Crime never pays

Cyber security expert Amit Dubey speaks to Sapna Sarfare about his book RETURN OF THE TROJAN HORSE Tales of Criminal Investigation which is based on his experiences of solving crimes for the police.

If you find a book based on real experiences, chances are they are quite a read. And if they are written by a cyber security expert like Amit Dubey, it is worth taking notice of. Dubey who heads Heuristics Info Systems Pvt. Ltd has come out with his book RETURN OF THE TROJAN HORSE Tales of Criminal Investigation is about a young software engineer who helps cops in solving cases and becomes useful. The book published by Leadstart Publishing is how he solves cases using his own experience and intelligence. Based on Dubey’s own experience, it is quite a read and reveals new techniques to solve criminal cases. He speaks about his book, his work and more.

What points made you think that writing a book would be a great option?

I have learnt that nothing thrills more than reality. So I decided to write the stories of some of the real crime investigation cases I have been involved with as an IT expert where I helped the police solve complex crime cases. They were related to terror attacks, kidnapping and road accidents and how technology was used to resolve them. The stories describe the personal struggles arising from such involvement while demonstrating smart ways of using advanced technology & creative thinking to nab criminals.

This book is the outcome of numerous, long-pending requests from many of my trainees in the Indian Police and Investigation departments. I hope the book will serve as an interesting way to learn about new investigation methodologies through the medium of emotional stories.

How would you describe the book to the reader? What are the interesting aspects?

This book is targeted at a generic audience. I think that criminal investigation is an ever-intriguing topic for most of the people of all ages and professions, who love to read and listen to such stories, especially when they are rooted in real life. I have received few very interesting feedbacks and am amazed to see the way people have taken it.

Amit Dubey

Most would have expected a non-fiction book from you. Why fiction?

Sometimes, it’s not possible to reveal such incidents as it is. However with little fiction, we can give new heights to such stories to make it more interesting.  I always believed in writing a story in such a manner so that if someone starts reading the book, he should not be able to put it down. It should have something new to surprise you at every page, it should have something which everyone can relate to and it should give a smooth, easy, emotional and thrilling ride to the reader.

As a cyber security expert, how do you think such books aid in making people aware of cybercrime?

I just wanted to tell interesting stories; there is no hidden intention to teach anything. The learning comes as a by-product.  It solely depends on readers what they can learn out of it. I just wanted to take my readers on a thrilling ride where they can be introduced to some hidden secrets of criminal investigation world. In a time when our mobile phone has become an integral part of our life, they should be aware of the fact that some truly dangerous things are possible if somebody gets an access to our mobile phone.

What kind of books do you read personally? Do you read just related to your profession?

Though I mostly read the technical stuff around cyber security and hacking, I love to read science fiction stories too and anything which could uplift my imagination. I also read poetries and lots of emotional stuff.

How has the response to the book been as of now? Any interesting feedback?

I am receiving some excellent feedback. During a panel discussion shoot at CNN studio, the camera man Sunil Bhatt came to me and said, sir, “I read your book and it’s amazing. I also gave the book to my teenage son and he loved it”. These kinds of surprise reactions from a range of readers are so encouraging. I feel really happy when people call me and want to meet me personally to discuss the book with me. My readers are getting intrigued by few facts in the book and want to know if everything is true. I think this is a big success when you make people believe whatever you say.

What’s your next book on? Will it be a non-fiction book?

I have already started working on my next book, This will reveal future of crimes,  What all  scary things could happen in near future  due to overload of technology around us and how investigation approaches will change in the future. It would have a blend of emotional twist and suspense drama which I try to keep as a key ingredient of my book recipe.

TITLE: RETURN OF THE TROJAN HORSE Tales of Criminal Investigation

AUTHOR: Amit Dubey

GENRE: Crime Fiction/Investigative

PUBLISHER: Leadstart Publishing 

PAGES: 258 

PRICE: Rs. 249

  

The art of writing for the ‘normal’

British author Lisa Williamson speaks to Sapna Sarfare about her novel The Art of Being Normal which deals with youngster dealing with gender identity and need to get acceptability for who they really are.

Lisa Williamson

Some books just connect from the moment you read the first sentence. One such book has been The Art of Being Normal by British author Lisa Williamson which is a remarkable story of friendship. David Piper has a secret known to few – he wants to be girl. He meets Leo Denton who prefers being invisible to hide a secret. Their friendship begins when Leo saves David from a bully. But it also has to go through some fire. Will they know each other’s secret? What happens if others know about it? The story is about 2 people with dreams which others might not understand.

A native of Nottingham, Lisa trained as an actor before discovering the writer within. She also worked at London-based Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) which helps underage kids deal with gender identity. She speaks about her debut novel, the thought behind it and more.

I loved the book. It read like a page out of real life yet was fiction. How did that happen?             

I don’t know! I think my lack of planning actually perhaps works in my favour sometimes. I tend to start writing not necessarily knowing where the story will go. As a result, I think the action tends to unfold in quite an authentic and organic way. I also always remember something a creative writing once said, and that was to include lots of ‘strange but true’ details in your work. Life is weird, people are weird, even the ones to seem really ordinary. We all have our strange little quirks and habits so I always try to include as many of these as possible. I also always aim to end chapters on, not a cliffhanger, exactly, but with an unanswered question in the air. 

