Russi M.Lala is a journalist and a writer and more than that, a person who sees in the people he meets, a touch of greatness. In recounting his memories of personalities from politicians to soldiers and saints, he shows
an ability to honour the genuine goodness and worth in their lives.

Russi M. Lala is a journalist and a writer and more than that, a person who sees in the people he meets, a touch of greatness. In recounting his memories of personalities from politicians to soldiers and saints, he shows an ability to honour the genuine goodness and worth in their lives.

This collection of pen-sketches is varied and spans decades. One can call R. M. Lala really lucky to have met people who have contributed their mite to economics, healthcare, music, education, historical research among others and most importantly, the alleviation of human distress in many forms. Almost all people he has chosen to write about are known to us. Who can claim not to have heard of Azim Premji, Mother Teresa, Nani Palkhiwala, among others?

What strikes the reader is the common thread that runs through their lives, and which has contributed to their success. The very first story is about Azim Premji, whose six point formula is found to be emulated in degrees by all the other 25 persons whose lives adorn this book – Vision, Values, Energy, Confidence, Innovation and Team-building. Another valuable aid to achievement is given by Morajibhai Desai when he says that he “lived intensely every moment” of his waking life.

A fair number of persons have endured poverty at some time or the other in their lives. Shastriji, as Russi Lala recounts, knew the value of money and even as Prime Minister, when he left a room, he would switch off the lights and fans.

This is a collection of real stories written in simple and effective language, that one could read again and again to draw inspiration from. Russi demonstrates his own internalisation of these precepts in the Epilogue. He lays at the feet of his father, Manekshaw P. Lala, an unconditional love and appreciation, calling him, Eminent though Unknown .

Nilakshi Jatar
A touch of Greatness: Encounters with the eminent by Russi M.Lala, by Penguin Books India