Book Review: Some Very Dignified Disclosures, by Anumita Sharma

 

At the beginning of the year, I had decided to get back to my old habit of reading books. I have been a voracious reader for quite many years but in the recent times, due to reasons best described as ‘mid life crisis’, I dropped this hobby. I even planned to sell the still-wrapped, unread books from my home library, or give it away. But thanks to a lack of opportunity, I did not act on such heartless adventures. So, one day `I just opened my book-shelf and picked one unread book. And the first one to start the year was an interesting book I had bought some years ago and had forgotten about it, “Some Very Dignified Disclosures” by author Anumita Sharma.

The first thing that hits you once you pick up this book, is its title which sounds so aristocratic. Who gives such titles to books in the era of generation X, Y and Z? But going through the book, the title is totally justified. The author proves her mantle more than anyone in her place could. At the start, I wondered how many days I would take to finish this novel of 253 pages long. And I was astonished that it took me only 4 days to finish it.

Once I started reading the books, many things started hitting (surprising) me. I realized that the story is set in the same part where my hometown is, and even I share similar kind of family setup in which the protagonist of the book came from. The protagonist of the book could very well be my neighbor at cthe hometown I never talked to. I don’t recall any book written by another person from my hometown or nearby, or from someone from my community or similar, and in the form of such a wonderful book. But coming ‘close’ to the fictitious central character, I can definitely judge the story, its characters, themes and cultural nuances better. And I would give 10/10 to this book. Or even 15 out of 10 if it were possible.

Next thing which hit me was the fact that we are used to read novels written by male writers and protagonists are typically male too; and it is easier for readers like me to identify with a man as the story goes on. But here, the protagonist was not only a girl; but a girl who looked at everything from such a different perspective and reacted in such a different manner, that I could not “go along” with the character even for few moments. There are male characters in the book, but none of them are righteous or of some virtues.  

I have never come across someone who wrote a novel in this kind of language (English). Simple and mundane things are given color and purpose, thanks to the keen eyes of the writer. The book deserves a Booker Prize and nothing less. Let me give some examples and excerpts, picked randomly:

“Two days later Uncle returned, too, like a ghost himself, he looked lost, his brown trousers sagged, and white shirt was splattered with mud. He had grey-black stubble, his moustache dropped, half moons under his sunken eyes were bigger than the sun, he looked like an overripe mango, squelched and bruised. He wasn’t bad to look at, his height was medium, nose almost Grecian, his eyes were brown as I remembered, and he had a cleft chin.” (Page-91)

Those who say that “a picture tells a thousand words”, have not read this book for sure. A thousand pictures can also not sum up what this author tells in one paragraph in this book.

The author does poetic justice with female characters too:

“She gauged me critically from her bumpy seat in the carriage, opened her mouth to say something at least twice, but then lapsed into wailing. By the time we reached the village her howls were louder, so much so, that many people were watching us from rooftops, and stray dogs were trailing her cart.” (Page 120-21)

Now, if there was no “stray dog” in above episode, it won’t have the same impact. The scenes described in this book appear so accurate, elaborate and perfect and this book is a masterpiece.

The only thing I can complain about is perhaps the ‘adult’ content in some parts, which could have been replaced with more subtle descriptions. But having read many great authors, I think it is part of the parcel, especially since this is "coming of age" story.

Now, having read the whole story which is captivating, fresh and of great quality, if I try to analyze few aspects of the central character, Roli, the girl: I was surprised at the lack of relationships or empathy for other characters in her. For example, she loses her mother whom she idolizes and the purest and deepest love between a daughter and a mother has been described so well in this book. But, the daughter does not miss her father at all! She hardly remembers him, hardly feels any sympathy while he rots in jails and his whole life is wasted due to a moment’s mistake and crime which happened in the heat of the moment. I expected the girl to show some change of heart when she grows older, but no; she is not ready to change. She shows the same lack of empathy towards her brother too. She definitely cares about him, that is why she notices when he wanders behind his ‘new mother’ like a pet, but was it not necessary for him to get some affection? When she lost her mother to fate, and then father to the law, her baby brother lost his mother and father too. While she had a greater understanding of things around her, the boy was merely a baby when the disaster happened. Later, when he fell into drugs, again she sees but does not try to stop him. And in the end, when she has a good job in the city, I expected her to try to take her brother and stepmother away to the city to live with her, but she merely visited the village to “see” how things were with no intention to “help” change the situation. That was apathetic. If she tried but they did not allow her to help them, it was a different matter. But she did not even try. Not even to help her brother. Plus, she talked about feminism and its influence, but looking at the manner in which she hated her step-mother who was a woman too, and pitied a poor woman Chandra as if she was less than a human in terms of dignity, it does not look well. If she could not help or feel sympathy for male characters like father/brother, it could be understood. But no sympathy for her stepmother and women like Chandra shows that she was a victim of ‘bias’ too due to which society looks down on certain members.

