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In 1989, in the middle of a busy day, R.M. Lala happened to notice in a mirror that one side of his neck was significantly enlarged.
Tests revealed that he was suffering from malignant lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the lymph nodes. The awareness of this life-threatening illness meant a radical change in how he lived, a marshalling of mental and physical resources such as he had never had to do before.
For treatment, like the disease, is harsh. It involves, among other things, a regimen of chemotherapy that can leave a patient drained of every ounce of strength. A person weakened by disease and treatment has to eventually draw on his own faith in himself, supported by the love of others, and in the author’s case, a strong and abiding belief in God.
Written in the form of letters, this book is meant to prepare a friend, also diagnosed with cancer, for the rigours ahead of her. Drawing on his experience to provide her reassurance, the author shares with her his feelings of despair as he underwent the painful treatment, and the hope that he was able to generate in his darkest moments.
Ultimately, he addresses all of us, showing us the indomitability of the human spirit which can survive anything, teaching us how to make each moment of our lives a celebration.
About the Author
R.M. Lala started his career in journalism in 1948 at the age of nineteen. In 1959 he became the manager of the first Indian book publishing house in London and in 1964 he founded (with Rajmohan Gandhi) Himmat Weekly, which he edited for a decade. His first book, The Creation of Wealth, was published to critical and commercial acclaim in 1981. This was followed by other books including Beyond the Last Blue Mountain: A Life of J.R.D. Tata (1992), Celebration of the Cells: Letters from a Cancer Survivor (1999), A Touch of Greatness: Encounters with the Eminent (2001), For the Love of India: The Life and Times of Jamsetji Tata (2004)and In Search of Ethical Leadership (2005). His books have been translated into several languages including Japanese.
Lala was director of Tata’s premier foundation the Dorabji Tata Trust for eighteen years. His book The Heartbeat of a Trust is based on this Trust. He is co-founder of the Centre for the Advancement of Philanthropy and has been its chairman since 1993.
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