Storizen Magazine May 2021 | Hero or Villian? by Storizen Magazine

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MAY 2021

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Cover Story

Book Reviews

The Ultimate Face Switch: Hero or Villain?

Swapna Peri

Brand Partners Aleph Book Company Bloomsbury India

Editors Pria Raiyani Saurabh Chawla

Fingerprint Publishing Hachette India HarperCollinsIndia

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Pan Macmillan India Penguin India Roli Books Rupa Publications Westland (An Amazon Company)

WHAT'S INSIDE 21

EDITOR'S NOTE

COVER STORY The Ultimate Face Switch: Hero or Villain? - Pria

- Hachette India

HOT OFF THE PRESS Sooley by John Grisham - Hachette India

- Penguin India

HOT OFF THE PRESS The Art of Business Wars by David Brown

HOT OFF THE PRESS Believe by Suresh Raina with Bharat Sundaresan

HOT OFF THE PRESS A Childhood in Tibet: A Biography by Thérèse Obrecht Hodler - Penguin India

HOT OFF THE PRESS Tomb of God by Victor Ghoshe - Rupa Publications

HOT OFF THE PRESS China Room by Sunjeev Sahota - Penguin India

- Penguin India

HOT OFF THE PRESS Beyond Bad by Chris Paley - Hachette India

- HarperCollins India

HOT OFF THE PRESS Richer, Wiser, Happier by William Green - Hachette India

HOT OFF THE PRESS Sikkim by Preet Mohan Singh Malik

HOT OFF THE PRESS Ninja Nani And The Freaky Food Festival by Lavanya Karthik

STORIZEN EXCLUSIVE Project Syahi - Team ENACTUS Kirori Mal College

STORIZEN HEALTH Balance your Body and Mind! - Sushma M. Bhardwaj

WHAT'S INSIDE 36

STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE

Richest is one who has Life

STORIZEN REVIEW How to Kill a Billionaire by Rajesh Talwar

- Manvi Thareja

- Swapna Peri

STORIZEN HEALTH 7 Foods to Lose Weight Effectively

STORIZEN REVIEW The Cursed Inheritance by Sutapa Basu

- Saurabh Chawla

- Swapna Peri

STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE The Maple Tree

STORIZEN POETRY

- Yamini Suresh

When nobody knows my name..

STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE

- Madhumathi H

The Me in "Me" - Bhawya Vasudevash

STORIZEN CONTRIBUTE The Baggage Of Guilt

- Vidya Shankar

STORIZEN POETRY

STORIZEN REVIEW

I Can't Write Anymore.

Scare me If You Can by Sid Kapdi

- Nikesh Jain

- Swapna Peri

STORIZEN POETRY The Color of My Father’s Death

- Aparna Mukherjee

STORIZEN REVIEW Death In Colaba Bay by Ambika Subramanian - Swapna Peri

To read Storizen on the web, visit storizen.com. Follow Storizen on Instagram @storizenmag.

BOOKMARKED

Storizen April 2021

Books we are loving this month

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from the editor

calling all writers!

DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF STORIZEN FAMILY? You can also be a contributor. Mail us your entries at talktous@storizen.com. Your smart ideas and inputs help us create our informative issues.

"The sounds of the birds chirping soothes my mind as I sip on

the cup of tea. It is early morning and I relax my nerves by sitting on the lawn downstairs. I ponder on my thoughts of the earlier times, they were simply wonderful. The present times are awesome too but those times had their own charm! The time that is lost is gone forever! Sometimes, one gets lost in moments of time. The random thought brought me closer to one of the incidents in my life when I was not even myself (at least I suppose so).

Combining the thoughts, we bring you a double treat. Firstly, we needed to know your story of the time when you were lost, so the theme for this month was born. It is said that the Phoenix rises from its ashes. The second treat we have got is the Feature Story for this month. Have you ever experienced a sudden change in the behavior of someone with whom you have interacted for a long time? Giving this thought a story, Pria shares her take on "The Ultimate Face Switch: Hero or Villain?" Do check it out on Page 8! We have got some amazing new releases for the bibliophiles out there. Do check out the Hot Off The Press Section to soothe your reading senses and find yourself a treat. We all want to save the environment. We all take up some initiatives to keep our planet cleaner and greener. We are super proud to collaborate with the team ENACTUS of the Kirori Mal College, Delhi University who are doing awesome work of creating Pens out of Paper. Sounds cool right? Do Check out the story inside! Health and Fitness Enthusiasts, we have you covered as well. We have included two articles for you. They will definitely help you in losing weight and keep your body and mind in balance. Packed with wonderful fiction, mesmerizing poetry, this issue has many surprises you would definitely fall in love with. Do read, like, comment, and share with your friends and family.

Happy Reading

editor@storizen.com Saurabh Chawla, Editor in Chief

COVER STORY

The goals of the story which the protagonist sets for himself must be met. The conflict is created by the antagonist(s) of the story so that the protagonist doesn't get there.

The Ultimate Face Switch: Hero or Villain? uilding a story plot is can be a daunting task for some writers but an excitement for others! While reading the works of one of my favorite author Sidney Sheldon, I was just lost in the plot. I simply wondered, how does this guy do it? Authors have the special edge of seeing the story from an entirely different angle. The perception which follows the intuition gives an extra spark to the story. I came up with a topic which was lurking in my mind since two weeks now. I was wondering, what would happen if the protagonist is also the antagonist? I have written few points from my observations. It will definitely help you in creating your plot.

Photo by Aigars Jansons

Text by Pria

COVER STORY

THE CONFLICT We all know that the protagonist and antagonist are dealing with some sort of conflict. If there is no conflict, then the plot becomes bland. There is something for which the protagonist is looking for. The goals of the story which the protagonist sets for himself must be met. The conflict is created by the antagonist(s) of the story so that the protagonist doesn't get there. But what happens when the protagonist is the antagonist? The hero of the story is the villain himself. It can happen in any of these cases The conflict is with his inner self In the case of a Psychological Thriller (personality flaw) When there is no one to oppose them When the protagonist is plain wrong or evil Whatever the case may be, the conflict has to be there in order to give a direction to the story. In the case of many movies as well, there are several instances when we see that the good guy is also the bad guy. 10

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One of the movies I can think of is American Psycho, a psychological thriller where the protagonist and the antagonist are both played the same person. THE TIMING Be it a novel, a short story, or a movie, the timing plays an important role when it comes to the flow of the events. The situations, the chain of events, the roles, everything should be done at proper timing. But when it comes to the case of when the protagonist is the antagonist, the game becomes slightly more complicated. Though it will look similar to the normal story while writing, care has to be taken that the bad guy is also the good guy. The events have to be jotted down under the bad and good columns and the roles of the character have to be well defined while writing the story. This would help to prevent any conflicts building up in the writer's mind.

