Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Release of the Russian version of the "River Valley to Silicon Valley"

The Russian translation of the book "River Valley to Silicon Valley" was released on 24th April in St. Petersburg at the St. Petersburg Association for International Cooperation. The book was first translated by Ms. Svetlana Shakhovnina and later it was again translated and edited by Ast.Prof. Sergey Pakhamov, Philosophy Department of the St. Petersburg State University. Book Details-
ISBN 978-5-98012-044-3
Svytoslav Publishers
Pages-104
The book release ceremony was attended by Indologists, diplomats of different countries, journalists, students, artists etc. They expressed their happiness about such an initiative taken by me and they felt that the Russian translation of the River Valley to Silicon Valley will bring the two great civilizations of 'Ganga & Volga' closer.






Natalia Eleseeva, the President of the St. Petersburg Association of International Cooperation wished that I could continue to write in future -about my impressions of Russia, Diplomatic Service, Moscow or about the Russian people.







The ceremony was marked by warm and friendly atmosphere. The guests mingled with each other over champagne and choclates while I signed my books for them. Later a Russian musical group performed Indian songs and classical dance for the guests.



Monday, April 28, 2008

River Valley to Silicon Valley:Book Review by Semira, A Russian Writer


The story "River Valley to Silicon Valley" by Abhay K. reflects well the process of transformations in India in the present moment, its technological progress attracting young people in India. But it's interesting that foreign people who fall in love with India, appreciate more its traditional moments: still well preserved ecology, kindness of people, priority of heart over intention (gain), and of course spirituality of its ancient culture, apparent even in common life. For those people the river valley and small towns will be closer than Silicon valley or Bangalore. Being Russian, what I like the best in the story is the description of his childhood and his sincere poems.

I am glad to see in India women in saree, new blocks of 4-story buildings (not sky-scrapers) in Delhi. I like the human size of Indian towns, close to nature, and I try to evade megalopolises with traffic congestion. I would like India to keep its traditional character and mode of life and to change minimum - only the necessary things, in spite of western influence and technological progress.


- Semira, Russian writer, member of the Union of writers of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region.

River Valley to Silicon Valley- Book Reveiw by Yaroslava Troynich, Freelance Journalist


I just finished to read 'River Valley to Silicon Valley". I have to say that it is very nice small book with a very fair story. It is written very simply but something about it is very touching.
I liked some small parts about your childhood, your grandma and your new roommates.I love India and your text became one more piece of huge puzzle that I tried to put together for few years.
I read Salman Rushdi and Arundhati Roy and I liked their magic realism. In your text I found quite similar inner poetry hiding inside meanings of usual words. I liked it.
- Yaroslava Troynich, Freelance Journalist, St. Petersburg, Russia

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

River Valley to Silicon Valley- Book review by Pradeep K. Gaur


I heard much appreciation of this book from those who had read it. Hence, I was keen to read this book. I made fervent efforts and was fortunate to get a copy and began to read it. While reading, I found it really difficult to separate myself from this book even for a moment as its contents are so riveting. I felt completely in the grip of this book and finished it in almost 4-5 days in spite of being busy with my personal works. In my view, I term it indeed a great achievement in the life of the author hailing from a small village with no basic facilities as millions of villages in India are, where proper education is unthinkable and one is forced to head towards city to do even matriculation and higher education beyond that.
The book tells how the parents sometime have to take tough decisions keeping aside emotions towards shaping the career of their children. How your unflinching determination, well-thought plan, perseverance, devotion and above all being self- disciplined surely take you onto your own-established target. Hardships usually come but one has to face them until the target is achieved.
Father’s sincerity in regularly monitoring the progress of the child and getting alarmed on child’s sluggishness on one occasion in the course of schooling and promptly changing the decision is an example for other parents to emulate.
This book is true tribute from him to his father. The books tells that preparations should be target-oriented. One has to do well-judged visualization of the things in the ambience and has to keep abreast of happenings in other spheres as well. It inter-alia carries certain latent aspects which one can imbibe in own life. The book is beautifully and philosophically written; language is very simple and has a great flow of thoughts at many places. Surely, it may also be a handy and vast guidance for a civil services aspirant.
I have learnt a great deal from this book and imbibed certain thoughts from it in my life. I really feel enriched after having read this book. In my personal view, this is a must read book for everyone. I am indebted to the person for ever who arranged this book for me.



Pradeep Kumar Gaur
New Delhi, India