February 25, 2017

Every Child Is An Artist

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. – Pablo Picasso

When young, the freedom to explore and think out of the box is more. Like a happy camper we follow our mind, for the fountain of youth flows inside it. We have our strengths, our weaknesses, our talents and our ability to make life more creative and enjoyable. But is it necessary that the abstract thoughts that run through our mind design the canvas of our life?

Everyone has a bee in their bonnet and to realize the dream one cannot keep living in a cloud cuckoo land. Thoughts do play a major role in our lives but actions are more important as they decide which course we want to choose for ourselves. However, the idea that thoughts create our world- cannot be sidelined; it is not hypothetical. Our life is an amalgamation of our positive as well as our negative thoughts. Positive thoughts help us move further with a hope and negative thoughts, although act as a barrier, are equally essential to maintain a healthy (read perfect) mind-balance. A mind that is bound by the strong ropes of beliefs and traditions, cannot aid in blowing away the cobwebs.
But a mind that is open and acceptable to the difference in perception, unlikeable suggestions, impractical notions and vivid imagination, is a mind that has characteristics of adaptability. There is a reason why children are said to have been blessed with an adaptive mind; they learn till they grow into individuals who fail to realize the importance of learning.

But where are we heading to with the continuous pressure and stress? With the level of expectations that we have for our children these days, their creative side is getting overshadowed by our desires. They are bearing the brunt of our expectations. And what is the result you may ask? The result is that they have become mere machines that function without getting anything down to a fine art. It won’t be wrong to say that parents are more like bows and their children like arrows; the way they stretch the string and aim the arrow, the arrows make their way accordingly. But this does not mean that if the parents want their children to become successful individuals, they cannot expect them to work hard in life. 

The approach is what needs to be altered. We are no longer old school people. Times have changed and so have the brains. Instead of forcing the kids to take up a career that might blow up in their face, isn’t it better to let them opt for a vocation they like? After all, an avocation that transforms into a vocation is sure to reap benefits. Moreover, who are we to decide what future has in store for our kids?

February 20, 2017

Book Review: The Mind Game by Devika Das

The Mind Game

Author: Devika Das
Publisher: PepperScript
Rating: 4/5

Confucius has correctly said- Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. It is the greed and the desire to have more that make the humans answer for their deeds. Happiness is not in achieving big things but it can be found in every little thing that happens around you. ‘The Mind Game’ is a sincere attempt by Devika Das to throw light on the delicate and hidden threads that hold the life together. ‘It is all in the mind’- is what plays a pivot role in the book. This is a non-fiction read that offers an insight into the complicated mesh inside our brains; the reasons why it becomes difficult for us to live happily and be contended.

Unlike the other non-fiction books that base the explanations on the real-life experiences, this one comes with lots of theories and philosophy. But the blend of day-to-day situations with logical explanations leads to interesting reading.

‘The Mind Game’ offers different yet enriching content and the authoress has taken care to not write about different aspects in broad strokes only; she has taken a deeper plunge and has successfully reached out to the readers. The book has a personal, emotional, humorous as well as spiritual touch. With a subtle cover and an apt blurb, the title of the book gives an impression of a murder mystery. It is only after one reads the blurb that the theme of the book is revealed. The Illustrations and the quotes are fabulous. The font (style and size) is fine.

Overall, the book has something fruitful to offer and is a light read. Give it a try.


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Review copy: Provided by Urbookmyreview.com

February 14, 2017

Book Review: Thinking with me by Subrata Roy Sahara

Think with Me

Author: Subrata Roy Sahara
Publisher: Rupa Publishers
Rating: 3.5/5

It is rightly said- “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” ‘Thinking with me’ is more like a self-help book that aims to make Indians realize the importance of doing good and being the change they want to see. With a clear and apt blurb, the author targets the colossal problems India is facing in the present time. Even though we are one of the most rapidly progressing nations, the country fails to provide ample opportunities for the citizens.

The author has touched upon some really sensitive issues like election system, education system, religion, media, etc. He has successfully highlighted the points that need our attention (as citizens of India). There is no doubt in the fact that we are changing- be it our mentality, our outlook, our approach to things and in terms of our personality. We are a part of the change but there are certain things that stay with us till we decide to leave them behind. The Indian attitude towards growth and development is such.

“Think with me” is not the usual nonfiction novella. It outlines the flaws in the system, in broad strokes. The title of the book is direct and apt. The cover of the book is subtle and catchy. I would like to compliment the quality offered by Rupa Publication. It is top notch! The author has carefully taken care of the blurb and presented it with utmost precision and care. The font (style, size) is perfect. The layout, content section, division of chapters, and the typesetting is fine.

Coming to the content in the book, the content could have had more details as I wished the author exposes the dark side brutally. For the ones who have a flair for nonfiction books and are open to varied perspectives, this book will definitely be well liked. The author has used lucid and extremely simple language ( a boon for all people, in general, and loss for the ones seeking creative writing). Nevertheless, this book does not leave its readers like a lost ball in high weeds, for it relates to everybody.

All said and done, the book definitely aces the test. Yet another marvelous feat by the author and the concept is worthy of appreciation.
Best wishes!


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Review copy: Provided by Rupa Publishers