The Commonwealth Conference 2010

The Taylor & Francis Group successfully participated in the Commonwealth Conference held at the India Habitat Centre from the 28th to the 30th of March 2010.

The conference, called DELHI 2010, is an initiative of The Times of India (the premier newspaper of India) and South Asia Research Foundation, run by Boria Majumdar, General Editor, Sport in the Global Society, Contemporary Perspectives (Routledge), Executive Editor, Sport in Society (Routledge), Executive Editor, Soccer and Society (Routledge.

Routledge was one of the premium sponsors for this two day conference, which boasted of panelists from the government, media, academic circles. The chief minister, Sheila Dikshit was the guest of honour. The two day conference saw participation of various prominent politicians, academicians, cricketers, sportsmen, athletes, deans, vice chancellors and commonwealth games committee members. The discussions were fruitful hovering around the fate of commonwealth games in India and our perspective towards it.

Taylor & Francis was represented by Mr Shammi Manik, Dr David Green, Gerald Dorey, Jonathan Manley and Kate Nuttall besides the India office editorial and marketing colleagues. We have a stall at the conference displaying both our books as well as journals. The areas on display are education, asian studies, international and political relations amongst many others.

More importantly, the focus of the conference is to perceive the Commonwealth Games as a major occasion of national significance, an unprecedented opportunity to establish sport as a subject of serious deliberation and hence the summit.

The Chief Minister released a set of 10 heritage stamps tracing the history of Commonwealth Games. We have the digital print of the same proudly adorning one of the walls in the office.

The conference wraps up up in the evening today and has already been called a big Stepping Stone towards successful commonwealth games. We hope that this conference would pave way for higher visibility and brand awareness for our Sports titles and Journals in the coming year.

Queries are welcome,

With all good wishes

The Marketing Team

Earth Hour Comittment

Today, as I looked at the rising sun from my window, I realized how beautiful light is; whether natural or man made. Is it because we have this light that we do not think about conserving it? Or is it because now it has bacome a habit with us to take things for granted.

I second Sudhanshu's blog about Earth Hour. Let us all, today, 27th March, switch off our lights for an hour at 8.30 pm, whichever part of the world we are in - to show our committment towards the planet and send a strong message on the strength of individual action to tackle climate change. The Earth hour comes both as a beacon of hope and a warning to us. In 2009, global landmarks that switched off in support included the Sphinx and pyramids at Giza, Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Qutab Minar and Red Fort in India.

India Statistics: "Of all sectors, the power sector solely contributes a whopping 50 per cent to India's total carbon emission. Last year, the WWF was was able to encourage saving of around 1200 mega watts of energy in India. Growing environmental threats - most recent devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile - have rung alarm for natural resource conservation at all levels.

I strongly feel that since climate change is a situation created by persistent human exploitation, the cure, therefore, lies in a consistent and united human initiative...On my part, I have asked my society to participate in the Earth Hour and make a committment towards responding to climate change. They've all agreed happily, and that has made me very content.

Shafina

India's National Security - Book Launch on 17th March 2010

The launch of 'India's National Security' was held at the India Habitat Centre on 17th march 2010. The launch, one of the most sucessful ones, saw an audience fo about 85 people with many media persons eagerly awaiting the arrival of the National security Adviser of India, Mr Shiv Shankar Menon. PMOs, right hand, Mr menon also features in the March issue of The Week magazine on the front cover.

Professor Satish Kumar, the editor of the volume, welcomed everyone and introduced the volume. We are incidentally going to bring out rest of the volumes in the series as well. These are supposed to be a 9 volume series. 

Mr Shiv Shankar Menon, released the book and spoke about national security to the audience, who listened mesmerized, to him and his concepts........

All set for the book launch of BR Nanda's Road to Pakistan today.

Thanks

The Marketing Team

Senses - a meditative state of being....

'Recuperating' is an art. If utilized properly, it lets you introspect; about the life gone by, things that could have been, moments wasted, memories cherished. Most importantly, it makes you aware of your senses - a feeling that is so entirely our own when we are young and once we grow up, our senses become conditioned to think and behave the way we want them to.

Last evening, my dear childrood friend visited me with her 6 month old daughter. It was a courtesy visit to check on my well being. Looking at her daughter, I realized that a child is so pure and unaffected by social procedures, its a joy just watching them do things, absorbed in their own little world.......

