No Fikar, Chat Quikr! Bech Quikr! #QuikrNXT

I believe, we are a 'texting' generation. The phone call is slowly dying due to sudden explosion in texting. Texting and chatting are social norms now.

Why I prefer chat over a phone call?

1. I am not much of a phone talker.

Like most introverts, I detest talking on the phone with strangers. I prefer clear and concise conversations over lengthy ones. A ringing phone wants your attention RIGHT NOW! It doesn't care if you are resting or you're in deep thoughts. Honestly, I hate the sight of unknown numbers calling me. Also, in lectures or meetings, it is feasible to mute your phone or put it on silent/vibration in case you want to chat. But the phone call buzzes and sings - which is annoying! And some people don't give up easily! They keep calling you and finally your barking phone wins the battle when you take the call. (which you had no intention to take!)

2. Chatting is quick, free, easy to store and privacy is protected!

Speech is instantaneous. Chatting takes away some pressure of having to come up with a response instantly, you have time to be thoughtful about what to type/respond, as opposed to an awkward silence over the phone or babbling away at someone over the phone. People can overhear phone conversations, but not chats. You can also send a message and continue with your work till you receive a response. This is convenient and cuts down on expenses and increases your chance of getting the perfect buyer as you can do multiple chats and choose the best deal. We can send photos, talk point to point keeping the chat shorter, specific and less time consuming! Life is crazy and busy these days. Today, people have their mobile phones with them all the time and they use it to engage with people via apps. Also it is easy to save chats for future references. With chats, we can save snapshots as proofs! We can multitask with chatting - have multiple tabs open, multiple programs open. We also get the opportunity to scroll back through the information provided by buyers/sellers.

3. I have a hard time saying 'No' on a call!

I'm terrible at saying a 'no'. On calls, we try to be humble and polite. But online buying and selling requires you to be thoughtful and smart to crack the best deal for yourself. Chatting and texting makes you bolder. Chatting makes transactions a lot easier to convey your queries. You can engage with the party through chats and discuss a product precisely.

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Quikr allows individuals to sell, buy and rent products/services across various categories like electronics, cars, bikes, real estate, entertainment, jobs and much more. This online and mobile classifieds site has now added a new feature - #QuikrNXT, that allows buyers and sellers to connect with each other in real-time and chat across Quikr's mobile app. The feature also enable users to chat with multiple users and share images.

Offline consumers get a notification so that they can chat once they are online. Also, users can choose to make their listing private by hiding their mobile numbers but can still connect with prospective buyers and sellers. One can save the chat histories for future reference and can delete or block unwanted numbers.

This feature from Quikr will transform India's online classifieds market as it enables users to communicate at their convenience and request details about the product without requiring a phone call.

A huge amount of frustration is removed as you won’t be waiting in phone queues, listening to the hold tone. There is no unnecessary delay and waiting time is reduced.

???? Baaton ka track rakhna mushkil? The perfect solution is here with #QuikrNXT! 

???? Difficulty remembering the offers you got for renting out your home?

???? Don't mix up the right deal with the wrong name with #QuikrNXT!

The archiving feature stores your conversations! Keep a record of all the conversations with the buyers. Get Quikr NXT!

Well done Quikr! This will surely save a lot of our time, thus benefiting consumers.

See this video to know how crucial this app can be for you :)

No fikar, Chat Quikr! Bech Quikr!

P.S: This post is exclusively for Indiblogger - Happy Hours Quikr NXT!

Details:  http://www.quikr.com/

Photo Credits: http://www.quikr.com/

Book Review #27: "Shattered Dreams" : Book 2 of The "Ramayana - The Game of Life" Series

Publisher : Jaico Books
Price: INR 350
Pages: 387

Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana - The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1.

Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama’s exile. Through tales of Rama’s unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata’s actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita’s courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail.

With Valmiki’s Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before.

A relevant modern-day English reinterpretation of an Indian legend, retold. This book is written by a spiritual seeker and a motivational speaker, Shubha Vilas.

Mythology, to write in series, is a great challenge. And to keep the reader hooked is yet another challenge.

We all have heard and read about Ramayana from many sources, but what makes this book different is the extreme detailing and the interpretation which contributes to developing our own perspective about the epic. The point to point footnotes just do not let you put the book down. They help the reader understand the underlying message behind each of the stories in the Ramayana. Some of them are etched in my memory.

