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Category: Features

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The Disruption Playbook: How Startups are Breaking Rules and Rewriting Success

Posted on by bhavika

Read an exclusive excerpt on how startups are breaking rules and rewriting success!

Front Cover Mastering Disruption
Mastering Disruption || K.Ganesh

 

As per popular legend, in 1997, Reed Hastings, a software entrepreneur, was fined $40 at his local video store for returning the DVD of the movie Apollo 13 late. This unpleasant experience got him thinking: there has to be a better business model for video rentals. He started Netflix, a DVD-by-mail service with no late fees, which was later transformed into a subscription-based online streaming service. Today, Netflix is a global behemoth in the entertainment industry, all thanks to a business model that was born out of a sense of personal frustration. In India, a man named Arunachalam Muruganantham embarked on a mission to produce affordable sanitary pads for the women in his village. His business model was built around empowering rural women, not just by providing access to affordable sanitary products but also by offering them an opportunity to earn a living. His company, Jayaashree Industries, supplied semi-automatic machines to women-led self-help groups who produced and sold the pads, turning a societal challenge into an entrepreneurial opportunity. This model has been hailed as a breakthrough in socially conscious business innovation.

At the dawn of the twentieth century, the Ford Motor Company revolutionized the automobile industry not just through the invention of the assembly line but also through an innovative business model. Henry Ford’s vision of making a car for the great multitude required a drastic reduction in prices, which led to the development of a business model based on cost efficiencies and economies of scale. This story serves as a classic example of how business model innovation can drive growth and disrupt industries. All these examples show that business models are not static; they are dynamic and change with time. They are not set in stone; they need to evolve with changing market conditions and customer needs. Did you know that each year, more than half of the Fortune 500 companies have to innovate their business models to stay on the list? A business model that worked in the past might not be successful in the future, and companies that fail to innovate their business models risk being left behind.

 

Business Model

So, what is a business model? In simple terms, it is a conceptual structure that supports the viability of a business and explains how it operates and makes money, and how it intends to achieve its goals. More importantly, a business model encapsulates the value proposition for customers—that unique cocktail of products, services and experiences that make a business stand out from the crowd. Imagine walking into a bustling marketplace filled with vendors, each trying to outshine the others, vying for your attention and your hard-earned money. Their strategies for enticing you differ significantly—one offers a subscription for a basket of fresh produce every week, another entices you with a bundle of complementary products at a discounted rate, a third proposes a franchise model to help you set up your own thriving business, and yet another offers the convenience of on-demand service, where you get what you want, when you want it. All of these are business models in action, strategically designed to create, deliver and capture value.

An Examination of Traditional

Business Models

We begin our exploration of business models by examining the conventional, time-honoured structures that have enabled businesses to create and capture value throughout history. Each model has its own distinctive strengths, weaknesses and unique elements, which need to be grasped for achieving business success. It’s worth noting that these models are not mutually exclusive and can often be interwoven and amalgamated.

Manufacturer Business Model:

This model involves the creation of products from raw materials or component parts by a company. The products can be sold directly to consumers, or through an intermediary. Example: Tata Motors exemplifies this model, designing and manufacturing an array of vehicles sold via their dealer network. Ford Motor Company represents this model on a global scale, selling its extensive range of vehicles through worldwide distribution channels.

Strengths and weaknesses: The manufacturing model offers control over production, quality and pricing. Higher volumes can lead to economies of scale, reducing costs and increasing profitability. However, high initial costs, continuous maintenance expenses and potential supply chain complexities can be challenges. The ability to change the established infrastructure to match evolving market dynamics and consumer preferences can also be a hurdle.

Savarkar: The Man, The Myth, The Controversy

Posted on by bhavika

Here’s an excerpt that captures the essence of Savarkar’s bold critique!

Front Cover The New Icon
The New Icon || Arun Shourie

The Uber-Mother

The fact is that having regarded the cow to be our mother, Savarkar wrote, over time she came to be accorded a status even higher than that of a mother.4 The milk of both is drinkable. But in the case of the cow, its panchgavya is imbibed . . . At least, first ascertain which are the ailments for which gaumootra aur gaumaya have been verified to be efficacious. . . We have heard that cow urine has medicinal qualities. But, bhai, he asked, what doesn’t? One’s own urine also has some medicinal qualities as gaumootra has .  .  . As one’s own urine also has medicinal qualities, should we keep imbibing our panchgavya on every religious occasion and for pure sanskaars (inborn traits), faculties? Brandy also is a medicine for kafkshayaadi vikaar. Should we, therefore, imbibe it during shraavandi also? Poison too is a medicine for some ailments. Use it for persons who have those ailments. One does not take it in the form of dharmic sanskaars (religious values). Shoot down such thoonth aur moorkhataapoorand sanskaars—this alone will bring lustre to our dharma and sanskriti . . .

