Vipul Mittra’s new book The Dream Chasers suggests young people to be more reflective and less emotional about their ambitions. The author spoke to Karan Bhardwaj
In case you are chasing a dream for years and still haven’t been able to accomplish it, a copy of Vipul Mittra’s latest book, The Dream Chasers (Random House India), might be of help to you. The book is a witty and humorous account of the dilemma Gen Y faces today. There are too many dreams and big ambitions, complimented by the state of confusion.
“Actually majority of our youngsters are not able to distinguish between fantasy and dreams. They want to have fun, and think they will be able to accomplish their dreams without facing any hindrances. And by the end of the game, they feel absolutely distressed,” says the author. The Dream Chasers is a fictitious story of six MBA students, who go through different experiences during and after the campus life. The book is loosely inspired by 3 Idiots. “The characters are a mix of personalities. They are involved in books, drugs, parties, girls and nightlife. During the campus life, they take it easy. As it finishes, they find most of their dreams shattered,” shares the author. The book will be launched on September 26 in Mumbai.
The basic idea is to suggest youth to be more reflective and less emotional. “They should stick to one thing as long as it is feasible. What people do is that they keep chasing dreams for long time and ruin productive years of their lives. One needs to be practical,” says Mittra, who is currently the Secretary (Tourism) & Industries, Government of Gujarat. His previous book Pyramid of Virgin Dreams was a bestseller.
The author himself wanted to be an actor but chose to change his way. “I realised the uncertainty involved, so I backed out,” he says.
Mittra did modelling for Digjam and other photoshoots and also appeared in Doordarshan’s Ghar Ki Malkein. But he never lost touch with the creative medium. “I was basically a creative man. So I have kept my writing with me. I used to write a regular column in a leading newspaper in mid 80s,” he shares. Thanks to his excellence in academics that he got through the IAS. “My father advised me that there is no point chasing something which may not materialise. You have to think practically. When we were young, we had limited options. On the contrary, there is flood of career options today,” he says.