Penguin Random House India are proud to announce the timely publication of Till We Win, the definitive account of India’s fight against COVID-19 and how to deal with the Pandemic in the days to come. Written by three of India’s best-known doctors, Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, a leading public policy and health systems expert, Dr Gagandeep Kang, a world-noted vaccine researcher and virologist, and Dr Randeep Guleria, a globally renowned pulmonologist, this book will be released in November 2020 under the Penguin imprint.
Till We Win is a book of hope. It will show how India has continued to persevere in her fight against this deadly virus. It will answer many essential questions. How long will we have to go on wearing masks? Will we need to wear a mask even after we get a vaccine? What if there is no effective treatment against COVID-19? From the general public to political leaders, policymakers and physicians, each and every kind of reader will be enlightened by this powerful book which has the potential to transform public health in India.
Dr Randeep Guleria, who is the Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, says, ‘There has been talk of a pandemic for many years. Yet, we never really thought it would cause so much disruption till COVID-19 hit our country. Till We Win is a story of how no country was fully prepared for a pandemic of the nature of COVID-19, yet India pulled together despite all odds, and is continuing to successfully tackle the pandemic. The book deals with the realization of inner strength and unity amongst people of all walks of life in a country known for its cultural and linguistic diversity.’
Commenting on the scope of the virus and its future, Dr Gagandeep Kang says, ‘Viruses emerge and sweep through the world because of human action, but scientists now have the ability to recognize new infections early, track their spread, and develop tools for diagnosis and prevention quicker than ever before in history. The scale of SARS-CoV2 was surprising, but in just a few months, our increased understanding and effective approaches have been able to better prevent infections and treat those who are severely ill. We will handle this pandemic and use what we learn to do better next time.’
Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, sharing his view about the pandemic and the need for the book, says, ‘One of the key developments during the COVID-19 pandemic has been that the health became a mainstream discourse. The need for stronger health systems and a better provision of public health (preventive and promotive) services has been recognised by political leaders, policy makers and public alike. There is emerging learning that the countries with stronger primary health care services had more effective pandemics response. The book delves into how learnings from COVID-19 pandemic can be used to strengthen Indian health system, for better, forever. It is up to all of us to convert the challenge posed by pandemic as an opportunity to strengthen health systems. We (all authors) are glad to publish Till We Win with Penguin Random House India. We sincerely hope that everyone will find the book helpful in their day to day life.’
Meru Gokhale, Publisher, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India says, ‘Dr Randeep Guleria has been at the forefront of India’s fight against coronavirus, while Dr Chandrakant Lahariya has played a
pivotal role in designing and scaling up primary healthcare services and strengthening health systems in Indian states . Dr Gagandeep Kang is one of the most eminent virologists, vaccine expert and medical microbiologists in the world. They are sharing their incredible breadth of knowledge and wisdom in this new book, which will work as a ready reckoner for general readers. We are honoured to publish this book.’
Commenting on the book, Premanka Goswami, Executive Editor, Penguin Random House India says, ‘Dr Randeep Guleria, Dr Gagandeep Kang and Dr Chandrakant Lahariya are the most authoritative figures to talk about how we, as a nation, fought and continue to fight against the novel virus. In the book, they have offered a clear roadmap for future. The book will work as a useful guide for general readers. We sincerely hope that Till We Win will find a place in every household.’
About the authors-
Dr Chandrakant Lahariya is a medical doctor and leading public policy and health systems expert. He has received advanced trainings in epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology and public health. He has extensive experience in disease control & elimination though his work on polio elimination, routine immunization strengthening as well as outbreak and epidemic investigations. In the last fifteen years, he has worked closely with India’s leading health policy makers to develop and implement several health policies and programs at union and state levels. At present, his work focuses upon universal health coverage, primary healthcare and health systems strengthening. In the year 2012, he received Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Dr BC Srivastava Foundation Award for his work on translating community-based health research in public policy interventions. He is the youngest fellow ever elected to the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA).
Dr Gagandeep Kang is an infectious disease researcher, who links community-based research to high quality laboratory investigation. With thirty years of research at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, she has built collaborative programmes focused on enteric diseases, nutrition and the environment. She supported the development of two rotavirus vaccines made by Indian companies through clinical and laboratory testing. She serves on many advisory committees in India and internationally. She was the Executive Director of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad from 2016 to 2020. A fellow of many prestigious academies in India and internationally, in 2019, she became the first woman working in India to be inducted as a Fellow of Royal Society, London.
Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, is an MD in Medicine and the first DM in Pulmonary Medicine in the country. A leading and world recognized pulmonologist, he has been the chairperson and member of various policy and health forums. He has been a member of Joint Monitoring Group of Govt of India created for pandemic and outbreak management in India since 2005 and has been at the forefront of the Government of India efforts on COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response in the country. He has published more than 350 research papers and popular articles in reputed National and International medical journals. Recipient of many awards and honours including the ‘Padma Shri’ (2015), ‘Dr. B.C. Roy National Award’ in the category of Eminent Medical Person (2014), Times Healthcare achievers award in the ‘Legends’ category (2017), ‘Doctor of the Decade’ award by the Indian Medical Association (2017) and “National Excellence Award” by the TP Jhunjhunwala Foundation (2017-2018), Dr. Guleria has delivered more than 8 national orations.
