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Archives: Books

Burning Bright

The true story of the ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’ who fasted for 16 years against AFSPA

Ten innocent people were mowed down by security forces in Malom, a village near Imphal, in November 2000. The perpetrators were not punished, protected under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which empowers military and para-military personnel to arrest, shoot, even kill, anyone on the grounds of mere suspicion. In response to this tragedy–one among many such atrocities–Irom Sharmila, a young Manipuri, began an indefinite hunger strike. The government arrested her and force-fed her through nasal tubes. She was released and re-arrested innumerable times, but she stood by her demand. In July 2016, Irom brought her sixteen years of hunger strike to an end, and decided to contest the elections.

Burning Bright is a hard-hitting account of a people caught between the crossfire of militants and security forces; of a once-sovereign kingdom whose culture has been brutally violated; of the many voices of dissent-from underground groups to the Meira Paibis, a women’s movement opposed to all forms of violence whether by the state or insurgents and a moving portrait of ‘the Iron Lady of Manipur’.

You Are Simply Perfect! A Mindfulness and Self-Awareness Guide for Tweens and Teens

A self-help guide-cum-journal for self-exploration

Jealousy. Bullying. Anger. Anxiety. Body image issues. Selfies and social media addiction . . . Are you grappling with any of these?

Let’s be honest, juggling school, extra classes, home, friendships and new relationships can be hard. It’s difficult to find balance and really, really tough not to get affected by the ‘happy’ content we see online. But what is genuine happiness vis-à-vis short-term pleasure? Are we even looking for it in the right place?

Written by a renowned psychologist, this beautifully illustrated book is divided into five parts that will help in easing everyday anxieties. Learn to make friends with yourself, your body, mind and feelings, and to deal with difficult emotions and situations.

You Are Simply Perfect! will equip you with life-changing tools to find contentment–in school and outside. Find your own quiet spaces inside this book with journal pages left for you to write and reflect.

CREATE YOUR OWN POTION OF CALM

· Guided step-by-step wisdom solutions
· Empowering prompts and meditation practices
· Interesting anecdotes
· Plenty of mindfulness exercises to encourage self-reflection
· A perfect gift and keepsake

Kathmandu Dilemma

‘…unmatched in its meticulous and careful research into the wellsprings of a truly unique relationship between two neighbouring states.’ SHYAM SARAN

‘Ranjit Rae’s portrayal of India-Nepal relations from the Indian perspective is meticulous, nuanced and insightful.” S.D. MUNI

‘Ranjit Rae breaks down the paradox of India’s very intimate yet troubled relationship with Nepal.’ C. RAJA MOHAN

The first two decades of the new millennium have witnessed a dramatic socio-political transformation of Nepal. A violent Maoist insurgency ended peacefully, a new constitution abolished the monarchy and established a secular federal democratic republic. Nevertheless, political stability and a peace dividend have both remained elusive. Nepal is also buffeted by changing geopolitics, including the US-China contestation for influence and the uneasy relationship between India and China.

As a close neighbour, India has been deeply associated with the seminal changes in Nepal, and the bilateral relationship has seen many twists and turns. Partly a memoir, this book examines India’s perspective on these developments, in the context of the civilizational and economic underpinnings of the India-Nepal relationship, as well as issues that continue to prevent this relationship from exploiting its full potential. Though there are several Nepalese accounts that deal with this subject, there are few from an Indian point of view. Kathmandu Dilemma fills this gap.

Dinosaurs, Pandas and Pals Activity Book

From prehistoric dinos and bugs to pandas and sharks, the numerous animals inside this quirky activity book provide hours of creative fun for kids.

Jam-packed with colouring pages and fantastic activities like interactive puzzles, dot-to-dot, spot the difference and playing peek-a-boo with animals, Dinosaurs, Pandas and Pals Activity Book is the perfect companion to keep young minds engaged.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER WAY TO PLAY AND LEARN!

KEY FEATURES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· Children can follow mazes that feature prompts for problem-solving along the way.

· They can trace the path to the desired end, colour in the pictures, use the colour by number prompt to create a mystery picture, find the differences between two pictures, complete the drawings, connect the dots, learn to draw a simple picture, match the identical objects, find and circle objects, order the events, and much more.

· Gorgeously packaged with over 40 fun activities.

· Suitable for parent-child association.

· Each activity also offers an opportunity for introducing core concepts, such as counting, colours, and animal and bug names.

· The entertaining activities encourage children to develop problem-solving skills as well as strengthen hand-eye coordination as they handle writing instruments.

· Carefully researched, these books aim to build vocabulary through picture-word association for toddlers, pre-schoolers.

· Full of bright, colourful pictures to make learning easy, accessible, engaging and fun.

· A must for every library; in school or at home.

Princesses, Mermaids and Unicorns Activity Book

From mermaids and princesses to unicorns and fairies, the fairyland brought alive inside this quirky activity book provides hours of creative fun for kids.

Jam-packed with colouring pages and fantastic activities like interactive puzzles, dot-to-dot, spot the difference and playing peek-a-boo with fairies, Princesses, Mermaids and Unicorns Activity Book is the perfect companion to keep young minds engaged.

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER WAY TO PLAY AND LEARN!

KEY FEATURES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· Children can follow mazes that feature prompts for problem-solving along the way.

· They can trace the path to the desired end, colour in the pictures, use the colour by number prompt to create a mystery picture, find the differences between two pictures, complete the drawings, connect the dots, learn to draw a simple picture, match the identical objects, find and circle objects, order the events, and much more.

