Sharten Laagoo (New Version of Terms And Conditions Apply)

by Divya Prakash Dubey

There are books that feel like a book while reading, and then there is 'Sharten Laagoo'. The simple and lively stories compel you to take a look back at your own life, and remember when you put these incidences at the back of your mind. It's not just a collection of stories and a true incident, but also a reflection of what every one of us has seen sometime or the other, in our lives. The characters come alive, time and again as people we may have met, or as a persona of our own self.

Whether it is highs and lows of a relationship, chaos and bedlam of school life, petty or harmless office gossips, or the buzz of a salon; all stories are strongly steeped in reality and yet they take a superb flight of fancy in the hands of a master craftsman. Rich in imagination, broad in its scope and elegant in its style, 'Sharten Laagoo' is arguably one of the best debut works in recent Hindi literature. This is the new and updated version of best seller 'Terms And Conditions Apply'.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Indian Literature

117 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Divya Prakash Dubey is India’s first of now many ‘Hinglish’ writers, An Engineer and a MBA by education, a former-AGM, Marketing in a telecom company and now a content editor in leading TV Channel, the combination has been unseen in the world of writing on many levels. But that is what he is, a break from the existing moulds of factory made pieces coming in the market.

Humorous down to his very core, and equally deep in his thoughts. His unique view on life and relations makes him an expert storyteller of the popular genre, and these views have been formed by closely observing life from small towns to big Corporate organisations of the country.
His three published books have all been bestsellers - Two collection of Short Stories - “Terms and Conditions Apply” and “Masala Chai” and 2 Novels “Musafir Cafe” & "October Junction", which has started changing the aspect of youth towards life. He also has few poems, short stories and screenplays to his credit.
Engaging and intriguing a lot of first time readers and carving a niche for himself he has started his own brand of storytelling, a new art of ‘Storybaazi’ which could change the very way we listen and understand Hindi stories.
He is the first person to present a TedX talk in Hindi, and his TedX talks and various lectures at colleges and corporate events pull huge crowds who come eager to listen to their Author, who has managed to capture the imagination and reality, both, of the huge young student population, who live their present and as well as the working professionals, who relive their college and childhood days with his stories.
Divya Prakash Dubey is a rare gem in the world of Hindi Popular writing, and is taking both his storytelling and the common popular Hinglish language to new levels of acceptability and vernacular usage, with his interesting one liners and captivating imagination.

Reviews

[Gorab · Rating 2 out of 5]

दिव्य प्रकाश जी ने अपनी तीसरी किताब में एक बढ़िया बात लिखी थी:

“गलतियाँ सुधारनी जरुर चाहिए लेकिन मिटानी नहीं चाहिए। गलतियाँ वो पगडंडियाँ होती है जो बताती रहती हैं कि हमने शुरू कहाँ से किया था।”
― Divya Prakash Dubey, Musafir Cafe

शायद उनकी पहली किताब "Terms and Conditions Apply" की ही बात कर रहे थे।

[E.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 Half the stories were bad and half the stories were decent. Not one "wow" story.
But, the writing style was - ऐसा हलवा जो जुबां पर पिघल - घुल जाता हैं |
Very very readable. Infact I kept going back despite getting disappointed again n again with d stories.

[Rishabh Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a collection of 14 Hinglish short stories which explores everyday life, love, and humor in urban and rural India with relatable characters and witty narratives.

[Siddharth Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice

[Amrit Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow me to be direct, and not beat around the bush, and I will say the following – “Terms and Conditions Apply”, according to me, is one of the best collection of short stories that I have ever come across. No kidding. Irrespective of the language, I would rate it alongside the collections of greats such as O’Henry, Saki and Ruskin Bond.

And come to think of it, the author, Divya Prakash Dubey, is a complete newbie, and “Terms and Conditions Apply” marks his debut. What? Seriously? You wouldn't believe it if you read this book, just like I am having trouble accepting the fact.

The reasons are aplenty. The book is a collection of fourteen short stories in Hindi, each belonging to a different genre. That’s a big plus point, ‘cause often reading tales that fall under a single genre can turn out to be a bit monotonous. Just like you long for varieties in life, a reader’s mind too hunts for different plots satiating his / her taste buds. That’s the first thumbs up this book gets from me.