“Some very dignified disclosures” is a splendid novel and I highly recommend it for a fresh, captivating read.

- Rahul 

Psychology: Being Sigma

 

Sometime back I came across an article which spoke about one of the personality types of men. Once I started reading it, it felt so close that I was hooked. Everything being mentioned there, resonated with me. There was not a single trait described which did not match. I was shocked. Then, near the bottom of the article, the writer wrote about two zodiac signs which come closest to the personality type. And guess what? I had one of those two! I think this is why psychology is a field of study and this is where specialized knowledge can help in some situations.

Although, I don’t know how to make use of the knowledge or realization from this article. We are what we are. Merely knowing that we are of certain ‘type’ or if we can be ‘labeled’ in some manner, won’t matter much. Although this was very interesting indeed. 

On second thought, does it mean that 'zodiac' signs really have some credibility? 

Here are some portions from the article:

• Most popularly referred to as the "lone wolf", sigma males are typically considered to be the more silent and mysterious version of your typical alpha male.
• They are the kind of guys that prefer being in their own company rather than in a group. Moreover, they only do things on their own terms, and they refuse to conform to authority or the world's demands.
• Among the other five personalities, the sigma male is considered the personality type with higher chances of challenging the dominance of an alpha male and actually winning. However, if not for the most righteous motivations, they'd usually just prefer to mind their own business away from the limelight.
• The legendary retired hitman John Wick played by our favorite actor Keannu Reeves is the best definition of sigma male personality.
• Sigma males are mavericks. A sigma male would rarely conform to the demands of the world. They prefer to independently walk their own path. Following structures and traditional concepts don't interest them, and they'd always create a system that perfectly fits their personality.
• Their creativity and confidence allow them to be individuals who are driven to accomplish their goals despite any adversities. Guys with sigma male personalities are not afraid to take up space and build something for themselves instead of working for people.
• Sigma males are self-sufficient. If there's a list of things sigma males can live without, it's undoubtedly other people's company and validation. Sigma males are known for their emotional independence and self-sufficiency, hence the reputation of being a lone wolf. Simply put, sigma males don't require a social circle to be themselves.
• They're not one to brag about their achievements online. They do not yearn for other people's recognition of their hard work or the need to depend on other people for their emotional wellbeing. As long as sigma males have their basic necessities covered, they wouldn't really need much in life.
• Sigma males are practical. Sigma males know what they want in life, which is why it is easier to prioritize themselves first over other people. Do note that this isn't being selfish, but more so, just being practical. As an example, a sigma male will never dress to impress at the cost of his own comfort.
• Generally speaking, sigma males' practicality pushes them to base their decisions on their personal preferences, not on other people's opinions.
• Sigma males prefer blending in than being the center of attention. Dreading being in the spotlight is part of a sigma male's introverted nature. They'd rather just work in the background than have the general public know everything they do.
• Sigma males prefer to live their lives in silence and save up their energy for something more productive and essential, rather than spending their energy on meaningless conversations and activities.
• Sigma males are deep and critical thinkers. Sigma males always make sure to take their time processing all information before arriving at a calculated decision. This can be attributed to their mostly being in their own company.
• Sigma males recognize that they're bound to commit mistakes, but practicing introspection and contemplation before taking any action would lessen its chances. They are also prone to self-reflect in order to be more aware of their personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Sigma males are socially flexible. Despite being introverts, sigma males can still blend in just well in a crowd. Sigma males happen to have some of the traits of an alpha male, and they can be very much like one if they choose to be.
• This trait makes them good candidates for leadership and managerial positions. While they can be quiet and mysterious, they can also be competent leaders, silently working in the background minus the ego of an Alpha male. 
• Sigma males are effortlessly charismatic. This may be a contradiction to their lone wolf reputation, but sigma males are naturally charismatic and appealing to the opposite sex. Something about their quiet and mysterious side makes it easy for people to get attracted to them.
• Sigma males are considered the rarest of all six male personalities. Perhaps, the most logical explanation for this is because the sigma personality is full of contradictions. Given their goal-driven nature, they tend to focus more on spending time alone than in a social setting.
• While sigma males bear the characteristics of an alpha male, their silent and mysterious nature keeps them away from the spotlight. This is why the existence of a sigma male personality can be known to only a few people.
• When it comes to zodiac signs, you may have a hard time finding the perfect match for this male personality type. However, the two zodiac signs that come close to the characteristics of a sigma male are Scorpios and Capricorns.
• It may be rare, but sigma males can have a few friends like an omega male. However, if they did indeed have friends, it's because they chose to be friends with them and not out of necessity.
• Thanks to their prudent and logical nature, a sigma male may end up challenging an alpha male's dominance if he senses dishonest and fraudulent leadership. Regardless of his lone nature, he will be motivated to make a difference in the world, even if it means going against corruption at play.

