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Thursday, May 8, 2014

Cherish every moment with Books

Today I thankful to GOD as I  get one BEST FRIEND and His name is Chirag Patel (+Chirag Patel ) from Vadodara. And want to say "Thank You Very Much" to Sureshdada (+Suresh Jani ). He helps me to meet with Chiragbhai. 

At below, Chiragbhai wants to share his experience about "Books" and "World's Book Day" with us. I am sure this article will be helpful to everyone and beneficial for Upcoming Next Generation. So Let's Start...

1) Books are doors to vast forest of knowledge.Right from early age, books are next to mother and teachers for everyone. Life without books is like life without soul. Books are guide, philosopher, teacher, mother, father, tools and many many more things. Books are a very efficient tool to record human knowledge and advancements; and thus it helps evolution.

2) At the age of 17, I started working part-time at STD/PCO to help my expenses/hobbies. My first salary was 700rs. I purchased two books from that 1) At the speed of light 2) GRE preparation. I purchased many many books afterwards, but these two are the most important. My parents bought me many books as well.

3) I have read more than 3000 books. The books which influenced me or I liked the most - Gita, Yoga Vaashishth, Arabian Nights, Miya Fuski series, All of Indrajal comics, Devi Bhagvat, At the speed of light, Tao of Physics, A Brief History of Time, Web of Life, Schrodinger's Kittens, Dancing Wu Li Masters, Surely you're joking Mr Feynman, Siddharth, Kamasutra, Allistair Maclean WW2 series, Works of Swami Vivekananda.

4) Remember. Books are worth sharing your life with. It opens doorways to many new avenues in life. Cherish every moment with books.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Everyday Book Yourself with Inspiration Books

Hey Friends, Again Birenbhai Kothari (+biren kothari ) is here with us and would share  his experience about various books and their importance with us. So, I and we all are really thankful to him and I hope this article is inspirational for all blog visitors and upcoming young generation.

Books are, of course, a window to the world. But with the increasing impact of visual media, the importance of reading seems to be decreasing. Much hype has been created about reading. Even the government started a drive of ‘Vanche Gujarat’ to promote reading. Though much is being told about reading the book, not much is said about what kind of reading one should do. Good reading certainly enlightens you, but it is also sure that bad reading ruins you. So good reading is a continuous and evolving process.

I was fond of reading since my childhood. The habit continued with my study. I got such a job (in rotational shifts) that I could keep this hobby alive. Eventually, I started writing professionally, and at a juncture of time, I decided to give up the job and survive solely on writing. Though it would seem difficult, it was only due to my continuous reading practice, this switch over was smoother and I could take a career of my own liking after 22 years of service.

There are many books I’ve read. Of course, my reading is more in Gujarati & Hindi, than in English. In Gujarati, there is a long list of books I like. However, if I have to name only five, it would be: Pratimaao (પ્રતિમાઓ), Palkara (પલકારા) both by Zaverchan Meghani, Vinod ni Najare (વિનોદની નજરે) by Vinod Bhatt, Kunti (કુંતી) and Shabda thattha (શબ્દઠઠ્ઠા) by Rajnikumar Pandya, and In Hindi, I admire Krishan Chander, Saadat Hasan Manto much. My most favorite Hindi books are: Raag Darbari (राग दरबारी) by Srilal Shukla, Dastavej (दस्तावेज-खंड १ से ५) by Saadat Hasan Manto, Ek gadhe ki aatmakatha (एक गधे की आत्मकथा) by Krishan Chander, Tamas (तमस) by Bhishma Sahni, Kya bhoolun ky yaad karun (क्या भूलुं, क्या याद करूं) and Nid ka nirman phir (नीड का निर्माण फिर) - first two volumes (out of four) of the autobiography of Harivansh rai Bachchan.

World book day or any other day, I would recommend the next generation to read but would also suggest to check and renew their list of favorite writers time by time. After all, reading means constant evolution and evaluation, and not getting freezed into few certain writing or writers.  

