Corpokshetra - By Deepak Kaul (Book Review)

Corpokshetra By Deepak Kaul 

What’s new?"Peppered with great phrases and vocabulary and old epic with a modern touch makes this book one Bloody Good Book!"

Book details

Title – Corpokshetra

Author – Deepak Kaul

Genre – Fiction

Publisher – Westland Ltd & Bloody Good Book

No of pages – 124

We all enjoyed the great epic Mahabharata and some of the great characters from Mahabharata still continue to live in our hearts. Whether it’s Lord Krishna or Bhima, we all have praises for them. However, the time changes and so is the great lessons from Mahabharata should be served with a modern taste. Our coming generations should know what Mahabharata is and why Lord Krishna still holds a great emphasis in our life even today.

Today we not only live in Kalyog but we strive to live in a cut-throat competition that is infamously known as MBA or Corporate yug. Want to know more? Why not read Deepak Kaul’s Corpokshetra?

Cover page

The book serves its purpose quite interestingly when the plot has woven with a different twist. The story sheds a light on a today’s corporate world. It relates to the epic Mahabharata and reminds us that today’s scenario is no different than Mahabharata. The cover page is itself an enticing. Imagine Krishna, being a corporate counsellor trying to resolve corporate matters in his usual witty manner or having forced Draupadi to dance on an item number. Isn’t it enough to excite your reading nerves further and turn the cover page?

The plot   

The plot reminisces to the epic story of Mahabharata where Pandavas fight against Kauravas to claim their rights. We know the original tale is quite serious but this one is hilarious yet successfully touches the core of today’s corporate situation. Hastinapur is a business empire run by short-tempered and greedy Duryodhana. However, the Pandavas are back from the exile to claim their rights from Duryodhana. Pandavas hire a corporate consultant, Krishna and under his guidance, the war begins from the board room followed by hilarious moments that you’ll enjoy reading them.

My review

I am going, to be honest with the review. As a part of the book review program, I was least interested in reviewing this book. However, I was selected to review this book and I had no choice but to read and review it. But the moment, I started reading the first page of the book, the very first paragraph of the book captured my attention and I was completely hooked on this book. I am very thankful to Writer’s Melon that I got this opportunity to review this book.

Writing style

The author Mr. Deepak Kaul has done a fabulous job by writing this unique book with a different flair of writing. The book is of 118 pages and there is no single dull moment interrupts you.  

I liked the phrases and vocabulary used in the book. The author has poured all his heart and cleverly used his knowledge of golf and cricket terms that the book becomes a good read! 

My rating

5/5

The writing is so fresh and funny and so is the story written by Deepak Kaul. I totally recommend this book to all my visitors out there. I give 5 stars out of 5. I congratulate Mr. Deepak Kaul for his successful book and wish him to come out with many more interesting books. 

“I received a free copy from WritersMelon in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.”

Catching up on children’s growth

Catching up on children's growth 

One day I brought my nieces in the garden. The view at the garden was quite pleasant. Recent rains made the grass greener and the ground was muddy. The greener sight infused positive thoughts in me. I saw tiny joys of bundles were running here and there. They giggled, they ran and they played to their hearts’ content. The innocence was flowing abundantly and I loved every moment of it. I was witnessing the sheer innocence and joy.

On the other hand, my mind had the other view where the city’s mall was overcrowded. The children were dressed in their best outfits. Some children were holding the popcorn baskets while some children were asking their parents to buy toys or dresses. They were stubborn and when their wishes were not fulfilled by their parents they were cranky.

In both scenarios, the environment brought a huge difference in their attitude. I felt the materialistic things influenced them. These things made me ponder whether today’s children have missed on their real growth.

A single factor cannot be blamed for their missed growth but at the same time, the environmental factors cannot be denied. We all know our mothers always tried their best to give us best of both worlds. However, the time is changing and we all know we need something common yet extraordinary for our upcoming generation.

Today when I see my 5, 7 and 9-year-old nieces growing up I feel they need more than what we had in our childhood. Looking back my grandparents, my great-grandparents had healthy lives. It’s because at that time they ate healthy food, they lived very simple life and were always contented. Pollution wasn’t a problem and the technology wasn’t greedy in nature. The life was at a slow pace and people were happy.

Today the time escapes real quickly. We want everything ready-made and fast. Competition is the modern demon in our life. If you skip even few seconds, the other one gets the chance. The competition can be seen everywhere from the boardroom to a classroom and from adults to children. Thus, it worries me when children in their delicate age miss their physical and mental growth. I can’t even imagine the kind of competition they face in the school. Be it taking participation in the extra-curricular activities or attending PT classes in school, their physical and mental growth matters.