Have you ever watched a child? Each child is born with beautiful senses. When he looks at something, he is so completely absorbd as if nothing else in the universe matters at that time, at that very moment!! When he looks, he becomes the eyes. When he hears, he becomes the ears. When he eats something, he just becomes the taste. His reactions are spontaneous, liquid, almost spiritually intoxicating.

See a child eating an orange - with what gusto and great energy......what delight!! See a child running after a butterfly in the garden - so absorbed that even if God were to pass that way, he wouldn't bother.

Such tremendous meditative state of being - and without any effort!! What lesson can one learn - Everything is precious when senses are alive, everything is worthwhile when senses are alive, everything is meditative when senses are alive..........................

Shafina

Turn off the electricity, turn on the future

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of climate change issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s all about giving people a voice on the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low carbon future for our planet.

A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future.

It’s Showtime! Show the world what can be done.

Our Delhi

For ages, I have spoken to people visiting our country about Delhi as if I am an expert on the subject. Though I must admit that I have never really bothered to find out about the city where I was born and brought up, and today – make my living in. When you live amidst history, you often begin to take it for granted. Worse, I have often compared Delhi to World class cities and never felt guilty about doing so, until now, about a year and a half ago, when I was caught badly.

This happened to me on a flight back from Thailand. ‘I’ve heard so much about Delhi. I and my girlfriend are visiting Delhi for the first time’, said an over exuburant handsome young man sittting next to me on the Thai Airways flight from Bangkok. He was very attractive and I was hoping to strike up a conversation. So, the moment he said, ‘I’ve heard it’s an ancient city with a magnanamous history’, I replied enthusisitically, ‘Yes, very much’. And because I knew nothing about my ancient city with a magnananmous history, I tried deflecting the subject by saying, ‘Its also very modern like London’. ‘Really, is it!!’ He seemed crestfallen. ‘Oh yes! We are very traditional at heart, yet modern in our outlook’, I replied bravely, not knowing what else to say.'Well, I hope you are wrong', he said.

It was here that the conversation ended. He didn’t talk to me for the rest of the 5 hours. All my opening lines were met with a polite rebuff. The moment I landed in Delhi, I purchased Khuswant Singh’s Delhi and Pawan Verma’s The Millennium Book on New Delhi. And they were sitting in my study ever since.

So, while at home for the last 5 days, recuperating after the operation, I decided to devour whatever I could about my city through these forgotten books. And I must admit that I have read it – actually devoured it – with gratitude and happiness. The internet provided a lot of information too and now I can proudly say that I know how the city got its name, its history, origin and a lot more.

1. Once when the Ganges was in spate, she threw up the shastras. The site is marked by a temple which came to be called Nigambodh.

2. From this spot, the Nigambodh, according to the Indian scriptures, rose the magnificent and opulent Indraprastha, capital of the Pandavas, in the Indian epic Mahabharata, founded around 2500 BC. 

3. In Sanskrit language, Delhi was called Hastinapur, meaning the elephant-city. Archaeological evidence suggests that Indraprastha once stood where the Old Fort is today.

4. The name Delhi may be derived from the word ‘Dhillika’. It is also said that Raja Dhilu (King Dihlu) founded ancient Delhi in 800 BC.

5. Some scholars also connect the name Delhi, as pronounced by the literati, to the famous iron pillar close to qutub minar. 

6. The modern city contains the remnants of several successive ancient cities including: Indraprastha, Dhilli, Lal Kot, Siri, Tughluqabad, Jahanpanah, Feroz Shah Kotla, Puran Qila, Shahjahanabad, Lutyen’s Delhi and Modern Delhi. 

7. Delhi was the focal point for the first war of independence in 1857. Though the revolt did not reach its desired conclusion, Delhi became a thorn in the eyes of the British. 

8. The ultimate goal of the Azad Hind Fauz during the freedom struggle was to capture Delhi and established Swaraj. The slogan 'Dilli Chalo' is still used by leaders and political parties when they oraganise any rally or demonstration. It was the hosting of the tricolour at Red Fort in Delhi which marked a chapter in the history of India.

And I have also learnt the names of all the monuments of historic significance in Delhi. I am sure I’d be able to strike a decent conversation next time with a handsome young man with ease. Afterall, Attithi Devo Bhaya!!

Shafina

Waited

Do you not hear yet
That a throb of a time
Has been ringing ever since
Gazing at the searing rush in veins
Flooding alive each crevice
From a coast that’s nigh, but runs away often
Gleaming in a wondrous reverie
A battleground mutely waits outspread.

