Quotes by Paulo Coelho
ইন্দুবালার ভাতের হোটেল
কল্লোল লাহিড়ীর ইন্দুবালার ভাতের হোটেল পড়ার ইচ্ছে অনেক দিন ধরেই ছিল| ভেবেছিলাম হৈচৈ তে সিরিজ আসার আগেই পরে নেব, কিন্তু নানা কারণে তা পড়া হয়নি – অবশেষে দিদির থেকে ধার নিয়ে এক দিনেই পরে ফেললাম|
আসলে কিছু কিছু বই আছে যেগুলো পড়া হয়না |মনে হয় শব্দদের স্রোতে ভাসতে ভাসতে পৌঁছে যাচ্ছি যেখানে লেখক নিয়ে যেতে চান| ঠিক প্রথম পাতা থেকেই পৌঁছে গেলাম কলাপোতা গ্রাম,সেখান থেকে ছেনু মিত্র লেনের দিকে যাত্রা করা বিধবা ইন্দুবালা মল্লিকের ভাতের হোটেলে|
ইন্দুবালার গল্প কিন্তু শুধু একা একটি মেয়ের লড়াইয়ে সফল হওয়ার গল্প না – গল্পের ভাজে ভাজে আছে বছরের পর বছর না পাওয়ার ইচ্ছেগুলোতে ধুলো জমা স্মৃতি; আছে সমাজের আর সংসারে কাছে হেরে যাওয়ার ব্যাথা| আছে মুক্তি যুদ্ধে শহীদ মনিরুল , আছে ভাষা যুদ্ধে শহীদ ভাই , আছে শ্রেণী যুদ্ধে শহীদ কমরেইড আলোক, আছে উচ্ছৃঙ্খলতার জীবন যুদ্ধে হেরে যাওয়া মাস্টার রতন লাল মল্লিক|
এতো দূর পড়ে কি কপালে ভাঁজ পড়লো? ভাবছেন বই তা পড়বেন কিনা?
বইটা পড়তেই হবে| ইন্দুবালা মল্লিক হলো আশার প্রতীক| ঝোড়ো হওয়ার কাছে যেমন ছোট প্রদীপ প্রাণপণে চেষ্টা করে আলোর শিখা বাঁচিয়ে রাখার – ইন্দুবালা একটার পর একটা প্রতিবন্ধকতা কাটিয়ে উঠে সেই ভাবেই| সাথে না থাকলেও অন্তরে জিয়ে রাখে মা-ঠাকুমার শিখানো রান্না, সংসার ধর্ম; কদর করে শাশুড়ির দূরদৃষ্টিটা; পদে পদে পায় লছমীর বন্ধুত্বর আলিঙ্গন ; ধনার মন ভালো করা যত্ন | ভাতের হোটেলে পালে পালে আসা আসে পাশের মেস বাড়ির কলেজ আর অফিস কেরানি দল নিয়ে সবসময় গমগম করতে থাকে ইন্দুবালার ভাতের হোটেলে| এপার বাংলা আর ওপর বাংলার রান্নার সাথে মিশে যায় আদরের সম্পর্কগুলো| দুই ছেলে আর মেয়েকে সাবলম্বী করার সার্থকতা ইন্দুকে দেয় ততটাই গর্ব যতটা তার তিলে তিলে তৈরী করা ভাতের হোটেল| ভাতের হোটেল হয়ে উঠে তার অবিচ্ছেদ্ধ পরিচয়|
দুই দেশ বিভঙ্গ এর উপরে উঠে এসে প্রতিকূলতা জয় করা যায় তার এক জ্বলন্ত উদাহরণ ইন্দুবালার ভাতের হোটেল| অবশ্যি পড়বেন, নাহলে ইন্দুবালার হাতের সুস্বাদু রান্নার থেকে বঞ্চিত থেকে যাবেন!
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Top 5 Free Audible podcasts
Woice with Warikoo
Ankur Warikoo is a household name as a self-help coach especially, for topics like time management and finance management. Usually, a short podcast, that occupies the listeners with rapt attention for various topics like personal growth, balancing risk, and aiming for entrepreneurship.
Listen on Audible (Amazon Prime Member)
Kaali Awaazein
Hands down one of the best horror audio podcasts I have ever heard. The stories are quite regular but the audio effects will surely cause the hair on your neck to stand! Narrated by stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, the audio series has been voiced by a lot of eminent actors. Make sure you plug in your earphones for the best effect!
Listen on Audible (Amazon Prime Member)
Michelle Obama : The light podcast
The former First Lady of the USA, Michelle Obama explores these podcasts with prominent guests on what ails today’s world and the possible solution for them. Be it issues on how to overcome hurdles, or inclusivity based on gender or race. She regales with her hilarious anecdotes and keeps the audience engrossed in such topics.