When a person announced that it was because she partook of panchgavya that the mother of Lokmanya Tilak gave birth to a son as great as him, Savarkar mocked him and asked, why were not the other things she ate—flour, rice, vegetables, fruit, etc.—the cause? If cow’s dung and urine are actually useful in curing some ailment, Savarkar pointed out, so is the urine of a horse, the milk of a she-donkey, the vishthtaa of a hen. If they cure certain ailments, then let those suffering from those ailments consume them, just as medicines are taken by individuals afflicted with the specific conditions those medicines treat. But do the droppings of the hen cure snakebite? If not, then would you eat them if bitten by a snake? If cow dung is fertiliser, then spread it in the field. Why put it into your stomach? Dead rats are excellent manure for roses. Does that mean that we should take them up to our noses and smell their odour? In any case, even if the panchgavya is useful as a medicine, how does drinking cow urine become a punya? Savarkar asked. By cleansing our soul? The truth, Savarkar said, is that the innocence which has led to making a goddess of an ordinary animal, the same innocent religiosity has led people to take its defecating outside their door as auspicious, to regard brushing its tail over our eyes as beneficial, to consider praying to it as religion, and, in the end, crossing the limits of madness, to consider its urine and dung as sacred and pavitra (pure), to believe that eating or drinking it cleanses our soul, destroys our sins, and constitutes punya in this as well as the next world—innocence has reached a peak. After all, where does the notion that the cow and everything emanating from it is sacred and purifying come from, where does it lead? The cow which, standing in the cowshed, chews on grass and chaaraa (fodder), the one which, even as she is eating, urinates and defecates, upon getting tired while masticating sits down in the same mix of urine and excreta, the one who with its tail tosses on itself the filth lying on the ground, the one who, the moment the rope breaks, runs and puts its mouth in garbage, Savarkar observes, touching the tail of that animal the Brahmin, decked in clean and spotless clothes and shielding his own purity, mixes that animal’s excreta and urine in a silver vessel and drinks it and believes that his life has become pure. Is it right to believe this? There is the further belief that the purity, which is tarnished by even the shadow of such a learned person as Dr Ambedkar, which is destroyed by sitting in the same line for food with a saint such as Tukaram, becomes even purer by touching the tail drenched in the urine and excreta of that cow which is eating all sorts of things in the cowshed, and its excreta and urine purifies everything . . . Can there be a better example of how the intelligence of a man is killed? In response to the accusation that he was denigrating our revered sanskriti, Savarkar retorted that if anything is defaming our great Hindu sanskriti, it is the naive tradition of eating cow dung and drinking cow urine. If our sanatani brothers do not want our tradition to be a subject of derision, then they should bring about an end to this book-based foolishness or pothinishtha moorkhataa. They should not prohibit our writings through which we have drawn the attention of our people towards that foolishness.

Finding Your Anchor Within: Escaping the Assumption Trap

Posted on by bhavika

Too often, our minds trap us in past experiences, shaping how we perceive the present. This excerpt from Anchor Withinexplores how finding inner stability can help break free from the assumption trap and see reality as it truly is.

Front Cover Anchor Within
Anchor Within || Leena Gupta

 

 

When we cannot tame our restless mind, it can spin us out of reality and into the assumption trap, where we may perceive our situations through the lenses of past experiences of hurt and prior conditioning and biases. When we go through an uncomfortable situation, our mind replays episodes where we had similar experiences

and feelings. When our mind senses danger or something unfamiliar, it aims to protect us by clinging to what seems known, safe and recognizable. Stuck and wrapped up in our stories from the past, we lose our ability to see things clearly and as they are. The danger is that this may distort reality by making us superimpose our past impressions on to the present moment. We may react impulsively based on past patterns instead of responding mindfully, jeopardizing our relationships

and sabotaging possible opportunities.

For example, it is fascinating to see how different personality types from my extended family and friends make assumptions based on their mental wiring and conditioning. In the family reunion I describe below, each person I mention gets stuck in the assumption trap based on their personality type and has their own perception of reality. We can see how their crafty mind, tries to seduce them to stay stuck and safe rather than face their reality. I have mentioned seven personality types in the family, but there are so many more that we encounter in our lives including, blamer, martyr, saviour, people-pleaser, narcissist, gas lighter and defender.

