Bangalore Launch-34 Bubblegums and Candies

Many of you writing to me,
Asking me to post on launch at Bengaluru
I feel good, happy, elated
That you want some-moru :-)

Launch went off great,
R.K Misra was terrific,
A born leader, an orator, a patriot,
With an approach which was focused and specific,

Meeting you all in person,
Whom I met only online,
A meeting of minds,
That added glitter and shine,

Book signings, Book readings,
Laughter, deep thoughts, a connect
That’s sums up most of it,
A launch that to me was near perfect!

I think pictures speak louder than words. Xh (anoop) has clicked some great ones. Click Here to see lots of them.

Also, Varun, Gazal ,Bimal and Prats have blogged about it. Click on their names to read what they said.

I was very impressed with R.K Misra, (yes he has a blog too) who is so down to Earth, Humble, with no celebrity airs, despite having achieved so much. He means what he says.He brings professionalism and transparency to public governance and leaders like him is what our country needs. He started a movement called “Change India” after winning the Lead India Campaign from among 36,000 participants. His idea of a ‘private-public partnership’ has resulted in improving the lives of thousands of Indians. To know more click here.

I was so delighted when he told me that he loved my book. I got to spend some time with him, before the launch, in the morning and in the evening too, before the function started. I was pleasantly surprised when he told me that within a day of getting the book he had read many stories and he discussed minute details with me. He really liked my book. In his words “More I read your book more I was convinced to be a part of the book launch. It is a wonderful work, so simple to read and extremely insightful. My hearty congratulations and wishing you all the success.”

The Media coverage too was excellent. (click on each article to enlarge and read) But more than all that, I felt so happy to see my friends whom I had connected online. They made a special effort to come for the launch. Many had carried lovely gifts for me and the children. I felt really grateful to the people who made an effort to come—especially so, as many people whom we thought would surely come didn’t turn up. (Just like what happened at Pune) So I’d like to make a special mention of the following who not only came, but hung around till the very end and waited for me till I finished talking to the Media and posing for the paparazzi.

Xh (Anoop) He clicked lovely pics too

Anant: I had written about him. Click on his name to read it.

Prats : It was great meeting her. Apart from gifts for the kids,she also gave me a perfect egg shaped paper weight made of marble with a note that said “Wishing you lots more Manuscripts to weigh under. All the best”.I was touched by her thoughtfulness.

Chandini: She is not a blogger. I have blogged about her. You can read it by clicking on her name. She postponed her trip to Mumbai just so that she could attend my launch.

Varun: He left so quickly as it was his dad’s birthday the next day.It was great to meet him.

Pratima: I had been interacting with her online. She gave such cute Mugs to my children.My daughter now has 4 glasses of milk a day, without any murmur, because she liked the mug so much! Thanks Pratima!

Gazal: She too hung around till the very end.

Karthik: he came all the way from Chennai to attend my launch!

Praveen: it was nice to meet him.

Bimal : He has been very encouraging.Always reads what i write and encourages me to do better.

Nikhil: That ever smiling enthusiastic bundle was a joy to meet and he has been helping me a lot with my book promos.

Prakhar: He looked just like his picture :-) Not that he ought not to—but as soon as I saw him I recognized him.

Sushma: Who said had been reading my blog a lot.

My oldest friends Hrishikesh who I went to school with, and Jen whom I went to college with,(see pics) turned up—and I felt so happy! I was meeting Jen after 13 years, and Hrishi I had met a few months back, after 17 years!

There were many more well wishers—I felt great that they took out time and made an effort to come for my launch. Too many names to mention, so forgive me if I have left out yours. A big thanks to you all--not only the ones who attended the launch but also the ones who continue to read and and connect with me.