History, angling and drama on book-shelf
By IANS,
New Delhi : The book cart this weekend is a load of gripping titles. Flip through with IANS...
Revisit ‘chills and thrills’ in books stores
By IANS,
New Delhi : For all those booklovers waiting to unearth a mystery or thriller classic in a book-store maze, HarperCollins India offers a month long Chills and Thrills Festival '09 starting Feb 1.
“Chills and Thrills Festival '09 will promote the writings of evergreen thriller specialists Agatha Christie and Sydney Sheldon, challenger to Dan Brown's crown Sam Bourne, Michael Crichton, Jack Higgins, Alistair MacLean, and military writer Mukul Deva to name a few,” Lipika Bhushan, marketing manager for Harper Collins India said.
Just released: first Korean-Hindi dictionary
By IANS,
New Delhi : Indians and South Koreans can now learn each other's languages more easily with Indian Tourism Minister Ambika Soni releasing the first Korean-Hindi dictionary - a collaborative effort between the two countries.
"The work on this dictionary started in 1994 and contains more than 50,000 main entries including 20,000 sub-entries with over 700 pages," an official statement said here Tuesday.
Funded by the South Korean government and India's Ministry of External Affairs, the dictionary was released by Soni during her recent visit to Seoul.
Books: ‘Communalism Explained! – A graphic Account’ launched
By TCN Special Correspondent,
Read about gods, philosophy, Indian ethos and a curse
By IANS,
New Delhi : The book case is crowded with contrasts this weekend with serious treatises vying for attention with works of fiction.
1. "The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow": Written by Sanjay Patel; Published by Penguin Books-USA, Priced at Rs.299.
Amarinder Singh’s ‘The Last Sunset’ tops bestseller list
By IANS,
New Delhi : "The Last Sunset" by erstwhile royal and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh dominates non-fiction this week while Stieg Larsson's "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest" climbs four steps to take the number one fiction spot on the bestseller list.
The top 10 in each category are:
Non-fiction
1. "The Last Sunset"
Author: Amarinder Singh
Publisher: Roli Books
Price: Rs.695.00
2. "Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy"
Author: Joseph Stiglitz
Publisher: Allen Lane
Price: Rs.499.00
A bookshelf with love, cricket and Buddhism
By IANS,
New Delhi : Go through a pile of page-turners this weekend.
1. "The Shadow of the Buddha"; Written by Matteo Pistono; Published by Hay House; Priced at Rs.299
A peek into the world of memoirs and success stories
From establishing a successful career in a small village in Kerala to offering answers to relevant questions in the wake of the aging population...
निदा फाज़ली उर्फ़ ‘मुझे मालूम था तुम मर नही सकते’
By सिद्धांत मोहन, TwoCircles.net
वाराणसी: निदा फाज़ली नहीं रहे. वही निदा जिन्होंने 'होश वालों को ख़बर क्या बेख़ुदी क्या चीज़ है' और 'तू इस तरह...
Where to take the kids? Now you know
By Paloma Ganguly, IANS,
Book: "Must for Mums Delhi"; Author Rina Mehta; Publisher: Oxford and IBH; Price: Rs.210
Summer is upon us and, in no time, so will the school holidays be. So, all Delhi moms - and exceptional dads - who are beginning to sweat at the thought of keeping the children busy, here's an idea: go buy this handbook.
Having done the rounds of Mumbai and Bangalore, the latest in the "Must For Mums" series now comes packed with information on what the Indian capital and its satellite towns have to offer to their kids.
‘ Age is not a barrier – You can always start afresh’ Rana Safvi
By Saleha Ahmad for TwoCircles.net
Born to an IPS father and a teacher mother, writer Rana Safvi has a great affinity for books from childhood....
Indian origin author scripts tale of migrants and myths
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
In his new novel, "The Mythologist", San Francisco-based Indian origin author Vamsee Juluri has captured the inner chaos of a young migrant in the US who has grown up in the movie studios of Chennai with dreams of grandeur.
Artists seeking publicity claim faking of their works: Neville Tuli
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Jaipur : Neville Tuli, chairman and founder of Osian's Connoisseurs of Arts - the country's biggest private art auction house, feels that the lack of authentication of art works in India leads to faking while many artists also claim that their works have been forged to gain publicity.
"Works are not authenticated and art still comes without receipts. This allows room for art to be faked. Moreover, many artists like to claim that their works have been faked to seek easy publicity," Tuli told IANS in an interview.
A book on Kerala’s legend by a veteran journalist
Thiruvananthapuram : When two legends from two of the four pillars of democracy join hands, the end result cannot but turn out to be...