APRIL 2021

COVER STORY

Also, the revelations have to be made at the proper timing. Whether to reveal the true nature of the character is in the hands of the author, but if it's done it should be done at a right time.

WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, THE CONFLICT HAS TO BE THERE IN ORDER TO GIVE A DIRECTION TO THE STORY. THE PERSPECTIVE While writing my stories be it a romance or thriller/suspense genre, I make the perspective clear. Whether the story has to be revealed to the other characters or to the readers, I write down the story accordingly. Usually I keep the readers hooked by dramatizing the plot. The readers

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know the true nature of the main character, but the other characters struggle with the plot, unaware of the upcoming twists. This makes the readers attached to the characters or as they follow the plot. They empathize, sympathize with them, laugh with them, cry with them! Another way round, the characters know what's going on but the readers are unaware of the story buildup. It has to be hidden from the readers by impeccably devising the plot and must be revealed at the proper time (usually towards the end). The perspective is to be cleared a the beginning to make sure that the story goes well with the flow and preventing the writer's block.

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COVER STORY

FIGHTING WRITER'S BLOCK Whether it's true or not, I have felt it sometimes. Sometimes it's just a mere feeling of boredom from doing all the mundane stuff daily, sometimes it's a serious issue. I remember myself not writing for 3 months straight. My take on writer's block is listening to some soothing music, change the pattern of the work you are doing, start reading something new, watch new movies or web series. You can try out other things also like working out (walking/running helps). The point is to give your mind a fresh new environment. The writer's block might happen while writing a story in which the protagonist is the antagonist. The mind will become saturated with the ideas of how the character will behave and when.

down the ideas and make your mind clutter-free. this will help you in finalizing the story in a wellstructured way. THE FINAL ROUNDUP As the good guy is also the bad guy, the plot should end on a moral. Whether the character is fighting with his own inner self, or with nature, there should be a message for the readers. In a psychological thriller, for example, the main character either dies or is caught up by the police and thrown into a prison or a mental asylum. Seldom the case can be that the character is smart and gets away with his wits. Both the scenarios provide a message. The idea is to keep the storytelling aspect smooth for the readers so that they don't get confused or get a feeling of being cheated.

The simple rule of thumb is to jot

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COVER STORY

The actions, behaviors, events should be justified to the readers. Avoid creating clichés. It might be a tough one, but can be an exciting one too! I focus on the latter as I write the story. This was my take on the topic. Do share your take on the subject and how you write your story where the bad guy and the good guy are the same! Subscribe to Storizen to learn more about your favorite authors and to receive tips on writing and marketing your books combined in a single package – Storizen Magazine personally in your inbox! Follow @storizenmag Instagram

About Pria - Young mesmerizing freelance blogger, social enthusiast, an economics graduate from Jharkhand University with Master in Child Psychology. She is hardworking yet crazy, a passionate reader, an ardent music fanatic, an avid caffeine lover, and a maniacal animal lover too. She has been a part of numerous anthologies, articles, and write-ups for newspapers and magazines which are multi-linguistic. She has also written screenplays for YouTube series.

Connect with us on facebook.com/Storizenmag Follow us on twitter.com/storizenmag Follow us on Issuu and never miss another issue from us

MAY 2021

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HOTthe OFFpress Based on the chart-topping BUSINESS WARS podcast re-imagined using Sun Tzu's THE ART OF WAR as a guide, THE ART OF BUSINESS WARS features stories and lessons from history's greatest business rivalries revealing why some companies triumph while others crumble. Business is a fight for survival. In business as in war, leaders match their wills in pursuit of opposing outcomes, they devise strategies and marshal resources for victory. Success can turn on the smallest of details; a single tactical blunder can topple an empire. Ultimately, one side triumphs - and victory is all that matters.

David Brown is the host of the hit podcasts Business Wars and Business Wars Daily. He is also the co-creator and host of Texas Standard, the Lone Star's statewide daily news show, and was the former anchor of the Peabody awardwinning public radio business program Marketplace. He has been a public radio journalist for more than three decades, winning multiple awards, and is a contributor to All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and other NPR programs.

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HOTthe OFFpress ONE MAN. ONE HOPE. ONE CHANCE TO BECOME A LEGEND.

John Grisham is the author of thirty-six novels, one work of nonfiction, a collection of stories, and seven novels for young readers. Find out more at jgrisham.com and stay in touch via Facebook at John Grisham Books.

MAY 2021

STORIZEN MAGAZINE

Sikkim by Preet Mohan Singh Malik

A former diplomat combines insights into the erstwhile kingdom’s unique history with the intriguing story of how it became India’s twenty-second state

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STORIZEN EVENTS

Preet Mohan Singh Malik has been a member of the Indian Foreign Service since 1962. He was posted in Gangtok from October 1967 to April 1970 at the political office for India to Sikkim and Bhutan. He has also served as India’s ambassador to Bahrain, Cuba, and Myanmar, and as high commissioner to Tanzania with concurrent accreditation to the Seychelles and Malaysia, with concurrent accreditation to Brunei.

ABOUT THE BOOK Sikkim remains an enigma for most, with many misconceptions about its history and its merger with India in 1975. In this book, former diplomat Preet Mohan Singh Malik combines insights into the erstwhile kingdom’s unique history with the intriguing story of how it became India’s twenty-second state. He examines the often-fraught relationship between the Lepchas (Rongpas)—its original inhabitants—and the Bhutias—people of Tibetan origin who established institutions of religion and governance and founded the Namgyal dynasty that ruled the kingdom until it became a part of the Indian Union. India’s historical relationships with Tibet and China form a part of this narrative covering, in particular, the many facets of British involvement in

MAY 2021

the Himalayan region during the colonial period, and strategic failures that were compounded by a flawed Tibet policy pursued by independent India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. For India today, Sikkim remains significant from a strategic point of view, given its proximity to Tibet and the crucial Siliguri Corridor that connects India’s north-eastern states with the rest of the country. The author draws from extensive sources, including hitherto unknown archival material that he had access to while serving at India’s political office to Sikkim and Bhutan in Gangtok in the late 1960s.

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HOTtheOFF press Believe, Sachin Tendulkar told himand he took it to heart, getting the word etched on his arm as a tattoo.

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In this book, Suresh Raina takes us through the challenges he faced as a young cricketer. He was bullied in school and at cricket camps, but he always punched above his weight, overcoming every adversity life threw at him and never giving up. This is the story of the lessons he learned and the friendships he built. Peppered with invaluable insights – about the game and about life – that Raina acquired from senior colleagues like M.S. Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly, among others, this book will make you believe in the power of hard work, love, luck, hope, and camaraderie. It is a journey through the highs and lows in the cricketing career of a man who saw his world fall apart and yet became one of the most influential white-ball cricketers India has ever seen. Suresh Raina is one of India's most successful international cricketers. Bharat Sundaresan is a worldrenowned, award-winning cricket writer currently based in Adelaide, Australia.

