Standing in the midst of the hustling and bustling of Chawri Bazaar this restaurant has been serving traditional north-Indian delicious and mouthwatering food since 1962. It is a must visit when one is visiting Chawri Bazaar. I still remember my parents use to take me along to this place long back. And recently when I visited this place with my husband it was all nostalgic.  One can visit along with family and friends. They prepare all their food items in desi ghee and prices are economical. Urad dal fry with besani roti was full of ghee, so was khoya paneer are must try. The quality of food served here is super amazing taste. The food is not very expensive. The staff is kind, friendly and service is quick. The place is recommended in terms of hygiene as they have an open kitchen. The best part is they even cut salad freshly in front of you. However they really need to work over the ambience as the seating and interiors are the same which are probably from starting onwards, they need to upgrade a little considering today’s trending trade.

 If you are visiting this place via your own vehicle then parking needed will be a problem because this is a very busy area.

Must have - Dal Fry, baigan Ka bharta, khoya paneer besani roti almost all items in the menu. Taste 5/5Service 4/5Ambience 4/5Value for money 5/5   

 

So this month featuring author is 'Vijai Kumar Sharma'

Can you tell us a little about yourself, your profession and your hobbies etc.?

Writing is my hobby and interest.  For many years, I have been active as a freelance writer, author, book-reviewer, abstract writer, trainer, examiner, assessor, visiting faculty and translator. I have written about 185 articles, book reviews, case studies, interviews and translations etc. published in foreign and Indian publications & 24 radio talks broadcast on All India Radio and received one of the “Writers of the month” for Jan 2007 on www.shvoong.com. The following six books have been written jointly & published in India during 2001-03: (a) Voluntary Organizations & social welfare (b) Manpower planning and development© Mathematical Statistics & Econometric models (d) Advanced Mathematical Statistics (e) Statistical concepts for economic development & planning (f) Advanced techniques for economic development & planning. Another jointly written book is under editing. I am active on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Wordpress, Blogspot. About 1200 book-reviews/abstracts/blogs posted on web sites. Writing now on www.vijaiksharmaspeaks.blogspot.in, www.vijaiksharmareviews.blogspot.com, www.vijaiksharma.webs.com, www.vijaiksharmawrites.wordpress.com and www.sthavir.blogspot.in

I am a mechanical engineer from BHU, and management professional, Presently Advisor, Institute of Technical and Scientific Research (ITSR), Jaipur, Former Addl. General Manager, Ordnance Factory Khamaria, Jabalpur.  Mostly experience of industrial management at senior level, in two large Defence Production Factories and visiting faculty to 2 institutes for management and quality topics, Former Associate Professor IIRM, Jaipur, Received President of India award 1968, Fellowship award 1992, H K Firodia award 1996, Colvin Medal 1957, IIIE Special Award-2017, Life Time Achievement award-2017 from ITSR, Jaipur, besides other appreciation letters. I have been abroad 6 times to USA, Europe, Bulgaria & Egypt and visited 17 countries. Trained in West Germany in 1975 & in Egypt in 1976 in Production Management, Contributed to I E in Poona and Jaipur regions, Also a Lean Manufacturing Consultant.

In Academics field presented papers in International/National Conferences, Past member, Academic Advisory Board, REC, Jaipur, Past External member, Board of Studies, JECRC University, Jaipur, Lectures in RMoL/RSLDC and SISI Jaipur, Organized Appreciation courses under IIIE, Pune, Intro. Course under PDPC, Pune & for Western region Ordnance Factories at Pune, Past paper setter & examiner of BTE Jodhpur, BTE (Maharashtra), IE(I), IAPQR, IIIE,  NPC, Madras & also Referee, guide, project evaluator & reviewer, Project guide for Instn. of Engrs. (I), Kolkata, Associated in management of two educational institutions in the past, Life Fellow/Member of some professional organizations, Past Honorary Secretary, Rajasthan State Productivity Council, Jaipur, Founder President BHU Alumni Asson., Jaipur, Founder Vice Chairman of Ind. Institution of Industrial Engineering, Udaipur Chapter, Founder E C member IIM Ahmedabad Alumni Asson., Jaipur Chapter.

