Aina Rao Interview – Ambling Indian Book

Aina is an IIT and IIM graduate. Currently she is a financial services professional by training and a writer/singer by passion. She is working as a Senior Manager at a Multinational company in Bangalore. She was a Silver medalist at IIT Delhi, Topper in IIM Bangalore. She has also won Diversity Champion award. She was also nominated for Indiblogger humour best blogger award. Let us know more about her writing.

What inspired you to start writing?

India is the inspiration. It is not just a country, but a world of its own with a lot of quirks and fun. I was inspired by India to bring out the amusement, the chaos and the fun of being here. That started my writing journey. I created the character- the Amblingindian^TM who is an aam aadmi or aam aurat, and started the blog, writing as her, bringing out the many quirks of India. The book then followed.

What did you like to read when you were a girl?

I read many authors. Enid Blyton was a favourite, as was Sherlock Holmes. But the best – and the most unusual, was the Billy Bunter series. I rolled over with laughter each time with his antics.

What is the greatest challenge in writing a book?

Finding time is the most challenging. One has to squeeze writing in – literally. I get inspired at all odd hours ( early mornings sometimes), so have to fit my writing around that.

How much research do you do before writing the book?

I do my homework and research as I read. A lot of facts are stored in my head, which is also my memory bank.

What motivated you to write the book “Ambling Indian”?

I love creating stuff and weaving with words. Once my blog got going, the popularity of my blog, based on India, egged me on. The blog runs along key tracks- Innovation ,Humour, life and more on India. I knew people love a good laugh, and hence a humor book came first. This stands vindicated as Ambling Indian has been featured in the top10-20 new releases on amazon Humor consistently.

Can you tell us more about your latest book “Ambling Indian”?

An unusual take on India, this book offers a never-seen-before view of the country, through the eyes of the Ambling Indian-a new aam aurat; a commoner. With all the ingredients to laugh at, the spice and nuggets of reflection to savour, comes forth a delight to the senses.

Through the book, you get to meet the Ambling Indian and the other characters—people just like you and me, and experience hilarious happenings through thirty-one stories woven together with a common thread—India’s journey. You can coast through IITs as the Ambling Indian “Rewires the IIT syllabi”; travel in autorickshaws as you meet “Cows on the Roads”. You will struggle as you go through “A take on taxes”; and plunge into the best of Indian politics, journalism, modern offices, IIMs, weddings, cities and Bollywood with “Ode to Kofee Johar”, “King of the Potholes”, and many more intriguing stories.

The book is the story of India as told by Aina, the reporter, also the ambling indian. Aina’s life crisscrosses that of many curious characters, Mangomen, Kofee Johar, Dr. Rupee Rajan, Runny Singh and others as they go on rollicking, fun ride, and discover an India that puzzles, amuses, excites and provokes thought—through the mirror of the Ambling Indian, Aina; who discovers an unknown side of herself too.

The book also features cartoons on India by me and others.

How did you come up with the idea of writing fiction genre book?

I am an imaginative person. Since humor and many fictitious humourous events were the basis of my book, I found it best to weave it into one humor- fiction story. This book is made of thirty- one funny stories, all women together with a common thread, the hilarious story of India.

Who are your favourite authors?

PG Wodehouse, James Herriott, Arthur conan doyle , R K Laxman’s cartoons. ( The Amblingindian is also a common man, much like Rk Laxman’s character. The only difference is that , she talks too- and talks a lot through her writings !)

How much time do you dedicate to writing on a daily basis?

Not much, I usually write on the weekends when I get time. On the weekdays, I may scribble on papers in the mornings and catch the threads on weekends to complete. ( if I can find the papers that is !)