"The decisions to make decisions has to be made in moments of strength not in moment of weakness."

“One ounce of immaturity coupled with ten ounces of ill advice is the perfect recipe for a life of disaster.”

Many good ideas and opinions came along with the reading. Without losing out the original touch and story-line from the authentic Ramayana, it teaches some wonderful philosophies to live with. This book gives a perspective to help one inculcate the underlying teachings of this epic.

The character development throughout the book is commendable. One commendable aspect of the book is that it portrays Sita to be as important as Rama. She is his courageous companion who braves all difficulties to support her husband in his time of trouble. Simple language narration which is easy to comprehend and can be related to.  

The romance of Rama and Sita is also quite very well depicted without the theatrics of overwhelming the reader. However, the story aside, some takeaways from this book are what ideal behaviour should be towards all, the importance of being detached in times of happiness or sadness, and how to be positive no matter how trying the times may be.  The author has lucidly interpreted various aspects with analogies and examples. Lessons such as the five management mantras towards effective leadership, solutions to success, and the six anarthas to conquer make for interesting reading.

Each lesson is enshrined in a box, it is very easy to flip the pages and read the short extracts. There are little footnotes explaining Sanskrit words or cultural traditions of that time. This book helpfully transfers the reader back to the era in when the epic was originally written, and gives a brilliant insight into the life and society of ancient India.

A very honest attempt at rewriting the epic "Ramayana" with its learning simplified in a common man's language. The book reveals the truths of life.

It is a self-help/guide book rooted in Indian culture and mythology. Read it to learn! A must read for every living soul.

Rating - 4/5

This review is part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books.

Kashmir ~ A Magical Wonderland

My favorite travel destination is Kashmir!

Why everyone should visit it at least once-

It is the paradise on earth. In India itself!

Kashmir is a magical wonderland of high Himalayan mountains, lush green valleys, snow fed high altitude lakes, streams and rivers, spectacular landscape with the great diversity in culture and tradition. Paradise for its beauty and tourists interests like holiday on a houseboat, pilgrimage tours, mountaineering, trekking, snow skiing, rafting, water skiing, trout fishing, river rafting.

Charming meadows, stay at houseboats, breathtaking views - Kashmir will never disappoint you. Srinagar is the highlight of Kashmir. It is a city of lakes and mountains that climb directly out of those lakes. Srinagar, nestled in the beautiful Kashmir valley has Dal lake as the center of attraction.

From Srinagar, one can explore the rest of Jammu & Kashmir and visit destinations like Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg. Katra in J & K is the starting point for those wanting to visit Vaishno Devi Temple. From breathtaking beauty to spiritual salvation, the state of Jammu & Kashmir offers it all.

Make your next holiday special in J & K. Srinagar, located in predominantly Muslim Kashmir in far north India, is one of the top 10 hill stations in India. A place of splendid natural beauty, it's often referred to as the "Land of Lakes and Gardens" or the "Switzerland of India". The gardens have a distinctly Mughal influence, as many of them were cultivated by Mughal emperors. 

Kashmir is a jewel of a destination.  It is a place which can be re-visited time and again. Hence, my reasons. :)

The Perfect Proposal

Asad had been signalling since many days that he likes me. It is incredibly conspicuous. He is happy when he is with me. He can be punished for not submitting his assignment on time, but if he glimpses me, he’ll still give me that melting smile. All his family members know about me, that's how much he talks about me to them. So I'm hoping that it is a mutual crush, err.. L.O.V.E. He has an enticing voice for me.. softer, humbler. We are always around and with each other.

These days I look for opportunities to be close to him, and he too doesn't mind. It has been four years to your friendship, actually 'something' more than just friendship. We are a small gang. But despite that, there was never any wrong intention or any wrong touch from him ever. That makes him, my man.

Day after tomorrow is Valentine's day! What better day than the national day of amour? I know its unconventional for a girl to pop the question, but who cares?  Everything is fair in love and war. And this is love. Yes, L.O.V.E, it is! I have postponed telling him this fact since many months. But now I think, I'm ready for the leap and very sure myself. I'm ready to make the commitment and now it's almost unsaid. Doesn't matter who takes the call!

