1. The Rise Insight: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” How has the response to the book been so far? Misbah Salim Qazi: Thanks Saroha. Response to the book is quite satisfactory and I am pleased to see such a stunning response. 2. The Rise Insight: “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” seems to be quite different as per your choice of subject. What led to the idea of writing “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness”? Were there any events that inspired the work? Misbah Salim Qazi: So, the idea behind writing Mystery of Happiness was to acquaint readers with the real meaning of happiness and to give few manageable steps to be happy. Yes, I have been an outdoor soul, so many times things happened life happened initially it made me grim but they say, “The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.” Which, gave me an idea of writing the Mystery of Happiness. 3. The Rise Insight: How easy or difficult was it for you to write on a subject that held relevance for all and also remain objective about it in your book“Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness”? Misbah Salim Qazi: Voyage of writing Mystery of Happiness was merciful but the thought process and depth with which I was dealing was something which I must say was challenging to put down. 4. The Rise Insight: What are your views about present-day writing? Do you think it does complete justice in depicting human nature in the light of “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness”? Misbah Salim Qazi: My views about present day writing are quite complex and mixed. yes, it fulfills arbiter in depicting human nature, but there is lot more that needs to be added which I will surely be covering in the second part of the book. 5. The Rise Insight: “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” shows the uniqueness of your style of writing. Are there any authors that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites? Misbah Salim Qazi: I have my hands on none fiction books most of the times, There is no favourite author as such but The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is my all-time favorite edition. 6. The Rise Insight: “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” shows a cliché subject from a whole new perspective. How would you categorize “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” as its appeal seems to be to a broad audience? Misbah Salim Qazi: This is the book that can’t be categorized to a particular audience, as the Mystery of happiness starts with innocent thoughts but then further covers harsh realities, habits, poems, stories, and experiences. So categorizing it would not be fair enough. But yes, it’s the best gift for teens and adults. 7. Akhila Sarohit’s “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” has introduced you as a writer yet again and given an introduction to your potential. Can the readers expect more from you in the future? Would you please share about your future projects? Misbah Salim Qazi: Yes, readers can expect more. I would love to share my future projects but mystery must remain a mystery unless it’s the right time. 8. The Rise Insight: As a title, “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” is quite intriguing. What is the story behind its making? Misbah Salim Qazi: Oh! it has a nutty story behind making it. So when I was inscribing Mystery of Happiness my family did not know so, whenever they asked me what are you doing I use to reply I am doing something mysterious …. And the additional reason was that whenever someone is happy or successful people do ask what’s the mystery behind your success, happiness so I thought it would be the perfect tittle. 9. The Rise Insight: “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” is your work in non-fiction writing. Do you plan to venture into fiction writing any time in the future? Would you share about your future projects with the readers? Misbah Salim Qazi: yes, fiction writing is in my bucket list. My future projects are secret for now. 10. The Rise Insight: In the present time, books exploring the subject of “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” do not find mention as such. What, according to you, could be the possible reason for that? Misbah Salim Qazi: I guess people have forgotten importance of long term happiness and towering relationships. 11. The Rise Insight: If you were to describe your book “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be? Misbah Salim Qazi: glory, towering, simple, cheerful would be right words to describe the book. 12. The Rise Insight: What advice would you give to budding writers who may be planning to write in the same genre as “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness”? Misbah Salim Qazi: I would suggest that don’t be in a rush take your time and make sure that you prepare at least one draft of your ideas. 13. 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. Misbah Salim Qazi: Thank you so much Akhila, it was a wonderful conversation.
