A mind needs books

"A mind needs books like a sword needs whetstone" Tyron Lannister  (Game of thrones)

Here are the few books which I have read in past few years. I not only find them highly informative but also refreshing. Through the time my motive behind reading books changed sometimes it's inspiration, sometimes it's to take a look at the vivid imagination of a fascinating author, sometimes it's due to boredom. No matter the reason I always find time to read good books. It's a habit which I will always cherish.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin Sharma

Guide To Greatness

Guide To Greatness 2

127 Hours

Possessed

Tha Bankster

iWoz

Clash Of The Kings

The Innocent

The Magician

Fakebook

Great Expectations

Single In The City

Sherlock Holmes

Mind Reader

Harry potter Series

The school for dangerous girls

Surprise me

The witch of Portobello 

Dead to the world

Out of the Broom closet

The power of positive thinking 

The rozabal line

How to reach from where you are to where you want to be 

The biography of Abraham Lincoln 

Why smart people can be so stupid 

Diary of a serial killer

The immoral of meluha 

The secret of nagas 

The oath of vayuputras 

Hamlet

Red dragon

Three mistakes of my life

The power of your subconscious mind 

The Steve Jobs way

Like a Virgin

Rich dad poor dad

The death that Shook me

August 2013

Those arid logs beneath his head, his deteriorating body. Eyes which shall never open again towards this drab world. Hairs wet with his own blood, the body cut down into  pieces. The ongoing cremation ceremony to which I paid no heed to. The enchanting sound of "mantras". The vision a bit blurred, eyes watered by the sight, by though of never seeing my friend again. People rendering solace to his wailing grandfather and big brother.

A sudden ignition and the body burst into flames. I was in agony, such a fine soul, a young vibrant boy and alas it had all come to this. My hands folded over my chest, thinking about all the fine memories we have shared in the past. His body is now burning vigorously, the skin started to melt off the bones. The crowd started to scuttle, the family and friends who cherished the guy were leaving the criminatory, I was the last one standing waving my friend final good bye. Strange, it seemed to me that all of those people abandoning him in his final moments. He was a brother to me I remained there saw his body turn to ashes. I think he deserved it, he deserved my support, he wanted me to be there. His soul would now receive some solace knowing that there was still one guy who stood by him in his final moments and did not abandon him like the rest.

(3 days before)

It was a usual evening i left early for the gym, taking the same path to travel. A familiar face stopped me amid, seeing an old friend. He was one of my oldest friends, we were in the same class in junior high. Memories came jostling back, we talked about future plans, i inquire about his family. It was nice, he was there with a friend to which i didn't pay much heed. After a brief talk we shook hands and i left for the gym.

Two days after the meet his grandfather came to our house, he was catatonic. When My father inquired what happen; he told that Sam(My Friend) didn't came home from past two days. He tried calling him, messaged him but no respond came. Then in the evening Sam called, he was suicidal, he talked about drowning himself to Gange. My father on hearing it, took immediate action informed police and local media. 

After a day news came that he had committed suicide by jumping infront of a train. His death came as a shock to everyone. He left a burden on my soul along with thousand unanswered questions that i ask myself everytime i think about it, the answers to which i will never find. Could i save saved him from himself? Was it really a suicide? What part does that other boy have in this wistful incident? 

A thought

Fabrication is an artist's weapon

My First Art Exhibition

Dated 1.9.2014

It was a proud moment for me , the day I have been preparing for 3 long years. I named it "the white period" , during this period I have adapted painting styles of various great artists such as Quang Ho , M.F Hussain ,  Picasso and some other less known Indian artists. 

I was quite happy by the news when the university decided to organise my art exhibition. I have invited all my friends and family to be a part of this very special moment of my life. Since I first started to paint , my parents have been exalting me but I always thought that it was part of their parenting to support their son. So this was the moment when I fist stepped out into the real world to find out what they think about it. The response i got was unbelievable. I was very happy and satisfied that finally my toil have been rewarded. 