I have decided to catch his attention, not just for the V-Day, but for life. He is my person. I'm thrilled about my plans.

Asad never judges me, but I want to be good around him. I want to look my best! I want to feel pretty around him. Asad says, 'Asmara, you look lovely in white!' I don't want to deck up like a doll plastering my face with makeup. A bit of mascara and gloss. That's it. Asad doesn't like dolled up girls. He thinks they are fake with the overtly done makeup.

As a girl, I wanted to be the proposee. To experience that big moment with butterflies in my tummy. But now, it's hard to wait. I haven't hurried in proposing to Asad, I have known him well for years. So I am comfortable around him. He loves my smile, so that will be my asset. He knows the 'real' me.

I have decided to be direct with him, he knows when I beat around the bush and I'll be caught! I want to keep it simple, yet memorable.

Some things never change, he will meet me on 14th February with his shirt tucked halfway in his jeans and with that hairdo to die for! He is that way, daily. Like a Greek God.

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So, I have decided to make some homemade cupcakes for Asad, he loves them!

We are meeting for a movie on the 14th. Plan has been fixed. Inox theatre, Nariman point. I have decided to be bolder. This method of proposing is tried and tested. But I'm a bit filmy, so I have decided to go by this method. I have prepared a short movie to be screened and I will pop the question during the interval. In the video, his favourite romantic song - 'Tum Mile' will be dedicated to him - with all our pictures, moments and memories. Like a mini flashback of four years. This will get him down the memory lane, for sure! I have ended it with a sweet proposal, 'Friendship transformed to crush and slowly into L.O.V.E. Will you be my Valentine, forever?' This will charm him and he will give me 'that' smile. It will be memorable, I hope not embarrassing though.

*After the movie ends*

I have printed on a plain white T shirt, 'Asad, I like you, like I love you.' I'll gift him and wait for his reaction.

I have also written a letter to him, a LOVE LETTER with the sender's name - GOD, with a message inside, "God wants us to be together... till eternity!"

The letter reads ~

"I intend to be your partner for life, Asad. I want to marry you, take all the major decisions of my life with you. There's a cultural barrier in our society that a woman cannot bring up the question and let a man know that she loves him. But I know I'm not wrong and so there is no shame in letting you know that I L.O.V.E you. I didn't want to be a stereotypic girl waiting for a man to propose her. Proposing is scary. Ask me that. It took me months to decide and tell you. Moreover, your decision over it scares me a bit. What if a no? Will I be able to take it? I don't know, frankly. But if you ask me, can I handle you for life? My answer would be, 'Happily, yes!'

Everything I've ever wanted is right before me. In you. Just a mention of you can get the loveliest smile on my face! You're so easy to connect. We have such a great camaraderie.  You and I understand each other, even if things are unsaid. You're never jealous of my achievements, in fact you push me to do even better. I  don't need to think twice before calling you. I admire you. You're my protector when I'm in trouble. Without you, all I am is just a black and white rainbow.

Adrenaline is taking its toll now! I have been planning this for few days now, it wasn't easy, but it was totally worth it. I'm highly nervous and my communication skills are now going for a toss.

I would end this by saying, I really love you. I sincerely do. I will love you until the universe will no longer let me. When I look at you I feel, 'I really love this man.' I love him with all his flaws, all his highs, all his lows.' I see the colour of my future in your eyes. Will you lend me your surname for the rest of your life?? Honestly, I don't not want this to be another miserable one-sided love. I want to earn your approval. But nonetheless, I'll value our decision. Whatever it be."

                                                                                                      Yours,

                                                                                                      Asmara.

P.S: This post is for IndiBlogger, Happy Hours - Close Up Cupid Games 2015.

Details here: http://cupidgames.closeup.in/

Image source: http://cupidgames.closeup.in/

India's Litter-acy

We Indians are litterbugs, really. Inherently unhygienic. We spit, we throw our waste carelessly.  It seems we have all pledged to do that! We are like garbage trucks, throwing our wastes around and ironically more under the signs that say 'DONT!'

Because, public toilets stink, Indian men pee proudly under the blue sky. A classical example of Chutzpah!

We Indians like to see pan stained walls, overflowing dustbins, public defecation, dirt, garbage and filth on the street! We paint our town, but unfortunately with these things! Clean walls are endangered in India!