If You want to know more about Biren Kothari, jump to this page - http://paavanjethava.blogspot.com/2013/12/biren-kothari-gujarati-writer.html

Books Important Role in Our Life

Hey Friends, I always want to end my day by learning new things, getting some knowledge and inspiration on any topic from persons like Suresh Jani +Suresh Jani and Maya Raichura +Maya Raichura  ... Here I am thankful to both of them to some his/her time for me and for all upcoming young generation especially GUJARATIs. I hope, I will get support from them in future also..

 1.    Books are like mothers. Mother gives birth, nurtures, educates. Books do latter two functions and give new birth to a person. During educational career as also the professional one; we go on learning and go on acquiring new skills that are strong contributors that shape our destiny. Books are one of the ingredients in that process.

2.    My parents belonged to lower middle class and having five kids; they could not afford any purchase of books. However looking to our interest in reading, my father purchased once books worth 25/- Rs. From ‘Sastu Sahitya’. This was like a big treasure for all five of us. We had subscription to three libraries. On the last day of the school my brother and myself used to go to two relatives and borrow their library cards too. Then we will go to these libraries and borrow about 12 books. In a week, all of us (including our mother) would read all these books and repeat the process in the next week. This was one of the foundation bricks of whatever the five of us could achieve in our lives. Two of us became engineers, two teachers and one a doctor. Even now, I go to local library here, borrow about 20 books (all from kid section – they are small and concise!!) and devour them in three weeks.

3.    There are a myriad of books. Just a few names are-

a.    Le Miserable
b.    Count of Monte Cristo
c.    Arabian nights
d.    Jules Verne’s books
e.    Power of Now – Eckharte Tolle
f.    Prophet - Kahlil Gibran
g.    Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
h.    Jonathan Livingston Seagull

4.    The times have changed. We are on the threshold of an e-Revolution. So the importance of books is likely to reduce. This is also due to the prohibitive costs for their production as also their limited reach, being physical. But all e-Media are going to prosper in a mushrooming growth; reaching people at cell phone level. However young people should use these powerful media not only for entertainment but also for acquiring new knowledge and skills and for personal development. 

And an input from a doctor friend in USA - http://goo.gl/lY0vrd


Know More About Suresh Jani (Sureshdada) at - http://paavanjethava.blogspot.com/2013/11/suresh-jani-meet-this-famous-gujarati.html


Book your self with Book which you like everyday at least 1 hour. -

Book of noble character inspires us.It clears negativity of our mind and leads us to positive thinking.I like religious books.but at the same I like Gujarati  novel named Malela jiv, Saraswatichandra and many more.There is a relation with book from our childhood. It is the book which educates us.Reading is my hobby.If once I take the book and start reading,I can't stop my self and complete it.So now start from today to book your self with book.

Know More About Maya Raichura (Mayamasi) at - http://paavanjethava.blogspot.com/2013/11/maya-raichura-meet-this-famous-gujarati.html

Monday, April 28, 2014

Books Importance in Our Life

Hi Friends(Blog Readers),

Before I start my post, I hearty thankful to +Valibhai Musa (For Me, He is Valikaka) to share his knowledge, life-time experience regarding books with all of us. I hope, in future I can learn more and more from his support, which I will share here sure because "The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery." 

On the occasion of ‘World Books Day’ on 23rd April, 2014;  Mr. Paavan K. Jethava ( +Paavan Jethava) of Ahmedabad who is a very enthusiastic young man for collecting opinions on various subjects sent me an e-mail with questionnaire as follows. I have great pleasure to answer them one by one.

(1) IMPORTANCE OF BOOKS IN OUR LIFE:

I would like to suggest my Article ‘Life and Literature’ to be read on my Blog “William’s Tales” along with its Gujarati version to get detailed information in this regard. 

