The clean slate is NOT about beginning from scratch. It is about beginning with a NEW PERSPECTIVE.
Through the real-life examples covered in Exprovement, the reader will begin to understand that this new perspective—the perspective of exprovement that allows companies to start on a new footing—can be gained by looking for parallels outside of one’s industry.Here’s an excerpt from the book with important tools and key takeaways:
Exprovement || Hersh Haladker, RA Mashelkar
*
THE DELTA GRAPH While the delta graph in the first chapter helped us understand the difference between improvement and exprovement and which part of the organization they happen in vis-à-vis the important factors of an organization’s current position, its goals, the feasibility of achieving thosegoalsandthedemographic,political,technologicaland environmental conditions prevailing at the time, it also brought into focus the following key points:
The importance of clearly defining your ‘what could be’
In Chapter 9, we saw how Chef Ferran Adrià, imbibing the ‘creating is not copying’ mantra, was very clear from the beginning that his ‘what could be’ had to be something that he created, not a new version of something that had been done before. He might not have had a clear picture of what it would eventually turn out to be, but he knew he wanted it to be something that hadn’t been done before. All his experiments with food were based on this principle, which eventually led to some of the most ground-breaking gastronomical exprovements. On the other hand, had he adopted an improvement mindset, he would likely have developed better or different versions of what the master chefs who came before him had developed—but they would still be considered ‘food’ as we generally know it, as opposed to completely changing our concept of what food is, like he did.
Exproving and improving take you down very different paths
Exprovements are primarily strategic in nature and the operations of a business follow from the strategies so set. Improvements, on the other hand, are generally born out of keeping the users’ needs in mind and are more operational in nature. As a result, exprovements take much more time, effort, persistence and resources to come to fruition than improvements. Chef Adrià’s vision called for him to take drastic and investment-heavy measures—such as shutting down his restaurant for half the year and building a lab for food experiments—in order to bring his exprovement to life.
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS Along with clearly defining the ‘what could be’, once one has chosen the path of exprovement, asking the right questions at every point becomes important. We have already covered this in detail in Chapter 1, but here are a few points that are worth re-emphasizing.
Ask questions that make the team ponder
As shown in the Sony Walkman example in Chapter 1, it is important that the team working on the exprovement be given clear guidelines but be allowed the freedom to be creative at the same time. By asking his team to make a device of a particular size, but leaving everything else up to them, without micromanaging or setting too many constraints, Nobutoshi Kihara was able to get the best out of his team.
Frame questions based on the desired outcome
Goals and strategy need to be framed depending on whether one is choosing to improve or exprove. For example, in Chapter 4, Mick Pearce would have achieved an incremental improvement if his question was something like, ‘What are all the ways we could cut energy consumption in a commercial building?’ He would have worked within the boundaries of what was already being done in architecture. But since his question was more on the lines of, ‘How would termites build this commercial complex?’ he was able to come up with something that had never been achieved before.
DRAWING PARALLELS The exciting thing about drawing parallels is that it opens up endless possibilities, without constraints. A parallel can be drawn with almost anything—from an ant to the milky way—if one is able to see how things are similar, rather than how they differ.
Vastly dissimilar parallels have a higher potential for exprovement
If we consider the Formula One example in Chapter 5, we can see that when parallels are drawn with ER room protocol, auditing and advisory services or sustainable refrigeration—all vastly different contexts—the potential for exprovement is high, i.e., causing radical improvement in those industries. In the context of drawing a parallel between Formula One and mass production cars, though—a similar context—the potential for exprovement decreases, while the potential for improvement greatly increases.
A single exprovement can lead to diverse parallel applications
Almost every chapter has shown us that once an exprovement has been developed, it can find further parallel applications in a variety of diverse industries. For example, in Chapter 6, we have seen how an exprovement in mountain agriculture has found parallel applications in disaster management, wastewater management, water desalination and tourism, and in Chapter 16 we have seen how the exprovement of time banking has found applications in eldercare management, disaster management, repairs and maintenance, business development and potentially the creation of a parallel economy in the future.
**
Intrigued to dive deeper? Pick up your copy of Exprovementnow!
‘Diverse voice’ in literature is more than just a buzzword. It is a movement that aims to break down the barriers of representation and give voice to marginalized groups that have been historically underrepresented. Reading books with a diverse voice, those written by authors from different backgrounds and perspectives is essential in broadening our understanding of the world and ourselves. So, here’s an excerpt from Yogesh Maitreya’s Water in a Broken Potwhich will be a great addition to your TBR.
Water in a Broken Pot || Yogesh Maitreya
**
I did not make friends in the class. At the most, they were acquaintances, some of them sensible. A friendship develops in equal spaces, where your share in ‘giving’ and ‘taking’ is equal, or where you are fully accepted with your historical self, where you are accepted with equal respect and the pride with which people perceive themselves, isn’t it? Not that there were no students in TISS who did not share my history or past. There were many Dalit students here; they had come after so much struggle,crossingsocialbarriersandacquiringadmission purely on the basis of their merit and talent. But I suspected that they were becoming institutionalized. The way they wrote, articulated themselves or started perceiving the world indicated the increasing impact of TISS’s pedagogical language on their thought processes. It was not their fault. Institutions are created to institutionalize a person. Be it school, universities or prison.
In India, institutions dominated by Brahminical communities are meant toBrahminizea person. What kept me vigilant about this was my engagement with poetry and my growing conviction that it wasthroughpoetry that I could seek clarity about myself and the world around me. So when students were asked and encouraged to read ‘scientific’ research papers, I read them quickly just to copy their style of writing and know their methods, but for the clarity of the subject and to assert myself, I always relied on fiction and poetry in Dalit literature.
*
To write an assignment, or to explore the academic world, a laptop was becoming a growing necessity. I could not dare to ask my parents for money to buy a laptop. It was simply beyond their financial capacity. So the only option was an education loan. Many Dalit–Bahujan students who did not have the financial capacity to survive here chose this option. But without any guarantee for substantial employment after the completion of the course, it was a risk. Besides, no one asked whether students wouldwant to work in order to repay the loan. To adjust to the demands here, students simply ran out of choices. For example, when I availed the education loan, I knew that it would take years of my life to repay it, which meant I had to work—even if I wanted to study further—justto repay the loan. But needs are created and capitalist provisions are there to fulfil those needs. This was a trap, I understood later.