A questionnaire with Vijay Kumar Sharma 

1. How did you first get involved in writing? Are you an imaginative person?

Right from the beginning of my life, I had observed my flair for expressing my ideas and views in spoken and written forms. My first article was for School magazine and then some more followed. I was very happy to see my name in print. Then it came to the Degree College magazine where also, my write-ups were published. Subsequently, this desire for expression increased and my writings continued for various magazines, both technical and general. I have been equally at ease both in English and Hindi. I feel pleasure in writing in various fields. Certainly, I do get new and creative ideas from time to time.   But, in my opinion, I do not have the imagination of the type required for writers for crime, detectives & horror etc.

2. What do you find most challenging about your writing?

In my opinion, getting creative ideas and preparing excellent and useful contents for the write-ups and books for making the people nicer are the biggest challenges. But there are also other challenges like arranging attractive book cover design, excellent and error-free printing, proper book release function, adequate coverage in the print and electronic media, getting proper reviews for the book, marketing of the book, motivating readers for sale of the books, getting feedback from the readers about the books etc.

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

By profession, I am an engineer-cum-manager, in which I have been engaged in my whole life in the industry, as the job for earning money and also engaged to some extent in academic pursuits. But in addition to these works, I still found time for writing due to a keen interest in writing. After retirement, I could get more time for writing purposes. Now, when I am not writing, I am engaged in training programs, lectures, organizational work, technical works and social work.

4. Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

I propose to continue to do the writing work in different fields, according to the opportunities received by me, and as per the desires to contribute, in a positive way. I do get some ideas by observing others and through brain-storming. However, I cannot visualize my status after 6 months or 5 years or later.  But, I have a firm belief in God, the Almighty, who will ensure that I am successful in my endeavours.

5. Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

I am not a big writer, but in my opinion, if we are passionate about writing, we must continue to write and write and write, come what may. Positive results will come sooner or later. We must not take rejection letters of publishers and editors seriously.  Our contributions may not be suitable for them now but may be suitable later or for somebody else. There are plenty of such examples in real life. With the improvement of quality of our writing with experience, and making the script attractive with better presentations, even the same or some other publisher/editor may accept the contribution at that time.  In the present scenario, the writers may even go in for self-publishing and thus get over the problems of rejections of the scripts. 

6. What is the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

The best the thing for a writer is to give that thing, which the readers want if the writer is capable of giving it. As per the special field of the writing of the writer, there are specific readers for the specific writer. They look for the arrival of the books of their authors. Hence it is incumbent on the part of the writers to satisfy the needs of their loyal readers, which may be in the category of usefulness or entertainment. The books written for them should be of excellent quality, interesting, useful, with good presentation, with reasonable price and availability at a large number of book-shops. 

7. A lot of people are interested in writing for money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

In my opinion the writers may be in 3 categories (a) those who write as a job in a service (b) those who write on freelance basis and writing is their means of earning money for their livelihood (c) those who write as a hobby, are passionate about it, work on part-time basis and are getting salary from a job they are normally engaged in. In my opinion, the writers in the category (b) are rightly more interested in earning money from their writings, for their livelihood. Such writers have to play to the tunes of their readers/editors and meet their requirements.  As per my experience, most of the publishers and editors have their norms for this purpose, which of course are updated from time to time, and the writers can do little about the same. But if the writer is highly popular, he can make demands, which may be accepted also. So to get more money, such writers should improve the quality of their writings and assist in selling the books due to their own efforts also. But, it has been seen in general that a writer is not paid in proportion to the efforts made by him. However, a writer may get the honour, feel self-satisfaction and inner happiness with the comments of reviewers and readers, the success of the book and in my opinion, these are much bigger achievements.

8. What motivates you most in life?

There are ups and downs in the life of any person. I have also had many and different types of difficulties, which threatened my progress at various stages of my life. But even in such bad situations, I kept my cool, visualized that “even this will pass” and better days will come sooner or later. And I have found that things did change soon for the better. In my opinion, having a positive attitude in life, keeping morale high, passionate desire to make achievements in different fields and not saying no to new offers & opportunities etc., have been some of the motivating factors in my life.

