Smartphone ‘projects’ a tech future Samsung unveils the Galaxy Beam at the Mobile World Congress in barcelona

Smartphone ‘projects’ a tech future

Samsung unveils the Galaxy Beam at the Mobile World Congress in barcelona

In beautiful Barcelona, a warning shot has been fired at television makers. After giving hell to camera makers, mobile phone manufacturers are set to unleash another game-changer. Samsung, the marauding mobile phone giant, unveiled the Galaxy Beam phone at the Mobile World Congress, which has a projector that can show whatever is on the phone screen — videos or photos — on any flat surface at the press of a button. The projection is equivalent to 50 inches diagonal screen size, or as much as a mega LCD television screen. The clarity isn’t LED class yet, but it’s a very, very decent picture. Samsung claims the ‘ultra-bright’ 15-lumens projector is good even outdoors. Experts expect future iterations of the technology to beam clearer images. Combine that with streaming 3G technology that’s already here, and 4G on the way, and television makers have much to sweat about. Today, top digital cameras sport such projector technology but Beam is the first smartphone to have it. Such ‘pico’ projectors have till now been considered too big to be enclosed inside mobile phones. The Beam, which is 12.55mm thick, is bulkier than peers and kin that hover around 8-9mm in width, but it’s not a bulky brick by any stretch. Many phones available today are of similar dimensions. The Beam also features a 5 megapixel camera, and runs Google's Android 2.3 or Gingerbread software on a 1.0GHz dual-core processor. That, along with 8 GB of internal memory and 768 MB of RAM, powered by a large 2000mAh battery is enough juice for three hours of viewing.

Rumour-mongers keep city cops on their toes Talks that child abductors are on the prowl create panic among residents

Rumour-mongers keep city cops on their toes

Talks that child abductors are on the prowl create panic among residents



It’s not terrorism or some serious crime that is keeping the police on their toes, but a rumour mill that is rife in various parts of the city at about the same time. While the police are daily introduced to a new rumour, they are trying their level best to dissuade people from believing them.

It all started with the slum colonies of the eastern suburbs, including Chembur, Govandi, Tilak Nagar, Nehru Nagar and Chunabhati areas, which were abuzz with a gang of tribals swooping down on the areas to abduct children. Soon, the rumours moved westward, with the MIDC area reporting cases where residents keeping night vigils to keep out a suspected gang, members of which can reduce their height at will to target women.

“The rumour was being spread, particularly in Marol village and Malpa Dongri areas, by unidentified persons for no reason,” said inspector Deepak Bagve of MIDC police.

However, no one, including the alleged rumour monger, has been arrested so far, said Bagve, while another officer added that the police had planted informers among the public to nab the rumour mongers.

“While women in the area have stopped coming out of their house at night, everyday somebody approaches us with a new story, like the latest being about gang members with blackened faces wearing special shoes that enables them to reduce their height,” said senior inspector Suresh Hujband of the MIDC police. As many as seven cases have been registered with the Marol police in as many days.

Earlier, since last Wednesday, the eastern suburbs had been tormented by rumours of an oil-man, who would oil his entire body so that no one can catch hold while fleeing.

Stating that some anti-social elements may be behind the rumours, DCP Sanjay Shintre said, “We are tracking the mobile phones of callers who informed us or the control room of the alleged gang.” Apart from intensifying patrolling, local police are holding frequent meetings with locals. Also, they have asked people to come forward to give them names of the rumour mongers, so that stern action can be against them, added Shintre.

Recently, the Mumbai commissioner had shown his unhappiness with the way the Bhandup police dealt with te chhaddi-baniyan gang rumour.

Not a single poor student in Mumbai University! Of the Rs.50L budget for poor students, varsity has not spent a single rupee

Not a single poor student in Mumbai University!

Of the Rs.50L budget for poor students, varsity has not spent a single rupee



Even as the Union and state governments are going all out to pinpoint the exact number of poor people in the country, expected to be between 50-70% of the total population, the University of Mumbai (MU) is probably the only campus in India where all its 6.5lakh students are apparently above average in terms of wealth.