MAY 2021

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HOTthe OFFpress True life-story of a woman, who spent 22 years under atrocities of the Chinese rule

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MAY 2021

HOTthe OFFpress An unusual superhero story featuring a superhero grandmother, copycat ninjas and a disastrous food festival!

As a child, Lavanya Karthik spent all her time writing stories in her school notebooks and drawing the pictures to go with them. She is now a slightly older child, still making up stories and drawing pictures.

MAY 2021

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Richer, Wiser, Happier by William Green

In-depth interviews with more than forty of the world's super-investors

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William Green has written for Time, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, The New Yorker, The Spectator, and The Economist. As an editor and coauthor, he has collaborated on books such as The Great Minds of Investing and Guy Spier's much-praised memoir, The Education of a Value Investor.

ABOUT THE BOOK Billionaire investors. If we think of them, it's with a mixture of awe and suspicion. Clearly, they possess a kind of genius the proverbial Midas Touch. But are the skills they possess transferable? And would we really want to be them? Do they have anything to teach us besides making money?

In Richer, Wiser, Happier, award-winning journalist William Green has spent nearly twenty-five years interviewing these investing wizards and discovered that their talents expand well beyond the financial realm and into practical philosophy.

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Green ushers us into the lives of more than forty of the world's super-investors, visiting them in their offices, vacation homes, and even their places of worship - all to share what they have to teach us. Green brings together the thinking of some of the best investors, from Warren Buffet to Howard Marks to John Templeton, and provides gems of insight that will enrich you not only financially but also professionally and personally.

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HOTtheOFF press What if morality's all meaningless rubbish, a malfunctioning relic of our evolutionary past?

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Morality is the driving force in every story worth your time: Cinderella to Crime and Punishment; Macbeth to Breaking Bad. Morality's what we're doing when we shout at the telly, gossip about our boss, or leave comments online. It's held empires together, kept soldiers marching under fire, fed the hungry, passed laws, built walls, welcomed immigrants, destroyed careers, and governed our sex lives. But what if morality's all meaningless rubbish, a malfunctioning relic of our evolutionary past? This is the provocative argument that Chris makes. This isn't an attack on one set of moral codes or one way of thinking about ethics: it's a call for abolishing the whole caboodle. He uses evolutionary psychology to show how and why morality emerged: to help tribes and other small groups survive and prosper. Chris Paley holds an MSci and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Whilst at Cambridge, the student newspaper listed him as one of the twelve 'movers and shakers of the year. Chris has written articles for The Times and the Guardian and has 19,000 Facebook followers.

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HOTthe OFFpress A MASSACRE AT AN EXCAVATION SITE IN NORTHERN IRAQ… A SUSPICIOUS EXPLOSION IN THE THAR DESERT… AN ANCIENT TABLET... A KEY TO UNLOCK A FOUR-THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD SECRET IN A FARAWAY LAND…

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HOTthe OFFpress A multigenerational novel of love, oppression, trauma, and the pursuit of freedom, inspired in part by the author's own family history, China Room twines together the stories of a woman and a man separated by more than half a century but united by blood.

Sunjeev Sahota is the author of Ours Are the Streets and The Year of the Runaways, which was shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize, the International Dylan Thomas Prize, and the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, and won the Encore Prize, the European Union Prize for Literature, and the South Bank Sky Arts Award.

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Students Of This College are Creating Pens Out Of Paper

n the words of Robert Swan – “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Putting these thoughts into practice is an internationally run not-for-profit organization ENACTUS, with the blend of words – Entrepreneurial, Action, and Us. Members at Enactus Kirori Mal are committed to something bigger than themselves and believe progress is always possible, to achieve change intending society through

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entrepreneurial action & sustainable business solutions. Withholding the views that ‘Changemakers are tenacious about the greater good‘, EnactusKMC bears under its banner three projects namely: Project Dor, which works with migrant women to revive the dying art of tie-anddye; Project JanBhoomi, which works with farmers, nurseries, and schools to promote organic farming; and their most MAY 2021

recently launched initiative, Project Syahi which makes paper pens. “Syahi“, meaning “ink” in Hindi, is a unique idea that translates to a business having a significant impact. Launched in September 2019, Project Syahi strives to make zero waste a reality and sows the seeds of a plastic-free tomorrow by creating pens out of paper. This initiative strives to combat India’s growing problem of single-use plastic waste. The stationery industry is a large contributor to the menace of plastic waste. In India alone, more than 1.65 crore pens are discarded every month, Yet, there is very little awareness of the pollution caused by this small disposable item of which everyone seems to have a collection. As pens are an indispensable part of each individual’s everyday schedule, Syahi comes forward as the show stealer in the market with huge potential. By being fully customizable, it gives its customers a unique writing experience with absolutely any design; be it floral, abstract, fandom, or any company logos to be a part of brand merchandise, these pens can do it all. With the product being a utility one, its market lies in both B2B and B2C channels. With such distinctive and unique selling points, Project Syahi has collaborated with corporates like IBM and reputed hospitals like AIIMS and CNBC. Along with those, Syahi has its MAY 2021

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Click here to Watch on YouTube products in various schools, universities, and stationery stores across India. Though the world has come to a standstill, the reach of Syahi pens is unstoppable even amidst this pandemic. The impact that Project Syahi has created is enormous, replacing a huge amount of plastic with each batch of paper pens. It also saves water, as well as prevents a significant amount of carbon emission. Paper pens by Project Syahi create triple the impact, by not just reusing waste paper and replacing plastic, but also by attaching a seed at the rear-end of the pen, so that one can plant hope by planting a sapling. Syahi pens are hand-crafted by our skilled beneficiaries based in Tilak Nagar, New Delhi. Financially dependent and burdened by patriarchy, 30

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these women relied on their families for their growth keeping in veil their inner potential and capabilities. With Syahi, these migratory women now, aim to live an independent life as entrepreneurs thereby making themselves self-reliant. Financial independence is the first step to eradicate rigid societal constraints on women. With Project Syahi, our beneficiaries will eventually run the business themselves, cultivating valuable skills like marketing and financial management that would not only benefit them but their families as well. Syahi started as a mere idea, and since then, has become a tool to smash the MAY 2021

tyranny of patriarchy and a ray of hope in the lives of many. We, at Enactus Kirori Mal, are not claiming to be liberators or saviors, but merely facilitators, who enable women to realize their potential and make something that truly belongs to them. Project Syahi reiterates the words by Mahatma Gandhi, ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world’, echoing the fact that small united steps can bring constructive changes on seemingly unsolvable issues. With this Enactus Kirori Mal presents everyone with a remarkable opportunity to collectively hit the reset button and make changes to build back a better and more resilient world. It also reiterates that sustainability has to be a way of life for businesses. Scribble. Sow. Save.

