Interview: Kunal Bhatnagar on his New book launch

i before ‘I’ is about Kabir’s transformative journey from a young man trying to live a modern common life to his struggle through an actual adversity. It delves into how he uses his life’s experiences to remain thoughtful, positive and wise, embracing the change and trying to thrive in this ‘new normal’.

 The first half of the book is a humorous attempt at Kabir’s struggles with peer acceptance, heartbreaks and relationships; the second half is an insightful journey on how he maneuvers through a life threatening illness.

Q- How did you get this idea of writing this book?

I saw many of us struggle with our modern lives even after we have more than we need. I also was unfortunate to encounter critical illness at a young age, and realized many of us do not know what to do in an actual adversity! This book is an attempt to help people laugh by revisiting their youth, understand the importance of having meaningful relationships, a healthy life, and then how can we be thoughtful, positive and wise in the most adverse situations. It also attempts to think deeply about life as whole where we usually think that we shall never die.

I am a total sportsperson! I play badminton every morning on weekdays in a sports club before going to work, and play squash over the weekend. I also love to explore offbeat places, observe human behavior, different cultures and take keen interest in Vedanta.

I have plenty of favorites; I like Dan Brown for his fiction (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons etc.) and Yuval Noah Harari for the intellectual thoughts in Sapiens

I believe i before ‘I’ is:

1.     Entertaining and Fun – Kabir’s youthful love life and adventures

2.     Knowledgeable – Kabir’s thoughts on life, love, health and survival

3.     Insightful – Kabir’s journey through critical illness and steps he takes to overcome adversity

Q- A message you wish to give out to everyone?

There is a little bit of Kabir in all of us and through Kabir’s story, I would like everyone to know that our life experiences and knowledge can give us enough learning to drive the change required to combat an adversity! We should never lose hope, rather understand the problem and work towards a solution... and in the end, you shall see a newer better version of yourself!