Razzaq Mohammed

Razzaq Mohammed

I am Razzaq. I work in the energy efficiency sector. I love travelling, reading books and blogging about both. I am also a big fan of Victorian era Gothic horror; both books and movies. This website is an amalgamation of all my previous blogs (all 4 for them). It is a one stop place for all my different types of readers. Here I write about my travels, books that I have read, energy, horror, history and anything else that catches my fancy! The section 'Random thoughts' will take you to more topics there. Hope you enjoy it!

Latest posts

Lords of the Deccan by Anirudh Kanisetti || A 10 point book review

What is it about? : This book is about the history of a region which does not get the same attention that it more than deserves; south India. Medieval Deccan had some of the most important and significant kingdoms to have existed in the history of India and Hinduism as well and yet it does not get the same attention the northern part of India and its history gets. Read More "Lords of the Deccan by Anirudh Kanisetti || A 10 point book review"

White Mughals by William Dalrymple || A 10 point book review

What is it about? : 'White Mughals' is about the love story of a British officer posted in Hyderabad, India with a local Hyderabadi noblewoman during the late 18th century. Read More "White Mughals by William Dalrymple || A 10 point book review"

My Travels


I travel whenever and wherever I can. Travel for me is not the glamorous Instagram type pics. A walk in a neighboring nondescript village is also travel. Squeezing in a 3 hour sightseeing with a 20 hour journey is also travel. I do what I can with what I have. Sometimes its elaborate with week long trips. Sometimes its just a bus ride between two places. I try to enjoy whatever experiences I am privileged and lucky to experience. I have travelled a lot in my home country India. More than average I would say. Covered 15 states out of 29. Internationally I have been to only USA and Bhutan apart from my country of residence India and Canada. Presently I am based in the beautiful province of British Columbia in Canada and am trying to explore it as much as I can.

Canada

I arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia in December 2018. Since then I went on a couple of multi day road trips and many day trips in BC. I also spent a year and a half in the sunny Okanagan region which gave me nice opportunity to explore the Interior regions of BC.

India

The country of my Birth, India is a country like no other. With its population of a billion people and the vast variety in landscapes and history, India is a place where even if you spend your entire lifetime in exploring it, it wont be enough. In my own limited capacity I travelled a bit in this beautiful country. I did 3 different multi day treks in the Himalayas which still remain some of the best travel experiences of my life. I visited 15 out of the 29 states.

USA

I went on two trips to the United States so far.

Bhutan

I did a multiday trek in this beautiful country.

Energy


Here, I write about energy related topics.

I began my energy career in 2013 with working in a 4 x 600 MW Subcritical thermal power plant and later worked in 2 x 660MW supercritical thermal power plant. In these positions where I gained experience in various areas including commissioning, operation, as well as energy conservation. With the climate change crisis we find ourselves in, I wanted to leave behind fossil fuel power plants and pursue a field which would make an impact in alleviating some aspect of the climate change. What better area than energy conservation and improving energy efficiency. I moved to Canada in 2018 to pursue Master of Engineering Leadership in Clean Energy Engineering program at the University of British Columbia (UBC). From 2021 I have been working in the energy efficiency sector of Canada.

Here is a link to an Efficiency Canada feature published in 2022.

Lords of the Deccan by Anirudh Kanisetti || A 10 point book review

What is it about? : This book is about the history of a region which does not get the same attention that it more than deserves; south India. Medieval Deccan had some of the most important and significant kingdoms to have existed in the history of India and Hinduism as well and yet it does not get the same attention the northern part of India and its history gets.

75 Hours (3 nights) aboard USA’s 2 most scenic train routes; California Zephyr and Coast Starlight (in Coach)

3 nights abroad the 2 most scenic trains in all of USA. That too in Coach. Meaning no sleeping on my back! How did that go and how was the scenery during the trip! Read on to find out!

Building Canada || A 10 Point book review

This book is a sort of an introduction to the various architectural styles of buildings in Canada and the influences that created them. The book starts from the French settlers in the 1600s and ends in the modern times, touching in between the Atlantic provinces, the prairie towns, French influences, British influences and Canada’s own style as well.

Touching the void at the Via Ferrata, Squamish, BC, Canada

Clinging to the side of the mountain with only bolted iron rings and a safety harness between me and the rocks below, I looked around at my surroundings. It was snowing mildly and now and then I had to wipe my glasses to clear the snow. The day was dark and gloomy. Far away I could see the blue waters of Howe sound and the surrounding mountains. The view was stunning.

The Great Railroad Revolution || A 10 Point book review

In this book the author traces the rise and fall of the American railways from its beginnings in the early 1800s to the present time. At its time the railways were at the cutting edge of transportation technology and proved to be one of the biggest factors in America’s growth. The author also throws light on these points.