On the recent World Book Day, there has been a record number of people reading books with top on the list mentioned by a local newspaper which has books like Harry Potter, Wuthering Heights, Great expectations, Bible, etc. What is missed is the rich English Literature. Now, who would mention on Gujarati rich Literature when even English medium schools lag behind English Literature - hardly able to celebrate World Book Day and remember Shakespeare!

Well, I have a couple of Shakespeare books but the most easier for children and a must in Library shelf are Cherrytree books "Shakespeare for Everyone" by Jennifer Mulherin and Illustrations by George Thompson (As You Like It (Shakespeare for Everyone Series)). If Shakespeare plays are performed in the classroom, children may understand the story and its character.

I have a couple of thousands Archies and comic books in my library and like every year, organized an "Archie & Comics Day" with open reading participants for all children 1-7th std. It's time to encourage kids for reading as this is one activity that has taken a back-seat and most of the parents opt for summer activities like sports, music, drawing or math workshop. Even majority of parents do not find time for reading. There may be exceptions but most of the time, it's a show biz "I read a robin sharma" or I read..blah blah...

Btw, what do you read?

- ilaxi

A recent survey conducted for Deloitte & Touche, US revealed that job dissatisfaction was a leading reason people make unethical decisions at work. The survey 'Ethics and Workplace' further says,91% believe that workers who enjoy good work life balance are more likely to behave ethically.

I think that the behavior of the leaders in the organizations; the managers, supervisors or as in a newspaper, the main Editors and sub editors are more responsible to be the most significant factors in encouraging or discouraging good behavior at work. What they do matters, what they do perform, makes a big difference too. They are in some way observed, used as role models too, whether they know or not. Being straightforward, honest and treating all employees equally is a good example of management. Taking credits for someone else's accomplishment, lying to impress or even lowering down the employee is the weak point of the leader manager who do not know how to balance job satisfaction levels. Ultimately, the employee may try to be in books by pleasing the manager for some time but when the self respect or the ego hurts, the job dissatisfaction arise. Competition among employees are nevertheless charted programs for motivation and building team spirits but if management fails at levels of its own understanding, unethical acts arise out of bad behavior patterns of their superiors. After all, most of the Bosses are found to be "Too Ambitious" and will go to extreme points in many cases. Ultimately, a dissatisfied employee will face the grudge unless he becomes a leader.

I recommend a book for all those dissatisfied employes on "How to manage your Boss" . Bosses miss out the time factor in knowing the individual strengths of the employee and here is the book that guides to follow the path to show the boss how capable you are. The boss is a human mind with full of power and pressures which lead way to make him to be a politician too in his own field.

Summed up, 72 chapters, the most important I find are:

1. Assessing yourself & Assessing your Boss Type
2. Building Trust
3. Complementing your Boss Style
4. Managing your Workload and managing teams
5. Receiving Feedback
6. Taking Initiatives
7. Self Development
8. Resolving Conflicts
9. Negotiating a Raise - Getting Promotions
10. Assessing abilities

Best on my Library shelf, this book gives me a reminder that if you wish to be an independent mind and working in own areas of interest, stick to your own work style and be your own Boss. Be your own role model as Bosses you believe in and make them your role models, sometime turn out to be role disasters as they themselves act unethical way!

Another book Managing your Boss (DK Publishing), Essential Managers series is a good pick and I remember gifting it to some friend.



It had good topics like:

1. Assessing your situation
2. Working with your Boss
3. Managing Conflicts
4. Improving your Prospects

And More. I have many books in this Essential Manager series of DK and well, these are the best picks on my library shelf.

I would say 'Be your own Boss' - You reach to scale higher every single day and reach your goals. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

Google is on way to travel to London Book Fair (April 16-18) and here, to my happy moments of joy, I find my book now with the Google Books Partner Program. New lines of communication are on way with newer hopes. That's what Google (friends) are for.....! If the below link do not work, click here...on right bar - powered by Google. You may find Google Books Search page here too.

- ilaxi

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A story of rags to riches of a man 'Dhirubhai Ambani' and whose business philosophy led to the building of an empire 'Reliance Group of Industries' - a vision he foreseen when he came back from Eden. This book by is presented by
A.G.Krishnamurthy with a foreword from Mukesh Ambani. Way back in 1980 Dhirubhai had handed Krish the mandate to begin the Mudra Ad Agency and create the best textile advertising in India with a minimum Rs.35,000/-. Krish has closely felt the breathe of Dhirubhaism - Dhirubhai Ambani, a no ordinary leader but a leader who gave management a whole new "ism". As AGK says, "Dhirubhai was a person whose heart and head both worked at peak efficiency levels, all the time. And that resulted in a truly unique and remarkable work philosophy, which is what I would like to define as Dhirubhaism." The book gives a glimpse into the Dhirubhai's Leadership and management influence on AGK as he experienced working with him.

