Book Review - Ah Poetry

I had recently applied for Blogadda's book review program. I got selected, and got a compilation of poems - Ah Poetry to review.

Ah Poetry is a collection of poems by a few poetry enthusiasts. They come from all walks and professions, geographical locations , and share the same enthusiasm for creativity. Some of them learning the basics, while some showing their mastery at the discipline.

On opening the package, i first came across a note personally signed by Nirav Sanghvi, CEO of Blogadda. Also i found a bookmark along with the book. Good to see Blogadda working well to build reputation, highly appreciable.

 

The book was a fun experience to read. Noticed some facts that i never cared about. Found out some really nice words for using in life.

The book is full of poets( 57 poets in total - some really aces at it, while some trying evidently showing their inexperience). The 170 poem collection is exhaustive, and yet gives a unique vision to what occurs in life with us. The first poet that caught my eye was a software engineer Amanpreet Singh (amanamagus.wordpress.com) with "Vacant Horizons". The way he's depicted turbulence in mind, its quite good. I could connect with what he was trying to express, and that made it more worth it.

A retired school teacher, Mr Amiya Chatterjee(flamboyantbeggar.blogspot.com), was a delight to read. I absolutely adored all three creations of his. The way he's played with words does show his mastery at poetry. Its style reminded me of the poetry i used to read in english grammer books in Calcutta during my childhood. Fine english, excellent execution, i was simply bowled over.

Then came a honest confession by Anand Madhukar(a civil servant,fyi). His 'Letter to my father' was a honest apology, that is worth appreciation.

Then there was Kunal Sen(www.kunalsen.in). He showed how a cinematic three-act structure of poetry can be a great entertainment. His localised Bengali romantic poems were a delight to read, not often i get to read such poetry.

Then came a poem from Leenkuna Reddy - a housewife from Mumbai. Initially, i found her creations very common(i've gone through similar execution of the same idea many a times), but then came "Meandering Lines". It's an enactment of a emotional scene. Though the concept is well familiar, the execution was very unique and well narrated. She's shown she can write for bollywood (i'm serious).

Just after Leenkuna was Madhav Bhandarkar(dreamingfingers.wordpress.com) . Though i couldn't get his first creation in the book well, his last creation "Loyal Husband" made up for it(made it up very well). He shows great creativity in depicting the loyalty of a husband for his late wife.

Also i'd like to mention Pratibha Sofat, a software engineer by profession. Her poem "Dreams" was a very honest attempt at poetry.

Well, there are so many of them,  that i can keep on writing endlessly on each one of them. But time and space always become a contraint.

The book's a mixed collection of honest attempts by people, who in their life, have jotted down their experiences, their feelings with creativity and honesty. Some do make me feel interrupted from the flow, while others just leave me wanting for more. My rating for the book - 3.5 out of 5. The good part is very good, the not-so good part poems are average. Overall, i can say the book as a mixed collection. Maybe i'll send them my poems for review.

I Googled, and found out that these guys had started a facebook page, viewable at http://www.facebook.com/AhPoetry . Those interested can go there for more.

This review is a part of the http://blog.blogadda.com/2011/05/04/indian-bloggers-book-reviews" target="_blank">Book Reviews Program at  http://www.blogadda.com">BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

Power of a consumer - an incident

Recently, i had faced misbehavior at a Reliance store in Ansal Plaza,Greater Noida when i purchased a few items. Instead of change for due due amount, toffee's were distributed, and that too without a bill. The cash counter executive was highly ill behaved, justifying the toffee distribution as 'the whole world accepts these, why not you. You think you're a customer, so you'll own us'. When i asked the store manager to either give me a bill, or give me change for the amount i was due to receive(a single digit amount), he instead challenged me to sue him in the court.

This behavior of his enraged me. I immediately(on reaching home), sent them a mail at the customer services division of Reliance retail, demanding strict action against the responsible employees, and a case in civil,criminal and consumer courts in case they fail to do so within 15 days.


And on the 15th day, i received this mail from Kamadeba.Mohanty@ril.com.


Mr Pxxxxxx Sxxxxxx
(Reliance One Membership # 6048631038595529)

Dear Sir,

This has reference to your Complaint dated 08 May 12, regarding the incident of misbehavior by couple of our associates at Reliance Super outlet at Greater NOIDA.

At the outset, we deeply regret the  discomfort and anguish which you had to undergo due to the rude and intemperate behavior of some members of our Staffs of this Store.
We wish to assure you that the individuals involved have been dealt with in a most severe manner with suitable disciplinary action, in keeping with the motto of Reliance Retail, ‘Grahak Devo Bhava’.

As a business, we are continuously  developing specific programmes to ingrain the best traditions of Customer service among our staff members. To this end, we are grateful to you for taking time to share the valuable feedback with us. All your  feedback have been of immense value to us to implement measures to improve our customer service including listening skills, self-awareness and impulse-control while dealing with customers.

We assure you, we are taking all steps as a business founded on the ideal of ‘bettering the lives of Indians everyday’.  We will continue our best endeavors to improve our customer service and conduct of staffs through better training, motivation and weed out handful of such members. We, therefore, solicit your continued patronage which will only help us to motivate our Staffs to improve the quality of our service to a better level.

If you could please spare some time for a personal interaction, it will be my pleasure to have our Head - North Region call on you and render our regrets in person.

Thank you.

Warm regards,

Kamadeba Mohanty
National Head -  Store Operations (Value Format)
Reliance Retail Limited



It was heartening to see Mr Mohanty's immediate note of the matter.

That's the power of a consumer. So go ahead, execute your right

Interview Tips for the job-seekers - freshers and experienced

While browsing through the deep web, i came across really unseen tips for interviews. I've nowhere seen such unique tips, and really small details. Infact, i did find some of the mistakes very common.

Here's a small list of tips.

Quick Tips

• Be on time.
• Make sure you have the HR/recruitment team member’s contact number handy.
• Carry extra copies of your CV/resume.
• Give a firm handshake.
• Be enthusiastic about yourself, the job and the company.
• Be positive and confident. Remember you are selling yourself.
• Be honest.
• Speak slowly and clearly, and project your voice.
• Take time to think about an answer before giving it. Use phrases such as 'that's an interesting question' to buy some time
• Never say anything negative about previous employers.
• Make eye contact.
• Control your body language.
• Follow-up afterwards to check on the status. Solicit feedback in case you don’t get the job.

Some of the points mentioned here  are not followed even by experienced job-seekers. This hence makes going through these tips even more important.

Just when i read this article, i found it very useful and hence, am sharing with all of you.

The whole article can be viewed by clicking here