Remember that embarrassing moment when the teachers always keep heighted kids in front and rest are in a back row? Or those smart kids who grasp everything fast and steal all the praises? These small things really hamper on children’s mental and physical growth. Children with short height get bullied and teased by their classmates. If this is not enough, children with low grades neither praised by the teachers nor by their parents.

Parents should instil healthy habits in children

I feel it’s very important that children should have a healthy growth and not just growth. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter how hard the competition is or who becomes the winner. For me, children should be raised with a healthy attitude that assures their mental and physical well-being. Pampering the children with healthy habits is the surefire way that guarantees your child’s best future. Don't you agree? 

Peace Vs Terror – (Heal the world)

Peace for all!

Even Michael Jackson sang his songs from the bottom of his heart. He wanted, wished and left no stone unturned to dream about the peaceful world. We all wanted and we sang together when he sang and he pleaded the world about the ‘Peace’ through his songs. But our idea about having a peaceful world always crashes down when some or the corner of the world gets hurt by the terrorist attacks and we shiver terribly.

I feel awful whenever I hear such terrible news and it’s not something new for us but for our weak hearts it is always terrible than before. Each country in this world is affected by the terrorism but I wonder why ‘Terror’ speaks louder than ‘Peace’? Is the ‘Peace’ getting cornered and threatened so much by the ‘Terror’ that is it hiding somewhere? The word ‘Peace’ has been stronger for years but somehow it is getting weaker day by day.

Look around you and you’ll realise terrorism is growing day by day as we bring more technologies making ourselves more vulnerable to problems. No, the technology alone is not responsible to these horrible consequences. Yes, problems are rooted in ourselves; in our thinking; in our greed to progress better. This progress has a materialistic base. It has no emotions, no feelings but only greed.

The terrorists are not only playing with our emotions but they are playing with the technology. That technology we thought will bring ‘Peace’ to the world has shattered our hopes. Terrorism was hammered through many mediums that ‘Peace’ thought all was okay with the world only to realise it wasn’t. By the time ‘Peace’ could do something, many peacemakers lost their lives by the hands of the terrorists. It’s because the peacemakers were too innocent to recognise the double face of ‘Terror’. They believed these similar-looking humans. Inside those human figures was none other than the terrorists.

Yes, some humans like us embraced the terrorism while others accepted, thought and hoped about the ‘Peace’. That’s when we went wrong. We did not realise that ‘Peace’ cannot be always calm and patient. We needed to embrace peaceful thoughts but the action-oriented attitude attached to them. When needed as a peacemaker we should be as tough as the terrorism. We aren’t encouraging violence; we’re encouraging the practicality that is needed in our actions.

We should become practical and tough as and when needed. We should change ourselves as the time is changing. The need of the hour is to become as tough as like Lara Croft in Tomb Rider and not Cinderella who keeps her hopes on fairies. The world is becoming cruel and we need to bring back the ‘Peace’ with a new face that matches to today’s time!

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

This post has been voted as a WOW post by BlogAdda

   

If money disappeared… Could we feel relieved?

It was a month end. He was facing a serious financial crunch. Now it was time to check all the drawers of his cupboard. He pulled out the drawers and emptied them. To his surprise, he couldn’t find a single rupee in one of the drawers. He checked again but his efforts went futile.

With frustrated look on his face, he took his wallet out but no money couldn’t find. He stormed out of the house and checked in one of the nearby cafes. As soon as he entered in the café his freaked nerves suddenly calmed as it surprised him the cool sight of the café.

As it surprised him the cool sight of the café.

He looked around. A group of men in their 40s were playing cards. Beside them a small boy was playing with his younger-looking probably maternal uncle. He was smiling from corner to corner and his smile was so contagious that Shekhar couldn’t help but to smile.

His gaze captured the entire scenario of the café. The owner of the café was quite relaxed while his waiters were happy to serve their customers. Shekhar took the opportunity and he took a corner seat from where he could observe everything. He thought.

The entire café was crowded yet some corners were left empty. Shekhar saw people were eating, laughing and seemed contented. Soon the group of men left. He saw they didn’t pay the money and the owner neither objected nor ask them to wait.

It shocked Shekhar and he hesitantly approached the counter.

“Hmm, hello sir, I wanted to know why you didn’t ask for the money to that group that just left.”

The owner did not utter a single word but indicated towards an empty drawer of his desk. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He went out of the café and took a deep breath.

He saw an ATM center across the street. He crossed the street. He entered at the ATM center and took his ATM card from the wallet. Entered some buttons and ATM showed an error message. “This ATM machine is no longer dispensing money. Today you’re the owner of unaffected happiness. Enjoy the bliss.”

Shekhar felt that things are spinning around him and he felt bit dizzy. 

