ITV

Tag: audiobook

  • Six audiobooks & films celebrating sibling bonds

    Six audiobooks & films celebrating sibling bonds

    Mumbai: On this Rakshabandhan, let’s celebrate the bonds we share with our first friends and lifelong confidants—our siblings. From playful fights and pranks to sharing secrets and protecting each other from parents, these connections are the foundation of our lives. Today, immerse yourself in the magic of sibling relationships with audiobooks and films that explore this special bond. Whether it’s the inspiring journey of the Chopra brothers in Brotherhood on Audible or the emotional ups and downs of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham on Netflix, these stories remind us of the enduring power of sibling love. After all, who knows us better than those we’ve shared laughter, tears, and secrets with since childhood?

    Brotherhood

    Bonded for better or worse, your brother’s someone no one can replace! ‘Brotherhood’ captures this sentiment, exploring the deep connection between two brothers as they journey from post-independence India to the United States. It chronicles their experiences as they navigate the challenges of being doctors in a foreign land, grappling with cultural differences and professional scepticism. Despite these obstacles, the Chopra brothers find their place in America, with Deepak becoming a global spiritual leader and Sanjiv rising to prominence as a Harvard Medical School professor. Tune in to be a part of their story, one that is a testament to resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of the American dream.

    A House without Windows

    In this audiobook, the bonds between women, forged in the most unlikely of places, illuminate the complexities of sisterhood in a harsh, traditional society. When Zeba is accused of her husband’s brutal murder, she finds herself in prison, surrounded by other women whose lives have also been torn apart by the harsh judgments of their society. As they share their stories, these women, each broken in her own way, forge a bond that transcends the walls of their cell, becoming each other’s strength and solace. Zeba’s fate lies in the hands of Yusuf, her Afghan-American lawyer, but it’s the unbreakable bond with her fellow inmates that truly defines her fight for justice.

    Shadow Sibings

    In the audiobook, Emma, a young girl, navigates life in the shadow of her brother’s medical condition. Rather than feeling overlooked, she discovers that her true superpower lies in supporting him, turning her role into one of strength and purpose. As she meets other children with siblings facing their own challenges, Emma realises she’s part of a special, unspoken bond among “shadow siblings,” those who shine brightest by lifting up their brothers and sisters. This is a story of hope, love, and acceptance ideal for all ages while bringing a spotlight to kids who we affectionately refer to as Shadow Siblings.

    Dil Dhadakne Do

    The Mehra family is celebrating Kamal and Neelam’s 30th wedding anniversary with a luxurious Mediterranean cruise, but beneath the glamour lies a web of strained relationships and hidden desires. The couple’s children, Ayesha and Kabir, navigate their complicated lives—Ayesha, stuck in a loveless marriage, rekindles feelings for her childhood love, Sunny, while Kabir dreams of breaking free from the family business to pursue his passion. As the cruise unfolds, the bonds between them are tested, revealing long-buried truths that force the family to confront their past mistakes and ultimately bring them closer together in unexpected ways. 

    Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

    In a tale of family bonds tested by tradition and class divides, Yashvardhan Raichand’s strict adherence to his final word leads to the heart-wrenching separation of his adopted son Rahul. As Rahul defies his father’s wishes by marrying the spirited Anjali, his younger brother Rohan is left to piece together the broken ties years later. Determined to reunite the family, Rohan sets on a journey to bring his estranged brother back home, rekindling the deep bond between siblings and challenging the very traditions that tore them apart. If you’re looking to enjoy a story of love, forgiveness, and the enduring strength of family ties, this is the perfect watch for you.

    Chasing Happiness

    ‘Chasing Happiness’ is a story of brotherhood that takes you behind the scenes of the Jonas Brothers’ journey from humble beginnings as pastor’s sons in New Jersey to global superstardom. Their bond seemed unbreakable until a painful breakup sent Joe, Kevin, and Nick down separate paths, testing their relationship like never before. Through intimate interviews and rare footage, this story reveals the unshakable connection that ultimately brought them back together, stronger than ever.

  • Explore these audiobooks and films on Kargil War’s 25th anniversary

    Explore these audiobooks and films on Kargil War’s 25th anniversary

    Mumbai: As the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War approaches, there’s no better time to deep dive and explore the stories that defined this historic conflict. From untold tales of bravery and sacrifice to firsthand accounts from those who led the charge, these audiobooks and films offer a tribute to the heroes of Kargil. Each story outdoes the other and by the end of it, we are certain you would be in complete awe of our soldiers and everything they do for us at the border. With this curated listen and watch list, enrich your understanding and appreciation of one of India’s most significant military victories.

