Junta Blogs

Approaching a customer who has some knowledge about the product is difficult. A fresh Salesman always hesitate meeting a customer. Why? Not because he is shy, nor he has not skills and knowledge to sell it. It is the attitude and confidence where he lacks, which matters the most while selling a product. Some Salesman’s lacked in communication skills which is the basis for any selling process because 80% of the customers buy the products because they get influenced by the communication and convincing skills of a salesman. A good salesman is one who can cover all his weakness under the belt of his strengths and present himself in a way so that his objectives of selling can be achieved.

You never know when where and how you meet a wonderful person.  He/she might be the one sitting next to you in the coffee shop, McD, or in the 'people you may know section', if your heart feels like, just go ahead, make a friend out of a stranger today.

Panting, he caught the handrail of the bus and jumped in. No sooner did he get in than he saw her. He felt a whiff of fresh air moving across his face, as though it wanted to make its presence felt.

“Tum waha khade raho ya andhar aao, ticket to lena hi hoga boss”.

That broke the fresh air effect; however he glanced at her and saw a smile breaking on the corner of her lips. He ran his hand over his hair and a smile broke on his lips revealing deep dimples. He stepped onboard took a seat, and smiled away......

The first word that may come to your mind when you see the book River of Smoke is ‘big.’ Literally. It’s a huge book, especially since it’s available only in hardcover right now, and it is 500+ pages thick, 553 to be precise.
If you have read the first in the Ibis trilogy, The Sea of Poppies, you are already aware of what the story is all about. But for those of you who missed out on the first one, here’s a quick recap of what happens before the ‘River of Smoke’ begins.
‘In September 1838, a storm blows up on the Indian Ocean and the Ibis, a ship carrying a consignment of convicts and indentured laboureres from Calcutta to Mauritius, is caught up in the whirlwind. When the seas settle, five men have disappeared – two lascars, two convicts and one of the passengers.’
The River of Smoke picks up from after this storm.
Written on the scale of an historical epic, The River of Smoke is essentially an interesting study in cultures, traditional practices, human character, history, geography and demographics, while of course being an entertainer of the first order, capable of keeping you engrossed in the many layers of story-telling that unfold with each page.
The book chronicles the different characters whom we already met in The Sea of Poppies. It follows their lives after the storm that led finally to the crash of the Ibis, the ship carrying labourers and convicts from Calcutta to Mauritius. While The Sea of Poppies was more about characters from India, especially Bengal and Bihar, the River of Smoke is mainly situated in China, around the crowded harbours and the markets that dealt in the opium trade. As we embark on this amazing sea-to-land journey, we are led into a world of boat-markets, flower-girls, women who run a restaurant on a basic boat, people who have come from different parts of the world and are now dealing in the opium trade, ceremonies and festivities celebrated in China, and in general, we are taken into a world whose sights and smells are sure to enchant any reader. In these crowded harbours and markets of China, the traders defy the efforts of the emperor to stop the trade of opium, and ships from Europe and India continue exchanging their cargoes of opium for boxes of tea, silk, porcelain and silver. Whether it’s a wealthy merchant from India, or an amateur botanist out on a mission to find rare plants, a replica painter of half-blood who is looking to remove the stain of being born a ‘bastard’ and being abandoned by his ‘father’, or a wealthy landlord who is now on the run, all characters come together to create a world of charm, of magic and reality, set in an exotic land, in an exotic time. In pursuit of love, wealth, a legendary flower, and out there to reclaim what they have lost, these characters come together to create a story that will make you yearn for more.
Amitav Ghosh is a student of social anthropology, one of the branches of anthropology that studies contemporary human behavior in social groups. And this comes across very strongly in all of Ghosh’s works. His understanding of the history and culture of a place and its people is also of a professional level, and he leads us into the detailed historical and cultural events of a place that becomes a cultural melting-pot. Though the book is heavy and huge, its fairly easy to read through the pages, as the author manages to create a visual effect so strong you feel as if you are a live spectator in whatever is happening in the book, and this, according to me, is a very important part of being a writer, of being able to let your reader feel as much a part of the book as the characters inside it.
The River of Smoke is already out in the UK (June 2011), India (July 2011) and will be released in the US soon (October 2011). So make sure you grab your copy and set forth on this magical journey.

*Reading The Sea of Poppies, the first in the Ibis trilogy, will be of much help in understanding the River of Smoke, the second in the trilogy.

My rating: 4/5

 

Hello all you beautiful people out there!!

