My New Book, 'Between Eras & Expressions' Released

In an age where attention is fragmented by screens and scrolling, I’ve made a conscious effort to keep my newly launched book, Between Eras & Expressions concise yet rich with content. At under 200 pages, it offers write-ups on history, culture, travel, films and Urdu as well as my new collection of Urdu poetry — all without demanding too much of readers’ time.

With an aim to make reading enjoyable and meaningful, even for those who seldom pick up a book, the book is a journey across times, terrains, and tongues — woven together through my pen, passion, and perspective. Between Eras & Expressions is not just a compilation of my write-ups; it is, in fact, a reflection of my enduring love for history, travel, cinema, art, and above all, Urdu.

The first section takes readers into the fascinating world of medieval history and the golden age of Muslim scholarship. It sheds light on forgotten epochs and intellectual milestones, offering insights that are both enriching and thought-provoking.

The second section explores some interesting facets of various national and international places I’ve travelled to. These are not mere travelogues or diaries, but thoughtful narratives enriched with unique observations and anecdotes. Each write-up is crafted in a distinctive style to give readers a sense of being right there in the moment.

Write-ups on film and theatre bring out some stories of Bollywood in the third section of this book. The fourth part lightens the mood with writings on diverse and light-hearted topics, all imbued with a poetic flavour. Urdu couplets naturally find their place here, adding charm and rhythm to the prose.

The fifth section brings to the fore my Urdu poetry — written after the publication of my second poetry collection Aayie Dil Se Shayaraana Ho Jayen. The verses are presented in both Nastaliq and Roman scripts to retain their original essence and to appeal to connoisseurs and casual readers alike.

The book (Price: Rs 450) was released on November 15 in Noida. The launch function was attended by Dr Rohma Javed (assistant professor, dept of history, Jamia Millia Islamia); Dr Syed Aijazuddin (Ex-Consultant, Jamia Hamdard's Civil Services Coaching Centre), Najm Ahsan Saifi (Ex-SAIL official), Rashid Nayeem (Ex-Railways official), Khaja Hashmi (project manager, GE and poet), Zille Elahi (COO, Trade India), Fazal Elahi (Diagonastic consultant), Samin Chishti (National Manager, SG), Mr Nayyar Shamshi (Journalist) businesspersons Paasha Qadry, Dr Syed Misbahuddin, Shah Amir and Asad Elahi, besides many history and poetry lovers. The book was launched by the author’s mother Mrs Sarwat Usmani.

Ghazal singing by Qausain Hashmi enlightened the audience after the book launch. To buy Between Eras & Expressions, WhatsApp at 9870477658

(Price: Rs 450+courier charge; payment can be done at 9870477658@upi)

Forward-thinking Dialogue At World Leaders Forum

I attended the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025 in New Delhi on Saturday, where global leaders gathered to share insights and explore new strategies for navigating an increasingly unstable world.

Addressing the shifting global economic landscape, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar cautioned against overdependence on any single country for supply chains, production, or markets — arguing that such reliance could undermine the foundation of a truly resilient economic power.

Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi emphasised the deepening ties between India and Europe, calling for a more strategic and impactful partnership. Highlighting India’s technological capabilities, rising global influence, and cultural richness, Renzi urged both regions to move beyond superficial diplomacy — from mere "melody" to resonant "music" in bilateral engagement.

Mohamed Kande, Global Chairman of PwC, struck an optimistic note amid global trade tensions. "Despite current challenges around tariffs and trade, we’re on the brink of a new wave of innovation," he said. "Growth may appear stagnant in familiar sectors, but fresh opportunities are emerging through innovation."

Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder & Executive Chairman of S4 Capital, outlined the key geopolitical risks shaping global markets: strained US-China relations, the ongoing conflict involving Russia, and tensions with Iran. “Add tariffs to the mix, and the level of uncertainty grows exponentially,” he noted.

Christopher Wood, Global Head of Equity Strategy at Jefferies, praised the robust performance of India’s domestic asset management sector, while Jonathan Ross, Founder & CEO of Groq, pointed out that three of the top ten tech companies in the U.S. are currently led by Indian-origin CEOs—a testament to India’s global tech leadership.