Stuff that make Mumbai fabled
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Book: "Mumbai Fables"; Author: Gyan Prakash; Publisher: Harper Collins-India; Pages: 352; Price: Rs.425
The rot that is India’s prison system (Book Review)
By M.R. Narayan Swamy,
Title: The Bad Boys of Bokaro Jail; Author: Chetan Mahajan; Publisher: Blue Salt/Penguin Books; Pages: 213; Price: Rs.250
What happens when a 42-year-old, overgrown yuppie, with one MBA degree from India and one from the US, and one who has lived in America for seven years, is sent to jail in notoriously corrupt Jharkhand for no fault of his? If it is Chetan Mahajan, he keeps a diary, meticulously noting down the goings on in the Bokaro Jail, including the sordid corruption. This is a serious book written lucidly, a commentary on all that is wrong with India's prison and judicial system that is so often brazenly biased against the poor.
Urdu Journalism legend Hazrat Maulana Ahmad Mustafa Siddiqui Rahi no more
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Urdu Journalism legend and Chief editor of Islami Digest ‘Huda’ and ‘Taha'...
Mirza Ghalib still homeless in his birth place
Agra : Though Mirza Ghalib's contribution to 'Urdu Adab' is considered as significant as Shakespeare's to English, the mansion in Agra where he was...
Indian-origin Muslim cleric gets honorary doctorate
London: An Indian-origin Muslim cleric has been awarded an honorary doctorate by University of Leicester in Britain in recognition of his commendable work for...
Shiva Naipaul in longlist for Lost Booker Prize
By Dipankar De Sarkar, IANS,
London : The late Indian-origin writer Shiva Naipaul is among 22 authors who were named Monday in the longlist for a one-off Lost Man Booker Prize for books published in 1970.
Shivadhar Srinivasa Naipaul, brother of writer Sir V.S. Naipaul, was named for his acclaimed first novel "Fireflies".
Shiva Naipaul, as he was known, created a literary storm with "Fireflies" and went on to make a name for himself in travel writing, before dying of heart attack in 1985 at the age of 40.
American varsity starts A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Fellowship
New Delhi : An American university has started doctoral grants for Indian students to honour late former president of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam who...
Ismail Hussain memorial harmony award given to Homen Borgohain
By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Prominent author Homen Borgohain, who returned his Sahitya Akademi recently protesting against the ‘intolerance’, was honoured with litterateur...
Javed Habib: A Character of Greek Tragedy
By Urdu Media Monitor,
جاوید حبیب : ہجوم سے تنہائی تک
Javed Habib: Hujoom se Tanhai Tak
Compiled by: Masoom Moradabadi
Reviewed by: M Ghazali Khan
Published by: Khabardar Publications, Z-103 Taj Enclave, Gita Colony, Delhi 110031, Email [email protected], Mobile: 09810780563
If you were asked to name a personality who studied at AMU, was a selfless activist, fearless and gifted orator as well a writer, launched a newspaper but had to stop it, lived an austere saintly life and could not earn even as much as to be able to buy a basic four wall residence, you would be excused to think of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar or may be Maulana Hasrat Mohani.
Decoding the Mahatma, World Cup trivia, geography
An original analysis of who was responsible for Mahatma Gandhi's death, a reader-friendly guide spanning 40 years of the cricket World Cup and getting to know the incredible geography of India - the IANS book stack this weekend is a power house of information. Take a look.
1. Book: The Death and Afterlife of Mahatma Gandhi; Author: Makarand R. Paranjape; Publisher: Random House India; Pages: 331; Price: Rs.599
Odd-even formula: Delhi may shut schools
New Delhi : The Delhi government may declare holidays for schools from the January 1 when the 15-day traffic regulation to curb rising air...
Amitav Ghosh tops fiction charts – again
By IANS,
New Delhi : Amitav Ghosh continues to rule the fiction category with his sequel "River of Smoke" while Henry Kissinger's "On China" is the bestseller in the non-fiction list this week.
A book that chronicles Shimla’s glorious past (IANS Books)
By Vishal Gulati, IANS,
Shimla : Shimla was a nondescript hamlet with shepherd hutments that became a flourishing town with palatial bungalows and hotels. Capturing this journey is a coffee table book, with rare photographs of imperial buildings and stories of eminent personalities and events in the last 188 years.
"In 1822, the first house was built in Shimla, then a village, and it took another almost 44 years when this number grew to 290," says the book, "Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai" - literally meaning 'every house tells a story'.
Noted writer, Yusufi’s passing away condoled
ALIGARH June 25: "Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi's passing away not only denotes the death of the most outstanding satirist of our time but also his departure...
‘Before Memory Fades’ is hot seller (IANS Books)
By IANS,
New Delhi : Fali S. Nariman's "Before Memory Fades" has bounced back to the number one spot among non-fiction books this week while "The Immortals of Meluha" by Amish Tripathi continues to dominate the fiction category in the bestseller list.
