Business Sutra by Devdutt Pattanaik

‘As is belief, so is behavior, so is business. This is business sutra, a very Indian approach to management.’

This line captures the very essence of the book.

Devdutt Pattanaik's latest book, Business Sutra - A very Indian approach to management, combines Indian mythology and business and makes the reader delve into a business approach that is very Indian. The author argues that despite its veneer of objectivity, modern management is rooted in Western beliefs. Hence, the approach is goal-oriented, obsessed with objectives, milestones, and targets. By contrast, Business Sutra is gaze-oriented. Great value is placed on the practice of darshan: how we see the world and our relationship with Lakshmi, goddess of wealth.

The blurb says:

Business Sutra uses stories, symbols and rituals drawn from Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology to understand a wide variety of business situations that range from running a successful tea stall to nurturing talent in a large multinational corporation. At the heart of the book is a compelling premise: if we believe that wealth needs to be chased, the workplace becomes a rana-bhoomi—a battleground of investors, regulators, employers, employees, vendors, competitors and customers; if we believe that wealth needs to be attracted, the workplace becomes a ranga-bhoomi—a playground where everyone is happy.

Brilliantly argued, original and thoroughly accessible, Business Sutra presents a radical and nuanced approach to management, business and leadership in a diverse, fast- changing, and increasingly polarized world.

The book is divided into three sections: 'Introduction', 'From Goal to Gaze' and finally 'Business Sutra'. I found the first two sections a bit cumbersome. But once you are through it, you get into the flow of the book. The author's writing style is detailed, crisp and there are no loose ends. The content of the book is well complimented by illustrations and drawings. The book is not the kind that can be rushed upon; instead, it should be read slowly - a few sutras at a time. I seriously thought that 10 days given by blogadda, to read and review this book were not enough. In fact, I want to re read this book at my own pace sometime soon. The beauty of the book is that, you don't have to read the book in any chronological order. You can start with any sutra and there will definitely be something to learn from it.

The author has not only explained each and every sutra, but has also dwelled on how they are valid in the current business scenario. It is a very well researched and well written book. You don't have to be from a business background to read and understand this book. The author's writing style is simple, lucid and easily understandable. While reading this book, you will be able to relate to a lot of scenarios presented in the book. In fact, the way you see business and life will change.

If you love to read book based on mythology, you can't miss this one. It needs a bit of patience to read it but, it is well worth it.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Reviews Program. for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books! Thank you Blog adda for giving me the opportunity.

Thank you for stopping by. Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Let The Trees Grow, Get A Better Environment

Linking it to Wordless Wednesday

Thought of the Day ~ The Earth Laughs in Flowers

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Wordless Wednesday - Beauty Of The Clouds

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Let’s Talk Money by Akhil Khanna

After a long while I am going to review a non-fiction book here. But wait, it talks about money!

There I have your attention now. I must apologize to the author Mr. Akhil Khanna for coming up with this review so late. I would just say that sometimes life catches up with you so unexpectedly that all your best laid plan go haywire. But, as the saying goes, better late than never, I have finally writing about this informative book.

The first thing that catches your attention is the title itself – Let’s Talk Money – Road to Riches Made Easy. Now who doesn't want money? The blurb is even more enticing. The author says that Warren Buffet has two rules. Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule No.1. The author adds a rule No. 3: Know how to apply rule No. 1. It is true that neither our upbringing nor our education gives money any significant place. Money is associated with greed and it is the least discussed topic in family. It is only in later life the importance of money is hammered into our brains. The author has written this book keeping in mind the people from non-financial backgrounds (like me) who are intimidated by the financial jargon and to whom all financial things seem far more complex than they actually are.

In the 176 pages and 10 chapters of this book, the author has very concisely and in very easy language gives you a crash course on financial matters. I think, it is not a book to be rushed upon, rather one that should be read slowly (of course, that applies to people from non-financial background only). You will slowly absorb the basic concept of demand, supply, inflation, deflation and how it is related to people’s income. You will come to know of various investing options depending on your income and all the pros and cons related to it. The author has also tried to give us the big picture by dedicating a whole chapter to the recent global financial crises and how so many countries in the world were affected by it. Also, how it will impact our future. All in all, it is a very informative book which if read properly will definitely make you financially literate. The author has also used various examples from real life and some concocted to explain the various theories. That makes the whole concepts easy to understand.