Of its Rs50 lakh budget allocated for poor students in the fiscal year 2011-’12, the varsity has not spent a single rupee. As per its budget provisions, the varsity has kept aside Rs25 lakh to provide financial assistance to tribal students.

“But despite being spread over 5 districts, four of them known for their large tribal populations, the varsity could not find a single needy student!” said a member, after the Management Council (MC) meeting. Similarly, Rs20 lakh were allocated for backward-class students. Here too, the officials did not find a single deserving pupil.

Moreover, it had set aside Rs5 lakh in the last financial year for its ‘Earn and Learn Scheme’ for poor students, all of which it has saved. This has upset many professors and members of the MC.

According to a member of the council, “The varsity has no mechanism to spend this money. Nor do the officials care about poor students. This is against all the reservation laws that have been made to uplift underprivileged tribal and backward students.”

The whole budget will now be allocated for next year. Senate member Sanjay Vairal said, “This is not surprising at all. The varsity is never serious about ST/OBC students, and this happens every year.”

MC member Dilip Karande boycotted the session. “We have been given a 550-page budget copy on February 18. How can one read it all in just four days?” asked Karande.

Divorce a symptom, not the cause

Divorce a symptom, not the cause



There is little cause to be surprised, much less shocked, by the finding, reported by this paper yesterday, that a growing number of women in the city are walking out of marriage citing lack of sexual satisfaction. While old-timers may well cluck their tongues and wring their hands about the changing mores of the younger set, it cannot be denied that this is but a natural outcome of the growing familial clout, social awareness, and monetary and educational empowerment of women. And it is all to the good.
Every man who hasn’t renounced the world would agree that the right to a healthy and happy life necessarily includes the right to a good, safe, and satisfying sexual life. And what is sauce for the gander cannot but be sauce for the goose as well. In fact, given the reigning conservatism in Indian society, there is something to be said for the women who are honest, and brave, enough to admit that they are dissatisfied and walk out instead of submitting to the temptation to lump it and stay on in an unhappy marriage or, worse, cheat on their partners.
Admittedly, rising divorce rates are not a healthy sign for any society, more so one predicated as firmly on the primacy of the family as the Indian one. But divorce is but a remedy for something that has already gone horribly wrong with a marriage; it is not the cause of the rupture but the result of it. And the focus of society, if indeed it is as worried about these trends as it often appears to be, should be to fix the problems with, and within, marriage rather than paper over them and pretend that all is well.
Let’s not forget: it takes two happy, well-adjusted individuals to make one happy marriage, but just one unhappy individual to destroy it.

‘DUMMY’ HSC STUDENT NABBED IN BHOIWADA

‘DUMMY’ STUDENT NABBED IN BHOIWADA

Abhishek Hariprasad Singh, 21,
was found sitting the HSC secretarial
practice examination for Ranjit
Premchand Jaiswal on Saturday at
the Navhind Junior College in Dadar
(West). An invigilator caught Singh
at 4.15pm after examining the hall
ticket.
He was booked by the Bhoiwada
police under sections 419, 420
(cheating) and 34 (common
intention) of the IPC and section 7 of
the Maharashtra Board Malpractice
Act. Both were on Sunday remanded
in police custody till February 28, said
Vikram Patil, senior inspector,
Bhoiwada
police station.