If there were ever a perfect family reunion, then this was it. Uncle Sammy was in his element as he bowed, removed an imaginary top hat and said, ‘We’ve been waiting so long for this reunion. Let’s get this party started!’ We were at my Aunt Ayesha’s home in Cresskill, a posh locality in New Jersey where each custom-built house features a manicured garden. In no time, we were all jiving to the retro Bollywood music of the 1970s and 1980s, while catching up on our lives in her regal living room. I noticed how she had decorated the whole house with fragrant, exotic floral arrangements and scented candles to soothe our senses. ‘OMG, Aunty Ayesha! What a lovely ambiance you have created! I can feel the love you’ve put into all the details to make this an event to remember,’ I said.

Her courteous, uniformed staff served us beautifully crafted, savoury hors d’oeuvres. My aunt had planned a delicious menu for us with all of our favourite dishes. We could not have imagined a more comfortable and happy setting to be in. Soon, everyone eased up and dropped the formalities with which they had arrived. After several rounds of appetizers, lots of banter and swaying to Bollywood tunes, we sauntered to the long, perfectly decorated twenty-seater dining table. The fun and jokes started, and at one point, my usually meticulous father spilled the yellow masala curry all over his side of the table, unable to contain himself with laughter.

Everyone seemed to be high on life, and everything seemed perfectly orchestrated that evening. However, around 2 a.m., the laughter started to wane as infectious yawns began creeping into the room. My nineteen-year-old cousin Aryan started snoring on the sofa, unknowingly signalling to us that the party was over. Happily picking up their paraphernalia, each guest got up to begin the process of saying goodbye.

It took a while. It was a curious process, with conversations shifting to the next goalpost: the main door. Oddly, the chatter continued, and everyone merely inched in the direction of the main door. Eventually, most of us made our way out, but as soon as Dad stepped out, we heard an abrupt and very loud bang of the door. It was the kind of sound that sends shivers up your spine and freezes your whole being. We were stunned.  Nobody moved. Everyone seemed to be playing the game statue! Startled and motionless, everyone stared at each other. I could see from their expressions that they all had a story starting to spin in their heads. It was not pretty.

***

 

Get your copy of Anchor Within by Leena Gupta on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

New on the Shelf!

Posted on by bhavika

Fresh stories, bold ideas, and powerful lessons—Penguin’s latest books are here to inspire and entertain. Whether you’re looking for motivation, humor, self-discovery, or an emotional journey, there’s something for everyone.

Mastering Disruption by K. Ganesh

Change is inevitable—how you respond to it defines your success. This book helps you navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and turn challenges into opportunities with strategic insights and real-world examples.

Front Cover Mastering Disruption
Mastering Disruption || K. Ganesh

Read More Here!

 

The Little Book of Big Girl Things by Akshara Ashok

For the grown-up girlies who still feel lost—this witty, heartfelt collection of comics and reflections on adulting, anxiety, self-discovery, and everyday struggles reminds you that you’re not alone.

Front Cover The Little Book of Big Girl Things
Little Book of Big Girl Things || Akshara Ashok

Read More Here!

 

Anchors Within by Leena Gupta

Happiness, confidence, and resilience start from within. Leena Gupta’s practical guide blends ancient wisdom and modern psychology to help you build inner strength and find peace in a chaotic world.

Front Cover Anchor Within
Anchor Within || Leena Gupta

Read More Here!

 

Thank You for Leaving by Rithvik Singh

A deeply moving collection of poetry on love, loss, and healing—written for those who feel everything too deeply. If you’ve ever loved, lost, or struggled to let go, this book will stay with you long after the last page.

Front Cover Thank You For Leaving
Thank You For Leaving || Rithvik Singh

Read More Here!

 

Brick by Brick by Manish Vij

From a college dorm to multi-million-dollar ventures—Manish Vij shares his entrepreneurial journey with raw honesty. Packed with lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and success, this book is a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Front Cover Brick by Brick
Brick by Brick || Manish Vij

Read More Here!

 

 

Which of these will you pick up first?

Investing Myths That Could Cost You Big—What You Need to Know

Posted on by bhavika

Getting the basics right: The four thumb rules for your financial health.

Let us start at the very beginning . . . a very good place to start – as the song goes. Let us start with a broad, top-down look at your investments.

What do you think of when you think of the term ‘investments’?