Talking about the plot makes me question the mind of the author. How can a newcomer come up with fourteen plots, all totally unique, all absolutely different from each other, without even a tinge of similarity between them? However, there is one common factor that binds all these stories, and that is none of the stories fail to enchant you, and enamor your senses. Let me tell you what I thought when I started reading this book.

As I finished the first story, ‘They Lived Happily Ever After’, I honestly felt that the author and the publication team should have kept the best story for the last, and thus, I thought, that the other stories might not live up to the beauty of the first one. Then came ‘Class 9th B’, and for a few moments, I couldn't believe that this was written by the same author who penned the previous tale. Both stories were so different, in content, language, and style, and yet, both were brilliant. Kitty, Saloon, Lolita and the rest followed, and I, an avid reader, became a total fan of the author Divya Prakash Dubey.

For the first time in my life, I picked up a collection / anthology where I loved ALL the stories. Normally, I like to rate each of the stories whenever I finish such a collection, but I failed in this department this time. Each of the stories score a perfect ten. In fact, I couldn't even choose my favorite one out of the lot. Mr. Dubey, you really confused me.

But I would really love to be in this state of confusion. I wish we have more such books, in Hindi, English, and in every language, which entertain you, and cater to the taste of every person. True, purists might comment regarding the use of a few English words here and there, but I would debate and say that those were needed, and went in perfect sync with the stories.

“Terms and Conditions Apply” is an epitome of perfection, and sets a high benchmark for the world to follow. I hope that this book is read and re-read by all.

This collection is as novel and refreshing as it could get. I wouldn't even have dared to rate it, as that would spoil the beauty encased in this book. Actually, this book, and its stories surpasses all sort of ratings.

And yet, for the sake of convenience, I conclude the review by rating it a perfect 5 out of 5 (and no, there are no terms and conditions applied in my verdict).

[Arvind Passey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is how we speak. Review of ‘Terms and conditions apply’
*

I am just wondering what the purists will have to say about this book where the title is in English, the author’s name is written in Hindi… and the 14 short stories inside use English phrases and words almost where any of the urban and rural reader would while communicating in his daily life.

This is why this review reserves a pat for Divya Prakash Dubey or DP and for the sort of innovative thought process that has gone into the conceptualising of this book. DP takes pride in admitting that he is an able marketing manager who is also able to write… and not the other way round. I’d agree with that because the short stories, once you emerge from the euphoria of seeing Hindi and English converge with so much ease, are rather mundane and most of them leave you with a sense of a feeling of inadequacy. We’ll come to this later. But let me just say here that DP has a way with marketing an innovative idea in the world of publishing… and hopefully, will make his stories dive deeper into the subconscious world of human interactions and not just remain content to report incidents.

So the stories do make you feel as if you’re reading a news block in a Hindi daily that has been stuffed with dialogues and made to appear infused with masala. Yes, there will be a lot of readers who will love the titillation that this kind of incursion into creative retelling of incidents give… but then the serious reader will be left groping and with a feeling of something sorely missing. So what is it that is missing? The blurb of the book describes them as ‘13 short stories and a true incident. Whether it is highs and lows of a relationship, chaos and bedlam of school life, petty or harmless office gossips, or the buzz of a salon; all stories are strongly steeped in reality and yet they take a superb flight of fancy in the hands of a master craftsman.’ But then this is what the blurb writer says… and is not entirely wrong. The stories do resemble ‘harmless office gossip’, take you into the heart of the shallowness of school life as we all have felt at one time or the other, ambles into situations of common occurrences… but nearly always stop short of making that crucial incision to lay bare the vital truth that the common man in each of us is in search of. Yes, the author does make us jog with him into the reality that we see around us, rejoice the capture of perfectly sane and valid incidents, but then loses insight.

...read the complete review here:
http://passey.info/2014/04/this-is-ho...



Arvind Passey
www.passey.info

[Meghant Parmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a collection of anthology and has taken cue out of everyday activities and behavior of human beings.

