1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

The Alchemist is a book about a boy named Santiago who dreams about a treasure, which is worth a shot! So goes on an awe­inspiring quest of conquering his dreams! The alchemist is a book about dreams, Magic, Treasures, Excitement and what not? All clubbed under one roof, which we seek everywhere but to our bombshell we end up on our own doorsteps! This book is about chasing or running behind your dreams! No matter what they are, no matter how small or big! It is a book which enhearten every person to dream and not being afraid of it because all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

2. The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

The davinci code by dan brown is the story of the history­changing secret that Jesus was not divine, was married to Mary Magdalene, had children, that the Christian church altered the Bible, that it invented Jesus’ divinity as it demonized the sacred­feminine in order to gain power and influence, and that the secret is held by a sect of the Catholic Church that goes to extreme lengths to preserve the secret lest it lose its power and influence.This masterpiece should be mandatory reading. Brown solidifies his reputation as one of the most skilled thriller writers on the planet with his best book yet, a compelling blend of history and page­turning suspense. So grab this book, sit back, and prepare to be entertained and educated. It’s well­written, it’s intelligent, and best of all, it’s fun.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Set in the fictional Maycomb County, Alabama, in the 1930s, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is simply about black and white. It is a gentle portrayal of the extremes of racism suffered by black people, and the way that white liberals like lawyer Atticus Finch negotiate the criss­cross of fine lines through their society. Scout and Jem, the children of Finch, episodically live through three years during which their father takes on the case of his lifetime: defending Tom Robinson against a rape charge brought by Mayella Ewell. Lee’s writing style, the characters, the story all combine to create a true masterpiece. If you’ve never read it till now, then move this to the top of your list and dive in. Hopefully you’ll love it.

4. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

In Afghanistan, young Amir’s earliest memories of life in Kabul are blessed with a cultural heritage that values tradition, blood ties and a deeply rooted cultural identity. Upper class Pashtuns, Amir enjoys the luxury of education, material comfort and a constant playmate, the son of his father’s longtime Hazara servant, Hassan. Khaled Hosseini’s quietly powerful debut novel The Kite Runner fulfills the promise of fiction, awakening curiosity about the world around us, speaking truth as the lessons of history echo down the years. The themes are universal: familial relationships, particularly father and son; the price of disloyalty; the inhumanity of a rigid class system; and the horrific realities of war. The kite runner is a book to look out for!

5. The Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Considered by many to be Charles Dickens’s finest novel, Great Expectations traces the growth of the book’s narrator, the orphan Philip Pirrip (Pip), from a boy of shallow dreams to a man with depth of character. As Pip unravels the truth behind his own “great expectations” in his quest to become a gentleman, the mysteries of the past and the convolutions of fate through a series of thrilling adventures serve to steer him toward maturity and his most important discovery of all ­ the truth about himself. Great Expectations is creepy in places, which is probably why so many people like it, and the bittersweet ending (Dickens actually wrote two endings) is perfectly consistent with the story. This book is a good “starter” Dickens, and also perfectly satisfying for Dickens’ fans.

6. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank details approximately two years of the life of a Jewish teenager during World War II. During much of the time period covered by her journal, Anne and her family are in hiding in an attempt to escape Hitler’s anti­Jewish laws and genocidal desires. Anne’s diary ends abruptly in August, 1944. On that day, she and her family are taken into custody by the Germans and transported to concentration camps. She states several times in her journal, even when the family is in hiding from those who want to kill them, that she still believes that people are inherently good. Perhaps, it is the resiliency of Anne’s positive nature that is the most memorable theme in her writing.

7. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler’s Wife is a lyrical love story between Henry and Clare, albeit an unusual one suffused with vivid images of the past and the future. Henry has a rare genetic condition: he time­travels within his own lifetime, into his own past and future, yet dwells in the present. Henry and Clare develop a bond that transcends time and logic, bound to memory and promise. Since Henry’s traveling is involuntary, they learn to deal with life’s ambiguity in a deeper sense than most couples. Within this strange constraint, Clare’s affection assumes a mystical tone and she accepts their situation unconditionally, year after year committing her heart into Henry’s keeping. This is an extraordinary novel with a unique premise, an exploration of the unknown in this expanding century, where the impossible becomes possible, if not routine.

8. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

On the morning of their fifth anniversary, Nick Dunne’s wife, Amy, disappears from their North Carthage, Missouri home. A few years before, they moved there from New York to take care of Nick’s mother, who was dying of cancer. Their marriage hasn’t exactly been an all ­American love story, but as tough as things have been, it’s about to get worse. Gone Girl does an excellent job at having us scrutinize the gender roles in the modern family, picking apart the aspects that make our society progressive.or not so progressive. Flynn does an excellent job at getting us into the heads of the quintessential dysfunctional family, one that slides down into ruin because the characters are never quite honest with each other.

9. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

A novel set in Nazi Germany and narrated by the grim reaper doesn’t sound particularly whimsical, but Markus Zusak makes the task seem natural, if not easy, in his novel The Book Thief. While not exactly light reading, the young adult story has proved its near universal appeal, spending over 230 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List, causing some booksellers to reconsider the “young” label, re­shelving it under “fiction.”

10. The Memories of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha is a work of fiction — a romance, really — which has been dressed in the kimono of an autobiography of sorts. Golden creates a fictional interviewer and translator at the beginning, and then offers us a work composed from ‘recorded interviews’ with his fictitious lead character, the geisha Sayuri. The book is fully of interesting titbits and details, elements of the culture and the times, and particularly the location within Japan wherein the book is set. And yet, were it purely a biography I would find it very hard to believe, for it’s wrapped around what is really a very mundane, very conventional ‘love at first sight is finally requited’ tale with Sayuri at its center.

­Moksha Mathpal | Content Writer

DU Times

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An Economics Honours student from Hansraj College, Delhi University with amazing confidence and work hard tendency he proved that not only is he super intelligent but is super talented as well.

With movies like Fan, My name is Khan, DDLJ, K3G, Kal ho na ho, Swades, Paheli and the list goes on and on. He is an exceptional actor with a phenomenal touch of romance and his staple style adds the icing on the cake.

He is so loved that there is no single day that fans don’t come outside his house(Mannat) and wait for his glimpse. Being the humble gentleman that he is, he never misses out on coming outside his house and greet the ocean of fans who wish to take him home right away. His fans kiss the walls of Mannat and click pictures on its gate, just the knowledge of his presence raises the hair on their body. Even the bricks of his house are valued by his fans.

He is loved. He is respected. He is the king. Not only the King of Romance.

Not only the King of Bollywood. But, the King of our Hearts.

He stands out. Anywhere. Everywhere.

Wishing our King a very Happy Birthday!

Loads of Love.

Antra Sinha, DU Times

The post Happy Birthday Shahrukh Khan, the King of our Hearts appeared first on DU Times.

• The national zoological park –

Situated near the old fort in Delhi, the national zoological park aims at the conservation and protection of the endangered species of animals under the conservation breeding programs of the central zoo authority . Not only this but also helps them to breed in captivity.

Inaugurated in November 1959, the zoo recreates an ambiance of the natural habitat for hundreds of animals including chimpanzees, hippopotamus, spider monkey, African wild buffalo, giraffes, Gir lion, hyenas, macaques and reptiles in an underground reptile house.

• National rail museum –
  

The museum keeps alive the history of the national railways through locomotives. It boasts of having rarest and unique exhibits in its premise which includes the oldest mono rail concept  ‘the Patiala state mono rail tramway’(PSMT) and NRM the only steam mono rail locomotive and coach in the working condition. Vintage exhibits include the prince of Wales saloon, the Mysore maharaja saloon, fireless steam locomotive, steam locomotive, rail buses, rail cars, electric locos and many more. The museum also conducts different programs for visitors of all age groups. It surely is a must visit to fetch some knowledge and a fun experience for your tiny toddler at the same time.

• Delhi Haat-

Spread over a spacious six acre area, Delhi haat is an upgraded  of the traditional weekly market in an traditional village architectural style. It is one of the most famous places to visit in Delhi which somewhat can be called as ‘mini India’ because this exotic bazaar includes wide variety of skilfully crafted handicrafts and delicious food intrinsic to each part of the country. This place is a must place to be for it provides you good stuff to boast about.

• Garden of five senses-
  

Situated in the heartland of Delhi, the Garden is designed to stimulate one’s sensory responses to the environment. An amalgamation of colour and fragrance, texture and form evokes the awareness of touch, smell, sight, sound and taste. The garden is adorned by stone cut elephants, metal cut birds, food courts, distinctly styled garden space and many more things to mention.

• Kunzum travel café-

This place is for the travellers and someone who loves music, this place is something you must visit. A place for travellers to meet, exchange travel stories, make new friends and maybe plan out on the next travel trip with the new found mates. You can even jam or sit back and enjoy the jamming sessions.  Get transported virtually to dream destinations when others share their travel  with you. Kunzum travel cafe must feature on your ‘places to be list’.

Shrankhla Verma | Content Writer | DU Times

The post For your not so ordinary weekend… appeared first on DU Times.

To the city I had been putting up in, you’d possibly be the one getting frowned upon by the people if you haven’t had an experience of what the nights of the city had to offer you, ‘the night life’, a complete new dimension to life. Forever curious about getting to know this ‘dimension’ for a better view and getting a somewhat sneak peek of it. I wanted to experience it. Not for the  people to stop raising their brows at me or judging me for being too ignorant, but for my own answers to my questions.
Commencing with the exploration I realized that the people were right at some point. That was this hour of the day which induced responsive enthusiasm and rigor even in the most copiously weeping laments. The city which sees well suited people rushing their asses off in the day time, with deafening horns throughout the roads, is much more louder and quieter at night, so much more brighter and sparkling, so much more relaxing, where one may find peace and solace while losing oneself into the hustle bustle of it. While observing every minute detail of the ‘hour’ that made it so different a time, I realized that I seemingly looked like the ‘forlorn orchestra to whose piping no one dances’. Oh this H.H Munro line suited me so well at that time. Although I was in deep happy contemplation mode, I looked like one, apparently.