When I got the loan of Rs 84,000 for the laptop and my expenditure for two years, I went with Saira and bought the laptop and books. The remaining money was spent within a couple of months before the end of the first semester. There was no guiding figure to ask the students what they would like to do in the future, and there was simply no mechanism in place to encourage them in their intellectual endeavours. In India, institutes contradict their own philosophies. The problem of Dalit students is that they continue to walk with this dilemma only to realize that many of their dreams, which they once nurtured, are now completely buried in the process of institutionalization. They are in it. But they are not an essential part of it. They are in the institution to serve it in many unknown ways.
**
Be sure to add this diverse voice to your reading list this month!
People who serve in the army are revered by us all. They fight for our security and uphold the country’s peace by staying away from their families, living in tough conditions and often, even by sacrificing their lives for the nation. But there are a few men who are remembered through generations for the decisions they made, the work they did and the way they interacted with people around them. And one such man is Bipin Rawat.
Rawat is famously known to be the Army Chief who decided India would retaliate immediately and openly to every act of cross-border terrorism. But, he’s also known as the man who was once the Major with a leg in plaster who was carried up to his company post on the Pakistan border because he insisted on joining his men for Dusshera celebrations under direct enemy observation.
Here’s an excerpt from the extraordinary life of Bipin Rawat who was happiest dancing the jhamre with this Gorkha Troops. Here, author Rachna Bisht interviews General Sharma, who reveals how Bipin Rawat received a priceless dignity from his parents.
Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform || Rachna Bisht Rawat
‘Gen. Laxman Rawat was a great man,’ he says. ‘Both he and Mrs Sushila Rawat had great honour and integrity, and were almost saintly in their attitude towards life. I have served with many Generals but never felt anyone coming close to them in my entire career.’
Gen. Sharma says he never saw Gen. Rawat lose his temper. ‘He was calm, collected, focused, dedicated to his work and had an uprightness that had passed down to Bipin as well. Bipin had imbibed the culture of his parents. He displayed exactly the same moral character as his father.’
Gen. Sharma says that in the following years, when he worked closely with Bipin Rawat, he often saw reflections of the father in the son. ‘In matters of honour and integrity, Bipin was the same as his parents. They would treat anyone who approached them with respect and so would Bipin. Even when he was Vice Chief and later Chief, with a dozen important issues playing on his mind, there was never an instance of anyone having to wait for taking an appointment with him. If someone wanted to meet him, he was always available. We never heard from his office, “Chief busy hain.”’
In fact, on what was to be the last day of their lives, Gen. and Mrs Rawat were leaving their house for the airport when the recently retired Subedar Major of 5/11 GR dropped by to meet them. Despite being in a hurry, the couple stopped to talk to the SM and his wife, and took out time for a photograph as well. That remains the last picture of the couple.
Just like his father, Bipin also genuinely cared about people. ‘There were instances when Bipin would be crossing a Defence Security Corps soldier on duty and would just stop by for a moment to ask, “Haan, kya haal hai bacche? Sab theek hai (Yes, how are you, kid? Everything all right)?” A soldier limping by would catch his attention. “Kya ho gaya, langda ke kyun chal raha hai (What happened? Why are you limping)?” he would ask, genuinely concerned about the welfare of the men serving with him.
He also did not make any unnecessary demands on anyone. He would never want to disturb a senior officer on his visits, always insisting that even a soldier or a youngster could be detailed to brief him or accompany him on official assignments. He firmly believed in being accessible and letting everyone have an opportunity to speak and interact with him. He was as much a soldier’s Chief as he was an officer’s. These were the qualities he had learnt from his parents, both of whom were extremely grounded people,’ says Gen. Sharma.
If you’re someone who shops from the mythological fiction aisle, you must’ve heard about the next big trilogy in the reading world, i.e. The Hidden Hindu series by author Akshat Gupta. Readers have been raving with reviews and waiting for the finale of the trilogy to be released and we’re pleased to inform you that it’s here!
So, we decided to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book. We promise you, once you start reading it, you wouldn’t be able to stop.
The Hidden Hindu || Akshat Gupta
Hearing about Dr Batra’s lonely death, unheeded struggles, and how mercilessly he was thrown out of the submarine and into the unforgiving sea without a proper funeral broke Mrs Batra to the core. The last thread of hope of seeing her husband again was all she was clinging on to, but now, even that had snapped. Utterly devastated by the realisation, Mrs Batra asked Prithvi to leave and left the door open. Prithvi could feel her pain and knew that he could no way soothe her acute agony. He started to make his way out.
‘Don’t you want to know what happened to those people who killed your beloved husband and why he was killed?’ asked Prithvi before stepping outside.
Mrs Batra stood there for a silent moment, looking at Prithvi. She shut the door and Prithvi walked back to take his seat.She knew what her heart longed for, so she took her spot on the couch to hear how it all ended. Sensing that she was yearning to know more about Dr Batra’s assassins, Prithvi began narrating from where he had left.
In the month of Jyeshth (May), when the whole world had come to a standstill due to Covid-19 and the death count was on a hike, stories of losses were painted all over social media, newspapers, and news channels. Optimism seemed to be dissipating as dark clouds of uncertainty fogged people’s lives. While the death toll from Covid-19 had crossed all estimations, headlines of other catastrophes began to make their rounds; the glorious and tranquil Mansarovar being overpowered by Rakshastaal; the destruction of Roopkund–the lake of skeletons; the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, suddenly turning black; and the overnight seize of the ghost village of Kuldhara. This series of unbelievable events was, connecting the dots automatically as the news read,‘Mysterious phenomena clutching India adding to the miseries of Corona. Are these signs of Doom’s Day closing in?’
A worried Ashwatthama sat in Gyanganj at Mount Kailash with his wounds still healing. He looked at Parshurama and Kripacharya’s still bodies as they remained trapped in Om’s subconscious mind. Next to them was Om lying unconscious after the battle of Kuldhara. When Ashwatthama asked Vedvyasa about Vrishkapi, he received another painful answer.