A lot of good and bad have been portrayed and some stories are compelling while a few have fallen short on expectations.

The biggest plus is that the the attempt has been done in Hindi which makes it unique.


Overall it's a good experience for the readers.

[Sumit Singla · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a let-down after an interesting earlier book by the author. Most of the stories in this volume are quite silly, and liberally use expletives. I'm not anti-expletive by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't like profanity just for the sake of being profane.

If you really have to, I'd suggest reading 'Musafir Cafe' by the same author.

[Vasu Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book which will take you to streets of Lucknow and narrate the stories in simple common language. Best part is it is having many short-stories!! So good for those who don't want to read one single novel.

[Nikhil Talwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

लेखक दिव्य प्रकाश दूबे की यह तीसरी किताब हैं. इससे पहले उन्होने एक बहुत ही अच्छा उपन्यास लिखा था "मुसाफिर केफे" जो की बहुतब ही अच्छा हैं. इस उपन्यास को आप सभी को एक बार तो पढ़ना ही चाईए. इंग्लीश पढ़ते पढ़ते हम कही अपनी हिन्दी को भूल गये

हैं. लोग अक्सर यही कहते हैं, ख़ासकर हमारी आज की युवा पीढ़ी की हिन्दी की कहानियाँ कौन पढ़ेगा. हिन्दी का उपन्यास. नही हम तो इंग्लीश ही पढ़ेंगे. यह एक ग़लत धारणा बना के बैठे हैं लोग. आज के ज़माने में भी हिन्दी बहुत महत्व रखती हैं. इसलिए हमे हिन्दी की

किताबे भी पढ़नी चाईए क्योकि वो हमारे दिलो दिमाग़ पर एक गहरी छाप छोड़ने की हिम्मत रखती हैं. ऐसी ही हैं "दिव्य प्रकाश दूबे" की "शर्तें लागू". यह एक बहुत ही ज़्यादा अच्छी किताब हैं. इस में आपको 14 कहानियो का संकलन मिलेगा. हर कहानी कुछ कहती हैं. कही

ना कही हर कहानी में आपका अक्स छुपा हुआ हैं. आपको लगेगा जैसे की यह मेरे से मिलती जुलती कहानी हैं. कोई कहानी आपको हासाएगी, कोई आपको रुलाएगी तो कोई आपके दिल को छू जाएगी. और इन्हे लिखने का ढंग बहुत ही निराला हैं. बस आप पढ़े और खुद ही

देखे. आपको इन्हे पढ़ने के लिए कोई खास दिन या समय की ज़रूरत नही हैं. बस कही भी और कभी भी इन्हे लेकर बैठ जाए और खो जाए इन सुंदर कहानियो में. मुझे सारी कहानिया बहुत अच्छी लगी ख़ासकर समोसे वाली क्योकि इस कहानी की बात ही कुछ और हैं. ऐसे

ही सभी कहानियो में बहुत मज़ा आएगा. तो आज ही अपनी बुक मँगवायें और इसे बैठ के पढ़े.

[SUMIT'S LIBRARY · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟/5

और भाईया सब बढ़िया।
चलो 'शर्ते लागू' की बात कर लेते है जिसे दिव्य भाईया ने पिरोया है।

तो हां इस संग्रह मे 14 लघु कहानिया��� है।
सभी कहानियां 21 शताब्दी की कहानियों जैसी है।

➡️अगर बात करें 'They lived happily ever after ' की तो यह आपके सुबह के नाश्ते के समान है।सबसे बढ़िया। इसमें एक युगल की कहानी है। जिन्हें प्रेम होता है। प्रेम पाणिग्रहण संस्कार मे तब्दील होता है।बाक़ी आप पढ़ो।सब हम ही बता देंगे तो पढ़ोगे क्या?