9. The majority of the readers tend to take sides due to religion and such other considerations. What is your opinion?

As a writer, I am not inclined to take sides for such considerations. But if one is a writer in such a specific field of writing, then the things are little different.  But still, in such cases, the writer must write so as not to hurt the feelings of the people and not to contribute in any small or big way to disturb the law and order situation.   

10. What are your views on the increases in the field of plagiarism?

It appears that Plagiarism does not have one definition. It can be said to be (quote) the act of appropriating the literary composition of another author, or excerpts, ideas, or passages therefrom, and passing the material off as one's own creation (Unquote). Thus in effect, it amounts to stealing of the ideas and/or writings of another writer. Under any circumstances, stealing of anything, including the literary creations & ideas etc. is not in order. In my opinion, plagiarism should be condemned in the strongest terms. Even legal action(s) should be initiated against such writers.

So this month's featuring Author is 

" Kirthi Jayakumar"

       

   Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your profession and your hobbies!!

I was born in Bangalore, and grew up between my grandparents' home in Bangalore and with my mum, dad and brother in Chennai. I grew up with stars in my eyes, hoping to do medicine in the hope of "helping people", until I realised that I could do that with development, too. I studied Law in Chennai, mostly out of the fact that my father is a lawyer and if I failed in a career in development, I could still fall back on my father's practice. Once I left law school, I began working - I tried my hand out at the corporate sector and at litigation - they were all wonderful people doing some great work, but something about the system had me running out, kicking and screaming. It got me thinking that many cases that sat warming the benches in the judiciary could have been addressed had the people involved been aware of their rights at the inception. That led me to start volunteering with the UN Online Volunteering System and a couple of organizations in Chennai. To put money in the bank (because it did, at that age, irk me that my peers were earning and I wanted to save the world without a pie to my credit), began freelancing with a bunch of local publications and a bunch of legal journals and publishing initiatives. With time, I gained some understanding of the way things worked, and realised that one of the most common narratives in the journey remained tied to the gender quotient. If I worked with communities on awareness on their Right to Public Health, I noticed that women were kept out of it. If I worked with communities on their right to clean water, I noticed that women had little to no access. Similarly, for food, education, health care, infrastructure, jobs and what have you. That was when it hit me: there's so much sitting on one domino: gender inequality. If we knocked it, this enormously global burden of inequality could just, just be knocked out.      

 Questionnaire with Kirthi Jayakumar 

1. How did you first get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?

I think I got into writing when I was rather young - I don’t quite remember a single point in time that I “began” - but just remember, rather, always writing something or the other. I was an idealist as a child, I used to dream of a world where we would all sing songs together and eat muffins (food of choice then, haha!) and just be together without fighting. I try to hold onto that little girl's ideas even today, so definitely, yes, I am imaginative!    

2.  What do you find most challenging about your writing?

Taking myself seriously. I am most amused by myself trying to be all important.    

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

I suppose I’m always writing something or the other. So if not writing for fun, then writing for work, or writing for my peace of mind.

4. Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

Doing new things, meeting new people, travelling to new places: just not the same person I am today!

5.How do you keep coming up with material / content for your story?

I don’t have a conscious process. I am an instinctive and reactionary writer - so it’s oftentimes a case of what I feel interested in writing that drives me to write. That said, once I begin writing, there is always room for research.

6. Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

It’s important to remember that writing is actually truly more important than the marketing side: even though people do suggest otherwise, your truest readers reach out to books that are not aggressively marketed.

7.   What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

A beautiful story.                                            

8. A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

This is a good question. I haven’t figured out an answer for it myself, though. Realistic expectations, however, are all I can offer. Always remember that there are people who will not like your writing. Take critique, don’t worry about criticism. 

9.  What motivates you most in life?

Every thing I come in contact with! Most everyone and everything has a story.

10. What is the story behind the name of your book?

I think it wrote itself out - The Doodler of Dimashq was a story of a doodler in Damascus J

11. What are your views on increasing plagiarism?

It is disheartening and hurtful, and really hurts a writer - of course I’m opposed to it!