(2) EXPERIENCE IN WHICH THE IMPORTANCE OF ANY BOOK MIGHT HAVE PLAYED ANY ROLE:

When I had passed my 8th Grade with best performance in 1956, my elder brother asked me to demand anything I might like as the gift; and I had requested him to buy for me the full set of the novel ‘Sarswatichandra’. He had accepted my request with a counter question why I had put my choice like that before him. I had simply answered that the novel is the great piece of Gujarati Literature as my Gujarati teacher had told to the classroom when one chapter of that novel was being taught by him. The second part of the novel with its sub-title ‘Gunsundari-no-Gharsansar’ appealing to’ United  Family Life’ proved to be useful to me throughout my life. In the very next year of 1957, our father had died leaving behind my five younger brothers and sisters with age variation from to 2 to 12 under we-two brothers’ care. At that time my eldest brother was1 18 years old and I was only 16. The second part of the novel helped me indirectly to lead our united family of the same generation then and presently also my own family consisted of 15 members with my third generation under the same united pattern.    

(3) BOOKS READ AND ANY FAVORITE OUT OF THEM:       
    
I had read a lot of books in English, Gujarati and Hindi up to my age of 40. Thereafter, a gap of some three decades remained due to my overtime involvement in our businesses. During these days, I could read only news papers and magazines randomly. My favorite books, besides ‘Sarswatichandra’ are ‘Gramlaxmi’, ‘Bharelo Agni’, ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’, ‘Kalapi-no-Kekarav’, ‘Abraham Lincoln (A Play)’, ‘Ame Badha’, ‘Bhadrambhadra’ etc.. The list may go long, but I precise it here.

(4) ANY MESSAGE TO NEXT GUJARATI GENERATION:   
     
Libraries are the Watering Places of Knowledge. Books teach us ethics and values of human life. The next generation is advised to read more and more books available both in Print and Internet media.  The parents should include books to birthday presents to their children. Hobby of Reading does not only entertain us, but it teaches also the useful lessons of life. Solution of disturbed social life of human being throughout the world now-a-days is only with the libraries. Good and positive literature has such power that can change the world. If the next generation develops the hobby of reading books, it can pass on the same hobby  to their own next generation. It is just like the process of lighting the candles with a single burning candle. There is a well known Gujarati saying also as ‘કૂવામાં હશે તો હવાડામાં આવશે.’ i.e.’ If there is water in the well, it will reach the trough.’

Hope the endeavor of Mr. Paavan Jethava will surely be fruitful and helpful to the next Gujarati generation just to create interest in reading good literature.

With warm regards,

- Valibhai Musa ( +Valibhai Musa )

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Dineshchandra Pathak - Famous Gujarati Poet Writer


Full Name: Pathak Dineshchandra Dalasukharam ( +Dinesh Pathak )

https://www.facebook.com/pathakdinesh

Your Full Address:

3 Buildcon Square, Bh. Kalpvruksh Complex, Gotri Road, Vadodara - 390023, Gujarat.



4. Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch)

5. Blog's Address: http://ddpathak.wordpress.com/

6. Reason for blogging: To share my 700+ poetries written mainly in Gujarati & Hindi with interested people.

7. Inspiration for blogging:

- Many of my friends wanted my collection of poetries to be published which inspired me to start this blog. Blogging is nice medium to publish one’s art which gets unnoticed otherwise.

- My daughter in Law helps me typing my poetry in Gujarati & my son helps me in technical aspects of blogging. Without their help I would not have been able to blog so frequently.

8. Family Background:

Wife: Punita Pathak
Daughter: Jagu Gibson
Son: Nirmal Pathak http://nirmalchintan.blogspot.com/- https://twitter.com/nirmalpathak
Daughter in Law: Hiral Pathak https://twitter.com/hiralpathak05


9. Good Experience of Life:

- After passing my matric exam, I wanted to join Arts college because of my interest in literature & art but my brother in law, who was Civil Engineer wanted me to join Civil Engineering course. However, I joined Architecture course in M. S. University of Baroda as per our community’s prominent person M. C. Pathak’s suggestions which changed my life & I term that as new begining of my life.