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. "The Honest Always Stand Alone"
Author: C.G. Somiah
Publisher: Niyogi Books
Price: Rs.395.00
3. "Awakening Giants: Feet of Clay"
Author: Pranab Bardhan
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.
Seven senior secondary students of Delhi school participate in international conference on Psychology
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Seven senior secondary students of New Horizon School, a minority unaided school, participated in an international conference on Psychology...
Kashmir, Bengal, love and loss in the pile
By IANS,
New Delhi : The book shelf this week is a blend of drama and realisations - facts mingled with fictions.
An epoch-making Urdu bibliography
By Dr Omar Khalidi
Dr. Anwar Moazzam, former professor of Islamic Studies at Osmania University in Hyderabad, Deccan, India and Ashhar Farhan, an info-technologist and entrepreneur has compiled a massive, epoch-making bibliography of works in social sciences in Urdu. Dr. Moazzam launched the project way back in 1976, under the auspices of Indian Council for Social Science Research and National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language, both institutions funded by the union government of India in New Delhi.
Government plans award in Maratha freedom fighter’s memory
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : The government is planning to set up an international award for agricultural innovation in the memory of the founder-member of the Ghadar Party, Pandurang Khankhoje, a revolutionary-turned-farmer from Maharashtra, former union minister Vasant Sathe said.
Khankhoje also helped Mexico, his adopted country, set up 30 agricultural universities.
History, publishing, arts, Lokpal on shelf
By IANS,
New Delhi : Enjoy this weekend with exciting and quality books on the shelf.
1. "The Yellow Emperor's Cure"; Written by Kunal Basu; Published by Pan Macmillan; Priced at Rs.1123
Voices from Sri Lanka, a memoir, ethical musings and a fictional tale
Crisp and sharp reportage of how Sri Lankans are returning to their normal lives after 30 years of civil war, a message of love and inspiration for readers through a brave memoir, dealing with important ethical issues of our time and a work of fiction - IANS Books This Weekend is a balanced lot. Take a look.
Book: Sri Lanka: The New Country; Author: Padma Rao Sundarji; Publisher: Harper Collins; Pages: 322; Price: Rs. 499
African women writers take a new turn
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : Epic tales of jungle safaris and human rights repression in Africa are making way for a new kind of contemporary literature in a changing continent where women are becoming an increasingly vocal force in influencing literary trends.
Literary pundits are describing the current phase in contemporary African fiction as the "time of boom".
Looking at the world through the eyes of diplomats and other stories
The thoughts and ideas of Indian diplomats who have collectively put in more than 1,150 years in the Indian Foreign Service, understanding the ins and out of wealth creation, a story of a Parsi man and an exciting tale about the battle between man and nature: this is what IANS has to offer to its readers this weekend. Take a look.
1. Book: India and the World: Through the Eyes of Indian Diplomats; Edited by Surendra Kumar; Publisher: Wisdom Tree; Pages: 460; Price: Rs.1,095.
Dalrymple’s book stays atop bestseller chart
By IANS,
New Delhi : William Dalrymple's "Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India" continued at the number one position in the non-fiction section of the bestseller list this week while "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel bounced back to dominate the fiction category.
The top 10 in each section 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 Hindus: An Alternative History
Author: Wendy Doniger
Publisher: Penguin Viking
Price: Rs.999.00
Adiga’s alma mater in Sydney toasts his success
By Neena Bhandari, IANS,
Sydney : Students and teachers at James Ruse Agricultural High in north-west Sydney, the alma mater of Indian-Australian author Aravind Adiga, Wednesday celebrated his Man Booker Prize win.
"We are very proud of Adiga's wonderful achievement. It is amazing for someone so young at 34 to receive one of the highest awards in literature. It reinforces the view of our school as a wonderful place of learning," James Ruse principal Larissa Treskin told IANS.
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.
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.
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.
Adolf Hitler, a lover of books who quoted from Hamlet
By IANS,
London : Better known for burning books rather than collecting them, Adolf Hitler owned an estimated 16,000 volumes and was a voracious reader who loved Shakespeare, says a new book.
"It was by any measure an impressive collection: first editions of the works of philosophers, historians, poets, playwrights and novelists," historian Timothy W. Ryback writes in his "Hitler's Private Library: The Books That Shaped His Life".
Santhali literature is booming, but needs government help
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Jamshedpur : Contemporary Santhali literature has taken off in a big way since it became an official language of Jharkhand in 2003, but it has not come of age because the government has not added it to the list of official Indian languages, says a pioneer of the Santhali book trade.
"Contemporary tribal literature does not get government grants - and flourishes on personal and individual enterprise," Mangal Manjhi told IANS in an interview.
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
With books on morality, religion, Turkey debuts at world fair
By IANS,
New Delhi : Books on morality and religion have caught the attention of quite a few people at the ongoing 19th World Book Fair here. And no, they are not from Indian publications but from a government-supported publishing house from Turkey.
