How It All Began
“So how did you get the idea for this book?” is a question many of you have asked me.
The answer is, “I didn’t”.
Prof Rakesh Basant @ IIMA had been toying with the idea for a while.
One fine morning I got an email from Kunal Upadyhay, the CEO of CIIE (Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship @ IIMA). He had in mind an IIMA Entrepreneurs Conference. And at this conference he wanted to release a book which would showcase some of the successful ventures created by IIMA alums. A “My Story & Success Mantras” kind of volume.
He invited me to be on the core committee and guide CIIE on how to go about the project.
“Sounds good!” I said.
And then I opened the attachment which outlined how this project would be done. The plan was to hire two RAs (Research Assistants) to identify and interview the entrepreneurs and…
A siren went off in my head. Such a wonderful subject, such amazing people and an RA would write the book??? No offence to research assistants but a book needs an AUTHOR.
And then it hit me. This was the book I have been wanting to write. Since a couple of years now. But what have I done? Zilch. Nada. Nothing. A voice inside me said,”This is your book, Rashmi”. Someone Up There knows it and has sent it to you. Now grab this opportunity and run with it!
And that is exactly what happened. I offered to take the RA’s place and well, thirteen months to the day that Kunal and I exchanged that first email, Stay Hungry Stay Foolish has gone from possibility to paperback
And what a journey it’s been.
Over the next few weeks I will share with you my experiences and impressions. The process and the pressures. The way things just magically came together. The wonder of it all.
And of course, I will invite you to join us (me and the many wonderful people in the book) as we launch Stay Hungry Stay Foolish at events being organised across India.
Stay hungry, stay foolish and stay logged in!
September 30th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Hi Rashmi
How it all began, itself is so stimulating and interesting. I will buythe book though I am over the hill. I will recommend to my people and friends – the youngistan.. Congratulations.
Regards
Ramakrishnan
October 1st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I just picked up the copy of the book yesterday – solely because I saw your name. I know about you and JAM since my JBC days. Hmn..that was almost a decade back. Yup those were the good ol days. I’ve already devoured a quarter of the book and will polish it off in the next few days.
Its inspirational. Its liberating. Its wonderful. It’s like Rock on in Print! Its all about living your dream aint it.
I hope to live mine. Thanks for bringing together this wonderful compilation.
Cheers!
October 5th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hi ! Rashmi I am a self made Engineer.(without BE/etc but listed IRSSE by UPSC). First of all off congrats. for writing this book of sucsses stories.(Although I am yet to read it fully). As it is said good things should be shared to increase thier effectiveness.
But on other note,I dont know you will agree or not. Some times even the most sucsessful people cant go the long way. I know one of IIMA passout of some time 1979 or so.Who still working at high level with a financial institution, can not take independent decision of worth 5000/- expenditure for himself. As for people with”hunger”,you can always find them in all sphears of life.Punjabi people who migrated after partition are a live example.You are very right in your approch that it is basic instinct of “Hunger” and “effort ” to satisfy which moves a soul to hights. IIMA or B<C<K< can not be a exception but part of this basic “instict to satisfy a level of hunger”
good luck dr