Most people think of investments in the stock market, mutual funds, etc. But what about the Public Provident Fund (PPF) you bought for tax-saving? The bank fixed deposits? The plot of land you bought or inherited? The apartment you are waiting to get possession of? Each of these is an investment. All of them have to be considered to get an overall picture of your finances before you decide on what you want your financial future to look like.

Plus, as is known, during the course of your investing journey, you have no option but to live through bull markets and bear markets, at times ferocious ones. How do you ensure that your financial investments get a clean bill of health and not end up in the ICU?

What are the basic tenets to keep in mind while investing?

To my mind, they are four in number, and these make up the framework with which you need to view your investments. Of course, there are overlaps between the four.

Each of these concepts will be dealt with in more detail later in the book. The following descriptions of these only provide

you a starting framework.

 

Lesson 1: Asset allocation sahi hai

Asset allocation is not just the best thing, it’s the only thing.

If you are just going to be a single-asset (say, equity only) player, then you are not going to last very long in this game.

Sometime back, I got a question on social media asking me, ‘I am a young person in a good job – so should I have 100 per

cent investment in equities?’ And my answer was no, because there are all kinds of demands that may come on your finances: you may lose your job, you may have a family emergency, you may want to buy a house, you may want to study further after a few years, and so on.

Basically, you may have unexpected financial demands in the future, which you may not be factoring in just now.

Equity returns have low predictability, not just on a one- or two-year basis, but sometimes even over a longer time frame. For example, during the entire decade from 2010 to 2020, Indian equity markets compounded at just about 8.5 per cent when fixed deposit rates were also around 8 per cent. So you saw a lot of volatility, with practically no additional return for taking equity risk at all, for a whole decade.

Asset allocation basically means your investment pie chart is strategically diversified across various available asset classes.

Why does asset allocation work? Because different assets give disparate returns at various points in time.

To give a recent example: In 2019, government treasury instruments in India were up 9.5 per cent. Gold prices rose 24.6 per cent. In contrast, the Nifty500 delivered a mere 7.7 per cent return.

But did you ever hear any fund manager or your financial adviser tell you that you were better off investing, or at least diversifying, into government paper and gold, instead of focusing on equities, if you wanted the best returns? I suspect not.

The reason for this is simple: nobody in the business of fund management or financial advice makes much or any money by recommending investments in government securities or gold. The maximum fees are for recommending equity.

All behaviour, good or bad, is always driven by incentives, and sellers of equities incentivize their salespeople far more than sellers of any other asset class, even if they do not deliver returns.

That is part of the reason for this ‘100 per cent in equity if you are young’ recommendations you often see.

Don’t ever forget this!

 

Lesson 2: Take a portfolio approach to investing

Most investors believe that taking individual stock advice, or ‘tips’ from friends, brokers, talking heads on TV, – that is, almost anyone – and then implementing them on their own is the way to making big money.

Wrong. This is a one-way ticket to financial ruin. The correct way to do it is to take a portfolio approach to determine your asset and equity selection.

One part of this is, of course, asset allocation, which is discussed in more detail later in the book.

But even within your equity portfolio, be mindful of the weightage of each of your stocks and each sector. For every stock you buy, be absolutely clear how about the allocation for that stock and how much it changes the weightage of its industry in your portfolio, and how it alters the risk profile of your equity pie.

***

 

Get your copy of Money, Myths and Mantras by Devina Mehra on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

Is It Necessary to Leave Your Job to Ace the CAT Exam?

Posted on by bhavika

Should I Quit My Job to Prepare for the CAT?

This is one of the questions that I am asked most often, if not the most asked question! The question is also most likely to come from aspirants whose first or past attempts did not go well and who are thus looking to mount a serious retake attempt. You might also have these questions in your mind:

  • Is it wise to quit my job to prepare for the CAT?
  • Will quitting my job have a negative impact on my profile?
  • How can I prepare if I am working twelve hours a day, six days a week?

These are the questions that many aspirants ask themselves since there is a huge premium on acquiring a degree from a prestigious college and an MBA is for most the last big shot that they can take to get a big brand name on their resume. Some might have faced this situation before as well when they had set their eyes for the first time on getting two Is—the IITs.

There are other reasons as well, ranging from a mind-numbingly monotonous IT job to a horrible boss, to the existential dread: What will become of me and my life if I am stuck in my current situation forever?

For most of my colleagues, the answer to this question is a simple NO. Quitting your job is akin to committing professional hara-kiri. But I think, under certain circumstances, quitting your job might be the best option in front of you with the proviso that:

  • You quit at the right time, and
  • You do more than just prep for the CAT

How will quitting affect your profile in terms of getting into an IIM?

