BG
Conversation, one of the great initiatives by the Bombay Gymkhana Literary Committee,
hosted by the club on 6th February 2020 was a houseful event.
The
conversation that evening, between author Ruby Ahluwalia, IRAS, a member of the
club and Bombay Gymkhana's Literary Secretary Reena Agarwal was around the book ‘Fragrance
Of A Wild Soul’.
Ruby Ahluwalia, a bureaucrat with a wandering, adventurous spirit, had it all — a
successful career, a happy, supportive family and a creative and analytical
mind. A pro-multitasker, she was juggling her time and energies to be a super professional,
a super mom, a super wife and a super daughter. Little did she realize that in
this process, she was becoming a ‘below average her’.
Ruby
is a Life Coach and a prolific speaker on Holistic healing. She is the Founder
of Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer and has worked with more than 2 lakh patients
across India through the narrative of Integrated Cancer care.
Fragrance of A Wild Soul is her personal journey — a
story of self-exploration — which led her to answers that lay in the patterns
of human behaviour. The book captures the author’s spiritual quest,
introspection and reflection. It explores the causes for upheavals in our lives
and turning our catastrophic experiences into opportunities and living life to
the fullest.
Reena started the conversation by sharing “I
knew nothing about the book and hence was skeptical about having this conversation.
I started the book on my way to Goa and got so engrossed that I finished the
book in flat 4 hours.”
This sentiment has been echoed by many readers.
In fact a couple say that the story as narrated in the book “is un-pu-downable”
Responding to Reena on how Ruby felt on
learning that she had with cancer, Ruby quipped “I was very annoyed. Most people when diagnosed
with an advanced stage of cancer become sad, fearful and depressed. But I, with
the diagnosis, was angry. I was annoyed at myself that such a huge tumor was forming inside my
body and I did not even get to know. My whole being had cheated on me,
conspired against me, I felt.”
As
the conversations grew if became evident that the book is not about only about Ruby’s
journey with cancer. It is about her journey in life from a six year old to
now. A racy narrative that keeps the reader engaged.
The
importance of a positive mindset during treatment was discussed and responding
to a members query, Dr Rustom Mody chipped it to explain the nocebo affect “A nocebo effect is said to
occur when negative expectations of the patient regarding a treatment cause the
treatment to have a more negative effect than it otherwise would have.”
Here
is what some of the readers have to say:
“The
book ‘Fragrance Of A Wild Soul’ is truly unputdownable. I read it in a single
sitting…. There is not one of us who has not experienced cancer directly or
indirectly. Her book is truly inspirational. You have to read the book to fully
understand when she writes “All we need to do to heal a wound, to close an open
chapter in life, to end misery, to get over a bad experience – is a silent but
active listening and a little bit of empathy in the end.’” says Dolly
Thakore, Veteran Theatre actress and casting director, who attended the
conversation.
“Read
the book in one go! You have penned your experiences and feelings so simply,
yet is sounds so profound. Coming straight from your heart to the
reader’s! Connecting the soul, heart and body and explaining bonding of the
three. … Your book will definitely encourage many to shed the weight of their
own unnecessary baggage and live a more fulfilled and complete life.” says Pinky
Thakker, Trustee of Adore Charities.
“I
lost my mother to cancer 20 years ago. I stayed away from any conversation or
even any article on cancer as it troubled me bringing back some painful
memories. … Last night after dinner, I don’t know why, I picked up the book and
started reading this 180 pager till the end in one go. … What an outstanding story!
A perfect mix of all emotions – humour, empathy, anger, love and much more. For
me, Ruby’s story is inspirational not because she survived a life threatening
disease but because I could connect her story to so many Rubys I know. … Her
story is our story on so many counts.” says Mitu Samar Jha, Reputation Management
specialist and Founder of Eminence Consulting.
“Ruby
… read the book. You are awesome and adorable. … This book will be one of the
most precious books in my collection. Request every one to read this book. Many
congratulations and God bless you.” says Dr Santanu Chaudhari, eminent
Oncologist and Chairman, Centre of
Excellence for Oncology (Cancer), Nayati Healthcare.
“Liberation
does not come easy. Just finished reading the book. It is a beautiful collage
of emotions and experiences of the author. Very poignant at places and racy and
thrilling…. I fully endorse the new narrative of life and a message of self liberation
that she advocates and wish all my close friends to reach that stage of
liberation. For that to happen, the book becomes a must read.” says Ranjanesh
Sahay, IRAS
Ruby
has pledged part of the royalties from the book for her charity and urged all
members to enjoy the book and if they like it buy and gift to their friends and
contacts.
Each copy sold adds to Sanjeevani's corpus.
Each copy sold adds to Sanjeevani's corpus.
The
book can
be ordered from Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press.
The author Ruby Ahluwalia is a senior bureaucrat presently
posted in Mumbai, where she lives with her husband, son and daughter.
She can be contacted on wildsoul@sanjeevani-lifebeyondcancer.com
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