Narendra Modi, social media and elections

Election fever has gripped the country and it is inevitable to talk about the contribution of the social media in political campaigns, the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, and the bureaucracy. IANS picks up something from these varied topics. Take a look.

Jaswant Singh’s book on Jinnah already tops chart

By IANS, New Delhi : The controversial book "Jinnah: India-Partition Independence" by Jaswant Singh predictably tops the non-fiction section of the bestseller list here in the first week of its release while Ali Sethi's "The Wish Maker: A Novel" continued at the No.1 position in the fiction category for the third week in a row. The top 10 in each section are: Non-fiction 1. "Jinnah: India-Partition Independence" Author: Jaswant Singh Publisher: Rupa Price: Rs.695.00 2. "The Idea of Justice" Author: Amartya Sen Publisher: Penguin Allen Lane

Celebrating Kashmiriyat to tales from the battlefield

An ode to the resilience of Kashmiri women, to inspiring stories from the battlefield, to a journey of healing is what IANS has for its readers this weekend. Take a look. 1. Book: The Land I Dream Of; Author: Manisha Sobhrajani; Publisher: Hachette; Pages: 191; Price: Rs.399

Indian in Oman writes a family saga

By IANS, Dubai : An expatriate Indian woman in Oman has written a new novel, a family saga set in India and Oman. Sunaina Serna Ahluwalia's "A Safe Harbour" is the story of two women, Afreen Luthra and her daughter Trishala. It is a modern-day suspense-cum family saga set in India and Oman, which is home to a large expatriate Indian community. India's Ambassador to Oman Anil Wadhwa launched the book at a function in Muscat where officials of the National Association for Cancer Awareness (NACA) and the ambassadors of Britain and Malaysia were present.

From Gautam Bhatia comes graphic novel, miniature style

By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS, New Delhi : Filled with rich visual imagery in miniature art style, Bihar is a tale of rise, fall and redemption in architect-writer Gautam Bhatia\'s new graphic novel, \"Lie: A Traditional Tale of Modern India\". "If good politics is about governance, how can a minister inaugurate a speedbreaker when people do not have enough food? Or a conference on drought degenerate into a debate over wines among the delegates?" Bhatia told IANS in an informal chat, explaining the context of the book.

Prabhakar’s death marks end of an era of Hindi literature

By IANS, New Delhi : Gandhian poet and writer Vishnu Prabhakar, who died here Saturday, was the last link between contemporary Hindi literature and that of the pre-Independence era. Prabhakar, 97, died after a prolonged illness. He is survived by two sons and two daughters. He was best known for "Awara Maseeha" (1974), his engaging biography of Bengali novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and his trademark white Gandhi cap that he wore till the end of his life.

Meher Fatima talks about her book on 150 patriotic Indian Muslims

By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net, The book Celebrating India: Reflections on Eminent Indian Muslims (1857-2007) provides biographical profiles of 150 patriotic Indian Muslims, many of them unsung heroes – those who did not become party to the two-nation theory. Author Meher Fatima Hussain, Lecturer at Jamia Millia Islamia, talks to Mumtaz Alam Falahi of TwoCircles.net on her book. What inspired you to write this book?

Day 2 of AMU Litfest focuses on threats to literature and democracy

Sharjeel Usmani for TwoCircles.net The Cultural Education Centre (CEC) of the historic Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on the second day of the AMU Literary Festival...

Crime novelist La Plante accused of being copycat

By DPA, Sydney : Best-selling crime writer Lynda La Plante's 1993 novel "Entwined" contains passages lifted from Auschwitz survivor Olga Lengyel's 1947 memoir "Five Chimneys", news reports said Saturday. The multimillionaire British author denied plagiarism but admitted to The Sydney Morning Herald that a research assistant may have been the culprit.

Pride of place for vernacular Indian writing at London Book Fair

By IANS, New Delhi : The London Book Fair, which is focussing on India as an emerging market and literary hub this year, will take a look at not only English writing from the south Asian nation but also other vernacular languages, said Alistair Burtenshaw, group exhibition director of the event. The April 20-22 fair will also introduce new Indian writers to publishers and sellers from 67 countries, said Burtenshaw, who was here Thursday to promote the event.

‘The Brown Sahebs’: An interesting take on India’s colonial legacy

By Jaideep Sarin, Book: "The Brown Sahebs"; Publisher: Vitasta Publishing; Pages: 320; Price: Rs.295 American movies and literature are iconoclastic. Hollywood loves to make movies in which the US president gets hijacked ("Air Force One"), or the White House is under siege ("White House Down"). Indian movies and books, by and large play safe, probably afraid of fictionalizing situations which the authorities would frown upon. Thus Anupam Srivastava's "The Brown Sahebs" surprises when its protagonist, Pratap, defaces with provocative poetry the dome of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the majestic residence of India's president.

Of Tata, Bhabha and good old dramatic tales

By IANS, [IANS book this week] New Delhi : Some home truths about towering edifices and small pleasures of stories smartly told. The cache this week is a mix of serious non-fiction and fiction: 1. Book: "Tata: The Evolution of a Corporate Brand"; Written by Morgen Witzel; Published by Penguin Books India; Priced Rs.599

Unravelling corruption: Man who started it all

By Brij Khandelwal, IANS, Book: "Bhrastachar, Atankvad aur Hawala Karobar"; Author: Vineet Narain; Publisher: Kalchakra Samachar Trust; Pages: 340 pages; Price: Rs.200

Tale of magical realism, dark but uplifting too (Book Review)

By IANS, Book: "The Lost Fragrance"; Author: Amit Dasgupta; Published by: Wisdom Tree; Price: Rs.195.

‘Shia Islam’ book introduced in Madrid

By IRNA, Madrid : A book named 'Shia Islam, a research in history, beliefs and Families,' which has been published by Iran's Cultural Attache in Madrid was introduced on Friday by professor Jose Maria Blaskes, an Spanish Iranologist and historian. The book has been published in cooperation with Department of Islam and Arab in Complutense University. In a ceremony to introduce the book, a number of Spanish Iranologists, professors from Tehran University and Iranians residing in Spain were present.