ICSE schedule leaves little time to cram

ICSE schedule leaves little time to cram

When Bhakti Soni, a student from Kandivli, got out of the examination hall after writing the Indian Council of Secondary Education (ICSE) English language paper, the first of the board examinations, on Monday, she felt no sense of relief. She had already begun to worry about how she’ll be able to cram for her next examination — English literature — in just a day. Several students and parents echoed Soni. This year’s examination timetable leaves little time to revise subjects since there is just a day between most papers. Students feared that revising large portions of a subject in just a day will add to their stress. Only mathematics and technical drawing come after a gap of three to four days. Priya Shetty, a parent from Andheri whose son is a student of Jamnabai Narsee School, Vile Parle (West), said, “We were surprised to see that only a day’s gap was given between two papers. But till last year, the board allowed a gap of at least three to four days.” Shetty pointed out that there is a five-day gap ahead of the technical drawing examination, a Group C subject. “Five days of revision time are not required for technical drawing. Instead, the board should have given more time to prepare for English literature, history and science.” The syllabus for Wednesday’s English literature paper comprises 15 chapters, an equal number of poems and Shakespearean play, As You Like It. Sudeshna Chatterjee, principal of Jamnabai Narsee School, advised students not to panic and to revise wisely, making the most of the short time. “Students can study the important points and summaries. By now, they should have finished studying. So, only a brush-up is required, which can be easily done in a day.”

CMAT concludes without a hitch in the city

CMAT concludes without a hitch in the city

Following much debate and discussion, the All India Council for Technology Education (AICTE) finally introduced CMAT this year. Stakeholders were pleasantly surprised by the response to the test from day one — February 20. Pravir Arora, executive vice president of Aptech, which is conducting the CMAT for the AICTE, said, “We have received a positive response from all corners. About 12.4% candidates of the total registered in the city were expected to take the test on Monday, the last day of its first year of conduction (about 88.4% have already finished the test). In some cities, the testing is over, while in others, which had higher registration numbers, Tuesday will be the last day.” When asked about students’ complaints regarding incorrect questions and the right answers being absent from the given options, Arora said, “It could be the student’s perception based on his frame of mind. In the initial round of reviews, we have not come across any such questions. However, once the exam is over, we will review the questions.” Arora also informed DNA that following the transport strike in Kolkata, the last day of the CMAT was shifted to February 29. However, for Mumbai candidates, there will be no change. Arora said, “We did review the strike situation in Mumbai, and we learned that public transport would continue, so we also decided to continue.” S S Mantha, chairman, AICTE, said, “We are glad that the exam went smoothly.” The results will be out on March 11. As explained by Mantha, the scores will be ordered thus — overall merit, quantitative section, logical reasoning questions, comprehension, and then the general knowledge questions. Interestingly, unlike the common admission test, the CMAT will release individual scores of these sections, which can be viewed by candidates as well as institutes which have registered to consider CMAT scores for admissions.

Go easy on 3-litre water a day mantra; over-hydration can be fatal

Go easy on 3-litre water a day mantra; over-hydration can be fatal

“Drink 2-3 litres of water a day,” says your doctor. You follow the order to a fault. It’s not wrong. Staying constantly hydrated keeps the body going. Water entering our bodies is like filling a car with petrol. Well, it’s the same principle — you function properly. But then, you remember something mother said when you were a child. “Too much of anything is bad.” You think to yourself, “Is there anything as too much water in a person’s system?” The answer is, yes! Women running the Stayfree DNA I Can Women’s Half Marathon will want to constantly drink water, given the sudden rise in mercury. They need to remember to constantly sip, but not gulp down the water in a hurry. Hyponatraemia, aka water intoxication, is a condition caused by drinking too much fluid. Marathon runners can develop this if they drink too much while running. This is caused when sodium levels drop due to water loss. Consuming water in large amounts in this period is not advisable, as it doesn’t add sodium into your system and while you may feel hydrated, the absence of sodium can be fatal, due to water toxicity. Gayathri Bhaskaran, who has been running the Mumbai Marathon in the full marathon division, shares her mantras. She says she doesn’t follow a fixed pattern because she doesn’t know the conditions in which she runs. “In the 2011 marathon, the conditions were tougher than they were this year. It was hotter and we approached the sea link at 10am, as we had to take that to get back to Azad Maidan, which made things tough. This year, they altered the route and put the sea link stretch much earlier. So, it was easy for the runners,” she says. Bhaskaran adds that these factors play a role in the amount of water of fluid consumed. “Last year, I drank more water than this year. This time around, I slowly sipped on water every 15 minutes. I just needed to keep my mouth moist. Runners should also drink water slowly. Do not stop and drink water, as it can lead to cramps. And, do not drink too much water even after the race is over,” she says. Mumbai-based sports nutritionist Kinita Kadakia says an individual’s water needs depend on many factors, including health, how active one is and the type of sport. Although there is no one formula that fits all, knowing more about the body’s need for fluids will help estimate how much water you should drink every day. “The more you exercise, the more fluid you’ll need to keep your body hydrated. How much additional fluid is needed depends on how much you sweat. It is best if you drink a sports drink to replace the sodium lost,” she recommends.

