Author of the Book: Varun AgarwalTitle of the Book: How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded aMillion Dollar CompanyName of the Publisher: Rupa & Co.Place of Publication: New Delhi Year of Publication: 2012Summary of the Book:To be absolutely honest, I picked this book out of thethree options available because the title of the book, along with its cover sparkedmy curiosity to discover its connotation. Even though people say ‘Do not judgea book by its cover’; I can legit voice that my decision to read this book washighly rewarding.During my Christmas holidays, I managed to read this bookin its entirety and the facet that grabbed my utmost attention was the uncannysense of familiarity that I felt once I finished reading the book.
Here’s why: The story revolves around Varun, the author and theprotagonist, who has no job after graduating from an engineering college. Asthe name suggests, it is an autobiographical account of entrepreneur VarunAgarwal’s attempts to break free with his own venture, doing away with theconventional well-trodden Engineering-plus-MBA route that most people his ageseem to settle on. Varun was a very mediocre student when it came toacademics. However, his excellence at other co-curricular activities summed upa very interesting personality. He had 4 close friends who he would meetoccasionally to share drinks.
One day, Varun and his friends Sid, Rohit, Mehtaand Mal better known as Rohan Malhotra were out, grabbing a few drinks. Varuntook Mal aside for a cigarette and he told him about his idea. He decided toset out with his own venture, Alma Mater, focused on creating customizedhoodies and t-shirts for the alumni of schools and colleges.Perhaps, the biggest dissuader to his entrepreneurial dreamis Anu Aunty, the lead character of the book, who attempts to dampen theauthor’s hopes at every turn he takes. Anu Aunty is Varun’s mother’s bestfriend, a typical middle-aged Indian mother who keeps bragging about her’over-achieving’ son. Varun and hisencounters with Anu Aunty present the saga of a typical Indian household. AnuAunty is a metaphor for the mindset characteristic of most Indians.
She couldbe a neighbour, a relative or anyone adept at nipping all mushrooming ideas inthe bud, gracing households with their ominous ever-taunting presence, foreverready to lay roadblocks to hinder you from chasing your dreams. Much toVarun and his mother’s dismay, Anu Aunty repeatedly belittles and mocks Varunfor his unambitious behavior.Even though the story seems very average, it is the storyof every other young lad in India. I think it’s appropriate to say that it isnot the story that keeps you going but the way he tells it. What makes itthoroughly enjoyable is the brutal honesty and rawness that the author hasincorporated into his writing. Written in simple English, this book makes an easy read forall its readers.
With the perfect amount of wit and humor, this book fulfilsits purpose essentially by making an attempt at changing the way presentsociety looks at budding entrepreneurs. Young readers definitely feel a certainsymphony with Varun’s story because almost every youngster has passed throughthis stage at some point in his life. You wouldn’t be surprised to find a smile on your faceevery other time you turn the page. However, it is not all about the laughs andentertainment. This book, on its own, provides valuable insights along withinvaluable business tips.
Although, it is a little far-fetched with some of itsfacets. Setting up a business and its expansion in real-life may not be assmooth a ride as depicted in the book. This is probably the most important flawin the book, as per me. Secondly, just for the sake of increasing the size ofthe book, the author has added some unnecessary chapters in the middleincluding examples like that of Facebook. I think that’s the facet Varun couldhave worked upon further.
While How I Braved Anu Aunty& Co Founded a Million Dollar Company relates the Indian author’s personaljourney of creating a million-dollar company, it is interspersed withside-splitting observations of the Indian lifestyle, and some rather profoundtips on making it big as an entrepreneur. It’s hard to believe a 250-page bookcan entertain you at so many levels.Seasoned with compelling anecdotes, it makes for anexcellent read. The author has a knack of presenting everything with a touch ofBollywood style that adds to the elucidation of the autobiography. It is certainly a must-read for every young lad who dreamsto be an entrepreneur someday or those who are already treading on thisjourney.
As I had mentioned earlier, this novel isn’t a great work ofliterature and I don’t think it was intended as one. It will not feed your soulor enthrall you with the unknown. What it does is that it tells you areal-life story of a guy and the way he battles all odds to do what he wantedto do. Needless to say, Anu Aunty is a metaphor for all those people who are apart of our lives and oppose or contradict everything we think or do.
The author has reached out to diverse populations with hiscustomized merchandise and has given hope to a whole generation of youngsterswho chose to do things their way. It surely is inspiring. The book also bringsto you the stark reality of being an entrepreneur; it’s a lot of hard work tobe one and no, even owning a million-dollar company doesn’t mean you drivearound in a Porsche. It has very strong Indian sensibilities and that’svery important because I am sure Mark Zuckerberg’s parents didn’t force him todo engineering and become a techie at Microsoft only so that he could marry anice girl.If you are a person who is merely taking life as it comes,unsure of whether to follow dreams or just earning a few thousand rupees tokeep the society happy, this book is for you. This book is all about believingin your dreams, just doing the things that you love to do, and the courage tobelieve and follow your dreams till the very last ounce of faith. So, that idea that your mindhas been hinting at, that lingering dream you’ve been stashing away, go reclaimit and make it big. And when you do, thank Varun Agarwal for inspiring a lovefor entrepreneurship in you and re-igniting that spark.