क्या ये प्रेमचंद हमारे ज़माने की ज़रूरत नहीं हैं?

वैसे, हमारे वक़्त में प्रेमचंद का क्या काम? ज़ाहिर है, ऐसा लग सकता है. प्रेमचंद का इंतक़ाल 1936 में यानी आज से 81 साल...

Dalai Lama, sports, Delhi on book cart

By IANS, New Delhi : Settle in with a book from the colourful shelf this weekend. 1. "Upwardly Mobile"; Written by Ranjini Manian; Published by Penguin India; Priced at Rs.250

Sobhraj readies to sue Dhondy over ‘Bikini Murders’

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, Kathmandu : Within 48 hours of launching his new book "The Bikini Murders" in New Delhi, author and screenplay writer Farrukh Dhondy is all set to get the kind of controversy needed to make the book a bestseller. His "old friend" Charles Sobhraj, who according to media reports is the prototype of the Saigon-born hero in Dhondy's book, is readying to sue the author. "My French and British lawyers are reading the book," Sobhraj told IANS Sunday in Kathmandu's Central Jail, where he is serving a life sentence for the murder of an American tourist in 1975.

Book review: Muslims of India Since Partition

By Geeta Puri, Balraj Puri's work, a collection of his articles over a period of time in Economic and Political Weekly , Janata and some other journals is sagacious and scholarly contribution to the study of Muslims of India who after 1947, in the words of the author, "acquired a different form, in terms of their role, status, problems, challenges and opportunities. The partition of the country divided them in two and later three parts and led their political, bureaucratic and intellectual elite to migrate to Pakistan ".

10 facts about Rehman Rahi, Kashmir’s greatest 20th century poet

Rehman Rahi's death on January 9 was mourned across Kashmir.  Afnan Habib | TwoCircles.net  SRINAGAR (JAMMU AND KASHMIR) — Professor Abdul Rehman Rahi, a well-known Kashmiri...

Mumbai attacks an ‘act of war’ by Pakistan: Rushdie

By IANS, London : Describing the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai as an “act of war” by Pakistan, author Salman Rushdie has called for a fundamental change in the way the West deals with terrorism - beginning by scrapping aid to Pakistan. In an interview published Saturday - the 20th anniversary of global protests over his novel "The Satanic Verses" that forced him to go underground for long - the Indian-born author also criticised “liberal opinion” in Britain for ignoring the problem of terrorism.

Writers as refuseniks – BJP’s blind spot

By Amulya Ganguli After being flummoxed for a few days by the decision of several Sahitya Akademi award winners to return their medals, the...

Of Dilli, spies, tiger hunts and Ramayana

By IANS, (IANS Books This Week) New Delhi : Let your hair down this weekend with an exciting pile of books.

Muslims extend help to save Gita Press

Aligarh : Aligarh's Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has expressed grave concern over a dragging strike in Gita Press in Gorakhpur...

UP Govt. forms committee for ensuring participation of minorities in government services

By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter Lucknow: In a significant move, the Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three member committee for ensuring participation of minorities...

The legacy of the Shankar-Shad Mushaira

By Bushra Alvi Razzack for Twocircles.net Delhi: Dilliwalas can never get enough of Urdu poetry. In spite of inclement weather, Urdu lovers converged in...

India’s Aravind Adiga wins Booker for debut novel

By IANS, New Delhi/London/Sydney : India's Aravind Adiga was the toast of the literary world Wednesday after he won the prestigious Man Booker Prize at a glittering ceremony in London for his debut novel "The White Tiger", set against the backdrop of India's growing wealth gap. The 33-year-old former journalist, who defied odds and beat hot favourite Sebastian Barry, took home the 50,000-pound ($47,000) prize -- becoming the third debutant to win the award in its 40-year-history and the fifth Indian-origin author to win the prize.

Now, 53 historians protest against ‘highly vitiated’ atmosphere in India

New Delhi : After writers and artistes, 53 historians on Thursday protested against the 'rising intolerance' and "highly vitiated atmosphere in the country,...

किताब समीक्षा और ऑपरेशन अक्षरधाम का पूरा सच

अवनीश कुमार हमारे राज्यतंत्र और समाज के भीतर जो कुछ गहरे सड़गल चुका है, जो भयंकर अन्यायपूर्ण और उत्पीड़क है, उसका बेहतरीन आलोचनात्मक विश्लेषण और...

Goa faces neglect behind scenic facade: book

By IANS, Panaji : Domestic violence is "fairly common" in Goa. One-third of its women suffer from anaemia, and one-fourth are undernourished, says a new book that for a change takes the focus away from the state being a sun-and-sand tourist haven. Titled "Picture-Postcard Poverty", the book takes a look at what it calls the "unheard voices, forgotten issues from rural Goa". It argues that critical issues of concern are often overlooked in the state.

Revolution in the heart of India (Book Review)

By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS, Book: "Let's Call Him Vasu"; Author: Shubhranshu Choudhary; Publisher: Penguin Books; Pages: 270; Price: 350

Why this 1949 love story is relevant in today’s times (Book Review)

By Shilpa Raina, Title: Chander and Sudha; Author: Dharamvir Bharati translated by Poonam Saxena; Publisher:Penguin Viking; Pages: 351; Price: Rs.499 It is almost impossible to imagine...

