General Reading Archives - Independent Indian Publishing House

General Reading

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  • Known as the Father of India’s Space Programme, Vikram Sarabhai’s interests included space and nuclear energy, architecture, industry and business, institution building, management development, arts, music, and theatre. He was a scientist and an entrepreneur, an educator, and a businessman. When he passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 52, he left behind a legacy few can match, having set up internationally reputed institutions and organisations that have made India proud and put us on the world map. "Dr. Sarabhai was a young person with great wisdom. There is a French saying that "if age could do and youth had wisdom, it would be a wonderful combination". Vikram Sarabhai had that combination. He was a fine blend of the thinker and doer. No one can lead a meaningful life today without combining the two." – Indira Gandhi
  • The man eating tiger has speed, agility, muscle power, lightning reflexes and a ferocious killer instinct. It weighs 500 lb. The man has a cool head, a sure eye, a rifle and two brass cartridges. He weighs only 160 lb. The tiger growls, bursts out of the long grass, and launches itself . . .
    This was the drama that played out in the life of the legendary writer and conservationist, Jim Corbett, on several occasions. For him, the hunt was not about trophy tiger skins, or for the prestige of being a famous shikari – but to save lives when a man eater was on the rampage. Born in Kumaon, Corbett grew up in the jungle. He was well versed with its laws, and heunderstood its language. This hunter of the man eaters went on to become a die-hard conservationist, working to preserve and promote the majestic tiger. He harboured a great love for India and its people – of all castes and creeds, which is evident through all his writings.
    In a novel inspired by Jim Corbett's life and writings, author and conservationist, Harnihal Sidhu tells the epic tale of India’s most famous tiger hunter and conservationist. Corbett's journey was a difficult one, with moments of wild joy, suffering and heartbreak. 
    Burning Bright  is not a biography, a formal history or an academic study. It is a gripping tale told by a charmed storyteller, based on the life of a great man. Sometimes, the shortest road to the clearest view runs through the land of fiction.
  • "arranting immediate and long term solution.   This is an excellent book which throws light on mitigation measures to be adopted in elephant landscapes fragmented by varied land uses, including heavily used infrastructure.  This timely publication would be extremely useful for field managers, stakeholder departments and policy makers." - Dr. Rajesh Gopal

     India faces a serious challenge today towards long term in-situ conservation of the elephant population.  This is a timely publication as it explains issues related to elephant depredation in the human enclaves and fragmentation of elephant landscapes across the elephant range.  The Field Managers and policy makers would benefit from the studies on alternative cropping patterns as mitigation strategy in and around the forests where interspersion ratio of forests and crop lands is a major cause of elephant depredation.

    The book would be extremely useful for field managers, stake holders from different departments working in the elephant landscapes.  The challenge of increasing linear infrastructure through the forest landscapes is a serious one.  The book deals at length with the mitigation strategy to be adopted in linear projects like national highways, railways, irrigation projects, transmission lines, etc.  These strategies can be incorporated in the project right at the inception stage so as to reduce the impact on the wild life.  The designs of different mitigations explained in the book can be suitably changed to different landscapes in the country.
  • The book gives a gripping, first-hand account of the author’s nine-week long stay in Kargil (during the encounter) and his experiences. He succinctly details the operation with special emphasis on the human side of the conflict. The graphic depiction of the war and candid interviews with the top brass makes for a true-to-life experience for the reader.
  • This is the first ever comprehensive book on wild life law enforcement in India. It explains the various interpretations and legalities pertaining to Indian wild life laws. The details of the case laws provided offer a better understanding of the procedures involved in the investigation and trial of wild life crimes.

    Part I of the book deals with the conceptual topics like evolution and salient features of wild life laws, legal procedures involved in investigation and trials of wild life cases, powers and privileges of forest officers, CITES and its legal enforcement in India, legalities of captive management and legal provisions related to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Part II deals with various provisions and amendments made thereupon under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. These provisions are further elaborated through relevant case laws and commentaries for better understanding of a particular provision. Part III discusses rules, policies, statutes, and guidelines related to wild life law enforcement issued at national and international fora. Part IV of the handbook deals with other related laws such as the Wild Birds and Animals (Protection) Act, 1912, the Elephants Preservation Act, 1879, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

    The history of conservation in India dates back several centuries – it carries utmost importance in the shastras, epics and other social codes. However the first ever comprehensive legal code was formulated as the Wild Life (Protection) Act, in 1972. The laws related to wildlife enforcement are thus still at an evolving stage.