‘Vrishkapi is on his deathbed. It’s just a matter of few hours before he gives up the fight for survival and leaves his body.’
‘I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if we have lost or won. I don’t know what I should be feeling right now,’ said Ashwatthama, consumed by his thoughts.
Vedvyasa was about to say something but to their surprise, Kripacharya and Parshurama returned to their bodies from their astral state and stood up as normal as ever. Ashwatthama shot up to greet them.
‘You’re back! How did you open that door?’
‘We didn’t have to. Something suddenly changed within Om and after that, there was no retaliation, no more tussle to trap us, and there wasn’t a door holding us back anymore,’ Parshurama replied, still wondering about the whys and hows.
A confused Ashwatthama thought out loud, ‘But how could that be? Where’s the door gone?’
‘I destroyed it,’ came a voice from behind him. Ashwatthama turned in wonder, though he already knew who it was. It was Om who had also sat up but with a distant gaze. ‘There’s no barrier. No bridge. No door between me and my hidden past. Not anymore. I remember who I am,’ said Om, glancing at all four of them.
‘Who are you?’ Kripacharya asked.
Everybody’s intrigued stare was glued on Om.
Om closed his eyes and took a deep breath, ‘I am Devdhwaja.’
‘But that can’t be! We checked and you don’t have the birthmark! How’s that even possible!’ Kripacharya said, trying to piece everything together around the new revelation.
‘Hold on! I am confused. The birthmark of Devdhwaja that the immortals saw in Om’s memories was there on Nagendra’s foot and Om claimed to be Devdhwaja himself. So, who out of the two is Devdhwaja?’ asked Mrs Batra of Prithvi.
Prithvi replied, ‘Both of them.’
‘You mean twins?’ asked Mrs Batra.
‘No, they were not twins. They were the same person.’
British-Indian novelist and essayist, Salman Rushdie is best known for his novel Midnight’s Children, which won the Booker Prize in 1981. He is the author of great works like Shame, The Moor’s Last Sigh, The Enchantress of Florence, and Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights. Here are five things you did not know about the literary maestro:
1. Salman Rushdie was the son of a Cambridge-educated lawyer and a teacher and was born in Bombay, India, during the British Raj. His parents were Kashmiri Muslims. Rushdie relocated from India to study history at Cambridge University after completing high school in Warwickshire, England.
2. He became one of the most well-known authors in history with Midnight’s Children, a magical realism portrayal of a generation of supernaturally gifted kids with a mystical link to India’s own birth as an independent modern nation.
3. Despite winning numerous literary awards, including the Austrian State Prize for European Literature, the Golden PEN Award, and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, Rushdie is yet to win the Nobel Prize.
4.Rushdie is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 for his services to literature.
5. As a former president of PEN American Center, a nonprofit organization that promotes freedom of expression and defends writers who are persecuted for their work, he is a passionate advocate for freedom of expression and has spoken out against censorship and book banning.
***
Victory City || Salman Rushdie
Order your copy today of Salman Rushdie’s latest book Victory City. This is an epic story of a 247-year-old woman who breathes a fantastical empire into existence, only to be consumed by it over the years.
Imagine a young boy with a dream, a passion for cricket, and an unwavering determination to excel. That boy, hailing from the bustling streets of Mumbai, would go on to become a legend in the world of cricket, capturing the hearts of millions around the globe with his unmatched talent and sheer love for the game. With a career spanning over two decades, he has broken records and left an indelible mark on the sport’s history. He is the “God of Cricket” – a name that resonates with cricket aficionados and inspires awe in the hearts of fans worldwide. He is Sachin Tendulkar.
Gulu Ezekiel’s book Sachin: The Story of the World’s Greatest Batsman traces the life and achievements of Sachin Tendulkar. He has made more than 33,000 runs in international cricket, which is the highest number of runs to be scored by any cricketer. Dive into this excerpt and find out another reason that makes him the greatest batsman.
Sachin: The Story of the World’s Greatest Batsman || Gulu Ezekiel
*
A lot happened between March 2012 and November 2013 in the life and times of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
First came his much-awaited 100th international century (Tests and ODIs combined) in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on March 16. That was followed 20 months later by his final match in India colours, the second and final Test versus West Indies at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
It was the 200th Test match of his career, a landmark that had never been achieved before. But there was plenty of action and drama in between as well. This included being a member of the Mumbai Indians squad under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma that won the IPL title for the first time in May 2013.
But back to March 2012…it was just over a year since his previous international century which had come in Nagpur against South Africa in the World Cup. The lean trot ended after 33 innings without a ton and a hugely relieved Tendulkar said after his century: “Dreams do come true. We won the World Cup after 28 years last year.”
The media and public were seemingly hanging on to his every inning and run as the team Down Under slid from one massive defeat to another in 2011-12 as the New Year unfolded.
By the end of the fourth and final Test at Adelaide, the rout was complete. India was whitewashed 4-0 just as they had been in the summer of 2011 in England. Eight overseas Test defeats in a row—Indian cricket had sunk to a new low and the fans were livid.
But the 100th century helped erase all that as the nation and the cricket world celebrated.
Tendulkar’s 51st Test century had come in the third Test against South Africa at Cape Town in January 2011. It would be the last Test 100 of his career. By the start of his final Test in November 2013 against West Indies in Mumbai he had gone 39 innings without another hundred.
The penultimate Test was at Kolkata. It was over in just three days, India winning by an innings with Tendulkar out for 10.
The circus moved onto its final leg in Mumbai. The whole city was agog and there was a mad rush for tickets. Finally, the day dawned, November 14, 2013. West Indies were asked to bat and collapsed for a measly 182. The crowd was buzzing. Would they get a chance to see their hero bat on the first day itself?
The moment arrived at the fall of the second wicket. At precisely 3.35 pm all eyes in the stadium turned to watch Tendulkar exit the dressing room to come out to bat in what would be his final time.
By stumps on the first day, India reached 157 for two, Tendulkar on 38 from 73 balls.