Answer this, SSC questions on sale!

Answer this, SSC questions on sale!

Students say collegians are selling ‘imp questions bound to come in exams’

With just two days left for the Std X board exams, students are allegedly buying “important questions” from private agents. These agents, who are actually degree college students, are reportedly selling lists of questions they say are sure to be asked in exams. ‘Important questions’ in History and Science are being sold in the range of Rs700-Rs1,000. SSC students say the agents are offering money back guarantee as well if these questions are not asked. Anxious about the approaching exams, students, especially those who have not studied properly, seem to be falling into this trap. A 15-year-old student from a Jogeshwari school decided to go for it when he saw his friends buying questions from a student of an Andheri college. “I told a schoolmate who made the payment and got the questions for me,” he said. He said this ‘agent’ was selling 30 important questions for History for Rs700 and around 15 Physics questions for Rs1,000. “He claimed to know moderators and said these questions are bound to come in the exam,” said the student. Goregaon resident Richita Sharma said her daughter too has heard of such schemes. “She told me that some students in her school knew someone who had some important questions. This person claimed he had connections with a history moderator. But I discouraged her from falling into such traps and told her to focus on studying,” Sharma said. However, board officials said it is highly unlikely that such agents have any “genuine” questions. “The board maintains strict confidentiality about the location and content of question papers. I am the board’s chairperson, but even I don’t know where the question papers are printed. Once printed, the papers are sealed, which is then inspected by experts,” said Sarjerao Jadhav. Jadhav said that these college students are just cashing in on the panic and fear surrounding the SSC exams. “They could be trying to take advantage of students’ anxiety. A mischievous bunch could be doing it for extra pocket money. Students should not fall prey to such gimmicks, and instead study hard,” he said. He added that this year he is planning to make the system of question paper designing more foolproof. “I intend to bring in a lot of changes in the question paper setting that will remove even the minor loopholes existing in today’s system.”

Latpat Latpat tuz chalan video song

लटपट लटपट तुझं चालणं

बॉलिवूडवर मराठी फीव्हर - Marathi fever in Bollywood

बॉलिवूडवर मराठी फीव्हर


विद्या बालन मराठी स्टाइल आयटम साँगसाठी विशेष मेहनत घेतेय, राणी मुखजीर्ही तिच्या आगामी 'अय्या' सिनेमातून मराठी मुलगी साकारतेय. 'सिंघम'मधले मराठी डायलॉग आधीच गाजले आहेत. बॉलिवूडमधला मराठी टक्का वाढतोय...

...............

' आता माझी सटकलीय...' अजय देवगणच्या 'सिंघम' सिनेमातला हा डायलॉग तुफान लोकप्रिय झाला. या सिनेमातलाच 'आली रे आली, आता माझी बारी आली...' हा डागलॉगही असाच प्रसिद्ध झाला होता. असं काय वेगळं होतं या संवादांमध्ये? खास मराठी हेल काढत म्हटलेले हे संवाद महाराष्ट्रातल्या प्रेक्षकांना जवळचे वाटले. त्या निमित्ताने 'सिंघम' आपला वाटला. त्यातच हिंदी सिनेमात प्रथमच मराठी संवाद मोठ्या प्रमाणात वापरल्याने इतर राज्यातील प्रेक्षकराजालाही त्याचे नावीन्य वाटलं. बघायला गेलं तर पंजाबी, बिहारी संस्कृतीचं दर्शन पाच पैकी तीन सिनेमांमध्ये दिसतच होतं. पण; आता मराठीचा टक्का वाढलाय हे नक्की. अन् हा टक्का 'लक्षवेधी'ही ठरतोय.