Along that wild black ocean
Stubborn, insolent, wrathful
As waves embark on a lone row
And you hone the burnished dagger once more
While raging flames swell to spew
Lilting, tunes dangle in a queue
Awaiting the rain; to cling to clouds
To twine with one other
Become that known song
But, hush, do not speak
The night is sure to rouse
Certainly still, secretly,
Steering this feverish frenzy
You shall come tonight destined
To meet, ruffled,
An earth ravenous of sky.

SILENCE OF THE SUICIDE TREE

I
Silence has set in like an old lorn cart
Horseless in the rain on some deserted village outskirts

The wind breathed strangely, and the leaves followed it all
As if to the gatherer did they belong – with all sportive eagerness,
As if life were some flotsam I found on seaside sands
sometime back – where is the dignity of a tree
when fallen leaves of its own don’t fall at its foot and cover it?

II
Blue hills under heavy rainclouds
Herons fly over the valley
Passing the calm smoke trailing up
From the cooling crematorium.


Thoithoi Pukhrambam

Udayan Care

Hi Everyone,

Further to Shafina's entry on Udayan Care, just thought of letting you know their website address. Udayan Care can be reached at http://www.udayancare.org/
With around 9 centres and more than 150 children in Delhi-NCR alone, we could surely do our bit for enlightening a child's life.

Thanks,
Anjali

Udhyan Care, 9 March 2010

I and Anjali visited this NGO called Udhyan Care yesterday. We were a bit apprehensive before we walked in. The door at Udhyan Care welcomed us with the following word:

Change:
v/'chanj/ to make different in some particular way, to make radically different, transform, to give a different position, course, or direction, to replace with another, to make a shift from one to another.
Udhyan Care - Tiny Feet of a Giant Leap

We walked in and met the Volunteering coordinator, Gita. A simple women, she had a satisfied smile on her face that didn't seem forced or 'corporatish' in the least. We looked at her and thought,'Okay, is she the one who is going to explain everything to us?' We were not convinced. And then she started talking....in her own simple way she expressed the need NOT for money but for the time of people like us, who have a moral binding to return to the community what they have learnet but in the race of life, have conveniently forgotten the meaning of living and sharing.
Listening to her, Anjali and I realized that there was so much more to life than just presentations and corporate ethics.

That there were children living on the streets being sexually harrassed everyday with no where to go.......that there were kids like our own, whose parents were due to die in a few months of AIDS and there future was in total darkness.....that there was a small child waiting somewhere for a sucessful person like us to be his mentor, talk to him and guide him through various difficult phases of his life.......that money alone could not buy happiness because sharing a part of yourself, will bring much more satisfation......

It also dawnwed on us that forgoing a meal and round of drinks in QUBA could actually help us save a child from the red light area, that not buying just one dress in a year and giving away that amount to charity will educate a child, 5 years old, for an entire year and also give him food to eat, a blanket to cover his head and body in the winters......

And yesterday's visit taught us a very valuable lesson in life: We or our Kids could be where these children are today. If we join the chain of kindness today, someone will be there to answer our distress call when we need it. and to wrap it up: not everyone needs to wear a Gucci to make an impression. Sometimes, simplicity and passion for a cause are enough to convince the other person. Thanks Gita, for making us realize this simple truth of life......

Let's Volunteer - if not in cash then in Kind........

I'll keep you posted on how we are progressing with Udhyan Care and how we can make a difference to the lives of these children...in our own small ways.......

Shafina

An Evening with M.N. Roy

It has been a long time since I wrote my last blog… somehow I was blank with content till the time I had this wonderful evening called “An evening with M.N. Roy.”

Travelling is always a good excuse to pen down my thoughts.
While I write this I am waiting in the departure lounge of the airlines I am going to catch, the weather outside is too misty and foggy and the captain of the aircraft is actually worried over the flying conditions. This gives a good time to write about my wonderful experience that I gathered the other evening.
It was a book reading session of one of our RIO titles called M.N. Roy by Kris Manjapra.
It was inaugurated by Dr. Sugata Bose, Director of the Netaji Research Bureau, Kolkata and also the grand nephew of the great Subhash Chandra Bose, the revolutionary and freedom fighter.
Netaji as we all lovingly call him…. his thoughts and his actions still remind us of our duties towards our nation and making it a young and a vibrant India. I am sure we all feel proud to be Indians. Though we would have been more happier if our Indian hockey team would have lifted this year’s World Cup.

