Swathy

Books 2013 Vol. 9 – “The Guardian Angels” by Rohit Gore

Swathy · September 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

When ever I sit to write down a book review, it really scares me. It is so difficult to review someone else’s work which is something they have believed in. If you hate it, their entire work goes down the drain and the hope is just extinguished. That does not mean I rave all the books I have read till date but I do try to be very objective when I am reading the book. It is no longer about whether you have enjoyed it or not but it is about telling everyone what they can find for themselves in the book. But, yes, ultimately the review is biased because not everyone looks at the book holistically, not even the author.

Well, I think that was a nice introduction, right? Anyways, I would rather start talking about the book now. The premise of the book is a story of two people spanning from the moment they meet to the end. Well, the end is something you have to figure out for yourself. It is their story which sometimes becomes too larger than life, too cliched, too bollywood-y but remnants of which does tug at your heart strings.

Aditya is a billionaire who was born for cricket but the family business was his purpose. Radha is an extremely pragmatic person who believes in her principles and ideologies so much that she fails to understand the world is gray and not just black and white. And, what happens is their life of ups and downs and what each other really mean in their lives.

I have not read the author’s previous works but I will say that he has tried to put down an epic love story when he was writing this. The novel is divided into four parts – the story starts with their teens when they meet, their late teens, their late twenties and the thirties. The language is clean and decent when I compare with the amount of usage of Indian slangs.

Regarding the plot, the story moves very slowly in the first part. The author spends too much time in describing the emotions which Adi and Radha go through. It would have been better if he had inspired those emotions in the reader instead of just explaining them. Somehow probably a reader who does not belong to the social class of Adi would never really connect with those happenings in his life because its something you get to see in the movies than in real life.

The second part is a little detached where both Adi and Radha are struggling to maintain their long-distance friendship and balance their lives minus each other. This is where other significant people enter their respective lives and they start drifting apart. The twenties are more of a haze when Adi returns into Radha’s life after two years of complete absence. All this while, most part of the story is narrated by Radha through her diary entries.

But, the most significant and maturely handled part was the last one in which both are in their thirties and it is sort of a climax to their lives. They are together and still they can never get together. It is sort of a paradox. The epic which Rohit aimed at was not completely successful in my opinion because I felt the story did drag a bit in parts but yes few other parts of the story will definitely move you. All in all, it ends as a good read.

Have you read the book? How did you like it?

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Books 2013 Vol. 8 – “Toke” by Jugal Mody
Books 2013 Vol. 7 – “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier
Books 2013 Vol. 6 – “F?@K Knows” by Shailendra Singh

From the Archives : Why do we get Headaches? {Health}

Swathy · September 28, 2013 · 1 Comment

Have you ever wondered what causes the headaches. I have had headaches since 1998 as far as I can remember and it is definitely never a great experience. Instead, I feel like my head will come out of the skull. I have always wondered what causes headache. The reason which I knew was less blood supply to the parts of the head. Yes.

If you are suffering from any kind of headache without having any ailment like cold, sinus, any kind of flu or fever or any other medical problem like tumor, it is just because you have less blood supply in your scalp and its nerves. The blood vessels are constricted and reduce the flow. This starts right from the neck blood vessels.

Time for reality check. I would like to share some issues regarding headaches which probably many of you are not aware of. At least, I came to know of them today itself. Coffee and sweets are two things which can cause or increase the intensity of headaches. This is because of the caffeine content in the coffee and chocolates. Caffeine decreases the blood supply to the head by constricting the blood vessels.

And, the other sweets increase the blood sugar level which in turn also decreases the blood supply by constricting the blood vessels. Other foods which might trigger headaches are processed food, foods high in sugar, cheese, food additives, alcohol, carbonated beverages, red wine, Chinese food and even citrus fruits and bananas.

You can also be sensitive to other things which you include in your diet so keep an eye open. There are many other factors too which cause headaches like stress, lack of sleep, bright lights, weather changes, loud noises and strong odors. Wearing a hair style which pulls your hair tightly or tying a hair band too tightly can also trigger headaches. It is best to leave your hair free in that case or use a clip to just catch hold of your hair.

Mensuration cycles is again one of the common reasons for headache in women. Eye sight is also a very big catalyst in headaches. Excess exposure to sun is also a cause for headaches.

The lesson to be taken from all this is that you should be conscious of what you are eating and doing so that you can trace the reason of your headaches. Anything can trigger a headache within an hour of its consumption so keeping a little check on eating patterns can help you discern the reason and get rid of headaches easily.

If you would not do so, these headaches may easily develop into migraines. I am sure many of you would really not be aware that you are suffering from migraines. One of the most common symptoms of migraines is a nauseating feeling accompanies by vomiting. Some headaches are so severe that they get resolved only after vomiting.

If you are sensitive to bright lights or noises or odors, you should seek help from a doctor and clearly outline your case of headaches. Sometimes, doctors might also just ignore your complain of headaches saying it is normal or it is due to eyesight (if you have one). Be prepared for this. If you have such experience, try to find patterns on your own.

Chances are that you yourself would be able to figure out the cause of your headaches. Sometimes, it is as simple as sitting a lot before a computer or watching too much of television or even too much of reading. Such things can easily be improved by changing a little of the lifestyle.

The best remedy for headaches is to lie down in a dark and quiet place. Instead of going for medications, you can also use balms (which you can apply on forehead) or get some to do a scalp or body massage for you.

So, what do you do for your headache?

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How to start planning for the wedding? [Part – I] {Bridal Files}

Swathy · September 25, 2013 · 1 Comment

So, how do you think you would start the wedding preparations once everything has been settled? Would you wait for nick of time or do some kind of arrangements before hand. If it would be me, I would say the following things would be on top of my head. I will probably start compiling things mentally while people are busy eating sweets!!

Lists, Lists and More Lists!!

There are so many things to write about and if you do not, be assured you WILL forget them. So, keep a notepad with you or use technology and sync up your lists with your mom and dad through mobile.

The first list would be, according to me, the immediate people whom you will have to call and inform about the upcoming wedding. Dates need not be announced. These are close friends who should know this happy news. And, of course, relatives.

The second list – who are the invitees? Third – Jewelery shops. Fourth – Where to get Clothes from? What would be available where? Fifth and most important to you – What all things you need to buy beforehand like makeup, shoes, trousseau or any other miscellaneous thing which will go into your kit. Jot down every single thing which strikes you otherwise you are sure to forget.

Some miscellaneous things to note are what kind of invitations cards you would like to get printed, the venue for the wedding which is extremely difficult to get in the season, the return gifts you are planning for guests and other such small small things involved in the events.

The next list? Check out the next point 🙂

What are all the functions going to be done and what are the customs and traditions?

Whether your’s is a cross-culture wedding or a same culture wedding, some things do vary from family to family. And, even if you know each and everything in minute detail, it would help to jot them down. It is always good to cross check with your in-laws and your parents and relatives if you are required to wear something special for the wedding which you might not have much choice in choosing or likewise.

Why will you not have a choice in your own wedding? Well, certain things happen in certain way only. I can not really vouch for any other community or culture coz I am woefully ignorant in all these things. I have hardly attended 4-5 weddings in my entire existence and most of them were when I was a kid and I was hardly ever interested in those things.

But, in my culture wedding, the bride is required to wear only white sari with a yellow or red border while the main wedding is going on. So, the choice is obviously limited. So, such kind of functions might or might not happen in your culture but keeping a tab is good.

This is the first part of this post. It was getting too long so I have broken it down into two! So, see ya tomorrow with the second post!!

What are the points you would suggest?