- Another experience I would like to share is, taking part in ‘Kavi Sammelan’ at Mumbai’s Sanmukhanand Hall on Pujya Pandurang Athavale’s, “Dada” birthday. The hall was completely full & audience enjoyed my poetry with lots of cheering. I cherish this moment a lot!

10. Bad Experience of Life:

- I left job from Vadodara Municipal Corporation to join Gujarat Government’s Capital Project in Gandhinagar but new CM Chimanbhai Patel fired all new employees & I lost my job. I then found job in Surat Corporation as contractor for 1 year & was earning less than a draftsmen even though I was an Architect.

- Other bad moment in life when my daughter was born. My wife had to deliver the baby by C-Section which was very painful for my wife & me. My new born baby also had some complication & my wife suffers the pain of that operation at times even today.

11. Hobbies: Philosophy, Literature, Music, Drama & Traveling.

12. Wife & Married Life:

- I am very glad & thankful to God that I have very hard working & helpful wife. Our thoughts do differ at times but I cherish her part in making my life comfortable with love & support.

13. Places Visited:

Visited more than 200 villages across India of Himalaya Region, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat & Saurashtra. I also got chance to visit countries like Qatar & Nepal. Favourite place is villages of Himalayan regions.

14. Opinion on Gujarati Literature & Authors:

- I respect Zaverchand Meghani, K M Munshi, Pannalal Patel & Chimanlal Vardhaman Shah for their contribution to Gujarati literature. I am influenced by Vinoba Bhave’s lectures on Geeta.

- I like Ashwini Bhatt’s explanation in story telling & K M Munshi’s stories with historical background.

15. Views on Gujarati Tradition & Culture:

- Any culture depends upon its geometrical presence on globe, mainly its atmosphere & facilities available. Gujarat had various visitors from various part of globe like Parasees from Persia & Muslims from Afghanistan & Arab countries which has also influenced Gujarat’s culture. We can see Urdu language’s influence in Gujarati Gazals especially.

- The Gujarat’s Garba is very good example of art, culture & worship. The dance in it is an art, people play Garba in circular patterns together which shows the Gujaratis amiable nature & Garba is devoted to Ma Shakti which is worship.

- Saurashtra’s Duha & Chhand are full of bravery & social messages & Gujarati Gazals add sweetness to our literature.

16. Message to Youth:

- The culture & language take ages to develop. Our ancestors have made is prosperous & our youth should make good effort to maintain our language so that it does not vanish.

- Our language, religion & life style are representation of our society hence we should take a good care in what we speak, how we behave & how we dress.

- Youth is life’s middle point which has energy, knowledge & skills. Childhood & Old age are weak. Youth with their desire can accomplish any work, hence I wish today’s youth make best out of their energy & skill for better future.

17. Something to share:

- I have come here to roam in this beautiful world. I have come to make friends & do the best I can for the world.I would be very glad if I can do something for society & my fellow beings.

18. Message to Friends:

- My friends have given me lots of love & helped me in my good or bad phase of life. I wish to God that our friendship remains forever.

19. Thanks to Guru/Parents:

- I would like to thank my parents first for giving me birth & made me comfortable putting aside their comfort.

- I would like thank Pujya Pandurang Athavle, “Dada” for inspiring me to write poetry & books. I would also like to thank Swami Chinmayanand, Rang Avadhut Maharaj of Nareshwar & my brother in law Shri Amubhai Pathak. Amubhai with whom I used to live away from my parents & who inspired me to reading books.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Lawtoons - Kanan Dhru

At Very First, I am hearty thankful to +Kanan Dhru for her FRIENDLY SUPPORT about this article. 

My All Blog Readers can also visit this Facebook Page -


 Very simply, Lawtoons is law + cartoons.