Dr. Bose and Kris both spoke of M.N Roy, his swadeshi movement along with Mahatma Gandhi and about his contributions towards the modern day Socialism, Marxism and Communism. He had a certain vision and that how the communism can contribute to the growth of modern India.
Though today’s communism has a different perspective altogether and I don’t want to get into that. It’s really interesting to know how those great people used to perceive their thoughts towards our nation and the dreams they carried along within them.

We hardly get a chance to spend such a pleasant evening brushing shoulders with great people and listening to them about the great history of our country India.


Regards
Sanjay Dutta, Kolkata.

National Sales & Marketing Meeting - What should be our theme this year?

Since I wasn't in yesterday, let me first take this opportunity to wish all the female colleagues in the office, a very Happy Women's Day.

As we approach another new session, I find that we are surrounded by a lot of activity and buzz all around us. Visitors, events, conferences, business deals and much more. Our sales people are travelling, recruitments are in full swing, we’re branding ourselves aggressively in the market and sharing ideas and ‘poems’ in-house. 2010 holds a lot of promises together and now that I can write my own entries through the blog, it will be easier to simply share my thoughts as and when they come to me.

Last year, we started the tradition of holding an annual sales & marketing meeting every year. Our theme for last year, which formed the essence of 2009 was Brand Building & Higher Visibility. This year too, we would like to work on a theme for the National Sales & Marketing Meeting. I take this opportunity to invite you to participate in the NSM 2010 – Theme, contest. Needless to say, the best entry stands to win a prize! Also suggest options for the venue where we could hold the meeting.

Since the meeting is to be held in April 2010, hosted by the marketing department, do send in your entries by the end of March.

Keep writing & connecting!

Shammi

It’s time and we should bother…

The willingness to listen, the patience to understand, the strength to support, the heart to care and just to be there… that is the beauty of a lady. And if we just held back one day out of the 365 to stop and appreciate the entity, the enigma and the enchantment of being a woman, we’re asking for only 1/365th part. Yet, we have to defend it to the world, provide a reasoning for having a day to ourselves in the first place. But the fact remains, it’s a privilege we are celebrating womenhood today—we can afford to.
For all those women we grew up with and the women we are surrounded with. Let’s spare a thought today for that fantastic woman who was behind you or beside you or maybe touching your life in so subtle a way that you never thought about complaining or appreciating. On that note, here are some lines which touched me.
Louise Otto
The history of all times, and of today especially, teaches that ... women will be forgotten if they forget to think about themselves.
Charlotte Whitton
Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.
Rudyard Kipling, Author
A woman's guess is much more accurate than a man's certainty.
Margaret Thatcher, British Politician
In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.
Nadia Boulanger, Conductor
[on becoming the first woman to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra] I've been a woman for a little over 50 years and have gotten over my initial astonishment. As for conducting an orchestra, that's a job where I don't think sex plays much part.
And then again, Calvin’s mark on my life has been so profuse that I just couldn’t part without a touch of humour…
Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large raging, violent river. Needing to get to the other side, the first man prayed: 'God, please give me the strength to cross the river’. Poof!!! God gave him big arms and strong legs... and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice. After witnessing that, the second man prayed: 'God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river' Poof!!! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs... and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once. Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed: 'God, please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river' Poof!!! HE WAS TURNED INTO A WOMAN!!! She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards upstream... and walked across the bridge. Guys, if at first you don't succeed, do it the way your wife told you!
Have a wonderful Woman's Day !!!
P.S. When I asked about sparing a thought for that special woman in your lives do also spare a moment of prayer and support for Calvin’s mom, the lady has bravely withstood all trials.
Regards,
Rima.

When will I be free?

Several centuries have passed by
The Rani of Jhansi and Rani Padmini ask me from their graves
Are we free and equal at last?

I hang my head coz I know there is so much to do.
My feminine paranoia has no cure,
Some drunken husband is beating his wife somewhere,
Some female child has seen her starving grave somewhere,
Some woman went with only half the wages
Some woman was raped and could not fight
Some woman married an irregular old man
And to add it all I still have to prove everything I do.
And you wish me a Happy Women's Day!

All I want is some hope, courage, education, equal laws and economic liberty...And then I can wish my women folks a real Happy Women's Day.

International Women’s Day? Why bother?

Today is International Women’s Day and besides the numerous SMSs screaming “Happy Women’s Day” that I have received and read so far, I came across a comment on Facebook that says, “So sad that women need a special day set aside for them. They should just get a life.” So my gal pals and I plan to smack him on his ignorant head and remind him that International Men’s Day is on 19 November.