First, let us look at the quantitative effect of quitting your job on your chances of getting a shortlist.

There are colleges, such as IIM-B and others, that give a weightage to work experience in the shortlisting process. In such cases, you will lose out on valuable points and will hence have to score higher on the test to get the shortlist than if you had stuck on in your job. So yes, there is a clear quantitative effect.

If you have two or more years of work experience, as of July of the year you will take the CAT, and the rest of your profile—Class X, Class XII, grad marks—is good, you can, on average, score 0.5–0.75 percentile points lower than someone with no or low work experience. So, those with two years of work experience can get an IIM-B call at a 98.5 percentile whereas freshers have to score in excess of 99.4. But remember that this is only in the case of institutes that give a weightage to work experience.

Just like they have for academics, even for work experience points are awarded based on slabs— less than twelve months, twelve to twenty-four months, etc. IIM-B gives maximum points for work experience of thirty-six months and above. So, if you have more than thirty-six months you are not going to get any more marks than you will if you have exactly thirty-six months.

In effect, if you have thirty-six months’ work experience, quitting your job will not have any mathematical impact on your profile rating.

Will quitting affect your prospects during summer and final placements?

IIMs and other top schools slot candidates into two categories for placements—regular and lateral.

Lateral placements are for people with a certain amount of work experience for roles that are above entry-level management roles. What is that certain amount of work experience?

It differs from college to college. Some base it on the absolute number of months such as twenty- two—IIM-B, while others decide the exact number based on the average work experience in the batch—IIM-A. Either way, it usually falls into the twenty to twenty-four-month range. Also, it is important to note that for some domains and for some firms, work experience is a must-have and hence, recruiters look purely at lateral candidates. What are the domains where relevant work experience is a prerequisite?

Operations roles, for example, most definitely go to people who have experience in shop-floor, product design, logistics, supply chain management, etc. So, engineers working in operations will do well to finish working for two years before entertaining thoughts of quitting. The rationale is simple: an individual with an idea of any aspect of operations cannot be given a managerial role since the stakes are very high.

IT consulting roles, for example, again typically go to those with two-plus years of experience in software. Again, the rationale is the same—an individual who has not worked on large-scale IT projects cannot take up consulting roles in IT. There might be exceptions to this rule but by and large, the rule holds.

***

 

Get your copy of Bell the Cat by Tony Xavier on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

Unraveling the Mystery: A Thrilling Excerpt from The Girl on Fire!

Posted on by bhavika

As danger looms and secrets unravel, IPS officer Simone Singh is thrust into a chilling investigation. Here’s a gripping excerpt from The Girl on Fire!

Front Cover The Girl on Fire
The Girl on Fire || Devashish Sardana

Eighteen years ago

Malana Village, Himachal Pradesh

Mama’s hands tremble as she unscrews the cap of the transparent bottle. Her lips quiver. She doesn’t look at me.

Her eyes, distant and hollow, are fixated on something unseen as the amber liquid cascades from the bottle, drenching my head, cold and sharp against my scalp. It smells like fear and memories—kerosene.

I’m tied to an old wooden chair in our backyard, dupatta knots biting into my wrists. I don’t ask why. The shackles seem fitting somehow, as the liquid traces a path down my face, lingering on my eyelashes before soaking the hand-sewn white frock I’m wearing. It’s embroidered with beautiful little pink petunias. Mama sewed it at home, each stitch a promise. Now, stained with kerosene, the promises bleed out.

‘Mama, you ruined the frock,’ I say, my voice shaky, tasting the fumes in my throat.

She hushes me with a stern glance. Her face is a mask, unreadable. Her eyes are glassy. It’s like she’s there, but she is not. She sees me, but she doesn’t. Mama sits down across from me, matchbox in hand, and for a moment, we are just reflections of each other—stilled, silent, waiting.

It’s my birthday today. I turned ten. Double digits!

There was supposed to be a cake and a Barbie doll—my first—dressed in traditional Himachali clothes that Papa said he’d pick up from Kullu. But it’s past ten, and he’s not back yet. He never is, not until the screams start.

Last night’s screams were louder than usual. Mama’s, not a stray dog’s like I hoped. Usually, I cower under the blanket when I hear the screams, but last night I had run out to the backyard to find her curled up in the mud, her knees pressed to her chest, yelping, while Papa thrashed her with a bamboo stick, again and again.

‘No!’ I screamed, without thinking. It just came out.