Overnight the frenzy built up to fever pitch. Could Tendulkar bow out in style with a century? There was massive anticipation and excitement on the second morning as he reached his fifty.
But it was too good to last. The first over after the drinks break marked one hour of play and Tendulkar was gone for 74, caught Darren Sammy bowled Narsingh Deonarine. The dream was over…unless India and The Hero batted a second time.
That was not to be. India piled up 495, a massive lead of 313 runs. West Indies’ second innings was only marginally better, 187 all out and the Test was done and dusted by the third day.
As the last wicket fell, Tendulkar threw up his arms in joy, grabbed a souvenir stump and hugged everyone including the umpires. The Indian team gave him a running guard of honour as he left the field of play for the final time in India colours. The West Indians came onto the field to shake his hand. Fireworks were set off and the presentation ceremony was set up. Once the tedious formalities were completed, the chants of ‘Sachin Sachin’ which echoed around grounds worldwide for over two decades reached a crescendo. It was time for the farewell speech.
With him was a list of people to thank. No one was forgotten. Watching on wife Anjali and children Sara and Arjun were in tears. In fact, there was not a dry eye in the house.
It was announced the government was conferring the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna on Tendulkar, the first sportsperson to receive it. And while he keeps himself busy with his charitable foundation and sports management agency, perhaps nothing could have given him more joy than seeing his son Arjun score a century on his first-class debut for Goa versus Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy at Porvorim on December 14, 2022, thereby emulating his proud father.
**
Become a fan of Sachin Tendulkar by getting a copy of Sachin: The Story of the World’s Greatest Batsman from Amazon.
Are you sticking to the ‘I’m-going-to-follow-a-super-healthy-lifestyle’ resolution you made on New Year’s Eve? It’s all good – even if you haven’t been, we are here to equip you with all the information you need to get back on the wagon.
As book lovers, we know that books can be a powerful tool in promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether you’re looking to improve your physical fitness, enhance your mental clarity, nourish your soul, or explore new ways of taking care of your body and mind, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our top recommendations for health and wellness books that are not only informative, but also engaging and easy to digest.
So head to your favorite reading nook, settle in, and get ready to kickstart your healthy journey!
We live in a world where there is a new fad diet, superfood, supplement or nutrition theory every month. There are so many tricks to optimizing workouts, peak performance, burning fat, living longer, sleeping better and biohacking your immune system. Wellness has become a part of mainstream discourse like never before, and the result is an overwhelming barrage of seemingly contradictory information.
But here’s one simple truth: good health impacts every aspect of life, be it productivity at work, interpersonal relationships or balanced family life. In Hacking Health, Mukesh Bansal takes on the mammoth task of demystifying the science, simplifying the research, and tracing the story of our relationship with our body. Through a combination of personal experience and cutting-edge science, this is a book that draws from ancient wisdom and also debunks unscientific myths to help you make smart choices in pursuit of good health. From nutrition and fitness to sleep and immunity, weight management and mental health to ageing and longevity, this book delves into the breadth and depth of holistic health and helps you navigate the lines between science and pseudoscience.
25 Small Habits by Manoj Chenthamarakshan
25 Small Habits || Manoj Chenthamarakshan
We all know that our habits shape our lives, but when we try to incorporate a new habit into our lifestyle, we understand how difficult it can get. Most people fail to retain a new habit past the first week. This book doesn’t teach you how to develop habits; instead, it offers you a set of twenty-five small habits that take very little time and can be held on to without much effort.
The habits in this book are designed to give you holistic growth in terms of self-development, community, career, relationship, and physical and mental health. You can choose the habits that you are able to fit into your daily schedule.
7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body for Greater Well-Being by Dr Hansaji Yogendra
7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body for Greater Well-Being || Dr Hansaji Yogendra
Do you feel that your life is out of control? Your health, mind and ambitions . . . none are panning out as planned?
Does it appear as if there is an invisible force that is dictating your relationships?
Do you have this intense desire to stop and restart in a way that things begin to work for you?
Then, this is the book for you.
7 Rules to Reset Your Mind and Body for Greater Well-Being is the simple but practical guide you need to read to get that control back. Written by the most admired and respected Dr Hansaji Yogendra of The Yoga Institute, this step-by-step guide explains the importance of creating and maintaining balance in all aspects of your life.
In an anecdotal and friendly way, Dr Hansaji delineates the practices and the thought processes you need to develop and the changes you need to make to put life in perspective for you. Whether it is getting a good night’s sleep or eating healthy or dealing with office stress, she helps you sort out each aspect with her great insight.
4G Code to Good Health by Ishi Khosla
4G Code to Good Health || Ishi Khosla
Do you know that if you just eat the right foods, you can control your appetite and weight, remove cravings, control moods, manage sleep and much more?
Each of us today wants to be healthy and lead a balanced life. The pandemic has also taught us how important it is to have strong immunity. Yet we struggle with what to eat and what not to. Noted dietician and nutritionist Ishi Khosla says that our gut is the control panel of our health. Our forefathers knew it. That is why it is said, ‘Jaise ann vaisa mann‘ or you are what you eat. Ishi takes it a step further when she says, ‘We are not only what we eat, but what we digest and what we DON’T eat!’
Here, she distills decades of experience and knowledge and combines it with the wisdom of the past to provide an insight into the science of the 4 Gs-Gut, Girth, Gluten and Glucose-and their connection with each other, so we can modify our eating habits and lifestyle in a permanent manner. Remember, our bodies are forgiving and capable of healing. It’s NEVER too late!
Energise Your Mind by Gaur Gopal Das
Energize Your Mind || Gaur Gopal Das
Take charge of your mind.
Be in charge of your life.
In this book, bestselling author and life coach Gaur Gopal Das decodes how the mind works. He combines his anecdotal style with analytical research to teach us how to discipline our mind for our greater well-being. Throughout this book, he provides interactive exercises, meditation techniques and worksheets to help us take charge of our mind.
This book is an essential read for anyone who wants to work towards a better, more fulfilling future for themselves.