Book Review : Cold Cock by Mukul Ranjan
Mukul Ranjan’s book title, ‘Cold Cock’, is both unusual and unconventional. It is confusing an effortless attention-grabber, yet as it’s very uncanny to be a title for a book. If taken metaphorically, it justifies the events in the story accurately. But that is something that the readers can understand only when they read through the book. It is mainly focused on the teenage audience as many of them nowadays want to get into the entertainment industry and may be drawn towards it by the glamor it shows. However, the grown-up audience can also read the book due to the subject matter it contains. The story starts in December, on a rainy day featuring Dakshina, Imran, Swapan, and Ram Charittar, who are shown to be discussing a new plan and also having conflicts of opinion while trying to convince each other. In a short span of time, the plot changes its course, and the focus shifts to Ashwin, a boy from Bhopal who is looking for a job as an FCP machine manager. Ashwin is rejected by Dakshina during his job interview. While unfolding the plot of “Cold Cock,” keeping Ashwin at the centre, the author explores the hurdles and problems one can encounter when they plan to begin something new (here being the channel, Birha). Even after the launch of the channel, after much struggle, the readers get to know how difficult it is to run it smoothly as there are plenty of forces that would try to prevent it from happening. Ranjan shows this face of reality in an unfiltered and starkly realistic manner. The characters in “Cold Cock” are more or less the everyday people who have all the features and vices which would be present in any person. The affair between Ashwin and Mynah, the disagreement of people on different opinions, Dakshina’s act of running away with the money all show the acts any person would commit. This makes the characters realistic and inspired by real life instead of being fragments of the author’s imagination. The writer’s choice of words is very intriguing as it would attract both non-readers and bibliophile readers. The story mainly revolves around the launch of the Birha channel and all the situations that come as a package deal. Despite the presence of other characters making their mark, Ashwin is mainly the character in focus. The relationship between Mynah and Ashwin is very passionate and adventurous. The love affair of Ashwin and Mynah results in some amusing moments. The character of Mynah will provide readers with many funny scenarios as she handles every situation in a quirky fashion. This again reinforces the fact that the book being strongly inspired by reality, and this touch of reality would give the readers a lesson in the true sense. It would also show the unseen side no matter how it is. The first half of the story has some very well-placed humor elements, but the second half is deprived of it. The later part shifts to a rather serious mode which altogether balances the overall work. The writer in “Cold Cock” has also greatly focused on providing very minute details, which makes the important scenes feel more real. One of the instances in this regard could be providing some very authentic sounding names for the shows, such as Bhaujaiya de da dawaiya, etc. There are plenty of incidents where the readers would feel the essence of reality pervading the atmosphere of the book closely. Overall, the story is very well researched. It does a great job of showing us the harsh realities of the entertainment world and how hard it gets to sustain as a worker in this industry. The writer does not compromise with the work culture of Bihar. It also gives us an insight into how women’s harassment takes place in reputed organizations. It depicts perfectly how overwhelming this industry is. And, what toll it will take on oneself living with people who don’t have good work ethics. While many may know of the reality from hearsay and conjecture, Ranjan talks about it vividly in “Cold Cock” and even if he uses a fictional framework, the readers forget that it is anywhere a work of fiction. While the work may for once appear mainly for a particular set of readers, it remains open to reading for all who like to read reality-based content which is born from the present-day world and the contemporaneity of it would continue as long as there is the presence of the entertainment industry. The dynamics of the entertainment industry are likely to remain the same in whatever time it is placed; hence “Cold Cock” and the relevance of Mukul Ranjan’s work would also continue in whatever time it is read. Therefore, it is recommended to all readers whether they read fiction or non-fiction.
Book Review : Mystry of happiness: Enigma of hapliness by Misbah Salim Qazi
Happiness is something that every human being seeks and wants more and more every time. This is the sole motivator and drives their efforts in the direction which would take them to happiness. While materialistic objects bring joy to quite an extent, a significant portion of happiness is attributed to abstract things which require more mental and emotional work instead of physical work. “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness” by Misbah Salim Qazi explores the idea of happiness and the factors that influence a person’s happiness. At the same time, the author also explores the steps that a person can take to ensure they are heading towards happiness without making any mistakes. The cover of Qazi’s book is simple, vibrant, and catches the eyes of the readers in one instant. They are drawn to the book due to its simple illustration and combination of colors that have been used. This clarifies the fact that even though the subject chosen by the author is abstract, yet the approach she would be taking would be concise, practical, focussed, and to the point. Although the subject of “Mystery of Happiness” is abstract and something which may have found mention in books now and then, the author takes a unique approach which is a blend of the pragmatic, experimented ways and also has a touch of emotion while also being based on both individualized experience and social observations. Qazi divides her short book into two sections wherein she focuses on different subjects related to happiness at an individual level and what one should do in their attempts to be happy. She tries to talk about all the possible subjects that would be resonating in the minds of the readers, which she could record on the basis of her observations. Since “Mystery of Happiness” is based on the author’s observations and experiences, it becomes all the more significant for the readers as it is replete with learning. What is interesting is the clear division of the sections done by the author. It is difficult to define and categorize the things or people who can define a person’s happiness, but the author does this effortlessly due to her insightfulness and understanding. Through her clear and precise division of the content, the author handles the abstract subject with skill. Emotions are one area where authors have to be very careful while constructing a plot when it comes to fiction. Of course, the same challenge pervades in non-fictional texts too. But the readers do not sense any discomfort or difficulty in understanding this subject when they see it all through Qazi’s words. This also makes her work stand apart from the books that may have been written earlier on the same subject. While in the first section, Qazi explores happiness, its definition, and meaning on an individual level, the later section talks about how one can find happiness in life through different relationships. Whether it is through family or friends or through strangers, the author shares takeaways to be a winner in all relationships. In this manner, the book becomes a guide for the many who struggle with making relationships work or find themselves out of ideas when they have to interact and involve. “Mystery of Happiness” is a personal and reflective account in words that are easy to understand. Since it is a product of personal experiences and observations, it becomes a product of introspective thoughts. Through her personal experiences, Qazi shows the universality of human emotion and also highlights that everyone may react differently, yet everyone feels things one way or the other. This helps humans connect and understand each other. Everyone wants to be happy but how to be happy remains a mystery for many. The unraveling of that mystery by the author makes the book an essential read for the many who struggle with this question. “Mystery of Happiness” attempts to unravel the keys to joy in a person’s life. In a time when there is negativity and stress in the lives of many, this book could come as a guide and a happiness-saver. To make it easy for the readers, the author keeps her words less and the message more potent. The young author handles the challenging subject with skill and precision. This would also attract youngsters towards the book since it is through the eyes of a youngster. In a few words, she conveys a lot of thoughts and ideas that the readers can easily understand and apply in their lives. So, all readers, whether old or young, can try reading Misbah Salim Qazi’s keys to happiness which she substantiates in “Mystery of Happiness: Enigma of Happiness,” and infuse those keys in their lives to enrich it with joy, hope, and optimism to make their journey smooth and stress-free.