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Balance your Body and Mind!

by Sushma M Bhardwaj

STORIZEN HEALTH

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. It does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. Get the help of a certified medical professional or a certified dietician before making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen.

ealth is not merely a word its actual meaning is not confined to the absence of diseases, but it is the complete wellbeing of the mental and physical state of human beings. There should be complete coordination between mind and body in order to enjoy the benefits of good health. Good health depends on five factors : Balanced diet Proper and regular exercise Positive thinking Timely medical checkup Supplementation 1) Balanced Diet–A diet comprising all the basic nutrients in the food like carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fat, and water in the right proportion. These are not produced in our body, so we must take from food. 2) Proper and regular exercise - To burn the calories and for the proper functioning of the body, exercise is a must. It may include yoga, light exercise, brisk walk, etc.

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3) Positive thinking - is a must because negative thinking will release negative hormones like cortisol which may affect the proper functioning of the brain and which in turn will affect the functioning of glands in the body. 4) Timely medical checkup - It is necessary to know any kind of anomaly in the body in the initial stage so that we can get it treated in the nascent stage itself. 5) Supplementations – Nowadays supplements are a must because food’s nutrition value has down to 40%. In order to fill this gap, we have to take supplements. Supplements are of two types: Wellness supplements illness supplements Wellness supplements are taken even when we are not having illness These are : Proteins: is required one gram per kilogram weight of your body. It means if you are 40 KGS then you must take 40 grams of protein every day. This requirement is not fulfilled by our daily food and protein is required for cell building proper functioning of the body like muscles, hair, skin, etc. It is required to build repair and maintain body tissues.

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Our immune system relies on protein for maintenance and rebuilding. As a body does not store protein or synthesize amino acids (building blocks of protein) so eating protein every day is essential. Vitamins and minerals - Vitamins regulate metabolic processes control cellular function and reduce the risk of degenerative diseases. Each vitamin has its own daily requirement rich food sources, function, deficiency, and toxicity. Minerals are essential as they act as cofactors of enzymes, which means enzymes will not function without minerals. Omega 3 fatty acids - are very essential. They can fight depression, anxiety, helpful in eye health, brain health, and prevention of heart diseases. It can reduce BP triglyceride levels, lower LDL and raise HDL and can reduce blood clots also. It can prevent plaque. Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce hyperactivity disorder in children. It can improve insulin resistance, inflammation, arthritis, mental disorder, mood swings, and schizophrenia. It can help to reduce age-related mental decline. it can reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancer. It also helps to reduce fat in the liver and improved bone and joint health like osteoporosis. It can reduce menstrual pain. It may also improve 34

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sleep. It will keep the skin healthy and protected from premature aging and sun damage. For taking Omega 3 we must rely mainly on plant-based supplements and in this category, we recommend an Indian company OK life care product Omega flax which has Omega 3,6, and 9.

Sushma M Bhardwaj is a certified Nutrition and wellness advisor.She has been working in this field for last six years.She is vocal for organic products and for overall health benefits.She currently resides in Ghaziabad (U.P.)

For vitamins and minerals, I will recommend OK life care my 90 for men and fighter 40 plus for women above 40 and pink 18 plus for women above 18. These will help them in attaining a good amount of vitamins and minerals. I recommend these products from this company because I am vocal for local and secondly these products are all organic. Illness Supplements These are those supplements which are taken when we have certain kind of diseases like liver kidney heart problems arthritis etc. for these diseases I will recommend the organic products like liver fuel, kidney fuel, heart fuel and various other premium targeted products from OK life care for various chronic diseases. I suggest and hope that all of you become conscious and take your health as a priority in order to live a healthy and happy life. MAY 2021

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RICHEST IS ONE WHO HAS LIFE

MANVI THAREJA

fter seeing the above picture you would be wondering why this has been put here, and what is the relevance of showing it. But before answering that I hope everyone would know what is shown here. This picture represents the 8th element of the Periodic table of chemical elements, which is “Oxygen”. That element in Earth’s atmosphere has made the survival of Human beings possible on this Planet. Though it is not the only thing that is needed for Humans to survive, it is one of the most paramount elements that inputs life in the human body. Now coming to the point that what is the point behind sharing the information of this lifesaving element. See below some more pictures which can answer this question. These all pictures are self-explanatory to describe the importance of the 8th element of the periodic table. As we all know that India is going through the second wave of Covid-19, which is more deadly than the previous one. Many of us have already lost some of the near and dear ones, while some of our loved ones are still fighting with this disease. The chief reason behind making this second wave more deadly is the lack of ‘Oxygen’. That Oxygen which constitutes 21% of our Earth’s atmosphere and is freely available in the atmosphere for us as Plants to release it, a microscopic Virus caused the shortfall of that element

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inside our body and made us all realize the significance of it. Also, this has made us realize that no matter how rich you are, how beautiful you are, how educated you are, how highly respected you are, and how much high social status you hold, if your soul is no more connected to your body, then all these external attributes don’t hold any value for you.

“If you have clean water to drink, pure air to breathe, good food to eat and a shelter to protect you, then you are the richest and happiest person in World.” The whole turmoil that is going on around us has aroused a big thought in my mind that “Mortality is the only truth”. Shedding more light on it… Some golden lines from Shri Guru Granth Sahib – “Freed, the crane perches on the river bank, playing joyfully. While it is playing, a hawk suddenly pounces upon it. When the Hawk of God attacks, playful sport is forgotten. God does what is not expected or even not foreseen'.”

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These lines depict the inevitability of Death for everyone born on this planet. Nobody knows the time of death, but only God knows it. Some die in infancy while others die in old age. Death does not consider time, age, or place. Sometimes it occurs due to unexpected causes. It is good that we do not know the time of our death. Had we known it, our progress would have stopped. We all spend our whole life running behind worldly pleasures which all won’t make sense one day. In spite of having everything that is enough for survival, our greed to get more and more never ends. Everyone is running in some kind of Rat race, allowing fear, greediness, insanity, sadness, dissatisfaction, and other negativities to conquer our minds and heart. And this rat race is going out of comparison just to make oneself richer, more educated, and earn more prestigious social status than others. People have made themselves slave of all these exterior attributes, and have attached their source of happiness and survival in society to all these only. This has made them mentally and emotionally drained too, ultimately leading to declining in physical health. We have forgotten that source of the real happiness doesn’t lie outside, it lies within you. It doesn’t mean that one should not be ambitious, but in process of achieving your goals do not become impatient and insensitive. And don’t forget that - even if you have fallen

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down initially if oxygen is still pumping in your lungs, courage is there in your heart and will is live in your mind, you still can climb up the ladder. But also remember that your goals should not be a reason for someone else’s despair, at least not intentionally. Conclusion… In the end, I would simply like to say that –

“If you have Life, you have everything.” This pandemic has taught us the most valuable lesson that if you are alive and your loved ones are with you, only then rest all things hold meaning in life. Otherwise, they have no value. Also, thorough this article, I would like to urge every reader that please contribute some part of your life in saving mother Nature and enhancing Flora, so that our upcoming generations on this Planet won’t have to face the scarcity of life-saving element.

