Dateline Mussoorie: Author Ruskin Bond turned 91 today. And what was different this time around was there was no unending line of fans, VIPs, friends and family making their way up to Ivy Cottage, Landour (the author’s cottage) to wish their favourite author on his birthday. What once used to be a back-to-back packed day for him as went about releasing his latest books, meeting fans, publishers, fellow authors and took endless selfies with his growing tribe of readers who flocked to Mussoorie to celebrate with their favourite author from all over India. Bond wished for a low-key affair, this time around.
Earlier in the week, the octogenarian author had circulated a video message cancelling his birthday celebration citing the Pahalgam incident, “I won’t be able to have a public celebration this year. As you know we’ve just had that tragedy in Kashmir followed by an unpleasant conflict and I think maybe it’s time to just reflect.”
Bond’s latest book ‘Life’s Magic Moments’ published by Penguin was slated to be launched later in the day at the Cambridge bookstore, but then it was released at the author’s home surrounded by his dotting friends and family. Struggling with failing eye sight and other age-related health issues, India’s most beloved and prolific writer remains in good spirit. Bond promised to meet & greet his readers at the bookstore sometime in June if peace and good health prevailed.
Signing off, Bond thanked his umpteen fans and wished for, “a year of peace and prosperity for the country and may you all be happy and prosper.”
Newspost Team wishes Ruskin Bond a day filled with love, laughter, and all his favourite things, today and for years to come.