Book Review : The Incongruous Butterfly by Ravishkumar Patil
Book Review : The Incongruous Butterfly by Ravishkumar Patil
Srivastav Vanagla collects stories that are related yet distinct from each other and explores human nature.
Human beings evolve continuously, and this dynamic process runs throughout their life. In the midst of this, they explore different shades of their lives and personalities and they rise from every challenge they face. As a reader, the title “The Lunar Heart” by Srivastav Vangala would seem quite intriguing to many. The book is an anthology consisting of 18 different amazing stories which are entirely fictional. Vanagla collects stories that are related yet distinct from each other and explores human nature through different perspectives through the eyes of the authors. The cover of the book is a soothing sight that indicates the peace which comes with the presence of the moon. It has a relaxing effect on the readers’ minds and welcomes them into the world of the lunar. “The Lunar Heart” is nothing but a metaphor used to convey human life. Humans are trapped in their emotions, feelings, constraints, and boundaries. Through the lessons life gives them, they learn their worth and bounce back with a stronger version of themselves. It may for once suggest a feeling similar to rising from the ashes, but on closer examination, there is a lot more that the stories are about. The author suggests that human life is not distinct from the Moon, which gets covered by night and revives to a full moon. The cover design and blurb also contribute a lot in signifying the same. Although the readers get a fair idea of what is to follow, yet they are prompted to start the book and read how the author relates the moon with human life. The concept may be intriguing for once, but it still strikes as interesting. Once the readers begin with the book, they get distinct vibes from the stories, which evoke mixed feelings of attachment, hatred, betrayal, and progression. The usage of such a technique doesn’t make the stories seem like a work of fiction. Instead, it compels them to think that the scenarios can be possible in a practical context too. On reading the first story, i.e. “Roses cannot complain about the weather,” the readers would have mixed emotions of finding the story to be both disturbing and inspiring at the same time. Allegorically, it suggests how looks should not be the only thing that can define the personality of a person. It is interesting to see how the narrator’s English teacher had played a significant role in giving a new direction to his life. Similar is the case with the story, “Cats.” There is a very peculiar thing about the author, i.e. Despite having the title “The Lunar Heart”, he was able to connect human behaviour with every object. The thing he painted on the canvas holds a very dark interpretation. The way he evaluated his ex-girlfriend’s behaviour with the cats will make the readers perceive the world and examine it through a completely different dimension. Other stories like “Death Seems to be a Chain Smoker,” “Glow in the dark,” “Candles in the Concrete Jungle” and others seem to be born from the thought of exploring humans and the darker sides of life and giving it unimaginable dimensions. It is interesting to observe how the author draws aspects of the life of a human being and draws comparisons with the different phases of the moon. How a person’s heart goes through different swings of mood is beautifully compared with the phases of the moon at the same time. The metaphorical associations cannot be ignored either. All eighteen stories carry a depth that can be visualized by critical thinking. They are distinct, unique and explore a universe from different viewpoints. Altogether, the anthology would introduce the readers to new worlds and new streams of thought. The language used by the author is easy to understand for any reader, and he features interesting and innovative plots. The stories are very diverse, and at the same time, they are also relatable for the readers. While building up his characters, the author seems to have done extensive research in their development as they appear unique and different from each other altogether. The readers who have an interest in reading short stories or anthologies can try reading “The Lunar Heart.” Even though Vangala features stories that are unique and different from each other, there would be one or the other story with which the readers can relate. They can take a leap into the world of the lunar and explore the different facets of life in a simplistic and multi-dimensional manner. Reviewed by Akhila Saroha