Listen on Audible (Amazon Prime Member)
Mandela : The Lost Tapes
Listen to the tapes of Nelson Mandela where he is interviewed by Richard Stengel during his imprisonment. We get a glimpse of the stellar life of Nelson Mandela, what shaped his political career – basically what made Mandela, a world-acclaimed personality. His words will inspire generations to come who have dreams in their eyes for a discrimination-free world.
Listen on Audible (Amazon Prime Member)
Tuesday People
One of the famous authors, Mitch Albom talks about his teacher Morrie, who in his last days, was an epitome of optimism. Possible when you know you are about to walk on the path of light, life channels all of its accumulated wisdom to be distributed just like butterflies distribute pollen for giving way to a better generation.
Listen on Audible (Amazon Prime Member)
Have you listened to any of these podcasts? Is there any podcast you would like to share which is a must-listen? Please note that all these podcasts come free with Amazon Prime membership. You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your book views.
Cheers to Reading!
Independence
Chitra Karuna Banerjee has paid tribute to her roots in Kolkata. Contrary to her previous books, this book is more fiction than facts. However, surely a reader would lose oneself in the atrocities caused in the name of religion. The lines were drawn by the British and Indian politicians – the effect rippled across the people,even more than it was anticipated.
“The year is 1947. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.”
Independence, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Deepa, Priya, and Jamini lived with their family in Ranipur near Bengal. Each young girl harbored individual dreams for their future. Bina and Nabakumar do their best to give a secure future to each of their beloved daughters. Just like any ordinary family, the family thrives on respect and a meager income. Nabakumar’s medical skills imbibe into the youngest one, Priya who aspires to be a doctor. Jamini, never losing her heart to her deformed legs, tries her best to be the perfect daughter. Deepa plans on utilizing her beauty for a secure match. All of their dreams go for a toss when the Calcutta Hindu-Muslim riots snatch their father’s life. As readers, we stand helpless, as we see the family dwindling into misery and undiscerning hatred toward Muslims.
When men go off to be heroes, do they even realize what it does to the women they leave behind?
Independence, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
While Deepa succumbs to her choices, Priya fights for her dream to become a doctor. Jamini capitalizes on Bina’s affection. Sibling jealousy and conditional love surpass the sisterhood and throw before each sister, a life-altering decision. The political turmoil sets Ranipur on fire and thus sets fire to the lives of the sisters. they are torn by their choices, often justified in the name of love. Somewhere in the story, I lost myself in the partition fight between the sister over their family, each seeking their own independence. The inner commotion rocks the entire family. The independence of the motherland is entwined with the independence of three sisters and their mother.
No matter how her story ends, she refuses to believe that a woman cannot have the joys of home and also a place in the world.
Independence, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
This book is not just historical fiction but also a book on sisterhood. I was almost biting my nails toward the end. The storyline appealed to the Bengali soul in me. I was delighted at the mention of Nahoum’s bakery when Nabakumar led the way for his daughters. I was touched by the recognition of Tagore and Nazrul songs. However, my only turn-off was the grammatical mess, especially with punctuation and the random usage of upper and lower cases.
Head to the comment section and let us know if you have read the book. You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views.
Cheers to Reading!
Comedy of error movies in Bollywood
Ludo
A beautifully executed story with 4 protagonists pursuing their chase for “home”. Just like a token moves along the Ludo board, the protagonists take chances, loose a few to achieve their versions of home. The movie is a visual treat with the stories crossing paths at unexpected junctures.
Lootcase
A heavily underrated comedy movie is Lootcase on Disney Hotstar. A man finds a bag full of money with no claimant around. He gives into temptation and carries it home and utilizes the cash for his expenditures. What creates mayhem is when both police and owners come looking for the bag! Kunal Khemu nails his comic timings and it’s a laughter riot from start to end.
Ghanchakkar
“Lazy lad” dance, belonging to Ghanchakkar, became quite a rage a few days back on reels. The powerhouse performances by Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan stole the show! A bank, looted by 3 thieves, part ways and decide to meet later after a few months when the commotion has settled down. The crux occurs when one of the thieves succumbs to short-term amnesia and forgets where he had hidden his bag. Vidya Balan is a show-stealer amidst the cast. A must-watch for any weekend!
Blackmail
A dark-comedy movie wherein a husband blackmails his wife for money in lieu of revealing her adulterous nature, of course, incognito. The fun starts when the wife panics and asks for money from the husband. Chaos ensue and there are series of unresolved twists which are unraveled only at the end.
Andhadhun
When a glass of Tragedy is tipped with ice of comedy – it gives birth to Andhadhun. Sriram Raghavan twists and manipulates the audience. A fake blind person walks into a sudden trap and falls prey to greed and lust. The movie narrative is so fast-paced that you blink an eye and you lose vital information for the ending of the movie. The movie tickles your intelligence till the very end and makes you laugh at places inspite of the darkness in the plot.