A variety of influential voices also featured across WLF’s themed sessions. Rajat Taneja, President of Technology at Visa contributed to a discussion titled The Battle for the Last Click: Payments in a Platform Age. Meanwhile, Pradeep Parameswaran, Global Head of Mobility at Uber, spoke during the Rewiring Urban India: Mobility, Access session, and designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee shared insights on heritage and identity in The Fabric of Identity: Craft, Culture, and Fashion. Other notable speakers include Gautam Singhania, Chairman of Raymond Group, and Vishal Sikka, Founder & CEO, Vianai Systems.

Presenting My Book to AMU Professor

Presenting my book, 'The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dilli' to Mr Raashid Nehal, Professor, Department of English, AMU. The book offers a glimpse into Delhi’s changing history, culture, language and society. It gives an insight of the seven fabled cities of Delhi along with an interesting journey of Urdu, which was born and brought up here.

The book has stories — from kings, nawabs and poets to saints, faqirs and courtesans. The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dilli is available on Fipkart.com, Amazon.in and Urdubazaar.in.

Delhi has a splendid legacy of Urdu poets — from Hatim, Dard, Sauda, Mir and Mushafi to Zauq, Ghalib, Zafar, Momin, Shefta and Daagh — who saw both the splendour and ravages of the time. The book also gives readers an exposure to Urdu prose and letters which are an important part of Delhi’s history. For the benefit of those who are not well-versed in Urdu, the author has written the extracts in Roman script (English) and has explained the meanings of difficult Urdu words too. In the pic below: Mr Nehal with his son Saif

Book Launch: Greatness & Gratitude

At the launch of Greatness & Gratitude in Noida. Below are some more pictures of the function.

Happy Reader of my book,'The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dilli'

Mr Abu Shafquat (UK), Ex-CEO, AT&T and Telstra, with my book,'The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dilli.The book offers a glimpse into Delhi’s changing history, culture, language and society. It gives an insight of the seven fabled cities of Delhi along with an interesting journey of Urdu, which was born and brought up here.

The book has stories — from kings, nawabs and poets to saints, faqirs and courtesans. The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dilli is available on Fipkart.com, Amazon.in and Urdubazaar.in.

Delhi has a splendid legacy of Urdu poets — from Hatim, Dard, Sauda, Mir and Mushafi to Zauq, Ghalib, Zafar, Momin, Shefta and Daagh — who saw both the splendour and ravages of the time. The book also gives readers an exposure to Urdu prose and letters which are an important part of Delhi’s history. For the benefit of those who are not well-versed in Urdu, the author has written the extracts in Roman script (English) and has explained the meanings of difficult Urdu words too.

International Readers of The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dilli

https://razaelahi.blogspot.com/2024/07/international-readers-of-fascinating.html

Readers of The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dill

Get An Insight Of The Seven Fabled Cities Of Delhi

https://razaelahi.blogspot.com/2023/05/get-insight-of-seven-fabled-cities-of.html

Readers of The Fascinating Tales of Urdu & its Courtyard — Dilli

https://razaelahi.blogspot.com/2023/04/happy-readers-of-fascinating-tales-of.html

The Psychology of Motherhood

It was an honour speaking at the launch function of Dr Nadeem Mohsin’s book, “The Psychology of Motherhood” at India International Centre, New Delhi on April 15, 2025.

This book is a profound exploration of motherhood, blending personal narratives with a lot of feminine insights. By focusing on the experiences of six successful mothers, the book provides a rich tapestry of how different thinking preferences shape their journeys. Each of the six enlightened women have made unending, undaunted and indefatigable efforts to bring hope, happiness and harmony in the lives of the underprivileged women, youths and adolescents.

The author’s ability to highlight issues such as maternal traditions, healthcare disparities, and work-life balance adds layers to the discussion, making it relevant for professionals in clinical psychology and related fields.

The clear and accessible writing style is a plus, ensuring that a wide audience can engage with these important themes. It is a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand the complexities of motherhood and support expecting mothers.

Dr. Nadeem Mohsin is a doctorate in Economics and a Postgraduate degree holder in Psychology with specialisation in Clinical Psychology and Counselling. He has published seven books, and more than fifty articles in reputed journals in India and abroad.

To get a copy of the book, contact at 9540025221.

Some more pics of the book launch:

New Year Shayeri

Below are few couplets of mine themed on new year:

(khayaal-e-gesu-e-moambar = thoughts of fragrance of tresses; saffak = tyrant; ibliisi nizaam = satanic system; rasm-o-rah = rituals)

(elahi.raza82@gmail.com)