Yet, I realized that after reading this book for a while, I felt a bit over whelmed. There was just too much information in those concise chapters. I needed some time to reflect on what I have read to digest all the information. That is why; I feel that if you really want to benefit from this book, read it slow. My favorite parts in this book were the last two chapters – Invest in Happiness and World Financial Crises 2008. If possible, I would really want to hear the author talk about it, live. An interactive session would be the best! Far-fetched idea! Is it?

The author says, “Remember, it is not important what one earns, true wealth is what one manages to keep.” 

Words of wisdom, I say. If you are interested to know more about the book and the author visit http://www.letstalkmoney2012.in/

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

R.I.P by Mukul Deva

I am a day late in posting the review. I had received a free review copy from blogadda and was supposed to post the review within 7 days. Well, I had planned to post is yesterday but, sometimes life has something else in store for you. Well, as the saying goes better late than ever. RIP by Mukul Deva is a fast paced political thriller with elements of love and parenthood in it. As you read it, you realize that the author had drawn inspiration from India's present political, social and economic scenario. Here is the blurb from the book cover.

R.I.P. The Resurgent Indian Patriots. Self- appointed guardians of a nation seething with anger at the endless scams and scandals rocking its very foundation. Vigilantes who vow to stop corrupt politicians and colluding civil servants. Even if it means killing them. Colonel Krishna Athawale and his team of Special Forces officers rally to protect the country from the enemy within. They call themselves the K-Team. And no one is safe from their deadly intent. Hellbent on stopping them is Raghav Bhagat, rogue para commando, gun for hire and Krishna's bete noir. Caught in the crossfire is Vinod Bedi, Special Director CBI. Reena Bhagat, a glamorous news anchor, embittered by her husband's betrayal. And two young boys, Sachin and Azaan, torn apart by the loss of a parent. It doesn't get bigger.

K team has taken it in their hands to resolve the issues facing the nation. For that they carry out meticulously planned assassination of prominent people in power who are corrupt and are splurging common's man money on themselves. This is done to warn the government that unless they change their attitude, things are going to get real dirty.

The narration is fast and crisp and keeps you engaged pretty well. Explanation or various methods and techniques for assassination are provided where deemed necessary. As I read the novel it reminded me of Rang De Basanti and A Wednesday. These two acclaimed movies shows how common man fed up with corrupt politicians take it in their own hands to clean the system. While the movie had strong characters that were etched into your mind, RIP lacks that. I felt the author could have worked a bit more on the characters to make them more relatable. The passion to save the country which the characters felt didn't reflect in the writing.

 RIP has the elements of a masala Bollywood thriller. I would not be surprised if it adapted into one in times to come. Having said that, I should also mention that towards the end of the novel I could predict what is going to happen. Guess, I have seen too many Bollywood movies. Political thriller is not really a genre I read much. So, it was a welcome change for me. If you are looking for a quick read, surly give it a try. I will give it a generous 3/5.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Reviews Program. for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books! Thank you Blog adda for giving me the opportunity.

Thank you for stopping by. Cheers!

Khaman Dhokla ~ Savoury Steamed Spongy Chickpea Flour Cake

I absolutely love Khaman Dhokla. Most of the time I make it with ready to use Dhokla mix. They are really a great time saver. But there are times when I run out of these instant packs. It was one of those occasions when I decided to make it from scratch. I have tried a lot of different recipes and I have finally zeroed on this one. It is really a simple and quick recipe.

Khaman Dhokla is a Gujarati snack but it popular through out India. The best thing about it is steamed and hence, is healthy and low calorie. So, even if your new year resolution says to stay away from fast food, you can relish this quick snack.

Recipe Source: Shveta's Cooking Blog

Khaman Dhokla ~ Savoury Steamed Spongy Chickpea Flour Cake

1 cup chick pea flour
2 tbsp sun flower oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
11/2 tbsp sugar
About 1/2 cup water
1 tsp Eno fruit salt

For tempering

1 tbsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
4-5 curry leaves
1-2 green chillies slit
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
2-3 tbsp water
2 tbsp sugar

For garnishing
Chopped coriander

Process:

1. In a large bowl add the chickpea flour, salt, sugar, oil and lemon juice. Stir and add water little by little to make a smooth thin batter (a little thinner than cake batter).
2. Place a large pan on heat. Add about a cup of water and a ring on which to place the pan for steaming Dhokla.
3. Grease a 8" sandwich cake tin with oil. Keep aside. Add Eno fruit salt to the batter and whisk lightly. The batter will increase in volume. Pour the batter in the prepared tin and place it in the pan of boiling water. Cover and steam for 12-15 minutes on medium heat. When done, a skewer inserted in the Dhokla will come out clean. Take it off heat and let it cool down.
4. Heat the oil for tempering. When hot, add the mustard seeds and curry leaves. When it splutters add the green chili and red chili powder. Take it off gas. Set aside.
5. Mix water, sugar and lemon juice. Add it to the tempering mixture. Spoon it over the cooled Dhokla  Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves. Serve with green chutney, sweet dates and tamarind chutney or tomato ketchup! Enjoy!

Note: You can also add some sesame seeds to the tempering and fresh shredded coconut for garnishing. I skipped it as I didn't have it at hand.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday - Setting Sun!

Linking it to Wordless Wednesday

Custard Powder Bundt Cake ~ Egg less Yellow Cake With Chocolate Ganache

A very happy new year to all my fellow bloggers and my blog readers. May the new year bring you lots of happiness, prosperity and good health!

I have been away from this space for over a month now. Actually, I have shifted places and am now settling down slowly in a new city. There was a lot happening on the home front that blogging took a back seat. I will try to blog more frequently from now on. Today, I have something sweet to share from my drafts. I had made this cake quite some time back for our girls get together.

So lets start the new year on a sweet note!

 Recipe Source: Divine Taste 
 
Custard Powder Bundt Cake ~ Egg less Yellow Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup milk

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1/2 cup vanilla custard powder

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup butter

Process:

1.      Grease a bundt tin or a 8” round tin and lightly dust it with plain flour. Tap to remove excess flour from the surface of the pan. Preheat the oven at 160 C.

2.      In a large bowl shift all the dry ingredients except sugar.

3.      In a separate bowl whisk butter and sugar till soft and fluffy. Add in room temperature milk and whisk till well incorporated.

4.      Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well with a whisk until there are no lumps.

5.      Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake at 160 C for 45 minutes to 55 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.

For the ganache:

50 ml cream
50 gm chocolate chunks

1. Add both the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and heat for a minute. Stir till you get a smooth silk ganache.

Pour it over the cake once the cake is fully cooled. I had poured it while the cake was still a bit warm( was in a hurry). So, the ganache melted and dripped down ;(

Note: The cake taste best when eaten on the same day. Later it tends to get dry.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Paneer Butter Masala/ Paneer Makhani

Paneer Butter Masala is one of the most popular paneer curries in India. Paneer chunks in a rich, silky, smooth tomato gravy, it sells like hot cakes in Indian restaurants. I tried this version recently from a Sanjeev Kapoor book I have and it turned out great. Lets hop over to the recipe.

Recipe Source: Mastering the art of Indian Cooking by Sanjeev Kapoor

Paneer Butter Masala/Paneer Makhani

Ingredients:

1 tbsp oil
3 green cardamom crushed
1" piece of cinnamon
1 tsp ginger garlic paste
1/2 tsp red chili powder or more to taste
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 cups tomato puree
Salt to taste
2-3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp kasoori methi
1tsp sugar
1/4 cup cream
200 gm paneer cut into small cubes


Process:

1. Heat a pan and add oil. When heated add crushed cardamom and sauté for a few seconds till they are fragrant. Add the ginger garlic paste and sauté for another minute.

2. Now add the tomato puree, salt, turmeric powder and red chili powder and cook on medium high heat for 10-15 minutes. When the oil begins to leave side turn off the heat.

3. To make sure it is smooth, pass the gravy through a strainer. Discard any residue.

4. Put the gravy back into the pan. Add butter, kasoori methi and sugar. Add water to get the desired consistency. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add the garam masala. Stir and then add the cream. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.

5. Add the paneer and stir gently. Serve hot with chapati, nan or rice.

Notes: If you want to have a richer gravy you may increase the butter and cream.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

 The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

The Sins of the Father is the second book of the Clifton Chronicles series by Jeffrey Archer. It is said to be the most ambitious work by the author, bigger than the most acclaimed Kane and Abel series. The story in ' The Sins of the Father' takes off from where it was left in 'Only Time Will Tell'. Harry has taken the identity of Tom Bradshaw, a sailor who died in the sea with the thought that he would start a new life with a new identity in America. But he couldn't have dreamed what awaits for him in the United States of America.