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Manvi is a Software Engineer by Profession and Writer by nature. She holds love and passion for article writing and Quotations and she also owns a page on Social media where she shares her thoughts in form of Quotes. The thoughts and sentiments poured down in this article are purely based on her personal experience.

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7 FOODS TO LOSE WEIGHT EFFECTIVELY (MY PICKS) Weight loss has been a struggle for many people for decades. The idea of being physically active, following certain diets (Keto, Paleo, etc.), doing intermittent fasting has been tried by many. Some succeed, some fail!

In my journey of talking with my clients and people in general who are suffering from weight issues, I have had a chance to observe a few of the important things. The three key takeaways include the following No one diet fits all When it comes to diet, people tend to fall back to their original eating habits Weight loss is not a one time show, it is like adopting a new lifestyle The only thing that is constant in every weight loss diet plan is 'Calorie Deficit'

Whenever I devise a diet plan, I talk with my clients, try to know their taste, foods they like, foods they don't like, devise a diet plan by adding or removing certain things from their diets based on these findings. Today, I would like to share some of the most common foods which almost everybody struggling with weight issues can incorporate in their lifestyle. 1. Apple We have grown up with the saying 'An apple a day, keeps the doctor away'. Apples are rich in fiber, rich in antioxidants and provide many nutrients that not only fuel your body but also help you in losing that extra weight! As it is rich in fiber, it will help keep your stomach full for longer periods keeping your hunger pangs in check. Moreover, it will also keep your body hydrated as it has a great water content (86%). 2. Broccoli This cruciferous vegetable has a lot to offer when it comes to weight loss (especially belly fat). Rich in

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Calcium, Chromium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, Broccoli is one superfood that you must have if you want to lose those extra pounds. According to research done by Oregon State University, Chromium helps regulate insulin, the hormone that is held responsible for the increased belly and overall body fat! Filled with dense nutrition and antioxidants, broccoli helps to prevent certain kinds of cancers too. For men, broccoli is also recommended for boosting Testosterone levels (the hormone responsible for fat loss and gaining muscle). So much in just one food! Include Broccoli in your lifestyle and see the benefits yourself. 3. Eggs When it comes to weight loss, the body tends to lose three types of weight - water weight, Fat and after that, it may tend to lose muscle. Eggs are a great source of protein and Omega 3 Fatty Acids including other nutrients such as Calcium, iron, and carotenoids. (Source). They provide you with abundant highquality protein to keep your muscle mass in check so that you can make sure that you are losing fat and not muscle. But how many are too many? To make sure that you are not exceeding the cholesterol intake, you 42

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can have two whole eggs if you don't have any cholesterol issues, and better stick with one whole egg if you suffer from cholesterol issues. You can enjoy egg whites though. 4. Fish Our next food source for getting healthy fats and significant, high-quality protein is Fish. I have talked to many of the people and they don't like the smell of it. I completely understand that there might be an issue in tolerating the smell, but if you don't have any issues then, you should definitely incorporate fish twice weekly. I recommend Fatty Fish such as Salmon. Packed with nutrients and most importantly, long-chain omega 3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), fish provides antiinflammatory properties and helps in losing weight. I often advise people who are reluctant to a strong smell of fish to take high-quality Fish Oil supplements. MAY 2021

I have personally reaped the benefits of the fish oil and I would want all of you out there to try it out and see what it does to you yourself. 5. Yogurt A good source of Calcium, Protein, and healthy gut bacteria, yogurt is one of the great additions to your daily lifestyle. If you want to lose that weight and keep it reduced, probiotics in yogurt will help you in your journey. The nutrition found in yogurt helps in many ways such as keeping your muscle mass, strengthening your bones, and lose that stubborn belly fat. It also helps to lose more fat around the stomach. (Source) Being in a country where dairy is consumed significantly, yogurt can be easily added to one's daily lifestyle. 6. Oats Are you a junk food lover? Do you constantly get that carbohydrate craving? If you said yes to these questions, you must try oats. Packed with a lot of fiber and carbohydrates, having Oatmeal daily in your breakfast will help you get rid of those junk food cravings. Oats also help in reducing body fat percentage. If you feel like having a protein source, you can add a spoon of peanut butter or have a boiled egg with the oatmeal.

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7. Water You must be wondering what's the water doing in a list of foods for weight loss? Our body is sixty percent water. It means whatever our weight is, sixty percent of that is water weight only! The reason I have included water in this list is that though we all know, we still don't drink enough water! There is no fixed amount of water intake one has to take, I prefer drinking water whenever I feel thirsty. The problem with this notion is that we are living a fast life and we often ignore these signals that our body is indicating to. For weight loss, I suggest all follow a formula (as mentioned below). Formula Calculate your weight in lbs or pounds (multiply your weight in kilograms by 2.2). Now calculate the water intake required by multiplying your weight in pounds (calculated above) by 30ml. For example, if your weight in kilograms is 70kg. The calculated weight in pounds would be 154 (70kg x 2.2). total water intake needed would be 4620ml (or 4.26 liters) (30ml x 154). Now it doesn't mean that you start gulping down water in excessive amounts. Check our other sources of water as well such as fruits, juices, tea, yogurt, milk, etc., and adjust your water intake accordingly. Are you struggling with weight loss? Try including these in your diet and you will surely lose some weight! STORIZEN MAGAZINE

Have a weight-loss story to share? Mail your story to talktous@storizen.com Disclaimer - The tips given in this article are for informational purposes only. It does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your dietician and medical health practitioner before making any changes to your diet.

Saurabh Chawla is a Certified Diet and Nutrition Consultant and also the Editor of Storizen Magazine. He helps his clients with diet and nutrition tips so that they can live healthy, happy, and stronger!