Dig more in the book for detailed Dhirubhaisms that we all need in our life exclusively listed by A.G.Krishnamurthy and I am sure, you will be more than happy to thank me for this recommendation:-)

Look more for the Dhirubhaism review here.

The Book Launch/Meet the Author in Ahmedabad: 7th April at Crosswords, Mithakhali - 6.30 p.m. with Ramnikbhai Ambani as Guest of Honor.

Btw, Krish has ever been my first Boss as I started my career in an Advertising Agency 'Shilpi'

- ilaxi

Niel Patel, an SEO prove his talents as he challenged SEO criticisms made by Jason Calacanis some time ago. Niel Patel had given open challenge to the co founder of Weblogs Inc and the GM of Netscape Jason Calcanis. Niel challenged to prove that he could boost search-driven traffic on the Calacanis site by a minimum of 10 percent within 30 days of making the changes to the site. With over
7,449 search engine hits within just a 5-day span, Patel has been able to prove a 21 percent increase in traffic on the site. And that’s with only around 10 percent of the SEO changes. In a phone interview with Webpronews, Patel had this to say about the changes:



Another interesting thing is the Analytical report of google and I am quite aware as I find a considerable increase in my traffic rank since last many months. I guess any good person with great contents, average good design, great deal of seo tactics and implementing search strategies can reach to a milestone with high traffic as well as rolling with revenue too.

Get on to kidsfreesouls to explore and get to know how kidsfreesouls stand # 1 in Google (Results 1 & 2 of about 13,400,000) , yahoo (1,2,3,4 of about 8,890,000 )and MSN (1,2,3 out of 1,343,032 results)! More on this, coming soon on kidsfreesouls!

- ilaxi

Pop Star Shakira & Gazal singer Gulam Ali prove to be a better choice for entertainment than the Indian Cricketers who miserably failed to show their performance in on-going Cricket world cup. Maybe that is one reason I always go for the Soccer games as I do not wish to hang for long with hopes and get disappointed!

Well, as there is lots more going on kidsfreesouls News Desk, here is the news of the sudden death of Robert Krakoff, president and CEO of Nielsen Business Media in his Boston apartment. Nielsen Business Media is a leading market-focused provider of integrated information and sales and marketing solutions. It helps businesses go to market more effectively and efficiently with over 42 publications, over 60 trade shows and 185 digital products and services and offers insight,analysis and face-to-face contacts to help professionals better understand their markets, serve their customers and grow their businesses. The detail view can highlight more of their activities, if you are interested to know about it.

Also, here's Google News Desk on kidsfreesouls with specific news. Schools worldwide has been using kidsfreesouls Google News and all other news section on Kidsfreesouls for their school projects. I am sure, you will find a lot informative and updated news - of coz the Reuters Video News which show up news quite before print newspapers too:-) Enjoy!

- ilaxi

A-ha...as I made a post and opened my mail outbox, here is Sureshbhai Jani's mail and for all those very interesting people who sort to dig deep into Spirituality, here's an invite from Sureshbhai to discuss on open topic "Why Religion is required for human beings?"

I may not have the time in my whole life to participate at every step but than I do read all my in-coming mails while I drift to horizons writing my way on web at Kidsfreesouls - a commitment to all my other websites too.

Keep the faith.

- ilaxi

If Life is a Game, Play it. But, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules!



A must read for people who are Too Nice to be Too Good! A basic spiritual primer for what it means to be a human. The author explains 10 simple rules. No mistakes but only lessons to be learnt. As per my experience, any person in life needs :

1. Acceptance & Appreciation
2. Self Esteem
3. Respect
4. Endless learning in a school called 'Life'
5. A better living style

We are enrolled in a full time Life School where there is endless experiencing and endless learning. We may like to learn these lessons or just hate this experiences but ultimately, it do make you a better person. There is no better place than 'Here' living on the edge, whatever Life offers and in this presence, we simply get to reach 'There' - And yeah, this is a better 'There' always than 'Here' coz the very experiences in life takes one to a higher ground and makes a better compromise with life - Some things happen in life just for GOOD.