    Kargil: Untold Stories From The War

    What drives a martyr’s father to visit a young Kashmiri girl every year? What compels an elderly man in Palampur to relentlessly seek justice for his fallen soldier son? Like the title of this audiobook suggests, there are many untold tales of a war that remain buried beneath the surface. We know just a fraction of the things that actually occurred. In Kargil: Untold Stories From The War, the author speaks to war survivors and martyrs’ families, and brings to light stories of extraordinary human courage from the mountains of Kargil. Tune in and uncover the stories that deserve to be heard!

    Kargil: From Surprise To Victory

    Audible brings to you the story of the Kargil War from the man in charge, General V. P. Malik. Malik was the Chief of the Indian Army at the time of the war. He led the planning, coordination and execution of the operation. In this audiobook, the author shares his first hand experience at Kargil along with afterthoughts on important lessons for India’s defence preparedness. This book is a testimony to the unparalleled heroism displayed by our troops. Listen to this story by the General who led the Indian army through an operation which went onto become a benchmark for bravery.

    The Kargil Girl

    Written by the Kargil girl herself, Flt Lt Gunjan Saxena shares with us her nerve wracking story from the war. She was 29 years old when she was called in to help at the war zone. This call came at a time when female pilots were yet to be employed in war zones. From airdropping vital supplies to Indian troops in the Dras and Batalik regions and evacuating casualties in the midst of the ongoing battle, to informing seniors of enemy positions – she fearlessly discharged her duties during this important war for India. In the book, she elaborates several incidents from the war including one of narrowly escaping a Pakistani rocket missile during one of her sorties. Tune into her autobiography to know how Gunjan Saxena rightfully earned the name of The Kargil Girl.

    The Kargil Story: Tales of Valour and Sacrifice from the summer of 1999

    There were five important battles which were the turning points in the Kargil War for India—namely, Tololing, Tiger Hill, Three Pimples, Pt. 4875, and Khalubar. In this audiobook, Deepak Surana, gives us a glimpse of these five very crucial combats. He brings to us stories directly from over 100 heroes who fought on the line of fire for us. These stories talk of not just camaraderie between soldiers even in the harshest circumstances but also of unbeatable courage and a bulletproof spirit. Stay tuned to discover astonishing stories from this audiobook, which is set to release on 26th July on Audible.

    Shershaah

    This biographical war film is inspired from the life of Captain Vikram Batra. During the Kargil War, Batra exposed himself to enemy fire while trying to evacuate an injured soldier. He was shot in the head and chest This was just 19 days before Kargil Vijay Diwas. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest Indian military decoration, for his courage and sacrifice during the Kargil War. Batra was loved and admired by his fellow soldiers and was given the codename “Shershaah’. The movie Shershaah captures his contribution to the Kargil War alongside his love story with Dimple Cheema. The roles are played by the much loved Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani.

    Lakshya

    A fiction story inspired set at the backdrop of the Kargil War, director Farhan Akhtar brings to you a cult classic. We see a young aimless man transform into a brave soldier who goes on to lead the army during the Kargil War, played by Hrithik Roshan. This movie is considered one of his best performances to date. The realistic portrayal of the war scenes makes you feel like you are amidst the Kargil War while you secretly root for Hrithik Roshan as he courageously fights opponents and he reunites with his love interest. 

  • Rujuta Diwekar’s fool-proof guide on staying healthy this monsoon

    Rujuta Diwekar’s fool-proof guide on staying healthy this monsoon

    Mumbai: Are people around you “under the weather” lately? The damp and humid environment creates a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, leading to an increase in common illnesses like colds and flu.  However, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar in her audiobook, ‘Eating in The Age of Dieting’ on Audible, elaborates on how maintaining good health during the monsoon is easier than we think. Here are five foods that Rujuta recommends everyone must consume to optimise their health and immunity during this wonderful season!

    1.  Sip your way to health with spiced-up chai

    With monsoon comes the desire to sit by the window sipping a hot cup of chai. This is why Rujuta suggests three easy tips to make that hot cup of tea not only calming but also healthy for the body. She recommends the following:

    . Add ginger and tulsi for digestion and immunity

    . Add lemongrass to prevent bloating and congestion

    . Add black pepper or cinnamon to improve insulin sensitivity

    2. Supercharge your immunity with indigenous produce

    Sharing an insight on consuming locally grown vegetables, Rujuta shares, “The soil during the rains is not suitable for growing green leafy vegetables, and therefore we shift to creepers like dudhi (bottle gourd), pumpkin, karela (bitter gourd), gilka (ridge gourd) and root vegetables like sweet potato, suran (elephant foot yam) and konfal (purple yam). The exception to this rule is the wild and uncultivated greens that shoot up during the season – ambadi (roselle plant), shevla (dragon stalk yam), lingri (fiddlehead fern), to name a few…It’s very important for your gut bacterial diversity and acts as a booster shot for immunity.”