I am a big fan of Smiles...So here you go, enjoy these funny pics! :)

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Winter days @ morning 6

Getting up at morning 5 AM is a real tough job I must say !!!....Since I was to go for an industrial tour I had to sacrifice my morning sleep and was supposed to be ready by 6 AM. Getting out of my door filled me with a ray of hope as there was a thick fog, so I thought of utilizing it by taking some snaps of nature’s beauty. Here are some clicks----

 

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A Drifter was caught yesterday in my room, A house fly which was disturbing my evening. He though didn't mind posing for a few photographs from my shiny new Tammy 300 1:2 Macro.. (Nikon D3100 + Tamron 70-300 1:2 Macro, exposure 1/100 , f/10, 300mm 1:2 Macro Flash used)

Prologue

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When Robert Sewell published his treatise A Forgotton Empire in 1900, little did he realise that Hampi would  be considered as a world Heritage site in 1986 ( first reprint of his edition was published ).  The revival of the heritage destination has been slow and calibrated under Hampi Heritage area management authority act 2002 ( 16/4/2003 ).  The biggest boost for the conservation efforts came from the Supreme court banning mining in this area.  We notice the rejuvenation of the terrain and return of greenary around the hillocks at Hospet.   I hope the ban on mines continue to maintain the ecology in the region and exports are banned and whatever mines are operated only for domestic consumption by NMDC only.  Who knows that we may end up discovering another diamond mine in future ?

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Last week, I was feeling little dismal so I decided to call my friend Alka. I called her but she didn’t pick up as usual and she called me back after 10 minute as usual. I didn’t ask about call because I knew she will explain it in nitty-gritty form. I asked casually to just start the conversation, “How was your Valentine day”. It’s a standard question which I ask to every girl in expectation of some kooky answer. But her answer compelled my inside to ponder over guy’s mentality and real meaning of ‘I love you’.

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लोग कहते हैं उसे बहुत सम्पति हैं उसके पास महंगी कार हैं तथा अन्य चीजे हैं इसलिए वो धनि आदमी हैं पर मैं उसे बड़ा आदमी मानता हूँ जो असहाए ,कमजोर,पिछरे और गरीब लोगो की मदद बिना किसी भेद भाव (भेद-भाव मतलब -जाति,पाती ,रंग -रूप ,धर्म  भाषा ,लिंग और अन्य तरह के भेद  करना ) के करे.

मैंने जिन्दगी को करीब से देखा हैं
आँखों में आंसू,दिल में दर्द देखा हैं
घरो को उजरते ,लोगो को बिछरते देखा हैं
मैंने जिन्दगी को करीब से देखा हैं
औरतों पे हो रहा अत्याचार देखा हैं
सड़क पे पड़ा इंसान देखा हैं
महाजनों का चूसता ब्याज देखा हैं
किसानों के कर्ज का बोझ देखा हैं
मैंने जिन्दगी को करीब से देखा हैं
आँखों में आंसू ,दिल में दर्द देखा हैं
दहेज़ की आग में जलती लडकियों को
विधवाओ को जिन्दा मरते देखा हैं
बाप की चिंता ,भाई की मज़बूरी देखा हैं
मैंने जिन्दगी को करीब से देखा हैं
आँखों में आंसू ,दिल में दर्द देखा हैं

कितनी ज़द्दोज़हद

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“What is the best thing about getting married?”. It was my boss. My marriage was just two weeks old, I blankly smiled at him and said that incoming salary will get doubled. All I wanted was to skip the subject. Ofcourse I was a happily married wife then, but because I did not know what was ‘good’ about marriage, the ‘best’ seemed to be too far to comment on.

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a fisherman working for nex

This is a Blog of Poetry. The Blog is targeted to the mass and the idea is to create a habit of reading poetry by the common man. In other words introduce Poetry to the common man............Come join me in the endevor

Along the shore is a new poem from my new book. Hope you will enjoy it. please leave your comments if you like it.

Along the shore is a new poem from my new book. Hope you will enjoy it. please leave your comments if you like it.

Everybody loves to have tea, especially in winters there is no reason for it; you can just have it at any time. On the days like this, I had a friend at my home, and he told me to take him to a good tea shop. We went to the nearby tea stall ran by an old man. He knows me, as I am his regular customer and whenever I go, he neither smiles nor say anything but by his face just reminds me of our acquaintance to each other.. I loved this silent relationship. Apart from a good tea that he makes, this is also one of the reasons that I visit him regularly.


The tea was asusual good, and my friend also liked it. We were talking about our lives , about our work and many other stuffs. Then silently from the backside, one kid came near to us and started begging. He was so young that the sweet and the innocent layer of the child hood were still prevalent on his face. But his hair were rough, cheeks dry, clothes torned and one hand moved forward in an inclined position to collect money. To be very honest, I at first didn’t feel any empathy for him and we denied him any money and started talking in ourselves.

He didn’t move for some seconds, and then I thought to have a brief chat with this boy.

“What are you doing here???”

“I am here to earn some money so that I will eat something”

“Where are your parents??”

“Father is outside Indore and mother is here”

“Where do you live?”

“Near to Khajrana Temple”

“Doesn’t your mother earn anything?”

“Yeah, she works “

“What about your school”

“I go to …..” (I actually didn’t remember his school name, it was some old mismanaged government school)

“But, why do you beg, why don’t you study”, asked my friend.

“To have some food”

“Will you have some tea with us”

He was at first surprised and didn’t know what to answer but then he said, “Yes”.

That old man and his three, four customers were also listening to what was happening around. I then went to old man, asked to give one cup to this boy. He took it, and sat with folded legs on the ground. He silently started sipping it. I then again went near to him, and asked, “How is it”.

“good”.