The Rule 9 in the book says all :
All you need to do is look, listen, and trust

This gives Inner Knowledge - Just listen, vision and trust in own abilities and in your own beliefs - But Never Speak! Silence is a blessing and silence is peace.



Well, grab the book from the book shelf or just Find your strength in difficult times through books by Tata McGraw Hill editions or Chicken soup for the soul series (my ever fav')or even, I would say, Get a copy of 'Tough Times Never Last but Tough People do'

Enjoy n Cheers reading in....

- ilaxi

12th March 1930, Gandhiji in his boldest act of civil disobedience against British rule, began a long march to the sea in protest of the British salt tax. Gandhi and his followers eventually reached the Arabian Sea, where they made their own salt by evaporating sea water. The march, which resulted in the arrest of Gandhi and 60,000 others, earned new international respect and support for the leader and his movement. Gandhi's nonviolent methods, including dramatic hunger strikes, eventually did bring great results to his goal of Indian independence in 1947.

Well, 12th March is ever been my Dad's birthday and the birthday of Sambhaav. Years roll by....12th March and this date is wishing Sambhaav...Sambhaav started on 12th March 1986 under the flagship of Bhupatbhai Vadodaria. And so here's wishing him Happy Ageing and may he always be in pink health and best spirits as ever.....Also to Bhanuben, who has ever stood beside Bhai and walked all her life in thick n thin.

Nothing ever was built to rose to touch the skies, until some man willed it! Isn't this, oh so true!!!

Here's the pic of last year. So many changes but sure, Narendrabhai's vision will hopefully see a light. Apnu Amdavad gonna be a great Mega city ...

- ilaxi

Amidst a critical opposition, the Budget is finally set to route the chart map of Rising India. As crystal clear, the Industry experts are disappointed with the decoded budget of Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. Though, there is good to forsee with the pharma, chemicals, petrochemicals, gems and jewellery and Textiles, there is reduction in duties and vision for more job opportunities in sectors of Pharma and Textiles, the MAT is sure to hit the export units. For the Education, smiles takes to miles. Primary to higher education and that's paying more 1% cess, however, there is positive view with more fundings for IT Education and promoting Gandhian philosophy by setting aside 30 crores budget plans. However, there is no positive action towards IT business as on the charts. As to human consumption, I think FM has totally ignored the spiralling prices of commodities and given more importance to the prices of foodstuff meant for pets and dog food!

Also there is no special benefit to Non Resident Indians, but the increase the threshold limit of exemption in the case of a senior citizen is a good idea for NRIs. There are now provisions for NRI investors as consideration of PAN as identification for financial transaction is a better option.

I guess, the view points always vary - What the budget reveals is a sweet n bitter taste to digest. Only important for a common person is to meet the daily demands of roti-kapda-makan but if this is not fulfilling, no budget is perfect or rathar, can be perfect as long as poverty is seen across the lanes.

- ilaxi

An Explorer on web, I always tend to get drifted to newer horizons on web as well as in real life - That's how I came across the World Health Organization's website as I wrote the Blog on Health & Fitness/Food & Drink for The Statesman, Austin.

As such, I know of a PCA Group in Ahmedabad due to Milapsinh Jadeja - an enthusiastic young Photographer - Businessman and a family friend, who captures pics with unique taste. You can view his pics here on Flickr. His Pushkar Mela pics are just superb scenic beauty.

Well, as we talk of this, here's the related big bang Contest for all Photographers from WHO's Premier Photo and Video Contest "Images of Health and Disability 2006- 2007". This year's theme focus on Health & Environment, calling to capture emotions with creativity excellence and support WHO's global efforts to raise the awareness of the importance of ensuring healthier environments. Photographs can be submitted until 9th March 2007. More details can be found on the website of WHO here.

This reminds me to let you know of the recent features of Snap Galaxy. If you are an NRI and want to send back home, your pics can now cost you only Rs.4/- per print through Snap Galaxy, India. They also offer Free 10 prints to try out their service. Like the Flickr, you can access to unlimited Photo Space with Quick Uploader tool. You can show your talents with personalized pics here, tag it, comment or just enjoy! The best feature is that you can upload your pic at Snap Galaxy and link from your website or blog or just send the link in an email to your friends too. If you have a website or a blog, you can affiliate earning upto 200 free prints every year by referring Snap Galaxy to friends.

