34 Bubblegums and Candies--a National best-seller

A little child practises hard for a running race. It means a lot to the child. It's the first time that the child is taking part in such a race, you see. He is not even sure that he will be able to complete it. But he is certainly going to try.
He wakes up each morning, earlier than usual, when all he wants to do is snuggle in the blanket and sleep some more. But the race goads him out of bed. Weary eyed, he wakes ups and runs. Each day, each morning, come rain, come sun, the child is out running.

Finally it is the day of the race. The child surprises everyone including himself. "We never thought you could do it," they say. The child scans the crowd of parents gathered there, but his dad, his hero, the one person in whose eyes he wanted to shine, isn't there.

"Ma," he says to his mother, "Why couldn't dad have been here?"
"If he could he surely would have, my child. Believe me,he is proud of you," replies the mother.
The little boy feels a bit cheated and he  bursts into tears.
Somehow the victory would have been sweeter had his dad shared it.


I am that little boy.
And I cried this morning.
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All copies of 34 Bubblegums and Candies, sold from now on will have the National best-seller tag.

Despite everything --it does feel great.

Thank you all for your marvellous support and infinite amount of love and good wishes you shower me with. This book was totally from the heart. It was born from pain. It also involved many sleepless nights and a lot of hard work.

I get hundreds of fan mails from people who have read it. Yet, the novelty never wears off. I value each mail that I get, I remember each person who writes to me, because my book and my words have touched your lives. I am humbled and honoured.

And yes--I think I am definitely luckier than the little boy.

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