Do you like the listicle of tragedy & comedy movie suggestions? Head over to the comment section and let us know if you have watched any of the series!
You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views.
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Hyderabad Ramzan Food Walk
During the Holy month of Ramadaan, each sunset beholds the Hyderabadis thronging towards the Old City lanes. Gastronomes, who dream of perfect kebabs and mutton haleem, clutter near Charminar area, the de facto centre of Hyderabadi cuisine in the city. We headed over to Charminar,not only to hog on the delicacies,as well as to witness the frenzy of Ramzan. Sweating profusely in summer heat, we walked through the narrow lanes and braved the jostling crowd to experience the Ramzan Food walk.
Nimrah Café and Bakery : Journey started with a warm cup of Irani tea. Chai and Osmania biscuits are inseparable companions to kick start any gastronomic journey. You can opt for a plate of assorted biscuits to have a taste of everything. I personally love the chand biscuits and osmania biscuits.
Location of Nimrah cafe and bakery
Milan Juice Centre : Opposite to Nimrah Cafe, tucked in between shops is Milan Juice centre which serves different juices but the showstopper is the Mulberry Rabri. The explosion of sweet flavours is unbeatable. The rabri malai is sweetened milk after its reduced for a long time. Apart from that, Mango Malai is also a must try.
Location of Milan Juice Centre
Pista House : Though challenged by some of the big names, Pista house has hands-down one of the best Haleem in Hyderabad. Slow cooked for over 10 hours, this dish has minced chicken or mutton and wheat, served with fried onion and lemon.
Matwale Doodh Ghar : After spicy Haleem from Pista House, a hop on to next-door neighbor Lassi ghar for Rose-flavored ice cold lassi is a must. Even the simple lassi tastes divine! The Lassi is one of the most sought after dessert, specially after devouring the spicy wholesome haleem.
Location of Matwale Doodh Ghar
Al Farooz Sonu kebabs : Al Farooz Sonu Kebab centre is must go place to have a taste of the charcoal grilled kebabs and mutton marag with Paratha. An array of mouth-watering kebabs greeted us – specially Pathar ka gosht and Seekh kebab, Malai mutton, Semiya Chicken, Mutton gravy and laccha paratha. Hands down best dish is of course the Mutton Marag, a mutton stew blended with coconut powder, cashew nut paste and boiled milk.
Few tips for better experience:
Most of the places are restricted for vehicles. Crowd increases at night, so please plan accordingly. Please park your car or bike at designated place only. One of the easy car parking spots we found was near Mirchowk Gulzar sweets. Or else, you can park car near Pista house or even near Sonu Kebabs. Please ensure you are not blocking the road.
Please carry water. Though you can buy water bottles or enjoy a glass of refreshing sugarcane juice, it is better to carry your own bottle of water and refill the filters placed outside of the hotels.
The threshold of Charminar is dotted with jewelry shops. Most of the items are priced at Rs 100 only. There are a lot of steal deals on bangles and earrings. No one will go back home empty-handed for sure! There are numerous shops with clothes on display. Please make sure to carry cash, though most places accept Digital payments.
Ever visited any of these while meadering through the Ramzan crowd near Charminar?
Head over to comment section to share your experience. You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views.
Gone with the wind
This book is my first love and will forever be so. Scarlett o Hara has inspired me, shaped me into what I am today. I believe these quotes from the book will motivate you, even on your gloomy days!
Have you read Gone with the wind? Isn’t it incredible to have such relevant quotes even after eons since the book was released in 1938?
You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views.
Cheers to Reading!
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Cafes of Hyderabad – 2
Beluga
Tucked away in the corner of Jubilee hills, this cafe gives royal vibes with its canopy. We went in for dinner and were amazed by the ambience of Beluga. I want to go back again for the desserts. This cafe is perfect for a date night.
Other cafes of Hyderabad
Roast 24 Seven
The newest in town is one of the fastest growing cafes in Gachibowli! Located in the bylanes of Gachibowli, just behind the Reliance digital building, this cafe is open till the wee hours of morning. The food is excellent though but om the higher side as pocket crunch is concerned. What stole my attention was the amazing book collection they have. So what are you waiting for, grab a book and have a great coffee!
Last Coffee House
Last Coffee House opened this new year opening a panoramic view of Durgam Cheruvu. The cafe has a rustic enchanting charm with nukkad-natak vibes. One can chill here under the trees while munching on the delicious muffins they have on offer.
Amy’s cafe
Amy’s cafe, by Karachi Bakery, is what Gen z will call “Instagrammable” cafe. The aesthetics are pleasing and so is the food. The hot chocolate here is really soul soothing as named. This cafe perfectly fits any pocket budget.
Have you ever been to these cafes? Did you like any of them? Let me know in comments below which are your favourite cafes in Hyderabad and I will surely visit them!
