Category: Excerpts

What if ageing wasn’t a slow decline but a process you could actively shape? The Longevity Code by Dr Sophia Pathai and Pullela Gopichand reframes the conversation – moving beyond just adding years to life, to building resilience, vitality and a longer healthspan through science, habits and intentional living.

Lifespan, Resilience and Healthspan

‘Lifespan is measured in years. Healthspan is measured in how fully you can live those years—with clarity, movement and purpose.’—PULLELA GOPICHAND

Ageing is often viewed as an inevitable, unstoppable decline—a slow and unsophisticated march toward physical and mental deterioration. For centuries, this view was widely accepted and for good reason, as we had to focus on dealing with any number of stressors in order to survive. From the threat of predators and the constant struggle for food and clean water to recurring waves of infectious disease and the trauma of war, most people lived in environments where ageing simply meant surviving. Today, instead of surviving, we are afforded the luxury to think about thriving. Ageing, we now know, is not solely dictated by the passage of time. It is the result of cumulative biological processes occurring within our cells, organs and tissues. These processes—while inevitable—are not beyond our influence, and as scientists and physicians, we are beginning to understand that ageing is, in fact, modifiable. Rather than thinking about ageing as an end-stage that we must all face, ageing can be approached as a process that we can influence and modify. We are at a pivotal moment where advances in scientific knowledge and cutting-edge technologies are converging—offering us unprecedented tools to understand, measure and actively influence the ageing process in ways that enhance the quality of life. These tools range from biological age testing and DNA-based tools for personal health insights to AI-enabled diagnostics and wearable biosensors—all of which we will explore in more detail throughout this book. As our understanding of the science and of the biology involved increases, we are learning how we might intervene, repair and adapt, shifting the trajectory of our health and our longevity.

Let’s face it, we place huge emphasis on chronological age—the number of years we have lived and the annual milestone celebrated as birthdays—particularly landmarks, such as attaining the ages of twenty-one, fifty or seventy-five. We commend the vitality of the younger generation, who embrace their career journeys with hungry ambition, who relish the challenge of passing a driving test, who anticipate and then savour the sublime experience of receiving their first paycheck. We equate being chronologically older with increased experience and wisdom yet simultaneously lament the passing of time, often quipping how it is all ‘downhill from now’. We all know family or friends who are chronologically old yet possess the energy, vitality and even physical attributes of someone much younger, and we are also aware of those who seem older, way beyond their chronological years. The late Fauja Singh, centenarian and marathoner exemplified this, and in the business world, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, entrepreneur and business leader, founded her company in 1978 and continues to contribute to the biotech world and beyond, with passion and purpose.

What if ageing could be reimagined as a process of optimization where the focus shifts from merely living longer to living better? By targeting the biological processes that underlie ageing, we have the potential to extend not just lifespan—the number of years an individual lives, from birth to death—but more importantly, healthspan—the number of years we live in good health. Healthspan is a more complex concept and refers to the number of years an individual lives in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities. There is considerable overlap between the two states of lifespan and healthspan, but there are notable elements where they differ. Healthspan is a component of lifespan, and ideally, a longer lifespan should include an extended healthspan. Traditional healthcare has largely focused on increasing lifespan by treating diseases as they arise. Lifespan can certainly be extended with medical interventions that keep people alive despite having a condition or a disease, but this does not necessarily mean that those years are healthy or free from disability. Think of someone kept alive in a hospital on a ventilator—their lifespan will be extended but not their healthspan. Both lifespan and healthspan seek to maximize the duration of life. However, healthspan aims to ensure those additional years are lived in good health. Adopting a mindset that embraces the shift from lifespan to healthspan is critical because it underscores the importance of quality over quantity—think of it as ‘adding life to years, not simply years to life’.

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Big weddings promise perfect beginnings. But in Farhad J. Dadyburjor’s Queerly Beloved, love refuses to follow a script, unfolding instead in all its messy, complicated and unexpectedly tender ways.

