"I've been a voracious reader since my childhood. Always had a book in hand, even while watching TV. I recall my friends reading stuff like Mills & Boons whereas I loved reading Russian and Hindi classics. I remember reading Crime and Punishment by Fyodor M. Dostoevsky while in school. Later, I shifted on to bestsellers.

I inculcated the reading habit from my school teachers and my parents. And now reading helps me in my profession as story telling comes naturally to me.

Now, I am lucky as my husband too loves to read, so we have a good collection of books at home. Even my kids like to read. I have a huge collection of books on script writing and other aspects of the television industry. Book buying is a regular activity which is based on book reviews appearing across the media.

I like to keep abreast the recent bestsellers, and reviews as they help me to pick up the right books. Unfortunately, with our hectic working schedule, I don't find too much time to read. But, I do try to read at nights, or generally browse through some of my all time favourite books.
My favourite books
Some of my favourite books are Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and Roots by Alex Haley. Both the books have characters with a great depth and range. I keep going back to these books after a gap of few years. As a matter of fact, Gone with the wind is one of the very few books that has turned out very well as the movie. Otherwise, movies do not do much justice to books.

I recently read The Bridges of Madison County by Robert Waller which has left a deep impression on my mind. It's an understated love story told with an utmost simplicity. The story is going to stay with me for a long time.

In Hindi, I have liked the work of Maitrai Pushpa, a Delhi based writer who has also won an academy award. Her work consists of stories about women by women that are amazingly poignant. One day I would like to adapt these stories on the idiot box. Sholay, the Making of a Classic by Anupama Chopra was one hell of a fun book. I also enjoyed reading My Autobiography by Charles Chaplin, which is an extremely well written book.

Books that do not hold me--
A Suitable boy by Vikram Seth did not hold me. I like to read books that leave a lot to imagination. The self-help, spiritual or management books are not for me. I have read murder mysteries written by Alfred Hitchcock and Perry Mason. Also, read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown recently.

Ashok Pandit, Producer, Sarrika Images was born in Kashmir and brought up in an highly spiritual environment. He tells us why he believes a lot in destiny. 

My parents migrated to Mumbai at the time of the exodus. Later I studied at the N.M.College in Mumbai. But Kashmir surely has remained a part of my sensibilities. I had no clue that one day I will become a producer, director, a social activist and earn fame. That is why I believe in destiny a lot.

I begin my day with
Whatever time I might sleep, I always get up between 6 and 7. I begin my day with Kashmiri tea called Kehwa. It's a ready mix that I get from Kashmir. There's no milk or sugar in this kind of tea. Instead we grate some almonds in it. After that I go for a walk on the Juhu beach as it's very close to where I stay. I have never liked going to a gym. I feel as if I am confined to boundaries there.

My diet
For breakfast its mostly porridge or fruits. I do not have lunch. My evening meal is roti, sabzi, dal and salad. Sometimes, it's also also just boiled vegetables and salads as I am trying to reduce weight.

Eating out
I don't fancy eating out much. One thing I hate is to wait for your meal. That's why I prefer going to Urban Tadka and Pappilon as they belong to friends. I call them up before reaching so that I get the table. I am a khichdi freak and love to order it even at a five star hotel. Often me and Mahesh Bhandarkar, who happens to be a good friend get together for our Khichdi sessions. I love going to Pritam da Dhaba at Oshiwara as they make excellent Khichdi.

On Page 3 parties
I love socializing and meeting new people. Talking about page 3 culture, I would say that it's changing. Now- a -days one does not have to be dressed- to- the- hilt or be a socialite to appear on page 3. In fact, all the happening parties around town have business tycoons as well as simple achievers. But what gives me a lot of happiness is socializing of a different kind. I like to meet aggrieved people, maybe at a police station or just on the road. I believe that just talking or interacting with people in distress helps them ease their pain.

My balancing act
Sometimes the media portrays a larger than life image of celebs; so success can go to ones' head easily. My family keeps me rooted all the time. I do not let my ego rule me. Good times do not always last. Many a times, just to keep in touch with reality I travel by train or even have a vada pau when hungry. I also make it a point to react to unjust and unfair situations.

Spirituality
My grandmother was a great spiritual writer. Even my mother is a spiritual leader. I have always got a lot of my positive energy from them. They give me a sense of security, along with a strong sense of belief in life. Theirs is the only unconditional love in this world.

