Arvind Sharmaa is a seasoned HR leader with 25 years’ expertise in the field of Human Resources and has successfully lead HR operations for several multinational organizations in India like Black & Veatch, Halliburton, Ingersoll Rand, Diebold, Keystone Solutions, Hexaware and Patni Computer Systems. Currently he is working as Sr. HR Director at Black & Veatch India. He is an alumni of K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSR) based in Mumbai (1994-96 batch) and was felicitated by World HRD Congress in 2018 with “100 Top HR Minds in India” award. He was also felicitated by SIMSR with “Excellence in Human Resources” award in 2018. Arvind has a passion for reading, writing and storytelling. He has leveraged these skills for people development through his “Corporate Pathshala” initiative since 2007 to motivate professionals and help them develop and evolve over time. Arvind is a firm believer in “Mind Power” and believes that if human beings learn to tap this hidden potential within them elves, they can lead much more successful lives and reach heights they would have never even imagined.
The Literature Times: I would like to begin by congratulating you on the publication of “You Can Become Rich.” How has the response to the book been so far?
Arvind Sharmaa: The initial response is very encouraging. The readers seem to have been impressed with the subject which they can relate to and find very relevant to their personal lives. One of the initial feedbacks mentioned “Good Work” which is very heartening. The readers seem to be very excited about the topic and are eager to get their copies. Am hopeful that the book will do well.
The Literature Times: What led to the idea of writing “You Can Become Rich”? Were there any events that inspired the work?
Arvind Sharmaa: I think everybody wants to achieve financial success in life but not everybody has access to the wisdom required to do so. I wanted to write on this topic in order to share my learnings about financial wisdom and the significant role it plays in one becoming rich. I wanted to keep the topic very genuine and something that everybody could easily relate to. That’s how I decided to write this book.
The Literature Times: How easy or difficult was it for you to write on a subject that held relevance for all and also remain objective about them in “You Can Become Rich”?
Arvind Sharmaa: Writing on any subject is always time consuming and requires lot of efforts. One can do this only if one enjoys writing. Same was the case with me while writing this book and publishing the same. While writing, I do not worry about the quality of my work initially. If I have knowledge about a particular subject and enjoy writing about the same, I just go ahead and write and then refine it later. I consider writing as a hobby, a passion, something that I enjoy doing. Thus, I went about writing this book as well.
The Literature Times: What are your views about present-day writing? Do you think it does complete justice in depicting human nature in the light of “You Can Become Rich”?
Arvind Sharmaa: I don’t think too much has changed in the field of writing over the years but definitely feel the need for this to happen. Today readers do not have the time and patience to read books which are very big. In this fast paced world, even writing needs to get concise and the story needs to be communicated in much lesser time. I think speed and agility is the need of current times and writing needs to adapt to it.
The Literature Times: “You Can Become Rich” shows the uniqueness of your style of writing. Are there any authors that you enjoy reading or any books which are your favorites?
Arvind Sharmaa: My most favourite authors have been Robert Schuler, Napoleon Hill, Joseph Murphy, Deepak Chopra, Priya Kumar and I have been greatly inspired by their work. Some of the best books that I value a lot are “Synchro Destiny” by Deepak Chopra, “Tough times never last but touch people do” by Robert Schuler and “The Calling” by Priya Kumar.
The Literature Times: How would you categorize “You Can Become Rich” as its appeal seems to be to a broad audience?
Arvind Sharmaa: I think “You Can Become Rich” will lead the readers on the path of introspection and development. Hence, I would categorize it as a book for “Self-Development”.
The Literature Times: “You Can Become Rich” has given a powerful introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more from you in the future? Please share about your future projects.
Arvind Sharmaa: Yes, there are a couple of interesting subjects that I wish to write on and would be working on them as time permits. My readers would come to know about them gradually over time.
The Literature Times: What is the story behind the title of your work, “You Can Become Rich”?
Arvind Sharmaa: I think acquiring and building wealth is a science that can be learnt. If practiced well, it can lead to great financial success in life. With this belief, I got inspired to write on this topic.
The Literature Times: How easy or difficult was it for you to divide the content and remain objective and concise about them at the same time in “You Can Become Rich”?
Arvind Sharmaa: Writing on any topic is difficult. It requires lot of hard work, focus and a habit of writing regularly but if you are passionate about the topic, you can achieve it. I had a clear idea about the blueprint of the book and what I wanted to convey. Hence, planning the content and categorization of the same was not difficult but it required lot of sustained efforts.
The Literature Times: In the present time, books featuring the subject of “You Can Become Rich” do not find much mention. What, according to you, could be the possible reason for that?
Arvind Sharmaa: I think times have changed and so have reading interests of people. We need to accept this but it is a fact that a good book always sells. Hence, a writer should focus on what they are passionate about and something of value that they can share with the readers.
The Literature Times: If you were to describe your book “You Can Become Rich” in a few words without giving any spoilers, what would those words be?
Arvind Sharmaa: Book of Financial Wisdom.
The Literature Times: What advice would you give to budding writers who may be planning to write in the same genre as “You Can Become Rich”?
Arvind Sharmaa: My message to budding writers is that they should not worry about the quality of their work initially. If they have knowledge about a particular subject and enjoy writing about the same, then they should definitely do so. Writing should be a hobby, a passion, something that they enjoy doing. Only then can they go about achieving their writing goals. If they sustain this habit, they will see the quality of their writing improving over time.
The Literature Times: Thank you very much for sparing your time. I look forward to reading more books from you in the future. All the best.
Arvind Sharmaa: You are always welcome. It was a pleasure interacting with you. Thank You so much for all your good wishes.