Pune launch 34 Bubblegums and Candies.

Saturday evening (4th October 2008) was special. It was the first time I’d be attending a book launch.What made it very special was that it was my own. :-) I did not know what to expect. But I knew what I didn’t want for sure.

I did not want to talk about myself. It was not about me. It was about the book. It was about a journey. It was about a message, to live love and laugh, to dance like no-one was watching, to let go of the insignificant things, to live life fully.

They told me I could do whatever I wanted. I was the star.

“No” I corrected them “My book is the star.”

So what happened at the launch? I think these people who attended it have said it better.

http://godyears.blogspot.com/2008/10/35-bubblegums-and-candies.html

http://blog.prats.co.in/2008/10/34-bubblegums-candies-launch.html

http://sam-memoirs.blogspot.com/2008/10/34-bubblegums-and-candies-book-launch.html

The guest of honour was Anuja Agarwal who is now a friend and also VP and Global head of Communications of Duetsche Bank. She spoke really well and said some wonderful things about me and the book.

The turnout was really good. There was a big crowd. But funnily ‘friends’ whom I expected to be there were not there. They had promised they would come. I did not bother to ask them why they did not come, nor have they bothered to call up and explain. It has ceased to surprise me now. It just validates a few things that I have said in the last chapter of my book. (called ‘How this book came to be’)

I met some wonderful people whom I had been interacting online with. I met Dr.Roshan (whom I have met once before), Akanksha (whom I was looking forward to meet) ,Nishant (whom I knew only through twitter) and Prateek (whom I had interacted with only through my blog) among the bloggers and I met many non-bloggers too. Many people had read the newspaper articles and had turned up for the launch. I was moved that they wanted to click pictures with me. They were treating me like a celebrity and I could see the respect, awe and admiration in their eyes. I felt really humbled.(and honoured too)

I kept signing books after books after books. One person wanted me to sign a book for his wife who was expecting. Another couple wanted me to sign a book for their child, so that she will have it when she grows up. They said they would treasure that book. There were photographers who kept asking me to pose for pictures. Lots of people gave me bouquets and my house now is full of fresh flowers. Each corner I turn, there is a burst of colours reminding me of that special day. I also know that fame like these flowers will fade and so I enjoy it while it lasts.

I do believe with all my heart that that dreams indeed come true. You have to make it happen. It depends on how badly you want it, and how hard you are willing to work for it and what you are willing to give up for it and how deeply you believe in yourself. Paulo Coelho was right. You just have to want something badly enough (as opposed to mere wishful thinking) and act on it. The Universe indeed conspires to give it to you.

That morning a good friend of mine had sent me this video. He wished me luck and he wanted me to watch it before the launch. It moved me and also inspired me a lot. There’s a lovely message in the video—only you have to get it. I loved it. It beautifully illustrated what I have always known. (Incidentally, there is a chapter in the book called ‘Two monsters’ which explains it well)

"Yes, you can be a dreamer and a doer too, if you will remove one word from your vocabulary:Impossible"

----Robert.H.Schulle

True--Nothing is impossible.

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Note: The Bangalore Book launch of '34 Bubblegums and Candies' is on Friday,10th October, 6:00.p.m at Crossword , Residency road. R.K Misra is the guest of honour. And yes--you are invited. :-)