A mistake, I realized later. Papa saw me. He swivelled around, his eyes red, veins bulging, enraged. ‘Why aren’t you asleep, Aadya?’ he shouted and staggered towards me, drunk, the bamboo stick raised like a sword, ready to strike.

I froze. I should have run away. But I couldn’t. The stick cut through the air and came down on my arm, fire igniting along my skin, searing through muscle and bone. I can still feel it.

‘Not Aadya!’ yelled Mama, and she rushed to my rescue.

Papa shoved Mama away and called her haramzadi—

Mama told me later never to repeat that word. Papa threw away the bamboo stick, stumbled towards the makeshift shed in our backyard, picked up the iron rod used to stoke campfires and charged towards Mama . . . um, let’s stop. I don’t want to think about last night any more.

So now, it’s about the Barbie doll and waiting for Papa.

Waiting to start the birthday that Mama promised would be special. She said we’re going somewhere beautiful—a place full of laughter and toys. No more nights filled with screams. I almost believe her.

Then, she pours more kerosene, a line connecting my feet to hers. Her swollen, bruised eye twitches. Is she crying? She pours the kerosene over herself, soaking her shawl, her dress, her skin.

‘Aadya,’ her voice cracks, ‘I’m taking you to a happy place, beta. A place full of Barbie dolls and pink frocks and laughing clowns.’

I smile. I love clowns. ‘Papa isn’t coming with us to the happy place?’

Mama presses her lips together. ‘Do you . . . do you want Papa to come?’

I think for a while. I want Papa to come. All three of us.

Happy together. But it won’t remain a happy place if Papa comes with us, no? Then the happy place would become

this place—our house—with broken arms and shrieks, swollen eyes and cries. No, I don’t want Papa to come. I

meet Mama’s eyes and shake my head.

‘Good, good,’ she nods. ‘Remember, just a bit of pain, then . . . happiness.’

Pain? I’m confused. The bus to happiness shouldn’t hurt.

Mama picks up the matchbox. She takes a deep breath, her chest heaving.

She strikes a match.

The sound is tiny but monstrous in the still night. The flame flickers, a small harbinger of devastation. She’s done this before—told me never to play with matches near the kerosene stove. But here, now, the rules are rewritten in fire.

‘No, Mama, please.’ My voice is a whimper, lost in the crackle of the match.

She looks at me, really looks at me, and for a second, I see her. Not the broken fragments of a woman shaped by fists and fury, but my Mama.

‘I’m doing it for you, Aadya. I love you.’

‘Mama, stop. Please stop.’ I squirm and twist and squeal. Tears roll down my cheeks.

She drops the match.

The fire hisses, a hungry beast that claims her instantly.

***

 

Get your copy of The Girl on Fire by Devashish Sardana on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

The Battle Ends, But the Questions Remain!

Posted on by bhavika

After a long and brutal war, the Pandavas stand victorious. But when Vyas Ji enters their canopy, his words force them to confront a question they never expected—was this truly a victory?

Read this gripping excerpt where triumph meets its toughest reckoning.

Front Cover The Lineage
The Lineage || Laksh Maheshwari, Ashish Kavi

 

The sentries led Vyas ji into the Pandavas’ canopy where the five brothers and their wife, Draupadi of Panchal, rose to welcome him. When Vyas ji stood before them, they joined their hands and bowed their heads together.  

‘Pranam, Maharishi,’ they said in unison.  

 

The brothers were all injured as multiple parts of their bodies were wrapped in bandages. Yudhishthir’s arm had turned blue after all the spears he had propelled. Bheem’s chest and face were bruised due to all the blows he had sustained from Suyodhan’s mace during their duel. Arjun’s hands were riddled with blisters from all the arrows he had launched in the war. Even Nakul and Sahdev looked weary from the effort of war. 

 

But the joy of victory Vyas ji saw on their faces was far greater than all their pains put together. It was was also visible on Panchali’s face and evident in the blood that drenched her long, flowing hair. This sight of joy and thrill greatly upset Vyas ji. He clenhed his fist to prevent his hand from rising to give the children any blessings.  

 

When the maharishi did not bless them, the brothers lowered their hands and exchanged gazes of discomfort. Such a thing had never happened to them. Never had they been denied anything. And when they were denied their right, they fought for it. But how could one fight for someone’s blessings? 

 

Panchali took the first step towards Vyas ji. ‘You have come on an auspicious day, Vyas ji,’ she said with a smile as she stroked her hair. ‘The war of Bharat has ended today. The Mahabharata has ended today.’  