Lawtoons project is about simplifying the boring and tedious laws which most people cannot understand!

Ideally, our target group is children between the age of 10 to 14 but these cartoons will bring the knowledge of laws even to the elders who do not understand the laws! We plan to subtly infuse the idea of creating a world of interesting and exciting cartoons that will attract both children and elders.

An aware citizenry lies at the very foundation of a vibrant democracy. In the society today, there exists a wide gap between different policies, laws and functioning of the Government and awareness about the same in a common-man.

More than 50% of the Indian population is below the age of 25. In the years to come, it is this segment of the population that is going to be shaping India. Their perception of governance and their role within it, therefore, becomes even more crucial. The curriculum on civics in schools is often dull and uninspiring, turning the young minds away from the questions on governance and the society. These very issues need to be communicated in a way that inspires and excites the young minds to become the agents of change. The Lawtoons Project aims to do just that.

The objective behind this project is to increase the knowledge, skills and values in children about processes of governance and basics of citizenship education, so that they positively consider themselves as components of vibrant and participative democracy. 

A cartoon is an important tool for framing social issues and can be a very easy medium of communication, especially with the younger audience.

A series of cartoon books, comprising of topics on varied aspects of law and policy will be created as part of this project. These books can be made available in local language as well as in English and can be widely circulated in private and municipal schools in Ahmedabad. Our idea is to create a book covering around 5 to 6 different laws/fundamental rights. We plan to use the crowdfunding model to raise funding for the project.

Through this project we plan to reach out to more than 10,000 children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds as a part of the pilot study in the district of Ahmedabad. We also plan to make this a sustainable and widely spread activity with our tie-ups with government and private schools in and outside the State of Gujarat. We will also be creating a social media campaign around this by having an interactive website and a mobile application.

Some of the topics that will cover are:

1) Right to Equality before the law (Article 14 of the Constitution)

2) Six freedoms (Article 19 of the Constitution)

a.      Freedom of speech (as long as you don’t derogate anyone) –right to information.

b.   Freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms (as long as you don’t indulge in anti-national activities)

c.       Freedom to form association and unions (as long as you don’t disturb public order)

d.      Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India (as long as you don’t harm any citizens or public property)

e.      Freedom to reside and settle in any part of India

f.      Freedom to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business (as long as you work in interest of the general public)

3)   Right to Life (Article 21 of the Constitution)

4)   Right against exploitation (Article 23 and 24 of the Constitution)

5)   Right to Education (Article 21 A of the Constitution)

6)   Right to Information Act 2005

7)   Consumer Protection Act 1986

8)   Environment Protection Act 1986

9)   Women’s Rights (Prevention of Sexual Harassment Against Workplace Act 2013, Equal Remuneration Act 1976)

10) Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act 2012

Thank You!!!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

International Daughters Day 2014 - Get Inspired with Thoughts

Special Thanks To - +Rajnikumar Pandya , +Maya Raichura , +Dinesh Pathak For their own views about Daughters.


Rajnikumar Pandya want to say that - 

A daughter to a man is reincarnation of his affectionate mother.She adds tender touch to his soul while fighting against all the odds of life battle, I remember that my daughter Tarjani was daily bringing a glass of cool water when I used to wake in the midst of my deep sleep,
I have written a long article about her and mine relation ship in the famous book - "દીકરી વહાલનો દરીયો" published by ABHIYAN weekly and is now available at NavBharat Prakshan.


Maya Raichura wants to say that -

Daughters are warm like the sun,
Bright like the stars,
Cool like a breeze and
Sweet as honey.
Who wouldn’t love someone like that!

Daughters are indeed God's greatest gift!

A daughter is most beautiful gifts this world has to give.If you have son you are happy but you have a daughter you are lucky  and blessed with God. At last daughter is daughter for ever.