' हेराफेरी'मध्ये परेश रावलने साकारलेला बाबूराव आपटे आठवतोय ना? 'ए मराठी माणूस जागा हो', असे म्हणत 'जय महाराष्ट्र' असे नारे लावणाऱ्या परेश रावलची ही भूमिका खूपच गाजली. अनेक कार्यक्रमांमध्ये, पिकनिकला गेलेल्या ग्रुपमध्ये एखादं कॅरेक्टर हमखास बाबूराव आपटेची खास झलक पेश करत आजही टाळ्या मिळवतोच.

अर्थात तसं बघायला गेलं, तर हिंदी सिनेमांमध्ये मराठी व्यक्तिरेखा असणं काही नवं नाही. पूवीर् अशा भूमिका फक्त नोकरवर्गांपर्यंत सीमित असत, पण आता त्याच्या कक्षा रुंदावतयात. 'कमिने'मधली प्रियंका 'गुड्डू कुठाय?' असा प्रश्न विचारतच एन्ट्री करते. 'रात के ढाई बजे...' गाण्यातलं तिचं खास नऊवारी नेसून बिनधास्त नाचणं सध्याच्या जनरेशनच्या मुलींचं प्रतिनिधित्व करत होतं. एकूणच काय, तर मोठ्या प्रमाणात एखाद्या भाषेचा वापर करुन त्या, त्या राज्यातून अधिक गल्ला जमवायचं हे गणित निर्मात्यांना आवडतं अन् यात आता हॉट फेव्हरिट आहे ती मराठी भाषा... आणि असा सिनेमा तयार करून मासेस व क्लासेसकडून वाहवा मिळवत 'रिअलॅस्टिक' सिनेमा केल्याचं समाधानही सिनेमाच्या टीमला मिळतं.

सध्या गरमागरम असलेल्या या मराठी तडक्याची जादू इनकॅश करण्यासाठी बॉलिवूडमधील प्रत्येक जण सरसावलाय. एखादी व्यक्तिरेखा नसेल, तर आयटमसाँगही चालतं. कतरिना कैफचं मराठी इस्टाइल 'चिकनी चमेली' हे आयटम साँग यातलाच एक प्रकार. बरं चिकनी चमेलीची जादू ओसरत नाही तोवर विद्या बालन मस्त लाल रंगाची नऊवारी घालून आगामी 'फेरारी की सवारी'मध्ये आयटम साँग करण्यासाठी सज्ज झालीय. मागे एकदा म. टाच्या कार्यालयाला भेट द्यायला आलेल्या विद्याने, 'मला मराठी बोलता येत नाही, पण कळतं...' एवढं बऱ्यापैकी मराठीत बोलून दाखवलं होतं. आज हीच विद्या साडेचार मिनिटांच्या आयटमसाँगसाठी खास मराठी लटके, झटके शिकून घेतेय. कारण? कारण फक्त एकच या निमित्ताने त्या, त्या भाषिकांच्या प्रेक्षकांचा अधिक जवळ जाता येतं.