He realised not only his money was gone but the money was disappeared from the world. Slowly and gradually he realised the world was so happy without the materialistic things. People from the café were engrossed in the things which were pure in nature. They had worldly time to indulge in chatting, playing and doing things which they wouldn’t have done in the presence of money.

Money made them slaves of time and everything. Money gave them less time for their relations and kept their lives waiting to happen for blissful things. This was a first time when people were relaxed and worry-free without money.

It was a miracle Shekhar was witnessing until he realised someone’s hand on his shoulder.

It was his wife Anamika.

“A call for you from credit card department” She gave the mobile to him.

A voice literally screamed in his ear and it was enough for him to bring back in the reality.

He cursed the plastic money and so his materialistic world!

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

        

This post has been voted as a WOW by BlogAdda

Six Degrees - Game of blogs (Book Review)

Book details

Title – Game of Blogs

Genre – Fiction

Publisher – Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd.

No of pages – 422

Primary characters – Shekhar, Tara, Roohi, Cyrus, Jennifer & Aryan

Interesting fact – The whole book revolves around the same characters with a different story each unfolding the excitement and thrill.  

About the book –

First of all, congratulations to Blogadda and the team for their daredevil act and doing such unique experiment. I know bloggers must have enjoyed and felt privileged to become a part of such experiment. Certainly, the outcome turned out really well.

The novel is itself a unique production where Blogadda brought several bloggers together to write new blog post everyday that eventually becomes a story to tell. I enjoyed reading each story with its twists and turns and here I’ve reviewed each story elaborately. 

• The Awakening by Team By Lines

The plot

The story goes around six characters Tara, Shekhar, Roohi, Aryan, Cyrus, & Jennifer though they remain in all stories as primary characters. Shekhar, Tara, and Roohi live in a close-knit family. The arrival of Cyrus in the family and followed by a series of incidents turns their lives upside down.

Shekhar, a freelance writer and work-from-home dad shares a great fancy about aliens and so his best friend Jennifer. Unaware of the fact that their fancy soon going to be a reality when Cyrus makes shocking revelations about Shekhar’s wife Tara and many other facts such as when they encounter to real aliens.

Will the family remain unaffected with the test of time? Will Tara, Shekhar and Roohi be capable of changing the future of entire humanity?

What I liked?

As the name suggest the story certainly has an eco-friendly angle and social message to it and to know what it is you should read it. The story has an alien element to it where it elaborates our old fancy about aliens. Unfortunately, the story failed to hold the attention of me but yes, the attempt was good.

My Rating 

3/5

• Entangled lives by Team Potliwale Baba

The plot

It’s either murder or the ghost that stirs a human curiosity really well and the team Potiliwale Baba has certainly outsmarted by inserting a murder angle to the story. A small, happy family’s happiness goes out of the window when the strangers intrude in the house and the murder takes place. A family of Shekhar, Tara and Roohi spend their lives under the terror as the police keep interfering and interrogating each day.

The murder somehow leaves no traces behind only to baffle the police, challenge their interrogations, the family and the strangers Cyrus and Jennifer more.  

What I liked?

Like I said the characters remain same but with a different story and each with lots of twists and turns. Somehow the bloggers have also kept the main characters’ professions as same in all stories. Or maybe they were instructed.

Anyways, long story short I really liked Entangled Lives written by team Potliwale Baba. They have successed in order to keep the excitement and guessing game high leaving readers to guess the murderer. The murder mystery neatly weaved with a psychological angle making this story a truly intriguing psychological thriller.

I really liked the tragic end of the story though we Indians aren’t used to it but this story stands out. Entangled lives, the story deserves the praise.

My rating

4.5/5

• Missing a journey within by Team Tete-a-Ten

The plot

Being missing is a journey to find out what is missing in our life. The story touches many sensitive issues shedding a light on practical problems and promises to deliver more than expected.

The story starts when a 9-year-old girl Roohi goes missing from the school and her parents’ world shatters. They try to find her by taking the help of social media such as Facebook and friends & family. On the other hand, there is Cyrus who goes missing leaving behind harsh revelations only to discover more. During this entire period when Roohi’s parents try to find her, they get closer when the career and family responsibilities strain their relationship. In the hope of finding their daughter they explore more of the life. It is a story among stories as it talks about Cyrus and his relationship with his friend Fanus Mistry, Aryan’s relationship with Sneha and more.

Now its readers how to find out whether Roohi’s parents find her or not? Do they get to reunite with their daughter? Do Cyrus parents accept him after knowing him as a gay?

What I liked?

The story is a journey of hope & love, patience & understanding, ambitions & prejudices and a perfect summary of life. The story has justified each character well and brought many social topics in order to shed a light on their seriousness.