Synopsis:

New York, 1939. Tom Bradshaw is arrested for first degree murder. He stands accused of killing his brother. When Sefton Jelks, a top Manhattan lawyer, offers his services for nothing, penniless Tom has little choice but to accept his assurance of a lighter sentence. After Tom is tried, found guilty and sentenced, Jelks disappears, and the only way for him to prove his innocence would be to reveal his true identity – something that he has sworn never to do in order to protect the woman he loves. Meanwhile, the young woman in question travels to New York, leaving their son behind in England, having decided she'll do whatever it takes to find the man she was to marry – unwilling to believe that he died at sea. The only proof she has is a letter. A letter that has remained unopened on a mantelpiece in Bristol for over a year.

In Jeffrey Archer's epic novel, family loyalties are stretched to their limits as secrets unravel, and the story moves from the backstreets of Bristol to the boardrooms of Manhattan. Join the great storyteller on a journey where there are no stop signs, no cul-de-sacs and no dead ends.

I love Jeffrey Archer books for the characters and stories that spans over generations. The characters the author sketches make the story come live. You can feel the emotions they go through, their trial and tribulations, their joys and sorrow. In this book, I loved the character of Emma more than anyone. She is a strong and intelligent lady with firm determination and unwavering love for Harry. I love the way she goes to lengths to get to the bottom of things. On the other hand Hugo Barrington is the most despicable character, the ultimate villain in the story and the kind of end he met at last seemed very well deserved to me. A good part of the book covers the WWII which does help paint the picture of the society at that time, but at times it gets over whelming. Also, if one were to read it as a  stand alone book, it would be difficult to connects the incidents as many of them relates to the first book. Since, this book is a part of a series, there are loose ends in this book as well, which I am sure will be taken in the next book of the series, with new characters and new turning points.

As usual there is a lot happening which keeps his readers glued to the book but in the end the author leaves the readers hanging by a thread. All we need to do next is to wait for the next book of the series. I hope it is not a long wait.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Dal Makhani/ Makhani Dal ~ Rich and Creamy Lentil Preparation

Dal Makhani is one of the popular lentils dishes in India. It has its origin in the state of Punjab, but these days it is widely enjoyed all over India. Dal Makhani literally translates to 'Buttery Lentils' and hence it is very creamy and rich with oodles of cream and butter. If traditionally made it can take up to a day to prepare it as it needs to be cooked slowly over low heat in a tan-door  But, thanks to the pressure cookers these days, we can prepare this dish a lot quicker. I learnt this version from a friend if mine. Lets see how I make it.

Dal Makhani:

This recipe will serve 4 people.

Ingredients:

½ cup of whole urid beans.
1/4 cup of red kidney beans (rajma)
3 large tomatoes pureed or 4 tbsp of concentrated tomato puree (I used concentrated tomato puree, as it gives a nice colour)
1 small onion chopped
2 chopped green chilies.
1 tsp grated ginger.

2 cloves garlic minced

2 tbsp oil

2 bay leaves

1 tsp cumin seeds
2-3 tbsp butter.

3-4 tbsp cream
1 tsp garam masala
½ tsp red chilli powder or more to taste
2 tsp roasted cumin powder
Salt to taste.
Handful of chopped coriander and more for garnishing.


Procedure:

1. Soak both the beans for 5-6 hours or overnight.  Wash them thoroughly and cook them in a pressure cooker.

2. In a frying pan add 2 tbsp oil. When heated add the bay leaves, cumin seeds and chopped green chilies. Saute for a minute and then add the ginger and garlic. After 30 seconds add chopped onions and saute till the they turn golden brown.

3. Add the tomatoes puree, red chili powder, salt and cumin powder and cook for 5-7 mins. To it add the boiled beans. With the back of the spoon/spatula mash the beans a bit. Add water to get the desired consistency.

4. Now add garam masala, cream and salt. Heat for another 10-15 minutes on low heat. You can slow cook it a bit longer if you have more time.
5. Transfer in a serving bowl. Garnish it with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with a dollop of butter with rice or roti.

Tip: Dal Makhani always tastes better if you prepare it a day in advance. It helps to develop the flavour. You can increase the measure of butter and cream if you want it richer.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Have a nice weekend!