Gizmos & gadgets
I use a functional mobile. Besides this, I have not enslaved myself to other electronic trappings.

Cars
I drive a Tavera. It's a functional as well a spacious car. Otherwise, I am not fond of cars.

Clothes
I don't believe in brands. Ones' personality should be ones brand. I love to shop kurtas from Fab India.

Travel destination
I do not like to travel much. I avoid holidays which really irks my family. Once I was to accompany my wife Nirja to the US for her show [she is a singer] but at the last minute the thought of a day long journey in the aircraft made me cancel the trip. We went for a holiday to Kashmir last year.

Reading
I read only newspapers. I get them from all over the world. I also browse on the net for more news. I feel it's very important to read the newspapers to keep abreast of the changing times and happenings. I would love to read more but time does not permit it. I have read a lot of Hindi literature and have enjoyed Premchand's work immensely.

About the Author - Asha Kaul is Associate Professor, Communications Area, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. She has previously been a communications consultant to several public and private sector organizations. Dr Kaul has designed and developed workshops on training material in communication and presentation skills for various corporate houses in India. She has earlier on authored two books - Business Communication and Effective Business Communication.

Book Review

All of us at some time or the other have been asked to make presentations. And almost all of us have experienced a rather uncanny feeling after having gone through the ardous process of researching, writing and then finally presenting. The obvious thoughts- did I communicate my thoughts successfully? Could I have done better?
How can I make my presentations more effective?

Designed to respond to the growing needs of professional and those in academia, the book is a comprehensive guide to make effective presentations. Written in a clear and accessible style, Kaul provides a very friendly approach to a process that is often a nerve-wracking task for many.

With a multi-level step-by-step approach the book explains us how to plan a presentation across disciplines, the delivery along with visual aids design and aesthetics, with helpful tips throughout. Over the chapters, the author gives us various points for planning a better presentation - How do you go about collating and then the sequential logical arrangement for maximum impact.

Before getting on the actual research, the author suggests an audience analysis first which gives one the size of the audience, their level of understanding and knowledge base. The presentation styles should not just be informative but even persuasive.

Strategies to avoid common pitfalls. Apart from this, the author gives tips on how to use our body language effectively, adopting positive gestures, bonding with the audience

In all, the author feels it all boils down to communication skills which are so important to climb up the corporate ladder. Talking or presenting is one sure way of scaling great heights. So, the guru mantra is honing your communication skills which will help in better understanding. The book offers a scientific and objective understanding of the skill helps in acquiring, polishing and honing already existing capabilities.

The book is essential reading for anyone interested in making the most of their presentations. Highly practical, and with illustrative examples, it will be invaluable to professionals in the corporate world, as well as to scholars and students.

About the Author - June A Valladares started her career as a journalist, but soon switched to a relatively short but exciting career in advertising. June has worked at Hindustan Thompson Associates (HTA), at J Walter Thompson and later at Lintas India Limited, now Lowe.

Written in first person, Ideate with June a Valladares takes an insightful look at the process of creativity and deliberates on the very idea of ideation.

Through this book, the author zeroes in on the fact that the creative process is inherent to everyone. The author also dwells on diverse elements like religion, spirituality, psychology and sociology and underlines simple qualities like patience, imagination, and faith. And it is through these illustrations that Valladares arrives at an even simpler truth that creativity is intrinsic to us all. It's just that we often overlook the very instances that lead us to it. The book is an attempt at showing the readers how they can ideate better than they already do.

Another aspect of the book is that it has an array of inspiring quotes from the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru, Mark Twain, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jacob Bronowski and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Interspersed with examples of some real-time brilliant ideas, which may seem mundane or otherwise impossible, the author drives home the point that a discerning idea can pop up from nowhere. One just has to recognise it and believe in it.

The author also dwells on basic questions like what are ideas, who needs them and how does one get them? The book serves as a one-stop-shop for those who are looking at creating altogether new ways of thinking and living.

It illustrates ways to tap into a sustained flow of good, solid ideas that will help in both, our personal and professional lives. It introduces not only an altogether new way of thinking and living but, more significantly, prompts each one of us to delve deep into our self so that we can discover that creative spark within us.

Simple language and explanations makes this an easy read and is a must for those who believe in the power of ideas.

Shailendra Singh,Joint managing director,Percept Holdings have somebody whom he can relate to and also fundamentals about the Big Boss,in conversation with Nidhi Jain.

