During my recent trip to Uttarakhand , I was faced with a problem I had never encountered before. We were passing through Delhi, but we had hardly any time in the city. On earlier visits when I have had to change trains/flights at Delhi, I have always arrived in the morning and left again at night, visiting relatives in between. This time, I was arriving in the city at night, and leaving again early in the morning. There was hardly any time to visit people. I would only have a couple of hours with them before I’d have to leave again. For the first time, we considered booking a hotel, but there again, we were hesitant about the actual hotels, the costs involved, and the logistics of getting from the airport to the railway station and then back again from the station to the airport. That’s when we remembered reading something about a corporate-managed lounge at Delhi station. We soon figured out that we could book online and pay by the hour. Besides, we also learnt that there wasn’t ju
Ouch!Cried Planet Earth by Mrs.Dheera Kitchlu
Published by Serene Woods
Launched byRahul Bose at Hornbill House
3rd Decemeber, 2010
The launch of a new book is always a reason to rejoice, especially when it is a kids book set in Mumbai, and deals with the environment and how a 12 year old boy takes matters into his own hands! I have not attended many book launches before, but was rather enthusiastic about attending this for two reasons - the author was one I had heard of (I have read a couple of her books) and corresponded wtih a few times, and secondly, the book was launched at the BNHS's Hornbill House. It had been ages since I visited the place, and was really excited about visiting again, and that too for a book launch!
Published by Serene Woods
Launched byRahul Bose at Hornbill House
3rd Decemeber, 2010
The launch of a new book is always a reason to rejoice, especially when it is a kids book set in Mumbai, and deals with the environment and how a 12 year old boy takes matters into his own hands! I have not attended many book launches before, but was rather enthusiastic about attending this for two reasons - the author was one I had heard of (I have read a couple of her books) and corresponded wtih a few times, and secondly, the book was launched at the BNHS's Hornbill House. It had been ages since I visited the place, and was really excited about visiting again, and that too for a book launch!
I would have loved to take Samhith along, but the time wasnt suitable, and I had to leave him behind with his grandmother, rushing off just as he returned from school. Travelling to VT alone by train and walking down to BNHS made me re-live my college days when I made the same circuit at least once a week!
I was just in time to look around and browse through Dheera Kitchlu's other books before it was time for the programme to begin. The book was to be launched by the actor, Rahul Bose, and he arrived exactly on time! I really appreciate the guy now! Dr. Rahmani, the Director of the BNHS was the chief guest and one of the guys from Serene Woods (the publishing house) did the honours. (Sorry, forgot to ask his name!).
The programme began with a short introduction by Dr.Rahmani, followed by the launch of the book. After the formalities were over began the best part - the book reading! That Rahul Bose was a good actor is something I already knew, but that he would bring the book alive, was astounding! He had everyone in splits - from the youngest in the audience to the oldest.... all the kids were enthralled, well, almost all of them, except a few boys sitting near me. But he even managed to get them involved, asking them which excerpt to read next! He read three portions from the book, each one more interesting than the other.By the time he came to the last one, the one right at the end, the mike had conked off, and he had only his vocal chords to rely on, but that was more than enough, and every member of the audience was laughing as he came to the end.
The book reading was followed by a wildlife quiz for the kids, and I really wished I had brought Samhith along! However, it was getting late, and I was restless to get back home, so I went and spoke to Mrs.Kitchlu and the others before taking my leave. Wish I could have spent some more time. Next time there is something like this, I shall take Samhith along!
It was a wonderful evening, something I shall remember. As to the book, I began reading it on my way back in the train and am almost through. It is as interesting as it promised to be, and I am looking forward to Samhith reading it. I shall wait for his reactions before I write the review, so it will take some time. As of now, I have a copy of a wonderful book, signed by the author, as well as an actor who brought the story alive. Both, Samhith and I shall treasure this one!
Here are a few photos from the event
Rahul Bose looks nice :D And the book sounds promising too!
ReplyDeleteI like the simplicity of Rahul Bose in these pictures, and good to know he was punctual too.
ReplyDeleteI hope more such books on environment awareness are brought out for children as well as adults.
@Mridula: oh yes, it does... and the book is fun to read too!
ReplyDelete@Celine: he was so normal and down to earth... actually liked meeting him :) and yes, i hope for more such books and such events too!
He reads well too I am sure.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics.
I really love love rahul bose movies :) Wish I could be there :D
ReplyDeleteI should also get my hand on this book :) Would love to read....