Out of all there was this guy, my ‘eye contact friend’, the one I had seen many times on the streets while crossing the roads. Only his was a familiar face. I could feel the warmth and comfort of the familiarity as the gazes intensified and grew deeper there at the bar. He was sitting at some distance to me, but close enough to have noticed the sexy slitty eyes piercing right into mine. He knew too that he had seen me before. With no awkward look away from the gaze, he smirked. Or maybe he just twitched his sewed lips to one corner of his face to which I thought he smirked and i smiled more prominently. He smiled and proceeded towards me. Placing himself in the couch next to me he offered me to buy a drink and followed up by introducing himself. I agreed and asked him what were we going to have. After a minute long discussion, we both settled in for the cocktail that bets to get you high owing to the great capacities we claimed to have had.

While sipping on the cocktail we discussed on how we were familiar in our unfamiliarity and i told him how I categorized him under my ‘eye contact friend’. The topic gradually drifted from the shallow and humorous ones to deeper ones, about the fantasies and the desires and of course the turn ons. As well perceived, the things heated up and yes the cocktail had to be held accountable, after all, such pep up talks cannot create such a gusto. At that time I felt like a sponge, wanting to assimilate  him, intoxicated by his charm. Sometimes nothing else hit the spot. It can take the form of anything, for then it was a shared look. He walked me out of the bar and we landed up at his place, possibly, as far as I remember. A chill ran down my spine realizing that it was only him and me now, alone, but now there was no way out. “Whatever the set-up, be confident, be courteous, be open”, I kept telling myself, after all this is what I wanted since I had been long out of something serious, something taxing. In a sudden rush of excitement it soothed our appetite of ardor.
There is something uncanny about it, no worries, no strings attached, no explanations, no expectations, and in most cases, no regrets either. After that I never saw him again, not even on the streets. Maybe he shifted to some other place and I lost my ‘eye contact friend’. But that wasn’t much of an issue for me because I had this next familiar face waiting for just one more expedition into the other world. Women after all, it is clear, have transitioned.

Shrankhla Verma | Content Writer | DU Times

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1. THE MARTIAN (2015)

  ‘The Martian’ a film adaptation was directed by Ridley Scott. It was a science fiction novel written by Andy Weir in 2011. It is being heralded as the most scientifically accurate movie in Hollywood’s history. It is a very hard science fiction with science and technology firmly rooted in reality( facts approved by NASA) . Weir wa snot afraid to delve deeply into topics from orbital mechanics to life support systems to spacecraft engineering. This makes the movie more realistic. The movie captured the very real and human elements of space travel. Every detail from crew’s duties and team first attitude to Mark Watney’s survival strategies on Mars were very clever and correct.

2. EX MACHINA (2015)

Ex Machina directed by Alex Garland is a symphony of classy direction, gorgeous cinematography and slick sci fi. The movie offers a clever version of robots versus humans narrative. The film presents the longstanding themes of territorial behaviours, domination and subordination set against a sci fi backdrop. The film questions something that most techies fail to answer; Who is making sure that all the  innovations do not go drastically wrong? The main concern of the film is about the unchecked innovations could apply to all kinds of disciplines, which are intended to help humanity, could backfire without a proper oversight.

3. INTERSTELLAR (2014)

“Interstellar “is an American British epic science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan. Interstellar featured some of the most accurate and realistic depictions of both speculative science and accepted physics theories. Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne was the scientific consultant for the film to ensure depictions of wormholes and black holes and to bring real science to the big screen. It also combines abstruse ideas about gravity, matter and time. The movie only lacked in its final act as it left the viewers with some unanswered questions. But , Interstellar is a movie which used the most complicated science concepts.

4.2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY ( 1968)

‘ 2001: A Space Odyssey is an epic science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows a voyage to Jupiter with sentient computer Hal after the dis convey of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. It is the world’s first- metaphysical exploration of the working of humanity, from the beginning of time to the far- flung future. Amongst the delights it offers a zero gravity toilet, emergency resuscitation and exploding bolts. The film deals with themes of existentialism, artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial life.

5.WOMAN IN THE MOON (1929)

‘Woman in the moon’ is a science fiction silent film directed by Fritz Lang. It is considered to be one of the first “serious” science fiction films. The basics of the rocket travel were presented to the mass audience for the first time by this film , including the use of multi-stage rocket. What was featured in the movie became staples for the coming space movies, from  the look of rocket ships to the countdown to blast off. NASA got the idea of a shuttle countdown from the film as it was the first time there was a countdown before a rocket launch in a movie.

Hence, these are the most inspiring science-fiction movies of all time. These films look as fresh as the day when they were made. Watching them even today, will leave you awe-struck.

– Pratima Jain | Content Writer | DU Times

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