I got my cousin's pics through Snap Galaxy recently and it's great memories to share with our near n dear ones. If you have your pics to share with me at kidsfreesouls.com, do send me your link of Snapgalaxy and I will link your pics from kidsfreesouls. Only please be sure to send me links of pics related to Health & Environment or Scenic places. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

Heard this? Proposals to install the close circuit cameras at busy traffic junctions of the city and the project is rolling to the final stage! CCTV - The secret electronic detective and officials claim that a few hidden cameras installed at four junctions stretching from Usmanpura to Ellisbridge Junction on Ashram Road and other two at kankaria lake, will report of incidents recorded on camera and serve as evidence in the court as well. These cameras will add value as in case of terrorist attacks or traffic management. These cameras can tilt, zoom, or whatever...The total project will be costed Rs.1.65 crores as a part of the mega city project.

Ugh, now I think, like the serials of Ekta Kapoor, we are so used to listening of projects in Crores only. And yeah, will these Cameras take the zoomed pics of the beggars on the road? Some time ago, Devki of Radio Mirchi mentioned during her radio show and I actually witnessed - A lady in a car waited for the traffic signal to give way, ignored a beggar girl at the cross roads of Stadium circle and whoaaa....the irritated beggar girl pulled the women out of the car and scratched her face - Hmmm, this can make a whole difference for the mega city govt to look to issues of poverty too! After all, with so many credit card companies tempting people to get attracted to make the buys at mega malls and super markets - there may be an increase...who knows! What do you say?

- ilaxi

Did I not say of the city roads in my last note? Well, a search in Google Maps gives a glimpse of my city - scaling higher and getting bigger to be a mega city!

And all who ever said, we searched your house but could not find the location and yeah, we didn't have much time too...here's the tech savvy who can draw you to Google Maps - No excuses now...coz 'Where there is a will, Google shows a way" Keep on counting on Google technology for your day to day needs too. Even Amazon.com has set up its Grocery store with more than 14000 products, free shipping delivery to your door-step!

Yeah, if you click this link, you can find me computing here on my desk somewhere in University area:-) Enjoy!

You can copy my link and link from your site too - guess you may find CM Narendra Modi somewhere on the map sitting tall at Gandhinagar with the SEZ Bizmen around...lol

- ilaxi

The Global Investors' summit 2007 has taken the CM Narendra Modi's Govt. to higher grounds with the Big B's and who's who in town, shaking hands for a Vibrant Gujarat. Well, we vision a new Gujarat, a mega city in real true sense (What can we say of city roads in Ahmedabad?)

Anyways, here's my poetry 'Stranger in Disguise' selected by Voicesnet - and as I continue writing the blogs and websites, it's a welcome to send your poetry to be listed on kidsfreesouls.com - Maybe, you can be the Poet of the Year 2007 on kidsfreesouls! However, I admit, I do not believe in competitions nor winning on web but in the process, I guess it's learning and achieving while we strive to do so. You may check to read 'Stranger in Disguise' at kidsfreesouls and do send me your feedback too.

Cheers! n enjoy Life.

- ilaxi

As the new year 2007 rolls down the web lane, here is Best Idea I can pass on to all who are interested:-)

Best Resolution to Make for 2007

Do More than Exist
Live

Do More Than Touch
Feel
Do More Than Look

Observe

Do More Than Hear

Listen

Do More Than Listen

Understand

Do More Than Think

Ponder

Do More Than Talk

Say Something

Hmm..And now, for the stars to give to all Gujarati Bloggers, I quit voting coz I really appreciate all efforts on part of all bloggers especially those who are writing their own posts and coming out with their own creations, own design & ideas and above all, encouraging others to write in gujarati too...A unity to form a one big community remains when there is no competition, no push n pull method but a genuine posts, written with bottom of the heart. After all, search engines do see the results and yeah, as far as I know, gujarati people have one message board of SV on the web - If we really have to vote, why leave this board aside? SV deserves a star for the only Gujarati message board! I would rate for all bloggers and yeah, readers too!

Btw, here is a help file for readers on 'How to write in Gujarati' on the web. Here is your chance to Blog online and earn too:-)

Enjoy Blogging, Enjoy reading, Resolve to keep the unity!

