After my retirement I had nothing to do. I just learnt how to use the computer. I started tinkering with the computer. One day my son told me,'Mom why don't you write about your experiences in a book?" His words appealed to me and I started writing in right earnest.
Those were the days! I was completely absorbed in writing.
Nothing else caught my imagination. There was only one aim,one target and one ambition ! To write, write and write. Old leaves from my past started opening up! One by one old incidents, old happenings and old experiences started flashing in my mind. Once I took a decision , nothing could retract me to change my mind. Little by little things started moving forward. There was no day, no night and no diversion. The path was clear and was welcoming me at each step. A beginning was made. The end was sure to happen. Now there was no morning, evening or night. Sometimes I would get up at midnight and got engrossed in writing. I had never learnt typing, but now I was typing on the key board with my fore finger. By typing continuously my finger started paining. It was swollen. Every one started dissuading me not to write. But nothing could stop me. I started writing with the tip of a ball pen. Lo! I succeeded! It became a habit. Now I can write only with the tip of a ball pen.
The book was completed in three months. The question of editing arose. My grand children offered to edit ! Seeing their enthusiasm, I agreed. Along with them my youngest brother took up the task ! The next issue was to get a foreword written. My husband said that it would be a great idea to request our grand children to write the foreword.
The children were more than happy to take up this responsibility. Another thing which is unique in this book is that in the index, chapters are named, but there is no page numbering. Tha aim is that the reader must read the whole book instead of selecting the page number from the index.
Selecting a name for my book was the next problem. Every one,who knew that I was writing offered a title . Some one suggested' My Memoirs', some said,
'My Reminiscences'.Several titles were considered but rejected. A title suggested by my husband was an instant hit. " Reverse Gear". The title was immediately approved with an applause. Printing was not a big issue. A friend of my husband offered to print the book.
I got many drawings for the cover page. The most symbolic cover drawing, enhancing the significance of the title,was chosen.
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| The title of my book |
The book was printed.Being inexperienced there are some printing errors, which, are natural in the case of a maiden book of a writer
We held a small function at India Habitat Center, Lodi Road. Secretary (Edu), Delhi Govt released the book. Some photographs of the function are given below.
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| The Chief Guest, lighting a lamp |
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| Reverse Gear released. |
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| A section of an audience |
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| Address by the chief Guest |
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| My ex colleagues |
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