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Blueprint for a better
India
Amar Chandel
Imagining India: Ideas for the New
Century
by Nandan Nilekani.
Penguin/Allen Lane.
Pages 531. Rs 699.
IT
has generally been the prerogative of the politician to decide and tell
us what is in the best interest of India. Off and on this task is also
taken up by journalists, scholars and bureaucrats. The responsibility is
shouldered less often by entrepreneurs — particularly a self-styled
"accidental entrepreneur" like Nandan Nilikani, co-chairman of
Infosys Technologies.
Voice
without illusions
Race, family and sexuality are
the big themes of Hanif Kureishi’s era-defining fiction – but
he also stands accused of misogyny and exploitation. He tells Johann
Hari about
psychoanalysis, fundamentalism, and disillusionment
EVER
since I read his first novel, The Buddha of Suburbia, I have
imagined Kureishi to be a living version of the novel’s protagonist,
Karim. He is a beautiful mixed-race boy from the suburbs, determined to
dream and shag and saunter his way to the big city.
Intricacies
of urban life
Ramesh Luthra
Tomorrow’s Promise
by Bubbles Sabharwal.
Penguin Books.
Pages 132. Rs 199.
A
maiden novel by Bubbles Sabharwal, Tomorrow’s Promise stands
conspicuous in the realms of this genre. Its charm lies in starting with
a mundane life and finally taking us to a higher level. It makes an
interesting reading of relationships—sex, adultery, divorce et al in
the so-called glamorous society of the high-ups in metropolitan cities.
A
luminous, lyrical tale
Baljit Singh
The Secret Scripture
by Sebastian Barry.
Faber & Faber.
Pages 312. Rs 295.
OF
the four books short-listed for the Man Booker Award 2008, The Secret
Scripture emerged the first runners-up. As "leaked" by
more than one member of the Booker jury, the book appeared to be the
most favoured up to the very last moment, yet Arvind Adiga’s The
White Tiger won in a digital photo finish, as it were.
History
of Nabha
Aditi Garg
Kinship and State Formation:
The Gills of Nabha
by J. S. Grewal and Veena Sachdeva.
Manohar.
Pages 141. Rs 395.
THE
Punjabis are known the world over for their rich and vibrant culture. Punjabiyat
did not happen overnight but is a result of assimilation over the years
of elements and essences of religion and culture of the varied people
who ruled this land. From the Mughals, through the colonial rule, the
Gill family of Nabha has been through many ups and downs.
Tips
for winning executive battles
D. S. Cheema
Executive Warfare: 10 Rules of
Engagement for Winning your War for Success
by David F. D’Alessandro.
Tata McGraw-Hill.
Pages 265. Rs 350.
THERE
is an identity between principles of war and principles of business
management, though with subtle difference. In war as well as in
business, one must acquire thorough knowledge of adversary or
competitors within and outside and handle/manage them appropriately.
Success or failure is the result of many battles an executive has to
fight to win the ultimate war of reaching the very top. It is about
being hit and being able to stand up again.
Swayze’s
story
Hollywood
actor Patrick Swayze, who has been in the news for his agonising battle
with cancer, is all set to pen a tell-all memoir with contribution from
his wife Lisa Niemi, which will throw light on his "deeply
personal" details. The Ghost actor will be revealing all
about his life, including his colourful childhood, his acclaimed career,
his lovely marriage, and his painful battle with pancreatic cancer.
SHORT TAKES
Men of the millennium
Randeep Wadehra
1000 Years, 1000 People
by Agnes Hooper Gottlieb, Henry Gottlieb, Barbara Bowers and Brent
Bowers.
Flywell Publications & Mosaic Books.
Pages: xx+331. Price not mentioned.
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