Books

Journeys of success

Intro: Looking for a new book to read and be inspired by? We have compiled a list of some of the most inspiring and motivational stories of some of the most well-known entrepreneurs and businesspeople. What are you waiting for, add them to your reading list now!

1. Dream With Your Eyes Open by Ronnie Screwvala

The founder of UTV, Ronnie Screwvala, describes his fascinating entrepreneurial journey and how he created his entertainment conglomerate. For aspiring business owners and business students, this biography is frequently suggested as a must-read. With over 20 years of experience, the author teaches you how to think big, cultivate ambitions, and learn from mistakes. Get motivated by the example of the entertainment mogul who, even in his early years, displayed entrepreneurial spirit by coming up with novel ideas like selling balcony seats that provided a view of movie stars attending premieres at the theatre next to his home.

Get a glimpse into the entrepreneur’s life from his reminiscence.

Pages: 208
Price: Rs 500

2. NR Narayana Murthy – a biography by Ritu Singh

The founder of Infosys and inspirational businessman from India, NR Narayana Murthy, is the subject of this book. This is the story of a man’s faith in his ideology and quiet resolve. In addition to his inspirational journey, this book is filled with values that are uncommon in the business world: diligence, justice, fairness, decency, honesty, openness, striving for excellence, and belief in meritocracy.

Since Narayana Murthy and Infosys go hand in hand, one can anticipate a grand journey of the unassuming but brilliant man as he established his empire of Infosys and his supporters.

Pages: 154 pages

Price: Rs 250

3. Dhirubhai Ambani: Against All Odds by A G Krishnamurthy.

A life as grand as it is paved with difficulties: Dhirubhai Ambani. This book will take you on an inspiring journey and give you the chance to discover how a tenacious and determined young man founded the biggest and wealthiest corporation in India. Discover motivating insights and a learning curve by following Dhirubhai Ambani’s ascent to success. This book imparts practical business knowledge to aspiring businesspeople without sugarcoating the hardships required to become a corporate tycoon.

Pages: 132 pages

Price: Rs 182

4. The story of TATA 1868 to 2021- by Peter Casey

The only official biography of the TATA Group that illustrates both its enormous impact and the principles that underpin its strong morals and ethics This book explores the extraordinary journey of the TATA family and group, covering the Tata-Mistry legal battle, Ratan Tata’s interviews, and their unique family photos. This book will be difficult for businessmen and regular people to put down because it covers the establishment of the empire from its foundations with Jamsetji Tata and chronicles the journey with Sir Dorabji Tata, J.R.D. Tata, and Ratan Tata.

Pages: 228 pages

Price: Rs 448

* Another gem of a book that describes the life of one among the prestigious TATA family is Beyond the Last Blue Mountain: the Authorised Biography of J.R.D. Tata by R.M. Lala. Discover the man J.R.D. Tata and his journey to success in this biography which gives you a ticket to the life of the business giant, his accession as the Tata chairman, his aviation passion, his friendships with outstanding people like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and various celebrities.

Pages: 424 pages

Price: Rs 259

*Ratan Tata, the existing chairman and the current carrier of the Tata legacy also has a book dedicated to him; Steel King, Lakshmi Mittal Book by Prateeksha M. Tiwari. Traverse the journey of Ratan Tata to learn insights into the philanthropy and business mindset of the head of the gigantic empire.

Pages: 160 pages

Price: Rs 150

5. Rahul Bajaj: An Extraordinary Life by Gita Piramal

This Rahul Bajaj biography is more than just a business venture; it also tells the story of India’s transformation from the viewpoint of one of the greatest minds and biggest hearts. This book offers business enthusiasts a glimpse into their present and future through business lessons, uncut interviews, political anecdotes, and more from the visionary Rahul Bajaj’s life. This riveting story is inspiring and motivates through quotes like ‘’Integrity and character matter. Without them, no amount of ability can get you anywhere. In addition, you need courage–courage to make difficult decisions and courage to oppose something if your conscience tells you that you are right.”