We mindlessly toss empty packets of chips, polythene bags, food containers on the street, beaches, etc. Such a  disregard for one’s own country! We see many dead flowers touching our feet on beaches. We Indians are bound by religion, so much so that by citing religious rituals as justification, we throw garlands, flowers, etc. making the beach dirty. Even well-dressed people spit bubblegum from their costly cars, wherever they deem fit.   

It's easy to make a mess when you're not the one who has to clean it up. As incomes rise and snacks, potato crisps, gutka become more widely available and affordable, the country is getting messier! The attitude within each one of us is: “So long as my house is clean, I really don’t care about the surrounding!” This has laid the foundation for our country to be deemed as 'unhygienic' by many other countries. Strewn garbage definitely has a negative impact on foreigners.

The lack of cleanliness in India hits anywhere you place your eye — hotels, hospitals, households, work places, railway trains, airplanes, temples. Piled up garbage, overflowing sewage and foul-smelling environs are common in India.

There are mad people roaming around dirtying walls of Mumbai local trains pronouncing their love for a girl! As if all other ways to approach a girl have been done with! This not only shows lack of cleanliness but also lack of respect for women in India.

It is the need of the hour that we practise Cleanliness in real sense! From used condoms to used sanitary pads lying on the roads, we Indians have lost sanity over sanitation!

Everyone loves to be remembered, we Indians have chosen to leave our marks on this land in the form of pan spits or defecation so that all can smell our essence.

Today, we  have  an electronic  umwelt, where history is replaced with movies, education is replaced with entertainment and nature is replaced with technology. We don't care if our surrounding is unclean.

This year, Gandhi Jayanthi was observed with a mission called Swatchh Bharat (Clean India Campaign) by PM Narendra Modi. The PM exhorted the Indians to devote two hours every week for cleaning their surroundings.

Self thinking is hard. So we blind follow - 'Herd' mentality! Be it Swachh Bharat Campaign or anything else; unless we don't believe in it, we should not blindly follow it. Don't make the broom just a style statement for clicking a selfie.

Public cleanliness is the need of the hour. Litter is a growing concern which hinders the quality of the environment and also the global image of Indian society as a whole.

By littering, we are breaking the spine of our own country. Cleanliness & self discipline cannot be taught. Cleanliness is a state of mind. But keeping our dirty mindsets in picture, this will have to be forced upon! To revolutionize this initiative by TOI, I suggest public shaming campaigns against people urinating/defecating in public. People should be deployed on the streets and in public places. Anyone caught littering should be issued a penalty. The use of plastic bags should be banned too.

We need to keep a tight vigil on littering. We need to realize this at a personal level, the sooner, the better. Glad that TOI is up with this initiative campaign called 'The Great Indian Litterbug'!

P.S: This post is for Happy Hours - IndiChange.

For details: http://greatindian.timesofindia.com/

Image Source: http://cleanplanet.in/blog/tag/india-kuch-kar/

Healthy Child : Happy Home

I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer

We do not value health, until sickness comes. If a child is healthy, he has hope, the one who has hope has everything for himself.

Every man's sickness and ill health is his personal property, which means we are all responsible for our health and also for the cheer we spread around if we are in the pink of health!

As a child I was always blessed with good health. And so I kept my parents away from the pain of carrying me again and again to the paediatrician. On the other hand, my baby brother was just the opposite. He kept my parents on toes as they kept rushing him to doctors.

The greatest wealth and happiness is indeed health and not pieces of gold.

Many children of India suffer from malnutrition. The cause is within us, but fortunately, the cure too is within us.

Children with good health are the wealthiest. “Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other.”  ~Joseph Addison. How true, isn't it?

Nutrition for toddlers should be food that is pure and natural - not processed with additives. Toddlers enjoy finger food. They need a break from purees and cereals. Feed them fruits or green vegetable snacks. Give apple slices and carrot sticks when they have enough teeth and ability to chew them. Be sure that your kids are up to date on their immunizations. Babies need strong bones, healthy weight to stay alert and active. Choose a natural drink for them - water. Don't let them become the slaves of TV and computers, push them to play outdoors and please, please - feed them healthy snacks!

To all the Indian parents - Raise happy kids : Raise healthy kids!

Sadly, parents today think of happiness in terms of their children's success, about shiny trophies and milestones. How many of them want them to be healthy first than successful? A child is pushed into the rat race right from kindergarten days.