The story was different & touching. Was there any reason of picking it for your debut novel?

Yes. I was directly inspired by the young people I met through my job at the time – as administrator for the Gender Identity Development Service. I was struck by the lack of fiction featuring transgender characters, particularly aimed at a young adult audience. The books I did find tended to be quite gloomy so I set about writing an entertaining, engrossing book that explored gender identity in a way that I felt reflected some of the experiences the young trans people I’d met had had. I didn’t want it to be defined by one theme/issue. Above all, it’s a book about being a teenager and all the ups & downs this brings. 

While writing, what were the struggles you faced, as the theme is of one lead character wanting to be a girl and another hiding a secret?

I struggle with plotting. I don’t like to plot in advance because I feel it stifles me and often forces me down paths that don’t feel right. At the same time, it’s quite scary not knowing where your story is going! For ages, Leo and David lived in separate cities and I spend weeks and weeks trying to come up with realistic ways for them to meet. I then decided to have them attend the same school but again it took ages to work out how to make their lives collide without sacrificing the authenticity. On the other hand, I actually found keeping Leo’s secret very fun! I liked dropping in little clues along the way and building up to the reveal. 

I loved the fact that the topic dealt with issues like bullying, transgender people, school life, teenage issues and society in a sensitive yet light manner. How did the process go in your mind before writing?

I always wanted the book to be sensitive yet not weighed down by any one issue or theme. Life is full of light and shade so I wanted the book to reflect this. I also knew from the start that I wanted a happy, hopeful ending so even when I was writing a painful scene, at the back of my mind I knew things were ultimately going to be okay. 

How are the issues in your book seen in the west?

Things have changed a lot since I started writing the book (in 2012). There has been a huge increase in the coverage of trans issues in the arts and media and although prejudice remains, the response has been largely positive. By making trans people and issues relevant to them mainstream and visible, it’s helping to remove the sense of fear and the unknown that so many people base their prejudices on. I’ve had lots of lovely emails about the book. Equally, I’m aware I’m in a bit of a bubble. The majority of my friends are very open and liberal so it’s often shocking to me when I realise how prevalent trans phobia still is. Things are improving (slowly) but there is still a lot of prejudice and ignorance. We’ve come a long way in a short space of time but there’s still so much to do. 

How has the response been to the book? Any response which touched you or even made you think?

It's been really, really lovely! I’ve had lots of emails and tweets that have touched me deeply. I’ve had messages from young trans people saying it’s helped them come out to friends and family; others say it’s helped just knowing it exists and is sold in mainstream high street bookshops. I’ve also had messages from older trans people saying they wish they’d had a book like it when they were younger. 

What’s your next book going to be?  

My next book is called All About Mia and is out in February 2017. It’s about a girl called Mia who is a middle child, sandwiched between two very impressive sisters. 

BOOK: The Art of Being Normal

AUTHOR: Lisa Williamson

GENRE: Young Fiction

LANGUAGE: English

PUBLICATION: David Fickling Books

PAGES: 353 

BOOK REVIEW: Amazing Secrets of the Bhagavad Gita

Best-selling author Ed Viswanathan Amazing Secrets of the Bhagavad Gita is a good opportunity to understand the popular scripture. Just do not think beyond that. Sapna Sarfare reviews the book.

The Bhagavad Gita was always an attraction. There have been many a translation and unique takes on this Hindu scripture. So when best-selling author Ed Viswanathan had come up with Amazing Secrets of the Bhagavad Gita, I was intrigued enough to pick it up.

Amazing Secrets of the Bhagavad Gita is, in a way, kind of a follow on. It also has a dialogue form narrative but this time, between a grandfather and his grandson. Of course, the tone of the conversation is more of an indulgent grandpa who answers every question with patience and at times, appreciates the kind of questions his grandson poses.

The book basically introduces you to certain aspects of the sacred scripture and in turn, about Hinduism. What is the Bhagavad Gita? What are sin and salvation according to Lord Krishna? What does Lord Krishna say about birth, death, and reincarnation in the Bhagavad Gita? Does Lord Krishna mention heaven and hell in the Bhagavad Gita? A range of topics are covered, right from sati to stress control, avatar, and yoga to even homosexuality. The Q-As are aimed at the layman who might have some questions. If looking for answers for transcendental questions, this might not be the book for you.

It is easy to go to a particular topic without having to go through pages like mad. The language is simple too.

What really works is its narrative style. The conversation between the grandfather and grandson is simple yet meaningful and is understood by the layman. The topics are put in chapter format with a brief at the beginning, then the Q-As and then a small summary at the end of what the chapter spoke about. It is easy to go to a particular topic without having to go through pages like mad. The language is simple too. One feels it is kept considering the vast readership that might be picking up the book.

The simplicity might a factor for those who probably want more & deeper questions to be replied to. The book could have taken more questions related to things spoken in the Gita. Few complex questions could have been put in. Also, the overall feel one gets in the book is that of a superiority complex of Hindu religion. The talk always slides down to how the religion is more accepting of things or better than other religions. If the writer would have stuck to explaining Hinduism’s position on certain things or just what the book explains on diverse topics, the book would have hit the bull’s eye.