The stall of RNK Publishing, Turkey, at Hall 7 of Pragati Maidan, where the event is being held, has a range of books unique to Turkey. They include the "Risali-i-Nur" ("From The Light") series of poetry, an ancient text by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.
‘The Immortals of Meluha’ is top bestseller (IANS Books)
By IANS,
New Delhi : "Awakening Giants: Feet of Clay" by Pranab Bardhan tops the non-fiction section while Amish Tripathi's "The Immortals of Meluha" is number one in the fiction category of bestsellers this week.
Non-fiction
1. "Awakening Giants: Feet of Clay"
Author: Pranab Bardhan
Publisher: Oxford
Price: Rs.495.00
2. "Before Memory Fades"
Author: Fali S. Nariman
Publisher: Hay House
Price: Rs.599.00
3. "The Honest Always Stand Alone"
Author: C.G. Somiah
Publisher: Niyogi Books
Price: Rs.395.00
4. "Leela: A Patchwork Life"
Savouring the taste of Tagore’s favourite dishes
By Sreya Basu, IANS,
Kolkata : Many are familiar with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's literary works and songs, but ever thought of tasting the bard's favourite dishes?
Now Kolkata can boast of a cafeteria-cum-restaurant, Cafe The, where people can get a taste of Tagore's culinary indulgences - all under one roof.
Books in Urdu on Tagore released
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Prof. S.M. Sajid, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia released four books published as part of Tagore Research Translation Scheme (TRTS) in the Book Release Function organized by the Department of Urdu, Jamia Millia Islamia on February 28, 2014.
In fine print: Delhi, relationships and thrill
By IANS,
(IANS Books This Week)
New Delhi : Fact, fiction, fun and adventure sprinkle excitement on the bookshelf this week.
Windows into Pakistan: Four debut novels
By Vikas Datta
It is frequently described as the most dangerous place in the world. With suicide bombings and shootings, terrorists camping on its...
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...
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 --...
Poland-based Urdu poet answers ‘Unmasked Questions’
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Book: "Unmasked Questions"; Author: Surender Bhutani; Publisher: Wydawca Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Warsaw-based Urdu poet Surender Bhutani's new anthology of English poetry addresses posers on religion, love, freedom, the changing world order, conflicts, metaphysics, literature and even economy - spanning the cycle of human sensibilities and the forces that govern life in this epochal era.
Urdu enthusiasts urged to observe International Mother Language Day
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Mumbai: Indian Urdu language enthusiasts have been asked to remember 15th anniversary of 'International Mother Language Day' in favour of ‘Urdu’ language by organizing programmes, seminars and debates.
Mohammed Ali Shihab: An inspiring journey from orphanage to UPSC
By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net,
“What is your strength, Ali?” asked the discerning panel during the interview round of the UPSC exams in 2011. The answer...
मशहूर इस्लामिक विद्वान सिद्दिक हसन का निधन
विशेष संवाददाता। Twocircles.net
जमात-ए-इस्लामी हिंद के पूर्व सहायक अमीर प्रोफेसर के० ए० सिद्दीक हसन का मंगलवार को कोजीकोड में देहांत हो गया। वो भारत...
Terror, suffering, cricket on bookshelf
By IANS,
New Delhi : The book pile this week is serious, sombre and reminiscent of the good times that the country had - at a time when the country fends off fresh wave of terror.
Do Educational Institutions need lectures on Patriotism?
By Ram Puniyani
The issues related to our educational institutions-patriotism started coming up to the fore with this Government coming to power (May 2014). One...
Powerful expose on culture of international aid
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS,
Book: "International Organizations and Civilian Protection"; Author: Sreeram Chaulia;
Pages 263; Publisher: I.B. Tauris
Muslim population myth
By Dr kouser Fathima,
The release of data about Indian population based on religion has shattered many preconceived notions. The fear among the majority...
An Indian who longs for India
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS,
Book: "The Reverse Journey"; Author: Vivek Kumar Singh; Publisher: Frog Books, Mumbai;
Pages: 122; Price: Rs.95
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.
India has come to world’s top table: journalist Daniel Lak
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : If 1991 was India's wake-up call, then today India is out of bed and on its way to office, says senior British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) journalist Daniel Lak.
But he hastily adds: "Metaphors aside, it means that India has arrived at the world's top table and is awaiting due recognition." His book "India Express" analyses the country's potential role as "Asia's America".
The Bridge on the River Kwai: Fact and fiction
By Vikas Datta
Some of the Second World War's fiercest battles involved bridges and inspired some riveting accounts - capture of key bridges (Cornelius...
Literati disappointed with Penguin’s book withdrawal
By IANS,
New Delhi : Expressing unhappiness over Penguin India's decision to withdraw US Indologist Wendy Doniger's book "The Hindu: An Alternative History" from the...
