Mumbai, December 25: “UBUNTU – I AM BECAUSE WE ARE”, a nuanced and witty book authored by Dr Shilpa Aroskar, had its first pan-India social launch and the book has won praises from none other than Vidya Balan.
“UBUNTU – I AM BECAUSE WE ARE: Parables of the United Human Spirit” is a compilation of untold real stories of people from different spheres of life, their daily struggle during the pandemic, their resilience and optimism narrated by the author in her trademark wit with humor making one ponder and wonder how did I miss seeing all these.
The author of bestseller YOLO published by Leadstart again, Shilpa Aroskar, is a frontline warrior herself and shares her own experience during trying times and narrates a whole kaleidoscopic human tale about finding love, getting married, virtual wedding, surviving boredom, E schools. She unmasks human behaviour and myriads of emotions that gives one a new perspective on life and people.
Talking about the book, Vidya Balan said, “It’s yet another perfect prescription by the paediatrician author; a right dose of wit and wisdom, hope and humor, in these trying times.”
“Shilpa’s team approached me for the book launch, and I wanted to read it before saying yes. She was kind enough to send me one copy, and I just couldn’t close the book before finishing it. I was hooked; the stories are so well weaved and wrapped in despair and hope, simultaneously fierce and vulnerable. It makes you laugh and cry at the same time. It is a must-read book, and everyone should have it on their bookshelf,” added Vidya.
Talking about the book, Shilpa said, “I am honoured with the generous words of Vidya; she is kind as always. Ubuntu is a Zulu origin word, African philosophy meaning a spirit of common humanity, which many of us have experienced during the pandemic. We all yearned for social contact and freedom to breathe and get back to normal during social distancing. When the suffering was at its peak during the pandemic, generosity and kindness helped us survive the storm. I just needed to tell everyone the stories I’d witnessed about hope, dreams, pain, love and survival, rebuilding, reforming and unlocking small joys through a witty and humorous perspective. What really moved was the sense of greater good during the hard times, for the human spirit triumphs in the end.
Malini Nair, Executive Director and Head of Publishing at Leadstart, said, “We at Leadstart are proud to publish Ubuntu, a captivating collection of experiences and untold stories; shades of human emotions coming from all walks of life during the pandemic.”
The book is available in paperback at all the leading stores and online portals.