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MAY 2021

The Maple Tree

by Yamini Suresh

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Egypt, a land known for its extensive sands, overpoweringly bright sunlight, and beautiful stone carvings; was attracting numerous immigrants from all parts of Europe. Among them were Rafael and his parents. Rafael was an eight-year-old obedient boy with a quest for adventure and curiosity. It was 2:00 pm and Rafael was at Mount Carmel School attending the Geography lecture. Somehow distracted, he started gazing at the map papers at his desk. Went deep into the thoughts, his eyes fixed at Sueve Island, after having a look at the European map. It was actually the place where he belonged to. Located at the heart of the country was Charlotte village, a place hidden and unknown to most of them. Finally, after 3 years of a busy schedule, the plan was scheduled to visit their hometown the very next month. But what drew Rafael's attention was the memory of the Maple tree, located a few miles from his grandparent's place, on a deserted ground. As he went deep into his thoughts, the lecture, as well as the

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school duration came to an end with a heavy sound of dispersal bell. A month later, with all the chaos of assignments, tests, and programs, the summer term came to an end with a big sigh of relief. The joy of packing things and traveling via rail was never to be missed, especially for kids. After all the beautiful views and delicacies, the train finally halted at the destination. Welcome to Charlotte. It was 4 in the evening. The family was having tea in the backyard. Everything seemed to be stopped. The hustle and bustle of city life were left behind. It was a time for rejuvenation and relaxation. In the middle of this, Rafael screamed, " Mom, things have changed. I see a lot of factories and the no. of shops have increased here". Mom replied, " Yes, son. People have started to recognize this area and have made investments. Well, it's a good sign of improvement". Rafael wasn't convinced. He said, "Won't it affect the residents and their peace? ". "My dear", replied his dad, "

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Why don't you go and have a look around? It's been quite long". Without wasting a fraction of a second, the little boy immediately set out on his adventure walk. As he walked down the lane, he knew he was heading towards the ground which had a maple tree, it was his most familiar place. Excitement grew with each step. He started to recollect and cherish all the memories of the past. This was the most uncommon and the only maple tree in the whole village and hence the story behind it remained a mystery. It gained a lot of attention though. Its branches spread wide across as if there's no end, foliage hanging down and the breath-taking leaves forming the shape. Of course, the children had nothing to do with it but made them feel connected towards it as they played and ran around the ground. As he continued walking, he sensed something odd. His heart missed a beat and his body started turning numb. "There was the ground", he thought. He could see the park and Candy shop, but the ground in between wasn't actually there. He managed to come to his senses, mustered up the courage, and entered the gate, which read 'Murphy cloth factory'. Hundreds of workers were performing in perfect coordination, suddenly, a voice came from behind, "Hello boy. Where are you from?". "I'm Rafael, have come here for a few days to spend time with my grandparents", responded the boy. "I came in search of 48

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the Maple Tree in this ground where I used to play". " Oh boy", interrupted the man, "the ground was isolated and hence sanctioned for factory use". Rafael said, " Okay, but why here? There are so many empty places and haunted buildings out there". "Yes, but that would disturb the residents, and also, old and traditional buildings should be undisturbed", said the man. The boy, shocked and betrayed, decided to head back to his place while he replied, “....so should the trees that lived for centuries”. Hurt, heartbroken but moved on!!!! Save trees. Preserving the natural resources and maintaining the ecological balance ought to be the wisest choice regardless of the growing population or demand.

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Yamini S. is a graduate in B.com from Chennai. She is currently working as a Process Executive in one of the renowned organizations. She has done her schooling in Mumbai and could speak five different languages, including her mother tongue, Telugu. Being a Reiki practitioner, she developed keen interests in topics such as positivity, affirmations, and healing. The habit of reading has fascinated her since childhood and has read a variety of books since then, ranging from children’s series, magazines, digests, fiction, non-fiction, self-help, and so on. Environmental issues and animal welfare has been her biggest concern and henceforth hopes to make the best contribution she could.

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THE ME IN “ME” by Bhawya Vasudeva

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ell, I would call you lucky if you have met your “Me IN ME”. I am still on my way though. We tend to keep ourselves limited in a sphere that defines us as to how people see us. Have you ever met your inner self? That would be a question which would come much after so the first one would be doing you like yourself or the person you are becoming? I never felt the need to personally write it all down be it my thoughts, my recent life happenings because frankly speaking, I considered it a huge job so yes I am Lazy. It's not an overnight job to acknowledge your inner self so for starters it's all through Talking which is something I love from the core of my heart. Yes not everyone needs someone to pour out their heart to. Pour it out to yourself because at the end of the day you can be your own active listener rather than someone who won't judge you for your highs and lows, achievements, and failures. We all have our certain expectations from our life. Expectations from our Careers, Relationships and the most important

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from ourselves. Trust me when even one of the spheres in your life doesn’t go as expected it hits you badly. IT gives a slap you call “A SLAP FROM LIFE”, Well I call it that because I feel not all slaps give a physical jolt some hit you and shake you to the core. I have lately experienced some slaps (No domestic violence)My parents love me if I may clear that out. Life slaps are what I am talking about. Things didn’t go as planned and I was forced to write it all down. So there is a thing about all of such unexpected experiences or shocks that life gives us we just shouldn’t take it as a Slap. Take that slap as a slow Clap which life offers you to find out something fruitful from any recent happening. Yes, it's an old saying that everything that happens happens for a reason I would be lying if I say that’s not the actual truth. All you need to find is the Reason so Dig deeper and get yourself a reason. A reason that brings in the positivity A reason that gives you hope A reason that makes you strong

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A reason that gives you fewer tears and more satisfaction for something not turning out the way you planned it to. I found out my reason. I didn’t deserve it. See I believe we all know deep inside that we deserve it or not. If you deserved it and still didn’t get it then blame the situation by saying to yourself “They didn’t deserve me” because, in the end, you would obviously care about your happiness and your growth. Well, that is something which actually is important and that should be every what's app status “Only My Happiness Matters” of course not by making others Unhappy because that wouldn’t Last. One more secret. Just keep your intentions pure everything else just falls into place.