                                             With Director of IHTM and Vice Chancellor MDU 
                                                     At inauguration of my art exhibition

                                                                A pic of my art exhibition

                      MDU UIET Director Mr. Khatkar honoring me with a bouquet for my Art Exhibition

                        A small cutting of my art exhibition from a national newspaper Dainik Bhaskar

Expanding my horizons

For me life is all about expanding my horizons , I have always emphasized on exploring new fields because they offer me new challenge and a chance to learn. According to me when you attempt something new you not only explore your unknown potential but also develop respect towards those who choose it as a career. So this time I have attempted photography. An competition organized by Amazon have offered me something which I was seeking for quite some time , a challenge.  

So I grabbed my camera and hit the road to find something that was never captured before , a whole other side which was never presented in front of the world. This endeavor led me into the unknown. I went to places where I have never been before , I have seen the world through my lens and have captured a few remarkable shots. 

"Love Bugs"

The picture captured is of Trichodes apiarius, a commonly found insect in India. This is a couple which i captured on my trip to a local park.  

       "An arid tree"

A shot of a arid tree from one of my journeys to the west.

 "The Rag Pickers" 

The image captures a community of people with no real jobs, people who are left behind. The shot is in Black and white because for these people there are no colors. Their drab eyes lacks spark, at young age their parents forced them to adapt this profession rather then sending them to schools. This picture represents million dead dreams across India.

     "Lone Riders"

This is a pictures of two construction site workers who wake up everyday while the whole the whole world sleep in their comfortable beds. At the minimum wages these are the hardest working people of India.

   "The solitary tree"

The image represents a wistful paradox where on one side the industrialisation is at its pinnacle on the other side forests are diminishing at a rapid rate.

      "The Other Side Of India"

This picture captures another side of India, where on one side we are cooking in microwaves living in comfortable warm houses these people are gathering woods to cook their food and keep them warm.These neglected people whom no one bother to mention. Through my lens i have captured them to bring them into the lime light that they deserve.

   "Mighty Buffalo"

 

    The image shows a bird sitting on the buffalo's back. 

    

  "The white buds"

 The image presents a contrast of colors helping the buds to stand out.

"Still fresh"

            The image captures a plant infested with rain drops. This shot was captured just after the rain.

"Pastoral berries"

               

                        On one of my trips to explore, I found these berries in a pastoral inhabitation.                                                    

  "A Rural Shot"

            The shot was captured during my trip to my village. A farmer guiding the cattle towards home.

      "The Mighty Farmer"

The image captures rural side of India. A farmer who works very hard to feed the nation. And yet ignored and belittled by the authorities. The picture is captured in such manner(from the back/faceless) to show that the real face of India is our farmers yet they are denied on every turn.

Something they failed to mention in leadership books

Thousands of books have been written on how to become a successful leader. Each present their own different prospects , each put their own argument and afferming events to support them. I have my own point of view developed by analyzing many leaders in various different fields.

Employees often talk to the leader about various things they share their ideas, experiences, sometimes their personal affairs too. Now in every management book it's written that a good leader is the one who listens to others but in my opinion there is something missing. Human is a social animal. He likes to be acknowledged, be recognized, be a part of something which is bigger than him but in case he fails to attain that, he gets disappointed and disappointed workers are not good for business. 

A good leader is the one who remembers. If a person or an employee trusts you enough to share something with you, it is important for you to remember. If he tells you that his wife Molly is not feeling good and he is worried about her. The next time you see him ask him how is Molly now, is she ok? This forms a bond between employers and employees which is far more strong any bond between a boss and a worker. Once the employees realize that you care for them, that you think them as your own, they would become loyal to you. This will not only create passionate and happy workers but also an healthy working environment in the organization. Care about people you work with. In most cases the leader only asks out of courtesy but never bother to remember. People feel undervalued working and that lack of acknowledgment would yield into workers who have no love for the job which would ultimately conclude as organizational failure.

Encouraging Art:My first interview

I had my first interview published recently in a local newspaper "Hari Bhoomi".
The interviewer wanted my opinion over the lack of society's interest in arts.
Me being an artist have reprimanded it strongly and suggested a few ways that when adapted could bring the change we need.