 

‘Yes,’ Vyas ji answered, deeply remorseful. ‘Much has come to an end today.’  

 

Yudhishthir felt the sorrow in Vyas ji’s words and walked over to him. Panchali joined him, smiling warmly at the sage. ‘We have won, Vyas ji,’ Yudhishthir said emphatically, hailing their victory as a matter of great joy. ‘We have finally won what is rightfully ours.’ 

 

‘I have seen your victory, son,’ Vyas ji replied. He glanced back towards the canopy’s entrance, visualizing the carnage that lay outside on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. ‘I congratulate you all,’ he said with a heavy heart.   

 

‘A simple congratulation isn’t enough, Maharishi,’ Arjun insisted. ‘We want your blessings too. Your blessings will help us rule over the entire kingdom of Hastinapur.’  

 

‘Why are you asking for my blessings now, Arjun?’ Vyas ji asked, ‘When you did not ask for my blessings for this war?’  

 

‘Aren’t you happy with our victory, Maharishi?’ Yudhishthir asked anxiously, his hands folded before the sage.  

 

Vyas ji took a long and painful breath. His eyes grew teary and started to sting. ‘What exactly have you won, Yudhishthir?’ he asked, teary-eyed, as he watched the eldest Pandava.  

 

A deep frown creased Yudhishthir’s forehead. ‘We have won a great victory, Maharishi,’ he said. ‘Right has defeated wrong. Good has defeated evil. Dharma has defeated Adharma.’ 

 

‘And who decided what was right and what was wrong?’ Maharishi asked. ‘Who decided what was Dharma and what was Adharma?’ He walked past Yudhishthir and Panchali and stopped in front of the other four brothers.  

 

He looked at Bheem first. Even with his hands folded before him, the giant of a man towered over the innocent Vyas ji like a mountain. ‘Was it you, Bheem?’ Vyas ji asked, ‘A man who can control neither his emotions nor his gluttony?’ When a flash of shame showed on Bheem’s face, Vyas ji turned to Arjun. ‘Was it you, Arjun, with your pride and vanity of being the greatest archer in the world?’  

 

Vyas ji then turned to Nakul and Sahdev, his sorrow becoming evident on his face. ‘Maybe it was you Nakul, and your arrogance over your beauty. Or maybe your brother, Sahdev, who considers himself the most learned of us all.’  

 

With the four brothers standing silent and ashamed, Vyas ji walked back to Panchali and Yudhishthir. He glared at Draupadi and her long, bloodied hair. ‘Tell me, Panchali, do you feel proud of your husbands’ definition of Dharma and Adharma, just as you are proud of their valour, their wisdom and their beauty?’ 

 

Once Panchali’s eyes dropped to the ground with shame, Vyas ji’s gaze turned towards Yudhishthir. ‘Or was it you, King Yudhishthir, who is so full of hatred for his own kin that you now rejoice in their death?’ 

 

When even Yudhishthir could not respond to Vyas ji, he addressed all  brothers inside the canopy at once. ‘Tell me, O sons of Pandu,’ he implored, ‘who among you decided this Dharma and Adharma?’ 

 

Seeing the disappointment on Vyas ji’s face, the Pandavas dared not utter a word. Instead, they stood with sealed lips and folded hands. Their silence only deepened Vyas ji’s disappointment. ‘What a shame!’ He shook his head disdainfully. ‘When men take pride in killing their brothers instead of mourning over their losses. Today, you may have won, sons of Pandu, but I swear to you, Dharma has only lost today.’ With that, he darted towards the canopy’s exit, leaving behind the brothers and their wife in their ashamed silence.  

 

When Vyas ji stepped outside the canopy, the sentries saw him and bowed before him with folded hands. Vyas ji raised his hand and said, ‘Ayushmaan bhava.’ The two sentries thanked Vyas ji for his blessings and watched him walk away.   

 

***

 

Get your copy of The Lineage by Laksh Maheshwari and Ashish Kavi on Amazon or anywhere books are sold.

8 Must-Listen Audiobooks for Valentine’s Day: Romance, Love, and Heartbreak

Posted on by bhavika

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to immerse yourself in stories of love, passion, and second chances. Whether you’re celebrating love, healing from heartbreak, or simply in the mood for an emotional rollercoaster, these audiobooks are perfect companions for the season. Here are eight must-listen audiobooks that will make you feel all the feels this Valentine’s Day.

World’s Best Girlfriend – Can Love Survive the Test of Time?