    3. Embrace nutrient-rich grains and millets

    When it comes to monsoons, Rujuta strongly recommends Nachini – “You can eat it as porridge, bhakhri or even a papad.” Additionally, she urges everyone to avoid multigrain breads, attas and biscuits and suggests seasonal substitutes for them. “The season also comes with festivals and special months like Shravan, where the focus shifts to eating smaller millets like Rajgira, Samo, Kuttu, Mandua, etc. Again, have them in traditional preps and in combination with dahi, makhan etc, to ensure optimum assimilation.”

    4. Power up with pulses (nature’s protein) during the wet season

    Rujuta Diwekar sheds light on a fascinating tradition: during monsoons, Indians historically substituted meat and fish with carefully dried and stored pulses from the summer months. These became a source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and even fibre during the season. “The best ones turn into usals, the next grains to dals, the one after that to vadis that can be cooked as sabzi and is often a mix of many pulses and papads. You must incorporate two important pulses in your meals this season: kulith (horsegram), and alsane (Goa beans), great for skin and hair.”

    5. Savour bhajiyas but with a healthy twist

    As the monsoon rains bring their earthy petrichor scent, cravings for comforting foods naturally arise. Talking about the season’s speciality, ‘deep-fried bhajiyas’, she advices, “Use filtered groundnut, mustard or coconut oils, and don’t reuse the oil for cooking afterwards. Without essential fats in the diet, vitamin D cannot be assimilated. Essential fats also help in regulating blood sugar. So apart from being tasty, deep-fried pakoras are healthy too, and for everyone, heart patients, obese and diabetics included, eat them without fear and with the confidence that you know when to stop eating.”

    Insufficient calorie intake during monsoons can weaken our immunity and make us prone to infections, fevers and other ailments. Contrary to popular belief, Rujuta says, “Your taste buds are not against your weight loss plans. They are simply against your plan to lose your immunity and to guard you against a possible crash of your immune system.”  For more expert advice, tune into ‘Eating in the Age of Dieting’ on Audible to optimise your health and well-being, not just during the monsoon, but throughout the year.

  • Explore Dimple Jangda’s audiobook “Heal Your Gut, Mind & Emotions” on Audible

    Explore Dimple Jangda’s audiobook “Heal Your Gut, Mind & Emotions” on Audible

    Mumbai: This World Health Day, let us all take a moment to check in with our bodies and assess our mental well-being. To honour this significant occasion, tune into Dimple Jangda’s audiobook, Heal Your Gut, Mind & Emotions on Audible, where she unravels the intricate connections between diet, emotions, and physical health, offering her valuable insights and tips. In this audiobook, Dimple guides listeners on their well-being journey as she explores the impact of mindful eating, positive emotions, and the release of negative memories on our overall health. Here are five actionable tips that will help you keep your health in check on Audible!

    Combat Sinusitis Woes by Trying These Home Remedies

    Dimple Jangda, in her audiobook, discusses how sinusitis impacts overall well-being and functioning. She shares a few practical methods that one must consider implementing to treat it comfortably within the presence of one’s home. She shares the following remedies for a natural recovery –

       Try steam inhalation with a few drops of eucalyptus oil for its anti-inflammatory properties. It eases breathing and also reduces cold sores, blood pressure, blood sugar and fever symptoms.

       You can take 3-4 teaspoons of ajwain, and carom seeds, dry roast them on a pan and place them inside a small handkerchief. Inhale it slowly through both nostrils. This helps release the pressure and inflation in the sinus areas.

       You can also massage your temple to reduce the pressure on your sinuses.

       Another remedy is to boil ginger with some mint leaves in a glass of water and sip it when it is warm. For sneezing woes, take black peppercorns, and chew on them slowly. This helps kill the bacteria in the mouth and bronchi region.

       Incorporate jal neti yoga into your routine by flushing the sinus passages with warm water and salt through one nostril and letting it flow out through the other nostril. After this, always remember to gargle with warm water, turmeric and salt to prevent parasites from irritating the throat.

