1. Akhila Saroha: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “Future Relevant Me 2.0.” What were the events that led to the idea of writing it?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia: Thank You Akhila.
Around seven years ago, my son Armaan began asking me questions about situations he encountered in school or while playing, seeking my guidance. Drawing on my habit of recording my daily experiences and learning since 1995, I would consult my notes and share stories with Armaan, helping him to relate and brainstorm solutions for the present context. However, this process became cumbersome as I searched through multiple diaries, notebooks, sticky notes, and even tissue papers. To streamline the process, I began writing down these stories as a means of reflection and documentation. Over the past seven years, I have witnessed positive changes in my son, his close friends, and our family as a result of these write-ups. Recognizing the potential to help others, I transformed these reflections into a dialogue between a teacher and a student, resulting in the creation of my book.
2. Akhila Saroha: As a title, “Future Relevant Me 2.0” makes the readers wander at different levels about its significance and validity. Did you have any alternative titles in mind? How did you come up with this as the title?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
Yes the title, “Future Relevant Me 2.0” may make the readers wander at different levels about its significance and validity. I did have a few alternative titles in mind like Gyan, You 2.0, Success Mantras, Successful You 2.0 and so on. But i zeroed down on this title Future Relevant Me 2.0 because thats what i wanted my boy to be, Future Relevant with every encounter and experience he gathers every moment.
It conveys the idea of becoming the best version of oneself in order to be relevant and successful in the future. It seemed powerful and inspiring that can motivate every reader to strive for excellence and achieve his/her goals.
In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s becoming increasingly important to be adaptable and flexible, and to continuously develop new skills and knowledge. The pace of technological innovation, global competition, and shifting societal norms means that what was relevant yesterday may not be relevant tomorrow. In order to be Future Relevant, everyone needs to focus on developing the skills, knowledge, and mindset that will help them succeed in the future. At the same time, it’s important to remember that becoming Future Relevant isn’t just about acquiring a specific set of skills or knowledge. It’s also about developing a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. This means being open to feedback and critique, taking risks and trying new things, and constantly seeking out opportunities for growth and development and to become the best version of oneself.
3. Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it for you to decide the placement of the pace of the text and ensure that the readers would also feel connected to it in “Future Relevant Me 2.0”?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
As a ambit reader myself i understand that the placement of the pace of the text and ensuring that the readers feel connected to the content is an important aspect of effective writing and communication. I just focused on few aspects – 1. to maintain the originality of the fact that the whole thing is my personal experiences, 2. to strike a balance between providing enough information to engage the reader while avoiding overwhelming them with too much information at once, 3. to break the content down into smaller, easily digestible chunks, 4. help the reader to follow along with the content and retain the information more easily, 5. using my simple language as-is, 6. used engaging, conversational, and relatable tone in the form of teacher and student conversation, 6. used my personal and social circle’s stories, examples and anecdotes to help my readers relate and resonate, 7. shared my personal experiences, 8. provided real-world examples, and 8. I have guided my readers at many places to help them see how the concepts being discussed apply in practical situations.
4. Akhila Saroha: The book breaks ground by exploring subjects that make it unique in itself. Please share about your past experiences in literary writing as well as your future plans in writing.
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
Thank you for such big word for my book. As far as my past experiences in literary writing is concerned, its mostly been Whitepapers, Articles, Blogs on Future Relevant topis like Future of Industries, Future of Skills, Future of Jobs, How do i see a particular reading technology today in say 10 years and so on. I always had the love of reading, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn and improve myself everyday and i follow that diligently. As for future plans in writing, i have already go 100+ people asking for Future Relevant 3.0 so may be will work on that and beyond 4.0 and so on till the time i keep coming across somethings relevant and see that it can add value to someone. Meanwhile, i am also involved in the literary community through teaching, mentoring, and participating in conferences and so on. There’s always more to learn and new challenges to take on, and that’s what makes writing such a fulfilling experience and the satisfaction of leaving a legend behind.
5. Akhila Saroha: Did you have any particular audience in mind while writing “Future Relevant Me 2.0”? Which was it?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
Yes indeed, so what began as a guide book for children has evolved into a powerful tool for personal growth and success for anyone who reads it. “Future Relevant Me 2.0” offers practical steps for unlocking your potential and achieving success in all areas of life. Whether you’re a student or a professional, this book will help you create positive change and become the best version of yourself.