Dr Mathai’s ABC to Health by Issac Mathai
Dr Mathai’s ABC to Health || Issac Mathai
How often have you put off eating healthy food, starting those morning walks, hitting the gym or practising yoga because you are feeling well anyway?
The refrain often is-will stop junk food from next week, will begin fitness from the new year or next month, will ensure adequate sleep from tomorrow. Almost always, starting wellness or staying fit is post-dated.
Dr Mathai’s ABC to Good Health tells you why you must not postpone all those good habits of staying healthy and what could happen to you if you ignore your fitness quotient. It tells you why you must not press the panic button only when you fall sick but practise wellness every single day to build a solid immunity and stay away from the common cold, fever and many everyday ailments.
The book gives you simple tips to practise daily wellness by way of eating right, sleeping enough, and staying positive at all times. It gives you the health benefits of practising wellness from A to Z, ranging from fruits and nuts to vegetables, and even activities that can make you feel like a rock star every single morning when you wake up. It is wellness today and every single day.
‘The rebel is one who lives according to his own light, moves according to his own intelligence. He creates his path by walking on it.’
– Osho
***
In The Rebellious Spirit, Osho addresses the spirit that dwells beneath our societal conditioning and fans a flame powerful enough to burn through layers of debris, allowing us to see with the enlightened being’s crystal-clear vision. This is a novel that will captivate you, make you laugh out loud, and give you the confidence to live your authentic life in the modern world.
Read this insightful excerpt from The Rebellious Spirit, a book in which Osho helps you become an enlightened being.
The Rebellious Spirit || Osho
***
I do not have any teaching. My life is that of a rebel. I do not have a doctrine, a philosophy, a theology to teach you. I have only my own experience of rebellion to share, to infect you with rebelliousness. And when you are a rebel, you will not be a copy of me, you will be a unique phenomenon in yourself.
All Buddhists are trying to be carbon copies of Gautama Buddha. He has a teaching: ‘If you follow this certain discipline, you will become just like me.’ All Christians are carbon copies—the original is Jesus Christ.
I don’t have any teaching, any doctrine, any discipline to give to you. My whole effort is to wake you up. It is not a teaching; it is just cold water thrown into your eyes. When you wake up, you will not find that you are like me, a carbon copy of me. You will just be yourself, neither Christian, nor Hindu, nor Mohammedan—a unique flower. There are no two persons alike. How can there be so many Christians? How can there be so many Buddhists? The whole of history is proof of what I am saying.
For twenty-five centuries, millions of people in the East have tried the discipline and the teaching of Gautama Buddha. But not a single one has been able to become a Gautama Buddha. Nature does not allow two persons to be the same. Nature is not an assembly line where cars are produced, so you can see hundreds and thousands of Fords coming off the assembly line; the same, exactly the same. Nature is very creative, very innovative. It always creates a new man. It has created millions and millions of people, but never two people the same. You cannot even find two leaves on a tree exactly the same, or two pebbles on the seashore exactly the same. Each has his own individuality.
I don’t have a teaching. But whatever I have experienced is a living phenomenon I share with you—not words, not theories, not hypotheses. I can give you as much closeness as you need. Just as when you bring an unlit candle close to a candle that is burning, there is a point where suddenly the fire jumps from the lit candle to the unlit candle. The lit candle loses nothing, and there has not been a transfer of any teaching, but a transfer of fire.
I would like to say that I don’t have any teaching, but I have a great fire in my heart, and whoever comes close to me becomes aflame. These people here are not my followers. They are just friends who are sharing in an experience that can burn all that is false in them, and can purify that which is their essential individuality, their authentic potential. This is an alchemical school, a school of mystery. I am not a teacher, I don’t have any ideas, concepts. But I have a life to share, I have a love to share, and to those who are ready, I am ready to give all that I have. And in no way will they be enslaved. The closer they come to me, the more they understand me, the more they will be themselves. That is the miracle.
I don’t believe that walking on water is a miracle—it is sheer stupidity. The real miracle is to wake you up, to bring the message of freedom to you—freedom from all fetters. I do not replace your imprisonment with new fetters and new chains, I simply leave you in the open sky. I fly with you for a little while so that you can gather courage.
***
Get your copy of The Rebellious Spirit by Osho on Amazon.
Diversity month is an occasion to honour the unique voices and different cultural origins of people around the globe. It is to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by those who lived before us and are still influencing the world today. Here are a few of our favourite books that will bring new perspectives to your life and offer stories that are sure to stay forever with you.
The Black Magic Women by Moushumi Kandali, Parbina Rashid
The Black Magic Women || Moushumi Kandali, Parbina Rashid
In order to pack a punch, the author enters a surrealistic mode and liberally sprinkles tale, myth, and metaphors throughout the book. The reader fails to stay an objective observer given the range of emotions these ten tales from the North-east arouse. The Black Magic Women by Moushumi Kandali attempts to introduce readers to Assam’s diverse culture, but does so in a strikingly different way. She removes her Assamese characters from the region and places them in modern society, capturing their struggle to maintain their inherent “Assameseness” while attempting to fit into the broader community.
The Nitopadesha by Nitin Pai
The Nitopadesha || Nitin Pai
Nitopadesha, a book about good citizenship and citizen-craft that will appeal to the modern reader, is a labyrinth of tales in the style of the Panchatantra and the Jataka tales. Nitin Pai’s compelling translation is a must-read for conscientious citizens of all ages, covering topics like what citizenship means, the ethical dilemmas one encounters as a citizen, and how one can deal with social issues.
Secrets of Divine Love Journal by A. Helwa
Secrets of Divine Love Journal || A. Helwa
The best-selling book Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam served as the inspiration for the journal. Secrets of Divine Love Journal can assist you in developing a closer bond with Allah by inspiring and bringing you closer to the core of your faith through heart-centered thoughts, insightful prompts, and thought-provoking inquiries.
From Darkness Into Light by A.Helwa
From Darkness Into Light || A.Helwa
From Darkness into Light was written for those who are longing to experience a journey of spiritual deepening. For those who are seeking a close bond with Allah, connection, and hope. It will motivate you to approach the Divine with compassion after reading From Darkness into Light. It will demonstrate to you how to approach God despite all of your uncertainties and insecurities and how to transform your concerns into worship. This book is intended for those who want to approach God honestly and sincerely rather than for those who have a perfect connection with God.
