Reading for Results: A Manager’s Literary Manifesto

Why reading that doesn’t improve your CV matters

Stories without bullet points often teach more than those with them — because not everything worth knowing fits on LinkedIn.
“So, you read fiction?” she said.

I mean, who reads fiction? The scorn and judgement in her voice was direct, cold, and, if I may, unnecessary — even uninformed.

Yet something about the way she spoke those words suggested I could not simply dismiss her reaction. I decided to dig deeper. She reads only non-fiction, for that’s helpful for her work, as she explains — how to be a better manager, how to grow the company, how to deal with people you dislike, how to stay positive, and the like. Each book, each title, teaches her something, furthering her career and nudging her personality in the right direction.

What could fiction offer? she raised a brow.

My most recent reads have been The Names by Florence Knapp (e-book), Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (audio), and If I Could Turn Back Time by Beth Harbison (hardback). I am currently reading Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson (paperback). What could these books — about domestic violence, relationships, turning older, and a love story set in the publishing world — possibly teach me? They don’t offer bullet points or frameworks. They do not promise five habits or ten steps. But they teach me how to sit inside someone else’s fear. How to recognise loneliness before it becomes loud. How regret feels at 40, 50. How ambition sounds in a twenty-five-year-old voice. Fiction does not improve my CV, I agree.

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri – movie review

Yes, self-help books sell a lot, but so did Harry Potter. I could have argued with her, but I think her choice of genre requires a deeper understanding. We’re taught early on to do things—and invest time in them—that bring results. Good marks = good university = good job. Eat a fruit = get the nutrients. Read a book = gain a benefit, become smarter. In all this, where do emotion, imagination, patience, wonder, and pleasure lie?

I read a variety of genres, and I love both fiction and non-fiction. Of course, I am happy that, regardless of the motivation for picking up a book, books are being picked up ‘for gain’. But in 2026, when we are always complaining of a lack of time — and always multitasking — why did I even imagine that books would be read for pure pleasure, peace, love?

We listen to podcasts as we walk, to make the most of our time. We watch Netflix while sharing a meal with our partner, to make the most of the hour. We reply to Insta stories as we wait for the cab to arrive. We fold laundry while attending Zoom calls. We want to make the most of every moment, every page.

And fiction, perhaps for some, doesn’t allow one to do that.

So then, who reads fiction? Well, a few of us — who are okay doing something “unproductive” in a very productive life.

“So, you read fiction?” Yes, this is one of the most common questions one hears — from non-readers, or rather, readers with a purpose. Fiction asks for stillness. It demands attention without promising results, and that is rare to chase. 

Authored by: Purva Grover

Purva Grover is an author, poet, playwright, stage director, TEDx speaker, and creative entrepreneur. She is the author of The Trees Told Me So, It Was the Year 2020, She (translated into seven languages), and #icouldhavebeenaninstapost.​ A journalist for over 19 years, she previously served as Associate Editor at Khaleej Times and has led multiple editorial and storytelling platforms across the region. In 2021, she was awarded the UAE Golden Visa under the People of Culture and Art—Writer category.​ Purva is the founder of The Reading Village, a Dubai-based community where stories are nurtured, encouraged, and shared. The group gathers once or twice a month to celebrate books and meaningful conversation. She has also founded and edited The Indian Trumpet (2013) and Once Upon A Table (2025), storytelling platforms centered on culture, memory, food, and human connection. She reads 52 books a year, and is committed towards building spaces that nurture stories. 

Increased styling, comfort, space optimisation: How contemporary Indian Homes are styled

With the intention of serving multiple roles that of a workplace, retreat and social space, changes in styling homes in India focused on lighting and wall decor. Wall décor adoption rises 64%, storage and organisation grows 270%, and ambient lighting increases 70% as Indian households shift toward intentional home styling. 

According to a recent report offering a data-led view of how Indian homes are evolving through everyday styling, comfort, and space optimisation choices. Built on aggregated insights from over 500,000 customers, spanning 100,000+ products, 48 home categories, and 50 million browsing sessions, the report captures behavioural shifts shaping modern Indian living.

Rather than large-scale renovations, the findings reveal a growing preference for incremental, intentional upgrades, as homes increasingly serve multiple roles — workplace, retreat, and social space.

