Navtej Sarna is the author most recently of the novel, Crimson Spring. His earlier books include the novels The Exile and We Weren’t Lovers Like That; the short story collection Winter Evenings; works of non-fiction Second Thoughts, The Book of Nanak and Indians at Herod’s Gate; and the translations Savage Harvest and Zafarnama. He is a prolific commentator on foreign policy and literary matters, contributing regularly to media platforms in India and abroad.
A professional diplomat for nearly four decades, Sarna was India’s Ambassador to the United States, High Commissioner to the UK and Ambassador to Israel. He has also served as Secretary to the Government of India and as the Foreign Office Spokesperson. His earlier diplomatic assignments were in Moscow, Warsaw, Thimphu, Tehran, Geneva and Washington DC. More details at www.navtejsarna.in
NIKHIL RAVI studied Philosophy at the Manipal Centre for Humanities, and has co-written the Netflix Original Series, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack.
Sandeep Menon is a journalist, author and educator whose writing moves from the playing fields to the page with ease. An automobile engineer by training, he swapped machines for words (after a brief fling with broadcast media), chasing the highs of telling stories and capturing sporting moments.
He spent over a decade as a sports correspondent, where he chronicled not just sports, but also culture, gender, movies, music and several other areas for newspapers such as Deccan Herald, The Times of India and Deccan Chronicle. His commentary on Indian football, particularly through his podcast Injury Time, was noted for its depth, nuance and empathy.
He now works as the Senior Editorial Manager at the Office of Communications, Indian Institute of Science, helping with outreach initiatives and science communication. He also teaches narrative writing and journalism as a visiting faculty at several institutions, while looking out for new subjects to write.
His first book, Out of the Blue: Bengaluru FC’s 10-Year Odyssey was released in April 2025. He lives in Bengaluru with his wife, Anchitha Krishna.
Vashishtha Chaudhary, a senior central government official, has significantly contributed to tax administration, technology, and policy, earning the WCO Certificate of Merit in 2010. Raised in West Champaran, Bihar, he overcame socio-economic challenges through cognitive transformation, intuitive decision-making, and emotional resilience. He played a pivotal role in GST implementation and authored the best-selling book GST – A Practical Approach in 2017. Outside his professional life, he enjoys nature, cycling, reading, cooking, and traveling. Living in Delhi with his wife and two kids, Vashishtha’s journey from a village boy to a prominent figure is marked by principles of mindfulness and gratitude.
Sathya Raghu V. Mokkapati is a dad of two and a regenerative capitalist with a soft spot for trees, numbers, and terrible puns. He co founded Soul Forest, a bold initiative that turns degraded land into thriving nature reserves and makes investing in nature both credible and cool. Before this, he co-founded Kheyti, where he helped design the award-winning Greenhouse-in-a-Box, a climate-smart farming innovation that won the Earthshot Prize in 2022.
A chartered accountant by training, Sathya has taught over 20,000 students. He’s a TED speaker and a fellow of Acumen, Aspen New Voices, and the Mulago Foundation—platforms where he blends science, storytelling, and action. This book was born from his conversations with his children, Virat and Ira. It’s his way of making climate awareness simple, playful, and powerful—so that understanding the planet doesn’t need a PhD, just a curious mind. When he’s not planting ideas or actual trees, he’s listening to music, sipping coffee, or daydreaming about a world where nature and people grow together.