    We urgently need strong wild life law enforcement in India as the laws exist but poor implementation and systemic deterrents restrict effective pro-action. This book delves into a detailed analysis of the laws in place in India – while it explains the laws, the book also provides extensive case studies.

    The book will be very useful for Forest officials and staff dealing with various issues in wild life management in the field, forest authorities dealing with various issues in captive management such as Zoo Keeping, transportation and immobilization of animals in distress. This book will further help wild life enforcement agencies, police personnel dealing with prevention, detection, investigation and trial of wild life crimes, customs and other enforcement agencies dealing with enforcement of regulations under international conventions and protocols, individuals, NGOs and other authorities dealing in litigations and writ petitions in the High Courts and the Supreme  Court.

    SURENDER MEHRA is a member of the Indian Forest Service (batch of 1999). He graduated as Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Regional Engineering College, Kurukshetra in 1995 and in the same year he was selected for the Indian Engineering Services. In 1999, he joined the IFS.

    He received the Uttaranchal State Forestry Award in 2003 for ‘Excellence in Civil Services Reforms’. He completed his PG Diploma in Wild Life Management from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun in 2006-07. He also holds a PG Diploma in Environmental Law from National Law School, Bengaluru.

    He has worked as Deputy Conservator of Forests, Haldwani (Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary), Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji National Park & Rudraprayag. He has also worked as faculty at the Central Academy for State Forest Service, Dehradun. In recent years, he worked as Conservator of Forests, Western Circle, Haldwani and Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Corbett Tiger Reserve.

    He has written the First Management Plan of Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary. He successfully conducted the Wild Life Monitoring study in the Western Circle and also authored its report titled ‘Status of Tigers, Habitats and Corridors in Western Circle, Uttarakhand'.

    His fields of interest are Wildlife Management, Legal issues in Forests and Wild Life, Information Technology, GIS and Remote Sensing and Wildlife Photography. He has also authored a book titled “Legal Forestry” (2004).

    He is currently posted as Deputy Inspector General, National Tiger Conservation Authority, in New Delhi and is also pursuing his Ph.D in Wildlife Sciences from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

  • What is etiquette? Is it different from protocol and good manners? How important is it in today’s world? Does one have to be taught or can one learn on their own? What is the right age to start teaching etiquette to children? Does it enhance a person’s qualifications and improve job prospects? How important is it for success in one’s profession or business? Does it help in making friends and influencing people? Is it relevant for those who live alone, have no family or friends and never go to parties? Is it as important in the home as in the work place? Does it improve family relationships? Will it make you a better human being?

    You will find answers to some of these important questions in this excellently researched book.

    Also, how often have you searched for answers to some of these questions:

    • Can a divorced woman continue to use the name of her ex-husband?
    • In invitation cards, should a woman’s name precede that of her husband?
    • Can titles such as Sir and Madam be used along with the name?
    • Can military officers continue to use their ranks after retirement?
    • If you want to know someone’s name, is it correct to ask “What is your good name?”
    • Can one say Good Morning or Good Evening when bidding farewell?”
    • What is the difference between enunciation and pronunciation?
    • What is the difference between ‘excuse me’, ‘beg your pardon’ and ‘I am sorry’?
    • What exactly is ‘small talk’? Is it the same as gossip?
    • During a meal at a restaurant or club, does the waiter serve from the left or right?
    • During a dinner party, are brandy and liqueurs served before or after the meal?
    • What is the difference between luncheon and lunch?
    • What is the difference between a sherwani and an achkan?
    • On a flight, can occupants of window and aisle seats use the hand rests of the middle seat?
    • When watching a play in a theatre, is it okay to clap during the performance?

    Find out all this and more in this book! Use the skills to get ahead in your personal as well as your professional life.