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Dressed in a royal gold-and-cream embroidered sherwani with matching jodhpuris on his feet and a large, bejewelled turban resting on his soft, floppy hair, Ved Mehra looked around him and admired the jasmine and marigold garlands dancing in the breeze. They covered the poles of the mandap like creepers—forming a drooping canopy after reaching the top. A small fire burned bright on little logs of wood in the centre of the stage in a shiny square vessel. The priest sitting cross-legged near it waited patiently for the ceremony to commence. Ved’s mother, Dolly, sparkling in a shiny maroon sequined saree on his right, was smiling from cheek to cheek as she gently pressed his sweaty hand in anticipation. Prem, his father, was just climbing onto the stage after welcoming some of their business clients who had taken their seats. Everyone admired the exquisite flower decorations all around and indulged in the posh nibbles and flutes of champagne being served as the Arabian Sea lapped gently a short distance behind them.

Ved smiled as his father hugged him and stationed himself on his other side, filled with pride on a day he had dreamed about for a greater number of years than he could remember. It had finally arrived, making Ved believe he was truly the luckiest man in the world for being able to marry his soulmate.

And there in the distance, the man of his life was approaching him. Carlos Silva, dressed handsomely in a dark blue Nehru jacket with tapered white pants, a pink kerchief placed spiffily in his jacket pocket that offset his tanned complexion and his slicked back light brown hair. Ved smiled with so much love that he felt as if his heart might just fall out. Here was the man he was ready to spend the rest of his life with.

But Carlos didn’t smile back. He seemed to be walking towards Ved hurriedly, his face flushed a deep red, an urgency in his stride.

Wait.

This was not how things were meant to go.

Carlos always had such a strong grip on his emotions. So, why was he suddenly looking so emotional? Was it last minute jitters? Had something happened to upset him?

Ved kept smiling goofily at him, egging him on, ignoring the sense of rotting dread deep inside of him as Carlos climbed onto the stage with tears streaming down his cheeks, took both of Ved’s hands in his tightly, looked at him pitifully for just a second, then said in a jittery voice, ‘Ved, I can’t do this . . . it’s over. I’m leaving you for someone else. Please, forgive me,’ and turned around, running out of the venue.

There was an audible gasp from the seated guests. Ved wanted to say something, but it was like his mouth was frozen. His face felt contorted and his body shook violently as he tried to hold back his tears. He could see his mother’s face filled with shock, his father supporting him from behind with trembling hands, the earth beginning to spin violently below him. Ved felt as if his mouth was being wrenched apart as he finally let out a scream, something so feral and frightening that it scared all the guests who hurriedly began scattering out of the venue.

And in that moment, when confusion reigned, the fire toppled over on to the stage and slowly started burning the sides, creeping up the wooden poles, eating the tiny white and orange flowers in its path. The priest shrieked frantically and ran off. His mother looked at him with tears in her eyes, waiting for Ved to do something. His father was shouting as the fire fast approached. But Ved seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move, staring helplessly as the burning flames started engulfing his feet.

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In Manifest Anything in 100 Days, Dr Amiett Kumar breaks down the Law of Attraction into simple, actionable steps, showing how consistent mindset shifts and daily practices can help you turn your biggest dreams into reality.

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Before we begin this journey of the Law of Attraction, let’s first get ready. Think of this like packing your bag before a trip.

The first step to using the Law of Attraction is to first understand it. So, before you move ahead, I want you to sit in a comfortable, upright position. Are you seated?

Great. Now, here is the Law of Attraction in the simplest way possible:

Whatever you think about the most, you will attract into your life.

Sounds too simple? That’s because it is that simple. Whatever you focus on the most—whether it’s your dreams, worries or fears—you bring it closer to yourself.