A Man from Motihari by Abdullah Khan
A Man from Motihari || Abdullah Khan
Aslam, an elegant aspiring writer who is healing from a failed relationship, and Jessica, a Los Angeles-based activist and actor in the adult entertainment business, accidentally cross paths and fall hopelessly in love. The story follows these two unlikely characters as they travel against the background of India’s growing right-wing political forces. It transports you to rural India to reveal George Orwell’s close relationship with Motihari, a tiny town in northern Bihar where Gandhi Ji conducted the first Satyagraha experiment.
The Penguin Book of Modern Tibetan Essays by Tenzin Dickie
The Penguin Book of Modern Tibetan Essays || Tenzin Dickie
The Penguin Book of Modern Tibetan Essays is a groundbreaking anthology of modern Tibetan non-fiction. Some of the finest Tibetan authors currently producing work in Tibetan, English, and Chinese are included in this ground-breaking collection, which honours the art of the contemporary Tibetan essay. This collection of personal essays by Tibetan authors marks a historic development in modern Tibetan literature and makes a major contribution to global literature.
Shurjo’s Clan by Iffat Nawaz
Shurjo’s Clan || Iffat Nawaz
Iffat Nawaz’s lyrical and evocative prose heralds the arrival of a distinctive voice that explores issues of loss, belonging, identity, and family with delightful imagination and devastating insight. It spans decades, from the forced migration of Bengalis to East Pakistan in 1947 to the liberation war of 1971, the wave of immigrants to the West in the 1980s, and a final return. This debut book asks, above all, how we can respect the past without letting its wounds destroy us with its mesmerising balance between inexplicable otherworldliness and undeniable reality.
Fruits of the Barren Tree by Lekhnath Chhetri, Anurag Basnet
Fruits of the Barren Tree || Lekhnath Chhetri, Anurag Basnet
Originally published in Nepali as Phoolange, this sharp, evocative novel is the story of a failed movement and a cautionary tale of how easily the contagion of violence can infect a community. It is also a compelling picture of Darjeeling outside of the brochures and postcards. It is intensely visual and filled with a strong sense of place.
The Dalit Truth by K. Raju
The Dalit Truth || K. Raju
A chorus of Dalit voices can be heard calling out to the future in The Dalit Truth. The pages of this book represent many Dalit realities and their struggles against the caste system’s lies, pointing to a future full of hope and opportunity for the following generations. These pages will be enlightening and refreshing to today’s educated users. The Dalit Truth is a dossier for tomorrow.
The Trauma of Caste by Thenmozhi Soundararajan
The Trauma of Caste || Thenmozhi Soundararajan
Thenmozhi Soundararajan, a Dalit American activist, issues an appeal to action for readers everywhere, not just in South Asia. By examining caste from a feminist, abolitionist, and Dalit Buddhist perspective—and by laying bare the grief, trauma, rage, and stolen futures enacted by Brahminical social structures on the caste-oppressed—she connects Dalit oppression to struggles for liberation among Black, Indigenous, Latinx femme, and Queer communities.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida || Shehan Karunatilaka
Sri Lanka, 1990. Maali Almeida, a war photographer who was also a gambler and a secret homosexual man, awoke dead in what appeared to be a heavenly visa office. He is unaware of his killer as his dismembered corpse sinks to the bottom of Beira Lake. The ghouls and ghosts who gather around him can testify to the depressingly large list of suspects in a time when grudges are settled by death squads, suicide bombers, and hired goons. However, Maali’s time is running out even in the heavens. He has seven moons to attempt to get in touch with the people he loves the most and direct them to a secret stash of images that will upend Sri Lanka.
Karunatilaka is back with a rip-roaring epic that is full of mordant wit and unsettling truths, ten years after his prize-winning book Chinaman made him one of Sri Lanka’s leading writers.
Rooh by Manav Kaul
Rooh || Manav Kaul
Two young boys who are approaching adulthood, the cruelty of being a refugee in their own country, and a parent who is unable to reconcile this perplexing reality all contribute to the undercurrent of pain that permeates his life. The main character, Manav, travels back to Kashmir both literally and figuratively in this stream-of-consciousness book and relived the past as a part of the present. Rooh turns out to be a profoundly moving tale of the kind but broken individuals he encounters on this journey.
These Seats Are Reserved by Abhinav Chandrachud
These Seats Are Reserved || Abhinav Chandrachud
In India, the use of reservations or affirmative action is highly divisive. Many people oppose it because they believe it compromises the concept of “merit” and runs counter to the idea of equality of opportunity, despite the fact that it is legally required and supported by historians, political scientists, and social activists. Abhinav tracks the development of the reservation policy in These Seats Are Reserved.
The Scientific Sufi by Meher Wan
The Scientific Sufi || Meher Wan
The most comprehensive biography of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, the instigator of contemporary science in India, written in English is The Scientific Sufi. He was on the verge of receiving at least two Nobel Prizes, if not one, for his work on wireless communication and the discovery of the nervous system in plants, and many people think he was wrongfully denied these honours. This biography painstakingly reconstructs his life, times, work, legacy, youth, influences, and paints a close-up picture of the man who is credited with establishing modern science in India.
Water in a Broken Pot by Yogesh Maitreya
Water in a Broken Pot || Yogesh Maitreya
Yogesh Maitreya describes his eventual discovery of the written word, literature, and the Ambedkarite heritage, which helped shape his goals, identity, and the eventual career choice of publishing books after hopping from job to job to make ends meet. This new and radical voice shares his story in the most direct and unfiltered manner possible, as it actually happened, giving us readers the green light to be open and vulnerable when we share our own stories.
Fear and Other Stories by Dalpat Chauhan, Hemang Ashwinkumar
Fear and Other Stories || Dalpat Chauhan, Hemang Ashwinkumar
Fear and Other Stories serves as a stark reminder of the perils that Dalit life entails, a life that is plagued by unfathomable violence and fear even in the most innocuous circumstances. Veteran Gujarati author Dalpat Chauhan describes these real-life instances of frustration and rage in this compilation of short stories with startling vividness. His characters examine historical, mythological, and literary legends while highlighting the viewpoints of the marginalised. They also chronicle a long history of defiance.