Get inspired by the tour and begin your very own entrepreneurial journey

Pages: 392 pages

Price: Rs 475

6. Mythbreaker: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and the Story of Indian Biotech by Seema Singh

This book tells the amazing tale of Kiran Mazumdar, a strong woman who didn’t hesitate to take calculated risks, as evidenced by the founding of Biocon India. The book’s title, “The Habitual Myth-Breaker,” pays homage to the myths about women in business that she regularly dispels. As the creator of a business focused on research, Kiran has relationships with unexpected scientists, ministries, pharma competitors, and FMCG industry titans who share their perspectives on her story. Apart from her stellar career, what one can learn from her journey is the integrity and noble motivation of fighting against diabetes and cancer and creating businesses that go beyond just making money.

Be it a businessman, woman or someone looking for inspiration, this book is an eye-opener and a high-standard inspiration.

Pages: 336 pages

Price: Rs 799

7. Havells: The Untold Story of Qimat Rai Gupta Book by Anil Rai Gupta.

Havells- a brand well known, is the brainchild of businessman Qimat Rai Gupta who began with just Rs. 10,000 to build a conglomerate with a turnover of Rs. 17,000 crores. Authored by an insider, his son Anil Rai Gupta, the story describes the determination and passion of QRG, as he is fondly known, in overcoming poverty, ill health, competition, corruption and bureaucracy. From his beginning as a small trader in Delhi to his success with Havells, this book covers a thrilling experience of legal battles, family feuds and scrambling for funds, which is part of QRG’s life.

Pages: 312 pages

Price: Rs 688

8. Bhujia Barons: The Untold Story of How Haldiram Built a Rs 5000-crore Empire Book by Pavitra Kumar

A home-grown label rise to dominance from the streets of Bikaner, Haldiram’s story depicts family drama, expansions, the trademark battle, and the recipe shrouded in mystery. This book follows the journey of Haldiram, the pride of the Agarwal family, to their growth in the Indian food sector overtaking the revenue of McDonald’s and Domino’s together. Know the man behind the empire, Ganga Bhishan Agarwal through this book.

Pages: 197 pages

Price: Rs 144

9. A Complete Biography of Azim Premji Book by A. K. Gandhi.

Azim Premji’s Wipro, a pioneer in the Indian industrial sector, has set the bar for IT companies operating in India. Learn the tale of how a company can be successful despite selfless giving as demonstrated by Azim Premji’s life. The life of Azim Premji, which is chronicled in this book, serves as inspiration for aspiring businessmen and serves as a manual for both successful and ethical business practices and ideologies. Azim Premji’s career accomplishments include being the pioneer of the Indian IT industry and being listed twice among the TIMES 100 most influential people.

Pages: 204 pages

Price: Rs 230

10. Indra Nooyi – a Biography by Annapoorna.

Few people are aware of the woman behind Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi, although many have charted her rise to success. The author of this biography provides readers with the chance to learn about the goals, challenges, and decisions made by the subject while also tracing her early life, journey, and achievements. In addition to being listed here, along with Mother Teresa, Oprah Winfrey, and Hillary Clinton, as one of the thirty most inspirational women in the world, Padma Bhushan is also among the TIMES 100 most influential people, the third-most powerful woman in business, and the sixth-most powerful woman in the world by Fortune. This book is a genuine exploration of the thoughts and emotions of one of the most successful women business owners.