This literary piece certainly made a lot of efforts to talk about same sex relationships, connecting a story with a psychological disorder, rape and ragging and also discovering ambitions and facing the fears. The story is simple yet it compiles many issues in a story to bring the right impact and contributing its share to the society.

My rating

3.5/5

Writing style

All the bloggers have done a fantastic job by pouring their creative juices into it to bring something unique yet creative. The writing style in all the stories is simple and easy to understand. It was definitely a literary feast. 

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

When dad shed a silent tear! (Happy Father's Day Special Short Story)

He pulled out an old album from the shelf. It had dust all over it. He carefully dusted it off and flipped the cover of it. On the first page of it stated boldly ‘Avanti Weds Kumar’. He flipped another page of it and a number of memories ran through his mind….

He held his doting daughter in his arms and his wife smiled at him. He was the father of that tiny joy of bundle. He was very happy about having his first child and it did not bother him at all whether she was a girl child. All he knew that he became a father.

Avanti started her first footsteps and he would record everything which was related to his daughter. He would buckle her shoes and would drop her to the school. Slowly and gradually his daughter was growing and she left the delicate years of her life behind and became a teenager. His unconditional love never changed throughout all these years but his daughter was certainly growing through major changes in her life.

She was no longer a teenager but reached to the marriageable age. He silently fulfilled all the responsibilities bringing the best of world to his daughter.

He fixed Avanti’s marriage to one of the relatives’ son. Everything was going smoothly until one day her would-be in-laws demanded 10 lakhs as a dowry. For the first time in his life he felt completely helpless and the tear rolled down to his cheek.

He was standing as if in a shock. He came to the senses when he realized Parvati’s (his wife) hand on his shoulder. He explained the plight and they both cried in each other arms unaware of the fact that Avanti was listening to their entire conversation.

Next morning Avanti stepped out of the house. She came to home in the afternoon and handed over a printed wedding card to her dad’s hand. He was surprised to see the name printed on the front page of the wedding card. It said ‘Avanti Weds Kumar’. She then explained the whole story that her best friend Kumar was secretly in love with her but could not gather courage. Today morning when she met him and told him about the dowry thing, he immediately proposed her. She also told to her father that it was his idea to quickly print the wedding card.

Avanti’s dad was speechless by the pleasant surprise and both embraced each other. Finally, his daughter made the whole burden feel like feather-weighted. The big day arrived and Avanti got married.

At Avanti’s house….

Avanti opened her wedding album. After turning some pages she was stuck on one image and kept staring at it. It was her father taking her in his arms. She realized how much her father had shed silent tears while bringing her up and giving her best of everything. At this moment, she was glad that she heard one of the heaviest silent tears of her dad!

Her dearest dad who gave the best of the world while he shed a silent tear!

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

The above story has been voted as a WOW post by Blogadda

The seat beside her was empty (short story)

The seat beside her was empty

When she reached to the airport, she dropped her baggage on the carousel and went ahead. Her flight was as usual late. She took a seat in a front row of the waiting area and she idly played with her mobile phone. Soon she realized the seat beside her was empty that took her back in the flashback.

It was one of the busy afternoons at the airport. Announcements were continuously made on the speaker; flights were taking off and landing and travelers were rushing from one point to another. The whole scenario was a common routine for people at the airport but something new was about to happen in Ruchi’s life.

“Hi, is anyone occupying this seat?”

She looked up and found a well-dressed guy approached her asking about the seat.

“Huh, oh yes! Why not?”

After giving her approval she thought the guy was trying to make a conversation with her. The seats weren't her property she spoke to herself and she was right. After few minutes, the guy made her almost comfortable with the way he talked to her. Finally, he was successful to get her phone number as well. After exchanging the numbers they crossed their paths to take their respective flights.

She thought this was the end of it. After few days, she received a call from Rahul asking her to meet for the coffee. Slowly and gradually before she even realize, Rahul captivated her life and their started seeing each other more often.

He taught her how to make Maggie while she taught him how to be more polite towards elderly people. His touch was nice and gently but he was still brash. She needed him when the toughest times came and he needed her when he would cry like a baby. They complemented each other very well and their relation each day was blending with new shade of life.

Unfortunately, Ruchi was yet to see the harsh side of life. Rahul’s heart was now ruled by someone. She was a flawless beauty working as an air-hostess. She caught his attention when flying thirty thousand feet above while Ruchi was completely floored on the ground. There was no one to grab the empty seat beside her and no one to take care of her empty heart. She never thought a random encounter at the airport would end up such way. She felt she should have left the seat empty and not to occupied by anyone not a seat, not in her life!

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

The Above post has been a WOW Post by BlogAdda!