Parents ~ let your child grow, let his imagination run wild, let him be healthy, mentally and physically, both! Do not script their lives. Make them eat their meals on time. Its too simple a strategy for happiness. Let them refuel their growing brains with regular meals and sound sleep. Apart from your unconditional love, striking a balance between eating and doing physical activity is important for them.

Every time a child falls ill, parents make a small promise somewhere in their hearts that no matter what, next time onward, they will take all precautions. But, next time never comes. No matter how much we shout our kids to stop their nuances, but when the same kid falls sick, we begin to miss his talks, his activities. After all, it’s the parents who suffer the most when kids fall sick. It breaks one’s heart to see the poor baby not doing any antics and missing school!

Don’t we all wish there were certain immunity boosting formulas which, if given to our kids, do not have any side effects and increase their resistance power against diseases and common ailments like flu and cold and make them immune!?

Many products on store shelves claim to boost or support immunity. Walk into a store, and you will find bottles of pills and herbal preparations that claim to “support immunity” or otherwise boost the health of your immune system.  Rarely, do they stand by what they promise!

But….

Dabur: A brand nourishing an Immune India since 125 years!!

Dabur Chyawanprash increases NK cells (Natural Killer Cells) which are an essential part of our body’s immune system and fights germs, bacteria and infections by 3 times hence increasing our immunity by 3 times. Thus, Dabur Chyawanprash helps us in fighting against germs, viruses and helps protect against infections, making us free to take on the outdoors, unhygienic surroundings, weather changes and pollution.

As a child, and even now for a fact, my mom always feeds me a magic spoon of BLACK GOLD:  Dabur Chyawanprash - a time-tested, age-old formulation has a number of herbs like Amla which is known to be one of the best antioxidants, Giloy (Guduchi), known to have immuno-modulatory properties, and more than 40 other natural ingredients. Dabur Chyawanprash increases Immunity by 3 times* & hence protects against illness. It helps me fight weakness.

Then see - where there's health, there's happiness! With dabur Chyawanprash Campaign, lets pledge to make India's children disease free, fearless and immune from the thorns of viruses! Let your children be your pride and reason of joy. They are the ones who bring energy to your lifeless homes! Celebrate life with Dabur and its value for money magic products.

This post is for Indiblogger: https://www.liveveda.com/daburchyawanprash/

P.S: Image source: https://www.liveveda.com/daburchyawanprash/

You Will Be Missed..Until We Meet Again!

When you miss someone....it’s weird…your body doesn’t function normally..as it should. You can decorate absence however you want - but you are still gonna feel what’s missing!

Everyday I'm getting sadder,

Because that day is getting near,

The day you will leave…the day that I fear.

And I don’t know what I will do,

When you are no longer here..

I'm going to miss you terribly,

There’s no doubt in my mind,

Tears on my cheek everyone will find.

I know I'm going to cry,

I cannot tell a lie.

Although we can keep in touch,

I’ll miss seeing you smile everyday.

I never thought the day would come,

But is the day is looking over my shoulder,

And the pain is weighing heavy on my heart like a boulder.

I want you to know, even though I may not have shown,
You will be missed!

We are both -

Two sides of a coin,

With our hearts,

Inseparably joined!

To meet you in person,

My heart will burst,

My eyes, my lips, my mind and my soul,

Will desperately need a sweet treat - You!

Missing In Silence,

Secretly Yearning Over Us,

I will be alone..

The distance is far,
No one to share my thinking..
So insatiable,

Just what am I to do with all these hungry words!

The world will keep revolving but mine will cease to move..

Your warmth, will be gone,
I will eat alone,

I will close my eyes and pray for you to come home soon!

Before you go,

Just one warm embrace,
Just to look upon your face,
Just one little touch,
From the one I love so much,
If I could gaze upon your smile,
For just a little while,
To know that you will miss me too,
To hear the sound of you breathe,
To just be with the one who's sent my heart reeling,
And brought this downpour of emotion and feeling.

I've told you many thoughts that weren't borrowed or bought,
And though I cannot touch you,

Until we meet again,
You dwell so deep within my heart,

Never forget,

You'll be missed!