6. Akhila Saroha: “Future Relevant Me 2.0” has a strong significance on the personal and social levels. Was prose the first format of writing that came to your mind to give words to your expression? Would you like to try the same with poetry as well?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
Yes, prose was the the first format of writing that came to my mind when I started working “Future Relevant Me 2.0”. I felt that prose would allow me to explore the subject matter in a more detailed and structured way, and it would help me to convey my ideas in a clear, concise and relatable manner.
While I do appreciate and love the beauty and power of poetry, I am not too good with it. As far as the usage of poetry in this book is concerned, i felt that it was not the best fit for the messages I wanted to convey in this book. That being said, I am always open to exploring new forms of expression and may consider incorporating poetry or other forms of writing in future projects if it feels appropriate.
7. Akhila Saroha: “Future Relevant Me 2.0” has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. How was the journey of the book in the making?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
The journey of creating “Future Relevant Me 2.0” was both exciting and challenging. It started with a simple idea to consolidate my notes on so many pieces of papers over 30+ years, to creating a book that would inspire and educate children, but as I delved deeper into the subject matter, I realized that the messages and lessons it contained were relevant for people of all ages.
The process of writing the book was a labor of love and pride, and it took a lot of time and effort to craft a narrative that was both engaging and informative. I spent countless hours outlining and buketing the various topics the notes had to cover, and I worked tirelessly to ensure that the prose was clear, concise, relatable and accessible to readers of all ages.
Overall, the journey of creating “Future Relevant Me 2.0” was an unforgettable experience that taught me a lot about the power of words to inspire and empower others.
Throughout the journey, I was fortunate enough to receive support and encouragement from family, friends, and colleagues, who provided valuable feedback and helped me to stay focused on my goals. And in the end, I am incredibly proud of the finished product and excited to share it with the world. My ROI would be if it adds value and even one person becomes a better human being because of my book, all my effort will be well paid off.
8. Akhila Saroha: “Future Relevant Me 2.0” also features a variety of people playing different roles. How easy or difficult was it for you to write about them and remain unbiased and not let the readers’ thoughts be influenced?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
It was actually simple for me to write about people and their roles in “Future Relevant Me 2.0” because of the approach I took, which was to completely base it on the actual information received and my experiences AS-IS, rather than adding any personal biases or emotions. This allowed me to present it in a neutral and objective manner while writing about my characters. Recognizing that bias may readily creep in even through my word choice was crucial for the outcome. The information utilised in the writing about people and their jobs is therefore truthful, factual, AS-IS, and representative, and not slanted towards a specific viewpoint.
9. Akhila Saroha: “Future Relevant Me 2.0” features a plot that develops swiftly and still manages to keep the readers involved. How did you ensure that the readership would remain involved throughout?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
Yes, this portion was challenging, but all I focused on was developing likeable characters that my readers would resonate with. I made sure that each of my characters was either realistic and three-dimensional or had a distinct personality, drive, and backstory. The plot flow also occasionally generates conflict and tension that tested my characters and, in my opinion, would keep readers on the edge of their seats. The book has a fast-paced plot with lots of tasks to complete, lessons to learn, and unexpected components that are a part of everyone’s daily lives but are rarely seen in the way I have shown. To counteract the intensity, there are also numerous times throughout the text where readers can pause and contemplate. Additionally, I have used straightforward language that is vivid and detailed in order to assist readers see the story’s environment and empathise with the characters and their situations. In order to give the story depth and keep readers guessing about what would happen next, I also used foreshadowing and plot twists. For a reading that is both very interesting and memorable, I have also incorporated emotional appeals.
10. Akhila Saroha: In the present time, the ideas in “Future Relevant Me 2.0” do not find much mention. What, according to you, could be the possible reason for that?
Dr. Rajiv Dalmia:
I humbly ask to differ on this. The challenge is simply getting people to understand that if they simply follow it for 21–30 days, it will become a habit they would not want to skip ever, and will undoubtedly help them transform and succeed. I believe ALL of the ideas in the book are always discussed and practically everyone is aware of their importance and the miracles it can bring by adopting them.
However, if you notice that “Future Relevant Me 2.0″‘s ideas aren’t getting much attention right now, the only explanation might be that some readers view the book as fiction and believe that some of the concepts and ideas it presents might not be feasible or useful in the real world. Another factor might be because the book’s concepts didn’t receive much attention from the media. The book has been read and enjoyed by many individuals, yet it might not have attracted a large enough audience to contribute to a wider discussion.
But trust me when I say that every concept discussed in the book has been pertinent in the past, is relevant now, and will continue to be relevant forever.