यश चोप्रा, करण जोहर यांच्या सिनेमातून सातत्यानं होणारा पंजाबीचा भडीमार आता काहीसा कंटावाळाणाही वाटू लागला होता. म्हणूनच चोप्रांनीदेखील दोन वर्षांपूवीर् आलेल्या आपल्या प्रॉडक्शच्या 'लफंगे परिंदे' मधून पिंकी पालकर (दीपिका पडुकोण), नंदन कामठेकर उर्फ वनशॉट नंदू (नील नितीन मुकेश) या मुख्य मराठी व्यक्तिरेखा उभ्या केल्या होत्या. खासकरुन दीपिकाच्या मराठी संवादांमध्ये असलेली सफाई मराठी प्रेक्षकांना आवडली होती. हो, हा सिनेमा चालला नाही, त्यामागची कारणं वेगळी असतील. पण; म्हणून मराठी फीव्हर कमी झाला नाही. अनुराग कश्यप निमिर्त व सचिन कुंडलकर दिग्दशिर्त 'अय्या' सिनेमा, तर 'सिंघम'सारखाच बऱ्यापैकी मराठी संवादांची रेलचेल असलेला असेल. राणी मुखजीर् यात महाराष्ट्रीयन मुलीची भूमिका साकारतेय. विनोदी अंगाने जाणाऱ्या कथेतील मराठी मुलीच्या भूमिकेत फिट बसण्यासाठी राणी खूपच मेहनत घेतेय. यासाठी तिने अमृता सुभाषची मदत घेतलीय. कपडे, केशभूषा यांच्यावरही राणी विशेष मेहनत घेताना दिसतेय; जेणेकरुन फक्त संवादच नव्हे तर तिचा पेहराव व वावर यावरुनही तीचं मराठीपण दिसेल...

अर्थात हे सगळं भूमिकेच्या तयारीसाठी किंवा मराठी प्रेक्षकांना अधिकाधिक आपल्या 'प्रॉडक्ट'कडे खेचण्याचं गिमिक म्हणावं लागेल. पण; आपण ज्या राज्यात राहतो तिथली भाषा अवगत असावी म्हणून मिस्टर परफेक्शनिस्ट आमिर खानने खास मराठीची शिकवणी, सुरू केलीय ही बाब त्याहीपेक्षा खास आहे.

मराठी निमिर्तीतही बॉलीवूडकरांचा पुढाकार

गेल्यावषीर् आलेल्या 'ताऱ्यांचं बेट'नं एकता कपूर व शोभा कपूर यांनी मराठी चित्रपट निमिर्तीत पाऊल टाकलं. आता रितेश देशमुख, अक्षयकुमार ही बॉलिवूडमधील प्रस्थापित मंडळीही मराठी चित्रपट निमिर्तीत पाऊल ठेवत आहेत. अमिताभ बच्चन यांनीही 'विहिर' सिनेमाची निमिर्ती केली आहे. महेश मांजरेकरही त्याच्या 'शिक्षणाच्या आयचा घो' या सिनेमाचा हिंदी रिमेक करण्याच्या विचारात आहे.

काही स्त्रियांच्या 'रक्तातच' घटस्फोट!

काही स्त्रियांच्या 'रक्तातच' घटस्फोट!

नाते टिकणे जनुकीय रचनेवर अवलंबून

लंडन, वृत्तसंस्था

लग्नासारखे नाते संपण्यात स्त्रीची जनुकीय रचनाही मोठी भूमिका बजावू शकते, असा दावा स्वीडनमधील संशोधकांनी केला आहे. काही स्त्रियांमध्ये चक्क घटस्फोटाला कारणीभूत ठरणारी गुणसूत्रे असतात, असे या संशोधकांनी म्हटले आहे.

' घटस्फोटाला कारणीभूत ठरणारी गुणसूत्रे असलेल्या स्त्रिया नवरा किंवा बॉयफ्रेण्डसोबत नाते निभावू शकत नाहीत. मूळात ही गुणसूत्रे असलेल्या स्त्रिया लग्नच करत नाहीत आणि लग्न केल्यास ते टिकू शकत नाही,' असा निष्कर्ष संशोधकांनी काढला आहे.

या गुणसूत्राचा संबंध स्त्रियांच्या शरीरातील 'कड्ल हामोर्न' अर्थात ऑक्सिटोसिनशी असतो. या हामोर्नमुळे स्त्रियांमध्ये प्रेम तसेच मातृत्व भावना निर्माण होते. बहुसंख्य स्त्रियांमध्ये ऑक्सिटोसिन नैसर्गिकरीत्या असते. मुलाला जन्म देताना आणि अंगावर दूध पाजताना ते अधिक प्रमाणात निर्माण होते. मात्र, या ऑक्सिटोसिनवर प्रक्रिया करणे स्त्रीच्या शरीराला जमले नाही, तर त्या कोणाशीच भावनिक नाते जोडू शकत नाहीत, असे संशोधकांनी म्हटले आहे.

