In a parallel universe, Rashika is sure to be a professional juggler, because in this universe, she certainly aspires to be one. Her mind-bogglingly diverse interests range from wildlife conservation to human rights advocacy, from mental health awareness to physical fortitude building, and from reading voraciously to scribbling incessantly. She dabbles in art, writing, and music when life permits and firmly believes in tenacity and perseverance. Giving and sharing are very close to Rashika’s heart. She has founded Pari, a handmade decor, crafts, and jewellery brand, that focuses on selling art for charity. Pari has had a successful run thus far, with their creations getting all sold out during recent exhibitions and sale fests. Pari is planned for further expansion as a provider of digital accessible career-focused education and training to under-privileged women who wish to equip themselves with skills for sustainable careers. The Rise Insight: We would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “Whispers of a Snowfall.” How has the response to the book been so far? Rashika Ranjini: Thank you so much. The responses have been very motivating. I was quite jittery about getting this book out there, but it’s heartening to see the praise and comments via email and DM, and I am so glad I did not chicken out of getting this book published. The Rise Insight: What led to the idea of writing “Whispers of a Snowfall”? Were there any events that inspired the work? Rashika Ranjini: I wouldn’t want to claim that this has been dwelling on my mind for months and years and decades. The idea of writing this collection up started from just one poem – and the credit for inspiring that goes to Signorina Winter of course. One poem grew into a collection, and I am so thrilled that I am able to share my words with the world today. The Rise Insight: How easy or difficult was it for you to decide the placement of poetry in “Whispers of a Snowfall” and keep it simple to understand for the readers? Rashika Ranjini: I started scribbling one poem, and I felt I couldn’t contain all my thoughts into just one. At the same time, I did not want to combine and club all the different enthralling factors of Winter into just one poem. So I started thinking of each segment of Winter that has played a strong part of my childhood, and my memories, and thus was born this collection. I strongly believe that writing that comes from the heart would definitely resonate with the readers. Hence I just tried my best to articulate my thoughts as best as I could. The Rise Insight: “Whispers of a Snowfall” shows the uniqueness of your style of writing. Are there any poets that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites? Rashika Ranjini: Maya Angelou and Margaret Atwood have been two of my greatest inspirations. I grew up plastering posters of their words on my walls. Emily Dickinson’s poems have figured in my favourites list, as have as have Edgar Allan Poe’s and ST Coleridge’s. The Rise Insight: How would you categorize “Whispers of a Snowfall” as its appeal seems to be to a broad audience? Rashika Ranjini: This book does not really have a single rivet point. It’s an effort resulting from a moment of inspiration, that gave rise to several moments. I honestly believe that the more spontaneous and prompt poetry is, the more endearing it becomes. From that perspective, I can say that “being spontaneously thought provoking, porting the reader into a world of reflective meditation”, is what this book is all about! The Rise Insight: “Whispers of a Snowfall” has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more from you in the future? Please share about your future projects. Rashika Ranjini: I am working on two projects at the moment – a fantasy series, from which I am currently writing Book One – The Hymns of Angamoria. I am also working on a non-fiction project, which I am hoping to release later this year – Chartered for Magnificence. The Rise Insight: What is the story behind the title of your work, “Whispers of a Snowfall”? Rashika Ranjini: As evident from my ranting, Winters have been very special to me right from a very young age. The spirit of giving, the cheer in the air, the echoes of the year that’s ending, the eager and almost impatient anticipation of the new year, and at the same time, the yearning of wanting to hold on to the end of the year a wee bit longer, and the resolutions being made once we step into the new year, and the glee with which we look forward to the first flowers of Spring, all make Winters a glorious time. I started thinking of each segment of Winter that has played a strong part of my childhood, and my memories, and thus was born this collection. The Rise Insight: Thank you very much for sparing your time. I look forward to reading more books from you in the future. All the best. Rashika Ranjini: Thanks lots for the thought-provoking questions. This was a fun interview session.