Book Review #26 : Fade Into Red

Author: Reshma K. Barshikar
Publisher: Random House India
ISBN13: 9788184005547
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 376

Book Blurb:

Ayra always wanted to be an Art Historian. She saw herself flitting between galleries, talking Michelangelo and Dali with glamorous ease. At twenty–nine, life has decided to make her an underpaid investment banker juggling an eccentric family, a fading career and a long–distance relationship that is becoming a light-year one.

On a monsoon day in June, she is suddenly sent packing from Mumbai to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a star client. What should have been a four day trip turns into a two week treasure hunt that finds her in the middle of midnight wine deals, dodgy vintners, rolling Tuscan hills, a soap opera family and one playboy millionaire who is looking to taste more than just the wine.

Towards the end she finds that the road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that perfect glass of Chianti.

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Review:

The cover page is beautiful - a lonely woman staring at the wine yards pondering whether to take the path with bright colours highlighting the reflection of uncertainties of today's women.

Here is a book that the young, multinational, globetrotting, working professional will relate with. 'Fade Into Red' is a lovely book based on the life story of an independent woman who is passionate about art history and is a banker by profession. She thinks her life is just perfect with the perfect job until she embarks on a journey which takes her to Tuscany as part of her job but it completely changes her life. For good.

Reshma has to be appreciated for illustrating how people have become workaholic in the search of money and how she highlights the importance of family. The narration is crisp, and a touch of humour adds some spice.

The story deals about finding one’s true calling, friendship, following one’s passion, office politics, etc. This book is a chick-lit but far better than the mushy ones. This book has everything in right proportions.

Ayra is a typical modern day girl. Smart, intelligent, ambitious and with secret desires, she is living the life of her to its fullest. She is like majority of the people, both men and women included, when it comes to her career. One can relate to her when she has to sacrifice family commitments because something unforeseen and urgent crops up at work. She was a determined woman who was trying to meet everyone's expectations even if it meant putting her wishes on the backseat for awhile. By the end of the story, she is someone who realizes the value of relationships and prioritizes what’s important in her life and what she wants. This aspect of the book struck a chord with me.

'Fade Into Red' is Ayra's journey of self discovery, dilemma on learning to compromise and giving your loved ones priority. It was about finding the right balance between doing what you love and doing what you have to do.

The author has a good way with words when she is setting up the scene. Reshma has described every scene in the book in beautiful detail. Your imagination will take you right into the gorgeous vineyards of Tuscany and into the wine making process. It keeps you glued! The detailing is right yet the flow throws you off balance once in a while.

All characters are almost alive and Ayra speaks to you through the authors words.  I thought the descriptions of the cooking frenzy that takes over at family gatherings and the brightly colored silk sarees were beautifully executed. The author is well-versed with the technical jargon of the investment banking business, and the details regarding the wine-making and vineyard-buying process.

It has all the ingredients to make it interesting. A boyfriend with whom the wedding is fixed, assignment at work taking an ambitious yet rooted Ayra to places of wine, a wealthy women-charmer boss and all the family and friends' drama. 

A travelogue, an Indian story, a romance and women’s lit all rolled into one. Definitely recommended! Give it a shot if you like reading light, entertaining fiction! In all, a nice read with enough high points. 

Rating: 4/5

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Author:

After finishing her A Levels at Bridgine School, Windsor, and getting a BA (Hons) at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, Reshma started her career as a Journalist for India’s national newspaper The Hindu, Business Line but left mid-career to pursue an MBA at the Indian School of Business that led to a successful career in Investment Banking. After 5 years in Investment Banking she quit her job to travel for two years and visited Europe, China, and the US. She conceptualized the novel during her travels through the Tuscany wine country. She created the eccentric Ms Krishnamurthy, her precocious cat and her dog eat deal environment. Her deep appreciation for the south Indian family dynamic, experience as a freelance journalist and a passion for Italian wine helped create Fade Into Red. Simultaneously she also honed her skills as a Travel Writer and has contributed to India Today Travel Plus, SilverKris, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, National Geographic Traveller and The Hindu Business Line. She is also co-founder of the literary blog, The Caterpillar Café.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.reshmakrishnan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reshmakbarshikar

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rekrishnan

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8182302.Reshma_K_Barshikar

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Book Links:

AMAZON
FLIPKART

CROSSWORD

P.S: This review is for b00k r3vi3w