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Success mantra

FAMED Sunil Robert says you can do if you like to do

People all over the world are suffering financial hardships and emotional anxiety. Hope seems to have become a thing of the past. At such times a rags-to-riches tale can do wonders for a depressed soul.

Sadly, there aren’t many such books set in India. But, Sunil Robert has just come up with such an Indian story. His debut book “I Will Survive: Comeback Stories of a Corporate Warrior” traces Sunil’s journey from a childhood spent struggling with poverty in Hyderabad to somehow completing his education to achieving his dream of becoming a world-class communicator. The book, published by Westland, has a simple, canny narrative, more like a talk than just boring text on mantras to pep up the life. Rather, through his own example Sunil suggests how to tackle tough situations, difficult people and more importantly, how to grab opportunities and create them when there are none.

The launch of “I Will Survive” at Oxford Book Store in New Delhi was a revelation in itself. The author, with an aura as positive as his book, captivated the audience while he read passages from “I Will Survive””, officially unveiled by Shefalee Vasudev, the editor of Marie Claire.

Ask him why he chose to write “I Will Survive”, he replies with a childlike smile, “Two compelling emotions motivated me to write the book; first was, that in India we don’t really value our victories. Not many Indians have written about their success stories. The other is my connection with the young people whom I helped in battling doubts, in relationships, in life. They repeatedly asked me to write about my struggles and triumphs.” And what’s different about his book? Remarks Sunil, who is winner of the prestigious Stevie Award – the Pulitzer of corporate communications, “The book has a lot to teach. It will connect with my story at some point or the other.” Talking of his experience while writing the book, Sunil says, “I am thankful to my family. The writing got exhilarating at times. It was quite a task to write a book while managing my job.” Sunil currently heads the public relations program of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

During his early days, even while working as a sales person or in an ad agency in India, Sunil continued to follow his other interests. He would do occasional sports reporting for papers and radio stations, and contribute features to reputed newspapers. How did he balance his full-time job and other interests? “It’s all about finding time for the things that you can do and like to do. If while travelling, I came to know of a debate going on, I would somehow make time for the event,” says Sunil, who loved public speaking and eventually made a career out of it.

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