You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views. Bon appétit!!
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I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki
It has been a long time since my reading of I’ve never been (Un)happier by Shaheen Bhatt. This memoir by Baek Sehee, translated by Anton Hur has been a positive read for me as it deals with self-awareness & mental health.
When you’re having a hard time, it’s natural to feel like you’re having the hardest time in the world. And it’s not selfish to feel that way.
Baek, an established social media content creator, seeks help from a psychiatrist to treat her depression. The author recorded the entire session for thorough introspection. The conversation knocks on questions that we ask ourselves when we are alone. The constant nagging feelings which gnaw at our hearts.
Are we being the best?
Will the person we talk to think better of us?
Will I get a shoulder to rest on the days we are tired?
I think I am learning how to accept life as it is. Accepting your burdens and putting them down isn’t an occasional posture; it’s something you need to practise for the rest of your life.
Read my review on Never been (un)happier
More often than we care to admit, we have all been driven by existential crises. It becomes very frustrating to keep running toward the goalpost yet the goalpost keeps moving away as soon as we reach it. The conversation better the author and her doctor helps us to dig beneath the surface and understand why we behave in specific ways. Unfortunately for some, overthinking leads to clinical depression and in this case, the author is diagnosed with Dysthymia (Persistent depressive disorder) wherein patients exhibit symptoms like lack of interest in day-to-day activities, lethargy & low self-esteem. The author succumbs to substance abuse as well. The book ends with the information that the author had years of therapy which is reassuring that one can recover from the ailment too. So, please, always seek professional help if you or anyone you know may be going through mental issues.
Head over to the comment section and let us know if you have read the book. You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views.
Cheers to Reading!
It Ends with Us & It Starts with us
How far will you go to justify the cruel acts of your partner?
The two books I saw everywhere! Open Instagram, open Facebook – Everywhere, readers were raving about these two books by Colleen Hoover. So I was naturally elated when I got “It starts with us” books as a gift. I encashed an Amazon gift card for the “It ends with us” book.
Till then, I was in a reading slump and had not picked up a book in over three months, so these two books will pull me out of the phase. I dived straight into the book and, boy oh boy! I was in for a surprise!
Lily Bloom’s path crosses with Ryle, who sweeps her up in his arms with his dapper charm. Ryle and Lily head into a whirlwind romance only till reality hits hard. Ryle’s abusive nature tars Lily’s life. Atlas, Lily’s unrequited first love shows up. Even his absence starts adding fuel to Ryle’s temper. The constant gaslighting will put any reader on the edge. Lily keeps sinking in the ocean of lies and coming up for breath only to be sent back again.
Read Colleen Hoover’s book Verity’s mini review
“It Starts with us”, the sequel is just the closure a reader would need after “It ends with us“. The second book is just like a soothing balm to the sore wounds left by the first book. The perfect happy ending to the sour, nauseating ending the first book had.
“All humans make mistakes. What determine a person’s character aren’t the mistakes we make. It is how we take those mistakes and turn them into lessons rather than excuses.”
It ends with us, Colleen Hoover
Both books are entirely character driven. Ryle is the fictional representation of Kabir Singh, to be honest, and it surprises me how some people can be so conveniently cruel. In more recent OTT releases, “Darling” has touched on similar topics of domestic abuse and insane gaslighting. There were times I wanted to dive into the book and shake Lily till she snapped out of her assumptions. As much the audience had loved Kabir Singh, with his obsession with his lady-love – Ryle’s antics for Lily seemed flirtatious teenage rosy love. I could not fathom the need for the justification of such actions, even at the cost of physical harm. Even the second book is plastered with extremely downright cringeworthy moments. The only savior was of course the journals Lily wrote and I was transported back to my journalling days. I absolutely adored the beautiful bond Alyssa shared with Lily. Their devotion to each other reminded me of Dumbledore’s words “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” In the second book, Atlas’s relationship with Theo is beautifully written and almost made Theo, my favorite character in the series.
“Maybe the idea of love ending being a negative thing is simply a matter of perspective. Because to me, the idea that a love came to an end means that, at some point, there was love that existed. And there was a time in my life, before you, when I was completely untouched by it.”
It Starts with Us, Colleen Hoover
I am at an age where I can identify red flags better so the book bothered me a lot and I felt neither of the books would ever be my favorite. I can never support normalizing obsessive love in any relationship. I understand that such stories create awareness against social evils however, I do feel the subject could have been dealt with without the dosages of romance. For anyone who has dealt with this evil, I just want to say, stay strong and seek help. It is never acceptable for anyone to lay their hands on anyone while professing undying love.
Pick up the books if you are in for the dark obsessive romance genre, they will certainly tick off every checklist.
You can also reach me on Facebook or Instagram to share your views on books.
Cheers to Reading!
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Ordo Ab Chao 