Nariman’s ‘Before Memory Fades’ is bestseller again

By IANS, New Delhi : "Before Memory Fades" by Fali S. Nariman again topped the non-fiction section of the bestseller list this week while Amish Tripathi's "The Immortals of Meluha" was number one in the fiction category. The top 10 bestsellers in each category are: Non-fiction 1. "Before Memory Fades" Author: Fali S. Nariman Publisher: Hay House Price: Rs.599.00 2. "Leela: A Patchwork Life" Author: Leela Naidu & Jerry Pinto Publisher: Penguin Viking Price : Rs.450.00 3. "Birds & Butterflies of Delhi" Author: Mehran Zaidi

Narrative on Modi that will annoy supporters, detractors (Book Review)

By Rohit Bansal, IANS, Book: "The NaMo Story, A Political Life"; Author: Kingshuk Nag; Publisher: Roli Books; Pages: 188; Price: Rs 295.

Telugu Translation of Kashmir Anthology Released in Hyderabad

Nikhat Fatima, TwoCircles.net An anthology of 30 essays penned by different activist authors and political journalists across India translated into Telugu titled ‘Kashmir Bahiranga Cherasala’...

A happening year for Indian literature

By NNN-PTI, New Delhi : Be it recognitions at the global level, controversies, visits by high-profile writers, publishers rolling out bestsellers and several new authors spinning stories, Indian literature in 2008 saw them all! Aravind Adiga brought cheers to the nation when his novel "The White Tiger," an ironic take on the new India with its techno-brilliance and IT prowess, bagged the Man Booker Prize beating the likes of Salman Rushdie ("The Enchantress of Florence") and Amitav Ghosh ("Sea of Poppies") among others.

Badrul Muneer Husnul Jamal: 1870s poem in Arabic-Malayalam script to be telecast on Doordarshan

By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net Kochi: ‘Badrul Muneer Husnul Jamal’, the first romantic poem written by the famous poet late Moin Kutty Vaidyar, will be telecast on Doordarsan from 11th July (Saturday) onwards. Mappilappattu singer Rahman Vazhakkad and party will present the songs.

Book review: Unveiling the Hidden History of Women Ulema

Book Review Name of the Book: Banat-e Islam Ki Dini Wa Ilmi Khidmat ('The Religious and Intellectual Contributions of Muslim Women') Author: Maulana Qazi Athar Mubarakpuri Publisher: Islamic Book Foundation, 1781 Hauz Suiwalan, New Delhi 110002 Year: 2006 Pages: 104 Price: Rs. 40 Reviewed by: Yoginder Sikand

Delhi government opposes officers’ quota in Sanskriti School

New Delhi : The Delhi government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it wanted to move a plea seeking to support the Delhi...

‘Our notion of happiness responsible for our suffering’

By IANS, New Delhi : “If we practise looking deeply, we will see that our notion of happiness may be responsible for our suffering. That is why Buddha advises us to look again deeply into the nature of our desires. We suffer because of them,” says Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, Nobel prize nominee and peace-maker, in his new book “Under the Banyan Tree: Overcoming Fear and Sorrow”. The insightful book, divided into 10 chapters, transcribes his visit to India in 1996, shows the way to be free, happy and to live in the present.

सैय्यद हसन की याद में नज़्म

आह सय्यद हसन! (अपने उस्ताद मुहतरम जनाब सय्यद हसन साहब, को मनज़ूम खिराज-ए-अक़ीदत) By नदीम ज़फर जिलानी हर शख़्स सोगवार है, हर आँख अश्कबार, ग़ुंचे, लिपट के फूलों...

IANS Books : Nariman’s ‘Before Memory Fades’ bestseller yet again

By IANS, New Delhi : Fali S. Nariman's "Before Memory Fades" continues to dominate the non-fiction section in the bestseller list this week while "The Immortals of Meluha" by Amish Tripathi also retains its number one position in the fiction category. The top 10 in each section are: Non-fiction 1. "Before Memory Fades" Author: Fali S. Nariman Publisher: Hay House Price: Rs.599.00 2. "Keeping the Faith: Memoirs of a Parliamentarian" Author: Somnath Chatterjee Publisher: Harper Collins Price: Rs.499.00 3. "The Honest Always Stand Alone"

Kannada literary festival: Muslim authors’ exclusion draws criticism

No Muslim writers have been given a chance to participate in the poet convention, and the Byari language, which Muslims speak in coastal...

दादरी

(Courtesy: indianexpress) By नदीम ज़फ़र, TwoCircles.net “अख़लाक़" मर गया हिंदुस्तान का ! पड़ोसी का हक़? छोड़िये, लेकिन, ज़िंदा रहने का हक़ तो दिया हुआ था, संविधान का I सब को गाये...

Gender empowerment must start at home: Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Gender empowerment should start from our homes to achieve our goals at the societal level, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Saturday. "We...

Cycle of commerce and debt on weekend book pile

By IANS, New Delhi : The bookshelf this week is pragmatic with matters of business, money and battle against corruption winning over lighter reads... Browse with IANS.

Two months after launch, Bhutto’s book remains No.1

By IANS, New Delhi : Two months after it hit the bookstalls, Pakistani writer Fatima Bhutto's "Songs of Blood and Sword" continues to be the number one bestselling book in the non-fiction section while "The Immortals of Meluha" by Amish Tripathi dominates the fiction list. The top 10 bestsellers in each category are: Non-Fiction 1. "Songs Of Blood And Sword" Author: Fatima Bhutto Price: Rs.699.00 2. "Gandhi - Naked Ambition" Author: Jad Adams Price: Rs.699.00 3. "The Difficulty Of Being Good" Author: Gurcharan Das Price: Rs.699.00

Hilal Ahmed’s book on ‘Muslim political discourse’ launched

Besides Introduction and Conclusion, the book has a chapter each on ‘monumentalisation’ in colonial and post-colonial India. The subsequent two chapters are case studies on “Jama Masjid and the Political Memory of a Royal Muslim Past” and “Babri Masjid and the Muslim Politics of Right to Heritage.” By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,

Ahmed Rashid, Amitav Ghosh Delhi readers’ top choice

By IANS, New Delhi : Pakistan journalist Ahmed Rashid's investigation on the impact of Al Qaeda on Pakistan and its surrounding areas tops the non-fiction list while Amitav Ghosh's "Sea of Poppies" continues to rule the fiction chart. The top 10 in the non-fiction and fiction lists are: Non-Fiction 1. "Descent Into Chaos" Author : Ahmed Rashid Publisher : Allen Lane Price : Rs.495.00 2. "The Post-American World" Author : Fareed Zakaria Publisher : Penguin Viking Price : Rs.499.00 3. "The Secret" Author : Rhonda Byrne Publisher : Simon & Schustar

दिल्ली में पहला लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल,अपने अधिकारों के लिए दलित लेखकों ने बुलन्द की आवाज़

आसमोहम्मद कैफ  TwoCircles.net दिल्ली- 3-4 फरवरी को राजधानी के विश्वविद्यालय परिसर में किरोड़ीमल कॉलेज में दलित लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल का आयोजन किया गया.देश मे ऐसा पहली बार...