Cruising on a fictional world
Enjoy a dose of light fiction to beat summer heat. From heartaches to thrillers and from graphic travelogue to Vipassana journey - take your pick from this vibrant assortment of books IANS has on offer this weekend.
1. Book: Never Kiss Your Best Friend; Author: Sumrit Shahi; Publisher: Rupa; Pages: 206; Price: Rs.195
Adiga, Friedman stay top of the charts
By IANS,
New Delhi : Thomas L. Friedman's "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why the World Needs a Green Revolution - and How …" remains at the top of the non-fiction bestseller list this week as does "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga in the fiction category.
The top 10 in the non-fiction and fiction lists are:
Non-Fiction
1. "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why the World Needs a Green Revolution - and How …"
Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Publisher: Allen Lane
Price: Rs.595
2. "What Next? Surviving The Twenty-First Century"
Author: Chris Patten
Publisher: Allen Lane
Price: Rs.795
Travelogue of Salar Jung II launched by Vice President
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Mir Laeq Ali Khan, Salar Jung II and Prime Minister of Nizam of Hyderabad, was among the very few Indians who traveled to Europe to observe the continent’s society, polity and economy and then wrote travelogue, said Dr Omar Khalidi of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, who co-edited the book “Vaqa-e-Musafirat-i-Imad al-Saltanah: The Travelogue of Salar Jung II”, launched by Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India in New Delhi on December 18.
President to honour scholars with ‘Hindi Sevi Samman’
New Delhi : President Pranab Mukherjee will present the 'Hindi Sevi Samman' for 2012, 2013 and 2014 on Thursday at a function to be...
Stories of women’s empowerment, a werewolf
A book analyses the drivers of change and the repercussions of present-day gender revolutions, a man in today's Kolkata meets a man who claims to be a werewolf. Some light and some heavy dosage, the IANS bookshelf this weekend has reality meeting fantasy. Take a look.
1. Book: Half A Billion Rising; Author: Anirudha Dutta; Publisher: Rainlight; Pages: 247; Price: Rs.395
In a first, farm widow inaugurates top Marathi literary meet
Yavatmal (Maharashtra), Jan 11 (IANS) In a first, farm widow Vaishali S. Yede on Friday evening inaugurated the controversy-ridden 92nd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya...
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
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.
Correct grammar way to first job
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Book: "You're Hired: How you get that job and keep it too"; Author: Nasha Fitter; Publisher: Penguin India-Books; Price: Rs.199
Applying for jobs, but don't seem to hear back from prospective employers? Maybe you're making a mistake somewhere in your application. Does your application read anything like this?
Market meltdown gives fillip to Marxists’ economic ideology
By IANS,
New Delhi : Karl Marx is again much-sought after in bookstores, courtesy the global economic meltdown, and the Indian Marxists are eagerly circulating handbooks with their economic ideology, including one titled 'The Politics of Privatisation and Its Impact'.
Enthused by reports of a hike in the sale of books by Karl Marx following the economic recession in the West, the Indian Marxist leaders said they are chalking out strategies to propagate their ideology, based on economics.
Nandan Nilekani, Aravind Adiga still top bestseller lists
By IANS,
New Delhi : Corporate honcho Nandan Nilekani's "Imagining India" continues to dominate non-fiction this week, as does Aravind Adiga in the fiction category of bestsellers.
The top 10 in the non-fiction and fiction lists are:
Non-Fiction
1. "Imagining India: Ideas for the new century"
Author: Nandan Nilekani
Publisher: Penguin/Allen Lane
Price: Rs.699.00
2. "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why the World Needs a Green Revolution - and How..."
Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Publisher: Allen Lane
Price: Rs.595.00
3. "Nehru: A Contemporary's Estimate"
Author: Walter Crocker
Freedom from Fear: New book documents survival stories of AIDS orphans
By IANS,
New Delhi : Nine-year-old Ganesh has no recolletion of his parents. He lost them to AIDS even before his first birthday. Ganesh, who lives in the fishing village of Chilakapeta in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, is HIV positive. His 60-year-old grandmother, Parvathyamma, looks after him.
Parvathyamma, a fishmonger, is illiterate. And her meagre income is barely enough to support the child. Ganesh is on anti-retroviral drugs and requires care. The 60-year-old woman has left it to Lord Jesus, who hangs from a calendar on the wall, to lead the way.
Book Review: Muslims in Indian cities – Trajectories of Marginalisation
Book edited by Laurent Gayer and Christophe Jaffrelot
By Danish Khan for TwoCircles.net,
Book on the lethal use of pellet guns released in Kashmir; lethality of the...
By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCicles.net
Srinagar : Kashmir - Scars of Pellet Gun: The Brutal Face of Suppression, the book...