Song share by her - http://stop.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/AUD-20131217-WA0007.mp3

Her words for me ( +Paavan Jethava ) :- Your daughter is very cute and your effort is very good . I appreciate your effort.

Dinesh Pathak wants say that -  

Women’s nature is full of feelings, self surrendering and also partnering in pain & gain. Daughters have inborn capability to console their father whenever required. According to Hindu culture, daughters shine & uplift two clans after marrying and adjoins two different families.

They have latent energy & it is parents’ responsibility to give their daughter comforting environment to develop.

Girls’ intellectual and emotional growth is restricted or never developed in narrow minded families.

Those who know importance of daughters, encourage them & mould them like an artist.

In modern times, women have contributed in various fields which represents their capability & importance. Hence, daughters should be loved & always be kept in heart.

You can read more thought just - Click Here

Friday, January 10, 2014

Inspirational Thoughts on World Daughters Day 2014

After Two days, It will be World Daughters’ Day and here I have different thoughts on Status of a Daughter in Our Family. So Let's Get Inspired Together.

Special Thanks to :- +Valibhai Musa+biren kothari+Pravinkant Shastri


Most of the people of various communities in the world do not prefer to have a female child due to one or the other reasons of their own. Just to create positive awareness into the minds of the people in this regard, UNO has declared 12th January as an International Daughters’ Day. It is an ironical tendency of the people that they know that they are born from the wombs of the women; and even though they consider the births of the daughters as unwanted disasters in the family.

Maintenance of the proper proportion of male and female is observed by nature in its natural way and such intentional interferences of going against laws of nature might create many social and ethical problems in the human society. Prophet of Islam has valued high the status of a daughter in these words as ‘Daughter is the grandeur of funeral procession of parents. The daughter is the only member in the family who misses the deceased parents great and mourns by heart.’ In the Hindu book of Manusmriti also, there is a Shloka (Verse) such as
यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता |”. Meaning of this verse clearly indicates that the gods like to live among those people who value high the status of women.

Peace and order of human society is the most dependent on existence of a female in the world as she is always tender hearted by nature and the male is considered as somewhat hard hearted fellow while dealing with some sensitive problems of human life.


(Thoughts on ‘Status of a Daughter’ expressed by Valibhai Musa)

I really don’t know what these days are all about and who started it! When we consider a son or a daughter equally, why all this fuss? I can’t understand why such stereo types are created that daughters always stand by her parents, and sons kick their parents away. After all, it is not about being a daughter or a son, but it is about being a person. Accept the child whatever it is, be it a boy or a girl. That’s it.

(Message by Biren Kothari)





I am proud father of son and daughter and grandfather of  three granddaughters  and  two grandsons.

This is the incident when my daughter DIPTI was 16 years old. When she came home from school, she saw that,  my wife was in severe abdominal pain.  Without wasting a moment she called 911 which is emergency phone number in USA. Ambulance came, and within 10 minutes she was in surgery.

There was a internal hemorrhage and belly was full of blood. As per doctor’s statement, delay of 15 minutes would have cost of my wife life.

Thanks to the teenager daughter who recognize the emergency and took instance decision.

Please also read my attached story, Click on this link - http://goo.gl/9Vb2Md 


By - Pravin Shastri 

You can read more thought just - Click Here

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Biren Kothari: Gujarati writer-biographer: From passion to profession


A talk with Gujarati writer-biographer Biren Kothari+biren kothari ) , residing at Vadodara. A diploma holder in chemical engineering, he worked in a petrochemical industry for 22 years, and then switched to a career in writing, writing biographies to be precise. He is also a blogger (+Blogger).

His blog ‘Palette’ can be read at - http://birenkothari.blogspot.com/


On Facebook, he can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/biren.kothari.37


He can be contacted at bakothari@gmail.com

Now over to Biren Kothari:


On blogging:

It’s very easy to start a blog. But it is very difficult to maintain it regularly. Even if it is not maintained regularly, nobody is there to ask you. Considering this, it’s always a commitment to yourself rather than anybody else to maintain the blog. I usually used to put one post per week on an average. However, this year the no. of posts is very low due to my professional preoccupations. Blogging is always a pleasure. I don’t think that the family life or professional life is being affected by blogging. On the contrary, whenever I get a chance to write about some person of family of some personal story regarding my professional assignment, it’s a pleasure always.  

