Dream on..

"It was a magnificent mirror, as high as the ceiling, with an ornate gold frame, standing on two clawed feet. There was an inscription carved around the top: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi "

The above excerpt from Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone talks of a strange inscription on a mirror. When you first read it, the sentence doesn't make sense. But when read backwards, the message it conveys is simple: I show not your face but your heart's desire.

This sentence got me thinking. I realized that by using that sentence, the author J.K Rowling teaches us motivation. We should not dwell on dreams alone, but strive hard to achieve our heart's desire. As Dumbledore (in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) says, "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

Book Review : Poor Little Rich Slum

Title: Poor Little Rich Slum
Authors: Rashmi Bansal, Deepak Gandhi
Photos: Dee Gandhi
Genre: Non fiction - Entrepreneurship


"Why would anyone write a book about a slum?," was the first thought that popped into my head when I came across this book in BlogAdda's book reviews program. I was hardly interested in reading the book. But sometime later, it was out of sheer curiosity that I Googled Rashmi Bansal. I learnt that she is the author of three bestsellers, with 'Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish' being the most popular of them all.Critics were all praise for her and I was intrigued. I was eager to know what all the fuss was about. I immediately applied for the book in BlogAdda.

And after reading it, I am happy to say that I've become a fan of Rashmi Bansal! I've also learnt two lessons:

1. Never judge a book based on its genre
2. Do not be prejudiced

"Dharavi is an elephant of an issue with blind men scrambling all over it. Each sees a small part of the picture and considers it to be a whole." 

This is how 'Poor Little Rich Slum' begins. It is Rashmi Bansal's fourth book- an extraordinary take on an extraordinary slum!