Serving a generous dose of young fiction
The thrill of winning a cricket match, an emotional bond between a man and animal, an annoying elder brother and a concerned grandmother -...
Inside a Syrian Malayali kitchen – a gastronomic storm
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Book: "The Suriani Kitchen: Recipes and Recollections from the Syrian Christians of Kerala"; Publisher: Westland Ltd; Author: Lathika George; Price: Rs.450
A traditional Syrian Christian Malayali kitchen captures the essence of a home and the spicy cuisine of the community, which had converted to Christianity when the first missionaries from the West arrived in southern India.
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
Book Review: Marching towards Islam
Reviewed by M Naushad Ansari,
Book: End of Casteism
Author: T.M. Mani (Now T.M. Umar Farooq)
Translation from Tamil: M. Ghulam Muhammad
Pages: 140
Price: Rs. 50.00
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.
Now read Taslima Nasreen, other authors in Sanskrit
By IANS,
Lucknow : Literary works of well-known Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen and several others will soon be available in Sanskrit, an official said here Saturday.
"The move will help the revival of Sanskrit language and will also make it popular amongst masses," said C.K. Shastri, general secretary of Samskrita Bharati that has undertaken the project to translate nearly 10,000 books in various languages into Sanskrit.
"We have entrusted Sanskrit scholars from all over India for the translation work," he added.
Preamble turns storybook, thanks to grandma Leila Seth
By Paloma Ganguly, IANS,
Book: "We, The Children Of India"; Author: Leila Seth; Publisher: Puffin; Price INR.150
What's the most important book of India? It's the Constitution, silly, and its goals are contained in the first long sentence, the Preamble. Any child who has gone through super grandmom and former chief justice Leila Seth's latest offering can tell you that.
Wah! Shaad Wah! – An interface with ‘Best Poet of the Year’
By Anjali Singh, CNS,
Think Lucknow and the mention to the city of nawabs will be incomplete sans mention of Khushbir Singh Shaad, Lucknow’s very own local shayar (poet).
I have revisited my school days, Ruskin Bond says about new book
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : Grandfather is a man of many gifts. Granny makes gooseberry jam and looks after everyone, Uncle Ken gets into strange situations and Aunt Ruby is afraid of flowers. Mr Oliver, the scoutmaster, eagerly looks forward to his retirement.
Meet the cast of "The Parrot Who Wouldn't Talk and Other sides", the new volume from Ruskin Bond, one of India's best known authors. This slim anthology of memories from the author's school days is to be released in the capital later Friday.
Yoga to be introduced in Tripura schools from next year
Agartala : The Tripura government will introduce yoga as a subject in schools from classes one to eight from the next academic year beginning...
Off to new boom town, with Mark Tully
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Book: "Non Stop India"; Author: Mark Tully; Publisher: Penguin India; Price: Rs.499; Pages: 357
सीमांचल की ज़मीन पर साहित्य का इंटरनेशनल उत्सव
अफ़रोज़ आलम साहिल, TwoCircles.net
बिहार के किशनगंज में इंटरनेशनल लिटरेरी फेस्टिवल...! ये बात कईयों के लिए हैरानी का सबब बन सकती है. मगर ये...
Centre trying to subvert spirit of Nehru memorial library: Congress
New Delhi : The Congress on Wednesday condemned what it said were efforts by the BJP government to "subvert and dilute" the essential...
Pope will visit Israel in May, says Olmert
By DPA,
Jerusalem : Pope Benedict XVI will pay an official visit to Israel in May this year, outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Sunday.
"The entire Israeli government welcomes the visit," Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev said.
A detailed itinerary of the pope's visit is not yet available.
It would be the third visit of a reigning pontiff to Israel since the state was created in 1948.
Poem: Political Iftar
By Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani
Count all the known 'BEARDS' with utmost care,
Seduce them all into our Party's voting share.
Give them the title of 'ULEMA' of high esteem,
As they come, like an army of locust, it must seem.
Manage to make them sit in separate rows,
To send a strong message to our foes.
For us, all of them are a great asset,
Their every motion must be recorded in cassette.
The 'LONGER BEARDS' must occupy central places,
From all sides,the media must cover their faces.
On this gullible community is resting our hope,
Book Review: Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuscinski
By Shaik Zakeer Hussain, TwoCircles.net,
There is a customary semblance in all dictators: they are authoritarian, they command total submission, their rule is tyrannical and they have little, or worse, no concern for the miserable conditions of their people. The population is starving, there is rampant unemployment, corruption at all levels of government. There is drudgery, there is pain, there is humiliation, there is everything in society, that makes a man lose his sanity.
Urdu signboards now at Delhi Railway Station
By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
New Delhi: Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has asked Delhi Railway Station officers to prepare all official signboards at the station in Urdu language also. He made an unannounced visit to the station yesterday.
