BANGALORE: Having graduated from IIM Bangalore, he had a great job in a ‘big’ company and a perfect life with nothing to complain about — but there was something missing. Deep within he knew he wanted more from life. Teaching, writing — a passion that he always thrived for, a life he always wanted — beckoned. So in 2008 he quit his ‘perfect job’ and took the ‘plunge’ only to live a life he always wanted to. And ever since never been as satisfied as he is today.Rakesh Godhwani’s debut novel Plunge was launched at Page Turners, MG Road. The book weaves 15 stories documenting the lives of people who took a leap to follow their passion and live life to the fullest. The book has 15 stories of different people. Who are these people and are these stories your personal experiences?The book is about my journey and what I went through in my career. I had a picture perfect life with a high paying job and a good position in a ‘big’ company. But there was something missing in what I did. I felt I was not satisfied. I quit my job and hence began my journey of accomplishing what I like doing. During this journey I met many people who had similar stories to tell. And I began documenting their lives. I met my neighbour who quit his job in the IT sector to do farming, my wife who took up Kathak classes and now teaches students, my friend who quit his job to be an entrepreneur and open his own restaurant. They are all in this book. At the crux of the book is the desire to take a plunge in your life, to pursue something that you always wanted to and reinvent yourself while leaving behind your insecurities.When and how did the idea of writing a book occur to you?There is an interesting story behind that. I was going with my neighbour (who took up farming) to his farmhouse. It was an eight hour long drive and I had nothing to talk about. I started asking him questions about his passion for farming and saw a different side in him. When we reached the farmhouse I saw how different he was as a person. He loved what he was doing. That same evening I wrote my first chapter. I documented each and everything about him and that was the beginning — the book began taking shape. As far as writing is concerned, I have always maintained a journal in which I pen my thoughts down.There have been many authors and writers who have been writing and covering similar topics. Do you see a trend among writers because such stories appeal to the audience?My take was never to write for an audience but for myself. I did not write to impress the audience, it just happened. The ones who have read my book say I have a unique narrative style. These topics have been done but I do not have a background of writing. For me observing people at different times and places excite me, and documenting their lives is what I have been doing.What next? Would you be writing a fiction or doing something else?I am right now in a phase where I feel that a lot of work needs to done. I have nothing on my mind but meet more people and help them understand the fact that if you are not happy doing something it’s time you take that leap and be satisfied. I will take things the way they come and not plan for now.
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