To others who have forgotten, International Women’s Day is a general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women and to celebrate women's economic, political and social achievements so far. How many of us actually voice our appreciation for our mother for dedicating her life to raise kids on good nutritious food besides the occasional junk that we demanded? And for the years of stress she might have suffered since the time we discovered not just how to peddle a bicycle but also how fast it could go? What about the sisters and daughters who despite good education bend to the rule that they cannot stay out as late as their brothers? Or that she has to learn to handle housework to be prepared for her married life while her husband who managed household chores before marriage suddenly becomes incapable of the same?

To women I ask whether they have ever bothered to sensitize the men in their life about the conditions that women go through even today and even in well-to-do and educated households? Ever discussed a rape reported in the newspaper with husband or a brother? It is easy to ignore that men too are victims of society; a society that teaches them how to treat women. Until we as women do not take responsibility to change the mindset of the men around us, can we honestly afford to wait till they understand?

It is time that we made peace with the fact that men and women are different but equal. Spend at least a few moments today expressing your appreciation to the women in your life. They deserve it!

Sangeeta Menon

The NELTA Conference, 18th - 22nd February 2010

The Nepal English Language Teacher's Association held its annual conference from the 18th to the 22nd of February 2010, in Little Angel's School, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The conference was attended by more than 700 educationists from around the world. These included principals, lecturers, researchers, professors and teacher trainers. 

We displayed our Practical and Professional Books, teacher training titles and graduate and undergraduate books. It also gives me great pleasure to announce that Taylor & Francis is now a life long member of NELTA. The theme of the conference of was English in Diversity. The response of the conference was fantastic. Needless to say that we were able to do some great business, generate leads and sell a good number of titles. Routledge in Nepal is as famous and reputed as Mc Donald's in India. People can"t help but come to the stall to savour the intellectually stimulating content, which is so different that others. 

 

Pankaj is pleased with the results!!

 

Disha surrounded by Teachers, educationists.....'I don't wanna go back to School, bah, bah!!

 

Old friends meet again

 

We're all set...bring them on!!

 

  

  

  

The Marketing Team

International Conference on Digital Libraries, 23rd to 26th February 2010

Under the beautiful setting of the IHC grounds, with a stall near the koi pond and clear view of the buffet table, Taylor & Francis Group successfully completed yet another conference. The third International Conference on Digital libraries (ICDL) was held from 23 to 26 February 2010 at the India Habitat Center (Lodhi Road, New Delhi) with seminars being conducted in various halls and a steady flow of visitors. Over 600 participants from 40 nations came together for the ICDL conference that focused on all contemporary issues related to development of digital libraries and their impact on changing the information paradigm; a topic that has been creating waves in the publishing industry recently.

Taylor & Francis Group, the bronze sponsor for the event, was one of the 30 publishers that participated in the conference.

This conference put to good use the synergy of the T&F marketing team, the journal sales team and Aalia Osman, Senior Library Marketing Executive, T&F Journals, Library Marketing, UK. After staying on our toes each day of the conference and meeting, what seems like now, a million people, we finally emerged from the IHC building on the last day tired and still very pleased with the turn of events – specially the leads generated and business formalized. I hear Neeti and team are pleased!! Waiting for the next BIG conference!

Disha Lakhanpal & Sangeeta Menon

What is the idea of Peace and Freedom?

Finally im writing the blog entry :)

As it is a season of peoms lets start with a quote by a famous poet

For Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.

---- William Blake


Peace and freedom have always been among humanity's highest values for some, supreme. Many of us as individuals don’t care or are not even bothered to think about a basic thought or idea as peace or freedom.
It’s interesting as a thought when u think about freedom. Someone said even when your body is in shackles you are helpless, you are still free, free to hate men who try to torture you.
It’s just the matter how you look at it.
We agree little on what is peace. Perhaps the most popular (Western) view is as an absence of dissension, violence, or war, a meaning found in the New Testament and possibly an original meaning of the Greek word for peace, Irene. Pacifists have adopted this interpretation, for to them all violence is bad. This meaning is widely accepted among students of international relations. It is the primary dictionary definition.