............................

स्त्री-पुरुषांमधील भावनिक नात्यामध्ये ऑक्सिटोसिन महत्त्वाची भूमिका बजावते, याचे पुरावे आम्हाला अभ्यासात सापडले. या हामोर्नचे प्रमाण जास्त असलेल्या स्त्रिया जोडीदाराशी अधिक जोडलेल्या असतात.

- हासी वालूम, संशोधक गटाचे प्रमुख

Book browser review

A Life Incomplete - Nanak Singh
Sahitya Akademi award-winning author Nanak
Singh draws on personal experiences to create
a compelling portrait of Punjab in the
‘20s. Kuldeep Singh is serving a term for participating
in anti-British agitations. When he
returns home, he finds that his wife has died,
leaving behind their infant child. As Singh
struggles to cope with this new world, he is
pulled by forces beyond his control: a holy
man advocating renunciation, a childhood
friend who has always loved him, the altruistic
Waryam Singh who is perennially subordinating
his personal interests for those of the
community, and the ill-tempered Prakash who
is attempting to hide a dark past.

The Killer App and Other Paranormal Stories Various authors
This collection of short stories brings together
chilling tales of the paranormal. These include
a story on a wildly popular app that “feeds on
hatred”, a luxury resort that turns deadly on a
new-moon night, a trek that turns men to
beasts, and a swimming pool with a deadly secret.
Other tales include those of murderous
ghosts, enchanted amulets, a haunted medical
school, and an uncle with a resemblance to a
vengeful lion. The authors include David Hair,
Ranjit Lal, deepa Agarwal, Subhadra Sen Gupta,
Mainak Dhar and Himani Dalmia.

Journeys Through Rajasthan Edited by Aman Nath
Journeys Through Rakasthan shows you this
state through the eyes of some of India’s travelers,
poets, novelists, explorers, historians,
wildlife enthusiasts, a photographer, a foodie,
a naturalist, a bird-lover and a princess. All
the stories are located in different parts of
Rajasthan. Journeys through Rajasthan is a
companion for both the wandering traveler
and the armchair one interested in the discoveries
that emerged from the skilled pens of
those who choose to look beyond familiar picture-
postcard images of a fabled land. Prem
Shankar Jha writes about the decline of the
Bharatpur sanctuary, Maharani Gayatri Devi
on the trappings of royalty, and William Dalrymple
documents two of the last hereditary
singers of an epic medieval Rajasthani poem.

Bali and the Ocean of Milk - Nilanjan P Choudhury
Indrah, the once-mighty king of the Devas is
not the man he used to be, struck by a mysterious
ailment. Bali, his Asura counterpart, is
faring no better. There is one elixir that can
help both of them. To extract it, the gods and
the asuras have to work together. Choudhary’s
book re-imagines the conflict between
the asuras and the gods in a humorous way.
There is an unabashed candour with which
Choudhury approaches the gods and their
dubious portfolios. The book has contemporary
touches, from modern day lingo to mentions
of Facebook, animal rights violation,
low-fat milk and the best one, Indrah’s hair
colour — Molten Midnight by So’Real.

My Father Baliah -YB Satyanarayana
The book is a simple and brief journey into the
lives of 4 generations of a dalit family. Twentyone-
year-old Narsiah is poised to inherit a
huge tract of land gifted by the Nizam to his
father but loses it to a feudal lord. This triggers
his migration from his ancestral village in
Telangana, an event that would free his family
and future generations from caste oppression.
Years later, it saves his son Baliah from a life
of humiliation and bonded labour. The gripping
nature of the theme, a smattering of the Telangana
dialect, a few forgotten details of names
and local practices, combine to create a
thrilling read.