HYDERABAD: There is something likeable about the cover of the book ‘Aparajithudu’. The man dressed in a dark suit, sitting cross-legged before the White House with a grin has nothing glamorous about him but he has an interesting story to tell. His story is revetting- with twists and turns, poverty, fractured relationships, hardships and sweet success. Meet Sunil Robert- author of ‘I will Survive’ and ‘Bound To Rise’. The city bred boy, currently settled in New Jersey, as the Corporate Communications of Tata Consultancy Service was in the city to launch the Telugu translation of his bestselling memoir ‘I will Survive’ (2010). The “accidental writer” as he calls himself, says he took to writing because he had a story to tell. “I discovered that there was no better way to tell a story than to write it. As long as I tell stories and inspire people, the number of book I write is not important,” he shares.
Excerpts
Aparajithudu is being launched six years after ‘I Will Survive’. What took you so long to come up with the translation?
I am not a full time writer as I have a demanding day job, a family to take care of and marathons to run. All of take up a lot of my time time and energy. I was looking out for a writer but not actively. I wanted someone to connect to the story and not just give a word by word translation of the book. And when (Satya) Bhavana came with her enthusiasm, things just fell into place and I felt she would be right person to tell my story. It took us a year to translate the manuscript, but the delay was worth it.
You have accumulated a lot of experiences since ‘I Will Survive’ was published. Didn’t you think of penning a new book based on newer experiences rather than come up with a translated version of your past work?
I wrote in English because it was essential to establish myself as a writer and storyteller. Now, I felt it was time to take my stories to my people in the districts and villages of Andhra and Telangana, where it will find more resonance. These are the people who are fighting battles everyday. They have hopes and aspirations but not enough means. They need encouragement and I feel my story will encourage them.
Not many books on corporate life have Indian setting and even fewer become bestsellers. Did you expect the response you got for ‘I Will Survive’?
I was overwhelmed but not entirely surprised. I knew my experience was universal. We may have experienced different events but the underlying emotions are all the same -- fear, anxiety, happiness. People could relate to events in my life -- hardships, my fractured relationship with my father.
How did fitness and marathons feature in your scheme of things?
When I hit the forties, I started experiencing ‘post marital adipose’ around my stomach’ (laughs). That’s when I decided to become more active and in seven years I have run five full marathons and a dozen other. Also, when I give motivational talks, it is easier for the audience to see and get inspired than seek inspiration from a lecture. I preach what I do.
You are vocal about listing down your goals and working towards them. Is there anything you haven’t achieved yet?
Yes of course! This year’s goal has been to mange social media distractions but so far I haven’t been able to accomplish it, especially during the cricket matches. I think a lot of people will relate to that (smiles).
What’s next for you?
My third book is what I am working on. It is called ‘Missed Call’ and is targeted towards the youngsters -- college-going students.
Can we expect to see your book ‘Bound to Rise’ in Telugu as well?
Yes of course. I am exploring the idea. In fact, I am looking out to reach out to a Hindi audience as well. If I can help people even a tiny bit with what I have learnt, I would feel like my work is done.