- What is a Sigma Male: An Ultimate Guide to the Lone Wolf (msn.com)

Pictures, History: London in 1560

 

आलेख: बच्चों की भावनाओं और भोजन के बीच सम्बन्ध

बच्चों के स्वास्थ्य के बारे में हालाँकि काफी जागरुकता बढ़ी है, फिर भी न तो विज्ञान इस विषय में अंतिम मत देता प्रतीत होता है, न ही लोगों में इस मामले में आम राय बनी है। हर कोई अच्छे स्वास्थ्य के विषय में अपना अलग मंतव्य रखता दीखता है। ऐसे में एक ऐसे विषय पर समाचारपत्र में लेख प्रकाशित हुआ जिसने मेरा ध्यान आकर्षित किया। पेश है यह ज्ञानवर्धक लेख:  

Memories: Letter from Maneka Gandhi

 

Way back in my younger days, when I was in high school, I was an idealist and influenced and inspired by social causes. I used to write letters to newspapers and also corresponded with activists and social organizations. At that time, a popular TV show used to appear on DD-National, featuring animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi. I had written to her once and I had also got her reply. Those days, we used to write physical hand written letters, and hence both she and I wrote with hand. I had forgotten about this, until recently when I found the letter and then recalled that time.

Here is the letter, for memory sake:

- Rahul

How to sell fractional Units of Nippon India ETF Liquid BeES

 

If you have fractional Units of Nippon India ETF Liquid BeES mutual fund in your Dmat account and you are struggling to sell it, this blog post will help it.

You will not be able to sell this in open market as the mutual fund scheme no longer trades. Therefore, the company (Nippon Mutual Fund) has offered to “buy back” your units. I asked about the process to Nippon customer care and below is the process they shared. I am posting the process as it is for the benefit of other customers who are looking at ways to sell fractional units from their Dmat account and not able to do so. Please note that below information may not be applicable always and the process may change over time, hence you should verify and be sure before doing anything.  

Greetings from Nippon India Mutual Fund! 

Thanks for reaching out to us! We will surely help you with your query. 

Facility for buying back fractional Units of Nippon India ETF Liquid BeES: 

Nippon India ETF Liquid BeES (ISIN: INF732E01037) declares daily Dividend and the same is compulsorily reinvested in the Scheme on daily basis. The Units arising out of Dividend reinvestment results into fractional Units. The Dividend Re-Investment Units are uploaded up to three decimals periodically in the beneficiary account of the Unit holder held with the Depository. As the minimum trading lot on National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) is 1 (One) Unit, the fractional Units of the Scheme cannot be traded on the NSE. In order to provide an exit option to Unit holders holding fractional Units of the Scheme in their demat account, the Scheme will offer a buy back facility to Unit holders holding fractional Units in Liquid BeES. The redemption will be processed on the first Business Day of the following week. To enable this facility the Mutual Fund has opened an account with the Central Depository Systems Limited (CDSL) whose details are mentioned below: 

Instructions to Unit holders: 

1. Unit holders who hold fractional Units of the Scheme in their demat accounts should transfer the fractional Units by submitting an off-market delivery instruction slip (DIS) duly filled and signed to their respective Depository Participant directly. The Unit holders should use appropriate off market transfer slip (intra depository off market transfer slip if the Unit holder holds

a demat account with a CDSL Depository Participant (DP) and an inter depository off market transfer slip if the Unit holder holds a demat account with a National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) DP) for this purpose. 

2. The Unit holder should transfer the fractional Units of the Scheme to the CDSL account of the Scheme, details of which are mentioned above. 