Overall, Amazing Secrets of the Bhagavad Gita does strike a chord with those looking for a visitors' guide to understanding the Bhagavad Gita.  Pick it if you are not looking for deeper meaning.

BOOK TITLE: Amazing Secrets of the Bhagavad Gita
AUTHOR: Ed Viswanathan
PUBLISHER: Rupa Publications India
PAGES: 312

PRICE: Rs. 266 

Indian Cuisine Deciphered

Writer Colleen Taylor Sen speaks to Sapna Sarfare regarding her latest book Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India which reveals Indian cuisine like no other book.

Much has been written about Indian cuisine. Yet, not all these books & their authors can claim to be an authority on the subject. Colleen Taylor Sen is an exception. A Canadian-American translator & author, Colleen has written vastly on Indian cuisine including 6 books. Despite her Slavic Studies educational background, it is her prolific writing on different topics she is renowned for.

Her latest book, Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India explores Indian cuisine keeping in mind India’s religious, social and other growth, along with topics like vegetarianism, street food, festivals & food, and so on. Colleen speaks about this project which puts focus on Indian cuisine once again.

A lot is always being spoken about Indian cuisine. How does your book differ in that sense?

Despite the growing surge of interest in Indian cuisine and history, the only other comprehensive work on the subject is the late K.T. Achaya’s wonderful book Indian Food, written over 20 years ago in 1994, and followed by his Historical Dictionary of Indian Food (1998). By contrast, dozens of books have been written on the history of other national cuisines. Achaya’s book covers the food of certain regions in depth, especially his native Karnataka, but devotes less attention to other cuisines such as Bengali, Assamese and tribal cuisines. I know that my own book has similar shortcomings and hope that many other people are inspired to write histories of not just Indian cuisine but their regional and even local cuisines, drawing upon original sources.

What are the aspects of the book which will tempt food lovers and readers alike?

The book has a lot of anecdotes, historic recipes, and even poems. My favorites include an ode to ghee from the Rig Veda and a whimsical argument among leafy vegetables about which is the superior in a 16^th century Sanskrit treatise called the Ksemakutuhalam (Diet and Wellbeing.). Feasts and Fasts is also lavishly illustrated with photographs and paintings. 

How tough was it to write a book like this considering the sheer vastness of the cuisine?

Colleen Taylor Sen

It was very challenging. I have been writing about Indian food for over 30 years and accumulated a lot of material in the process, but  it still required a great deal of research. It took me three years to write it. I was limited to translations into English but on occasion asked native speakers, such as my husband who is Bengali and a friend who is a professor of Sanskrit for help. Some of the existing translations are poor because the translators were not cooks and didn’t know how to translate culinary terms. 

Any aspect(s) which surprised or amused you?

I was surprised by many things. Some people think that Kebabs came with the Mughals, but in fact, meal grilled on skewers over a fire goes back thousands of years to Vedic times. Also, in classical Ayurvedic medicine, meat and even alcohol was part of some cures. As an 11^th century Ayurvedic physician wrote, “The recommendations of medicine are not intended to help someone achieve virtue (dharma). What are they for, then? They are aimed at achieving health.”

Your educational background is different from what you write currently. How did the process towards writing on food start?

Although my educational background is in Slavic languages, I was familiar with the techniques of scholarly research and writing and this was very helpful. I started writing about Indian food for newspapers and magazines in the United States decades ago, when very few people were doing so, and eventually adopted a more scholarly approach to the subject by writing several books.

Has your foray into writing about Indian food come from the fact that you are married to an Indian?

It very much comes into it. My husband is Bengali and has been very interested in food since childhood. His late mother Arati Sen was a well known Bengali journalist who wrote a widely-read column in the magazine Desh under the pen name Srimati. She wrote a lot about food and even introduced me to the late Kundal Lal Gujral, founder of the iconic Moti Mahal restaurant. 

Indian food still has not reached the global status. As an authority on Indian cuisine, what do think?

That is a very good and much debated question which Professor Krishnendu Ray explores in his recent book Ethnic Food. In the United Kingdom, Indian food is, of course, very popular both as an everyday food and as haute cuisine. London alone has several Michelin-starred Indian restaurants. In the United States, Indian food is less popular. One reason is that India is less familiar to Americans than to the British for whom it is part of their history. Another is that other cuisines have long gained a popular foothold in the U.S., especially Chinese, Mexican and Thai. I believe that one way Indian food will become more popular here is via street food both in food trucks and restaurants that serve Kathi Rolls and other wraps, Bhelpuri, and similar dishes.

Colleen Taylor Sen’s latest book Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India is out in the market. Visit her website www.colleensen.com for more information on her and her work.

Feasts and Fasts: A History of Food in India

AUTHOR: Colleen Taylor Sen

PUBLISHER: Reaktion Books

PUBLISHED: January 2015

GENRE: Food, History, Culture

LANGUAGE: English 

PRICE: Rs 562

PAGES: 352