A heartfelt story about love, longing, and the struggles of maintaining relationships, World’s Best Girlfriend is an emotional ride that will leave you rooting for its characters. If you believe in love that defies the odds, this audiobook is for you.

Front Cover World's Best Girlfriend
World’s Best Girlfriend || Durjoy Datta

Wish I Could Tell You – A Story of Unspoken Words

Sometimes, the most powerful emotions are the ones left unsaid. Wish I Could Tell You is a poignant audiobook that explores love, loss, and the regrets that come with silence. This listen will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to express their feelings.

When I Am with You – A Love That Feels Like Home

This is a tale of comfort, connection, and the beauty of finding love when you least expect it. If you’re looking for a warm, uplifting romance that will make you believe in soulmates, When I Am with You is a must-listen.

I Don’t Love You Anymore: Moving On and Living Your Best Life – A Guide to Healing

Not all Valentine’s Day listens have to be about finding love—sometimes, they’re about finding yourself. I Don’t Love You Anymore is an empowering audiobook for anyone going through heartbreak, offering insights on moving on and embracing self-love.

Fool Me Twice – A Tale of Betrayal and Second Chances

What happens when love is tested by betrayal? Fool Me Twice takes listeners on a journey through deception, forgiveness, and redemption, making it a gripping listen for anyone who loves a story filled with twists and emotional depth.

Something I Never Told You – A Secret That Changes Everything

This audiobook delves into the complexities of love, secrets, and the courage it takes to reveal one’s true feelings. If you enjoy stories with deep emotional conflicts and powerful revelations, Something I Never Told You will keep you hooked.

I Too Had A Love Story – A Classic Tale of Love and Loss

A heart-wrenching love story that stays with you long after the last page, I Too Had A Love Story is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced love in its purest form. It’s a reminder that love, even when lost, remains eternal in our hearts.

All That Sizzles – A Passionate Romance to Ignite Your Heart

For those who love steamy, passionate romance, All That Sizzles is the perfect pick. Full of sizzling chemistry and irresistible characters, this audiobook is sure to add some heat to your Valentine’s Day listening list.

 

Great Reads, Handpicked for You!

Posted on by bhavika

Books have the power to transport us to new worlds, spark our curiosity, and shape our understanding of history and society. Whether it’s through engaging storytelling, fascinating historical insights, or beloved classic tales, the right book can leave a lasting impact on young minds.

Here’s a curated selection of books that are perfect for young readers—each offering a unique blend of adventure, history, and inspiration.

 

Roop and The River Crossing 

Life is full of challenges, and Roop and The River Crossing beautifully captures the courage it takes to overcome them. In this heartfelt tale, Roop embarks on a journey that tests his strength and resilience. Through lyrical storytelling, Samina Mishra brings to life a story of self-discovery that encourages young readers to embrace challenges with confidence.

Front Cover Roop and the River Crossing
Roop and the River Crossing || Samina Mishra

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Hands that Wrote History 

History isn’t just about dates and events—it’s about people and their powerful words that shaped the world. Mamta Nainy’s Hands that Wrote History introduces young readers to influential figures who made history through their writings, showing how language and storytelling have long played a role in shaping civilizations.

Front Cover Hands That Wrote History
Hands That Wrote History || Mamta Nainy

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History Unpacked: The Why, When and What of Ancient India

For young history enthusiasts, History Unpacked is a treasure trove of fascinating facts and insights. Saisudha Acharya answers the most intriguing questions about ancient India, making history an exciting journey of discovery rather than just a subject to study.

Front Cover History Unpacked
History Unpacked || Saisudha Acharya

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Greatest Champak Stories Vol. 1 & 2

Few things are as delightful as a classic Champak story! These volumes bring together some of the most cherished tales from Champak, filled with humor, wit, and valuable life lessons. Featuring a mix of mischief, adventure, and clever problem-solving, these books offer a perfect blend of entertainment and learning for young readers.

Front Cover The Champak Series
The Greatest Champak Stories

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10 Indian Makers of the Constitution 

The Constitution is the foundation of India’s democracy, but how much do young readers know about its creators? 10 Indian Makers of the Constitution introduces children to the remarkable visionaries who shaped India’s governance and laws, making the subject engaging and accessible.

Front Cover 10 Makers of the Indian Constitution
10 Makers of the Indian Constitution || Karthik Venkatesh

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Why These Books Matter

Whether it’s an adventure that builds resilience, historical insights that spark curiosity, or timeless stories that entertain, these books are handpicked to inspire and educate young readers.

Encourage children to dive into these great reads—because the right book at the right time can make all the difference!

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