Views on Books - Escape to nowhere, Amar Bhushan

Review Date: 14 Nov 12

An inside view of the agency

It would have been a tight rope walk to write this book given the sensitivity of the subject matter and the emphasis on adherence to law. The book gives an inside view of how the agency works and how one needs knack more than process to get the work done. The IB and RAW are the unsung heroes who are preventing major attacks and infiltration in our country despite so many constraints, one can only hope they are strengthened with every possible means and they continue shielding the country from the crooked elements. There were a few typo errors which need to be corrected when reprinted

Views on Books - India After Gandhi:The History Of The World's Largest Democracy, Ramachandra Guha

Review Date: 28 Aug 2012
Partial towards Nehru-Gandhi family

This books is a definite must read for all those want to know India. Although not humanly possible to include every bit, the effort made by the writer is clearly evident. Some points have been taken very casually.. like he said "Ram"s existence is not proved. Well i found it ironic that "Ram"Chandra Guha still believes Rama is a myth despite so many scientific evidences provided. Chandrasekhar was mentioned as a lameduck prime minister, but his efforts to secure loans by pledging India's Gold to England has not been mentioned or probably ignored.He along with Subramanian Swamy made the blueprints for the economic reforms is missed out. Indian diplomacy to Historic reopening on the manasarovar pilgrimage for Indians was ignored.
Emphasis was laid more on Nehru and his blood successors and author was clearly very partial to them as if this is a Congress sponsored history

Views on Books - Chanakya's Chant, Ashwin Sanghi

Review Date: 28 May 12
The graph just rises

The history of chanakya available in general domain is more about his book the great arthashastra or his political wisdom and not much about his personal life. Chanakya's story and the way he plays his chess to make sure that Chandragupta becomes the Emperor of India is well presented. The current day version in the novel I thought was a little simplified for the sake of convenience of presentation although the author took great pains to to make the readers understand the intricacies of contemporary politics, What was really impressive was the way it was subtly conveyed that for the greater good of the society a small disadvantage/damage caused to an individual(s) is a sacrifice that sometimes becomes unavoidable.
I recommend a thorough read. I wish someones makes this into a movie, somehow I was imagining Paresh Rawal for Ganga sagar/Chanakya and Nana Patekar for Ikram Bhai. Hritik Roshan for Chandragupta and Chitrangadha for Chandni

Views on Books - The Krishna Key, Ashwin Sanghi

Review Date: 09 Sep 12

A good perspective to our Ancient History 

Off late there is a lot of research being done and lot of material that is surfacing that given evidences of our glorious past which was deliberately suppressed/destroyed by the Muslim/Christian Rulers that ruled our country for 1000 yrs. 

This book has made a terrific attempt to give a view into our past with scientific evidences and logical inferences. The expansion of civilizations and their strong connections to Indian past are just brilliant and it was very interesting to read.

I would have preferred to read it as a documentary or a research styled article rather than a thriller where people are on the chase and keep discussing science and history.

The narrative is clearly inspired from Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, Lost Symbol where there are mysterious killings and only one man can decipher the reasons. 

The story of Krishna written in self narrative style was very nice. I expected more details towards the end after Gandhari curses Krishna.

Minus the story of the protagonist and people chasing him, I would definitely recommend this book to be read by school and college kids so that they get a a view of the actual history is instead of the popular published history.

I bought this book to read while I would travel, and it kept me busy throughout and making my journey easy. I would look forward for more from Ashwin.

Views on Book - Turning Point: A Journey through Challenges, APJ Abdul Kalam

Review Date:17 Jul 12

Result Oriented Approach


I always thought the post of President was to do nothing but keep approving what the PM proposes. But the way APJ has articulated and the initiatives he has taken in during his presidency has created a terrific bench mark. it is a pity that the successor(s) donot have the outlook or the caliber or the attitude to carryout such initiatives... Kalam the greatest President of Modern India..Take a bow