Book Review: The Bankster

Title: The Bankster
Author: Ravi Subramanian
Genre: Crime Fiction

Ravi Subramanian is the author of four successful books about the banking industry and the recipient of the Golden Quill Book award. Being called 'the John Grisham of Banking' by The Wall Street Journal is no mean feat and that raised my expectations about the book.

The Plot

A CIA agent exchanges weapons for diamonds - in Angola, South Africa. 
An old man protests against the commissioning of a nuclear plant - in Devikulam, Kerala
A series of employee deaths shatter the peace in an international bank - in Mumbai

What is the link between these three seemingly unrelated events? That is what 'The Bankster' is all about.  

The Road to Healthy Hair

The monsoon and winter seasons can wreak havoc on your hair. In these cold months, dry and lifeless hair is a common complaint cited by many.

Dry hair can result from external factors, such as exposure to harsh chemicals, or from internal causes, such as an illness.

How to care for your hair

Follow these simple tips to have soft and shiny hair:

Cover your hair

Always wear a scarf, hat or cap when you step out, to protect your hair from the cold. Make sure that it's not so tight that it will restrict circulation in your scalp.

Treat your hair

Opt for an oil massage thrice a week, to nourish your hair. Massaging warm oil on to the scalp will help avoid dryness in the scalp. Similarly, a hair spa can also do wonders to your hair- it has the dual benefit of pampering your hair and making you stress free!

The Worm in the Chicken: The KFC issue

A KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) outlet near Pulimood junction in Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala was temporarily shut down on Monday (8th October 2012) after a family reportedly found worms in their fried chicken pieces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTDIo6k_i7I 

Shiju Abdul Basheer had gone to the restaurant to dine with his family. When his wife cut a piece of fiery chicken to feed their daughter, she found live worms wriggling in it. The restaurant staff apologized and offered to replace the dish. But when Basheer refused, they tried to take it away forcibly. The other customers came to his aid and alerted the police as well as the Food Safety Authority. 

 

On inspection, the Food Safety Authority found that the outlet did not maintain adequate sanitation guidelines and some seized chicken pieces were allegedly as much as five months old. 

Veshti - A Unique Garment

Nothing can match the elegance of a man in a spotless white veshti and angavastram. He may wear it ironed, let it rumple or fold it above his knees, but a man always takes pride in his veshti. This unstitched traditional garment is something men still love to wear. 

“It is the traditional attire of South Indians, especially Tamilians and Keralites. Care and effort have to be taken to preserve the traditional garment, but equal efforts have to be made to keep the veshti from falling from the hips,” said Muralidharan (53), a marketing manager. He added that he continued to wear the veshti because he found it airy and convenient.

Not just older men, but even today’s youngsters like the veshti for its multifaceted nature.
Balasubramaniyan (24), a student, felt that the veshti was the most comfortable garment for men.  “It has many uses. Sometimes when I have to walk in slush, I fold it up to my knees and ensure that it doesn’t get soiled. When I feel cold at night, I use my veshti as a porvai (blanket) too,” he added.

The Veshti

A Legacy of Passion

It was the break of dawn; a time of rest and slumber for the people in the small town.  But not for the lone young woman who was in the throes of pain. Labour pains had begun more than twelve hours ago, but had yet to cease. Beads of sweat lined the forehead of the gynaecologist in charge. This was not just another delivery, for it was her daughter who lay on the operation table. She prayed for the umpteenth time and chided herself for daring to oversee her own daughter’s delivery. Her fear for her delicate daughter’s well being had made her take that decision but now she regretted it. Waiting outside the operation theatre would have been a better and rational choice.

Finally at 4:30 am, the event occurred. A bawling, red faced infant came out of the struggling mother.  All that the woman saw was a head full of hair, before she fainted. As the proud grandmother nestled the baby in her arms, she heaved a sigh of relief. And that was how I entered the world.