Books on Awasthi’s life released; Speakers laud MD’s grit

Two books on the life of IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi were released by IFFCO Chairman and Board of Directors during the 52nd AGM on Tuesday. Titled “The Joys of Crisis” and “Sangharsh Ka Sukh” in English and Hindi respectively, the books are biographies on the struggle and travails of a man who rose from a humble background to lead a co-op body ranked number one globally.

Speaking on this occasion, the writer of the English book Arnab Mitra says “since younghood what rankled Awasthi the most was the fact that India had to import fertilizers at a very high cost from abroad. It was this restlessness which led him to finally come up with Nano fertilizers which are completely indigenous not only in the process of manufacturing but also in their ingredients.”

Detailing other traits of Awasthi, Mitra added that Awasthi still preserves childlike curiosity, which helps him learn new things effortlessly. Fluent and smooth, the narration of the book focuses on the quality of Empathy Awasthi feels for people around him. Any number of people close to him will vouch for this, stated the writer.

Speaking of the book, IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani said that the title of the book itself is so interesting. Joy in crisis can be felt only by some people like Awasthi. Losing his father at a very early age, Awasthi turned to his mother, a pillar of strength and built his life brick by brick, said Sangahni.

Sanghani said he also had some personal experience of Awasthi’s inner strength. “There have been situations in his life when even his best friends feel it is difficult to cope with them but Awasthi has come out unscathed by sheer strength of character and belief. I would say he has rather come out of crises heroically”, said Sanghani.

Talking about the book, BISCOMAUN Chairman Dr Sunil Kumar Singh said it is difficult to capture the vast and varied life of a personality like Awasthi in a book. “Since I have not read the book I will give you 90% and the rest 10% would be given next year after I read the book” said Sunil humouring the audience.

Sunil, who enjoys a Ministerial rank in the Bihar govt also assured the writers that the books would be given to all the govt libraries of Bihar. A speaker par excellence, Sunil also got his copies of two books autographed by Dr Awasthi.

Narrating his experiences, Hindi Author Abhisekh Saurabh said that he was amazed beyond comprehension once he started to collect materials on the life of Dr Awasthi. “Such was the variety of his experiences”, he added.

Saurabh said that most of what Awasthi owes today is partly due to his education at BHU. “I have also studied from BHU only and we share some cultural ties”, said Saurabh with a tinge of pride.