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Over a decade ago, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen made sure that you read their book with a large-sized handkerchief by your side, just in case you needed to blow your nose every three pages. A compilation of stories that would warm your heart, tease your lachrymal glands and make you cherish the joys of life, it was a book that reached out to all those on the food chain. Titled Chicken Soup for the Soul, it stayed on the New York Times bestsellers list for ages. As their sales increased, so did the range: Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul, Teenage Soul. This month, treat yourself to a large helping of Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul. (Rs 275, Westland Books)
Putting together this collection of homegrown stories of hope, love and triumph is Raksha Bharadia, author of Me: A Handbook for Life. Last August, Bharadia, 36, invited authors from all over India to share their experiences with her. “I wanted those stories that would talk about a life-defining moment and would be inspiring as well,” says Bharadia who went through nearly 700 pieces with Canfield and Hansen before the final 101 stories were shortlisted. Like the usual American format, the Indian version too, has been divided into broad topics such as Love, Overcoming obstacles, Living your dream, Eclectic Wisdom and more. The Indian collection is peppered with stories by well-known names from the film and entertainment industry such as actor Anupam Kher, director Tanuja Chandra, choreographer Shiamak Davar, celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor and more. This is the third country-specific collection after Canada and Singapore and Bharadia insists that the Indian way of life demands a separate book. “The way Indians deal with family, our inherent values are unique. Our daily brush with poverty, domestic helps, academic pressure are very specific in nature,” says Bharadia. “As a country in transition, we’re constantly trying to break through stereotypes, without losing our tradition. All these experiences make for very honest and heart-warming stories,” she adds. She has already completed the next book, Chicken Soup for the Indian Teenage Soul and welcomes contributions to her third installment, Chicken Soup for the Indian Mother’s Soul. Slurp and sigh.
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