IT’S THAT TIME of the year when a lot of us go into stocktaking mode. For each one of us, like every year, this year too meant achievements, disappointments, promises kept and broken, plans made and postponed… As the year comes to a close, don’t we wish we had achieved more, fretted less, enjoyed more, travelled less for work and had more vacations, spent more time with friends and family, and that our bank balance was better?
The silver lining: the promise of yet another year, a chance at a fresh new start, an opportunity to go out and achieve all that we want to. It’s our chance to move on, reach for the stars. After all, life can get pretty boring if we settle for something that doesn’t push us to excel, if we don’t grasp opportunities that challenge us to do something new. Like they say: A ship is safe in the harbour, but that’s not what ships are for.
This is the reason why we have the legendary Amitabh Bachchan on the cover. Not only did the megastar emerge like a phoenix from the ashes after his huge financial losses, he also rediscovered himself in the process. Not to say the journey wasn’t challenging. We saw him in movies that had weak plots and weaker production value. That is also when he started endorsing a number of brands. He even agreed to take a chance on TV, with Kaun Banega Crorepati. And like they say, risktakers are rewarded. His risk to opt for TV paid off and Bachchan created history with the programme rating some of the best TRP ratings ever. What’s more, his popularity soared through the skies.
Gradually, he found his new groove and was back on track. Today, he is not just a legendary mark in the Indian entertainment scenario, but an Indian who has crossed geographical barriers to act in Hollywood movies such as The Great Gatsby. For your pleasure, we have two extra pages of the interview as part of our third anniversary issue. Get inspired by the one and only Amitabh Bachchan.
In fact, the theme of inspiration has been woven into most of our stories this time. Read about Sushil Kumar and his journey – coming from a sleepy village, he muscled his way into the wrestling world. Our Good Karma this time has Rajshri Foundation’s Rajjat A Barjatya, the MD and CEO of Rajshri Entertainment. A leukaemia survivor, Barjatya set up Rajshri Foundation, the non-profit arm of the 67-year-old Rajshri group, India's leading film, TV, music and digital entertainment studio to do his bit for the society.
The idea, like I said, is to leave behind a legacy that inspires many — something that my father, Ashok Kumar Malhotra founder of MBD Group did, too. He might have started from a small book shop but that did not stop him from dreaming big. His vision was “For every literate person there would be an MBD product”. This humble venture marked the birth of MBD Group, India’s largest Publishing House with over six decades of experience. The MBD Group under his futuristic vision diversified into various industries including, e learning, Hospitality, Real Estate, Mall Development and management, eco friendly notebooks, stationery and Paper Manufacturing.
In fact, my father’s journey often reminds me of Robert Frost’s poem “The road not taken. For, looking back, I can proudly say my father chose “the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference”. Democratic World is just one of his legacies. I still remember how happy he was when he came up with the name Democratic World. He wanted each page in this magazine to convey the true essence of democracy. It is a legacy we want to better every day.
Also packed especially for you, dear reader, are 20 extra pages as part of our Anniversary celebrations.
Do read between the lines and get inspired. Happy New Year and a happy new beginning!