SHUT UP AND SAVE THE WORLD: Why I Wrote My Book

It's been almost a year since I began to write down the inklings of what would become 'The Dragon Needs Wings'. Yet, looking back, I remember my determination to write a book - never mind what it was about - and become an author. So, here I am, writing down this blog post as a published author. But why write about such a (generally) niche topic? Why?

Well, all stories have a beginning, and mine started quite a while ago, in 2012. Back then, I was a young child, carefree and naive, living an innocent life within the confines of the secure gates of my apartment in Bengaluru. But one day, my parents took me outside this beautiful elite bubble. They showed me the reality of the world: its poverty and ignorance. My vision of a beautiful harmonious world cracked. My parents were volunteering (as is the tradition in my family) at a government school. When I saw the state of the government school, looking over a less-developed portion of Bengaluru, I could not keep calm: I had to do something. And so began my long journey in helping everyone I could.

Six years later, I was heavily involved in various volunteering activities: from helping underprivileged children with autism to conducting workshops on behalf of Rutuchakra (an organisation promoting menstrual equity, doubling as their Director of Finance). Nonetheless, I was dissatisfied. I'm sure we've all pondered upon why nothing in society seems to change. To me, six years was a long time: but to the world, it's a mere heartbeat. But I wasn't about to wait for the world to spin things into how I expected them to be.

So, I didn't wait. Instead, I started theorising about a system that could solve the root problem I saw around me: poverty. And what better way to solve poverty than to reform the economic system? From there came the idea of Unisism (a part of 'The Dragon Needs Wings'). But, lamentably, I was not determined enough to write: I left it aside and focused on practical efforts. My inhibitions notwithstanding, I continued to formulate various new ideas. These, however, were personal observations: ones I never dreamt I would ever honestly write about.

Thankfully, I did. In 2021, I was seated peacefully, eating my breakfast and reading the newspaper, when I chanced upon an article about climate change. So naturally, my mind turned to Greta Thunberg and her organisation. Why did her organisation grow so popular (and successful?)? As my thoughts progressed that day, I wondered why any movement succeeded or failed. Then, I realised the common link between all those movements: belief in the unbelievable. I stood up from my chair, eyes widened with the euphoria of epiphany. I hastily opened a Google Doc and began typing. I did not budge for the next three hours.

Now, one year later, I am publishing this manifesto of ideas and ideals in the hope that it inspires us to grow beyond our mundanity. Naturally, this book is one of many to follow. Still, I earnestly hope it sparks discourse on finding an alternative to today's world. Hopefully, I've convinced you to read the book, or you've already read it. Either way, it's time to shut up and save the world.