An Indian’s poem that resonates with Clinton, 14 years on

By IANS, New Delhi : Fourteen years ago, Anasuya Sengupta, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, had recited a poem written by her before the then US first lady Hillary Clinton when she came to India on her first official visit. Clinton was so impressed that a chapter in her 2003 autobiography "Living History" was inspired by the poem. The chapter is called "Silence is Not Spoken Here". On Monday, Anasuya -- now an activist for women's rights -- was present at Delhi University's Convention Hall, where Clinton came visiting as US Secretary of State.

Two Muslims writers selected for Sahitya Akademi Award 2015

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net New Delhi : Two Muslim writers have been selected among others representing 23 Indian languages for this...

Benazir Bhutto’s book launched in Moscow

By NNN-APP, Islamabad : Russian version of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto's book, "Reconciliation - Islam,Democracy and the West" was launched in Russia to mark the first anniversary of her martyrdom. According to a message received here from Moscow a large number of Russian scholars, journalists, students and Pakistanis attended the function on Friday. Dr. Tariq Chaudhry, a Pakistani businessman in Moscow, who arranged translation and publication of the Russian version of the book also spoke on the occasion.

Book on eminent Indian Muslims released in Patna

By Tarique Anwar and Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net, Patna: The book "Celebrating India: Reflections on Eminent Indian Muslims 1857-2007" by Meher Fatima Husain of Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi was released by Justice Syed Shah Nayyar Husain, Hon'ble Judge of Patna High Court in a ceremony organized by the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library on December 7, 2008.

Fatima Bhutto’s book tops bestseller list again

By IANS, New Delhi : In a super run for late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto's niece Fatima Bhutto, her "Songs of Blood and Sword" completes a month on top of the non-fiction list while Amish Tripathi's "The Immortals of Meluha" dominates fiction this week. The top 10 bestsellers in each category are: Non-fiction 1. "Songs of Blood and Sword" Author: Fatima Bhutto Publisher: Penguin Viking Price: Rs.699.00 2. "The Big Short" Author: Michael Lewis Publisher: Allen Lane Price: Rs.599.00 3. "Freefall" Author: Joseph Stiglitz

Kamila Shamsie’s novel shortlisted for Orange Prize

By IANS, New Delhi : Pakistan-based Kamila Shamsie's novel "Burnt Shadows" has been shortlisted for the Orange Prize for fiction 2009, its publishers said Tuesday, A sweeping novel, "Burnt Shadows" is woven around some of the major historical events ranging from the 1945 Nagasaki bombing, the partition of India and Pakistan, the war in Afghanistan and the 9/11 blasts. The story is one of disasters evaded, loyalties offered and repaid, and love rewarded and betrayed, Penguin Books-India said in a release.

NSE, BHU join hands for degree programmes

Mumbai : The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has signed an agreement with the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, to launch two new streams --...

A mother’s dilemma, a virtual world, Nepal

The nightmare of being the mother of a 27-year-old, looking at a relationship through the lens of virtual reality and a journey through Nepal are some of the hand-picked gems IANS is treating its readers to this weekend. Take a look. 1. Book: Simi's Mum's Diary: The Daughter of All Battles; Author: Rupa Gulab; Publisher: Amaryllis; Pages: 201; Price: Rs. 175

Book Review: The Madrassah Challenge—Militancy and Religious Education in Pakistan

By Yoginder Sikand, Book Review Name of the Book: The Madrassah Challenge—Militancy and Religious Education in Pakistan Author: C. Christine Fair Publisher: United States Institute of Peace Press, Washington DC Year: 2008 Pages: 143 Reviewed by: Yoginder Sikand

Have not left India, will be back when feel safe: Taslima

Kolkata : Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who has relocated to the US, on Wednesday said she hasn't left India permanently and would...

AMU organises seminar on life and works of Ismat Chugtai

By TCN News, Aligarh: The Women’s College, Aligarh Muslim University, is organising a two-day seminar to celebrate the works and life of Urdu literary giant...

Nobel laureates of Indian origin mostly from Tamil Nadu, Bengal

By Amulya Ganguli, IANS, Is it more than just a coincidence that the the Nobel laureates of Indian origin belong to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Like Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, the latest winner, C.V. Raman and Subramanyan Chandrasekhar, who won the prize in 1930 and 1983 respectively, were also Tamils. They were also members of the Tamil diaspora in the US who had emigrated following the rise of the backward caste movement in Tamil Nadu that put the upper castes under social and political pressure.

Vyapam : Names of selected candidates removed from law institute’s merit list, RTI reply...

By Siddharth Datta New Delhi : The Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, (or Vyapam as it is popularly known), which has conducted admission tests for...

Environment, philosophy, romance: 13-year-old author brims with ideas

By Azera Rahman, IANS, New Delhi : Debutante novelist Asmita Goyanka drew a parallel of global warming threatening to destroy the earth with the villain in her novel. At the moment, she is working on two other manuscripts and has her mind filled with ideas for more. For a 13-year-old, that's quite a lot. Set in a fictitious place, Ujaasnagar, Goyanka's novel "The Mystic Temple" is about five schoolgoing girls who take up a dare to snoop around the relics of an ancient temple and are then faced with this huge responsibility of saving the earth from being destroyed by the evil Malvigo.