➡️"सैलून" यह कहानी आपको बताती है कि आपका नाई जिससे आप बाल कटवाते और छिलवाते हो।उसे लगभग मोहल्ले के सारे घरों मे का खिचड़ी पक रही है ।पता होती है।काहे की उसके यहां सब जातें है।

➡️ 'लोलिता' और *Terms & Conditions Appy और Ask Expert आपको CBSC और ICSC बोर्ड के माहौल जैसी लगेंगी।

✍️सुमित फतेहपुरिया

[Rupesh Ghode · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was my second short story read, i read it in one sitting. Nice collections stories by divya prakash dube . He has great storytelling talent which made him different in among the new writers specially in hindi. All the stories are so connecting that it stays in your heart for long time.
Some stories are so touchy, emotional that everyone can not able to understand it. Characters in stories are so simple & impactful. I have read his other work also can say ,like imtiaz ali's movies female characters in his books are so unique & fascinating to read.

All among these stories SAMOSA was so touching. Terms and condition apply was also one of my favorite among this collection.

Happy Read

[Kamal Upadhyay · Rating 4 out of 5]

मसालेदार हैं आप

दिव्या भाई आप की यह किताब मुझे सलमान खान की उस फिल्म की तरह लगी जिसमें सिर्फ और सिर्फ "मनोरंजन" का खयाल रखा गया है। एक तरफ जहाँ हिंदी में लिखने वाले और ठेकेदार सब कुछ साहित्य जैसा लिखना चाहतें हैं, आपने वहाँ आज की कहानी और किरदार लिखकर आनंद दे दिया। लोगों को समझना होगा कि लिखने का मतलब सिर्फ यह नहीं है कि दर्द और दुखभरी कहानियाँ कठिन हिंदी शब्दों के साथ सजाकर दे दी जाए।

[Aditya Chauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

लेखक वर्तमान के उन साहित्यकारों में से है जिन्होने हिन्दी साहित्य को युवा वर्ग तक ला दिया। यह पुस्तक पढ़ने के बाद इसका कारण भी जान जाएंगे। यह पुस्तक 14 कहानियों का संग्रह है। लेखक ने अपनी लेखन प्रतिभा के दम पर सभी कहानियों में जान डाल दी है। कुछ कहानियों की storyline इतनी अच्छी है कि दिल करता है कि शाम को एक कप कॉफी के ज़रिए उनको ज़िया जाए।

[Aman Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another masterpiece from Divya Prakash Dubey!

This book is a collection of many short stories. All the stories give a sight of India which is hidden. It also presses on very issues which are taboo in our country. Some of the stories will make you uncomfortable at times, but this is how good stories works.

Waiting for more from DP.

A must read for sure!
Happy reading.

[Rakshita Nagayach (books_n_unicorns) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"They Lived Happily Ever After" and "Samose" were my favorite stories from the short story collection. It is always fun reading Divya Prakash Dubey's books. This was his first book and he has improved himself with every book he's written since.

My best wishes.

[Harpreet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book to read. some short stories are awesome. loved it.

[Arun Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gazab.

[Upen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. With lovely stories. Easy Hindi reading. Great for novices like myself

[Gaurav Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A One time read.

[Pavan Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories in the books are just ok and didn't amused me much. Some of them are good and some are below average. One extra star from my side to author for his unique style of writing.

[Ravi Prakash · Rating 2 out of 5]

कहानियाँ अच्छी है, कुछ तो बहुत अच्छी है, लेकिन Narration में Artistic Approach की कमी है। इन्ही कहानियों को और Better way में लिखा जा सकता था। My review- 2.5/5

[Prem Lohana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Just one more book with the stories which has no happy endings why writer don't think that readers should be with happy face when he complete book

[Anil Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a big disappointment for me as a reader of his books as I was not expecting such stories after reading all his three novels till now but for me it was not up to my expectations...

[Pranav Patil · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's nice collection..... Various stories.. Various angle...!

[Junaid Sheikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

All stories are good bt some touched my heart very deep!!

[Naveen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average book with average stories good for one time casual read and nothing more.

[rj_aaysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has many beautiful stories. Combination of some adult content and maturity. Overall a very good book. If you enjoy short reads, must go for it.

[Dharmendra Chouhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average

To be honest I didn't find this book much interesting. I read it because of lots of reviews. Rather adios is much better.

[Sachin Garg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few stories are good, but 2-3 are really boring.