By Birth
I am very God fearing,it's quite nice to have somebody one can relate to universally for all issues and more interesting is that He does not talk back.Imagine that we have a living God and He would give us advice,we shall be in deep trouble,so I like the whole packaging of God,if one is sad one can talk to him.I believe temples are great therapy,it's not necessary to connect deeply to God;if one is a good humanbeing,do good deeds, God shall respect.I believe our actions should connect to God ,walking barefoot to 16 temples,is crazy.Once in a while I go to Vaishnodevi,I love running up and down the mountain.I get a kick,just the magic of being there.

Religion
Base of religion came from our parents ,everything embodied,that constituted the model.They never forced us on anything when it came to religion.It was taught that karma decides the fate.During those weak moments if one wants to go to temple and share a moment with statue it is a personal choice,can't go crazy doing pujans,then its becomes an endless journey.

Values
Created by political scenario of a country,it's universal,human beings are equal.They are created and circumstantial,hardcore eg.being... Newzealand went to Pakistan to play series three years ago,shining campaign was on,first day they blasted the bomb in front of the hotel ,they felt Newzies didn't play well.India went 30 days later they won series,not a single bomb blasted,had their Pakwans and guess who won the series--India.Newzealenders were sent home.We think people want to fight or somebody wants to make us fight.Politics and terrorism ensures that religion is an issue.

Belief
Believe in Myself and God.

Rituals
If somebody is doing a ritual I am part of it but I do not self create it though I thoroughly enjoy.My wife does rocking Ganpati,I was the first one to dance from my house to Nariman point.If one is involoved,it's better to make the most of it .We have 320 festivals in Mumbai.It's brilliant platform to release emotions and celeberate.

Spiritual guidance
Our spiritual guidance comes from our destiny,there are always two doors to walk through.

Positive thinking
Fully charged,only positive no negatives around.

Are you Destiny's child?
It has been rags to riches story,everything I dreamt of ,is done.I am in a comfort zone and satisfied.Now,it is is as good as it gets.

Car buyers crave the best deals on their purchases, but the best cars for the bucks are not necessarily the ones that come with the biggest discounts. After all, you can brag to your friends that you got a Saturn Ion with thousands of dollars on the hood, but you?ll still be driving a Saturn Ion.

In the slide show that follows this piece, we describe this year?s crop of the top cars in terms of value. We focus on vehicles that give you a lot of car considering their sticker prices?not on vehicles that have deep discounts because of inventory and/or sales problems.

Detroit should focus on packing value into its cars from the beginning. Instead, starting with the initial business cases they make for new cars, American automakers count on offering incentives. The average offer from General Motors is $2,433; from Ford Motor , $2,612; and from DaimlerChrysler?s subsidiary, Chrysler, $1,969?all significantly higher than the offers made by foreign competitors.

See the best cars for the bucks.

Honda Motor is getting full sticker prices for its overhauled Civic line, and it can do that because the Civic is chock full of value. As you will see in our list, it is an affordable, entry-level car, but one that meets the highest standards for safety, reliability, build quality, accident-avoidance technology and fuel economy.

Honda avoids cash incentives, and fellow Japanese automaker Toyota Motor is cutting incentive spending. In the first quarter, Toyota?s average incentive offer dropped 38% to $816. Yet sales for both Honda and Toyota are up this year, and their profits never seem to stop growing, while GM edges closer to bankruptcy.

However, American-car inventories have declined this year, meaning that GM and Ford might be able to avoid the kind of blowouts they offered last summer, when they made employee pricing available to the general public.

The command that Wall Street likes to use when advising General Motors is, ?Shrink to a defensible position.? This means cut production, cut salaries and cut the workforce, and focus not on being the world?s largest automaker but on improving per-car and per-dealer profits.

Just look at Porsche, which is one of the world?s smallest automakers but one that is nearly untouchable in terms of profitability. Making fewer cars but making them better is the key to rehabilitating customers and getting them used to lower discounts.

In keeping with the idea that cheap doesn?t equal good value, when compiling our list of the best cars you can get for your buck, we looked for vehicles that offer power, comfort, safety technology, reliability, high levels of build quality, sophisticated accident-avoidance technology and more?all for less than you would spend on competing vehicles. The cars on our list range from the $15,000 Civic up to the what we think is the best bargain supercar around, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, priced a little under $66,000.

And they?re from all over the map, which just goes to show that any automaker can offer an attractive car for an attractive price, and not just lure people into showrooms with cash on the hoods of its cars.