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A unique book giveaway - Sharing the joy of reading, giving away one book a day for a month

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In a world often dominated by screens and digital content, the tangible pleasure of holding a book in hand remains unmatched. Book giveaways, a simple yet profound act, serve as a beacon of light in promoting literacy, fostering community, and spreading the love of reading. Thinking along these lines prompted Vijay, a teen Biblophile from Bengaluru to announce a month long book giveaway for students and young readers in India.  Vijay has enjoyed reading and reviewing books for as long as he can remember. During the pandemic and lockdowns, he decided to take his love for printed books online by sharing book reviews on his niche YouTube Book Review channel that has over 690 subscribers.  During the 30-day Book Giveaway in May, Vijay is offering to buy books worth Rs 500 for deserving students and readers every day. Announcing the giveaway, Vijay says  "I want to share the joy of reading this summer and I am planning a giveaway using award money won from different competitions.&quo

Book-Giveaway - Giving Away Books worth Rs 500 to deserving students and readers in India

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I am planning a book-giveaway for 30 days and I need your help in selecting the most deserving students and readers. This giveaway is intended to encourage children and readers who cannot afford books and textbooks. More details in the Youtube/@Vijay_Book_Reviews Why the Giveaway: I am a 15-year-old biblophile and have been reviewing books for nearly 2 years. I want to share the joy of reading this summer and I am planning a giveaway using award money won from different competitions. Entries* open on google form including Terms and Conditions   *Entries open from 1-30 May 2024 Announcing Winners of the Giveaway Day 1 Winner (May 1st) - Harman, Yamuna Nagar     • 30-day Book Giveaway of Rs 500 worth ...   Reason " As I am in Class 12 and I'm preparing for JEE, so, this giveaway will help me to get books which are required to boost my preparation :)" Day 2 winner 🥇Abdul Ahad Laique, Lucknow - 30-day Book Giveaway of Rs 500 worth of books/day Reason: "I may not deserv

Responding to the question - Is it a good idea for me to leave my Government job?

There was an interesting question from someone asking -  Is it a good idea for me to leave my Government job?   He goes on to explain Guys I am currently working in a Central Government job. My pay scale level is 10 and in-hand salary is 95k. So the point is I hate the work environment at my place. I want to leave this job. But I keep hearing that the job market outside is not great. I am from computer science background and my current work involves software work. So, here's my response I was reflecting on the question and the two sides of the coin My dad was an officer in IAF, had a great service and retired with a handsome pension and excellent medical benefits and perks. All in all, a great career and life but he also dealt with bureaucracy - passed over for promotion, tiffs with bosses, frequent transfers etc, but he carried no hard feelings. On the contrary, he was extremely passionate about life in the Services till the end. A brief musing about Dad's life and service - O

Several countries ban MDH, Everest masala - what does it mean for NRIs and Indian Diaspora living overseas?

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Recent bans in Singapore and Hong Kong target Indian spice brands like MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. due to ethylene oxide contamination. Spice mixes pose health risks, as ethylene oxide is a Group 1 carcinogen. So,  what does it mean for NRIs and Indian Diaspora living overseas? When it comes to savoury dishes, spice mixes play a key role  and brands like MDH and Everest have made it convenient to quickly whip up Indian cuisine.  After some varieties of MDH and Everest masala were banned from Singapore and Hong Kong due to quality concerns, the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday sought details from the food safety regulators of the two countries to determine the 'root cause of rejection'.  The ministry has directed Indian embassies in both Singapore and Hong Kong to send a detailed report on the cause of ban. It has also sought details from MDH and Everest, whose products have been banned.

Musing on Dad's Raksha Medal from 1965 that my son found in an old shelf

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The other day while cleaning an old shelf, my son came across a medallion and he asked me about it.  “Oh, it’s your grandpa’s Raksha Medal from 1965,” I said. “Did Krishnamoorthy  thata  actually fight the Chinese in that war?” He asked. “Was he issued a gun when he was in the Air Force?” he continued excitedly recalling scenes from the Bollywood movies. Yes and no, I hummed and hawed. I tried explaining that my dad was indeed posted at an Air Base that provided Air support to our troops facing the enemy. And for this service, he and other servicemen were awarded the Raksha Medal. And then I went on to reflect on the real reason he was my hero and role model. Born in Batalagundu, a small town in South India that might just have been the inspiration for RK Narayan’s Malgudi, he grew up in a rather large brahmin agrarian family. When he did exceptionally well at school, he was offered a scholarship to study at a college in a nearby district and a ticket out of the small town. While study

Life lessons: Vivek Saini's death is a cautionary tale for foreign students in America

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The recent news of the horrific death of Vivek Saini, a 25-year-old Indian student sent shockwaves across the tightly connected Indian student community in America. The incident captured on the store’s CCTV camera shows him being bludgeoned by a homeless man at a convenience store in US's Georgia where Vivek was working part-time.  This incident raises question of safety of Indian students who travel half-way across the globe in pursuit of their American dream. It also raises question about the legality of their actions in taking up work outside their universities .  The American Dream The United States has long been a magnet for international students seeking world-class education and diverse cultural experiences. While many foreign students adhere to the rules and regulations governing their stay, a concerning trend has emerged – some students are engaging in illegal employment. This practice, though providing financial relief for students facing economic pressures, raises comple

Staying safe while studying abroad

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The pursuit of higher education beyond one's home country offers a myriad of opportunities for personal and academic growth. By some accounts, over 500,000 Indian Students study in Universities across America. Amidst the excitement of studying abroad, it is essential for students to prioritize their safety and well-being. "Staying safe while studying abroad" is a critical aspect of the international student experience that requires proactive measures, cultural awareness, and a commitment to personal security. Mohan Krishnamoorthy , a Tech Executive who has lived and worked in a dozen countries across three continents and has done an MBA in the US shares his opinion on the recent incidents of death of Indian student abroad  Know your surroundings and neighborhood – talk to locals for tips  Share your tips and experiences with fellow students   Do not be desperate for that extra dollar  If you really must work outside campus, take safety precautions  Mental health is a