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Born in 1996, Bhawya has studied at Sacred Heart Convent School, Chandigarh. She is a 24-year-old teacher by her academic Qualifications and is a firm believer in the fact that life has a lot to teach if we have a positive outlook towards it. She has her interests in the field of Dancing, Watching Movies, and is a classical dancer of Kathak as well. Her spare time is spent in writing and reading at a coffee shop. She feeds her addiction to multitasking by Talking on the phone while greeting someone. Her Instagram handle is @pichi_vasudeva

MAY 2021

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The Baggage Of Guilt

by Aparna Mukherjee

ortunate people are those who have food, shelter and good health in the present days. The increasing rate in corona patients has made the government take the drastic step of lockdown. Everything was going good so far until lockdown. When the day of lockdown was declared, I saw people rushing in every store to get groceries and other essentials. Even my parents had to maintain the distance in the long queue to get the essential products. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Hi everyone, I am Rohit from Mumbai. I am a student as well as I am an online freelancer. I am a kinda foodie who loves to gorge on delicacies. My brother also has a fascination for foods. But, he likes to eat less food than me. My mom will fill his plates with food and my younger brother will eat half of the food and then will pass on the rest of the food to me or mom after he finishes his food. By God's grace, our family was fortunate to get daily food and lead a lavish life; as dad and I used to work from home. At the end of the month, we used to get our monthly salary. Hence, we never have to face a financial crisis. We read in the newspapers that there are innumerable families who have lost their jobs and I saw in the neighborhood how people faced difficulties during the covid situation. There was a tremendous rise in the covid patients with each passing day. The number of deaths of covid patients was getting uncountable. There was a MAY 2021

lack of beds for covid patients in the hospitals. Many unfortunate covid patients had to lie on the floors of the hospitals. Salute to the doctors and nurses who tried their level best in saving the lives of the covid patients. It was indeed a challenging task for doctors and nurses to work in the covid situation, but they did not give up. Amidst chaotic and devastating situations everywhere, I happened to witness many people who had been begging for food. On the other hand, I witnessed wealthy and insensitive people who did not value food. In the tough covid period, there were many people who were lucky to stuff their kitchen with food. Such people did not know the value of food because they had food in abundance at their homes. One morning, our sweeper came to collect garbage from our building. My eyes caught sight of my neighbor who dumped a huge amount of food in the trash can and then she handed over the trash bag to the sweeper. How cruel or insensible can some people be at such a crucial time who are throwing food outside when numerous people on earth were fighting to get a handful of meals? I was so furious that I was about to give a piece of my mind to our neighbor, but my mother stopped me from rebuking me. My mother told me later it was futile to waste your energy on such people who do not give importance to food. Our neighbor had the habit of wasting things without STORIZEN MAGAZINE

understanding the value of things in life. After a few months of complete lockdown, shops, supermarkets, restaurants and malls have started to function again gradually. My brother and I decided to go to a nearby food joint to enjoy delicious meals after a few months. It was good to see people were buzzing in the restaurants and on the streets. The food joint which my brother and I entered followed covid rules. Our hands were sanitized and we entered the food joint by wearing a mask. While eating, we removed the mask. As soon as we finished eating food, our masks were back on our noses. After a long time, we got a chance to taste the lip-smacking delicacies which we missed a lot. As soon as the foods had been served, we started binging on them. After my brother and I came out from the food joint, we came across a heartwrenching sight which made not only us feel the importance of food but also to all people who came in the food joint. There was a little girl and a boy in shabby clothes who came to collect the leftover foods of the customers who eat half of the food and dump a majority of the food in the name of "diet". Our eyes were almost filled with tears when we saw how a little girl was feeding her little brother the leftover foods which were given to them in a garbage bag by the staff of the food joint.

who were craving for food but were happy with the leftover food they got. It's my humble request to all people and readers not to dump food in the garbage. Eat food as per your need. By dumping food in the garbage, you are disrespecting our Almighty.

In a few words, Aparna defines a woman who beholds high aspirations and firmly believes in expanding her horizon. She holds a Master's degree in English from Mumbai University. By profession, she is an online Senior Content Writer and Blogger who writes informative articles for various Indian, UK, and US blogs and websites.

Dinner then, my younger brother did not leave a speck of food on his plate. We all got a lesson from the little boy and girl 56

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MAY 2021

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A Thrilling Journey Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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BOOK REVIEW

This book is a collection of horror stories, each one described by a writer who participates in a get-together of the writers organized by Sivan, the famous writer in the town at a resort. The resort itself is a character in the story as the look and explanation will create horror in a reader's mind. To know more about the resort and its setting, one must surely read the book. From chapter one till chapter 10, the whole setup, the excitement, entertainment, and thrill every page gives the reader is interesting. The stories don't become scary suddenly, but like slow poison, the horror element seeps deeper. Who can read? This book pleases those readers who read gore, blood, crime, and torture without any hesitation. While few stories are okay to read, few are very intense. Therefore though the language used is not obscene, the plotline in few stories is raw and brutal. Thus, weak-hearted people and teenagers may skip the book.

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About the Book The book revolves around one writing workshop in a hill station resort with Nine people and ten stories. From the setup till the story's climax, Sivan's journey with Ajgar is an entertainer. What to Expect The collection has a good range of diversity regarding the degree of scare, thrill and locations. It's interesting to observe the presence of subgenres within the main genre of horror.

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Rating

Book Review

Final Rating: 4/5

A passionate book reviewer, writer, narrator, translator, and copy editor, Swapna has a B. Tech in Computer Science and is a former SAP Technical Consultant. She is the writer, narrator, editor, and translator for three books published with Literoma Publishing, Kolkata. She created and manages the “Book Reviews Café” official blog and Facebook page that contains all the book reviews. Swapna is also a content writer and reviewer with Storizen Magazine, CriticSpace Journals website, The Literature Times website, The Asian Review website, and the Literature Today website. She is a columnist with one of the leading women's websites in Telugu named 'Vihanga'.

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

MAY 2021

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An Interesting Debut Thriller Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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BOOK REVIEW

The story has been set up in Bombay around 1898. As we all know, Bombay is the city of dreams, and at the same time, it's connected with many crimes due to population. It's always been my favorite city of suspense thriller writers. Tara is the key character. Tara bai is a young widow. Her husband, Jivan, is a lawyer from Baroda. When three young girls go missing from a school in the city, Arun Rao, the police officer, takes up the case. He is famous for solving such crimes and hence is assigned with this case. After a while body of a young missing girl was found from the shores of Colaba, this entire case resembles another case. Tara with Arun together solves this mystery. Who can read? The book is written in a simple language that is adorned with adequate vocabulary. Also, the content and subject are such that it would be appealing for thriller genre readers to pick it up.

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About the Book The story has been set up in Bombay around 1898. As we all know, Bombay is the city of dreams, and at the same time, it's connected with many crimes due to population. It's always been my favorite city of suspense thriller writers.

What to Expect This book is a crime thriller. Author Ambika has written an interesting book that is 140 pages long with enough mystery and thrill.

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Rating

Book Review

Final Rating: 3/5

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

MAY 2021

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A Gripping Thriller Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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BOOK REVIEW

Since 2020 and the aftermath effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of viewership on Tv and OTT platform, many movies and drama series that revolve around a crime against an individual or a family have been on an uprise. There has been a lot of audience towards courtroom drama; incidentally, as we are still facing the same situation, I got an opportunity to read this book, How to Kill a Billionaire by Rajesh Talwar. This book is a brilliantly written court drama story that revolves around a young woman's rape case where people from influential families are involved. The drama looks more interesting as the central character Ramesh, who is also an advocate, happens to the brother of the abused girl. Though the plot seems like a cliché vengeance drama, other novel elements in the story set the standards high. Overall a good book and recommended to all the readers who love such crime thrillers.

