Writing a book is a long drawn but fulfilling process especially when you are able to hold the sample copy in your hand. It is not just the author who looks forward to his book. I realized that there are large number of people cheering for you and supporting you in bringing it out. For me, it was much more than that. The book is a collection of real life anecdotes of people exercising leadership in their everyday lives. It is about people who are generally considered ‘ordinary’ but who exhibit ‘extraordinary’ leadership. From the man on the street, to the autorickshaw driver to the street-vendor to the indigenous tribal chieftain in the forest – all of them are there in the book. But for these wonderful people, there would have been no book at all.
What started out as discussions with my wife Bindu on our morning walk took shape into a book only because of her suggestion to do so. But for her support and encouragement, I would not have taken the courage to venture writing this 7th book of mine. Friends like Hanumanth, Sangeeta Menon and Lijo Chacko worked their magic in editing the book, while young Georgina Perriera designed the cover. The team at GRAAM – Basavaraju, Bhagawan and Shilpa quietly worked in the background as part of the publishing team while Anu Prasad at India Leaders for Social Sector unhesitatingly agreed to be the co-publisher. Every book needs a layout designer and a printer and we were fortunate to have Dhanajay and Samapth who worked with the publishing team to bring out something to hold on and read.
This book is a tribute to two extraordinary monks who have left a deep impression on my life – Swami Sureshanandaji and Swami Achalalnandaji. I deem it my fortune that I have been blessed with their grace and guidance. It was only apt that this book is dedicated to Swami Sureshanandaji.
The greatest gift that any author can receive is when a reader mentions that they read the book. The gift is sweeter when they tell him that the book was good and has in some small way changed their life. I am indeed hungry for such a gift and look forward to your views and comments.
The book can be ordered at https://tinyurl.com/LLDLBYDRBALU. Please do buy it and join hands in celebrating both ‘Leadership’ and the ‘people’ who exercise it.
