Gifted : A Book By Sudha Menon & V.R. Ferose

The book talks about 15 stories of people, who have achieved in life, inspite of difficulties. A book that was co-written and launched  by VR Ferose, Ex-MD SAP Labs and Current Head of Globalization Services within SAP. Beyond all the above roles, a very humble and a human being, who is making a difference to the lives of many differently abled people around India and World. Thanks to Sudha Menon, who has teamed up with him to write this book.

In picture - Ankit Jindal -  India's First Marketing Manager with Visual Impairment

                  Ashwin - A successful engineer with Cerebral Palsy

                  Sundeep Rao - A Brilliant stand up comedian with Visual Impairment

                  VR Ferose - Sr.VP Globalization Services & Ex-MD SAP Labs

                  

I have started reading the book and the first story is that of a teenage girl Aisha. Aisha deals with Pulmonary Fibrosis. A difficulty in breathing. The lungs perform only upto 20% of its capacity. Learning to deal with it, Aisha at one point marks by telling - "If I have to have pulmonary fibrosis - I choose to have 'Happy Pulmonary Fibrosis'". I just felt goosebumps, when i read this. A girl of seventeen had the courage to face a grim future. 

The stories of Ankit, Ashwin and George Abraham are something that simply leave you speechless. I am yet to complete the book. The book reads into the stories and struggles of these super human beings. George at a point says "Disability is God given - Handicap is Man-Made". The stories in the book shows- resolve, grit, amazing faith and trust. Above all EXTREME HARDWORK. 

I have seen one such girl in Deena Nilaya, a house for destitute children. This place has children affected by AIDS. We had been for a day visit as a part of CSR activity. As we helped other children play, a young girl entered holding the hand of a help. The girl was neatly dressed and very well mannered. The girl had semi grown limbs and hands. As other kids played, she picked a ball and started bouncing it around. The ball would slip away and she would jump to hold it. With all curiosity I approached the child to ask, what she did by the day. She simply answered "Study maadtini", meaning " I study". I was a little taken back, i saw the child would have difficulty in holding a pen or writing. But, the sister there came to my help. She told that the girl was in her First Grade and she had the best writing in class. 

The story does not end here. As we stood by her, a camera man came to do his duty of clicking pictures. The girl simply held her hand up and told no and moved away. The Sister there told me, she was an extremely sweet child and did not like others to symathize with her. Wow.....What an attitude. That is being able to live with dignity. 

This incident is close to a year old, but i still remember like it was yesterday. They are extremely strong people and all they desire is a little respect and care. They can go far and achieve lot more than many of us. 

The book "GIFTED" touches upon many lives and will touch many lives because - ALL THE PROCEEDS FROM THE BOOK WILL GO TO "ENABLE INDIA" TRUST. I would strongly recommend all my friends to read and gift this book to people whom they know. Let us understand a stronger world better. 

- With Sincere Thanks to VR Ferose - Sr. Vice-President SAP  & Amazing Human Being Making a difference to the World of Differently Abled.

( With whom I have interacted personally because of the book MAVERICK and later on. The humility of the man is that being the Sr. VP and not directly related to any tasks - he still responds to all the mails and recognizes, greets when he meets us around the campus. My book friend - I can say, with a lot of joy )