As a full time writer, it’s difficult to write on the subjects I love most especially when I’m not connected with any mainstream media. Blog provides such space where I can write the way I can without any constraint of space, length, subject, time etc. That’s the principal reason to start blogging. And as I went on, I found it very delightful and convenient medium, so I continued it.

On a canvass, various colors are mixed with a particular theme and composition in mind, whereas in a palette, they get mixed almost effortlessly. I’ve varied interests and I wanted to write about it with no particular subject in mind. That’s why I thought ‘palette’ to be appropriate for my blog. The tagline of the blog says ‘anek rango ni anaayas melavani’ (effortless mixing of many colors) reflects the very idea.


As far as blogging is concerned, I was inspired by the blog of my brother Urvish Kothari where he used to publish many writings apart from what he was writing for the media. I also used to read some other blogs but most of the Gujarati blogs I found were either amateur, copy-paste type or not of my interest except a few.  When I thought of starting a blog, I didn’t have any clear idea in my mind of what to write. Also it was sure that whatever I was to write was exclusively for the blog only. It was not that I wrote something for a particular media and publish simultaneously on the blog. 

On writing career:-

I don’t think there is any certain formula to become a writer. Even as a writer, there isn’t every aspect or type you can excel. There are many other factors which contribute to become a writer apart from reading. My father was fond of reading and used to purchase books. But those were most of thrillers. However, those books attracted me towards reading which I continued and expanded. In a way, this helped me to develop an idea of reading and buying books. It is only because of my hobby of reading, I could become a writer. 

It’s difficult to say if this profession is special or not but it’s a fact that people definitely think so. The idea of commercial/commissioned writing is though old, yet people don’t have its acceptance. Actually like any other profession, you require dedication, sincerity and hard working to achieve excellence in whatever the work we undertake. As I work from my home, I have to maintain strict and disciplined working schedule. Yet it’s difficult to accept for some friends and relatives how a person can remain busy though he is ‘at home’. Fortunately my family members know the importance and seriousness of my work, and with their understanding and support only, I can devote full time to my profession. 

It is due to Rajnikumar Pandya that I am into this field. I was originally a voracious reader of his writings along with many other writers. It was my feeling that I would be of some help to him. So I started to transcribe the audio cassettes which were mainly the interviews of various people. Later I could see how this raw material being used in the final write-up. Thus, I could learn the whole process from taking interviews, making its script to the final write-up. Then Rajnikumar ( +Rajnikumar Pandya ) molded my skills as a writer and I started assisting him in various biographical projects. Along with my job in the chemical industry, I continued this for 5 years. Then a time came that I thought I should bid good bye to chemical industry and indulge in full time writing. So I took voluntary retirement in 2007 and became a full time writer

I am a biographer, translator, and compiler. When someone approach me to get anybody’s biography written, I get as many information as I can by asking several questions and reviewing the material. I accept the project only, if found it satisfactory. Writing biography requires so many things. It requires skill of research, finding references, taking interviews, history, documentation, compilation and last but not the least presentation. Then only, the writing is justified. This is the way I work.

