Launched my first book internationally.
Its name is ‘PLANNING SMART NEIGHBORHOODS IN INDIAN CITIES’. ISBN: 978-3-659-91176-7.
I wish to give special thanks to my faculties (notably my guide), friends and my juniors (if you are reading this, you know I am talking to you. I just wanna say thank you 🙂 ).
The work is dedicated to my parents, my little sister and to all of you!
I have tried my best to give justice to the work that I have done, yet still, as a human, I am prone to error. I shall remain thankful to all those who would point it out if that’s the case.
I still remember that day when I decided to pursue ‘Planning and Architecture’. Having prepared for ‘engineering’ it was just like an impetuous decision. Now, when I retrospect, I realize how lucky have I been! It’s really been a great journey. With this book, I hope I have given a little justice to all what I’ve learned over these years.
Still, I remember that moment, when I was asked what I had specifically meant by the term ‘thesis’; and how it was different from the ‘studio’ exercise! That was a valid question indeed. Trust me, despite everything I was never able to draw a thin line between the two. When we were doing a smart-city exercise for Ujjain and forming guidelines, I was getting as confused as to how it varied from the so-called thesis? Is thesis merely an individual’s exercise and the studio an exercise of the group? Or is it way, way more than that?? The genesis of this book comes from my thesis, but now I can broadly say I know the difference!
In particular, the work is meant for the cities of the developing countries. Given that the concept of ‘smart cities/neighborhoods’ has been there in the Northern block, I find it to be massively deluded if it’s to be applied brazenly in the Indian scenario. In this work, I’ve tried (under guidance of my revered faculties whom I shall remain thankful to forever), to evolve and put forth certain thoughts/ideas that would help vanguard smart city (neighborhood’s) development soothingly in the countries of the Southern block (India and other developing nations, as pointed out). Even though 98 cities are to be developed and the guidelines have been on the way, I have tried to study neighborhoods in relation to the city. Knowing that the city gears itself to become smart (or smarter?), how would the neighborhoods evolve then?
As I said, the work might not be perfect and is open to the contest of thoughts and ideas! I would really be happy and thankful if someone points out that fallacy while reading it, if he/she finds. On a serious note, my colleagues, seniors and teachers, I would really appreciate if you critically assess it, as it shall immensely help me.
And with these mixed thoughts and almighty’s grace, I am happy to bring my work to you. Hope you would enjoy reading it.
Thank you and God bless!

 

I want to bring something to my attention. I have money problems. It’s not that I’m poor, but I am not rich either.

Yesterday, when I reached my college, I withdrew Rs. 200 from the ATM, thinking that it would be enough for the day. While attending my lecture on Advance Planning, a beggar came to our class asking for monetary help. We learned that he was disabled and unable to support his ailing father with monthly dialysis. He needed help. This same person had come to our class last semester, and we all students, had offered him help. I decided to help him this time, too. Since I didn’t have change; I, along with a few classmates, decided to give him Rs. 100. I felt uncomfortable not because I was giving him Rs. 100, but because I needed money too. So, I had to compromise by eating less for the rest of the day. It was uncomfortable because it was my father’s hard-earned money, and I know how much money we need right now.

That’s why I generally prefer walking or taking the bus (though I have my motorcycle, which I have refrained using it lately) instead of using expensive modes of transportation. I don’t know what mode of transportation I’ll use in the future, but if money becomes an important aspect, so I will choose accordingly. Sometimes, giving such large amounts of money affects me, but other times, I feel satisfied that I have helped. Some may say that giving money is not the same as helping and that begging has become a business in India these days. But I don’t know what I should do. Seeing people begging on the streets pains me. How can the society reduce them to such levels? They need our help! But are we really helping them by giving money? I see big TV ads on insurance, cars, etc., but do we really have anything for these of our fellow brothers and sisters? Some say we should help them through other means rather than give them money, and that may be true. But how do each of us help them in that case? Maybe I’m wrong in providing them with money, but what else should I do? Most of the time, even I, too, do not have much money with me. I get confused in this way!

Now that I have finally created you, I want to give you a certain touch. So, the creation of a theme was a difficult task for me. Since I did not want to purchase themes, I was getting irritated, and then I saw ‘Kelly’ having a post called ‘Simplicity and Elegance!’. Now that made my day, and I chose it. I desire you to be simple yet elegant! so here you are, thanks Kelly!