Remember that famous dialogue from the movie Om Shanti Om, where Shah Rukh Khan says:

‘Agar kisi cheez ko puri shiddat se chaho to puri kaynaat use tumse milane ki koshish mai lag jaati hai.’

This is exactly how the Law of Attraction works. But there is one thing that I want to bring attention to here.

You’ll find the same idea in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The book talks about a ‘personal legend’— your biggest dream in life. When you truly believe in your dream and work for it, the Universe helps you in unexpected ways. This isn’t luck—it’s the Law of Attraction at work.

This is what the Law of Attraction is all about. And this is where our journey begins.

But wait—did you already take the first step?

Not yet! You missed the Ready, Set, Go! moment.

It’s simple to learn about the Law of Attraction, but why do so many people struggle to use it? Why do so many fail to achieve what they truly want?

Here’s the answer:

Knowing about the Law of Attraction and actually using it are two very different things.

Learning about the Law of Attraction is like packing your bag before a trip. It’s just preparation.

But actually walking to your door, stepping outside and starting the journey—that’s action. That’s what makes the difference.

And that’s exactly what we’re going to do now. Now that you are starting to attract your dream life, why don’t you tell me what it is that you are attracting?

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In Winning People Without Losing Yourself, Ankur Warikoo breaks down the subtle art of dealing with people and shows you how to navigate people with clarity, confidence, and self-respect.

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Influence ≠ people pleasing

If you’re bending over backwards just to convince people, you are not influencing. You are auditioning.

Because being sweet is easy.

Being taken seriously requires a lot of work.

You won’t be remembered for always nodding along.

You’ll be remembered for speaking up when it mattered.

For asking the question no one else had the guts to.

For saying what others were only thinking.

Yes, people tend to like those who agree with them on everything.

But people follow those who are clear.

So be thoughtful. Be respectful. But don’t disappear trying to keep everyone happy.

Because influence isn’t about being everyone’s favorite. Influence is about being someone they listen to.

Influence ≠ control

Your relative posted fake news again.

Your temper flares.

You start typing furiously: fact-checks, ten links and a graph.

Take a deep breath.

Are you really trying to help or just win an argument?

Be honest.

Sometimes ‘I want them to know this is wrong’ is just another way of saying,

‘They should think like me.’ If the goal is to feel smart, be right, or control the outcome, you’re not helping.

You are just trying to win.

If you care more about proving you’re right than actually helping, then that’s not influencing.

That’s just arguing.

Ever feel like you keep saying the right things, but no one’s really listening?

We’re told influence comes from saying smart things.

Speaking with confidence.

Sounding sure of yourself.

Even when you’re not.

But you’ve done all that.

You prepared. Spoke clearly. Didn’t interrupt anyone. Made an important point.

And still! Blank stares.

People checking their phones.

Nobody is listening.

Five minutes later, someone else says the same thing.

And suddenly, it’s a genius idea.

Hello! What just happened?

Are you just background noise in everyone else’s day?

Here is the truth:

You are not ignored because you’re wrong.

You are not ignored because you aren’t smart enough.

You are not ignored because you aren’t loud enough.

They are listening for something that matches their moment.

Their priorities. Their mood. Their vibe.

People don’t listen when it matters to you.

They listen when it matters to them.

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In The Alphabets of Africa, Abhay K. turns poetry into a map of the continent, tracing its civilizations, cities and cultural icons. Read an excerpt below.