But what really is peace and freedom is a matter of debate.
What do u all think ??? Waiting for your comments…. 

life can't all be lemons...

and sometimes things will go wrong
your greatest desires will seem
to be on the verge of crashing down,
but you won't give up,
you'll go on and try,
because life is all about reaching
where your heart desires.
some people get it easy, some don't,
but when it will happen,
and you will achieve your
long-held dream,
there will be no one happier
than you, only till the next
dream comes along.
to smile and still embrace life
and not to lose hope,
to try alternative ways
is what will get you
where you want to be.
sometimes things take time
sometimes you almost lose hope
and then see a shining ray ...
know that life is not all lemons
and love and happiness
will also come your way ...

Pallavi Narayan

The Common Man

I am one of them
I am the common man

Somewhere here I do reside
And with a pinch of salt I take-on the ride

There are enough hurdles
But I always put my best stride

The dust, the stones, the silt and the tar
All are pushed aside
I break all the barriers that may arise

Everyday I pass from here
And I have seen the river’s demise
Slowly, not suddenly did it happened
But none of us realise

Yes, I am one of them
I am the common man

Jasmeet Singh

RELEASED

a lemon being squeezed
juice sluicing into a glass

whirling wheels of a flying cart
behind hooves hammering into the dust
mud
stone
and grass

The steppe is green and vast
with an endless horizon
under the clear, blue sky

He has come far –
opens his fist
and goes the puff of wind off, free –
gone

The calloused palm remains ever open
never to close again

Thoithoi Pukhrambam

LIVING ROOM

hope splattered on the floor,
walls and ceilings smudged

whispers
low moans
silent, eerie smiles –
a muffled hustle, all the time.
him in bed, eyes always closed
silent, still – ever

Since the door was closed last
the wind has not moved
into and out of the room –
Only the muffled inquietude.


Thoithoi Pukhrambam

If it wasn't for dear, dear Calvin...

Do you remember the lines, 'What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare...'? Chances are, most of us do and the thought bubble coming up in everyone's head says, 'Yeah, right. But where's the time?' Well, my fellow sufferers of the urban-office-to-home-choc-a-bloc-busy-busy life, there's one panacea of troubles I could suggest.

Meet Calvin from 'Calvin and Hobbes', oh! you couldn't find another darling to put all your worries and frustrations to rest (just count on his parents, they'll handle it just fine). Over the years, of reading his strips I have now graduated to books of him and every night before going to bed I treat myself to a little dose of him and I sleep with a smile that takes care of a pleasant morning the next day.

Not to forget, his philosophies are mind-numbingly thought provocative. I bet you'll be thinking about it for a long period of time. Take my suggestion, reach out to Calvin and reach out to a life we miss everyday in the hustle and bustle of grown-up practicality.
Now, of course a little teaser, a little temptation goes a long way to ensure that suggestions are followed. So, here you are, Wisdom Bites from Calvin and Hobbes:

I like maxims that don't encourage behavior modification.

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.

Life's disappointments are harder to take when you don't know any swear words.

That's the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria!

In my opinion, we don't devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks.

I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information

Calvin: I'm a genius, but I'm a misunderstood genius.
Hobbes: What's misunderstood about you?
Calvin: Nobody thinks I'm a genius.

"Why isn't my life like a situation comedy? Why don't I have a bunch of friends with nothing better to do but drop by and instigate wacky adventures? Why aren't my conversations peppered with spontaneous witticisms? Why don't my friends demonstrate heartfelt concern for my well being when I have problems? ...I gotta get my life some writers."

Calvin: "I'm a simple man, Hobbes."
Hobbes: "You?? Yesterday you wanted a nuclear powered car that could turn into a jet with laser-guided heat-seeking missiles!"
Calvin: "I'm a simple man with complex tastes."

Calvin: "I'm not going to so my maths homework. Look at these unsolved problems. Here's a number in mortal combat with another. One of them is going to get subtracted. But why? What will be left of him? If I answered these, it would kill the suspense. It would resolve the conflict and turn intriguing possibilities into boring old facts."

Hobbes: "I never really thought about the literary possibilities of maths."
Calvin: "I prefer to savour the mystery."

Susie: You'd get a good grade without doing any work.
Calvin: So?
Susie: It's wrong to get rewards you haven't earned.

Calvin: I've never heard of anyone who couldn't live with that.

Dear Santa. Why is your operation located at the North Pole? I'm guessing cheap elf labour, lower environmental standards, and tax breaks. Is this really the example you want to set for us impressionable kids? ...My plan is to put him on the defensive before he considers how good I've been.

Hobbes : "What are you doing?"
Calvin : "Being cool."
Hobbes : "You look more like you're bored."
Calvin : "The world bores you when you're cool."

Best regards,
Rima