    Bid adieu to unhealthy foods for improved gut health

    Dimple emphasises the vital role of gut health in our overall well-being, underscoring the impact of dietary choices on maintaining a healthy gut. She provides insights on food choices one must make or avoid for healthy gut health.

    •    When we eat a simple home-cooked meal that is made with fresh ingredients and lovingly prepared by our grandparents, parents, partners or even ourselves, we naturally feel satiated and happy due to serotonin released in the gut. On the other hand, when we eat reheated, packaged foods that have preservatives, the feeling isn’t the same. The gut often responds to the quality of ingredients and cooking methods.
    •    Refined sugar is dangerous as it has the same impact on your brain as that of hard drugs and acts as fuel for bad bacteria.
    •    Refined oils, refined salt, packaged foods, deep-fried foods and carbonated drinks, all of these are so finely processed that they cause holes in the gut and leak into the bloodstream, causing inflammation and chronic health issues.
    •    Refined flour used in pizza, burgers, breads, and pasta is the most inedible food. It turns into a sticky glue-like substance and gets stuck to the gut lining for days and weeks together. Other food particles begin to stick to this glue-like substance which becomes a breeding ground for bad bacteria to multiply uncontrollably. When bad bacteria multiply your mental health also gets impacted.

    Aid your mental well-being by avoiding tamasic foods

    To keep our emotions in check, Dimple sheds light on the importance of mental well-being by discussing tamasic and sattvik foods. Tamasic foods are those foods which have the potential to harm physical and mental health, while sattvik foods entail nutrient-rich plant-based options and minimally processed foods that promote well-being.

    •    Tamas is a state of ignorance, inertia and laziness. It is responsible for negative emotions like anger, attachment, depression, dependency, self-doubt, guilt, boredom, irritation, addiction, apathy, confusion, grief and ignorance. Foods that contribute to tamas include meat, fish, eggs, poultry, stale food, packaged food with a lot of chemical additives, reheated food, alcohol, cigarettes, and addictive drugs.
    •    A sattvik diet includes foods that are rich in nutrients such as fresh fruits, vegetables, juices, whole wheat bread, pulses, grains, sprouts, nuts, seeds, herbs, honey and cruelty-free dairy products. These foods increase your state of awareness and consciousness, inspire positivity and also help unleash your inner potential.
    •    Sometimes, even sattvik foods can turn tamasic when they are old, reheated or deep-fried. These foods do nothing to uplift your energy and take you down to a state of inertia, heaviness, gluttony, lethargy, or aggression. One must avoid late-night meals as they are tamasic in nature.

    Enhance digestive health for overall well-being

    Achieving a healthy lifestyle through proper dietary habits may appear daunting, but in the audiobook, Dimple breaks this down in a simple manner. From eating raw fruits to drinking soups, she provides actionable tips essential for enhancing digestive and gut health, guiding us towards holistic well-being. She says,

    •    Eat only when you’re hungry otherwise, the food sits in the gut for hours leading to indigestion.
    •    Eat until you’re 80 per cent full, your stomach is the size of your fist, so eat until you’re 80 per cent full, and then there will be room for the digestive juices and stomach acids to work.
    •    You must chew your food until it turns into liquid. Chewing creates saliva which aids in the digestion process, do not make a smoothie of all your foods as that eliminates the chewing process and stresses the stomach.
    •    Instead of fruit juices, have raw fruits and instead of smoothies, have warm well-cooked soups with spices that stimulate the metabolic fire and aid the digestion process.
    •    Eat your liquids which means sitting down while drinking water.
    •    Remember, the gut is communicating with the brain, so if you are distracted when you’re eating with a mobile phone or television, the brain struggles to focus on digestion which can lead to bloating, overeating, acidity and indigestion.

    Make room for positivity by letting go of negative emotions to avoid diseases

    Did you know that your uterus stores memories? Dimple encourages everyone to maintain a positive outlook in life and release any negative emotions as they can impact one’s physical well-being. She advises the following to get rid of these emotions –

    •    When we hold negative emotions and unresolved childhood trauma, grudges, worry and pain, it gets stored in different parts of the body like the hips and uterus and translates into physical symptoms of diseases.
    •    Negative emotions affect hormonal health and the immune system changes the brain chemicals, the body’s ability to fight diseases and how it impacts a person’s lifespan.
    •    Let go of all the negative memories and emotions that no longer serve you, and forgive all those who have hurt you, including lovers, who do not live up to your expectations and family and society who fail to protect you.
    •    Forgive them and let go because when you forgive, you are releasing negative memories and energy from your body. You start healing yourself and you are healing the generations that come after you as well as the many generations that came before you.