On Ruskin Bond's birthday, The Welfare of Stray Dogs founder, Abodh Aras, recalls meeting his favourite author at a Mussoorie bookstore
Ruskin Bond
Some years ago, we chose to go to Mussoorie for a holiday so I could meet one of my favourite authors, Ruskin Bond who had made Landour, above Mussoorie, his permanent home. I had read that every Saturday he came to the Cambridge Book Depot, the bookshop on Mall Road between 4 and 6 pm, to meet and sign books for his fans.
Aras with Ruskin Bond at Cambridge Book Depot
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“What if he is out of town that day? What if he does not come only that Saturday when I am in Mussoorie?” I wondered. As back up, I also trekked upto Char Dukaan and Sisters Bazaar so I could pass Bond’s Ivy cottage en route.
The autograph
I wonder if I would have gate crashed had I not been able to meet him at the bookshop! On Saturday, we rushed from our hotel down the Mall Road well before 4 pm, and there he was, seated on a chair at the bookshop, chatting with someone. I had not carried my entire Ruskin Bond book collection from Mumbai but had bought a book in Mussoorie and Landour, co-authored by him.
I sheepishly pushed it in front of him for an autograph; he gave a heart-warming smile and asked where I was from and what I did. I knew that he was a dog lover as he had once written this, “Stray dogs sometimes join me here. Having been a stray dog myself at various periods of my life, I can emphasise with these friendly vagabonds of the road”.
We chatted for a few minutes, and he told me how he too, was associated with an organisation based in Dehradun that looked after street dogs. I thanked him and made way for others who were waiting to meet him.
Happy Birthday, Mr Bond and to many many more, filled with good health and happiness!
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