ICONIC 'HAPPY MONEY' AUTHOR KEN HONDA'S NEXT PROJECT: 'HAPPY INDIA'

At the recently held BW Businessworld Dialogue, Chairman Editor-in-Chief Annurag Batra engaged best-selling author and star influencer Ken Honda in an engrossing chat about his iconic book Happy Money', his philosophy and life lessons, and, of course, his abiding interest in India

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR and star influencer Ken Honda is on a mission. After his iconic work ‘Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money’ sold 9 million copies worldwide, Honda wants to capture India in a new book, tentatively titled ‘Happy India’.

During his maiden visit to the country, Honda is hugely influenced by the Indian way of life. India’s generosity and spiritual quest have touched him.

It was, however, his playbook for happiness, and the ability to channel “smiling money” to spread cheer and happiness that was the talking point at a BW Businessworld Dialogue, where Chairman & Editor-in-Chief Annurag Batra engaged the author in an engrossing chat about his book, his philosophy and life lessons, and, of course, his abiding interest in India.

“If you want to travel fast, travel solo. If you want to travel farthest, travel in a group, have a network,” said Honda, quoting an African proverb.

Drawing an analogy with the Indian way of life, Honda explained: “You are born with a gift – to teach, to speak, to write, to create business. Everyone has a reserved seat in the train. You occupy your seat and do your dharma. Else you are kicked out of your seat”.

The globetrotter had an interesting contrast to share with the packed hall in the Capital when he contrasted the questions he usually encountered in the US with those in Japan. “In the US, I am often asked, ‘How I can get more ‘Happy Money’? In Japan, on the other hand, people often ask me: ‘How I can satisfy myself with the money that I have’?”

When he is not addressing power-packed seminars, workshops (he makes it a point to return the fees for those who fail to attend), or podcasts, Honda follows his other passions. India, for one.