MAY 2021

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About the Book This book is a brilliantly written court drama story that revolves around a young woman's rape case where people from influential family are involved. What to Expect The story is a legal thriller book that deals with courtroom drama filled with suspense and mystery.

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Rating

Book Review

Final Rating: 3/5 (check out storizen.com for full review)

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

MAY 2021

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A Suspense and Thrilling Story Reviewed by Swapna Peri

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BOOK REVIEW

It has been a practice in world literature that if it comes to the exciting thriller mysteries, there will be an abandoned house or bungalow, some curse of an evil spirit, and the male or the female protagonist being the bait. The story then follows with the adventurous travel of the characters in the story against the evil forces, and then the good wins over the bad. In this story by author Sutapa Basu, the story revolves around Anahita, an NRI unaware of her inheritance. After her father's death, she visits Kolkata, unaware of how the city will turn her life upside do. As an inherited property to sell the mansion, she owns and plans to go back to London. But, it doesn't go as planned. The mansion is mysterious and cursed. The supernatural events that take place are narrated well.

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About the Book Anahita Sarkar, who has grown up in London, is bequeathed a mansion in Kolkata that she has never seen. She travels to the City of Joy to dispose of her inheritance to realize that it has deep, dark secrets.

Characters The story has fewer characters, but every character is essential from their introduction in the story.

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Rating

Book Review

Book Title:3/5 Book Cover: 3/5 Inside the book: 3/5 Characters: 3/5 Narration: 3/5 Language & Grammar: 3/5 Final Rating: 3/5

@swapna.peri @sappy_dreamz_unlimited @swapna508

MAY 2021

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STORIZEN POETRY

When nobody knows my name.. by Madhumathi H To roam in an unknown land Amid strangers Under a new Sky No familiarity, no necessity to stop At every fourth or fifth person For cliches, to exchange pleasantries No eyes that judge No mouths to gossip Myself being a stranger, to every pair of eyes A wanderer, a dreamer, an unbound soul In search of nothing, but Experiencing moments... Bursting with joy Inhaling fresh air From lush green trees, mist-scented breeze... Where nobody knows my name I shall dance in the rain, relish tea at a roadside shop Or speak to the dew-kissed flowers Run-on the meadows, or laugh with the mountains For the jokes, the clouds cracked... To backpack my dreams, bare essentials

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STORIZEN POETRY

Just step out, keep walking, with the wanderlust heart... Sometimes It is when nobody knows my name I feel complete, I feel my presence I discover myself...

A bilingual poet-writer(Tamil, English), Madhumathi is an ardent lover of Nature, Poetry, Photography and Music. Her poems are published in Anthologies of The Poetry Society(India), AIFEST 2020 Poetry contest Anthology, CPC- Chennai Poetry Circle, IPC – India Poetry Circle, Amaravati Poetic Prism, and in e-zines UGC approved Muse India, Storizen, OPA – Our Poetry Archives, IWJ International Writers Journal, Positive Vibes, and Science Shore. ‘’Ignite Poetry'’, “Arising from the dust”, “Painting Dreams", “Shards of the unsung Poesies" are some of the recent Anthologies her poems, and write ups are part of. Besides Poetry, Madhumathi writes on Mental health, to create awareness and break the stigma, strongly believing in the therapeutic and transformational power of words. Contact: madhumathi.poetry@gmail.com

MAY 2021

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STORIZEN POETRY

The Color of My Father’s Death by Vidya Shankar The color of my father’s death is yellow. Old age, blindness, heart-fail, or pain — What was it that took my father away? I do not know; I do not wish to know. But he had chosen to move on, To a place of eternal peace — His soul-journ, And though grievous loss be mine, I had to bid him goodbye. I know he was happy that I had come To see him off — I felt that in his light-drained, cataracted, blinded eyes Which were now completely shut to the world, And in the mystical smile which played upon his lifeless lips Through which endearing words would pass no more. He was gone, they were going to take him away, And there was nothing I could do Except the final rites a daughter had to do for her father. My duties accomplished, I stood by the gate, My heart heavy, looking ahead, Not wanting to see him being carried out. But as he passed by me, he dropped something for me At my feet— A big, fresh, yellow flower— The luminous yellow of sunshine and sunflowers, The healthy hue of happiness and hope, The golden glory of topaz, 76 |

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STORIZEN POETRY

The effervescence of the Manipura: The fire energy which transforms, The auspiciousness of turmeric, The light of Brihaspathi, The clarity of vision, The wisdom of Dakshinamoorthy, The blessing of the Guru Tatwa. It was as if he was telling me, “I can see now, Vidya!” I picked up the flower, held on to the strength It radiated, while I said my goodbye. They took him away soon after, And my legs gave way in prostration. Later, I laid the flower to rest too — It would, like him, like all of us, wither, And I didn’t want to see it dry and die; But not before I had absorbed its energy Into my heart, To immortalize his memory through my art. My father’s soul is a mandala now — A yellow petalled lotus At the Divine Feet Of the Universal Mother Unto whom all must eventually merge.

Vidya Shankar, a widely published Indian poet, writer, editor, English teacher, and a “book” in the Human Library, says poetry is not different from her. The recipient of literary awards and recognition, she uses the power of her words to sensitise her readers about environmental issues, mental health, and the need to break the shackles of an outdated society. Vidya is the author of two poetry books, The Flautist of Brindaranyam (in collaboration with her photographer husband, Shankar Ramakrishnan), and The Rise of Yogamaya (an effort to create awareness about mental health.) She finds meaning to her life through yoga and mandalas.

@shanvidwinsalways @vidya.shankar.author

MAY 2021

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STORIZEN POETRY

I Can't Write Anymore by Nikesh Jain Poetry was therapy to me. For all the odds, All the burdens and pain to go away. It have been long, I had not let my feelings out. I can't write anymore. I'm pissed off. I feel like my imaginations Are reviving after a pause, Frustrated beyond sanity, Or for no reason. I can't write anymore. I'm worried that I will lack, That my lines may sound feigned. I'm worried that I may not finish. That I'm not Smart enough to do it. I'm worried that I may not be able to write. I can't write anymore. But I can't stop here. With courage I made it stood. What was stopping me, I made that as my tool.

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Nikesh Jain currently residing in Bangalore, is an International Business Management graduate from MIT-SOM College, Pune. He says “If you don’t know where it ends, don’t run a race”. With a young mind motivated and driven on the business start-up “XROSS BUTTON”, an apparel brand, he is passionate about his future. He feels the power of a pen and a book together is greater than anything else. He has an intense love for writing and reading and put this out as a a useful tool to inspire and motivate people around him.

MAY 2021

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