Piecing together nuggets on beloved Bangalore

By Maitreyee Boruah, IANS, Book: "Multiple City: Writings on Bangalore"; Editor: Anita De; Publisher: Penguin India; Price: Rs.399 From Mahatma Gandhi to Winston Churchill, everyone was bowled over by its weather. Today it is called India's tech hub. But Bangalore is not just one city - it is a multiple city, say old timers, travellers, poets, cartoonists and IT professionals writing on why they love the place.

Creativity at its best – made in prison

By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS, Book: "Captive Imagination"; Author: Varavara Rao; Publisher: Penguin/Viking: Pp 193; Price: Rs.350

Book review: Urdu Literature and Journalism: Critical Perspectives

By Mohammed Anas for TwoCircles.net, After gifting us insightful glimpses into geniuses of Rabindranath Tagore, Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, Raghupati Sahay Firaq Gorakhpuri, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and first Dalit Urdu poet Jayant Parmar, Professor Shafey Kidwai of Aligarh Muslim University has explored journalistic conquests of greats like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulvi Mohammed Waqar, etc in his book masterfully written Urdu Literature and Journalism: Critical Perspectives.

Kenya deports anti-Obama US author

By Xinhua, Nairobi : Kenya has ordered out an American author who wrote a controversial book slamming US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Jerome Corsi had planned to make public statements in Kenya that were critical of both Obama and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga after travelling to Obama's family homeland to investigate links between the Democratic nominee and Kenyan politicians. He had scheduled a news conference Tuesday at a Nairobi hotel for the Kenyan launch of his book, "The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality".

West Bengal: Young graduate turns century-old tree into outdoor library

The tree library located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal was started in March and houses more than 200 books in various genres. Partho...

Jahangirabad Institute of Technology organises workshop for teachers on improving school education

  Barabanki: Jahangirabad Institute of Technology (JIT) organised a teaching workshop for senior officials and headmasters of all the major schools of Uttar Pradesh to...

World Book Fair: Few takers of Urdu

By TCN Special Correspondent,

Rumi, myth and cricket on book shelf

By IANS, New Delhi : The book shelf this weekend is mostly meditative and spiritual. 1. "Rumi: A New Translation"; Written by Farrukh Dhondy; Published by Harper Perennial; Priced at Rs.299

Books still boom in age of digital reality frills

(April 23 is World Books and Copyrights Day) By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,

March of the Aryans: A window back into debris of time (Book Review)

By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS, Book: "The March Of The Aryans; Author: Bhagwan S. Gidwani; Publisher: Penguin India; Pages: 680 pages; Price: Rs.599

Pick on history, diaspora and adventure this weekend (IANS Books This Week)

By IANS, New Delhi : The reading cart flaunts a heady mix of history, romance, diaspora and hope this weekend. 1. "The Pleasure Seekers": Written by Tishani Doshi; Published by Penguin Books-India; Priced at Rs.499. It all started in August 1968 when Babo became the first member of the Patel family to leave "Madras" and fly to London to further his education. His father should have known there would be trouble. But off Babo went, and now here he is, in a flat off the Finchley Road, untraditionally making love to a cream-skinned girl from Wales, Sian Jones.

No question of taking back Sahitya Akademi award: Bengali poet

Kolkata : Bengali poet Mandakranta Sen, who recently gave up her Sahitya Akademi award, on Friday refused to take it back, saying though...

Young Pakistani author Ali Sethi making literary waves

By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS, New Delhi : The world is growing more interested in literature from Pakistan and Afghanistan because it wants to understand certain events that have taken place in the two countries, says Pakistani author Ali Sethi, 24, one of the youngest literary sensations from the sub-continent.

Civility against Caste: Dalit Politics and Citizenship in Western India

Title: Civility against Caste: Dalit Politics and Citizenship in Western India Author: Prof. Suryakant Waghmore Publisher: Sage India Year: January, 2014 Review by: Yogesh Maitreya for TwoCircles.net, Civility is the least discussed discourse in India. In post-constitutional Indian society, the idea of civility has formed a binary: on one hand, ‘civil society’ that has been propagated by media and resources which are dominated and owned by Brahmin-Bania associations and on the other hand, the civility which has been practice by NGOs and political organisations led by Dalits. The latter had started with the core motive of annihilation of caste and, found its genesis in the struggles of Mahatma Fule and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar in Maharashtra. The idea of civility, practiced by Dalit NGOs and political groups, is contrary to the idea of civility which Brahmin-Bania possess and propagate in India, simply because idea of civility practiced by Dalits aims at annihilation of caste; precisely, Dalit civility is the ‘Civility against Caste’.

Toxic debt brought to book

By DPA, Sydney : Toxic debt has beaten bromance and textaholic to become Australia's Word of the Year, contest organiser Macquarie Dictionary announced Wednesday. Defined as lending that "proves subsequently to be financially worthless", the term won the title because of its notoriety as the root cause of the financial crisis still shaking economies around the world. Macquarie publisher Sue Butler said that "as a lexical creation (it has) a visceral impact".

Himachal’s literacy rate touches 88 per cent

Shimla : Himachal Pradesh has emerged as role model in the field of education since the literacy rate there has reached 88 per cent...

