I have come to believe that the best kind of walk, or journey, is the one in which you have no particular destination when you set out.’ Ruskin Bond’s travel writing is unlike what is found in most travelogues, because he will take you to the smaller, lesser-known corners of the country, acquaint you with the least-famous locals there, and describe the flora and fauna that others would have missed. And if the place is well known, Ruskin leaves the common tourist spots to find a small alley or shop where he finds colourful characters to engage in conversation. Tales of the Open Road is a collection of Ruskin Bond’s travel writing over fifty years. Here, you will encounter a tonga ride through the Shivaliks, a hidden waterfall near Rishikesh, walks along the myriad streets of Delhi (one of which used to be the richest in Asia), trips down the Grand Trunk Road, stopovers in little tea stalls in the hills around Mussoorie, and an excursion to the icy source of the Ganga at over ten thousand feet above sea level. Enriched by rare photographs that Ruskin took during his travels, Tales of the Open Road is a celebration of small-town and rural India by its most engaging chronicler.
Catagory: Non Fiction
non fiction main category
The Romance Of Tata Steel
‘Russi has captured the “touch and feel” of events in Tata Steel from its early days . . . he also succeeds in bringing to life the human side of the company in a very readable and cogent manner. The book is a valuable and interesting record of the company’s evolution over its 100-year history, while at the same time being an enjoyable book to read.’ —From the Foreword by Ratan N. Tata
‘The hand of history has woven the tapestry of the Tatas. Just over a hundred years ago Jamsetji Tata requested the Secretary of State in PBI – India, Lord George Hamilton, for the co-operation of the British Raj in starting PBI – India’s first steel works. On the hundredth anniversary of the registration of Tata Iron & Steel Company, the company won the bid to purchase the Anglo-Dutch steel giant CORUS. And so the wheel has turned a full circle.’
R.M. Lala traces a hundred years and more of the exciting history of Tata Steel—from men searching for iron ore and coking coal in jungle areas, traversing in bullock carts before the site was found, to the company’s modern status as a PBI – World-class company. He brings to life a seldom-voiced account of the courage, vision and commitment of the men who created PBI – India’s first modern industrial venture which was to be the fountainhead of its industrial growth. The story Lala recounts is an eventful one of struggle for finances, of survival under unimaginable government controls, the evolution of incredibly humane labour practices (like an eight-hour work day much before it was a Western concept), the effort to compete as liberalization was ushered in, and Tata Steel’s ultimate triumph. For over a hundred years, Tata Steel has promoted a culture of philanthropy perhaps unequalled in the corporate PBI – World.
The Romance of Tata Steel is a moving and fascinating account that draws upon extensive archival material and rare photographs to paint a compelling story that all PBI – Indians can be proud of. This informed and objective book is a fitting tribute to an exceptional PBI – Indian company in its centenary year.
The Book Of Nature
A delightful read… no one understands nature like Ruskin Bond and it takes his ability to put this wonder into words’-Deccan Chronicle For over half a century, Ruskin Bond has celebrated the wonder and beauty of nature as few other contemporary writers have, or indeed can. This collection brings together the best of his writing on the natural world, not just in the Himalayan foothills that he has made his home, but also in the cities and small towns that he lived in or travelled through as a young man. In these pages, he writes of leopards padding down the lanes of Mussoorie after dark, the first shower of the monsoon in Meerut that brings with it a tumult of new life, the chorus of insects at twilight outside his window, ancient banyan trees and the short-lived cosmos flower, a bat who strays into his room and makes a night less lonely… This volume proves, yet again, that for the serenity and lyricism of his prose and his sharp yet sympathetic eye, Ruskin Bond has few equals. ‘Once again this writer from Mussoorie captivates with his collection of nature pieces -Sunday Midday ‘Bond uses his pen as a brush to paint sensuous images of his experiences with nature and beckons his readers into his imagination … a book that relaxes the eyes, rests the mind, lulls the noise and lets one drift into the idyllic life with nature that most of us are unable to lead’-Dawn
A Town Called Dehra
In this delightful collection; Ruskin Bond introduces us to the Dehradun he knows intimately and loves unreservedly—the town that he had spent many years of his childhood and youth in. A town which; when he knew it; was one of pony-drawn tongas and rickshaws; a town fond of gossip but tolerant of human foibles; a town of lush lichi trees; charming winter gardens and cool streams; a small town; a sleepy town; a town called ‘Dehra’.