3. The DP will execute the transfer of fractional Units from the Unit holder’s demat account to the demat account of the Scheme (Target Account). 

4. The AMC / Registrar will track the Units received in the Target Account and once sighted, the fractional Units will be considered for Redemption as on the date of receipt of such fractional Units in the Target Account. 

5. The AMC/ Registrar will obtain the bank account details of the Unit holder from the Depository database and the Redemption proceeds for the fractional Units will be paid / credited to such bank account of the Unit holder. Please note the following: 

- Under this facility, the Unit holder can offer only fractional Units of the Scheme for buy back. Incase the Unit holder transfers whole Unit(s) then the same will be transferred back to the same demat account of the Unit holder from where the fractional Units were received. E.g. If the Unit Holder transfers 1.568 Units to the demat account of the Scheme, then 0.568 Units will be considered for Redemption and remaining one (1) Unit will be transferred back to

the demat account of the Unit holder from where the fractional Unit was received. 

The Redemption proceeds for the fractional Units will be paid to bank account of the Unit holder registered with the DP. 

Investors can also Redeem Fractional Units of the Scheme through the Mutual Fund Service System (MFSS) and the BSE Star MF platform/facilities provided by the NSE and BSE respectively 

Below mentioned the link (Liquid BeES) :

https://investeasy.nipponindiaim.com/rmfGsamnew/documents/FacilityforbuyingbackfractionalUnitsofLiquidBeES_new.pdf

Natural Beauty Around Bangalore

Everyone knows that Bangalore (Bengaluru) is a beautiful place. But even the places around Bangalore are beautiful and full of greenery and nature.

Here are some pics: 

- Rahul

Good Bye 2022

 

One more year has gone by. Being on the ‘wrong side’ of age, passing of a year does not feel like making us ‘better’ anymore. I remember my ‘yearly review’ posts which I used to make till a few years back, and I can recall the good feeling about those. I mainly listed major achievements and life events, and definitely did not share any negative or too personal happenings. It made those posts look better and I was not honest in that regard. But I know we all can decide about the boundaries up to which people can know.

Now, I started year 2022 by being in my hometown and I spent about half of the year at hometown and half in the city. And at the beginning of the year, I entered into an agreement with a ‘builder’ who happened to go back on his promise and cheated me. I decided to file a court case and got good exposure to the whole life behind those walls. And I won’t recommend that to anyone, if it can be avoided, because all those cries of Sunny Deol in some movie, “Tarikh pe Tarikh” is absolutely true. So, the court case against the builder is running its hopeless life, and I gained some experience which I would have rather avoided. Also at the beginning of the year, I made a career move for which I was mentally prepared for over last 2.5 years. It is an epic story in itself, culminating in a climax, nothing short of a thriller. I came out victorious, against many odds, and it felt really good. Apart from that, I procured a motorcycle I was planning to get for some time, and it felt really good. I enjoy motorbikes and the freedom it brings. Even in my childhood, I was very fond of my bicycle. I also got a piece of furniture at home which I was thinking about for quite some time. I got it in perfect shape, design and budget; with no regrets, and exactly what qualifies as a ‘good buy’. Apart from these, there were some property related transactions which were also very important and got done with this year. I am also close to two more tasks which I plant to finish soon into 2023. So, several items went off from ‘To-Do’ list and hence the year was productive one in that regard. On personal front, the “hill to climb” still continues; and in that aspect, the year seems one more wasted year and nothing more.

I do not have much high hopes for 2023. Still, I have a few things on my mind and hopefully, those should get done soon.

After a certain age, we are able to look back at the years gone by and think what we could do differently. I have some key learnings on that, which I can’t correct now, since there is no way to rewind time. But, I wish I did not listen to others and did only what I thought was right, because time has proven that if I had trusted my own instincts, things would have been alright. I remember my time since childhood, and I can immediately feel how closer to God I was; how strong were my ideals and morals which did not allow me to make mistakes and do any harm to any other. But, as some people say, our life also depends on the kind of people we are living with, and their mistakes and decisions can impact our own life too. And it has been a huge disappointment in that regard. I still have faith in God, if he ever choses to reward me for my good conduct. To punish our obedient child must also be difficult for God, I guess.

While thinking about the old and the new year, I have also realized how I left my hobby of reading books a few years back. I think I also have been a victim of ‘peaking out early’. I plan to get back and start reading leisurely, like the old days - the glorious, good days, full of hopes and positivity.

Welcome, 2023.  

- Rahul