He met passengers of Samjhauta Express standing at the platform and checked the facilities provided to them. On the request of the passengers of that train, he ordered officials to put name plates in Urdu also. He also wished them for their happy journey.
Fairy tales and religious myths not good for children?
By IANS,
London : It is a form of child abuse to teach religious myths to young children who are also likely to suffer negatively by reading tales of witchcraft and wizardry like Harry Potter, argues Britain's leading atheist and popular science writer, Richard Dawkins.
Dawkins is planning to conduct research on both the themes as he believes that while fairy tales may impact on children's rationality, they should be cautioned against "unscientific" religious myths.
IGNOU VC bats for Urdu software
Aligarh : Urdu has played a vital role during India's freedom struggle and became instrumental in uniting Indian society "but still Urdu has failed...
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...
Muslim English periodical brings out special issue on AMU alumni
By TwoCircles.net News Desk,
Patna: An especial issue of English magazine “Islam, Muslim and the World” on the alumni of the Aligarh Muslim University was released today by Vice Chancellor Prof Abdul Azis in Aligarh.
Bikaner princess documents history of her royal home
By IANS,
New Delhi : An inner courtyard with a stunning, multi-layered red sandstone facade, verandahs lined with beautiful marble tables and imposing bronze sculptures on each one of them - the family home of Rajyashree Kumari Bikaner, an erstwhile Rajasthani princess, is a palace that has hosted the then maharajas of Travancore, Palanpur, Patiala and Gwalior.
Translations, young India & health on book shelf
By IANS,
New Delhi : This weekend, the bookcart wheels a medley of thoughtful titles on a diverse range of subjects. Browse with IANS.
Of healing, perseverance and courage
What prompted Malala Yousafzai to speak up against the Taliban? How does love sear and consume and how can one heal with homeopathy? How can a few things better your life? It is these intriguing stories that IANS has for its readers this weekend. Take a look.
1. Book: Malala; Author: Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick; Publisher: Hachette; Pages: 240; Price: Rs. 299
Exhibition, book celebrate Urdu’s trailblazing woman writer
New Delhi: She was among the first generation of educated Muslim women to speak fearlessly about a woman's body and rights, yet Rashid Jahan's...
Of delayed justice and legal tangles
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : Senior advocate Arun Mohan has a mission in life: ensuring speedy justice.
The senior Supreme Court lawyer, who has been associated with courts for 39 years, had taken time off from his work to write four volumes on the Indian judicial system and the problems that confront "everyday justice" as a public service project.
The first two volumes of "Justice, Courts and Delays" were released in July at a function where the chief justice of India, the law minister and the attorney general were present.
Vidya Balan thanks Big B for selfie with ‘Bengal tigresses’
Kolkata: Actress Vidya Balan, who was longing for a selfie with veteran actresses Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan and Moushumi Chatterjee, finally got her wish...
Book release : Anthology for the Refugees
By Mohabbat Seikh, kolkata
A book called "Dui Hazar Ekush" ( Twenty First Century)for the Refugees worldwide was released on 5th at Kolktata Press Club. Renown...
Modi assures full support to AMU
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thurday assured full financial support to the Aligarh Muslim University, a statement said.
The prime minister made...
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...
‘India has new generation that can take on the world’
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : Author Sanjeev Sanyal, whose new book "The Indian Renaissance: India's Rise After a Thousand Years of Decline" has just hit the stores, feels that India is at a very extraordinary turning point.
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.
Foreign publishers have invaded market, say Indian publishers
By Alkesh Sharma, IANS,
Chandigarh : Despite a growing domestic market and increasing exports, Indian book publishers are concerned over the "invasion" by their foreign counterparts and have demanded that the government scrap the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the industry.
"We demand the government scrap the FDI in the business of publishing to give a breathing space to Indian publishers," Anand Bhushan, advisor and former chairman of the New Delhi-based Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), told IANS here.
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.
Kashmir, Mao, free spirit, join forces on book shelf
By IANS,
New Delhi : The books on the shelf this week are mercurial: serious and thought-provoking, yet fun.
Cult religion, parenting & art on book shelf
By IANS,
New Delhi : The book cart is light and moving this weekend - bringing out the diverse essence of the region. Browse with IANS....
PUDR report on SIMI’s saga with UAPA tribunals released
By TCN News,
New Delhi: Banned and Damned: SIMI’s Saga with UAPA Tribunals, a report presenting an analysis of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act...
Recent Sikh history: An inside story – IANS Book Review
By Arun Anand, IANS,
Book: "1984: Lessons From History", Author: Harminder Kaur; Publisher: Corporate Vision, Price: Rs.595; Pages: 245
India witnessed a spate of inter-linked tragic events in the year 1984 - Operation Bluestar and the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh body guards, followed by anti-Sikh riots in capital Delhi and several other parts of the country that shook the conscience and secular fabric of the country.