With classic stories and poems like ‘Masterji’; ‘Growing up with Trees’and ‘A Song for Lost Friends’ and previously unpublished treasures like ‘Silver Screen’; ‘Dilaram Bazaar’ and ‘Lily of the Valley’; this anthology is replete with journal entries; extracts from the author’s memoirs and; of course; poetry; non-fiction and stories set in or inspired by Dehra.
Evocative; wistful and witty as only Ruskin Bond can be; A Town Called Dehra is a celebration of a dearly-loved town as well as an elegy for a way of life gone extinct.
Leadership @infosys
‘Powered by intellect, driven by values’—Infosys has been at the forefront of a new India Inc. since 1981. Leadership @ Infosys is the first book to codify Infosys’s unique history, values and leadership practices that account for the firm’s stellar rise from US$ 200 seed capital to a multibillion dollar global enterprise.
As an extension of Infosys’s tradition of growing leaders through a programme called Leaders Teach, the book captures the origins of Infosys’s leadership approach and leverages advanced psychometrics to identify current leaders who are exceptionally effective in Infosys’s leadership model. These leaders share approaches that they believe account for their successes, and are candid about where they stumbled in the past to help junior leaders avoid their mistakes.
Chapters based on Infosys’s Leadership Journey Series include discussions of strategic leadership, change leadership, operational leadership, talent leadership, relationship and networking leadership, content leadership and entrepreneurial leadership by thought leaders in each area, and feature a state-of-the-science review of leadership research along with practical examples that leaders can use to improve their performance and aptitude to take on increasing levels of responsibility.
The Kitemaker
Ruskin Bond wrote his first short story, ‘Untouchable’, at the age of sixteen in 1950. Since then he has written over a hundred stories, including the classics ‘A Face in the Dark’, ‘The Kitemaker’, ‘The Tunnel’ and ‘Time Stops at Shamli’. Two of his autobiographical works, ‘Life with Father’ and ‘My Father’s Last Letter’, are also included in this selection.
Filled with characteristic warmth, gentle humour and keen observations on daily life, this collection brings together some of the fi nest short fiction by one of India’s best-loved authors.
English Bites!
English Bites! My ‘Fullproof’ English Learning Formula is the story of a man who went from being tongue-tied in school to becoming a smooth talking banker. Through a series of hilarious personal adventures and misadventures, Manish Gupta provides easy solutions to problems faced by language learners.
So, whether you are a vernacular speaker, a GRE/GMAT/CAT/XAT aspirant or just a language nut, English Bites! will expand your vocabulary and improve your verbal ability. It may even help you love the English language a little more.
Playing To Win
‘. . . being a player from India defines who I am. When I play, it’s for my parents, my coach, and my country.’
Meet Saina Nehwal—India’s star badminton player and World Number 4, Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee, the girl who brought laurels to India by winning an Olympic medal at the age of twenty-two. In this fascinating memoir, she talks about her childhood and growing–up years; her relationship with the most important people in her life; the ups and downs of her celebrated career, from district level wins to the Olympics; and the sacrifices needed to succeed in any sport. She also reveals little-known facts and offers a peek into her many avatars—daughter, sister, student, and the regular girl behind the badminton prodigy.
Find out what a typical day in Saina’s life is like—rigorous training, a strict diet, and no parties or sleepovers. But it’s not all work and no play; Saina loves to shop, eat ice cream (post wins only), and play games on her iPad!
With candid photographs and badminton tips from the pro herself, this book showcases the making of a badminton champ—in her own words.
100 Tips to Crack the IIT
Two IITians have teamed up to conjure 100 tips and tricks to crack the IIT. Their only mantra is ‘Smart work will trump hard work’. It not only answers questions about all things physics, chemistry and maths but also addresses issues that students worry about and don’t know whom to ask: Night owls vs early risers What does one do in class 11? Writing a formula 84 times to remember it Using WWE-style cards to make learning fun Colour-coded notebooks Getting the most out of lab experiments If tutorials and textbooks are professors, this book is that clever friend whom you meet outside the classroom and ask all your questions.
Body Goddess
With our lives our bodies too are changing.
Puberty, pregnancy, obesity, thyroid, PCOS, menopause, stress–as women go through different stages of life, their bodies too transform accordingly. So how does one deal with these changes? Bollywood’s most celebrated yoga expert, Payal Gidwani Tiwari comes to your rescue. From the basics of yoga to their practical application in our day to day life–Payal’s essential mantras guarantee not just weight loss but also promise a healthier lifestyle. Designed for all age groups, this book comes enriched with easy to follow exercise regimes and invaluable tips.
Body Goddess is indispensable for every woman who wants to look and feel like a diva.