· Gorgeously packaged with over 40 fun activities.

· Suitable for parent-child association.

· Each activity also offers an opportunity for introducing core concepts, such as counting, colours, and animal and bug names.

· The entertaining activities encourage children to develop problem-solving skills as well as strengthen hand-eye coordination as they handle writing instruments.

· Carefully researched, these books aim to build vocabulary through picture-word association for toddlers, pre-schoolers.

· Full of bright, colourful pictures to make learning easy, accessible, engaging and fun.

· A must for every library; in school or at home.

What It Takes To Be Free

This book is for people who also believe personal freedom is the most important thing in life.

In our free world, we can do what want, spend time with people we like, and have a career that gives us joy. And yet, we don’t use our freedom. Why is that?

The problem is that we’re held captive by ourselves. On a deeper level, we all strive for the same thing: To be free. It’s in our nature.

Every human has the desire and the need to be free. What It Takes To Be Free will lead you on the path to personal freedom. It’s a highly practical guide that’s based on timeless wisdom and personal experience.

You’re the ruler of your own kingdom. You can do anything you want, spend time with people you like, and have a career that you love. If you’re willing to do what it takes, you will be free to do those things.

Are you ready?

Win Your Inner Battles

Are you ready to take charge of your life? Whether it’s changing careers, starting a business, meeting deadlines without stress, ending a toxic relationship, or simply finding fulfillment, this book is your guide to overcoming the barriers that hold you back.

In Win Your Inner Battles, you’ll discover how to:

  • Overcome fear and self-doubt
  • Build unshakable confidence
  • Stop overthinking and start acting
  • Create a life that aligns with your true desires

This book is rooted in real-life experiences, offering practical advice to help you tackle life’s challenges head-on. No matter how difficult your situation may seem, there’s always a path to a better life.

Take the first step towards living on your own terms—because the power to change is within you.

The Prophet (PREMIUM PAPERBACK, PENGUIN INDIA)

The Prophet is a work of spiritual fiction, penned by the famous Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran. Through twenty-eight poetic essays, the book delves into the very depths of human condition-offering timeless wisdom about life and its many ups and downs.
A true mirror to the human soul, this book reveals the deepest truths of human life. Within the pages of this book is everything you need to know about life, death, and everything in between.
Philosophical, spiritual, and above all inspirational, The Prophet is a modern classic that has sold millions of copies since its English publication in 1923, inspiring generations of thinkers and readers. It is truly a life-changing book-honest, soul-touching, and absolutely awe-inspiring.

The Unforgiving City and Other Stories

AN ECLECTIC COLLECTION OF STORIES BY ONE OF INDIA’S MOST EXCITING NEW WRITERS

From the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi winner Vasudhendra comes a powerful collection of stories that shock, move and amuse by turns. As the characters struggle to find their feet in a fast-changing India, they mirror our unspoken dilemmas, torn loyalties and the loss of innocence.

In the extremely popular ‘Red Parrot’, an innocuous image from childhood returns to haunt a man when he visits his idyllic hometown. In ‘Recession’, the desire for a child leads a couple down unexpected paths. In other stories, a young woman in love rethinks her future when buried family secrets are suddenly revealed; a boy learns that insomnia may be the symptom of something more ominous; lonely apartment residents discover the thrills and perils of social media.

Deftly crafted with gentle wit and a lightness of touch, each gripping story exposes the deepest contradictions of modern life. The fluid translation retains the flavour and nuances of the original Kannada, creating a rich reading experience.

FROM THE BOOK

‘The dance was called Paper Dance, where couples were asked to dance within the boundaries of a newspaper spread out on the floor. Stepping out of the boundary led to disqualification. As Devika was single, someone from the crowd stepped forward. It was Vinayak Kulakarni. . . . Devika sensed her partner’s hesitation. He would forget his steps the moment he touched her. His ears turned red and he refused to look into her eyes. His boisterous friends shouted to him from behind: “Hey, Kulki, come on, get closer.” But, the more she boldly held his waist and drew him nearer, the more he would shrink; he held on to her gingerly. Devika egged him on nonstop, eventually helping him break out of his shyness. By the time the newspaper size shrank to the size of a paper towel, they were still in the game and, finally, Devika won. That was when she whispered her mobile number in his ear.’

The Battle of Rezang La

On 18 November 1962, the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, fought a Chinese attack at Rezang La Pass in Ladakh, India. The company comprised 120 soldiers and was led by Maj. Shaitan Singh. Of these soldiers, 110 were martyred in the attack.

The Indian search party, which visited the battlefield on 10 February 1963, made a startling discovery-the frozen bodies of the men who had died were still holding guns in their hands, having taken bullets on their chests. One PVC (Param Vir Chakra), eight VCs (Vir Chakras), four SMs (Sena Medals) and one M-in-D (Mentioned-in-Dispatches) were awarded to the soldiers of the Charlie Company, making it one of the highest decorated companies of the Indian Army to this day. The valour of the Charlie Company not only successfully stopped China’s advance, but it also resulted in the Chushul airport being saved, thereby preventing a possible Chinese occupation of the entire Ladakh region in 1962. According to reports, a total of 1300 Chinese soldiers were killed trying to capture Rezang La. The Charlie Company was an all-Ahir company, and most of the soldiers who fought the battle at 18,000 feet came from the plains of Haryana. The Battle of Rezang La is their story.

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