So this month's featuring Author is 

" Deepti Menon"

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your profession and

your hobbies!!

One of the advantages of being a writer is that one’s hobbies and profession come together in a harmonious blend. I wrote my first poem when I was ten, and words have always fascinated me. I was an Army brat and later, I married an Army officer. Right through our sojourn in the Army, in the midst of picturesque locales, I continued my writing, and my teaching.

 Questionnaire with Deepti Menon 

1.     How did you first get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?

Well, I was ten when I first began writing. Even in school, I loved taking part in literary competitions. I found that I loved to juggle with words. In fact, I used to terrorize my sisters and cousins by narrating scary stories to them in dark rooms.

  As to your second question, I often let my imagination run riot, and there are times when I need to rein in my imagination when it goes way off track. J

2.     What do you find most challenging about your writing?

The biggest challenge when I write is to ensure that I speak to my readers. I write and rewrite, polishing my words till they sparkle and fall into the right spaces. What does not interest me will not interest those who read me. Hence, I find it a constant challenge to keep my words interesting.

3.     What do you do when you are not writing?

I read, I listen to music, I travel and I enjoy life! I also love spending time with my family, especially with my three-year-old granddaughter, Zoya.

4.     Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

In the next six months, I hope to start the process of bringing out three books, two of which have been sent for approval to a couple of publishers, and the third an anthology of my short stories which I need to send at the end of the month. Fingers crossed with all my literary babies!

Five years down the line? Does anyone know where they will be after five years? I do hope that I will be a well-known writer whose name is on the lips of readers who speak of my writing kindly.

5.     How do you keep coming up with material / content for your story?

As I mentioned earlier, I have an imagination that tends to run riot. I can find material anywhere – while on a walk in the garden, from a snippet of conversation, the movie hall or the newspaper. My friends and family are mortally scared of saying anything to me, for they know that I will put it in my next story. J

6.     Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

The one vital tip that I would like to offer to new writers is to keep writing and not be worried about rejection. When writing for a particular magazine or website, take the trouble to do your homework and make yourself familiar with the kind of writing they are looking for. Finally, when you get down to the actual writing, edit and embellish till your article is perfect. Editing is as important as writing... it gives it its lustre. Never let your standard drop.

7.     What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

If a writer can touch the heart of his or her readers, and capture their attention and imagination, taking their minds away from the stress and strain of their daily lives, that, I believe, would be the best gift.

8.     A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

There are a number of writers who make loads of money from their books, and these writers are on top of the echelon. However, the same cannot be said for all writers, however good they are. So, if a writer reaches that level, it is wonderful. If not, it is better to be ‘content’ with the fact that one is writing meaningful ‘content’.

9.     What motivates you most in life?

There are many things which motivate me in life... my home library, my job that keeps me young in the company of children, my love of music and theatre and spending time with my family. However, what keeps me most motivated is the realisation that whatever I write has the power to influence my readers, in one way or the other.

10.                        The majority of the readers tend to take sides due religion and such other considerations.

I feel that religion is an intensely personal issue and taking sides in the name of religion is like touching an electric switch with wet hands. Why risk getting electrocuted? I adore Lord Ganesha, but I would not insist that everyone around me does so as well. The motto of my school, Hari Sri Vidya Nidhi, resonates within my heart as well. “Let the Peal of Harmony be the Appeal of all Religions.”

11.     What is the story behind the name of your book?

The title of my book is ‘Shadow in the Mirror’, a book that was brought out by Readomania in 2016. The cover image has the face of a mysterious lady in blue with a striking red bindi. The mirror does not lie and often, esoteric truths lie behind the shadows within mirrors; tales within tales collude and collide, as do the lives of those living within the tales.  

12.      What are your views on increasing plagiarism?

If there is a reprehensible crime in the world of writing and literature, it is that of plagiarism. How can a writer forgive another for robbing him of his greatest wealth – his writing and his ideas? Unfortunately, piracy is also on the rise and many popular authors lose out because their books are sold on pavements at a quarter of their actual prices. Unless the laws on plagiarism and piracy are made stringent, these crimes against authors will continue. 

Thank you so much, Dipali, for these interesting questions. God bless!