Book Review : JARATKARU – An Untold Story
Title: JaratkaruLanguage: EnglishGenre Specifics–Mythological Fiction-Novel.Publisher: Evincepub Publishing (2023)ISBN: 9789356731356Formats : Kindle Edition-150/-, Paperback-375/-, Hardcover-455/-Style : Narrative (Contemporary, Informal) The Author: Dr Priya Dandage is a doctor by profession and a writer by passion. She has a BHMS, DCJ, and CCCT. She has been writing since her teenage and has won numerous writing contests. She has also contributed essays and stories in Marathi to top publications. She is a gifted speaker and a devout zoophilist and works for the rural women’s NGO Swayamsidha. The Title: Jaratkaru: Central character. The Book Cover: Pivotal and has a hands-on woman-centric theme. The Theme: The women from Mahabharata praised and written about were either Brahmins or Kshatriyas. Jaratkaru, despite her sacrifice and devotion, remained unknown to many people. The author has picked up her inspiration from her character. When King Janmejaya announced Sarpa Satra-a sacrifice that would destroy all living serpents, nobody came forward to help the Nagas. A genocide, the first of its kind in the kingdom of Aryawarta. The storyline is engagingly woven around princess Jaratkaru. Her awe-inspiring courage, selfless determination, and how she sets out to save her clan from the inevitable doom. It takes on from the back story—Arujuna burning Khandav Vana to build Indraprastha. In that inferno, the King of Nagas, Takshaka, lost his kingdom, people and beloved wife, Ikshumati. He vowed to take revenge. After years, Takshaka succeeded in poisoning king Parikshita, grandson of Arjuna. Janmejaya, Parikshita’s son, vowed to wipe out the Naga clan. He attempted this by performing a great Sarpa Satra. The inevitable looming large, Takshaka, the Nagaraja, went to Indra’s kingdom to save his life and to prevent an attack on his new kingdom Takshasheela. Vasuki, king of nagas, went to Brahmdeva to consult about the looming calamity upon the Naga kingdom. Brahmdeva suggested Vasuki get his sister, princess Jaratkaru married to two hundred years old sage Jaratkaru. Brahmdeva told Vasuki that king Janmejaya was in debt to sage Jaratkaru and that sage’s son from this marriage will end Sarpsatra. Following Brahmdeva’s advice, Vasuki proposed this marriage to his darling sister, who was just seventeen. Jaratkaru initially refused the proposal but later came forward with the proposal to save her clan. The Narration and Style: The author has told the story in the limited third-person POV. The language is simple and told in a narrative style that seems conversational. Whose read: With its simplistic approach, the book can be enjoyed across age groups. However, anyone looking for Mythological Fiction must go for it. Not as much: There is nothing left out in the book as it has some in-depth research and a meticulous ensemble of events. A well-balanced mix of dialogue and narration leaves no room for comment. My appraisal: The review is based on the specific genre to match it evenly. Narrated in the third-person POV. Written in a contemporary Narrative style built on a mythological framework. The book revolves around the female protagonist Jaratkaru and deserves to be read by bibliophiles across genres and niches. Having read and enjoyed the book, I don’t hesitate to recommend it to my mythological fiction aficionados, and neither would you. Must grab your copy and check it out, folks! End Note: Many man hours, hard work, emotions, love, care and in-depth musing have been put into writing the book; kudos! Thank you, Dr Priya, for giving us a fantastic book. Keep up the excellent work. Cheers! Drop in your comments on this review. Ciao! – Bobby George
Book Review: Concept to Commissioning by D. Ravichandar
From the author of the Book on Maintenance for Profitability comes yet another informative and interesting though highly technical read. Concept To Commissioning is a book about the author’s own life experiences working and executing the projects at hand during his tenure in various steel plants as a professional engaged in overseeing the financial and technical matters that will ensure the proper running and functioning of the steel plant, basically a role of a project manager that is quite challenging as it requires the need for both technical and management knowledge.
Book Review : Life In A Ziplock Bag
“Life in a Ziplock bag” by Vijay Vidhu S depicts similar situations where the protagonist, Anu is no different from the rest of the teenagers.
“Mixed Emotions” By Lakshita Bhargava-Book Review
Children’s fiction is one of the most upgraded forms of writing – teaching children (and parents!) about the world around them, benefitting by the short stories, inputting it to use and perform in reality, living the childhood, modifying the child’s perceptions, reliving the bliss of one’s life.
लेखक अखिलेश कुमार की उल्लेखनीय पुस्तक, “आपकी ज़िद आपकी जीत”- पुस्तक समीक्षा
“हम सभी ने इस लोकप्रिय प्रेरक उद्धरण को सुना है – जहां इच्छा है, वहां रास्ता है; और इसलिए हमें अपनी ऊर्जा को दिशा देने की जरूरत है और अंतिम लक्ष्य को ध्यान में रखते हुए हमें जीत की दिशा में आगे बढ़ने की जरूरत है। खैर, यही है जीवन की यह खूबसूरत यात्रा!”
Book Review: “A Conversation With Time” By Author Nabaghan Ojha
“True courage results in some extraordinary outcomes, something which we hope for deep down in our hearts but don’t expect in our practical life and yet life surprises us with some beyond imaginable out-turns, only because of our courageous and bold decisions!”
Book Review: Moheni Govinda Nehette’s “Expression Of Devotion”
“Life is not easy for all until you make it smooth for yourself and with choosing a correct path of action, half the work is done for yourself. While the other half is done when you show sincere devotion to that path of action, which you have choose for yourself in order to make your life smooth!”
Ann Treasa Joseph’s “The Ocean in My Sky”—Book Review
This fantasy fiction title, “The Ocean In My Sky” by Author Ann Treasa Joseph tells the readers a very painful story of a mother’s sacrifice along with a son’s sorrows and the miseries of all those people who had lost their love in some or the other stage of their lives. The Author talks about some beyond the world things in this book, which are just imaginary but bit scary too. This book may amaze you with its extraordinary fictional tales or it may arouse some critical questions about the writing carried out by the author in his book. Moreover, there is not a single shred of doubt that this book is somewhat unique, which is trying to tell the readers a story in a very out of the box manner!
“US555 – U!The Heart of Billions” By Unique Yash- Book Review
A cherished aspiration or ambition is the key to live one’s life and to change a world to a better phase and bring a worthy existence of the beings. Life without a goal or an aim is just not worth enough to survive in. Bookish knowledge, the daily reasoning, the teachings and preachings are not the ultimatum to survive and change the world. Instead, there must be a dream to fulfil amongst every particular being.