Divided Sri Lanka haunts a man at the wheels (Book Review)
By M.R. Narayan Swamy,
Title: Noon Tide Toll; Author: Romesh Gunesekera; Publisher: Penguin Books: Pages: 237; Price: Rs.299
How does Sri Lanka fare after the end of a quarter century of ethnic conflict? Vasantha ferries visitors all around the island in a van bought with savings after retiring early. The road journeys are as much an eye opener to the Sri Lankan driver as much to the men and women he transports - mainly foreigners and Sri Lankans now settled abroad. The still bruised north, the Sinhalese south and the now carefree Colombo come alive as Romesh Gunesekera, a gifted writer, uses Vasantha to take readers from one spot to another, from one saga to another.
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...
Book Review: Human & Civil Rights Defenders’ Resource Manual
Book Review
Human & Civil Rights Defenders’ Resource Manual
Prepared by Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR)
108, 3rd Floor, Pocket I, Near Living Style Mall,
JASOLA, New Delhi-25, Phone: 011-64639388. E-mail : [email protected]
Price: Rs. 100/-, Pages: 122
Reviewed by MAHTAB ALAM
A veritable encyclopaedia on Lord Muruga
(IANS Book Review)
By M.R. Narayan Swamy, IANS,
Book: "Sri Muruga"; Author: Rahul Kabade; Published by: Sri Muruga Publications (Britain); Pages: 194; Price: not stated
Why Lahaul Lamas pray for Minister M.S. Gill
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Book: "Himalayan Wonderland, Travels in Lahaul and Spiti"; Publisher: Penguin/Viking; Author: Manohar Singh Gill (union sports minister); Price: Rs.599
In the summer of 1962, a restless young Indian administrator, Manohar Singh Gill, made an arduous journey from the north Indian plains to the farthest reaches of Indian Himalayas - the Lahaul and Spiti Valley - and spent a year living and working with the people there.
The essence of Malayaliness – contrary images
By IANS,
New Delhi : Kerala is many things to many people. While it is "god's own country" for some because of its scenic lushness, others think it an "embarrassment that encourages constant disorder in its politics and economy".
As author Shinie Antony writes in a new anthology, "Kerala, Kerala, Quite Contrary" there exist multiple Keralas, all volubly at loggerheads with each other - left or right? Tourism brochures or environmental quicksand? Poised for a global role or rambling rhetoric?
Books written by Muslim writers released at Imphal
By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Two books written by Muslim writers were released on December 2, 2012 at a function organized by Writer’s Union, Manipur (WUM) at Imphal.
इतिहास की बेटी राना सफ़वी के नाम हुआ साल 2020 का ‘यामिन हज़ारिका नारी...
आसमोहम्मद कैफ । Twocircles.net
इल्मी दुनिया मे 'इतिहास की बेटी' के तौर पर पहचान बनाने वाली इतिहासकार, शायरा और लेखिका राना सफ़वी को इस साल...
Fatima Bhutto’s book tops bestseller list
By IANS,
New Delhi : "Songs of Blood and Sword" by Fatima Bhutto, niece of late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, dominates the non-fiction list while Amish Tripathi's "The Immortals of Meluha" tops the fiction category among bestsellers this week.
The top 10 in each category are:
Non-fiction
1. "Songs of Blood and Sword"
Author: Fatima Bhutto
Publisher: Penguin Viking
Price: Rs.699.00
2. "Becoming Indian"
Author: Pavan K. Varma
Publisher: Penguin/Allen Lane
Price: Rs.499.00
3. "The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma"
There is no authentic Indian writing for children: Suchitra Krishnamoorthi
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
New Delhi : Actress-turned-musician-turned-artist Suchitra Krishnamoorthi has donned a new hat - that of a writer. She has just released her fiction series for young adults - "Swapnalok Society", a magical reality tale about life in downtown Mumbai.
Krishnamoorthi said the idea had been bouncing in her head for a few years. "I wanted to write a book but was not sure what. I wanted something light and frothy," Krishnamoorthi told IANS in an e-mail interview from Mumbai.
Exposing 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
Harper Collins, Ratna Sagar to promote student dictionaries
By IANS,
New Delhi : Harper Collins Publishers India and Ratna Sagar will enter into an alliance to jointly promote student dictionaries in the country.
The alliance between the publishing houses will be announced Wednesday. Under the alliance, Collins School Gem Dictionary, Collins Compact Dictionary and Collins Pocket Dictionary will be brought out in December.
Chronicling iron women at helm of India’s business empires
By Madhusree Chatterjee, IANS,
Book: "Corporate Divas"; Author: Sonia Golani; Publisher: Penguin India; Pages: 227; Price: Rs 250