Dateline Mussoorie: The grand old man of mountain, author Ruskin Bond turns 90 today.
Since morning an unending line of fans, VIPs, friends and family made their way up to Ivy Cottage, Landour to wish their favourite author on his birthday. It was a back-to-back, packed day for him as he released three titles: Hold on to your dream; The Hill of Enchantment and How to be Happy by leading publishing houses including Aleph Rupa and HarperCollins, at Cambridge Book Depot, along the Mussoorie’s Mall Road, earlier in the afternoon.
After sunset, the author made his way to Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels The Savoy Mussoorie for a meet & greet and book signing for his fans on the Central Lawn. Talking about his association with the place, the author recalls: ‘It’s always good to be back in the Savoy especially on my 90th birthday. I have so many fond memories of this place. It always feels like I’m coming to the welcoming arms of an old friend. At every step, memories come rushing back.’
Of his first visit to the hotel, he recalls he came here for the first time in the late 1980s, when he had been invited over by the then-owner Anand Jauhar (better known as Nandu to his friends) for dinner in his cottage. Another invitee that evening was Ruskin’s Editor Valerie, who was staying at the hotel along with her parents and had come out here on a business trip from London.
‘Over the years, my friends and I became regular visitors. The Savoy remains an integral part of many of my stories that took shape here!’ he adds.
Mr. Gautam Valli, General Manager, Welcomhotel The Savoy Mussoorie said, ‘We are honoured to host the author on his special 90th birthday whose presence adds to the rich literary heritage of our esteemed establishment. We extend our heartfelt wishes for his continued good health.’
Before the author signs off to join his intimate friends and doting family for dinner Bond says: ‘Try to make this a better world, because at the moment, its very broken and unhappy, you see it all over, and we should in our small way do our best and strive to make it a better, happier and more peaceful place.’
We at Newspost wish more power to ‘the Man With the Golden Pen.’ May this enchanter of the written word continue to remain one of our most prolific author of our times.
Happy 90th Birthday Ruskin Bond!