The Tagore women and a tale of empowerment (Book Review)

By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS, Book: "Jorasanko"; Author: Aruna Chakravarti; Publisher: Harper Collins India; Pages: 406; Price: Rs.350

Sam Miller’s adventure continues to lure book lovers

By IANS, New Delhi : "Delhi: Adventures in a Megacity" by Sam Miller and "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga maintained their respective positions atop the non-fiction and fiction bestseller lists this week. A list of the top 10 in each category: Non-fiction 1. "Delhi Adventures in a Megacity" Author: Sam Miller Publisher: Penguin Viking Price: Rs.499.00 2. "The Inheritance: The World Obama Confronts and the Challenges to American..." Author: David E. Sanger Publisher: Harmony Books Price: $20.00 (Rs.1009.00) 3. "Curfewed Night" Author: Basharat Peer

A peep into Pakistan, specially for Indians

By Rahul Dass, IANS, Book: "Pakistan - Identity and Destiny"; Author: Javed Jabbar; Publisher: Har-Anand; Price: Rs.495; Pages: 191

What the soul tells the capitalist

By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS, Book: "A Saint in the Board Room"; Authors: R. Durgadoss and B. Yerram Raju; Publisher: Konark Publishers; Pages: 382; Price: Rs.295

‘Occupy UGC’ movement in Delhi sees students detained, lathicharged

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: The 'Occupy UGC' movement over the scrapping of non-National Eligibility Test (NET) fellowship...

विद्या प्रकाशन ने छापी थी पैग़म्बर मोहम्मद की तस्वीर, अब मांगी माफी

स्टाफ़ रिपोर्टर।twocircles.net सहारनपुर में विद्या प्रकाशन की कक्षा चार की सामाजिक विज्ञान की पुस्तक में इस्लाम धर्म के पैग़म्बर मोहम्मद साहब की तस्वीर पब्लिश...

A book on Batla House encounter released

By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net, New Delhi: Today is February 14, Valentine’s Day that is celebrated by youths as the day of love. The day has been chosen to release a book on Batla House encounter – the encounter whose basis was hatred for a community, said Fasih Choudhary, author of the book Encounter Batla House.

AMU Emirates Chapter celebrates Sir Syed Day in Sharjah

By TCN News The Emirates Chapter of the Aligarh Muslim University celebrated Sir Syed Day in Sharjah on November 20 to remember and learn from...

Kerala leaders break silence over book on Amritanandamayi

By IANS, Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala politicians Saturday broke their silence over a controversial book on hugging saint Mata Amritanandamayi. CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said the government...

After Adiga win, Nambisan in race for Asian Booker

By Maitreyee Boruah, IANS, Bangalore : One of the five authors shortlisted for the 2008 Man Asian Literary prize that will be announced Thursday, Kaveri Nambisan says she gives precedence to her medical career over her literary pursuits. "The doctor comes before the writer. I've been at it longer and it is full of challenges," Nambisan told IANS in an e-mail interview ahead of the announcement of the winner of the prestigious award, also known as Asian Booker, in Hong Kong Thursday.

Book on Saiyid Hamid to be released by Vice President of India

By TwoCircles.net news desk, New Delhi: The Vice-President of India, Mr. Hamid Ansari, will release today a book on Saiyid Hamid, a highly respected elder of the Indian Muslim community, at a function at the India Islamic Culture Centre in New Delhi.

Glittering line-up of authors for Jaipur Literary Festival

By IANS, New Delhi : Bookworms can look forward to a carnival in January when Jaipur will play host to a galaxy of authors like Vikram Seth, Chetan Bhagat, Hari Kunzru, Micheal Ondaatje, Pico Iyer and Patrick French during the fourth edition of the Jaipur Literary Festival. One of the most colourful events in the city's social calendar, the festival will be held Jan 21-25 at the Diggy Palace.

Literary Associations of Metropolitan Washington released Nuzaira Azam’s new novel Anahita ki Janam Basti

By Zafar Iqbal Presiding over book releasing ceremony honoring Nuzaira Azam for her second novel, Anahita Ki Janam Basti, eminent scholar Professor Satyapal Anand said that...

Convert Jinnah House into war memorial: BJP legislator

Mumbai : BJP legislator from South Mumbai M.P. Lodha on Tuesday urged the central goverment to convert Jinnah House, the house built by Pakistan...

Dr.Ambedkar’s views on minority rights, democracy and Hindu majoritarianism

By Badre Alam & Sanjay Kumar for TwoCircles.net Editors: Prof. Christophe Jaffrelot and Dr Narender Kumar Publisher: Oxford University Press Pages: 263 Price (Hardbound): Rs 850 Professor Christophe Jaffrelot...

Strictly for children, please!

Two translations, a graphic novel and a fantasy tale – the IANS bookshelf this week is stacked with gems written in simple language and commanding imagination – allowing children to create a world of their own. Take a look.

Nepal, cinema, Bihar, motivation on bookshelf

By IANS, New Delhi : Look for a book to burrow in with from a colourful cart this weekend.

Bangalore journalist’s article on Ramadan selected for international award

By TwoCircles.net News Desk, New Delhi: Bangalore-based journalist Biju Abdul Qadir’s article on Ramadan has been selected for the top three international awards for the best writings on Ramadan this year by Sheikh Yusuf al-Qardawi's IslamOnline website. Qadir’s article has originally been published in the October 2009 issue of the Young Muslim Digest -- an Islamic monthly published from Bangalore since the past 30 years. Qadir is Executive Editor of the periodical. Biju Abdul Qadir is also Managing Editor of IQRA Publications, Bangalore.

ऐतिहासिक खुदा बख्श लाइब्रेरी का एक हिस्सा टूटने की कगार पर, सीएम से बचाने...

स्टाफ़ रिपोर्टर ।Twocircles.net इंडियन नेशनल ट्रस्ट फॉर आर्ट एंड कल्चरल हेरिटेज (INTACH) के सदस्यों ने शनिवार को मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार से अपील की है...

Writers are mendicants, says Mexican poet

By IANS/EFE, Alcala de Henares (Spain) : Writers are "members of a mendicant order" and most writers' lives are filled with humiliations and failures, an award-winning Mexican author has said. Mexican poet Jose Emilio Pacheco, who received the Cervantes Prize from Spain's king Juan Carlos Friday, said writers are not given the recognition they deserve. "In all of Spanish literature, no life has been filled with more humiliations and failures than that of the author of 'Don Quixote'," Pacheco said.