Key Findings from the Vaaree Home Index 2025-

Wall décor adoption grew 64%, emerging as the most common entry point into home styling.

Home Storage & Organisation recorded 270% year-on-year growth, signalling a shift from hidden utility to visible design.

Adoption of lamps and ambient lighting rose 70%, reflecting a move toward mood-led living environments.

Rugs and carpets saw over 102% growth in GMV, alongside a 42% increase in average selling price of cushion covers, indicating rising investment in comfort-led upgrades.

Browsing curated “Looks” delivered 580% higher conversion compared to product-led discovery.

Indian Homes Move Toward Coordinated Styling

The report highlights a structural shift in consumer behaviour. Instead of upgrading homes product by product, households are increasingly styling spaces through coordinated, cross-category combinations that balance aesthetics with functionality.

Walls have emerged as a primary surface for expression, with art styles such as Pichwai, Madhubani, macrame, and Jharokha-inspired décor gaining prominence alongside symbolic motifs like the Lotus, Evil Eye, and Tree of Life.

Storage solutions — including racks, shelves, and organisers — are increasingly treated as visible elements within living spaces rather than purely functional additions.

Lighting adoption reflects a similar evolution, with households using lamps and ambient lighting to define zones for work, relaxation, and hosting. 

Regional Trends Reveal Emerging Design Confidence

While trends were visible nationally, the report identified strong regional variations:

Mumbai ranked highest across Style, Comfort, and Space-Saver indices.

Jaipur emerged as India’s second most stylish city, climbing four positions year-on-year.

Bangalore led adoption of space-saving and functional solutions.

Emerging cities including Indore, Lucknow, and Nagpur recorded some of the fastest growth in styling adoption.

These shifts suggest rising experimentation and design confidence beyond metro markets. 

“Indian homes today are evolving through everyday decisions rather than large renovations,” said Garima Luthra, Co-founder of Vaaree. “What we’re seeing is a move toward intentional living, where comfort, organisation, and personal expression are becoming equally important. The Home Index is our attempt to decode how people are actually shaping their spaces, based on behaviour rather than trends,” says Varun Vohra, Co-founder of Vaaree, further adding, “The data shows that Indian consumers are no longer buying décor in isolation. They are building coordinated environments. This shift has implications not just for retail, but for how the entire home industry thinks about discovery, design, and consumption.” 

Looking Ahead

The report identifies early signals likely to shape future home evolution:

Storage solutions balancing function and aesthetics becoming baseline expectations.

Modular, corner-led updates replacing full-room makeovers.

Comfort evolving into a sensory experience combining lighting, texture, and visual calm.

Tier-2 cities playing a larger role in defining home styling trends.

 

When the Bansuri Met the Blogosphere: A First-of-Its-Kind Interaction with Ronu Majumdar

Mumbai | 17 February 2026: 

In a landmark cultural evening that beautifully bridged classical heritage with contemporary digital voices, Padma Shri awardee and globally acclaimed Bansuri maestro Ronu Majumdar engaged in an exclusive, first-of-its-kind blogger interaction in Mumbai. 

Over 20 prominent bloggers from Mumbai gathered for the intimate session, making it a pioneering initiative where a classical music legend connected directly with the digital creator community through one-on-one conversations. The event marked a significant step toward bringing Indian classical music into deeper dialogue with new-age media platforms.

The evening commenced with a formal introduction highlighting Majumdar’s illustrious journey spanning over four decades. A disciple of the Maihar gharana tradition and a torchbearer of Hindustani classical music, he has performed across prestigious global stages and collaborated extensively with legendary composer R. D. Burman. His cinematic contributions include iconic films such as 1942: A Love Story, while his global compositional work for large-scale productions like Mystic India further underscores his international acclaim.

Following the introduction, Ronu Sir presented a short live flute recital, instantly immersing the room in the meditative and soulful resonance of the bansuri. The performance set the tone for what unfolded as an evening of depth, nostalgia, and heartfelt storytelling.

During the interaction, Majumdar candidly shared anecdotes from the golden era of Indian music, reminiscing about his creative journey alongside stalwarts such as R.D. Burman and the legendary Kishore Kumar. He offered rare insights into studio recordings, improvisational processes, and the discipline behind sustaining classical purity within cinematic frameworks.