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Shaka Zulu

A military tactician, a songwriter,

a music composer, all combined in one

I often inspired my people

with music and songs

I had a premonition that the ‘white man’

would seize the Zulu kingdom

As a child, I was often mocked

for being born out of wedlock

my mother and I

were banished by my father

I trained as a fighter in the army

and soon became its commander

after my father’s death, I returned to my village

and became the King, deposing my half-brother

I named my people—Zulu, after my clan

and united them into a nation

I extended my rule to KwaZulu-Natal

Europeans called me a wild warrior

‘an insatiable and exterminating savage’

but Zulus counted me as a great king

for laying the foundations of a state

and building a great army

my wars against the rival communities

birthed new kingdoms of Zimbabwe and Lesotho

I remained celibate to govern my vast land

created an all-women’s regiment to gather intelligence

I invented assegai—the short spear for close combats

and devised the cow horn formation to encircle the enemy

death of my mother, Nandi, shook me to the core

and I decreed that for a year, no crops would be sown

and whoever would not cry enough

would meet one’s end

alienated people conspired to cease my tyranny

and two of my half-brothers stabbed me to death.

[Shaka Zulu (c.1787–1828) was a prominent Zulu leader who transformed the Zulu Kingdom into a powerful empire in Southern Africa. He is renowned for his military reforms, strategic innovations and brutal conquests, which led to the expansion of the Zulu Kingdom and reshaped the political landscape of the region.]

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True balance in life lies not just in mastering a profession, but in developing the life skills that nurture the mind, body and spirit. In The Four Life Skills, Amit Agarwal examines the everyday skills that help us navigate life beyond degrees, jobs and professional success.

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Typically, the word ‘education’ is used to mean learning. Sometimes, you may also come across the word ‘skill’ being used instead. However, the phrase ‘life skill’ is used sparingly. So, when I talk about the four ‘life skills’ that are essential for striking a balance between material success and spiritual growth, what exactly am I referring to? Moreover, how are these life skills any different from other skills that we can learn? Let us begin by outlining the differences between a ‘life skill’ and a ‘skill’.

Simply explained, life skills are essential competencies required for efficiently dealing with challenges in various situations and environments in our everyday lives. In contrast, a skill simply refers to expertise in a particular domain. The former is a broader concept; cultivating life skills will contribute to spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being and result in an improvement in the quality of life. The latter refers to specializing in a niche. So while computer programming, financial analysis, culinary arts, creative writing and graphic designing are examples of skills, life skills include critical thinking, decisionmaking abilities, building and sustaining meaningful interpersonal relationships, practising empathy and gratitude, time management and the ability to manage difficult emotions.

If you observe, the education system is geared more towards building skills rather than life skills. Schools create the foundation for college by offering streams such as humanities, science and commerce. Numerous college and university courses teach law, business administration, engineering, finance, medicine, marketing, hospitality and literature. Why is this so? This is because schools and colleges primarily cater to the job market, which will give you money and the ability to lead a good life. Now, think back to your own schooling—were life skills like empathy, public speaking, nutrition, personal finance or meditation ever part of the curriculum?

While specializing in skills is essential for employment, honing life skills is a much more critical aspect of personal development.

So, now the question arises: Which life skills will help us the most when it comes to marrying spirit and matter? There are four:

• Sales

• Mindfulness

• Personal Finance

• Nutrition

At the confluence of spiritual growth and material success is mastery of these four life skills. By harnessing their power, we can create a wonderful balance in every aspect of our lives. As you will see, they are deeply interconnected; without one, the others cannot reach their fullest potential. Now, let’s understand why each life skill is directly connected to your ability to enjoy a holistic life.

Sales

There are nearly 8.1 billion people in this world and if you think about it, each person is in the process of trying to sell an idea, a product or a service. Consider the following examples:

A sales director is giving a software demonstration to her prospective clients.

A financial planner advises his clients on which asset classes to choose from based on their risk profile.

Concerned parents are telling their teenager why constantly being on the phone can negatively impact his studies.

A twenty-four-year-old boy is about to propose to his girlfriend.

A forty-five-year-old is thinking about quitting his job and becoming a freelancer.

Can you identify the common thread in the aforementioned situations? They all involve connecting with people and influencing them to make a decision, a process I call the CID framework. Look around and you will begin to notice how thoughts contain the seed of an idea and, at every moment, we are selling that idea to a person, group or organization that will best serve its interests. So many times, like in the case of the forty-fiveyear-old weighing his options, we become both the buyer and seller of the product, convincing ourselves of the pros and cons of a decision.

