Some readers have asked for an update on the book. So I’ll start with that first.
Gaurav and I started out thinking of the book as a “How To” book on Offshore Services. But as we started writing it, it was turning out to be like writing a technical book – dry, precise and meant for the practitioner. In short, not a whole lot of fun.
I spoke to a well-known writer whose own book went through a little bit of a metamorphosis as well. Her advice was to write the book that you want to and will love to.
So we switched tracks and started thinking about a book that would be useful, widely read but also fun to write. A book about the Offshore industry that would go into all the issues and challenges facing it today and in the future. But it would be simply written so that even readers outside the industry could appreciate it.
That’s the book idea we took to Penguin. They liked it and they will publish the book in India in 2011. We plan to simultaneously self-publish with Amazon for markets outside the sub-continent.
On the personal front things have made a big U turn with my son Naren, who I wrote about a few months ago. In April the school district allowed him to attend regular school, but a different school. Yesterday was his last day at Hopkins Jr. High. We were confident that Naren would do well, but he exceeded all expectations. Not a single behavioural incident and every teacher had good things to say about him. In a new school, in just a short period of time, he made friends. The boy was determined to do well and he succeeded with flying colors. He also got a 4.0 for the last term. He now feels very confident that he can overcome his challenges and succeed in life.
There was good news outside of school too. Naren was accepted into the music composition summer program of the SF Conservatory. It is a prestigious program that’s hard to get into. He is absolutely thrilled about it. He now has a channel on YouTube where his compositions for the piano are posted. He also writes frequently on his blog at narenpradhan.wordpress.com about video games, scripts for TV shows and environmental issues.
Our battle with the school district to get Naren the right placement and services has been long and hard. It is not over yet but the worst is behind us. My wife and I can now start thinking about a future where life catches some kind of a groove.
A couple of other updates. I am doing a conference along with BRICS Securities which is slated for August in Mumbai. The conference will look at the long-term trends and issues in the Offshore Services industry. We are in the process of confirming the panelists for the panel discussions. I’ll post an update as we cover more ground.
In college I was very active in dramatics. Since graduating, I have wanted to, but have never had the time to commit to doing a play. Well, an opportunity came my way recently and I grabbed it. Who knows if I’ll ever have the time again.
The play [link is now updated] is a Mahesh Dattani play called “30 Days in September”. We will be doing eight shows in San Francisco in July. If you live here, I hope you’ll come.
6 am pacific 
Congratulations to your son for making it all….For the parents' untiring efforts too… keep it up..!!!
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Best wishes and prayers for the continued progress of your son, and good luck with the book and the play as well.
Madhu
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Basab,
I am a bit disappointed. I thought the book will come early…may be sometime in this year. Nevertheless, will look forward to it.
I believe your son's performance would have taken some load off your shoulder and it was kind of stunning to know that you are doing a play…a lot to learn here 😉
Satya
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True Satya. We have learnt a lot about the publishing industry in the last few months. Apparently, that is how long it takes – 9 months after we submit the manuscript. In a year, the issues could be entirely different. But according to them that's what the "completely updated paperback issue" will be for! We like the people we are dealing with at Penguin. But the business model is frankly, a little wobbly.
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Congrats for all the positive developments! Great hearing about your son and never thought you could act. Is it that we are discovering the real Basab now?
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Yes, Anurag. Everything else was just an act!
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Why are you wasting/killing your time in experimenting all sorts of crazy stuff living in US , making your young lad suffer all the trauma of coping up in a place(america) which by all standards in a sick place .
Being a wellwisher of yours I would advice to return back to your own country , leave back all the greed and extra ambitions you have and lead a simple , relaxed and much Indian life much preferably in a non-metro location… I believe that is where you and your family truely will be happy .
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Mr. Basab I think you have stayed too long in company of idli sambhar eating madrasis which has taken a toll on your personal thought process , they have imposed too much of their scientific/planned thinking crap in your head .I suggest you take a break from all the multiculturism and get back to your roots and this time stick hard to it ….make sure you impose your thoughts to these madrasis this time …. they key to success in a multicultural world is quantity and not quality …since the madrasi rats live and hunt in packs they are thriving …so dont be a loner in America and try to conquer the problems all alone ….it doesnt work that way anymore in multiculturalism .
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Dear Basab, you may not know me, but there are a few things common between us. The same undergrad school, Infosys and 14 year old son. I read your posts regarding your son accidently and immediately felt like writing to you. My son also has a chronic condition and can empathize the battles you and your wife must have fought against the school system, not to talk about the umpteen trips to doctor's office and paying those medical bills.
The good news is that autism does give you benefits over the "common" gene pool. Otherwise, how can you explain the brilliant composition your son made? I could never think that an 8th grader could do a mozart.
Somewhere inside us, we feel why us? Why couldn't he be "normal"? But, why should we expect everyone to fall in line? It is their uniqueness which creates this mosaic. Otherwise life would be so drab.
May your son shine the world with his brilliance. I have never met him, but can feel the vibes from his piano composition. And yes, please don't ever make him fall in line. He does not need to "become" anything. He is great as he is.
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Thanks Nav. You touched my heart.
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