Sivakami’s Vow: Paranjyothi’s Journey by Nandini Vijayaraghavan, Kalki Krishnamurthy
The first book in the four-volume Sivakami’s Vow series, Paranjyothi’s Journey, is a captivating account of war, betrayal, closely guarded forts, passions, and a Pallava ruler who will stop at nothing to preserve his empire. It was penned by Kalki, a master storyteller who nearly single-handedly elevated Tamil literature and history to new heights.
Caste: The Lies That Divide Us by Isabel Wilkerson
Caste: The Lies That Divide Us || Isabel Wilkerson
Caste order is not based on morality or emotions. Which groups possess authority and which do not is at issue.Beyond issues of race or wealth, a strong, unspoken system of distinctions governs our daily lives. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson paints a stunning picture of this obscure occurrence in her book Caste. Wilkerson shows how caste has moulded our world and how its rigid, arbitrary hierarchies still separate us today by tying together America, India, and Nazi Germany.
Terminal 3 by Debasmita Dasgupta
Terminal 3 || Debasmita Dasgupta
Khwab has persevered despite experiencing joy and emptiness, desire and grief, penance and serenity. She imagines that one day, existence will be a paradise. The tale of the common people attempting to live out their dreams in the Valley is told in Terminal 3: Breathing Against the Background of Conflict.
As nature wakes up from its winter slumber and bursts forth with new growth and vibrant colors, rejuvenate yourself with these latest page-turners this April.
The Skincare Answer Book||Dr Jaishree Sharad
Written in a Q&A format, The Skincare Answer Book helps you cut through the jargon by answering some of the most common skincare questions. From questions on skin types and skin routines to more specific topics like serums, acne, hyperpigmentation, sun allergies, hair loss, anti-aging, rosacea, layering of skin, common skin conditions like eczemas and skin infections, this book will arm you with all the information you need to care for your skin.
The Hidden Hindu 3 by Akshat Gupta
The Hidden Hindu 3 || Akshat Gupta
Which of Nagendra and Om is Devdhwaja? While Nagendra is brought back from the dead unharmed and stronger than ever, Parimal and LSD struggle to believe one another. While Vrishkapi battles against certain death, which has already devoured Milarepa, Parashurama and Kripacharya are imprisoned in the past of the collapsed Om. The other immortals are destroyed on all fronts, leaving the powerful Ashwatthama in the dark. Where are the phrases that are still missing? Will the immortals be able to halt Nagendra from finding them all and finishing the verse? Unravel the sudden riddle of the doomed immortals before time runs out.
Fear and Other Stories by Dalpat Chauhan, Hemang Ashwinkumar
Fear and Other Stories || Dalpat Chauhan, Hemang Ashwinkumar
Fear and Other Stories serves as a stark reminder of the perils that Dalit life entails, a life that is plagued by unfathomable violence and fear even in the most innocuous circumstances. Veteran Gujarati author Dalpat Chauhan describes these real-life instances of frustration and rage in this compilation of short stories with startling vividness. His characters examine historical, mythological, and literary legends while highlighting the viewpoints of the marginalised. They also chronicle a long history of defiance.
Eating the Present, Tasting the Future by Charmaine O’Brien
Eating the Present, Tasting the Future || Charmaine O’Brien
One of India’s most remarkable characteristics is her cuisine, which reflects the country’s history, enduring customs, and variety of people and places through its innumerable tastes and styles. But it is transforming more quickly than anyone could have imagined.
In order to explore the many factors transforming what, how, and where Indians are producing, trading, and consuming their food, Eating the Present, Tasting the Future goes “off the plate” and takes readers on a trip through the country’s modern foodscape. This is a timely and significant piece of work that provides a singular window into a complex culture at a time when food and our relationship with it are subjects of growing global interest.
Water in a Broken Pot by Yogesh Maitreya
Water in a Broken Pot || Yogesh Maitreya
Yogesh Maitreya describes his eventual discovery of the written word, literature, and the Ambedkarite heritage, which helped shape his goals, identity, and the eventual career choice of publishing books after hopping from job to job to make ends meet. This new and radical voice shares his story in the most direct and unfiltered manner possible, as it actually happened, giving us readers the green light to be open and vulnerable when we share our own stories.
Lab Hopping by Nandita Jayaraj, Aashima Dogra
Lab Hopping || Nandita Jayaraj, Aashima Dogra
Inspiring tales of female scientists who persisted in their field in the face of obstacles like sexism, systemic bias, and apathy abound in our laboratories. Stories that demonstrate a dysfunctional system as well as the efforts of exceptional women to make it work. The authors not only provide a thorough analysis of the situation of women in science but also provide a roadmap for the future by questioning whether India is doing enough to support its women in science and whether western models of science and feminism can really be implemented in India.
Work 3.0 by Avik Chanda, Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay
Work 3.0 || Avik Chanda, Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay
Some of the other most important and challenging issues of the modern era are addressed head-on in Work 3.0. Avik Chanda and Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay present a rich multi-disciplinary brew that spans economics, statistics, public policy, history, sociology, psychology, law, political science, literature, and philosophy using rigorous research supported by industry reports, business case studies, expert interviews, anecdotes, and their own personal expertise and insights. The book will alter the way you think about the future and how the past and present still influence it because of its extraordinarily broad scope, astonishing depth of analytical detail, and far-reaching conclusions.
The Big Bull of Dalal Street by Neil Borate, Aprajita Sharma, Aditya Kondawar
The Big Bull of Dalal Street || Neil Borate, Aprajita Sharma, Aditya Kondawar
This book explores Rakesh’s existence as a person and as a professional, also known as “India’s Big Bull.” It examines the records of Jhunjhunwala’s investments and the interviews he has given over the years to provide a fascinating account of his voyage. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to understanding the stocks that made him wealthy and the mistakes he made, making it more than just a biography. The book provides practical advice for retail investors by examining the path of the illustrious investor. These include the advantages of long-term investing, stock market blunders to avoid, and the risk involved in leveraged trades, among other things.
