Sajith Sarathchandran

Books offering insights into specific attractions on particular aspects connected with a location are common nowadays, but seldom do we find a volume dedicated to a multitude of subjects around a geographical location catering to the tastes of all. Life at Urbania offers that. It is precisely for its manner of highlighting and treatment of the vast range of subjects it covers that Life at Urbania is different. Call it a reference guide, travel aid, ready reckoner for local attractions, shopping aide and even a nature lover's handbook - it wears all these hats with aplomb and showcases still more, transforming it to one of a kind, making one wonder whether the author is a detective, historian, nature lover, horticulturist, concerned citizen, environmentalist, scientist or just a writer with an attractive style and a keen eye for detail. I like to think of him as a combination of all these; wish he comes up with similar endeavours on other Indian locations he is familiar with. Immensely big, our country needs to highlight its attractions to its own citizens and such initiatives are welcome steps to that end. Based on the author's observations about life, environment, weather, geographical features, flora and fauna, local attractions, history and even the work NGOs do, this compendium of thoughts makes a case for compelling reading not only for residents of Thane (where the author is based), but also for anyone interested in understanding the various facets of life in urban India.