- ilaxi

Attitude...Hmmm...it makes a Big Difference! With the new year bells ringing in, here's wishing all friends and readers of this blog 'A very Happy new year 2007' - May there be sunshine and love creeping in your life and peace prevail! Here's Attitude - It Makes a Big Difference, a part of my book 'Guardian of Angels' - Let there be new year resolutions and though we tend to miss out on them, here's again and again making Resolutions - firm and strong.

Enjoy the new year and partying is all way round here - so if you think, you need a break, Ahmedabad has all for you now:-)

- ilaxi

My book has been recently read by many of the readers and some of them rang me with their compliments and comments. However, here is a review I recently received from a friend that really is appreciating and encouraging.
Smita Dani, is herself, a person of inspiration and remained a noted personality with her charm and wits along with strong determination and ability to scale to heights. She is the author of 'Dani's Switzerland' - a Traveller's guide and remained active with the Karnavati Club activities in Ahmedabad and also engaged with other major social and political groups.

I welcome readers to comment on your views too - on kidsfreesouls site as well as my book.
Bouquets or Brickbats, please:-)

Keep the Faith!

- ilaxi

Ahmedabad has been rocking with Christmas round the corner and marriages too, are made in heaven with the VVIPs jamming the busiest ever S G highway streets. The NRG seems to have opted for end of the year to tie knots and the brahmins are more than happy to find an optional murats for them during the end and beginning of Jan.

Well, now it is ever common to meet the so many people at common functions and the very same VVIPs who block the roads are having a share of meal so common with the oh so common yet VIP people...So, you see - Ahmedabad is now jamming up with all the VVIPs and I hear, why I see that so many Malls are coming up and so much property is up for sale, booming up the Property buys. The NRGs are fuelling the reality biz too and there seems to be a rise in queries and bookings of luxury apartments, land and shopping complexes. This reminds me, my home is soon gonna be surrounded by Multiplexes, restaurants and Malls and it is sure going to be a walking distance to see a movie, go shopping or enjoy treats in nearest busiest restaurants. And all this developing at all Crossroads in town!

There, it is the route to a Mega city and the mega banner of CM sure to rise high with the IT Hub soon coming up in State at Gandhinagar...NRIs, Wanna invest? Sure fire way to send money to homeland and even take Loans. Enjoy!

- ilaxi

Kidsfreesouls.com now present Online Kids Reporters (Journalists) & Jr. Editors. The idea is to promote children Talents and encourage them for creativity and Journalism with their Online reporting. This needs real time devotion, dedication and determination. To begin with, I have two kids Reporters who are on their way exploring to present their info pieces to kids round the world. (Namrata Jaykrishna & Nidhi Nair)

If you have students below 15 and wish to inspire them by adding their name to the Kidsfreesouls Crew (members Contribution), please send your email with their profile and pic with their info pieces and contributions.

Btw, here is my recent Plog on my Book Page Guardian of Angels'>'Guardian of Angels: A practical guide to joyful parenting'. Amazon has an amazing way to keep its Authors keep interacting to its Amazon customers and promote products. Well, here I go with my Author's Plog on the web - Enjoy your reads here and post your comments - Give my book **stars*, write review of my book, vote for me or just Add my RSS Feeds of Book Reviews & Amazon Blog/Plog to read in feed readers.

Bouquets or Brickbats, please - you're welcome:-)

- ilaxi

Yeah, no excuses for not blogging in for a while as life has been on a fast track lane and here, on the web is my own space that builds in my very own community on the web - far away with songwriters and musicians. The best part is, I am nurturing a genius in me and my days of my keyboard playing is finally turning my dreams with my computer turning to a Music Studio! Till I get my own played songs uploaded, here is a tip for all bloggers. There need to be strong traffic to your blog, numerous links to it from other blogs and frequent reader feedback are a few signs your blog is generating buzz that can attract readers and would be fans and buyers of your products, if any. Blogging for some is turning to a nightmare as you devote time, money and energy but slow in generating revenue online. Loyal bloggers keep blogging in their thoughts but a saturation point turn in sooner or later if there is no income from blogging.

Hired bloggers charge over a $4 per post and if your blog generates $10 a day, this is fine but unfortunately, we all know our time restraints and we end up making $$ ! It is time to be a 'Ghost Blogger' if you are writing good enough and your posts are appreciated.

Why blogs, now Authors have their own Plogs and here you can find my Author Plog on amazon.com - a way to go marketing and interacting with customers who buy at Amazon.

Anyways, here is a quick review of a book I just read and am sure, you will like to read the same. Enjoy!

- ilaxi