Speech on the Book Release by Adtya Jassi Good Evening, ladies and gentlemen. Let me start by thanking Dad for giving me the honour of getting to know him better and congratulations on this wonderful extravaganza.. They say, 'Child is the Father of Man, a father of the parent.' I, however, believe that a child is a reflection of parents, an extension of their branch. Till yesterday, I was completely unaware of the fact that I was supposed to stand on this podium, in front of all you guys and introduce the book to you, talk to you about a man who had not even read a book, let alone write one. |
I thought I knew my dad in and out. Boy, I was wrong! What I knew was just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone knows about how my father provided us with the most supreme amenities; little know about the struggle, sacrifices and hardships that went behind it. As a kid, Dad was a notorious prankster, and his pranks were severely dealt with. I remember telling him, "Dad, you've been beaten up so many times as a kid that I've run out of adjectives. For me, it was hard to imagine the physical brutality he went through, primarily because my father never once as much as laid a finger over at Pallavi or me. But then again, we were sorted out and well-mannered kids. |
I personally feel that I've grown tremendously over the entire journey of editing/ghost-writing and reading this book. The struggle put in behind his success is there to be seen or read in this case by one and all. Honestly, if I would put in 20% of what he did, I'd probably make it. It takes guts to write the naked truth and then have it edited by your own son. Especially when you have a ravenous pack of wolves just waiting to hunt you down. It takes guts to write about all the bad habits that you tell your son never to possess. It takes guts to tell people about your petty theft, and escapades with the opposite sex. |
But it took more guts to read this stuff! And then again, guts glorify honesty. I grew up in an environment where people kept telling Dad how successful he is and how he has been a winner at every juncture in his life. Really? Would you call a man who was treated like a misfit by his family through his growing up years, successful? I would. Because the affection that was missing in the initial phase of his life was fulfilled by my mother, my sister Pallavi and myself. Success, for me, can never be measured by one's earnings, but by the respect he earns. And Dad has been brilliant at that. |
What is commendable is that never once did he let himself go astray. Never once did he lose focus of what was to be achieved. Personally, I feel that 30% of his success is due to sheer hard work. The rest 70% belongs to Mum. Success has many fathers, failure has none. But it was during these torrid times that they stuck by each other. Treading various pastures, greener or otherwise. She is the nucleus… |
I'm trying not to give away too much of the book. I explained the gist but you must know that Mr. Jaswin Jassi became a man at the tender age of ten, shouldering most of the responsibilities of the house. All I'm trying to say is that there's a lot of blood, sweat and tears behind this book- metaphorically for me, literally for him. I'm certain that you will enjoy reading about his journey through various stages and ages in life. If you do, then please pass the word on, coax people to buy it. If you don't then just pretend and pass the word, coaxing people to buy it. |
When a father has achieved truckloads, then the expectations from his son get grave. I'm sure a lot of you expect me to go and KICK-BUTT(!!!!!!!!!!), and Mom-Dad, I promise that I won't stop at just being your reflection. It's the 'father of the parent' thing that I'm looking at. Speech on the Book Release by Adtya Jassi |
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