No slumdog this, only a ‘millionaire in rupees’

By Pranay Sharma, IANS, New Delhi : Diplomat, bestselling novelist and now millionaire? Vikas Swarup, India's deputy high commissioner to South Africa and author of the much acclaimed "Q & A", may be on a roll, but he is still modest. "It is very gratifying," said Swarup, whose debut novel has been turned into a highly acclaimed movie, "SlumDog Millionaire" by British filmmaker Danny Boyle and whose latest book "Six Suspects" may also turn up as a TV film.

Jamia Millia introduces nine new courses for admission in academic session 2016-2017

By TwoCircles.net, Staff Reporter New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at increasing the courses available in Jamia Millia Islamia, the varsity...

Sri Lanka peace process R.I.P.

By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS, Book: "My Belly is White"; Author: Austin Fernando; Publisher: Vijitha Yapa Publications, Colombo This is a revealing book on Sri Lanka's now dead peace process, written by one who was in the thick of it all. Austin Fernando was Defence Secretary when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe signed the Norway-brokered ceasefire agreement (CFA) with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in February 2002. In no time, critics, dominantly from the Sinhalese majority, began to accuse the government of betrayal.

Modinomics: Deciphering the Gujarat development model (Book Review)

By Gyanendra Kumar Keshri, IANS, Title: ModiNomics - Inclusive Economics, Inclusive governance; Author: Sameer Kochhar; Publisher: Skoch Media; Pages: 241; Price: Rs.1,095 Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra...

Book on Rajnikant to be released as audio cassette, CD

By IANS, Bangalore : Capturing the struggling days and the "mysteries behind the persona" of Tamil superstar Rajnikant, a Kannada book about the actor will soon be released in audio cassette and CD format, officials of an audio company said. The book, titled "Vikshiptha Vichithra", was brought out three years ago on the eve of the release of Rajnikant's blockbuster film "Sivaji" directed by Shankar. The contents of the book were also serialised in Kannada's leading daily Vijaya Karnataka, in which the author, Mahesh Devashetty, works as a senior sub-editor.

Arundhati Roy takes a hard look at democracy

By IANS, Book: "Listening to Grasshoppers: Field Notes on Democracy"; Author: Arundhati Roy; Publisher: Penguin-Books India; Price: Rs 499 By Madhusree Chatterjee Man Booker winning author Arundhati Roy takes a probing look at the underbelly of the world's oldest democracy in her new anthology of essays "Listening to Grasshoppers: Field Notes on Democracy" published this week.

White Tiger raises Nepal’s hackles

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, Kathmandu : Indian author Aravind Adiga's debut novel "The White Tiger" that went on to win the prestigious Booker prize in 2008, has raised hackles in Nepal over what is being regarded as the belittling stereotyping of Nepalis. "Many English-educated urban Indians have a distorted view of Nepalis," said an article in the Kathmandu Post daily Sunday, calling the novel "shocking" and "blatantly representing Nepalis".

Are Indians in tune with their culture?

By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS, New Delhi : The time has come for Indians to introspect whether they are in tune with their culture or not, \"to pause and put a mirror before society to see why dilution, mutilation and modification of culture have taken place against the backdrop of such a distinguished civilisation heritage\", says diplomat-writer Pavan Varma.

Reconnect to cynicism, mystery and miracles (IANS Books This Week)

By IANS, New Delhi : Here are five new books to add to your reading list this week: 1. "Serious Men": Written by Manu Joseph; Published by HarperCollins-India; Priced at Rs.499. Ayyan Mani is just another man in Mumbai, stranded in the "rot" of a good marriage, an unremarkable life and a deadend job as personal assistant to an insufferable astronomer called Arvind Acharya at the Institute of Theory and Research. To breathe some life into the drudgery that has set in, Ayyan weaves an outrageous fiction around his 10-year-old son.

Tales of the here and now, told tellingly

By K.G. Sreenivas, IANS, Book "Turtle Dove: Six Simple Tales"; Author: Divya Dubey; Gyaana Books, Pp 236; Price: Rs. 195 Swathes of the untold lie at the nub of "Turtle Dove: Six Simple Tales". Divya Dubey's book presents a stark yet compelling universe. The mélange of stories sit on the cusp of the familiar yet not so familiar.

When religion and art overlapped along the ancient Silk Route

By IANS, Book: "Indian & Central Asian Art: Narrative Interpretations of Unique Fragments"; Authors: P. Banerjee and Radha Banerjee-Sarkar; Publisher: Abha Prakashan; Price: Rs.4,000 Shakti or Durga, Hindu god Shiva's consort, was worshipped in the ancient Khotan region of China in the 7th century AD, reveals a new book that traces how Buddhism and Hinduism flourished together in China, India and Central Asia along the ancient Silk Route.

Book on Bhopal’s noted Urdu journalist ‘Arif Aziz – Ek Tajzia’ released

By Pervez Bari, Twocircles.net, Bhopal: When a journalist is eulogized in a function by speakers after speakers wherein a book critically analysing his works...

Book Review: Justice before Reconciliation: Negotiating a ‘New Normal’ in Post-riot Mumbai and Ahmedabad

By Dipankar Gupta, Routledge, New Delhi, 2011, 186 pp., Rs 595, Hard Bound, ISBN 978-0-415-61254-8 By Mahtab Alam,

No more copyright on Gandhi’s works – so who preserves them?

By Shweta Srinivasan, IANS, New Delhi : The fate of Mahatma Gandhi's original literary works remains undecided following the expiry of the copyright restrictions on them on the first day of this year, leaving scholars and admirers of his philosophy across the country anxious.

