Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976) is widely remembered as the fiery iconoclast who fought against the structures of oppression and orthodoxy. The iconic ‘rebel poet’ of Bengal, Nazrul continues to be loved for his songs and poetry. But what of his prose, his journalism, and his politics?
Selected Essays reveals to us the extraordinary versatility of Nazrul as an essayist. Addressing subjects as diverse as social reform, politics, communal harmony, environmental concerns, education, aesthetics, ethics, and philosophy, this rich collection showcases Nazrul’s dynamic vision and unique use of language as an instrument of change. The essays chart his evolving consciousness as a thinker, writer and activist, offering vivid glimpses of the ethos of his times, his relationships with leading figures such as Tagore and Gandhi, and his active engagement with social, political and cultural processes. These new translations bring Nazrul’s powerful voice to life, all its vibrant immediacy.
Archives: Books
Brahmanda Purana
‘Among the eighteen classic Hindu texts called the Puranas, the Brahmanda Purana recounts the stories and lores associated with Brahma, the creator and one of the trinities of the supreme divinity along with Vishnu and Shiva. A relatively early Purana, its composition can be traced back to approximately 400 to 600 BCE, predating many other Hindu texts. Volume 1 of the two-volume set tells stories on creation, cosmology, and geography, with lineages of rishis and shraddha rites, ending with Parashurama’s story. Translated and annotated from the original Sanskrit by Bibek Debroy, this edition of the Brahmanda Purana is a precious and rare volume for the lovers of Hindu mythology and religion.
This is the sixth volume in the Purana series; the others include the Bhagavata Purana, the Markandeya Purana, the Brahma Purana, Vishnu Purana, and the Shiva Purana.’
What Happened to Grandpa | A picture book that focuses on the connection between a girl and her grandfather in face of all odds | Ages 6+
Something strange is happening to Grandpa. Words and names are slipping away, and favourite faces and places are becoming distant memories.
As Grandpa’s family seems to be losing him, it is up to Neha to remind them about the things he stood for. She shares his adventures and spins his stories, but will that help them remember Grandpa and celebrate him?
In this heartwarming picture book about love, loss, and remembering, discover the priceless bond we have with grandparents and how their memories live on.
The Elephant Moves
Charting out a roadmap for India depends on a sound understanding of how India is unique and why it is shaped the way it is.
The Elephant Moves unfolds a captivating saga, tracing India’s economic journey through the lens of competitiveness. From unraveling economic history (‘origins unveiled”) to navigating global dynamics (“sailing the tides”), the book explores the forces shaping nations. It delves into the facets of many Indias, unveiling opportunities in heterogeneity.
Envisioning India’s path to a developed economy by 2047, the book addresses challenges such as job creation, policy implementation, and the imperative for shared prosperity that are met through guiding principles grounded in shared value, social progress, and prosperity. Providing a dynamic vision for India’s diverse future, the book urges readers to embrace a narrative where India, rooted in regional diversity, shapes its global destiny.
Gobind – From the bestselling author of Calling Sehmat and Vichhoda comes another powerful story of love, honour and sacrifice!
The story of a man who will stop for nothing but love and will give nothing less than complete loyalty!
Born in an impoverished Sikh family in Bihar, Gobind is content to live under the long shadow of poverty. Then, one day, moved by his father’s words, Gobind vows to uplift his life and change his and his family’s fortunes forever.
A soldier at heart, he joins the Indian Navy and becomes a shining star, all set to achieve great success. No one though knows the pain he’s carrying in his heart—that of an unfulfilled promise, an unrequited love.
Soon fate throws him one more challenge—on an assignment to Russia he meets someone who’s not only extraordinarily beautiful, but also reminds him of his lost love. The only catch is, being with her will jeopardize the pledge he made to the navy notwithstanding his heroic rescue of his course mates.
What decision will he make? Who will he choose? Which promise will he break?
A thriller, a love story, a saga of passion and human endurance, Gobind is a page-turner that will keep you spell bound long after you’ve finished reading it.
The Idea of Democracy
Today global democracy is at a crossroads because of the rise in polarized politics, authoritarian regimes and the use of social media to manipulate and amplify lies, hate and misinformation.
