Book Review: The Double X Factor by Pratap Nair

Title: The Couble X Factor

Author: Pratap Nair

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

About the Book

99 stories of incredible women from India.

Featuring Zia Mody, Chanda Kochhar, Mary Kom, Neerja Bhanot, Anita Dongre and others

99 daughters of India who dared to be different

From Rani Lakshmibai and Indira Gandhi to Chanda Kocchar and Mary Kom, The Double-X Factor explores the lives and times of 99 exceptional achievers who challenged the gender barrier and rose to fame. 

Indian history is replete with instances of women’s valour, fortitude, courage, self-sacrifice and leadership in times of crisis. Some of them have turned into folklore and many of them have been immortalized in movies. Most of all, these women have left a great and indelible impact on several generations. Be it politics, arts, entertainment, sports or business, they carved a niche in every sphere that was once considered a male domain. Today, they have become role models to a nation of 1.34 billion, of which almost half is female. 

Review

For millions of years the fairer sex has been considered the weaker sex. However, defying all the odds, women have left a great and indelible impact on several generations with their act and benevolence. Be it politics, arts, entertainment, sports or business, they have carved a niche in every sphere that was once considered a male domain. Sometimes they have been hailed for their courage while other times they have been spurned for the same. But they have endured and held fast to their strength. And today, they have become role models to a nation of 1.34 billion, of which almost half is female. 

This small but ambitious book profiles 99 such Indian women who stood the test of time and dared to make a difference. The volume offers a definitive, indispensable sampling of women in top form throughout the ages who challenged the gender barrier and rose to fame. Each of the woman hails from a different background but what they have in common is a mission to penetrate the fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path. For them it all began with a dream that just won’t quit.

Most of the biographies concentrate on women who have persevered to do work that gives them satisfaction for reasons both personal and altruistic. Commendably, biographical information extends way back from Rani Lakshmibai to present day achievers like Mary Kom.

The profiles are engaging and readers will likely be inspired to investigate these fascinating women further. In an informative style, Nair highlights the lives and times of these feisty females. He aims to inspire his audience because inspiration can come from any place and at any time.

To all those looking for some much needed motivation, this is the book to pick up. Read and dare to do the different.

About the Author

Pratap Nair is the founder of FEI Cargo, a logistics company. Shailaja Nair Foundation – FEI’s CSR arm – was established to help women and children come up in life.

Buy Link

Amazon

I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in 

Book Review: The Four Patriots by Sumit Agarwal

Title: The Four Patriots

Author: Sumit Agarwal

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Review:

Sumit Agarwal’s ‘The Four Patriot’ starts with a vision of India in the year 2023. A new era has dawned and the old, crumbling country has finally emerged as Naya Bharat with vast changes. But there are forces who want to chain her down, who wish to see the country groveling in the dust again. Amidst this backdrop, the story propels and we are siphoned off to the past, to the year 2006, from where the journey initiated.

The book is divided into two sections. While the first section tells the story of the four protagonists who are the four pillars of Naya Bharat and of their tribulations, the second section is all about the transformation of our beloved country. Rising above and beyond the catchphrase — “is desh ka kuch nahin ho sakta” — which seems to be the latest trend among the youth, the protagonists — Varun, Salman, Raghav and Aditya — embark on their journey to revolutionize the nation, seeking purpose and adventure.

Sumit’s use of multiple perspectives adds movement and richness to the novel but sometimes the device muddles the narrative. The book has pleasant propulsion as the thriller-esque plot churns along.

Loaded with action and driven by men of admirable qualities, this adventure is a great escape from reality. I’d recommend it to all those looking for a tightly knit neat package. 

About the Author:

Sumit Agarwal, MD, MLA Group of Industies, Kanpur is the founder of an NGO Prerna. He also founded Kasauti, a consortium of NGOs to aid clean and answerable politics. Apart from the fact that his first book “The Four Patriots” is being published by one of the leading publishing houses in the country, the story has already been adopted for a movie by a leading production house.

Sumit is also a music composer, lyricist, singer and writer. Two of his songs have been aired on MTV Indies this year. His music videos can be viewed on his Youtube Channel, Sumit Agarwal, or on his website www.sumitagarwal.net. An adept multi-tasker, he is a speaker on topics related to nation building, work life balance and multi-tasking.

Contact:

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Praise for the book:

1. Really amazing treatment of a subject which is our country’s need of the moment. Thrilling to the core, a must read. —Abhijeet Bhattacharya (Renowned Singer)

 2. It is heartening to know about “The Four Patriots” which inspires the youth and I’m confident that you will continue with this. —Akhilesh Yadav (Hon’ble CM Uttar Pradesh)

3. If you want India to become “Sone ki chiriya” again, then you must read this book and participate in the development of the country. —Om Puri (Veteran Film Actor)

4. Superb…bringing out realities of our times. I am sure this will be a hit for youth to guide them for a bright future in a brighter India. —C.M. Bhandari (Former Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, UAE, Poland & Lithuania. Yoga Author & Yog Guru)

5. A must read for people who love their country. —Bharat Kapoor (Film Actor)

6. It’s an amazing book, providing lots of insight into the prevailing condition in our country. It’s very spontaneous; it also shows that if you seek despair, you get despair but if you seek hope. There is definitely one. —Rakesh Bedi (Renowned TV Actor, Shrimaan Shrimati / Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi)

7. The country whose fate has not changed despite the J.P. and Anna Andolans. An eye opener, an inspiring and sumptuous read. All the best with lots of wishes. —Avtar Gill (Veteran TV Actor)

8. “The novel leaves the reader with a heightened sense of patriotism. It is an enthralling read.” —Saba Mahmood Bashir, (Author of I Swallowed the Moon: The Poetry of Gulzar)

Buy Link:

Amazon

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.