A Novel Take On Happiness

With his 90th birthday on the horizon, India's most beloved author Ruskin Bond, talks to Eshita Srinivas about love affairs on ships, the excitement of train journeys, and his new book that he hopes will inspire young readers.

- Ruskin Bond

In Hold On To Your Dreams, you talk about walking as the best means to explore a city. What’s been your most pleasant walk around Mussoorie?

Whenever I used to walk a lot—I walk little now because at my age I can’t walk very far—my aim was to walk out of Mussoorie (laughs). Because then I could leave behind the bustle of tourists to see the open spaces in the mountains—recognising old friends like trees, wildflowers, and the occasional animal. I used to enjoy walking, but not with the intention of getting anywhere in particular. The thing is really to walk just for the sake of what you experience along the way. In other words, the journey rather than the destination.

You speak directly to the readers through this book. How has your relationship with them changed over the years?

I remember when my first book, The Room on the Roof was published, I might have received just one or two letters from readers saying they enjoyed it. Today, I get two or three letters from readers every day. The author was once someone anonymous, far away, and unapproachable. Now, I think people want to see and know the author. So, if I go to a bookshop, I see people waiting for autographed books and photographs. Photo-ops are a great thing (laughs). Two months ago, I was admitted to a hospital for a few days—nothing seriously the matter—but all the doctors and young nurses wanted photographs. It’s great fun, except that I don’t like people knocking on the door at five in the morning when I’m still fast asleep (laughs).

What do you hope readers will take away from this new book?