Wonderful message

I read this in the 'Afternoon' around ten years back...


The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.


We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.


We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.


We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.


These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.


My advice to you is:


Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.


Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.


Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.


Remember, to say, "I love you" to your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and a hug will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.


Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.


AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

New Indian books

I usually pick up books written by Indian authors for my journey from Mumbai to Pune. Mostly I pick up books on an experimental basis and sometimes on recommendations.

Last weekend I bought two books:

Second Degree- Prashant John

The book takes us through one year spent by Prashant in IIM A for a Executive MBA.
Firstly lets talk about the good part:
-The book is well organized.. usually other Indian author books are either hurried or stray from the theme.
-The book gives one an inside view to how things work inside the IIM A campus. Probably the book may appeal more to IIM A students who have actually gone through the same things as described in the book.
-The language used in the book is good. Overall I would say that its very well written.

Now the negatives:
-Though the book is well written, it fails to impress me because there is no major plot in the story. It is in fact a journey with many small sub plots (which are very ordinary and sometimes even boring).
In my opinion Prashant John could make it big if his second book has a more stronger theme or storyline.


Love, Life and Dream On- Animesh Verma

No positives here.. only negatives:
- The book needed some serious editing and unfortunately for Mr.Animesh, the editor didn't go a very good job. The book is full of grammatical and spelling errors.
- Most of the book is full of repetitions. Reading the same thing over and over again every five pages isn't very interesting.
- The writing is below par, the concept is below par, event descriptions are below par, order of events is chaotic, order of dialogues is also chaotic.
- This is easily one of the worst books that I ever read. The only reason I completed it is to write this review.

The Fourth Estate

The Fourth Estate - Jeffrey Archer

The book is about Keith Townsend and Richard Armstrong, and their rivalry to become the biggest Newspaper Baron. The book first acquaints us with the families and childhood of the these two characters. In typical Archer style, it then moves into their personal and professional life. How their paths cross, how each of them tries to go one up on the other, who wins in the end is for you to read and find out.
In my opinion, the middle part of the book is boring. Also the end is very hurried... Some people say that this book is similar to "Kane and Abel", but I don't agree!
The good part about the book is the excellent character build up and the duel between the two characters.

Overall, I would rate this book as 3/5.. but Archer has written better books.

Inglourious Basterds

Another masterpiece by Tarantino.

"The Basterds" are a group of Jewish soldiers led by Brad Pitt who take pleasure in brutally killing Nazi soldiers. Their paths cross with a Jewish woman who runs a movie theater which is going to host a German movie premiere. The Jewish woman incidentally has a revenge tale of her own..
Brad Pitt is excellent. But he is overshadowed by Christoph Walz, who is awesome!!

The movie is typical Tarantino with excellent dialogues and fantastic screenplay. Dont miss it...

Ajab Prem ki Gazab kahani

Avoid!!

Avatar

The movie is super awesome!!
Dont watch it for the storyline... just watch it for the effects!!

Two States - The story of my marriage

The title says it all!

Punjabi Boy meets South Indian girl...they fall in love...parents dont agree...the usual complications involved in an inter caste marriage in India...

You have seen it a million times in bollywood movies or heard about it trillion times from Indian couples themselves....

The usual drama, hiccups, close calls, opportunities, dreams, depression, luck... yes its got it all!! In fact looks like Mr.Bhagat has written this book with solely one intention.. to clinch another movie deal :) ... but be more careful with the contract this time mate!!

BUT.... I would still recommend this book....for many reasons...

As usual, Mr.Bhagat's storytelling ability is fantastic.. though the book is predictable, it has a good pace (the end is a bit hurried though) ..so you never get bored..
There are many instances in the book which make you smile... and there are a few which actually make you laugh too....
The characters are well portrayed...most of them are ideal representatives of their states...
You can relate to the characters and the incidents...


So, if you are planning to watch the new Himesh movie "RADIO" for 100 bucks, skip it.. buy this book for 95.. Its a better way to spend three hours.