While electoral democracy continues to be the most prevalent form of government, a series of indicators measuring political and civic freedom reveal that the institution of democracy is in deep distress. With the liberal foundations of democracy shakier than ever before, confidence in institutions has plummeted. This book looks at this paradox of so-called democratic success coupled with its liberal decline. It provides a detailed analysis of the essence of democracy, its workings, the kind of values it needs to encapsulate, forces and safeguards which work in liberal democracy’s favour and how they can be preserved.
This book is meant to stimulate conversation, particularly among the youth on what the idea of democracy means to them and the role that they can play in helping democracy survive—and thrive—in the coming era.
Discovering the Secrets of Divine Love
Unlock your spiritual potential with Secrets of Divine Love and Secrets of Divine Love Journal!
Secrets of Divine Love draws upon the spiritual secrets of the Qu’ran, mystical poetry and stories from the world’s greatest prophets and spiritual masters to help you reignite your faith, overcome your doubts and deepen your connection with God. The book uses a rational yet heart-based approach towards the Qu’ran that not only enlightens the mind, but also inspires the soul towards deeper intimacy with God.
The Secrets of Divine Love Journal, based on the award-winning book, can help you foster a deeper relationship with Allah by connecting you with the heart of your faith in a more intimate and inspiring way. Beautifully designed, each chapter of the Secrets of Divine Love Journal starts with a quote from Secrets of Divine Love alongside a verse of the Qur’an followed by a story and reflection, a heart-opening prayer, journal prompts, a quote to contemplate upon, and a closing prayer of gratitude.
Filled with practical exercises and guided meditations, these books will help you to reflect upon and enjoy your faith from a more holistic perspective.
Clash
Amazon and Walmart, with more than half a trillion in revenues annually, are the two largest companies in the world. They have not only redefined the retail industry—Walmart in the 1980s/1990s and Amazon since 2000—but have also been the benchmark for business best practices (e.g., the use of IT, supply chain, data analytics, customer orientation). This year, it is anticipated that Amazon will dethrone Walmart as the world’s largest company, a position that Walmart has occupied for more than two decades.
By examining these two companies and their business models in depth, Professor Nirmalya Kumar elucidates on the more general phenomenon of incumbents competing with disruptors (e.g., Volkswagen vs Tesla, Marriott vs Airbnb) as well as the move to omnichannel retail where physical stores must coexist with online retailers.
Job Search Secrets (Hindi)/Job Search Secrets/जॉब सर्च सीक्रेट्स
नौकरी बाज़ार और साक्षात्कार प्रक्रिया कैसे काम करती है, इसकी समझ की कमी के कारण हजारों प्रतिभाशाली लोग योग्य नौकरियों के लिए संघर्ष करते हैं। इसलिए यह पुस्तक अत्यंत प्रासंगिक हो जाती है – पहली बार नौकरी के बाज़ार में प्रवेश करने वालों के लिए और जो लोग मध्य-कैरियर स्विच करना चाहते हैं उनके लिए भी। इस पुस्तक का विषय ही कुछ ऐसा है कि अधिक से अधिक लोग पुस्तक को पढ़ना चाहेंगे, ताकि वे इन नौकरी खोजने के रहस्यों को तोड़ सकें और अपनी वास्तविक क्षमता प्राप्त कर सकें। विश्लेषकों का कहना है कि यह पुस्तक किसी भी नौकरी चाहने वाले के लिए आज और कल अवश्य पढ़ी जानी चाहिए।
10 Indian Languages and How They Came to Be (10s Series)
This book talks about ten Indian languages—of the thousand-odd languages spoken in India—and their evolution, transformation and development. These languages are:
Tamil
Telugu
Brahui
Santali
Khasi
Kokborok
Manipuri
Marathi
Punjabi
Hindi
Karthik Venkatesh traces the long and varied journeys of these languages through time, examining the cultural shifts and political and social influences that have shaped them. He provides a glimpse of their literature, tracks the growth of their scripts and identifies landmark moments that have preserved and reinvented these ten Indian languages.