“Do you always roam here”

“ yeah, most of the times here or near to the temple”

“Do you want to click a photo with me”

And he obviously said yes and smiled. I told my friend to click.

“Smile like this – HA HA HA “

And he really smiled like Ha Ha Ha.

While going, I asked, “ what’s your name”

And he said “ SHAHRUKH”

“ What”, ofcourse I was amazed.

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Read my latest article on the Doomsday prediction at:

 

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the world's biggest cruise ships are built here. It is home to Wartsila, Kone and Nokia. In summer, a quarter of the country basks in sunshine for 73 consecutive days and misses it for 51 days in winter. It is the land of 'a thousand islands and a hundred thousand lakes'. From this great country, comes yet another surprise!

 

the world's biggest cruise ships are built here. It is home to Wartsila, Kone and Nokia. In summer, a quarter of the country basks in sunshine for 73 consecutive days and misses it for 51 days in winter. It is the land of 'a thousand islands and a hundred thousand lakes'. From this great country, comes yet another surprise!

Haven't all Potter fans always craved to know just a bit more about Harry's world? I am sure we must have all wondered if there are more kinds of dragons other than the four mentioned in Goblet of Fire. Or are pixies really all that nasty as described in Chamber of Secrets? Or what exactly are grindylows and kappas?

Taken from en.wikipedia.org

If these and more such questions pester your Potter obsessed brains every time you read the Potter books,then you will find, 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' an excellent guide to answer those very questions.

Written by J.K. Rowling for the charity organization, Comic Relief, 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' is a wonderful companion to the 7 Potter books. The book is a treasure trove for all Potter fans.

It gives wonderful, wholesome descriptions of all the numerous magical beasts which we either encounter in the books, or are mentioned in passing and all the other ones that are not but are an integral part of the Potter world. This book is an actual textbook for the subject 'Care Of Magical Creatures' in Hogwarts which is mentioned quite often in the book series. So it is actually written by Rowling but the author of that book in Potter's world is Newt Scamander which is what we, the Muggles, are led to believe. Moreover, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them' is actually a reproduction of Harry's own copy complete with torn covers and also the doodles and scribbles that it was subjected to by him and Ron and Hermione when it was in his possession. Both increase the authenticity that it belonged to Harry and make all Potter fans feel as if they are intimately part of Harry's world once again. The latter are immensely funny when the reader is privy to their context and increases the fun of perusing this Potter companion.

'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' throws light,in a dictionary style,on a myriad number of magical beasts, illustrating their characteristics, peculiarities, uses, habitat, dangers and much more. The book also illustrates Rowling's witty imagination(not that we didn't know of it already!). It is written in a (obviously) factual manner. This is balanced by the funny scribbles that it is peppered with which saves it from being completely drab and boring. It is an interesting volume with loads of information. Its like a study lesson in Harry' world (the effect is expected as it is actually supposed to be a textbook). So all the information may not help you pass your Muggle exam but it sure will increase your knowledge of the wizarding world.

An excellent book, a must read for all Potter fans who are sure to find something to laugh about along with many nuggets of information. Go, buy it and help in a good cause at the same time.

Haven't all Potter fans always craved to know just a bit more about Harry's world? I am sure we must have all wondered if there are more kinds of dragons other than the four mentioned in Goblet of Fire. Or are pixies really all that nasty as described in Chamber of Secrets? Or what exactly are grindylows and kappas?

Taken from en.wikipedia.org

If these and more such questions pester your Potter obsessed brains every time you read the Potter books,then you will find, 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' an excellent guide to answer those very questions.

Written by J.K. Rowling for the charity organization, Comic Relief, 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' is a wonderful companion to the 7 Potter books. The book is a treasure trove for all Potter fans.

It gives wonderful, wholesome descriptions of all the numerous magical beasts which we either encounter in the books, or are mentioned in passing and all the other ones that are not but are an integral part of the Potter world. This book is an actual textbook for the subject 'Care Of Magical Creatures' in Hogwarts which is mentioned quite often in the book series. So it is actually written by Rowling but the author of that book in Potter's world is Newt Scamander which is what we, the Muggles, are led to believe. Moreover, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them' is actually a reproduction of Harry's own copy complete with torn covers and also the doodles and scribbles that it was subjected to by him and Ron and Hermione when it was in his possession. Both increase the authenticity that it belonged to Harry and make all Potter fans feel as if they are intimately part of Harry's world once again. The latter are immensely funny when the reader is privy to their context and increases the fun of perusing this Potter companion.

'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' throws light,in a dictionary style,on a myriad number of magical beasts, illustrating their characteristics, peculiarities, uses, habitat, dangers and much more. The book also illustrates Rowling's witty imagination(not that we didn't know of it already!). It is written in a (obviously) factual manner. This is balanced by the funny scribbles that it is peppered with which saves it from being completely drab and boring. It is an interesting volume with loads of information. Its like a study lesson in Harry' world (the effect is expected as it is actually supposed to be a textbook). So all the information may not help you pass your Muggle exam but it sure will increase your knowledge of the wizarding world.

An excellent book, a must read for all Potter fans who are sure to find something to laugh about along with many nuggets of information. Go, buy it and help in a good cause at the same time.