Along with Rajnikumar Pandya, I’ve written ‘Purusharth ni pele paar’(biography of industrial scientist N.R.Trivedi), ‘Maroy ek jamano hato’ (life sketch of poet-king Ruswa Mazloomi), ‘Upendra Trivedi: Aatmakathan ane anya aalekh’ (Biographical compilation of renowned Gujarati actor Upendra Trivedi), ‘Amrut Saurabh’ (Biography of business tycoon Champshi Devshi Nandu), ‘Karmayogi’ (life sketch of social worker Arun Buch) etc.  Individually I’ve written ‘Saumya Sugandh’ (biography of dedicated teacher Ramprasad Jani), ‘Krantikari Vicharak’ (Life sketch of Prof. Raojibhai Patel ‘Mota’), ‘Padkar saame purusharth’ (biography of freedom fighter, publisher, translator Navneetbhai Madrasi).  The books I translated are ‘mukti’, ‘pragna’, sahas’ and ‘nar’, all the four by Osho. I’ve compiled the memoirs of veteran actor Krishnakant in ‘Guzra Hua Zamana’. Besides this, some  other books are also there. 
On good/bad memories and about life in general:  

Most of my life till today is full of happy memories. There are many persons with whom I’ve spent memorable moments. I am lucky that I got caring family members, friends, and most of the relatives who stand by me in every situation. When I lose a friend or a near one, it pains a lot but we have to accept it. I think there is nothing inspiring or worth learning from my life. If one feels like that, he/she will find it. 

I don’t have any bad experiences/incidences which I remember at once or which have lasting effect. It hurts temporarily for the time being but none worth mentioning about.

Hobbies:-

I am inclined more towards listening to vintage Hindi music especially of ‘40s and ‘50s. I used to draw as well as make paper collage but now it’s difficult to spare time for that. I love to read humor esp. cartoons by various cartoonists, stories, biographies and autobiographies and many other things. I love to collect various antique articles provided it should be genuine as well as to collect various vintage things. I also love to visit different places esp. those of rural India.

Having interest in such various things helps a lot, when it comes to writing. It helps to understand a subject thoroughly in a proper perspective.

I’ve traveled in various parts of India, though the unseen places are naturally much more than the places already visited. Any place without crowd, having natural beauty is my favorite.

Books I like the most:-

Well, it’s difficult to single out a book or a particular writer. I love many books and many writers. The list is long. But if asked to shortlist 5 favorite books, it would be like this: 

(1) ‘Pratimao’ (પ્રતિમાઓ)

(2) Palkara (પલકારા) (both by Jhaverchand Meghani)

(3) Shabdathattha (શબ્દઠઠ્ઠા by Rajnikumar Pandya)

(4) Vinod ni Najare (વિનોદની નજરે by Vinod Bhatt)

(5) Raag Darbari ( રાગ દરબારી in Hindi, by Srilal Shukla)

On traditions of Gujarat :-

I am very disturbed about some of the Gujarati traditions the way it has been labeled or projected now days. Every region/people have their own traditions and customs. I feel that the tradition of healthy dialogue and tolerance is disappearing gradually in Gujarat. Everything seems to be politically motivated, even the area of art and the literature. People are mostly seen compartmentalized. Political fanaticism has been becoming a style statement.

To have proud (swaman) is a good thing but to have a false proud (mithyabhiman) is shameful but it seems to have become a fashion now a days. Wherever I read ‘proud to be Gujarati’, I can’t do anything but laugh. It’s as if s/he has opted to take birth in Gujarat as a special case. When we talk of Gujarati tradition or feel proud, we should ask ourselves what we have contributed to enrich this tradition. And before asking, we should also be clear about what we consider a tradition worth taking proud other than eating dhokla, handwa etc or playing garba.

Message to the readers :-

Most of the interviewee has a bad habit of giving message though nobody even in his/her family takes his/her message seriously. So do not take anybody’s message seriously. [Do it your own way.]

On your successful life and those who contributed for that:-

It’s doubtful if my life till now can be called successful or not. But I surely enjoy it and am thankful to all those family members, friends, relatives and readers who have contributed to make me feel so.

I would like to tell them

You have contributed in making my life worth living. I am grateful for that.

Now, Few Words from my side :- I ( +Paavan Jethava ) really thankful to Birenbhai Kothari about to spend time with us and wishing him and all his family members "Happy New Year 2014".