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theStack HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE

OF HAPPINESS PRINCIPLES
ISRO MISFIRED - THE ESPIONAGE CASE THAT SHOOK INDIA An array of experts, ranging from a monk to a quantum
By KV Thomas; Sage/Select; 193 pages; 450 physicist to a billionaire, offer tips and ideas in a new
book on how to succeed in everyday life and work
This book is a “clarion call to the civil society of Kerala that in
sensational issues, it should not be carried away by motivated THROUGHOUT RECORDED human history, many
propaganda. In this electronic era when the news and insightful teachers and philosophers have explored
images instantly spread through social media such as the topic of finding purpose and living a life filled
WhatsApp and Facebook, verifying the veracity of any with happiness. These ideals, insights of spiritual
claims made by anyone including the people in power wisdom, and higher principles are valid, but most of
has become very crucial,” writes the author, an ex-IB them were written thousands of years ago. How can
officer who was associated at various stages with the we practically integrate these ancient teachings into
ISRO case. It began in October 1994, with the Kerala the complexities of our modern lives?
Police arresting Maldivian national Mariam Rasheeda In this groundbreaking book, Joseph Rodarick Law
for overstaying her visa. She was later charged with teaches the principles of happiness from a holistic
obtaining drawings of ISRO rocket engines. Nambi perspective, one that includes fulfilling relationships,
Narayanan, the director of ISRO’’s cryogenic project, D. Sasikumaran, a rewarding career, spiritual growth, and finding one’s
a deputy director of ISRO, K. Chandrasekhar, the Indian representa- purpose in life. This collection of rare and insight-
tive of the Russian space agency, S.K. Sharma, a labour contractor ful interviews gives you private access to the ideas,
and Fousiya Hasan, a Maldivian friend of Rasheeda, were arrested a thoughts, and advice of some of the most respected
month later. thinkers in the world today,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- including Jack Canfield, co-
author of Chicken Soup for
BUSINESS ON A PLATTER - WHAT MAKES RESTAURANTS the Soul; Dr. Edward de Bono,
SIZZLE OR FIZZLE OUT author of Six Thinking Hats;
By Anoothi Vishal; Hachette; 262 pages; 550 Marci Shimoff, happiness ex-
pert and author of Happy for
“Indian restaurants have come a very long way from No Reason; Dr. John Demar-
the time they were the haunts primarily of travel- tini, philosopher and author
lers, the working class, poets and drunks, as well as of Count Your Blessings; and
adventurous, sneaking students, and in general were many more.
frowned upon by the ‘’respectable’’ middle class that Law’s book “Authentic
ate at home. “Today, eating out is such a huge part Power and Greatness” seeks
of our youth culture that it is difficult to imagine life to help people achieve and
without being able to frequent a restaurant at least fulfil life’s destiny and pur-
once or twice a week,” says Anoothi Vishal. Along with profiles of pose and also guide readers
chefs and restaurateurs like A.D. Singh, Ritu Dalmia, Gauri Devidayal, seek solutions to many problems they have in life. In
Riyaz Amlani, Regi Mathew and Camellia Panjabi, Vishal decodes the today’s world, we are bombarded by information, and
journeys of many popular restaurants - from long-surviving food we have higher levels of stress than ever, having to
chains to the newest boutique outlet on the block. deal with everyday demands such as work, finance,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- relationship, and health issues, etc.,” he says.
The idea of the book was conceived some time ago
MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK as Law wanted to break down timeless wisdom and
By Bob Miglani & Rehan Yar Khan; Fingerprint; 174 pages; 250 principles of success in an easily absorbable way and
format, so that readers can take effective action to-
“What we have realised in our journey is that there are a lot of wards living a fulfilling life. The book is a collection of
things in life that are not in our control. And too often we get stuck views of some of the most renowned thinkers. “I think
on our path toward success and luck because we get trapped by diversity of views is important to give the big picture
comparisons — what others have and what we do not. And blame and encourage a holistic approach to life. Ultimately,
it on luck. That stops today because we want to tilt the merit of any given philosophy is what works or
the balance of luck in your favour,” say the authors. does not work for someone after its application,” Law
New York-based Miglani works with CEOs, leaders and said. The contributors include Jack Canfield, the crea-
companies to help them adapt to change and grow tor and co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul”.
by bringing big, new ideas to market. Mumbai-based It is written in a question-and-answer format
Khan is an entrepreneur and venture capital investor. through a series of interviews with the experts. The
So, how does one go about it? Stop waiting for perfect author, who is the chairman and CEO of Rodarick
plans to unfold, for someone to give you a promotion, Corporation and also a speaker, says the three most
for someone to notice your value, for your startup to common pieces of advice people seek from you are:
get funded, for customers to buy and for luck to ap- how to find purpose and meaning in life, how to find
pear in your life. happiness, and how to identify and live one’s passion.

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