ABOUT THE BOOK
“AUTISTIC. PSYCHOTIC. SCHIZOPHRENIC….”
For the twenty four years of his life, these are some of the words “they” have used to describe Babloo. He knows his family agrees with “them” and he senses that he is different. He doesn’t hate people; he just cannot find the right way to connect with anyone, be it his parents, his arrogant upwardly-mobile younger brother or the bad boys from the Railway Colony who use him purely for entertainment value. Vandana is the only exception. She is the connecting thread to the kind of world he wants to live in. But how can he find a place for himself in her world? ‘
Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai’ is a work of alternative fiction that follows Babloo’s fascinating, heart-rending journey that begins in the twisted, choked lanes of Mumbai and leads him into an open space where he can finally exhale, be born again!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rishi Vohra recently relocated back to Mumbai after completing a Green MBA from San Francisco State University and a Masters Diploma in Environmental Law, prior to which he had a successful career in the Indian Entertainment Industry. After featuring as a guest columnist for various newspapers in India, he currently writes for delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW). ‘Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai’ is his first novel.
1. What made you write a novel?
I felt I had a powerful and entertaining story to tell.
2. What do you consider to be your greatest success?
Bringing a wonderful child into this world – my daughter.
3. What have you learnt from the U.S.A considering you spent a large part of your life there?
That everyone is equal. It’s your character and personality that defines you, not your financial background, class, caste, religion, or gender.
4. Describe your book ‘Once upon the tracks of Mumbai’ in 5 words.
Powerful, entertaining, and a good read!
5. Do you think the western audience can relate to your book?
‘Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai’ is a human story. So anyone can relate to it since, as adman Prahlad Kakar’s comment appears on the cover, – “You’ll find bits of yourself in this book.”
6. Did your education help in making this book a reality?
My education gave me the confidence to put this book out in the world.
7. How far have you gone (what is the most you have risked) to help a cause?
I picked up a bleeding accident victim at one am on the streets of Mumbai, while people just drove past him. I took him to the hospital. He died at 5 am in front of me.
8. What is your idea of a perfect world?
A world where everyone is educated, employed, and housed. So essentially, a world where everyone feels somewhat on an equal footing. And of course, no wars or corruption in any nation.
9. If there was one thing you could change about Babloo (the protagonist), what would that be?
I would want him to have a family and environment that was sensitive to his problems. In India, there is hardly any education on how to deal with such disabilities.
10. Are you doing something to save the environment given that you have a Master’s degree in Environment?
Of course! And I think everyone should! We need more awareness on this to be communicated to people.
You can find more about this book and the author on his website Rishi Vohra