A highlight of the evening was the discussion around his recently released single, You & Me. The composition, intimate and deeply evocative, reflects a soulful dialogue between artist and listener. Drawing inspiration from Kishore Kumar’s lullaby in the film Kanwara Baap, the piece carries emotional warmth while maintaining classical integrity. Through this project, Majumdar once again demonstrates his ability to blend tradition with contemporary sensibilities, ensuring the bansuri remains relevant across generations.

The session concluded with individual blogger interactions, allowing attendees to capture exclusive insights and engage in meaningful conversations. Ronu Sir’s warmth, humility, and openness left a lasting impression, transforming the gathering into more than just a media event — it became a celebration of music, memory, and mentorship.

This historic interaction not only reinforced Ronu Majumdar’s stature as a cultural icon but also highlighted the growing importance of digital creators in shaping conversations around classical arts in modern India.

About AR Rahman, Bansuri maestro Ronu Majumdar said - When AR Rahman came into picture lot of people lost their job because Dil Hai Chotasa like melodies were recorded on keyboard. But when you listen to the flute Rahman is using original flute. His original name was Dilip. It's sad that recently he gave very nasty interview. I don't agree with you, Dilip. You are not Rahman for me. You are still Dilip for me. You played under Illayaraja and we both were beginners at that time. So don't do all these things be careful what you say. It's my advice to you Dilip.

Kayana Monga of India Named Asia-Pacific Winner of the IB’s First Community Inspiration Award

Mumbai, 17 February 2026 – The International Baccalaureate (IB) is delighted to announce Kayana Monga, a Diploma Programme (DP) student at Shiv Nadar School Noida in India, as the Asia-Pacific recipient of its first-ever IB Community Inspiration Award. This global award recognises members of the IB community who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing the IB’s mission and values in their local communities.

Representing the Asia-Pacific region, Monga was recognised for founding Project Muskan, a rural mental health initiative that has reached more than 500 children in and around Delhi and identified over 40 cases of suicidal ideation, connecting them to timely care. She has worked closely with psychologists and local partners to design structured interventions for children who might otherwise have limited access to professional mental health support.

Her work has helped bring conversations about children’s mental health into administrative and policy discussions in India, including recognition from the Delhi Health Ministry and the Chief Minister, underscoring the urgency of expanding access to care beyond urban centres. Beyond mental health, Monga has contributed to UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children report and led initiatives in sustainability, Model United Nations and community service, demonstrating outstanding youth-led leadership with measurable impact.

Commenting on receiving the IB Community Inspiration Award, Monga said:

“To receive this award is to be reminded that awareness carries obligation, and that meaningful change begins when care deepens into responsibility. For me, Project Muskan grew from my own experiences with anxiety into a way of ensuring that children in rural India are seen, heard, and supported without stigma or financial barriers. I hope this recognition encourages more young people to trust that their questions, compassion, and courage can drive real change in their communities.”

“Kayana embodies the very best of what an IB education aims to nurture: compassionate, reflective individuals who care deeply about their communities and apply their learning to create solutions that address broader societal challenges. Her work with Project Muskan shows remarkable leadership, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility," said Mahesh Balakrishnan, Business Development Senior Manager, India and Nepal at the IB. 

Kayana Monga will be honoured at the upcoming Asia-Pacific IB Global Conference, which will take place in Mumbai in March 2026. For more information about the IB Community Inspiration Award and the inaugural winners, please visit here.

 

The IB was founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) pioneered a movement of international education and now offers four high-quality, challenging educational programmes to students aged 3-19. The IB gives students distinct advantages by providing strong foundations, critical thinking skills, and proficiency for solving complex problems while encouraging multiculturalism, curiosity, and a healthy appetite for learning and excellence. In a world where asking the right questions is as important as discovering answers, the IB champions critical thinking and flexibility in study by crossing disciplinary, cultural, and national boundaries. Supported by world-class educators and coordinators, the IB currently engages with more than two million students in over 6,000 schools across more than 160 countries. To find out more, please visit www.ibo.org/.