In our various roles, we are selling either a product, a service or an idea. Thus, we all are in sales and hence sales is a life skill. As you begin to harness it, you will begin to communicate effectively both personally and professionally.

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Are women free to fly, or are they still tethered by family, marriage and expectations? In Busy Women, Shinjini Kumar explores ambition, work, migration and the quiet constraints shaping women’s lives today.

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Why Bother About Women?

Neena Gupta is an actress in art and mainstream cinema and a television producer and director. She gained a cult following in the nineties as a talented artist and a single mother; more recently, she made a stunning comeback in mainstream cinema and broke Instagram, saying it as it is. Neena told me once that a woman is like a cow tethered with a rope that keeps her within the perimeter of the family. The man, on the other hand, is like a bird, who can freely go anywhere.

It is not the kind of parable that I like to hear. Women younger than me like to hear it even less. You look at her and think: ‘What is she talking about? She has lived on her terms and is still doing it. She has got it all. Why would others not be able to do it?’ So, I want to prove her wrong. I want to prove that gender is not a barrier to a determined woman, and that she can do everything that a man can, including flying like a bird.

I am looking for the women who are indeed flying. And if ind them. But I also find the truth of Neena’s parable. Women’s lives are indeed circumscribed differently from those of men. For one thing, they rarely choose the space they get to live in. A small percentage of women, like me or Neena, leave their parental homes for education or work, and set up their own homes. For the large majority, leaving home is a given. But where they will end up for the rest of their lives is dependent on who they marry. Even if she finds education, work and money, decisions relating to her body, childbearing, career and asset ownership are often not her own. She may still be able to make a meaningful life for herself and her family, but the tether is firmly in place.

In more elite families, the frequent hypocrisy of raising daughters like a ‘papa ki pari’ (Dad’s fairy) and then giving them away with a dowry, while the business or property is inherited by the son(s) is a tiny bit less common than before, but certainly not gone away. The simple fact of marital dislocation has tremendous implications for the woman and the community. For the community, these implications are mostly positive. In a crude sense, it matches the free labour supply for household work, childbirth and eldercare with the demand. In more refined ways, there are extremely positive externalities to women becoming vectors of care and culture by being mobile. For the woman, they can be positive, disruptive or debilitating, depending on the combination of circumstances. T he question for me was whether the contribution of women within and outside home is being recognized and understood, or undermined and broad-brushed under age-old stereotypes?

This is an interesting but often overlooked fact. Men migrate for work. With rare exceptions, they follow professional opportunities and networks that are expected to help them in their quest of work, job, career, money. On the other hand, almost all women who move places, do so for marriage. Which means that they leave their networks and do not seize the professional opportunities best suited to them. Of course, they can get lucky. But more often than not, despite all the love and affection, they encounter a phase of darkness and confusion, before they begin to assess opportunities available to them in their new habitat.

This geographical constraint is accompanied by another unfortunate constraint, that of physical safety. The fact that women are not safe, for the most part, in most places and at most times, affects their lives in general and work life in particular. In addition, their life stages are very different from those experienced by their brothers and husbands. Even coming from the same backgrounds and families, women go through more disruption in work at early stages. Do all these constraints stop the women? Has greater access to education and skills allowed women to take advantage of opportunities in a growing economy? And what is this opportunity here and now after three decades of economic liberalization? Is the physical infrastructure generating advantage for Middle India and its residents, men and women? If so, what does it mean for migration and creation of many more urban centres with thriving urban culture across the country?

I started my travels with these questions and an open mind. Making my way through thirty cities over three years, I made friends, drank nimbu paani, ate dosas, wore sarees, took selfies, laughed, sweated, walked on pavements and promenades and collected personal histories of the soaring women, the tethered women and the women in between!

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