khan’s case, as per news reports she had tried attempting suicide long back too. I wonder whether she was ever taken for psychiatric counseling or was given the medical help she required. In our society, a stigma is attached to the word psychiatry. People think all those who go for psychiatric counseling are mentally ill. Many a times in life, it so happens that even though there are so many people around, we need someone to be there for us, to assure us everything will be ok; something that your friends or family may not understand at times.  Its not shameful to go to a doctor and get treated for loneliness or depression. Its just like any other treatment . Recently I had told one of my friends  that am taking her for counseling as she had bouts of depression due to a failed marriage. She immediately refused. Why ?? !!

People use depression word very casually these days. Let me tell you depression is not as casual as it sounds. I was diagnosed with anxiety neurosis and mild depression symptoms few years back. I had immediately sought medical help because my family was supportive. They cared a damn about the world . And  the treatment yielded wonderful results.

Next time you see your family member /friend  having any of these symtoms(source : http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm)   mentioned below seek medical help .

• Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
• activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
• Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
• Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
• Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
• Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
• Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
• Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.
• Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

 Life is a roller coaster ride with ups and downs. If you are enthusiastic about the ups , you must be equally ready to face the downs.  When I was under treatment I followed certain tips as mentioned below  which proved extremely  helpful and changed the way I looked towards life.

1)      Discuss your frustrations and disappointments on a day to day basis with your family members , closed ones. Talk to your closed ones who understand you be whatever it is.. love relations, work problems etc. For people who end up their life because of relationship failures,  always remember there are still people in life

2)      You feel sad, you feel like crying in the middle of the road, let it out.  bring the frustration out.. Don’t bother about the world.

3)      IF you are an introvert , vent your day to day frustrations on a diary

4)      Involve yourself in things you love to do. Join a hobby class, go for dance lessons etc.. do everything that you wish to do in life..

5)      Meditate

6)      Listen to soothing music for atleast half an hour a day.

7)      Go for morning walks.

8)      Relax . Stay away from people who try to put you down. Try to be with friends who have a positive outlook towards life.

9)      Keep learning new things in life. They are bound to be of use some or the other time in life.

Jiah Khan was an extremely talented dancer who knew several art forms. What if her acting career failed, she could have opted to start a dance academy or begin a new venture using this talent of hers. But again everyone treated her like a failure ( as per the reports).  Only if someone could have guided   her to show a different picture of life. Only if someone could have told her there is more to life than being a star in Bollywood !! Alas!!

Suicide isn’t the only option in life… And remember there are  no problems ever in life without any solutions.

Sitaron Se Aage Jahaan Aur Bhi Hain,

Abhi Ishq Ke Imtihan Aur Bhi Hain

Tihi Zindagi Ke Nahin Yeh Fazaayein,
Yahan Sainkadon Kaaravaan Aur Bhi Hain