Pages: 176 pages

Price: Rs 167

11. Business: The Emami Way by R.S. Agarwal and R.S. Goenka.

Since this book tells the story of the company’s actual founders, R.S. Agarwal and R.S. Goenka, it is one of the most valuable and rare books. This inspiring account of the founder of the made-in-India multinational company Emami, who struggled to turn his dream into a successful company, will inspire aspiring business owners to maintain optimism and treat their companies with care and humanity. This book is a business studies thesis and an encouraging read for both business students and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Pages: 176 pages

Price: Rs 167

Special Mentions:

Zero to billions- Zerodha by Abhish B

Zerodha, written by Abhish B, tells the tale of the company’s disruptive growth and how it changed the Indian Stock Market. One of the biggest brokerage companies in the nation, Zerodha, facilitates two to three million trades every day. This book uses the journey of the company’s founder, Nithin Kamath, to describe the conception, beginning, and success of the enterprise. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys the process of building an empire and seeks to be motivated by the example.

Pages: 46 pages

Price: E-book

I Too Had a Dream Book by Verghese Kurien (Amul milk powder technology)

Dr Verghese Kurien is a businessman in spirit and innovation, making him an entrepreneur in his own right even without having founded his own company. The journey and contributions he made to AMUL, a well-known and cherished dairy brand in India, are detailed in a biography by Gauri Salvi about the man referred to as the “father of the white revolution” in that country. Follow Dr Verghese Kurien to learn about the multi-talented and philanthropic person’s inspiring life as you work toward the goal of empowering Indian farmers.

Pages: 288 pages

Price: Rs.395

April 4, 2025

How Anoushka Jain is Redefining History for Young India

Anoushka Jain does not treat history as a static archive. For her, it is memory, identity, and inheritance. A trained historian, author, and founder based in Delhi, she grew up in a home where conversations revolved around politics, culture, and lived experience. Stories were currency. Yet she noticed a pattern early on: women’s narratives were often softened, sidelined, or erased. “I realised history wasn’t just a subject for me,” she reflects. “It was about whose stories survive.” An introvert by nature, Anoushka listens more than she speaks, a quality that has shaped both her writing and her leadership. Restoring Women to the Frame Anoushka is the author of Badass Begums, published by HarperCollins, and the founder of Enroute Indian History, a heritage initiative she launched in 2019. The idea stemmed from frustration. “History was being reduced to dates and dynasties,” she says. “I wanted it to feel alive.” Through her book and curated heritage walks, she works to restore visibility to women historically romanticised, villainised, or forgotten altogether. “If women are erased from history, they are erased from imagination.” History, Felt Before Analysed What sets her apart is her narrative lens. “I tell history like it is lived, not like it is memorised,” she explains. Her work explores emotional landscapes, power, gender, rebellion, love, and resistance, rather than mere chronology. Her leadership style mirrors this intimacy. She invites questions, encourages disagreement, and prioritises community over hierarchy. The goal is dialogue, not distance. Building Quietly, Persistently Enroute began without spectacle, early morning walks, solo logistics, research, finances, and self-doubt. “I chose this path because I couldn’t choose it,” she says. The breakthrough came when audiences returned not just for information, but for perspective. The publication of Badass Begums marked another milestone, proof that these layered stories belonged beyond city streets. Her

Books

Top 6 Must-Read Books Of 2025

My Friends by Fredrik Backman Backman has always written about ordinary people and the extraordinary tenderness hidden inside them. My Friends continues that legacy. Set in a small Swedish town where everyone knows everyone and everything. This novel unravels the tangled lives of four friends as they stumble into adulthood and the painful beauty of growing up. It’s not just a story of friendship. It’s about how we hold on when life changes its rhythm. Backman’s prose is gentle yet piercing, like being hugged and gutted at once. If A Man Called Ove made you cry, My Friends will leave you staring at the ceiling, smiling through the ache. This is the kind of book that feels lived-in, human, humble, and quietly magnificent. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros The queen of dragon fiction is back, and she’s not holding back her fire. Onyx Storm, the third in Yarros’s Empyrean saga, is pure combustion: romance, rebellion, and raw emotion. The stakes are higher, the dragons fiercer, the heartbreak deeper. Yarros understands something most fantasy writers forget that world-building means nothing if you don’t make the reader feel. Every battle has a pulse; every kiss, a consequence. Beneath all the fire and flight, this is a story about power who wields it, who pays for it, and who dares to challenge it. Expect sleepless nights and shredded nerves. Circle of Days by Ken Follett Ken Follett has never been content to tell small stories. Circle of Days, a monumental historical novel about the creation of Stonehenge, is a towering return to the kind of storytelling that built civilizations. He takes you back five thousand years, into a world where faith and fear were indistinguishable, where men built monuments not for glory but for gods. Follett’s detail is cinematic: the sound of chisels,