Exprovement by Hersh Haladker and Raghunath Mashelkar
Exprovement || Hersh Haladker and Raghunath Mashelkar
Can an outdated or failed solution in one industry bring disruption to another? Can a racing team improve industrial manufacturing productivity? Can science fiction offer entrepreneurs valuable lessons in innovative thinking?
This book will motivate leaders to seek out analogies while remembering that “obvious” comparisons can only at best result in development while “unexpected” ones can produce exponential improvement and continue a tradition of innovation.
Dr Mathai’s ABC to Health by Issac Mathai
Dr Mathai’s ABC to Health || Issac Mathai
Dr. Mathai’s ABC to Good Health explains why you shouldn’t put off developing all those healthy practises and what might happen to you if you neglect your fitness level. It explains why you should practise wellness every single day to develop a strong immunity and avoid the common cold, fever, and many other common illnesses rather than pressing the panic button only when you become ill.
Nala Damayanti by Anand Neelakantan
Nala Damayanti || Anand Neelakantan
Hemanga the swan pleads with Brahma to give him a chance to prove true love exists among mankind, but Narada sends him to Vidarbha to unite Nala, the king of Nishadas, with Damayanti, the princess of Vidharbha. Hemanga almost succeeds in making them fall in love, but Kali hears of his plan and seizes his chance to prove that no true love exists in a woman’s heart. All that stands between the future of humans and the mighty Kali is a little bird and Damayanti’s determination.
I Hear You by Nidhi Upadhyay
I Hear You || Nidhi Upadhyay
Most expectant mothers talk to their unborn. But what if the unborn starts to respond?
Mahika is hoping that a baby will breathe new life into her dead marriage. But all her pregnancies meet the same fate, because no baby is perfect for Shivam, her genius geneticist husband. Until there is one. Rudra, the world’s first genetically altered foetus, is Shivam’s perfect creation and Mahika’s last hope. Mahika, who is six weeks pregnant, has just entered her fertility clinic when she finds an anonymous letter that reveals the unpleasant truth about her pregnancy. Mahika finds herself imprisoned in her own home before she can accept the reality that her husband’s pursuit of perfection has staked out a territory in her womb. But then she learns that her unborn child possesses exceptional abilities.
Sivakami’s Vow 2: The Siege of Kanchi by Nandini Vijayaraghavan, Kalki Krishnamurthy
Sivakami’s Vow 2: The Siege of Kanchi || Nandini Vijayaraghavan, Kalki Krishnamurthy
In the action-packed second volume of Sivakami’s Vow: The Siege of Kanchi, Kalki’s compelling narrative skillfully weaves suspense, romance, and drama to describe the heroic efforts of the Pallavas to fend off the Chalukya invasion and the increasing intimacy between Mamallar and Sivakami.
Rooh by Manav Kaul
Rooh || Manav Kaul
Two young boys who are approaching adulthood, the cruelty of being a refugee in their own country, and a parent who is unable to reconcile this perplexing reality all contribute to the undercurrent of pain that permeates his life. The main character, Manav, travels back to Kashmir both literally and figuratively in this stream-of-consciousness book and relived the past as a part of the present. Rooh turns out to be a profoundly moving tale of the kind but broken individuals he encounters on this journey.
Cyber Encounters by Ashok Kumar, O.P. Manocha
Cyber Encounters || Ashok Kumar, O.P. Manocha
Twelve intriguing fictional accounts of cybercrime are presented in Cyber Encounters, a book that delves deeply into the hazy world of cyberspace. In each true story-based tale, OP Manocha, an ex-DRDO scientist, and Ashok Kumar, the DGP of the Uttarakhand Police and a seasoned veteran in the state’s organised battle against cybercrime, describe a particular type of cybercrime. This fascinating insider account is a must-read because it is jam-packed with details about the crime, the inquiry into it, and the capture of the offenders.
Girl to Goddess by Nishi Jagavat
Girl to Goddess || Nishi Jagavat
The poetry collection Girl to Goddess talks to the difficulties of the human experience and how one overcomes them. Finding the goddess within is crucial, and Nishi’s writing is a testament to the significance of doing so. Her words will stay with readers long after they’ve finished the book.
Working to Restore by Esha Chhabra
Working to Restore || Esha Chhabra
Working to Restore examines revolutionary approaches in nine areas: agriculture, waste, supply chain, inclusivity for the collective good, women in the workforce, travel, health, energy, and finance. The businesses highlighted are addressing world problems by fostering ethical production and consumption, establishing fair chances for all, promoting climate action, and more. Chhabra emphasises how their work ushers in a new age of regeneration and restoration by moving beyond the greenwashed concept of “sustainability.”
Fruits of the Barren Tree by Lekhnath Chhetri, Anurag Basnet
Fruits of the Barren Tree || Lekhnath Chhetri, Anurag Basnet
Originally published in Nepali as Phoolange, this sharp, evocative novel is the story of a failed movement and a cautionary tale of how easily the contagion of violence can infect a community. It is also a compelling picture of Darjeeling outside of the brochures and postcards. It is intensely visual and filled with a strong sense of place.
Filmi Stories by Kunal Basu
Filmi Stories || Kunal Basu
This collection’s eight tales deal with unexpected dangers and adventures, bizarre comedies, apocalypses, and the sublime poetry of daily existence. A truck driver who is angry with his rival decides to murder him but ends up saving migrant workers who are trapped by a pandemic. After breaking the law for the first time, a new jailer discovers that nothing in this universe is unforgiveable. A perfectly groomed corpse wearing a suit is found on a beach, and the suspects’ travels through casinos and cruise ships have taken them to different countries. A murder in a museum is made possible by the naked paintings of a deceased artist. A risky game of using a human bait to draw a prey out of its hiding place is played in the pursuit of a terrorist. A man discovers himself the only passenger on a flight between two deserted airports. On the brink of losing his innocence, a shopkeeper learns the lessons of the Mahabharata.
