My Portfolio

I DID IT!

A 2-part book series on exceptional stories of people who made it large

Some books leave a lasting imprint not only on readers, but also on the person who writes them. The I Did It series has been one such journey for me. Rooted in real-life narratives, these books chronicle the lives of individuals who rose from humble beginnings to carve their own definitions of success, despite formidable odds. As a journalist, I was trained to observe from a distance, to report without getting emotionally involved. With I Did It, I broke that rule — consciously and completely.

The process of writing these stories was deeply human. There were moments of tears, silent pauses, laughter and deep bonds. What emerged were not just profiles of achievement, but intimate reflections of grit, dignity, and belief. These two books reshaped how I view success — not as an outcome, but as sheer grit and courage in motion.

Published by Times Books, the first I Did It volume was released in 2017 and sold out within six months. It featured 18 inspiring individuals, including Magsaysay Award winner Anshu Gupta, Padma Shri Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, entrepreneur Captain Gopinath, Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia, among others. The book was launched by Padma Shri and celebrated author Ruskin Bond, who was also one of the featured voices — a moment that felt both humbling and affirming

I Did It ! Volume 2, featured 20 individuals from diverse professions and backgrounds, unified by their extraordinary journeys. With names such as chef, author and filmmaker Vikas Khanna, award-winning photographer Vicky Roy, comedian Bharti Singh, footballer Pratik Shinde, and entrepreneurs Hanmant Gaikwad and P. C. Musthafa, among others, this volume further strengthened the series’ core belief — that resilience, not privilege, is the true starting point of success.

Together, the I Did It! books reminded me that beginnings do not define endings, and that resilience often writes the most powerful stories.