Book Review - "Think with Me" by Subrata Roy Sahara

Theme

The book is a sincere effort by the author to surface the harsh realities of our country. Through his book "Think with Me" he makes an honest attempt to reach the roots of  the issues that are bigger than it seems and provides a solution that can help our nation become an ideal one.

The book has been categorically written to emphasise on the major fundamental issues that our country is facing today. Author believes these fundamental problems, if not taken seriously will lead to a national crisis of unimaginable proportion.
   
Plot

Author has presented five fundamental issues that we are facing in India today. The book is divided into 5 portions focusing on each issue at length. Electoral and Leadership being the first and foremost issue that needs amendments. Likewise the other issues that are eating up our country are population, education system, media and religion.

Author tries to give an explanatory view on some of the questions that's been haunting us as citizens for many generations. Where did we go wrong? What happened to the honest Leaders with ethical values we had before independence, whose struggle for freedom was selfless and not a personal motive? Why is our education system so hollow inspite of our rich knowledge resource from ancient India?

The concept of morality and immorality is very well explained by dividing human emotional sphere into I, My, We, We All and Us. According to him there is a need to widen our emotional sphere in order to serve the mankind and bring an overall change in the society.

Author's willingness to bring the change isn't over with the writing of the book, he is open to feedback and suggestions from the people of India and also agrees to provide elaborate plan on each issue to the government if needed. His humble appeal to share views, questions or even disagreements speaks volumes about his genuine efforts towards making India an ideal country.


Review

The book has an appealing title and a decent cover page without making it look too loud. The book is truly inspiring and it invokes a desire in a reader to be able to bring the change for a better life and a better country. Author's writing style is very simple and uncluttered. It's thought provoking and I related to every issue and the agenda that has been brought about by the author. I completely agree that with the loopholes in the system and weak authorities we will reach no where inspite of our rich knowledge resource from the old days.

I would recommend politicians and people in power to read this book and reinforce the ideas discussed in the book. Much can be achieved by strengthening our education and political system. The book definitely is a complete food for thought.

Some references from the book that keeps you thinking!

"Why couldn't we teach people occupying places of responsibility that rights are given to perform genuine duties, not to serve your personal whims, false ego and greed?"

"Our population is flourishing on poor qualifications and low merits. It means we are being defeated in terms of qualitative workforce. This is the biggest reason for our downfall."

"Another worrisome aspect of education or literacy is the lack of good quality teachers. India is short of 12 lac teachers to provide quality education at primary level."


About the Author

The book is authored by Subrata Roy Sahara popularly known as "Saharasri". One of the most successful figures of corporate India and founder of 'Sahara India Pariwar' is a teacher, a guide and a proud guardian to his 1.2 million fellow workers. "Think with Me" is his second book in the 'Thoughts from Tihar' trilogy and is published by Rupa Publications. His first book 'Life Mantras' was a National Bestseller and was among the top 5 best selling books across India.


I received a copy from Writersmelon in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

My review of the book "Think with Me" can also be read at Goodreads and Amazon 

Amar Chitra Katha launches "Tinkle Buddy Box" - Product Review

Summer Vacations! The most awaited time of the year for kids and parents too,  just that you have to have it planned the right way!

Kids are full of energy and it doubles up when it's vacation time... It's really important to keep them engaged the right way else it can transform into a total twitchy, cranky mess.

I got lucky this summer with an arrival of this newly launched "Tinkle Buddy Box" that came right in time for holidays. While I was dreading the onset of summer break, trying to figure out the best possible way to keep my little one busy... this amazing new product from Tinkle saved my day.

Amar Chitra Katha needs no introduction. It's been there for generations and is one of the leading children's brands today.

From the house of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle comes this amazing Tinkle buddy box that brings back some of my fondest childhood memories, when all we had were these Tinkle comics to our rescue.

I am so glad they have come up with such an amazing kit for kids to give them a hands on experience of learning and play. I was more than excited to introduce my child to Tinkle that we have grown up reading for all those years. It's a great feeling to share the books of your times with children and relive your childhood memories through them.

Perfectly named "The Tinkle buddy box" is a unique blend of fun activities, learning and play. Aimed at giving children ages six and above an exciting experience through a gamut of activities all through the summer.

One of its kind, Tinkle Buddy box contains a combination of games, puzzles, do-it-yourself arts and crafts, exclusive merchandise, DIY art projects and two mega Tinkle books.

That's not all, The Tinkle board game in the Buddy box features all-time favorite Tinkle characters where one can take a trip across the Tinkle-verse.

The box also features a 108-piece jigsaw puzzle, starring the legendary Shambu, and a Tinkle card game, featuring Tinkle's most popular characters, Suppandi, Shambu and Tantri, which is all about quick reflexes

Exclusive Tinkle merchandise includes four Tinkle button badges, featuring old stalwarts like Suppandi and Shambu and newer Tinkle players like Wingstar and the Defective Detectives

There is also an easy-to-assemble Suppandi Auto rickshaw that kids have to color in, and a foldable Tinkle paper plane that should be a lot of fun to fly.

If that isn't enough D-I-Y, the box comes with a 16-page booklet, packed with the covers with another 12 DIY projects.

Of course, no Tinkle box would be complete without iconic Tinkle stories, and to this end, the Buddy Box comes with two mega Tinkle books; the annual Tinkle Holiday Special, and a brand new Tinkle Super Special, which is a Buddy Box exclusive.