Books

Book To Screen Magic: The 6 Most Spectacular Adaptations That Redefined Storytelling

There’s something magical about watching beloved characters leap from pages to pixels, transforming the theatre of our imagination into a shared visual experience. While the debate over the book rages on, certain adaptations transcend comparison. They become masterpieces in their own right, honouring the source material while embracing the unique possibilities of cinema and television. Dhanush Kumar writes about six adaptations that didn’t just meet expectations; they soared beyond them. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy When Peter Jackson announced his ambitious plan to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s sprawling epic, sceptics predicted disaster. How could anyone compress Middle-earth’s intricate world-building, complex languages, and philosophical depth into film? The answer was simple: by treating the source material with reverence while understanding cinema’s different language. Jackson’s trilogy became more than an adaptation; it became a cultural phenomenon that introduced Tolkien’s work to millions who might never have picked up the books. The films captured the essence of friendship, sacrifice, and the corrupting nature of power that made the novels timeless. What makes this adaptation brilliant is its ability to capture the soul of the work. Two decades later, these films remain the benchmark against which all fantasy adaptations are measured. The Shawshank Redemption Stephen King’s novella Shawshank Redemption was already a powerful tale of hope and friendship. Frank Darabont’s adaptation transformed into what many consider the greatest film ever made, a title it has held on IMDb’s Top 250 for years. The film expands on King’s lean narrative, giving depth to the relationship between Andy and Red, two prisoners who find redemption in the most unlikely place. What elevates this adaptation is its patience. The famous rooftop scene, Adny’s opera moment, and that glorious finale on the Pacific Coast aren’t just cinematic moments; they are emotional moments that understand the assignment. Hope is

Books

5 Books on Mythology and Wisdom to Light Up Your Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is more than just a celebration of lamps, sweets, and fireworks; it’s also a time for reflection, learning, and the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. Just as we brighten our homes with diyas, we can illuminate our minds with stories and insights from mythology that hold timeless lessons. This festive season, here are five books that combine storytelling, philosophy, and practical wisdom, making them perfect companions or gifts for Diwali. 1. The Bhagavad Gita: As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada At its heart, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, and the Bhagavad Gita embodies this essence. Presented as a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, the text explores duty, courage, and self-realization. This edition, with detailed commentary, makes the teachings accessible for both seekers and casual readers. 2. Ramayana: The Game of Life (Series) by Shubha Vilas The Ramayana isn’t just a tale of Rama’s journey it’s also a guide to relationships, leadership, and life’s challenges. Shubha Vilas retells the epic in a way that emphasizes its life lessons, offering practical takeaways for readers. This makes the series especially meaningful during Diwali, when Rama’s return to Ayodhya is celebrated. 3. The Complete Mahabharata (Condensed Retelling) by Ramesh Menon Grand, complex, and deeply human, the Mahabharata is a treasure trove of wisdom. Menon’s retelling brings the epic alive with rich storytelling while making it approachable for modern readers. It’s a reminder of how choices, dharma, and destiny intertwine a theme worth reflecting upon during the festival of lights. 4. The Seven Secrets of Vishnu by Devdutt Pattanaik In this book, Pattanaik explores Lord Vishnu’s avatars and their symbolic meaning. Each chapter decodes how these stories mirror human evolution, spiritual growth, and the balance between chaos and order. It’s a fascinating read for those