Book case: Read of courage, karma, radio and economics

By IANS, New Delhi : Serious and heavy, the books this weekend tease the intellect. 1. "Dream Chasing"; Written by S.B. Mishra; Published by Roli Books; Priced at Rs.250

Orhan Pamuk’s book continues to retain No.1 position

By IANS, New Delhi : "Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India" by William Dalrymple jumped one position to dominate the non-fiction section of the bestseller list this week while "The Museum of Innocence" by Nobel prize winner Orhan Pamuk retained its No.1 position in the fiction category. The top 10 in each category are: Non-fiction 1. "Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India" Author: William Dalrymple Publisher: Bloomsbury Price: Rs.499.00 2. "The Difficulty of Being Good: On The Subtle Art of Dharma" Author: Gurcharan Das

People’s views will be articulated in new education policy: Irani

New Delhi : Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Friday said the new education policy would have views from the people and their...

Secrets of the dominant Hindu Goddess (Book Review)

By M.R. Narayan Swamy, Title: 7 Secrets of the Goddess; Author: Devdutt Pattanaik; Publisher: Westland Ltd; Pages: 259; Price: Rs.395 Title: Shikhandi and Other Tales They Don't Tell You; Author: Devdutt Pattanaik; Publisher: Penguin Books; Pages: 179; Price: Rs.299

Book Launch: ‘Me Against The Mumbai Underworld’

Uddhav Thackeray, Sanjay Raut & Nawazuddin Siddiqui launch supercop Isaque Bagwan's ' Me Against The Mumbai Underworld' By Anusha Iyer Supercop and three-time Presidential Gallantry award-winning supercop Isaque Bagwan...

Vivid tale of Guyana and its nostalgic Indians

By Shubha Singh, IANS, Book: "The Sly Company of People Who Care"; Author: Rahul Bhattacharya; Publisher: Picador; Price: Rs.495, Pages: 280.

Murad Ali Baig, Daniyal Mueenuddin top authors of the week

By IANS, New Delhi : Murad Ali Baig's "80 Questions to Understand India: History, Mythology and Religion" reaches the No.1 position in the non-fiction list this week while Daniyal Mueenuddin's "In Other Rooms, Other Wonders" tops the fiction category. The top 10 in each section are as follows: Non-Fiction 1. "80 Questions to Understand India : History, Mythology and Religion" Author: Murad Ali Baig Publisher: Tara Press Price: Rs.395.00 2. "Prisoner of the State" Author: Zhao Ziyang Publisher: Simon Schuster Price: $20.00 (Rs.965)

US-based Indian author debuts with record advance

By IANS, New Delhi : Sarita Mandanna, a US-based Indian author, has created ripples in the publishing world as her "Tiger Hills" has received the largest advance Penguin India house has so far paid for a debut novel. David Godwin Associates Ltd., the Britain-based literary agency, has sold "Tiger Hills" to Penguin Books-India for an undisclosed amount. David Godwin Associates spokesperson Sophie Hoult refused to divulge the exact amount but said the deal was in seven figures.

Orhan Pamuk, Meghnad Desai top bestselling authors

By IANS, New Delhi : Nobel Prize winning writer Orhan Pamuk's "The Museum of Innocence" tops the fiction list this week while Meghnad Desai's "The Rediscovery of India" leads the books in the non-fiction bestsellers. Here are the top 10 in the non-fiction and fiction categories: Non-Fiction 1. "The Rediscovery of India" Author: Meghnad Desai Publisher: Penguin Allen Lane Price: Rs.699.00 2. "The Difficulty of Being Good: On The Subtle art of Dharma" Author: Gurcharan Das Publisher: Penguin Allen Lane Price: Rs.699.00

Dhondy book lands as ‘evidence’ in Charles Sobhraj case

By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, Kathmandu : While Nepal's book stores are yet to start stocking Farrukh Dhondy's recently published potboiler about a serial killer, "The Bikini Murders" is already on its way to one of the most important places in the Himalayan republic - the Supreme Court. Dhondy's book has been submitted to the office of Nepal Attorney General Raghav Lal Vaidya by the lawyers hired by the family of an American tourist who was killed in 1975.

‘Parents’ of Nordic crime – Sjowall, Wahloo and the Martin Beck series

By Vikas Datta, IANS, Browse through the crime fiction section of any bookshop or online store and, apart from American and British writers, the largest...

Rana Dasgupta’s new novel about failed man, failed nation

By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS, New Delhi : It could well be a leaf out of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" or even "Arabian Nights", say critics. British Indian writer Rana Dasgupta's new novel, "Solo", is about the life and daydreams of a 100-year-old man. Slated for release in India in February 2009 by Harper Collins, the book is not set in the fictional Macondo as in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's magnum opus, but in war-torn Bulgaria of the early 20th century.

Fatima Bhutto’s book still on top

By IANS, New Delhi : "Songs of Blood and Sword" by Fatima Bhutto, niece of late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, is the top non-fiction bestseller for the third consecutive week while Amish Tripathi's "The Immortals of Meluha" dominates the fiction list. Non-fiction 1. "Songs of Blood and Sword" Author: Fatima Bhutto Publisher: Penguin Viking Price: Rs.699.00 2. "The Big Short" Author: Michael Lewis Publisher: Allen Lane Price: Rs.599.00 3. "Becoming Indian" Author: Pavan K. Varma Publisher: Penguin/Allen Lane Price: Rs.499.00

Terrorism financing and science discovery

Let's rewrite the history of our universe, look at terrorism financing, read a modern classic and find your true calling. These varied themes make it to IANS bookshelf this week. Take a look. 1. Book: One Hundred Days: Her Quest, My Cure; Author: Shweta Modgil; Publisher: Tara; Pages: 150; Price: Rs. 199

Orissa court stays release of book on Sri Aurobindo

By IANS, Bhubaneswar : The Orissa High Court has stayed the release of a book on Sri Aurobindo in India over allegations that it has objectionable content and distorted facts about the late spiritual leader, a lawyer said Thursday. Geetanjali Bhattacharya, a devotee, filed a petition in the court seeking a ban on the book 'The Lives of Sri Aurobindo' and action against the writer, her lawyer Siddharta Das told IANS.
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