With so much to do, I am completely relieved of any tension of keeping my child engaged during the school holidays.

The activity box is very well designed keeping in mind the age factor and the learning capabilities of the child.The box is a great blend of fun, learning, art and craft, reading, colouring, diy projects, puzzles and much more. The entire amalgamation of games and activities focus on different types of skills required to be used by the child. Learning and enhancing skill sets is definitely one of the major focuses behind this activity box along with fun and play.

Not to forget the tales of Suppandi will leave your child amused with some healthy humour keeping their interest in reading books too!

My son is already thrilled with the contents of the box and look forward to doing so much more everyday. With a never ending games and activities in The Tinkle buddy box the holidays won't seem longer any more.


Benefits

A great way to keep the child constructively engaged during summer holidays.

A perfect way to enhance child's knowledge, develop various skill sets and creativity.

An interesting way to keep the child's attention away from gadgets and television that does no good.

A fun filled opportunity to get together with friends while exploring the activity box, enhances team learning.

Most importantly, Parents get their 'Me time' too while the child's time is utilised efficiently.

I find this newly launched "Tinkle Buddy Box" worth having this summers for loads of fun, learning and excitement. It's definitely a great way for engaging and thrilling experience during vacation time.

Priced at INR 1500, It is also available at a special discounted introductory price of INR 1199 on Amarchitrakatha website. I feel it's pretty reasonable looking at the contents and the usage. It is also available on major e-commerce websites and leading stores across the country.

About Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle

Amar Chitra Katha is India's largest selling comic book series that retell stories from the great Indian epics, mythology, history, folklore and fables in a comic book format. Founded in 1967 by "Anant Pai" in an attempt to keep Indian children aware of our cultural heritage is one of the leading children's brand today.

Tinkle is an Indian fortnightly magazine published in English and syndicated in many Indian languages. Tinkle enjoys great popularity among children and adults. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpayee has been a huge fan of Tinkle and its iconic characters Suppandi and Shikari Shambhu.

"Its a matter of pride to be an Indian" #MoreIndianThanYouThink says Lufthansa!

When was the last time you really felt "It's a matter of pride to be called as an Indian"?

We always like to ape western culture, their style thinking they are superior than us. A thought of lagging behind that has creeped in for generations needs a new outlook today.

Times have changed, India has made its mark on the global calendar in terms of technology, world politics, art and cinema, infrastructure and sports.

The above TVC by Lufthansa with a tagline "More Indian Than You Think" speaks volumes about Indians and expresses how a heartfelt connection is the only way to win over an Indian. The world is celebrating India, our culture, the values and are being threatened by our centuries old legacy that we carry with us wherever we go as an Indian.

The Indian heritage has so much to offer to the world through its enriching knowledge, The epics from Indian Mythology like Mahabharata and Ramayana teaches us the life lessons of kindness, morality, love and sacrifice.

Indians have these values imbibed in them from the very beginning. However modern we might turn but we would never part ourselves from our identity of being an Indian and that's what makes us unique. India has always been a place of inspiration for foreign countries too. Be it our spiritual belief, our heritage, Ayurveda (the ancient medical science) our diverse music and dance, everything has inspired the western countries so much so that they want to adapt our ways of living to experience the fulfilling life.

Today India's global presence can be felt worldwide. People are well aware of the richness and the goodness our country has to offer. They appreciate the warmth, the ready to help nature, the welcoming approach that comes from our belief "Atithi Devo Bhav". 

It isn't surprising that our hospitality is world famous so much so that a German airlines goes desi with their guest service approach.

Success doesn't come with money, it comes with the satisfaction of being able to help others. Today I feel so grateful to my parents who instilled those values in me that not only teach us how to be happy but teaches us a bigger lesson of life where we can deal with any amount of pressure, negativity, failure and still come as a winner.

Indians have the ability to fight the worst... they can accommodate themselves in any given situation, have faith in the supreme power that keeps them going.

We have seen the best and the worst too. We aren't blind to the realities of life and that's what makes us strong, giving, compassionate and loving towards others.

"There have been many instances where I have felt being an Indian has helped me deal with situations like non other. West live with rules. They cannot tolerate if a rule is broken even for the smallest of things like breaking a queue... how ever I feel our flexibility to be able to adapt to situations come in handy and we don't get bothered to break simple rules for someone's benefit."

They are stringent with their laws, we are more understanding and forgiving when it comes to a question of someone's life and death.

They go by the book, whereas we weigh the situation emotionally too.

We have reached the skies and made a mark with our scientific achievements but Indian soil keeps us grounded.

We might have traveled the world and lived in the best of places but nothing gives us the pleasure of being among the people we love. We crave to be with our parents and family on the festivals like, Eid, Holi and Diwali. Even the best of holiday destinations can not give the excitement of being with the family.

We might have eaten the best of dishes in the best of hotels but nothing can beat "Maa ke hath ka Khana" (Home cooked food).

That's the kind of love, care, respect and values we grow with. Parents mean the world to us and their blessings are what we pray for.

Our ideologies makes us different from the rest of the world and I truly feel pride in my identity of being an Indian because we are #MoreIndianThanYouThink

Lufthansa airlines sets the message across through their newly launched commercial that the world is turning #MoreIndianThanYouThink and the only way to defeat an Indian is to think like an Indian, eat like an Indian, relax like an Indian and if that isn't enough dance like an Indian too:)